Writing your first resume doesn’t have to be a big stress!

Just stop and think what you want and why you should get it. A good resume is a major step up in getting a good job.

It’s your first chance to get the employer to pay attention to you as an individual. It’s your chance to show off a little, talk a bit about yourself and convince them that you’re the person for the job.

Usually a resume includes a cover letter which is where you get to talk about your self and the job you want and a second piece of paper which explains where you go to school, what experience you have, your interests and activities.

The writing of the resume is actually the easy bit. For an uncomplicated resume, which looks professional, use the templates on Microsoft Word at your school library. If you’re feeling a bit more daring, why not get Google to find you fancy templates, just type “resume templates”.

Once you have the template you just put the information in.

Don’t forget to include hobbies like sewing, football, church, cooking, babysitting, cricket and other activities you do after school. Employers like to know about you as a person not just what school you go to.

Add any technical and computer skills you have, any school work you have done that is related to the job, any awards or accomplishments and any previous experience or summer jobs you’ve had.

But keep it to one page - if it goes past one it’s just too much to read.

The tricky part is the cover letter. Few people actually like to blow their own trumpet, it’s kind of embarrassing and doing it makes you feel like the kid who answers all the questions in class. But it has to be done. So get a piece of paper and list what types of jobs you want and what you think you need to do them well.

If you’re interested in a part-time job in a hotel, you need to tell the boss that you’re a cheerful, friendly and approachable person. If you want a summer office job you need to let them know that you pay attention to details, are neat and responsible. What about a job on the beach or doing water sports? Well then you need to tell them you are an active person who really enjoyed the great outdoors.

But it helps if you actually mean what you are saying.

No, seriously. It’s very obvious when people fudge their resume. And the last thing you want is to actually get an interview and mess it up because they ask you about your love and dedication to marine biology, when you actually only spent one afternoon at the Bermuda Under Water Exploration Institute.

The last tip is the big one. The one everyone always messes up. Spell check it. Again and again and then ask your teacher to check it because a fresh pair of eyes never hurts. Some employers actually throw out every resume they get with a spelling error. So make sure it’s neat and spell check it.