I keep sending out my resume, but nothing is happening. Any tips?

Your resume may need to do a better job selling your strengths. Here are some great strategies to make your resume stronger. Also, you may not be marketing your resume effectively. Here are some ideas.

Should I include an objective? I've heard conflicting opinions.

Career experts differ on the need for an objective. What they agree on is that objectives should be employer-oriented, not self-serving, and specific, not general. For a good before-and-after example, see the second item in the second table on this page.

I've read that most employers prefer a chronological format. Should I use one?

Employers do like to see your employment history, so always include it on your resume. However, a chronological format is not appropriate for everyone. Learn what format is right for you.

I've just created a LinkedIn profile. Do I still need a resume?

Yes. It's true that your LinkedIn profile is similar to a resume. And, you can even convert your profile to a resume. But, you still need a traditional resume. Learn why.

Where can I find good examples of resumes?

Resume books containing samples are available in libraries, work centers, college career centers, and other locations. If you haven't already, see our walk-through sample and other samples showing differents formats and occupations.

I'm in the process of changing careers. What does this mean for my resume?

You'll need to convince employers that what you've done in the past is relevant to their needs. Learn how to identify your transferable skills and communicate your accomplishments.

Is it okay to use a testimonial in my resume, or is that inappropriate?

Your resume is a sales document that sells you, so a testimonial is quite appropriate. Just make sure you've asked for permission first. To see a testimonial that's been integrated into a resume, view the top portion of this sample resume.

I'm trying to fit my resume onto one page and it's not working. Any advice?

You may need to use two pages, which is quite acceptable. In fact, if using one page is making your resume crowded and hard to read, your resume may get passed over for that reason. See our guidelines on designing your resume.

I've heard it's good to have a plain-text resume. How do I make one?

A plain-text resume, also sometimes called an ASCII (American Standard Code for Information Interchange) resume, is sometimes necessary when a resume site or tracking system can't read your Word-formatted resume. For instructions on creating a plain text resume and to see a sample, see this section on resume design.