How to Improve Time Management Skills

Getting work done, meeting deadlines, and being productive 100% of the time is difficult for everyone. It’s even harder if you struggle with time management. Luckily, there are several ways you can improve your time management skills. These range from simple changes in your day-to-day to complete overhauls in how you schedule your life! This article explores the many time management techniques you can use to get things done more efficiently, including making a daily schedule, getting rid of distractions, and organizing the perfect workspace.

Steps

Set clear and measurable weekly goals.

1. Write down everything you would like to accomplish. Review your list and prioritize what absolutely has to get done that week, such as a task with a looming deadline. Setting specific goals helps keep you motivated and will make you feel extra accomplished when you’ve achieved everything you set out to do.
   
   • Challenge yourself to complete more than you think you can, but don’t go overboard. If you have a massive research paper due on Friday, it’s probably not the time to add organizing your entire home and writing a novel to your list.
   • Instead, try setting the goals of finishing your research paper, organizing your closet, and writing ten pages of your novel.

Create a daily schedule to organize tasks.

1. Use a calendar or a piece of paper for scheduling. Map out exactly how you want to use your time each day, leaving nothing out of your schedule. Include how much time you would like to spend on each task. For example, start your schedule with something like, “7:30 AM - 8:00 AM: Wake up and eat breakfast.” Follow that with the first major task of your day, such as “8:00 AM - 8:30 AM: Answer emails.”^[1]
   
   • You may not follow your schedule exactly, as life can sometimes surprise you with how long a task will take. Regardless, a schedule is a great guideline for keeping you on track to reach your weekly goals.
   • Try using a paper planner or writing out a weekly schedule to keep yourself on track.

Prioritize daily tasks by importance.

1. Pick the hardest or most pressing task of the day to do first. Let’s say you’ve got a colossal amount of homework to do, and you don’t know where to start. Review the due dates of your assignments as well as the difficulty level of each one, and prioritize accordingly. Getting a difficult, time consuming assignment out of the way first will make you feel accomplished and ready to tackle the rest of your to-do list!^[2]
   
   • For example, if you have a massive math assignment due tomorrow and some quick vocabulary worksheets due at the end of the week, start with the math homework.

Concentrate on one task at a time.

1. It’s hard to get things done when you’re doing too many things at once. As you cross things off your to-do list, keep your mind focused on the task at hand. Shut out thoughts about your other responsibilities, and avoid going back and forth between unrelated duties. It’s much more efficient to tackle one responsibility at a time. ^[3]
   
   • For example, instead of answering emails and returning phone calls at the same time, answer all of your emails before you make your phone calls.
   • Switching back and forth between tasks is more work for your brain and slows down the process.

Minimize distractions and interruptions.

1. Give each task your full attention. Turn off any distractions such as email, phone, and social media notifications. You should also eliminate noise, such as a nearby TV or radio. Set aside time when you don’t want to be disturbed and don’t address any interruptions unless it's absolutely necessary.^[4]
   
   • For example, if you plan to write for 45 minutes, don’t answer your phone or respond to any emails during this time. Once the 45 minutes are up, you can check your email.
   • Social media is a big distraction. Schedule social media time throughout the day and stay away from it unless it is during a scheduled time block.

Take short breaks so you don't burn out.

1. You can't work or be productive 24 hours a day. Schedule breaks throughout your day to give yourself some time to rest and relax. A break allows you to recharge and come back to a task with a fresh perspective. Try to do something on your break that is completely unrelated to your task, like drawing a picture, strumming a guitar, or playing a game of chess on your phone! You may also consider:
   
   • Calling a friend
   • Taking a walk
   • Meditating or doing some stretching

Delegate tasks that others can handle for you.

1. You don't have to do everything yourself! Allowing another person to take care of something gives you a chance to devote yourself to your other tasks while still getting everything done. Be sure you delegate to someone reliable and trustworthy! You don’t want to worry about whether the person will actually get it done.
   
   • Remember that delegating is a sign of strength and intelligence, not weakness. Everyone has to ask for help sometimes!

Track your time with a journal or app.

1. Carry a notebook and write down everything you do and for how long. Alternatively, download a free time tracking app like Due Time Tracking, Calendar, or TopTracker to keep tabs on how you spend each minute.^[5] Make sure you are honest. At the end of the day, review how you spent your time. Do this every day for a week to get a good picture of how you typically spend your day. At the end of the week, consider making changes if you find you spent way too many minutes (or even hours) checking social media or surfing the web.^[6]
   
   • It’s best to track your time for a few days in a row to get an honest look at your schedule. Some days you may attend a birthday dinner or a doctor’s appointment, which aren’t everyday tasks and could throw off your schedule.

Review your task list at the end of each day.

1. Take note of what you completed as well as what still needs to get done. Cross off the tasks you finished and make a new to-do list for the next day, starting with what you didn’t accomplish. Making time for this extra step each night helps you celebrate what you achieved while keeping your goals for the next day in mind. It can also help you get a better idea of what tasks take the most time. Use that information to reassess how much time you should give yourself to complete certain tasks.^[7]
   
   • It’s completely okay to find that you didn’t get all of your tasks done! Remember that tomorrow is a new day. Keep pushing yourself to meet your goals!

Motivate yourself with rewards.

1. At the start of a task, promise yourself a reward at the end of it. For example, if you have a writing assignment you need to complete but are in no mood to do, allow yourself to go on a 20-minute walk to a nearby park once you’re done with the assignment!
   
   • Make sure your reward is something that you really enjoy.
   • Your reward should never cause a setback or get you off track. For example, going to the movies or taking the rest of the day off after completing a 30-minute task may not be a good idea.

Say no to extra projects if your plate is full.

1. It’s easy to take on more than you can handle. Be realistic when agreeing to new responsibilities, keeping what you have to get done already in mind. For example, if your schedule is fully booked with classes and soccer practice during the school week, it may not be the best time to join another club.^[8]
   
   • Learn to say “no." If you cannot say no, be honest about your time constraints. For example, if someone asks you to get something done by the end of the day, you may say, “I'm a little overloaded right now, but I can have it to you by the end of tomorrow.”
   • Over-scheduling can also lead to stress. When you are stressed, you become less productive.

Take advantage of your downtime.

1. Make a quick list when you’ve got extra time. For example, try using the bus ride to work or school to do some extra planning. This is especially helpful if you find yourself particularly stressed out about your responsibilities during your leisure time!^[9]
   
   • Don't devote all of your downtime to planning and organizing. This could become stressful and do more harm than good. You still need some time to relax!
   • If you have 10 minutes of downtime, start by devoting 2 or 3 minutes to getting organized.

Organize your workspace to improve productivity.

1. Declutter your desk or find a quiet, calm space in your home. If your desk is brimming with papers, envelopes, pens, and garbage, anyone would be a little stressed or distracted! Tidy up your workspace so that you eliminate any potential distractions. Throw away any garbage, dust off your laptop and desk, and try organizing your papers in a folder or binder.^[10]
   
   • You don’t have to eliminate all your personal touches, though! Add a few pictures to look at when you’re looking for a jolt of happiness, or consider a cute pen holder or desk plant to give your space some pizzazz.

Why Is Time Management Important?

Tips

• Try to wake up early so you have a head start.
• Always keep deadlines in mind.
• Give yourself some time off to relax and collect yourself.
• Try to get enough sleep each night. This way, you will be active enough to achieve your goals and work efficiently.

References

Quick Summary

1. ↑ https://www.nshss.org/resources/blog/blog-posts/time-management-what-is-it-and-why-is-it-important/
2. ↑ https://www.calcoast.edu/news/prioritizing-your-life-how-what-when-why-guide
3. ↑ https://psychcentral.com/health/tips-to-improve-your-time-management-skills
4. ↑ [v161450_b01]. 30 June 2020.
5. ↑ https://greatergood.berkeley.edu/article/item/how_journaling_can_help_you_in_hard_times
6. ↑ [v161450_b01]. 30 June 2020.
7. ↑ https://www.usa.edu/blog/ways-journaling-benefits-students/
8. ↑ [v161450_b01]. 30 June 2020.
9. ↑ http://psychcentral.com/lib/6-tips-to-improve-your-time-management-skills/
10. ↑ https://academicresourcecenter.harvard.edu/productivity

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How to Types of Hugs

Which hugs mean they're into you (and which ones mean you're just friends)?

You're meeting an old friend for lunch when they enthusiastically greet you with a long, tight hug. As the seconds go by, you’re left wondering if this is a friendly hug, or if it means they’ve been harboring a secret crush on you after all these years! The duration, body placement, and pressure during a hug can actually tell you if someone is feeling romantic or if they only view you as a friend. In this article, we’ll decode what each type of hug means and tell you how to replicate them so that you can hug like you mean it.

Things You Should Know

• A tight bear hug or a hug with back pats is usually friendly and platonic.
• If their arms are around your waist or they’re hugging you from behind, the hug is romantic.
• A quick distant hug or a sideways hug is mostly just polite and impersonal.

Steps

The Classic Hug

1. This is a warm, intimate hug between friends and family. The classic hug is one of the most common hugs, where you and the hugger wrap your arms around each other with your chests touching and heads side by side. Make it a great hug by embracing them tightly and holding the hug for several seconds.^[1]
   
   • You typically give and receive this hug when you say goodbye to someone, or are greeting them after a long time.
   • Someone who has romantic feelings for you may squeeze you a little tighter or might hold the hug for a little longer.^[2]

The Bear Hug

1. The bear hug is a long, tight hug that signals intimacy. In this hug, someone wraps their arms all the way around you and squeezes tightly. This hug is usually platonic, but means that you are close with the hugger and are sharing a happy moment together.^[3]
   
   • Be careful to not squeeze too tightly during this hug.

The Hug at the Waist

1. A hug around your waist is romantic and means they trust you. This is a very common hug between romantic partners that signifies they are comfortable together. Simply wrap your arms around your partner’s waist and hold onto them to show that you care.^[4]
   

The Side Hug

1. A sideways hug is a casual, less personal hug. When you are greeting an acquaintance, they might quickly drape an arm around your shoulders. There is minimal touching in this hug, as only the sides of your bodies meet, which signifies that it is more polite and friendly.^[5]
   
   • However, if a close friend or romantic partner gives you this hug, it can be a sign of quick affection, comfort, or encouragement.^[6]

The Hug from Behind

1. This is a playful, affectionate hug between romantic partners. In this hug, your significant other surprises you by wrapping their arms around you from behind, pulling you close and showing that they love and care for you.^[7]
   
   • If you are giving your partner a hug from behind, rest your head against their neck to nuzzle and cuddle them for a minute. You can then turn them around and deepen the hug.
   • Surprise your partner with this hug when they’re washing the dishes or scrolling on their phone to show them you care when they least expect it.

The Quick Hug

1. A short hug is a friendly, social greeting. This is a common hug that doesn’t mean much beyond a polite acknowledgement. Your upper bodies may touch, but your lower does not. You might receive this hug from an old friend, a colleague, or family member.^[8]
   
   • If you receive this hug from someone you're interested in, they might just be in a hurry to get somewhere. However, if they avoid eye contact and give a polite smile, they might see you as a friend.

One Armed Hug

1. A hug with just one arm is friendly and platonic. When you receive this hug, the hugger wraps one arm around your back with minimal chest and body touching. This can signify that they aren’t close with you yet and are nervous about a hug seeming intimate.^[9]
   
   • If you are getting to know someone romantically, or even dating them, and they only give you this hug, it might mean they only view you as a friend.

The Patting Hug

1. Patting your back signifies warmth and comfort among friends. This hug is strictly friendly, with a few quick pats or rubs before you pull apart. There is still a connection between the shoulders and chest, which means it's more of an intimate hug between close friends.^[10]
   
   • Many people also call this the “Bro” or “Buddy” hug because men commonly greet their friends with a few slaps to the back.

The Triangle Hug

1. This is a cold, awkward hug with no body touching. In the triangle hug, you and your hugger’s lower bodies are positioned far away from each other to form a triangle. This is an extremely quick, polite hug done out of obligation.^[11]
   

The Unreciprocated Hug

1. An unreciprocated hug can be cold and unwanted. If you remain motionless, with your arms at your sides, during a hug, this can signify that you don't want the hug or are uncomfortable.^[12]
   

The Catcher Hug

1. This is a happy, romantic hug after a long time spent apart. When your partner greets you, they will run up to you and leap into your arms with a long, tight hug. This is an excited, affectionate hug that signifies a lot of trust and love between you and your partner.^[13]
   
   • If you are receiving this hug, spin your partner around for an extra romantic, sweet gesture.
   • If you are giving this hug, wrap your legs around their waist and bury your head in their neck to get closer and show how much you missed them.

The Eye to Eye Hug

1. This is a romantic hug where a couple gazes into each other's eyes. During this hug, your partner will wrap their arms around your waist or shoulders and touch their forehead to yours. This hug means you two are extremely close, trusting, and loving.^[14]
   
   • This hug can lead to a slight sway or dance. Lean your head on your partner's shoulder to amplify the romance and your connection.^[15]

The Cuddle Hug

1. A long, snuggly hug means they feel comfortable and safe. You and your partner might be watching Netflix on the couch when they wrap their arms around your waist and rest their head on your chest. This hug shows sweet, relaxed affection between the two of you.^[16]
   
   • You can turn this hug up a notch with caressing and kissing to get more romantic with your partner.

The Group Hug

1. A hug with multiple people signifies warmth and togetherness. You might initiate a group hug with close friends or family to show your happiness during a celebration, or strengthen your bonds during a farewell. Simply gather up your friends and form a tight ball, with your arms around everyone.^[17]
   

The Pickpocket Hug

1. This is a sweet, romantic hug that means they trust you. You and your partner might be walking together when they slip their arm behind your back and place their hand in your pocket. Reciprocate and place your hand in their pocket for a cutesy, rom-com worthy gesture.^[18]
   

The Self Hug

1. Wrap your arms around yourself to provide comfort. Sometimes, there isn’t anyone around to give you the comfort and reassurance you need. Luckily, you can wrap your own arms around yourself and squeeze to help you feel better.^[19]
   

Video

Tips

• Pay attention to how the hug feels if you're trying to figure out if the hug is friendly or romantic. With a romantic hug, you might feel a spark or chemistry between you.^[20]

References

1. ↑ https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/the-asymmetric-brain/202206/10-things-make-hug-great
2. ↑ [v161232_b01]. 22 September 2021.
3. ↑ https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/the-path-passionate-happiness/202203/the-shocking-truth-about-hugs
4. ↑ https://www.pennmedicine.org/updates/blogs/health-and-wellness/2018/february/affection
5. ↑ https://www.pennmedicine.org/updates/blogs/health-and-wellness/2018/february/affection
6. ↑ https://health.clevelandclinic.org/why-hugging-is-actually-good-for-your-health-video/
7. ↑ https://www.helpguide.org/articles/mental-health/benefits-of-play-for-adults.htm
8. ↑ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9216399/
9. ↑ https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/shouldstorm/202006/science-discovers-the-perfect-formula-hugging
10. ↑ https://www.dignityhealth.org/articles/facts-about-touch-how-human-contact-affects-your-health-and-relationships
11. ↑ https://changingminds.org/techniques/body/hugging.htm
12. ↑ https://www.scienceofpeople.com/know-someone-going-give-handshake-hug/
13. ↑ https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/the-asymmetric-brain/202202/4-important-new-discoveries-about-hugging
14. ↑ https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/shouldstorm/202006/science-discovers-the-perfect-formula-hugging
15. ↑ https://www.gundersenhealth.org/health-wellness/eat/10-ways-to-respect-your-body
16. ↑ https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15740822/
17. ↑ https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1877858522000730
18. ↑ https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/the-asymmetric-brain/202304/where-in-the-world-do-people-hug-and-kiss-the-most
19. ↑ https://kidshealth.org/en/teens/body-image.html
20. ↑ [v161232_b01]. 22 September 2021.

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How to Be a Fun Person to Hang out With

Everybody wants to hang out with fun people. Nobody wants to be classified as "boring". It’s just that some of us need a little help in this department. Being fun to hang out with starts with developing healthy self-esteem, an adventurous spirit, and a compassionate personality. All of this will make you an ideal person to hang out with.

Steps

Developing Fun Qualities

1. Be confident. Have a healthy sense of self or good self-esteem. Before you even begin trying to become a fun person, you have to believe you can be a fun person. Nothing is wrong with believing in yourself, and it's looked up to but never looked down on. Most confident people have insecurities.
   
   • There are many ways to build confidence or self-esteem. Try making lists of your strengths and accomplishments. People often focus on their downfalls rather than successes. Remind yourself why people should think you’re fun.
   • Identify and discount any negative ideas you have about yourself. If you think of yourself negatively, others will follow suit.
   • It is important to recognize where your weaknesses are and try to fix them.
   • Don’t be overconfident. Few things are less appealing than egotistic individuals. Don’t be a snob either. People don’t like others who cannot be humble.^[1]
2. Be willing to open up. If you guard yourself or put up walls, no one will get to know you. If they cannot learn more about you, they won’t think you’re fun. Learn to open up.
   
   • Be relatable. People want to hang out with others that have similar aspirations and fears. Tell people what yours are. Talk about your life goals, family, other friends, love of puppies, or whatever else makes you tick. Everyone shares basic goals or concerns. Chances are, if you try, you'll find common ground with just about anyone.
3. Be spontaneous. Don't be afraid to take chances. Think about the fun people you know. They take chances on a regular basis, both socially as well as in their life.
   
   • This is hard at first and takes practice. But the more you do it the sooner it will just become a part of you. Don't think too much, regardless of what anyone tells you. Don't overanalyze things and don't spend a ton of time wondering what could go wrong, what someone else in your position would say, or how you should react to what they're going to say next. ^[2]
4. Be open-minded. Be open to new experiences and different opinions. Try new things. They can be spontaneous or planned out ahead of time. If a friend wants to see a band play a concert, but you don't like the band, try going anyway. Be open to experiences even if they don’t fit your specific tastes. You can always find ways to have fun.
   
   • Everyone is entitled to their opinion. You can still have fun with people even if you don’t agree with their politics or religion. Find things you have in common and emphasize them in conversation. If you know your friend has controversial opinions on a subject, avoid it.

Being a Fun Person to Talk to

1. Show interest. The most important thing to remember about having a conversation is that it goes both ways. Listen and show compassion to others. If people think they can talk to you about anything, they’ll invite you to hang out more often. Don’t monopolize the conversation. If you ignore people or always talk about yourself, they won’t invite you anymore.
   
   • Ask questions. This is a good way to keep a conversation going. It also shows the other person, that you are trying to understand their story or problem.
   • Offer advice if needed or wanted. Some people just want someone to listen to them. They need to get a load off of their chest. Be the person that listens. Give advice based on personal experience.
2. Be positive. Focus on the positive aspects of your life, what you are looking forward to, or what you want to do. We all know that misery loves company, but if you are miserable all the time, others won’t want to hang out with you.
   
   • If you catch yourself saying something negative, try to counter your comment with two positive comments.
   • Try to cheer up the people around you. It will show them that you are compassionate and will generally leave them with the impression that you are a good, fun person.
   • Being positive is a goal as much as it’s an instruction here. Trying to be positive can have an effect on your own mood and quality of life. If you’ve had a terrible day, you can talk about it with people around you, but don’t dwell. Be positive that things will improve. Being positive helps to reduce stress, depression, and even blood pressure.^[3]
3. Have positive body language. Your body needs to match your persona. You can pretend to be cool, say interesting things, and be confident, but if you body screams the opposite, people won’t want to hang out with you.
   
   • Open your stance up. Don’t close yourself off by crossing your arms or hunching over. You want your body to tell people that you welcome their approach.
   • Lean forward. Psychologists explain that leaning forward during a conversation indicates interest. People will think you are more fun to hang out with if you show interest in what they have to say. Lean slightly forward over a table when a friend is talking to you.^[4]
   • Make eye contact. This is another sure-fire way to tell someone you’re listening to them.^[5]
   • With all of these body language principles, don’t overdo them. Opening up your body to ridiculous lengths (like walking around with your arms and legs spread out as far as they can go), leaning too far forward, and refusing to break eye contact, can be incredibly off-putting.
4. Crack jokes. Be confident in your humor. Embrace bad jokes and good ones. If a joke doesn’t get any laughs, just move on with the conversation. Don’t make it awkward.^[6]
   
   • Don’t be afraid to tell a corny joke or make a silly pun. Insert impressions when it fits the conversation. Do your best (or worst) impression of someone you all know, whether it’s a teacher or a coworker. Make comical references to popular movies or television shows.
   • Don’t be afraid of playing the fool, if you are comfortable with it. Dance like a complete fool, pretending like you think you’re the best dancer ever. Wear a ridiculous outfit, or a graphic tee with a silly message.
5. Smile and laugh. Even if you don't feel like smiling, putting on a grin radiates approachability, positivity, and friendliness.^[7] But looking the part of a fun person is half the battle, and it's not even really much of a battle because once you get the hang of it, smiling just becomes a reflex, and an attractive one at that.^[8]
   
   • Of course, don't overdo it and be annoying. You don’t want to make people uncomfortable.

Having Fun Interests

1. Learn how to “hang out”. Hanging out can mean different things to different people. Some people like to just sit around casually, watch TV, play games, or just talk. For others, hanging out can mean doing interesting activities outside the home. Figure out what your friends or prospective friends consider hanging out to be and then tailor your interests to that crowd.
   
2. Tap into popular culture. At least, be aware of all areas of popular culture.^[9] Once you have a solid base, you’ll be able to keep up with and contribute to a variety of conversations.
   
   • Be wary of criticizing popular culture too much. Read the room. You don’t want to be the only one that consistently bashes popular culture topics. Have an opinion, but just make sure that you don’t offend or turn anyone off.
3. Develop a variety of interests. If you have appealing interests or skills, then others will flock to you if they have similar interests. Figure out what interests you naturally, then accentuate those aspects of your personality. Try not to limit your options. What one person considers cool, another person will consider weird.^[10]
   
   • Don’t be afraid to learn to do something physical. Learn to juggle, do gymnastics, play a sport, or dance. You can invite people to do these things with you after you’ve developed the skill. They’ll admire you for it. And you’ll have something to talk about.
   • Learn something new that excites you. You’ve found wikiHow so this should be easy to do. Learn a language, how to make Italian food from scratch, what it takes to do improv comedy, how to write fiction, or how to identify birds based on their songs. It doesn’t matter as long as it excites you. People like learning new things and if you know a lot about something, you can share your excitement for the subject with them.
4. Explore a new part of your city or neighborhood. Just like with skills or knowledge, some people like to get out and try new things. Search for new opportunities in a new part of your town you haven’t seen before and invite your friends to join you, seeing it all as a new adventure. There are a number of great online sources, like TripAdvisor or Eventbrite, that can educate you on your area or events happening near you.^[11]
   
   • Know about your area. Know about new restaurants or public events. Everybody has to eat, so if you know of a great restaurant, you can suggest it. Everybody likes listening to music. Find outdoor concerts in your area and suggest them too.
   • Don’t be afraid to think outside the box. Look for different events like slam poetry, roller derby, museum or gallery showings, cooking classes, or yoga in the park. Participate in eclectic events. It will show just how open-minded and spontaneous you are.

Video

Tips

• Make sure you are having fun. Because if you are, then the people around you will too!
• Treat people the way you want to be treated. Show interest in them and they’ll show interest in you.
• Be honest and fulfill your promises. Being trustworthy matters to people and if they know you're reliable, they'll relax a lot more around you.
• Make sure you pick fun people to hang with. If you are miserable, you’re in the wrong situation.

Warnings

• Don’t change yourself in hopes that others will like you. Continue being true to yourself.

Related wikiHows

• Build Self Confidence
• Feel Confident

References

Quick Summary

1. ↑ https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/hide-and-seek/201205/building-confidence-and-self-esteem
2. ↑ https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/the-introverts-corner/201411/how-introverts-can-be-more-spontaneous
3. ↑ http://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-living/stress-management/in-depth/positive-thinking/art-20043950
4. ↑ https://personalitynft.com/psychology/body-language/open-body-language/
5. ↑ https://www.themuse.com/advice/the-secrets-to-making-nonawkward-eye-contact
6. ↑ http://elitedaily.com/life/laughing-is-healthy/727201/
7. ↑ https://fullfocus.co/becoming-a-happy-person/
8. ↑ https://www.webmd.com/beauty/features/smile-personality
9. ↑ http://www.vulture.com/2013/09/100-pop-culture-things-that-make-you-millennial.html
10. ↑ http://www.succeedsocially.com/morefun
11. ↑ http://www.timeout.com

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How to Make a Resume

Whether you're a new graduate or a seasoned professional, a polished resume is essential for a successful job hunt. Your resume is a visual document that hiring managers will typically only glance at for a few seconds. A clean structure and well-organized content can help your resume stand out from the rest. Tailor your resume to each job, highlighting the skills, education, and experience that make you a strong candidate.

Steps to Writing a Strong Resume

1. Job search strategist Madeline Mann says to start by identifying the role you want. Tailor your resume to that role.
2. List your relevant jobs with the job title, dates, and place of employment clearly displayed.
3. Highlight your relevant hard skills and accomplishments for each job you list.
4. Add a section summarizing your education.
5. If there's room, include special skills at the bottom.

Steps

Sample Resumes

Sample Chronological Resume

Sample Chronological Resume

Sample Functional Resume

Sample Functional Resume

Sample Combination Resume

Sample Combination Resume

Sample Software Engineer Resume

Sample Software Engineer Resume

Sample Personal Trainer Resume

Sample Personal Trainer Resume

Structuring Your Resume

1. Choose a template or design your own. Most word processing apps have several different resume templates you can choose from. If none of them appeal to you, however, you can always use your own design.
   
   • There are also templates available for download online, many of them free. If you don't want to use one of the basic templates in your word processing app, you may find another online that works for you.
   • Template elements can also be customized to suit your needs. Think of it as scaffolding that you can adjust or eliminate as necessary.
   • Use a standard, readable font in 10- or 12-point. Your section headings may be a little larger. Times New Roman and Georgia are popular serif fonts. If you want to go with a sans-serif font, try Calibri or Helvetica.
2. Create a header with your name and contact information. At the top of your page, type your full name, address, phone number, and email address. Play around with the formatting to find something that you like best.
   
   • For example, you could have all the information centered. You could also have your address on the left side and your phone number and email address on the right, with your name centered in the middle in a slightly larger size.
   • If you don't already have a professional email address, get one from a free email service such as Gmail. Ideally, the email address you use on your resume will be some version of your initials and last name. Never list a silly or suggestive personal email address on your resume.
3. Use a chronological resume in more conservative fields. In a chronological resume, you list your work experience and education in reverse-chronological order. This is a classic resume format that would likely be more appreciated by older hiring managers, or those in conservative fields such as accounting or law.
   
   • You don't have a lot of flexibility with a chronological resume, but you can still arrange the sections in a way that puts your strongest information at the top. For example, if you have a lot of education but not a lot of work experience, you might want to list education first.
4. Try a functional resume if you lack direct work experience. With a functional resume, you can highlight your specific skills and assets without having to list every job you've ever had. This can be a benefit if your work experience is thin.
   
   • A functional resume is also a good choice if you have an extensive amount of experience and want to limit your resume to a page. You can focus on the skills you've developed rather than having to list each individual job with specific details.
5. Combine a chronological and functional resume to highlight your skills. You can still use a functional resume even if you're looking for a job in a more conservative field. Lead off with a skills section, then include chronological sections underneath.^[1]
   
   • Because this type of resume can get lengthy, consider only listing your last 2 or 3 jobs and your highest educational degree. If you've been at your most recent job for over 10 years, you may want to only list that. You can make clear in the functional part of your resume how long you've been working in the industry.

Making Your Content Shine

1. Lead with groups of skills for a functional resume. A functional resume puts emphasis on what you can do, rather than on what you've done. Brainstorm a list of 4 to 5 categories of skills that you have experience or education in. Then include a brief description of the skill and bullet points with specific examples of when you put that skill to use.^[2]
   
   • For example, if you're creating a resume for an online writing job, you might include "editing" as one of your skills. One of your bullet points might state the number of articles you've edited on wikiHow and any accolades you were given for that work. Even if it's volunteer work, it's still experience as an editor.
   • You can also include relatively soft skills. For example, you might list "team leader" as one of your skills. You could then include bullet points detailing your work in student government, organizing a rally for a nonprofit organization, or working as a camp counselor.
2. List work experience, including relevant volunteer work. For a chronological resume, add specific jobs and other work experience in reverse-chronological order, starting with the most recent job you've had. Use specific, descriptive job titles that tell potential employers exactly what you did through that experience.
   
   • Generally, you should include the month and year you started and ended the job in a chronological resume. However, if you worked there for several years, just the years are typically fine.
   • With a functional resume, you have a little more leeway in how you include your work experience. You don't necessarily have to include the dates you worked for a particular employer, although you should indicate the length of time you worked there. For example, you might say "Managed 20-person sales force for 10 years."
   • Use active verbs to describe your responsibilities and accomplishments. Specific numbers and metrics show potential employers exactly what you achieved. For example, if you were a sales manager, you might include a line such as "Implemented changes that increased sales by 27% in 1 quarter."
3. Include relevant education or certifications. Typically, your highest degree is the only one you need to include on your resume. However, you should include lower degrees if they're relevant to the job you're applying for. Additionally, list any relevant licenses or certifications you have.^[3]
   
   • For example, if you've just graduated from law school and are applying for a job as an attorney, you would want to include your law degree on your resume as well as the bar you've been admitted to. If you're admitted to practice in any other courts, you would want to list them as well.
   • If you're creating a functional resume, your education section will probably be at the bottom of the page.^[4] Some people leave education off of a functional resume entirely. However, include it if the job post lists a specific degree as a requirement.^[5]
   • If you had a cumulative GPA of 3.5 or higher, feel free to include it with your educational information. Otherwise, you should leave it out. If you're listing more than one degree, include your GPA on both of them if possible. Otherwise, don't include it at all.
4. Emphasize hard skills that make you a more valuable employee. Even on a chronological resume, you might have a skills section if you want to let the hiring manager know about skills you possess that are relevant to the job. Focus on hard skills that can be objectively evaluated, such as computer or technical skills or languages.^[6]
   
   • It can be tempting to fudge a little in your skills section and exaggerate your skill level to sound more impressive. However, this can get you in trouble. For example, if you only know a handful of words and phrases in Spanish, don't put on your resume that you're conversational or even fluent. If the hiring manager starts talking to you in Spanish, you've eliminated your chances of getting hired.
   • If specific skills were listed in the job post and you happen to have those skills, on the other hand, include a skills section and list them along with detail about your proficiency.
5. Place keywords in your resume strategically. Employers often use filtering software to scan resumes for specific keywords. These words indicate what they want in a potential employee. The software enables hiring managers to spend less time reading through resumes. To get through the filter, include keywords mentioned in the job listing.^[7]
   
   • Make sure the keywords you use fit in with the rest of your text, and use them sparingly. There's no need to repeat the same word or phrase over and over.
6. Add hobbies and interests if they relate to the job. A section for [[1]] and interests is usually considered optional, but if you're short on content it might help. However, you should include only hobbies or interests that would benefit you in the job you're applying for.
   
   • For example, if you're applying to be a manager at a sporting goods store, the fact that you play several sports would definitely be relevant to that position.

Finalizing Your Resume

1. Tailor each resume to the specific job you're applying for. You may have a master resume that includes all of your skills, education, and experience. However, the resume you give to each potential employer won't necessarily include everything. Only include skills and experience that are directly related to that job. Try to make your resume match the job listing as closely as possible.^[8]
   
   • Move sections around if needed so that the most important qualifications listed in the job description are at the top of the page. Rearrange your bullet points as well, putting the most relevant information first.
   • Even if you're proud of a particular accomplishment, take it off your resume if it doesn't relate to the job in any way.
2. Edit your resume to eliminate excess words and create space. Active, punchy text is essential in a resume, since the document will likely only be glanced at for a few seconds. Remove pronouns, articles, adjectives, and adverbs. The final statement should communicate only the action and the result of that action.^[9]
   
   • For example, suppose you worked as a barista at a café. You might include a bullet point that you maintained high sanitation standards. However, you want to make that as quantifiable as possible. You might say "Implemented new sanitation program; increased café health and sanitation score by 11%."
   • Make your bullet points personal, rather than just rattling off the job description for the position. For example, if you were a retail sales associate, you might say "Exceeded all personal sales goals for 4 months" rather than "Sold clothing and accessories to customers."
3. Proofread carefully before submitting your resume. Don't rely solely on the grammar and spelling checkers built into your word processing app. Read through your resume several times to make sure it's error free. Reading out loud can also help you find errors or awkward wording.^[10]
   
   • Be careful with apostrophes and contractions. If you have difficulty with contractions and possessives, read what you've written as though you spelled the full words out rather than using an apostrophe and see if it makes sense. For example, you could easily find the error in the sentence "Trained sales staff and reported they're progress" if you read it as "Trained sales staff and reported they are progress."
   • Make sure your formatting and punctuation are consistent. For example, if you use bullet points in one section, you should use them in all sections.
   • Free online apps, such as Grammarly, can help you find errors you might not have noticed on your own.
4. Save your resume as a PDF file. If you're sending your resume to potential employers online, they most commonly want a PDF. Use that file format unless the job listing specifically requests something else.
   
   • A PDF document benefits you as well because it preserves your formatting choices. It also prevents errors from being accidentally introduced if the hiring manager opens your resume or prints it out.
5. Print copies of your resume to take to the interview. Print your resume on a good printer using quality white or ivory paper. You can find "resume paper" online or at office supply stores. If you included hyperlinks for your digital resume, take them out before printing so all your text will be black.
   
   • Take at least 3 copies of your resume to the interview. If you know you are being interviewed by a hiring team, take enough copies so that each member of the team can have one. You also want to make sure you have at least one left over for yourself.

Additional Help

Sample Resume Action Words

Sample Resume Action Words

Sample Resume Keywords

Sample Resume Keywords

Sample Parts of Resume

Sample Parts of Resume

Video

Tips

• Using years instead of months and years can help hide gaps in your resume. Just remember to be honest if the interviewer asks you about it.
• You can include a section at the bottom of your resume for references. However, if you're running tight on space, feel free to leave this section out. If the hiring manager wants references, they can ask for them.
• Include a cover letter, even if the employer doesn't specifically require one. It can give your resume context and provide a more personal introduction to you as a candidate.^[11]

Warnings

• Never lie on a resume. At best, you'll find yourself unable to perform the job. At worst, you could get fired or face legal action. Fabricating government work experience could even land you in jail for fraud.^[12]

Related wikiHows

• Create a Resume in Microsoft Word
• Write an Email of Interest for a Job
• Write a Theater Resume
• Write a CV (Curriculum Vitae)
• Include References on a Resume
• Make a Resume
• Make a Resume
• Add a Title to Your Resume

References

Quick Summary

1. ↑ https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/resumes-cover-letters/functional-resume-tips-and-examples
2. ↑ https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/resumes-cover-letters/functional-resume-tips-and-examples
3. ↑ https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/resumes-cover-letters/how-to-make-a-resume-for-your-first-job
4. ↑ [v161202_b01]. 24 January 2020.
5. ↑ https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/resumes-cover-letters/functional-resume-tips-and-examples
6. ↑ https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/resumes-cover-letters/functional-resume-tips-and-examples
7. ↑ https://novoresume.com/career-blog/resume-keywords-how-to-use-them
8. ↑ https://careersidekick.com/how-to-tailor-your-resume-for-each-job-description/
9. ↑ https://www.opencolleges.edu.au/blogs/articles/how-to-write-a-resume
10. ↑ https://www.youthcentral.vic.gov.au/jobs/resumes-and-cover-letters/how-write-resume
11. ↑ https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/resumes-cover-letters/how-to-make-a-resume-for-your-first-job
12. ↑ https://www.findlaw.com/legalblogs/law-and-life/can-you-get-arrested-for-lying-on-your-resume/

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