What is a Resume?

The word résumé is French for "summary," deriving from the past participle "résumer," meaning "to summarize."

A resume (or résumé) is a brief document (typically no more than 1 - 2 pages) that summarizes education, employment history, and experiences relevant to qualifications for a specific employment opportunity.

A resume serves several purposes:

1. Used as a tool to obtain an interview
2. Provides a select summary of job history
3. Provides the opportunity to present strengths, abilities and qualifications
   
4. Provides an outlook of employment future
   

The following video by Catherine Breet Byers offers some additional details:



See also:
Parts of a Resume
What is a Cover Letter?
What is a CV?