An alternative to job applications--and one that can turn an individual's deficits or disabilities into assets--is a personal resume. The adult basic education teacher can assist the student in developing a personal resume and suggest the most effective methods for using it. The informal resume used at the Rappahannock Rehabilitation Facility, Fredericksburg, Virginia, follows this format: name, address, personal data (birthdate, marital status, number of children), telephone number, social security number, health, occupational goal, skills, education, experience, and references. A personal resume is more flexible than a job application. The individual can choose how best to present job interests and skills; the presentation can be tailored to meet the needs of a specific company; and a description of an individual's interests and abilities may stimulate an employer to create a position to fill a previously unmet need. A significant advantage of a personal resume lies in its potential to explain a disability or deficit in positive terms. (YLB)