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How to Celebrate Cinco De Mayo
How to Keep Your Resume to One Page
How to Make Skate Wax

Posted: 05 May 2019 01:00 AM PDT

On May 5, 1862, the Mexican Army, against all odds, defeated the French forces in the Battle of Puebla. On Cinco de Mayo (Spanish for the 5th of May), many Mexicans around the world celebrate their Mexican ancestry and people of all backgrounds can take the time to appreciate Latin culture. There are many ways to celebrate Cinco de Mayo, such as decorating your home, listening to Latin music, and cooking traditional Mexican food. Make sure to be respectful of these traditions by treating Cinco de Mayo as a day to learn and appreciate an important day in Mexican history, rather than as just a time for revelry and dress-up.

EditSteps

EditGetting in the Spirit of Cinco de Mayo

Learn about the significance of Cinco de Mayo. Many people think it is Mexico's Independence Day, but that is on September 16. Cinco de Mayo celebrates Mexico's victory over France at the Battle of Puebla on May 5, 1862. The Battle of Puebla was not a turning point in the Mexican and French conflict, as the French invasion succeeded the following year. Mexico was the underdog of the Battle of Puebla.^[1]^[2]
- The French Army was considered the greatest military force on the globe, having remained undefeated for 50 years. The Mexican forces were outnumbered (4,500 vs. 6,040) yet after being attacked, they suffered far fewer losses (83 Mexicans died, 462 French died).
- The victory in battle is the primary reason for celebration in Mexico, while Cinco de Mayo in the United States has come to be a time to celebrate Mexican culture.
- Cinco de Mayo is also a great opportunity to talk to some of the more elder Hispanic members of your community. Ask them where they immigrated from, what they do for a living, and what their Mexican heritage means to them.
Dress up for the holiday. You can incorporate the colors green, white, and red (the colors of the Mexican flag) into your outfit. Draping the Mexican flag around your shoulders is also another easy way to bring the Cinco de Mayo spirit to a party. You can also wear clothes inspired by Mexican traditions, or actually designed by Mexican clothing designers.^[3]^[4]^[5]
- Instruments, such as a guitar, or maracas can liven up any chosen costume.
- Try to stay away from purchasing or making a typical Americanized version of a Cinco de Mayo costume. These costumes tend to promote cultural insensitivity, and can make others feel very uncomfortable.
Play Mexican style music. The best Cinco de Mayo party idea is to hire a mariachi band. This is a group of traditionally dressed Mexicans who will play music that accompanies the holiday. If you have some spare money to use for the party, feel free to visit websites to hire a mariachi band near you.
- If, however, you do not have a lot of money to spend, you can always create your own Mexican themed playlist for your Cinco de Mayo party. Search on Google for the "top billboard songs in Mexico" or "top billboard songs in Spanish." This will allow you to search for songs that are popular today.
- You can always learn how to play guitar, or the maracas yourself. See either How to Make Maracas or How to Play Guitar.
Put up Mexican-style decorations. This might mean red, white and green streamers (colors of the Mexican flag). Purchase a Mexican flag at your nearest department, or party prop store to hang around your room. Brightly colored tableware can also be purchased to serve food on.
- Making a piñata is another great option to add to any Cinco de Mayo party. You can use it as decoration or as a fun activity for the kids. Piñatas can be bought at most party stores, especially around the time of the Cinco de Mayo holiday. For more information on how to make your own piñata, visit: How to Make a Piñata.
- Use the colors of the Mexican flag (green, white and red) on your clothing, accessories, or anywhere else you may find relevant.
- Luminaries are also another great traditional option. These are tin candle-holders with punched holes in them to create the effect of a starry night. Visit How to Make Luminaries for more information.
Dance around with friends and family. The best known Cinco de Mayo themed dance is the Mexican Hat Dance. However, there are other Latin-style dances such as the salsa, rumba, or folk-lorico. You can hire a professional to teach the partygoers multiple Mexican style dances. There are also numerous videos on YouTube which will teach you some simple Latin dance routines.^[6]^[7]

EditMaking Appetizers, Side Dishes and Margaritas

Mix up some guacamole. Grind together 3 tablespoons of chopped white onion, 2 tablespoons of cilantro, 4 chiles serranos, and 1 teaspoon of salt together in a medium-sized bowl. Do so until the consistency is that of a paste.^[8]
- Cut 3 avocados in half longways using a sharp knife. Remove the pits but do not throw them away. Remove the flesh of the avocado with your knife, and toss it into the original mixture. Mash the flesh in with the mixture, and stir with a spoon until the ingredients are consistent.
- Chop up 2/3 cup of finely chopped (not peeled) tomatoes. Toss these into the bowl as well, and mix with the other ingredients.
- Place your guacamole in a serving bowl. Sprinkle extra onion and tomato overtop of the guacamole. You can add the pits on top for an added visual effect. Serve immediately with a fresh flour tortilla.
- For more information on how to make different types of guacamole, see: How to Make Guacamole.
Cook Mexican flan. Preheat your oven to 300 degrees Fahrenheit. Get out a 9-inch round cake pan. In a blender, combine 8 eggs (whites and yolks), one 14 ounce can of sweetened condensed milk, and 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract. Mix these together until the ingredients become smooth.^[9]^[10]
- In a medium sauce pan, place 1 cup of white sugar. Place the pan on the stove and continuously stir until the sugar liquifies. Remove from heat when it begins to turn light brown, and place it in the waiting 9 inch cake pan. Pour egg mixture overtop the liquified sugar.
- Place your cake pan inside of a roasting pan. Pill your roasting pan up with water, till the point where the water goes about half-way up the side of the cake pan. Then take the roasting pan and put it in the oven.
- Cook the flan for about an hour. You can periodically check when the time is almost expired with a knife. Simply stick the knife into the flan. If it does not stick, the flan is done.
- Serve the flan. Simply take the pan out and rest it safely for about an hour. When you are ready to serve, place a plate upside-down overtop of the cake pan. Then flip the cake pan over, holding the plate against it. You might have to shake the cake pan slightly, or use a knife to get the flan to come out.
- For more information on how to make flan, visit: How to Make Flan
Serve some fresh salsa verde. Purchase about 6-8 medium-sized tomatillos. Take the husk off by hand, and rinse the flesh with some warm water. In a blender or a food processor, combine the tomatillos with 1 jalapeño, 5-6 springs of cilantro (finely chopped), and 1/4 cup of water. Process the ingredients until they have the consistency of a puree (almost a liquid, but not quite). Pour the ingredients into a serving dish.^[11]
- Finely chop a white onion. You will want about a 1/4 cup. Place the onion in a strainer and run water over them. Shake the strainer to make sure the water coats all of the onion. Take the onion and pour it directly into the serving dish, along with the salsa verde.
- Stir in about 1/4 teaspoon of salt into the salsa verde. It is now ready to be served.
- For more information on making salsa verde, please see: How to Make a Salsa Verde.
Make Mexican grilled corn. First, you will need to purchase 4 ears of corn. De-husk them by hand, but leave on the core ends so that you have something to grab them with. Preheat your grill or stove to medium-high heat. While your stove or grill is warming up, make the mixture which will be lathered onto the corn.^[12]
- The mixture includes: 1/2 cup of mayonnaise, 1 and 1/2 cups of sour cream, and 1/4 cup of freshly chopped cilantro. Mix those together in a bowl, either by hand or with a stirring spoon. After you have completed making this mixture, place your corn on the heat.
- Make sure to turn the corn continuously so that it heats on all sides. Take your corn off after it starts to turn slightly brown around the edges.
- Lather on the mayonnaise mixture while the corn is still hot. Grate Parmesan cheese onto the corn. Lastly, squeeze a lime wedge overtop the corn. For more information about this specific recipe, see: How to Make Parmesan Lime Grilled Corn.
Mix together the perfect margarita. The most important thing to buy is the tequila. The best tequila is 100% agave. A good bottle of tequila will cost anywhere between 30-50 dollars. You will also need to purchase Cointreau, a type of triple sec (orange flavored liqueur). Cointreau does not leave an aftertaste like other brands of triple sec do.^[13]
- Mix together, in a margarita mixing cup, the following ingredients: 2 ounces of tequila, 1 ounce of Cointreau, 1 ounce lime juice. Pour in some crushed ice, and shake well.
- Take a cocktail glass and sprinkle lime juice over the rim. Dip the rim of the glass into salt poured out onto a plate.
- Finally, pour the mixed ingredients into the glass. Garnish with either a lime wedge, umbrella, etc. For information regarding other types of margaritas to make, see: How to Make a Margarita.

EditServing a Cinco de Mayo Themed Main Course

Make some traditional Sopes. Combine 3 cups of all purpose flour, 2 cups of warm water, and 1 tablespoon of salt into a mixing bowl. Mix with your hands until a dough begins to form. If the dough seems to dry, add warm water by the teaspoon to the dough until it becomes soft.^[14]
- Lightly flour a table or surface. Place your dough on the surface, and knead until all of the ingredients are well mixed (about 5 minutes). See: How to Knead Dough
- Roll small balls of dough out. Each of them are traditionally 2 inches wide. Once you have all of your balls rolled out, press on each of them by hand until they are about 1/2 inch thick.
- Heat 1/4 inch oil in a frying pan on your stove at medium to medium-high heat. Fry on both sides until golden brown. You can use tongs or a spatula to flip them (make sure to flip them only once to avoid over-frying them).
- Sopes go with almost any dish. You can serve them with cooked vegetables, shredded beef, carnitas, beans, cheese, etc. For more information on cooking sopes, please see: How to Make Sopes
Grill some chicken fajitas. Mix together in a bowl the following ingredients: 1/3 cup coarsely chopped fresh cilantro, 1/4 cup lime juice, 3 cloves minced garlic, 5 tablespoons olive oil, 1 teaspoon ground cumin, 1 teaspoon dark brown sugar, and 1/2 teaspoon salt. Next, take 3 boneless, skinless chicken breasts and place them on a flat surface. Pound them with a mallet until they are 1/2 inch thick.^[15]
- Place the chicken breasts in a plastic bag, and pour the mixed ingredients in along with the chicken. Seal the bag, and place it in the refrigerator for 30 minutes, allowing the chicken to marinade.
- If you use a grill to cook the chicken, turn the heat to high. If you are using stovetop, place a pan on one of the burners. Place a touch of olive oil in the pan, turning the heat to medium-high heat. Place the chicken either on the grill or in the pan. Cook 3-5 minutes on each side, flipping once with either a fork, spatula, or tongs.
- Check the internal temperature. Use a meat thermometer to make sure the chicken is at least 165 degrees Fahrenheit internally. Once the meat has been properly cooked, take it off the heat, and let it rest for 5 minutes. Slice the chicken into 1/2 inch thick strips.
- Next, Slice 1 red pepper, 1 green pepper, and 1 white onion. Place them on the same grill or pan, and cook them until they begin to turn soft. Stir them continuously so that all three ingredients become heated.
- Place your chicken slices over multiple flour tortillas. Take the onions and peppers directly off of the heat and put them overtop of the chicken. Serve with a dollop of sour cream. For more information on cooking fajitas, visit: How to Make Chicken Fajitas.
Serve the perfect chalupa. Begin by taking out a skillet. Place it on the stove, and turn the heat to medium-high. Add a tablespoon of olive oil, or other cooking oil. Once your pan is hot, add in 1/4 cup of diced white onion. Stir with a spoon or spatula until the onions start to become translucent (a minute or two). Then add to the onions, 1 tablespoon of chili powder, 2 teaspoons of cumin seeds, 1 teaspoon of hot paprika, and 1/2 teaspoon of cayenne. Stir the onion and spice mixture.^[16]
- Once you have cooked your spices and onions together for a minute, dump in 1 pound of ground beef. Reduce the heat of your stove to medium, and allow your meat to cook. Continuously stir until your meat is brown.
- While your meat is simmering, get out another frying pan, and place it on the stovetop. Pour in about 1/4 inch frying oil. Turn the heat up to medium-high, and wait for your oil to heat up. Then take soft, round taco shells, one at a time, and dip them in the hot oil. As each of the shells is frying, take two forks and lift up each side of the shell as it is frying. Hold the sides up, so that the shell curls and remains that way.
- Take out each of your shells once they are golden brown. Place them on a paper towel to soak up any excess grease. Take your meat mixture off the heat as well and set it aside to cool.
- To serve, you simply take a shell and pour in some of the meat with a spoon into the curled shell. Then top it off with traditional taco toppings, such as chopped tomatoes, lettuce, and shredded cheese. For more information on how to make the perfect chalupa, visit: How to Make a Taco Bell Beef Chalupa Supreme
Make enchiladas. Place a pan on the stove and turn the heat to medium-high. Put in about a tablespoon of cooking oil, and allow the oil to heat up. Then add in 1 and 1/2 pounds of boneless, skinless chicken breasts. Season the chicken with a pinch of salt and pepper. Each side of the chicken breast should get seven minutes. When the chicken is nearly done cooking, sprinkle on top of the chicken 2 teaspoons of cumin powder, 2 teaspoons of garlic powder, and 1 teaspoon of Mexican spice blend. Once the chicken is done cooking, take it out of the pan and place it aside to cool.^[17]
- In the same pan you just cooked your chicken, saute 1 chopped red onion, and 2 cloves of minced garlic. Cook until tender. Then add in 1 cup of thawed, frozen corn, 5 whole green chiles (seeded and finely chopped), and 4 chipotle chiles (seeded and finely chopped). Stir until well combined. Then add in one 28 ounce can of stewed tomatoes. Saute for one final minute.
- Pour 1 and 1/2 cups of canned enchilada sauce into a bowl. Dip each of your round, soft tortillas into the enchilada sauce. Spoon about 1/4 cup of meat mixture into each tortilla. Wrap the tortilla around the mixture, and place each of them face down in a baking pan, seam down. Top with a little extra enchilada sauce and shredded Mexican cheese.
- Bake for 15 minutes in a preheated 350 degree Fahrenheit oven. Once they are done, take them out. Serve with a garnish of sour cream and chopped tomatoes. For more information regarding how to make enchiladas, visit: How to Make Enchiladas.
Cook the best black bean burritos. First, wrap two flour, 10 inch tortillas (or however many tortillas you plan to serve) in tinfoil. Place each of the wrapped tortillas in a preheated, 350 degree Fahrenheit oven for 15 minutes. Meanwhile, put a skillet on your stovetop and turn the heat to medium-high. Place about 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil in the pan, and allow it to heat up.^[18]
- Once your oil is heated, add in: 1 small white, chopped onion, 1/2 chopped red bell pepper, 1 teaspoon of minced garlic, and 1 teaspoon minced jalapeño peppers. Cook for 2 minutes, stirring occasionally. Then pour one 15 ounce can of black beans (rinsed and drained) into the pan as well. Cook for an additional 3 minutes.
- Dish out 3 ounces of cream cheese. Cut it into small cubes using a knife. Add the cream cheese to the skillet, along with a pinch of salt. Make sure the cream cheese is spread out. Cook for an additional 2 minutes. You can stir in 2 tablespoons of chopped cilantro if you like as well.
- Spoon mixture of black beans into the middle of each flour tortilla. Serve immediately. If you would like some more information on black bean burritos, visit: How to Make Burritos.

EditVideo

EditTips

Don't confuse Cinco de Mayo with Mexican Independence Day (September 16).
An excellent idea to celebrate the holiday with your community would be to organize a Cinco de Mayo themed parade in your area. Or, you could always ask your community members to add a Cinco de Mayo themed float to your next parade.

EditWarnings

Try to remain culturally sensitive. While Americans might have an idea of what Cinco de Mayo is, people whom have emigrated from Mexico might be sensitive to the misappropriation of culture and ideas.
If you are going to a Mexican party and plan to drink, choose a designated driver for going home.

EditRelated wikiHows

EditReferences

EditQuick Summary

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How to Keep Your Resume to One Page

Posted: 04 May 2019 05:00 PM PDT

While a longer resume may be merited if you're applying for an executive-level position or have 20+ years of experience, for most people a one-page resume is sufficient. Any longer than that and you run the risk that the hiring manager won't read the whole thing. If your resume is longer than a page, it's likely bloated with information that you don't need. Keep your resume to one page by tailoring it to the job you're applying for, then editing that content so that it's actionable, direct, and specific. If after that your resume is still more than a page long, try adjusting the formatting to see if you can get it to fit.^[1]

EditSteps

EditTailoring Your Resume to the Job

Eliminate items that aren't relevant to the job you're applying for. While you may be proud of a particular job experience or educational opportunity, it has no place on your resume if it has nothing to do with the job you're applying for. You can cut a lot out of your resume by taking out everything that isn't directly related to this employment opportunity.^[2]
- For example, suppose you're a recent graduate applying for a full-time job as a financial analyst. While in school, you worked as a parking attendant. However, since your work as a parking attendant is not relevant to the work you would do as a financial analyst, you can leave it out.
- Some part-time jobs may have relevance, even if they aren't in the same industry. Think about your job experiences critically. For example, if you're applying for a job as a veterinary technician, it might be relevant that you worked as a pet groomer or pet sitter.
- Your resume essentially markets you to the potential employer and shows them why you are a strong candidate for the job. You don't need to include anything that doesn't add to that message.
Highlight hard skills that set you apart from other applicants. Read the job listing carefully and look for hard skills that the employer requires or recommends that candidates have. List as many of those as possible on your resume.^[3]
- Hard skills include certification or demonstrated proficiency in computer programming or operation, the ability to speak languages other than your first language, and office skills such as typing speed. Do not include soft skills, such as "leadership" or "team player." Instead, show these qualities through the description of your accomplishments.
- It can be tempting to list hard skills you don't actually have. Be careful with this because it may come back to haunt you. Assume that, if hired, you will be asked to do anything included in the job listing as part of your job.
List relevant volunteer work in your "Experience" section. Work experience means work that you've done – not just work that you got paid for. Volunteer work or internships that are relevant to the job you're applying for can help boost your resume, especially if you're looking for an entry-level job.^[4]
- For example, if you're applying for a job as a veterinary technician, you would definitely want to include information about volunteering at your local animal shelter, zoo, or nature center.
- If you have the space, you can leave in significant volunteer work even if it doesn't directly relate to the job you're applying for. This is a good idea if you've researched the employer and know they support particular causes related to your volunteer work.
Remove references unless required by the potential employer. A potential employer may ask you for references, but they generally aren't necessary on a resume. Cutting them out can buy you a few lines. There's also no need to include a sentence that says "references available upon request."^[5]
- If an employer does require references, you can often include them on a separate piece of paper, rather than including them on your resume.
Include hobbies and interests only if they're relevant to the job. The section on hobbies and interests in any resume is typically fluff that can easily be removed if you're trying to cut your resume down to one page. However, if they relate directly to the job you're applying for, it's a good idea to keep them in.^[6]
- For example, if you play a sport in a community amateur league, you might want to keep that information on your resume if you're applying for a job as a sports writer.
- If you really need the space, you might include them as a line under your work experience section. Change the section heading to "Experience" rather than "Work Experience."
- Through your research, you may have discovered that you and the hiring manager have various hobbies or interests in common. In that situation, it's tempting to leave them on your resume. However, it's better to save them for the interview when you can strike up a conversation about your mutual interests.
Trim your "Education" section to relate specifically to the job. It may be that you've earned a degree or certificate that is entirely unrelated to the job you're applying for. If that's the case, simply list the degree and the school, but don't include any additional detail.^[7]
- If the degree isn't required for the job, you can leave it off entirely. For example, if the job listing states that a bachelor's degree is required, you would need to include your bachelor's degree on your resume even if it was in a field of study unrelated to the job. However, if you had a higher degree, you could safely leave the bachelor's degree off to save some space.
- If you have a bachelor's degree, you don't need to include your high school education. The potential employer will realize that you have a high school diploma if you have a bachelor's degree. However, you may want to leave it on if you went to an elite high school and you learned through research that the hiring manager graduated from the same school.

EditEditing Your Content

Delete the "Career Objective" section entirely. Standard resumes often have a "goal" or "career objective" section at the top. However, there's really no point in having this section. If you're applying for a job, it's clear what your goal is.^[8]
- Depending on the length of this section, removing it could give you an extra 3 to 5 lines that you can use for valuable content that sells your experience and value to the potential employer.
Make descriptions as specific as possible. For each work-related experience you've had, you likely have several lines describing your duties and accomplishments in that position. Instead of simply listing your responsibilities, state specifically how you implemented that duty or responsibility. This gives potential employers information about your soft skills.^[9]
- For example, suppose in one of your previous jobs you created a training course called "Negotiation Tactics." You're now applying for a new position that requires extensive negotiation, and you want to highlight your expertise in that area as well as your leadership skills. You could write: Created "Negotiation Tactics" course; 10 sales executives increased sales by 25%.
- Specific numbers draw the eye as a potential employer scans your resume and don't take up a lot of space. For example, "Drafted 24 trial briefs" gives your potential employer far more information than simply saying that you drafted documents for senior attorneys. If you round or estimate, include a word such as "around" or "about" so the potential employer doesn't get the impression you're using an exact figure.
Remove redundant language and consolidate bullet points. Have each bullet point under experience or education items relate to a single skill or responsibility. If you see several bullet points that all relate to the same thing, keep only the most important ones and consolidate them into one bullet point.^[10]
- For example, if you have a retail sales position listed on your resume, you might have a bullet point for responsibilities related to customer service and another for sales goals. If you had managerial responsibilities, you would likely have a third bullet point discussing your performance as a manager.
- Read your bullet points aloud and note where you repeat words. For example, "Designed customer service training program to train coworkers to provide better customer service" could be shortened to simply "Designed customer service training program; satisfaction rating increased 18%."
Avoid personal pronouns, articles, and most conjunctions. Writing in complete sentences takes up a lot of space and is generally unnecessary in a resume. Save your complete sentences for your cover letter. Use brief phrases separated by semi-colons.^[11]
- Start bullet points with an action verb. Then, write a brief description of your action or responsibility. Place a semi-colon after that phrase, then include a brief description of the outcome of that action. For example, instead of writing "developed and implemented an email campaign that increased sales by 10% in 1 month," you could write "developed/implemented email campaign; increased sales 10% in 1 month."
- You can often use punctuation instead of conjunctions, which will cut a few characters. For example, instead of writing "designed and conducted training program" you can write "designed/conducted training program."
Use industry-standard abbreviations where appropriate. If an abbreviation is commonly used in your industry, there's no need to spell it out. If you're familiar with it, chances are a hiring manager will be too. Additionally, it will make your resume easier to read because abbreviations stand out.^[12]
- For example, instead of talking about "point-of-sale transactions," you can use "POS transactions." The potential employer will likely understand what this abbreviation means, particularly if you're applying for a job in the retail sector.
- At the same time, avoid filling your resume with a lot of industry jargon that has a loose meaning. It can make you look as though you aren't actually that knowledgeable and are simply throwing together industry buzzwords.
Cut adjectives and adverbs from your descriptions. Adjectives and adverbs generally indicate subjective information, and you want your resume to be as objective as possible. Instead of using adjectives and adverbs, try to find a way to demonstrate that thing with a brief description of the outcome of your action.^[13]
- For example, instead of writing "Successfully trained 10 employees on new computer system," you might write "Implemented training program; increased productivity by 38%."

EditAdjusting Your Formatting

Decrease your font size to no less than 10-point. The default font size for most word processing applications is 12-point. If you've edited the content of your resume as much as possible and you still need to cut some space, consider lowering the font size to 10.5 or even 10. Avoid going any smaller than that, however, because it will make your resume hard to read.^[14]
- Make all the text in your resume the same size, rather than having the names of employers or schools larger than the rest of the text.
- If the labels or headings for the sections of your resume are larger than the rest of your text, you can also experiment with making them smaller. Try making them the same size as everything else.
Tighten up the line spacing. A good resume uses white space to break up text and allow for easy scanning. However, too much white space can push your resume over one page. You can adjust the line spacing in the text formatting menu on your word processing app.^[15]
- Decrease line spacing by the smallest increment possible. Make sure your words don't overlap and can still be read. You may want to print out your resume and see how it looks.
Cut your margins in half. Most word processing apps default to margins all the way around. However, you can typically get away with decreasing those margins to give more room for the text. Test your document by printing it before you send it to the potential employer to make sure it prints okay.^[16]
- Particularly if you're emailing your resume, there's a good chance your resume will never be printed on paper. However, you still want to make sure it's printable if necessary.
Experiment with multiple columns. Your word processing app defaults to a single column. However, it's possible to create 2 or even 3 columns on a document. If you're finding it difficult to get your resume down to a page, you may be able to use a 2 column or 3 column layout to get more information on the page.^[17]
- If you want to use multiple columns, you're better off starting a new document rather than simply converting the document you have. You'll have an easier time arranging your information correctly.

EditVideo

EditTips

Once you've finalized your resume, convert it to a PDF to preserve your formatting. That way, you can email it to the potential employer without worrying about your formatting getting ruined. Include your full name in the filename for the PDF.

EditReferences

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How to Make Skate Wax

Posted: 04 May 2019 09:00 AM PDT

Many skaters rely on quality skate wax to easily pull off grinds and other tricks. Ordering from a skate shop gets costly, but you can make your own wax at home for a fraction of the price. Make a basic wax by melting candles or crayons in the oven, or do it on a stove to keep a closer eye on the quality. As you get used to the process, try using raw paraffin and beeswax for even better bars. Bust tricks instead of your wallet with your own style of skate wax.

EditSteps

EditMelting Wax in an Oven

Preheat an oven to about . Let the oven warm up for at least 5 minutes while you prepare the wax. Wax has a low melting point, so keep the temperature low to avoid burning it. If your oven doesn't have a lot of low-heat options, use the lowest setting available.
- Different types of wax melt at different temperatures, but you never need a lot of heat. At most, set the oven no higher than .
Cut candles or crayons into small pieces. Try using some leftover tea lights or a pack of crayons you no longer need. Slice them up to roughly the same size. Also, pull out any wrappers or wicks as you come upon them.^[1]
- The exact size you cut the wax to isn't that important, but keep in mind that smaller chunks are easier to work with and melt faster.
- The best candles to use for your skate wax are ones made out of paraffin, although any type of waxy, oily product tends to work.
Place the cut wax into an oven-safe bowl. Cake baking bowls are the perfect size if you have them. Make sure the bowl is big enough to hold all of the melted wax. If you're making a lot of skate wax all at once, put some of the wax in a second container to prevent it from spilling.^[2]
- If you're uncertain about using a bowl, flip it over to check it for an oven-safe label first.
- You could also melt wax in a microwave. Some metal containers are not safe for use in the microwave, so look for a safety warning on the container to avoid a scorched mess.
Pour about of cooking oil in with the wax. Vegetable oils like canola oil work well in skate wax. The oil makes your skate wax smooth and easy to scrub on your board. You don't need much of it, but make sure you have room for it in the container.^[3]
- Less is more when using the oil. If you add too much, you end up with a soft and brittle wax.
Melt the wax for about 10 minutes in the oven. The wax likely will begin melting right away, so keep an eye on it. When it melts, take the container right away to prevent it from overheating. Consider giving the wax a brief stir to ensure the oil mixes evenly with it.^[4]
Put the bowl in the refrigerator to cool overnight. The wax gets pretty hot in the oven, so consider setting the bowl aside for 5 minutes to let it cool a little. Then, leave it uncovered in your refrigerator. Wait for the wax to feel cool and completely solid to the touch.^[5]
- If you take the wax out too early, it can fall apart. You won't be able to use it, so the extra wait is worth it.
Pry the hardened wax out of the container with a knife. Once your wax chills, it's ready to be used on your skateboard. Flip the bowl over and try to pop the wax out with your fingers. Sometimes the solidified bar is a little stubborn, so wedge it out with a knife as needed.
- Another way to remove the wax is by cutting into it with a sharp knife. You could also heat the container a little, such as in the microwave, to melt the edges of the wax.

EditMixing Wax on a Stove

Choose some small candles to use for the skate wax. Paraffin tea lights are a great choice for making your own skate wax. You can also cut up crayons and other types of candles. Get about 2 or 3 candles, usually enough to make a single bar of skate wax.^[6]
- Get additional candles or crayons if you plan on making more bars. Keep in mind that making lots of skate wax on a stove is tough, so you may need to make one bar at a time.
- Crayons and colored candles are useful for coloring your wax bars. You can mix them in with basic white candles. Mixing and matching is okay.
Cut wax pieces into a metal container. Cut them up roughly with a small knife, removing any wicks or wrappers as you reach them. As you work, drop the wax into an empty container, such as an aluminum soup can or soda can. You could also use a heat-resistant bowl safe for use on a stove.^[7]
- To cut the candles into pieces that melt quickly, try scraping the wax with a knife. Hold the candle in one hand and drag the knife across it. Move the blade away from your body so you don't cut yourself instead.
- If you're using a soda can, cut it in half. Poke holes in the center first so you have a place to fit a pair of scissors. Then, use the scissors to remove the top half of the can.
Fill a saucepan with about of water. Choose a cooking pan that is big enough to hold the metal container you're using. After you add the water, move the container to test your setup. The container needs to stay standing in the pan so the wax doesn't spill out.^[8]
- The water temperature doesn't matter, but warmer water boils a little faster if you're looking to melt the wax as quickly as possible.
Melt the wax over medium heat after placing the container on the pan. Watch for the wax to begin melting within a few minutes after the water heats up. To get it to melt faster, find something to stir it with. Try using a plastic stirrer like a spatula or chopstick you can easily clean off or throw away when you're done.^[9]
- Stir carefully! Make sure the wax doesn't splash into the water. Anything in the water is unusable and might even burn when the water begins to boil.
Add about of butter to the wax. As soon as the wax melts, scoop out a small pat of butter with a knife or a measuring spoon. You need about 2 teaspoons for a single bar of skate wax. The butter softens up the finished wax so it's easier to rub on your board. Stir it around in the wax until it finishes melting.^[10]
- Some people use alternatives in their skate wax. Soap is a decent replacement, even products like deodorant work.
- Use butter as sparingly as possible. Too much butter makes the skate wax way too soft to use on your board.
Stir about of cooking oil into the mixture. The final ingredient you need is whatever cooking oil you have on hand. Vegetable oils like canola oil are perfect for skate wax and you probably have some in your home. Pour the oil into the wax mixture, stir it around for a minute, and let it heat through for 2 or 3 minutes.^[11]
- This part can get a little dangerous. The water in the pan is probably boiling ferociously at this point. Watch out for oil spatter and consider covering your hands to avoid burns.
- Adjust the amount of oil used as needed to change the skate wax's consistency. Normally, using less oil is better so the finished bar isn't too soft.
Pour the wax into refrigerator-safe containers or molds. Steel yourself for the trickiest part where you have to handle hot wax. Get your containers set up before you take the can off the stove. When you're ready, pick it up with potholders, then gradually fill the containers one at a time.^[12]
- Some examples of containers to use include rubber ice cube molds, aluminium cupcake wrappers, heat-resistant bowls, and even empty deodorant or glue stick containers.
- Keep the wax away from any drains in your home. If the wax goes down the drain, you might end up with a big plumbing emergency.
Chill the wax in the refrigerator overnight. Keep your potholders at the ready as you carefully move the containers to your refrigerator. Clear out space for them first before picking them up. After fitting them in the refrigerator, check back in the morning to see your finished skate wax.
- Make sure the wax solidifies completely before you pry it out of the molds. Leave it alone for as long as a day to ensure it comes out at the right consistency.

EditUsing Paraffin Wax Bars

Choose pure paraffin and beeswax to make better skate wax. Most homemade bars of skate wax are made with repurposed candles or crayons. A paraffin and beeswax mixture is closer in quality to what you find at skate shops. You need a single bar of 100% paraffin wax as well as a bar of beeswax. If you're planning on making a lot of skate wax at once, get more.^[13]
- You can buy good paraffin and beeswax online, but also check hardware stores and craft supply stores in your area. These places may also carry the coloring wax you can use to customize your bars.
Add the paraffin and beeswax to a metal pot. Get a big, metal cooking pot to fit on your stove or an electric burner. You could also try melting the ingredients together in the oven or microwave, but it's easier to do on the stove. Then, drop both bars of paraffin and beeswax into the pot. You don't have to cut them up, although breaking them up makes them melt faster.^[14]
- For the perfect skate wax, try making your mixture 60% paraffin to 40% beeswax. If you purchased bars of both ingredients, using the whole bars is fine.
- The beeswax softens the finished bar of skate wax, so don't add more beeswax than paraffin. The paraffin is the main component that gives skate wax its shape.
Melt the ingredients together over medium heat. Wait for the pot to heat up. Once the wax begins to turn into a liquid, stir it around using a wooden spoon. Keep stirring the paraffin and beeswax until they are melted and well-mixed.^[15]
Add candle dye if you wish to color your skate wax. For the highest quality skate wax possible, purchase 100% natural wax dyes. The dyes look like small pellets of wax. They look and act the same way as the paraffin you used. Toss them into the pot and stir them around as they melt.^[16]
- The color of the mixture changes as soon as the dye melts. To avoid darkening your skate wax more than you want, add the dye in small amounts, waiting for each batch to melt before adding more.
- There is no set amount for how much dye you need. It all depends on how you wish to customize your skate wax. You could even leave out the dye if you don't mind the brownish color from the beeswax.
Pour the wax into container or molds to shape into finished bars. Set up your containers on a table close to the pot. The wax is very hot, so put on gloves or potholders. If you're making a big batch of wax, consider scooping the wax out with a measuring cup to easily pour it into the molds. Then, fill each container completely as much as possible.^[17]
- Cupcake wrappers are great for creating small puck-shaped bars of skate wax, but you can use many other types of containers. For instance, ice cube molds work well, but so do heat-resistant containers and even metal cans.
Leave the wax in the refrigerator overnight until it solidifies. Chill the wax until it forms a solid bar you can easily remove from its container. The exact length of time this takes depends on the size of the bar you plan on making, among other factors. Larger bars of skate wax can take up to a day to set, so give the wax some extra time in the refrigerator if you need to.
- Be careful when moving the hot wax to the refrigerator. Cover your hands and move slowly. If you have a lot of wax to move, let the molds cool down a little bit first, or leave them out until the wax solidifies.

EditTips

Anything with paraffin in it can be used to create custom skate wax. This includes products like petroleum jelly and store-bought lubricants.
Use different molds to alter the shape and size of your skate wax bars. The amount you pour into a mold also determines how the finished product looks.
If you want to color your skate wax, melt colored candles, crayons, or candle dye. Food dye doesn't go well with wax, so don't bother with it.

EditWarnings

Making skate wax involves a lot of heat and melting and boiling things, so burns are possible if you're not careful. Cover up with long-sleeved clothing and latex gloves or potholders to reduce the chances of accidents.