Resume Writing
...ur abilities, qualities and achievements i. Objective: The first major topic of your resume is the objective. 1. Do not write this from a self-centered point of view 2. Be specific and to the point. 3. Traditionally follows “An XXX position in an organization where YYY and ZZZ would be needed. 4. Use the company’s name to make it more specific. Resumes should be different for each job you apply, because each job is different. ii. Summary: consists of several concise statements that focus on the qualities, achievement sand abilities you have to offer. 1. Common ingredients include: a. Short phrase describing your profession b. Statement of broad or specialized expertise c. Mix of skills d. Special accomplishment e. History of awards, promotions or superior performance commendations 2. For awards or scholarships they have never heard of make sure you give a short explanation. For example, an employer doesn’t know anything about the Skeeter McGee scholarship – explain that you received it for excellence in academics and leadership abilities. 3. This is usually the section that employers look to first – the section that is most likely to be read. b. The second section is evidence about your past. i. This includes work history with descriptions, dates, education, affiliations, list of software mastered, etc. ii. Never put this first. This is the boring stuff – no matter how skilled you are. This is equivalent to reading a tax form. 1. Experience a. Jobs – list in order of importance or relevance. If you are applying for a graphic design position your employer won’t care about your job lifeguarding. Consider leaving it off completely. i. Don’t use “responsibilities included…” ii. List any on-the-job accomplishments such as employee of the month or contributed to an X% increase in sales between month X and Y. 2. Education a. List in reverse chronological order. b. Unless you did something outstanding in high school, leave it off. c. Grade point average i. Highly debated point for resumes ii. General rule of thumb is to list it only if it is above a 3.4. iii. Another possibility is to include your college GPA, which may be higher. iv. Keep it to 3 digits. 3.68421 is just silly! 3. Awards a. If you only received awards in high school, put this in the Education section. b. Again, if the award is not well known, explain what it is. 4. Professional Affiliations a. College Activities b. City groups 5. Civic/Community Leadership, Publications 6. Comments from Supervisors a. Only include this section if they are VERY exceptional b. Edit this heavily for key phrases 7. Personal Interests a. Topic of debate because it is often irrelevant to the job. b. However, it may show that you are well rounded, fit in the workplace or may be an icebreaker at an interview. c. Rather than simply listing hobbies, try a very interesting or funny fact that an employer will remember such as your inability to resist old Saved By the Bell Reruns. 8. References a. Standard close is to put “References available upon request.” b. Bring a separate sheet of references to the interview c. Personally, I think this is unnecessary. Employers have hired people before. They know that references are available upon request. c. Resume Formats i. Chronological 1. Traditional structure for a resume. 2. More effective when you have been in the industry for a while. 3. Advantage: Appeals to older more conservative readers. 4. Disadvantage: more difficult to highlight what you do best. A poor choice if you are making a career change ii. Functional 1. Highlights your major skills and accomplishments from the very beginning. 2. Lifts skills from previous jobs and makes them relevant to the job you are applying for. 3. Good for career changers, those with divergent careers, wide ranges of skills, for students and anyone entering the job market. 4. Advantages: Will help reach a new goal or direction. Is highly recommended. 5. Disadvantages: hard for the employer to know exactly what you did in each job – a problem for conservative viewers. iii. Combined 1. Includes elements of both chronological and functional formats 2. Maximizes the advantages of both kinds of resumes 3. Disadvantage: tends to be a longer resume and runs the risk of being repetitious. d. Dos & Don’ts i. Dos 1. If you don’t have any experience in the...