Resume writing

What is a resume? One page summary of your skills, education, and experience Advertisement Get your foot in the door

How long do employers typically look at resume? A. Less than 30 seconds B. 3 Minutes C. 1 Minute

Less than 30 seconds Hundreds of resumes Scan for words/phrases

What’s included? Heading- essential personal information (name, address, phone number, email address) Objective- a one sentence explanation of the type of job you are seeking change your objective to match each type of job Education- High school students need not include any education previous to it (it is assumed) specify dates If your education is particularly relevant to a job, you may want to include a section titled “Relevant Courses.” In this category, you can list classes that might contribute to your employability.

What’s included? (continued) Experiences- include previous employers, their locations, your dates of employment, and your job title You should include at least two one-line descriptions of what your job duties and responsibilities were Use action verbs to start each of these descriptions Do not use “I” in descriptions Activities-Employers like to see people who have been involved in school or community activities. In this section, list special activities you participated in (prom committee) and organizations you joined (drama club, baseball team, etc.). Include the years in which you participated.

What’s included (continued).. Summary of Skills- Some people use this section to include special skills or talents that are not included elsewhere on the resume, but would be relevant to the employer. Some possibilities are: Type 60 words per minute Fluent in French References available upon request

How do I setup my resume? Divided into sections (stand out) Major Headers (to be used in almost all resumes): Objective, Education, Employment History/Work Experience, School Activities. Minor Headers (to be used if appropriate): Computer Experience, Associations, Certifications, Community Activities, Highlights of Qualifications, Honors/Awards, Interests and Hobbies, Projects, Relevant Courses, Summary of Qualifications, Volunteer Experience.

Types of resumes Chronological Format- starts by listing your work history, with the most recent position listed first. Your jobs are listed in reverse chronological order with your current, or most recent job, first.  format that you would most likely use if you are new to the workforce and have limited experience. from most recent to past

Types of resumes Functional Resume- focuses on your skills and experience, rather than on your chronological work history It is used most often by people who are changing careers or who have gaps in their employment history You'll still need to summarize your work history, but this is usually done at the bottom of your resume.  By the time the reader has gotten to that point, s/he is usually sold on bringing you in for an interview.

Tips and Suggestions Check spelling, grammar and punctuation Limit to one page One inch margins; 10 point size font minimum Emphasize accomplishments in and out of the classroom Tell the truth Sell yourself Begin each description with a verb Don’t overuse the same verb