Resume Writing Workshop

Updated: 23 Oct Slide # 2 The Purpose of a Resume is… GET THE INTERVIEW! Marketing yourself What makes you unique Answer the question “Why should the employer want to talk to you?” Customize, Customize, Customize Only give enough information that 100% qualifies you for the job and “NO MORE, NO LESS.”

Resume Writing Workshop Updated: 23 Oct Slide # 3 What is a Resume? It is one part of a set of documents you need when searching for any job: –Cover letter –Resume –Reference list –Thank you note These are your personal ADVERTISING kit

Resume Writing Workshop Updated: 23 Oct Slide # 4 Resume “Rules of Thumb” Keep it to no more than two pages Tailor it as much as possible to the job description Use language that is in the job description KISS the physical layout (Keep It Simple Silly) REMEMBER: The resume represents you in your absence!

Resume Writing Workshop Updated: 23 Oct Slide # 5 Key Content Components Your Contact Information –Who you are and how you can be reached Your Job or Professional Objective –What kind of work you are looking for Your Accomplishment Statements –Successes you have achieved Problem, Solution, Results ( PS Rs) Your Skills or Qualification Summary –What makes you the ideal candidate

Resume Writing Workshop Updated: 23 Oct Slide # 6 Resume Types: Chronological AdvantagesReasons to use Emphasizes continuity and career growth When your career direction is clear Highlights the name of employers When your job target is in line with your work history Easy to followWhen the name of your last employer adds strong prestige Source: The Perfect Resume, Tom Jackson, 1990

Resume Writing Workshop Updated: 23 Oct Slide # 7 Resume Types: Functional AdvantagesReasons to use Flexibility in emphasisWhen you change or redirect your career Eliminates repetition of job assignments When you start your first job search Tends to de-emphasize experience When you reenter the job market and want to emphasize your abilities Source: The Perfect Resume, Tom Jackson, 1990

Resume Writing Workshop Updated: 23 Oct Slide # 8 Resume Types: Targeted AdvantagesReasons to use Lets you present an impressive case for one selected job When you are exceptionally clear about job targets and what they require Demonstrates strong understanding in a targeted area of expertise Certified, licensed, or bonded job requirements Source: The Perfect Resume, Tom Jackson, 1990

Resume Writing Workshop Updated: 23 Oct Slide # 9 Writing Guidelines Top-Left Rule Use “active” v. “passive” language Use present tense to describe what you are looking for now Use past tense to describe what you have done before Incomplete sentences are acceptable Take job description and using “white” letters paste job description is small font below first page of resume so can only be read by scanner.

Resume Writing Workshop Updated: 23 Oct Slide # 10 Physical Appearance Make it easy to to look at and easy to read WHITE SPACE Use at least 10 point type (12 is the best) –tiny type is hard to read! Use a simple typeface (a.k.a. “font”) –A “sans serif” font such as this is clean –A “ serif ” font such as this is easier to read Don’t mix fonts on a page

Resume Writing Workshop Updated: 23 Oct Slide # 11 Overview Does the resume “Paint a Clear Picture?” Does the resume “Tell your Story?” Does the resume let the employer make a quick assessment to go further with an interview? Is it a good advertisement?

Resume Writing Workshop Updated: 23 Oct Slide # 12 Impact of the Internet Makes it easy to distribute your resume very quickly to lots of companies Quickly becoming a preferred means of receiving resumes by employers Presents opportunities for abuse –Consider setting up a Hotmail or Yahoo address to protect yourself from spam

Resume Writing Workshop Updated: 23 Oct Slide # 13 Ways to Submit Electronically As an attachment via –Attachments are falling out of favor due to viruses, worms, etc. –Only use if job description says to do so Embedded in –You will need a text-only file for this Submitted on-line through a web site –You will need a text-only file for this

Resume Writing Workshop Updated: 23 Oct Slide # 14 ing a Resume Save Document as “text only with line breaks” (60 characters per line) Open the document, edit again and save. Highlight all and copy onto clipboard. Go to internet service screen and paste the copied resume into the preceded by a cover letter. Keep the margins at 6 1/2” to prevent wrap- around Send it to yourself so you can preview it.

Resume Writing Workshop Updated: 23 Oct Slide # 15 Plain-Text Resume Ugly but necessary –Companies are wary of computer viruses in attachments –HR clerks, not hiring managers, are tasked with printing out s Simple format –60 characters per line (with a CR at the end) –Use ALL CAPS for headers –Add line spaces to separate blocks of text

Resume Writing Workshop Updated: 23 Oct Slide # 16 The Electronic “Scannable” Resume Software “reads” your resume for keywords –Most popular system is Resumix (now owned by Hotjobs.com) –Will score and rank resumes by number of hits Sample list of companies using it: –AMD, Amdahl, Apple, Bank of America, Cadence, Intel, GE, National Semiconductor, Sun Microsystems, AT&T

Resume Writing Workshop Updated: 23 Oct Slide # 17 The Evil Scan Software

Resume Writing Workshop Updated: 23 Oct Slide # 18 Cover Letters First Paragraph - Opening Tells why you are writing in a way that arouses interest. Displays your knowledge of the reader’s company or group. Second Paragraph - Accomplishments Briefly describes your qualifications and identifies the relevant job title. Third Paragraph - Answers the question: Why should I hire you? Fourth Paragraph - Takes the initiative Requests action, asks for an interview, suggests a time to meet. Close - Always thank the employer for time and consideration.

Resume Writing Workshop Updated: 23 Oct Slide # 19 Your References Ask permission to use your references’ name. Send your references a copy of your resume. Ask you references what they think your strengths and weaknesses are. Call your references once you have provided their names to a company. Coach your references on what skills to highlight when called. Ask them to tell you when they are called for a reference.

Resume Writing Workshop Updated: 23 Oct Slide # 20 Incidentals Cover letters –Keep them brief and aligned with what is written in your resume Reference lists –Don’t send them with your resume, but have them with you at the interview Thank you note –A nice (and rare) personal touch