1 RESUME WRITING CERRITOS COLLEGE Career Services Created by: Traci Ukita, Career Counselor

2 The Resume What is it? – A snapshot of your experience & qualifications – A job-hunting tool that serves the purpose of securing an interview Why is it important? – Helps your organize your job search – Helps prepare you for the interview – Employers expect one

3 Components of a Resume Heading Objective Statement (optional) Summary of Qualifications Education Experience Affiliations/Activities Honors/Awards/Accomplishments

4 Types of Resumes Chronological – Emphasizes work experience, titles, & dates Functional – Emphasizes qualifications & skills Combination – Emphasizes experience & skills for particular positions

5 Chronological Best to use if: – Staying in same field – Have steady employment history – Want to emphasize job titles Advantages Employers are familiar w/ it Employers often prefer Easier to prepare Highlights steady employment Disadvantages Reveals employment gaps Difficult to spot skills May place undesired emphasis on certain experiences

6 Functional Best to use if: – Changing careers – If have little, spotty, or unconnected experience – If held a number of similar positions Advantages Emphasizes select skills & qualifications De-emphasizes titles & dates Disadvantages Employers not familiar Doesn’t satisfy employer’s need to know your work history

7 Combination Advantages Emphasizes relevant equals Provides info expected by employers (chronology & functional descriptions) Is unique Disadvantages Harder to write Many employers do not like Takes longer to read Best to use if: – Targeting specific positions – Looking for an alternative to Functional

8 Resume Rules Do: Keep it neat & clean Keep it simple & clear Keep it brief Base it on provable facts Target your audience Use action words, power words, & descriptive phrases Do not: Use personal pronouns & articles Include personal or irrelevant info Have typos or spelling errors Have inconsistency of content

9 Other Tips Use light colored (white or ivory), 8 1/2 x 11 inch, high quality bond paper Have plenty of white space (1 inch margins) Nothing handwritten List education & work experience in reverse chronological order Use high school exp. & education w/ discretion Indicate years (exclude day & month)

10 References Separate from resume “References available upon request” Minimum of three (3) Professional/business/educational references Inform your references

11 Scannable Resumes Differences from paper resumes: – Noun-driven (vs. verb-driven) – Focus on content & keywords Do: Keep it crisp & sharp Use white (light) paper Use keywords Use bold & caps Use 10 or 12 font size Do not: Use graphics (no frills) Use textured paper Have poor quality copies Fold or staple resume Include columns

12 Cover Letters 3 components: – Opening – Main Body – Closing Emphasize accomplishments Individualize Keep it brief & concise Close w/ request for interview