The main reason for a resume is to promote your qualifications to get them interested to offer you an interview. The main reason for a resume is to promote your qualifications to get them interested to offer you an interview. Resume Writing

But, before your resume even gets a chance to show off what you have to offer… A resume will get a 5 – 30 second quick look over first. To survive that it must look professional and match the job you are applying for To survive that it must look professional and match the job you are applying for If it looks like all the rest or like it is just some quickly put together, generic resume…..it’s going to make its way into the garbage. If it looks like all the rest or like it is just some quickly put together, generic resume…..it’s going to make its way into the garbage.

If you do survive that first quick look and make it into the pile that the boss is going to take a closer look at YOU NEED TO CONSIDER… How is my resume going to stand out against the rest? How is my resume going to stand out against the rest? What exactly am I applying for? What exactly am I applying for? How do I best summarize what I have to offer? How do I best summarize what I have to offer? How can I organize this information so that I don’t confuse the reader? How can I organize this information so that I don’t confuse the reader? And many more important questions? (refer to resume critique) And many more important questions? (refer to resume critique)

Remember be brief…a resume that is too long will often just be thrown away and not even looked through. be brief…a resume that is too long will often just be thrown away and not even looked through. Make your resume personal for every job you are applying for (make it job specific). Make your resume personal for every job you are applying for (make it job specific). There is an easy to follow sequence (its got to be logical, don’t jump all over the place). There is an easy to follow sequence (its got to be logical, don’t jump all over the place). Don’t bother including information that is not relevant to the position you are applying for. Don’t bother including information that is not relevant to the position you are applying for.

Quick Format Lets be logical Lets be logical Shouldn’t a resume run from the most recent dates to the later dates. Shouldn’t a resume run from the most recent dates to the later dates. For organization and to make it easy to follow; divide your resume into important sections. For organization and to make it easy to follow; divide your resume into important sections.

1. Personal Information Always let the employer know how to contact you and who you are to start off Always let the employer know how to contact you and who you are to start off Include Name, Address, Phone Number, address (optional) Include Name, Address, Phone Number, address (optional)

2. Objective What position you are applying for. What position you are applying for. Let the employer now that this resume was specific for this job he is trying to hire for. Let the employer now that this resume was specific for this job he is trying to hire for.

3. Education/Certification or 4. Employable Skills Now it is usually debated, whether to put your education and certification or your employable skills next. Now it is usually debated, whether to put your education and certification or your employable skills next. I would start with what ever you feel is more important and what looks best for the job that you are applying for I would start with what ever you feel is more important and what looks best for the job that you are applying for

5. Employment History Now you can tell them where you got experience or what you have been doing in the work force. Now you can tell them where you got experience or what you have been doing in the work force. Highlight qualities or job responsibilities that match up with what you are applying for Highlight qualities or job responsibilities that match up with what you are applying for

6. Volunteer What sort of stuff have you done on your own time What sort of stuff have you done on your own time Don’t overload, try making connections with the type of work that you will be doing or show that you do things without having to be paid to do it. Don’t overload, try making connections with the type of work that you will be doing or show that you do things without having to be paid to do it.

7. References You will need three references – two who can comment on your work habits and ethic (educational or professional references) and one personal who can comment on the type of person that you are. You will need three references – two who can comment on your work habits and ethic (educational or professional references) and one personal who can comment on the type of person that you are. Information that should be included is: title, name, organization, address, and telephone number. Information that should be included is: title, name, organization, address, and telephone number.

Check out some Examples \Resume\resumeexample.doc..\Resume\resumeexample2.doc..\Resume\coverexampl.doc..\Resume\References.doc

Resume Critique Resumes normally get less than a 15 second glance at the first screening. If someone has asked you to review his/her resume and you want to help them ensure it gets read -- or want to know if your own is up to par -- be sure you can answer yes to the following questions: Resumes normally get less than a 15 second glance at the first screening. If someone has asked you to review his/her resume and you want to help them ensure it gets read -- or want to know if your own is up to par -- be sure you can answer yes to the following questions:

First Impression Does the resume look original and not based on a template? Does the resume look original and not based on a template? Is the resume inviting to read, with clear sections and ample white space? Is the resume inviting to read, with clear sections and ample white space? Does the design look professional rather than like a simple typing job? Does the design look professional rather than like a simple typing job? Is a qualifications summary included so the reader immediately knows the applicant's value proposition? Is a qualifications summary included so the reader immediately knows the applicant's value proposition?qualifications summaryqualifications summary Is the length and overall appearance of the resume appropriate given the career level and objective? Is the length and overall appearance of the resume appropriate given the career level and objective?length

Appearance Does the resume provide a visually pleasing, polished presentation? Does the resume provide a visually pleasing, polished presentation?presentation Is the font appropriate for the career level and industry? Is the font appropriate for the career level and industry?font Are there design elements such as bullets, bolding and lines to guide readers' eyes through the document and highlight important content? Are there design elements such as bullets, bolding and lines to guide readers' eyes through the document and highlight important content?design elementsdesign elements Is there a good balance between text and white space? Is there a good balance between text and white space? Are margins even on all sides? Are margins even on all sides? Are design elements like spacing and font size used consistently throughout the document? Are design elements like spacing and font size used consistently throughout the document? If the resume is longer than a page, does the second page contain a heading? Is the page break formatted correctly? If the resume is longer than a page, does the second page contain a heading? Is the page break formatted correctly?

Resume Sections Are all resume sections clearly labeled? Are all resume sections clearly labeled? Are sections placed in the best order to highlight the applicant's strongest credentials? Are sections placed in the best order to highlight the applicant's strongest credentials? Is the work history listed in reverse chronological order (most recent job first)? Is the work history listed in reverse chronological order (most recent job first)?

Accomplishments Does the resume include a solid listing of career accomplishments? Does the resume include a solid listing of career accomplishments? accomplishments Are accomplishments quantified by using numbers, percentages, dollar amounts or other concrete measures of success? Are accomplishments quantified by using numbers, percentages, dollar amounts or other concrete measures of success?quantified numbersquantified numbers Do accomplishment statements begin with strong, varied action verbs? Do accomplishment statements begin with strong, varied action verbs?action verbsaction verbs Are accomplishments separated from responsibilities? Are accomplishments separated from responsibilities?

Relevance Is the information relevant to hiring managers' needs? Is the information relevant to hiring managers' needs? Is the resume keyword-rich, packed with appropriate buzzwords and industry acronyms? Is the resume keyword-rich, packed with appropriate buzzwords and industry acronyms?keyword appropriatekeyword appropriate Is applicable additional information, such as awards and affiliations, included, while personal information like marital status, age and nationality unrelated to the job target omitted? Is applicable additional information, such as awards and affiliations, included, while personal information like marital status, age and nationality unrelated to the job target omitted?additional informationadditional information

Writing Style Is the resume written in an implied first- person voice with personal pronouns, such as I, me and my, avoided? Is the resume written in an implied first- person voice with personal pronouns, such as I, me and my, avoided? Is the content flow logical and easy to understand? Is the content flow logical and easy to understand? Is the resume as perfect as possible, with no careless typos or spelling, grammar or syntax errors Is the resume as perfect as possible, with no careless typos or spelling, grammar or syntax errorstypos or spelling, grammar or syntax errorstypos or spelling, grammar or syntax errors

Cover Letter There are lots of jobs that require cover letters and they are a very helpful tool. There are lots of jobs that require cover letters and they are a very helpful tool. Some jobs, however, that you are applying for won’t need a cover letter; they are just not the type of job that would require a cover letter. Some jobs, however, that you are applying for won’t need a cover letter; they are just not the type of job that would require a cover letter. It might look like you are over qualified or wasting the time of the employer to read through it. It might look like you are over qualified or wasting the time of the employer to read through it.

For those that do… The general reason for a cover letter is to take a little more time to highlight some qualities or qualifications in which you possess that will benefit your chances at getting hired. The general reason for a cover letter is to take a little more time to highlight some qualities or qualifications in which you possess that will benefit your chances at getting hired. There is more than one format you can follow when writing a cover letter. There is more than one format you can follow when writing a cover letter. Here is one example. Here is one example.

1. Introduction Introduce the purpose of this letter as to further highlight some of your qualifications that would benefit you being hired. Introduce the purpose of this letter as to further highlight some of your qualifications that would benefit you being hired. Briefly state them. Briefly state them.

2. 1st quality What is the 1 st quality? What is the 1 st quality? How will it benefit their organization and you in that job? How will it benefit their organization and you in that job?

3. 2nd quality What is that second character trait you possess that will benefit them? What is that second character trait you possess that will benefit them? How will it be beneficial? How will it be beneficial?

4. 3rd quality The other quality you wish to highlight and how it will benefit you being hired. The other quality you wish to highlight and how it will benefit you being hired.

5. Conclusion summary of three qualities and how they will benefit summary of three qualities and how they will benefit looking forward to hopefully getting the chance to meet in person to discuss possible employment looking forward to hopefully getting the chance to meet in person to discuss possible employment

Some Examples and Additional Information Resume\coverexampl.doc Resume\coverletter.doc

Job Interviews Getting an interview for a job is the closest step to being hired. Getting an interview for a job is the closest step to being hired. It can be nerve racking, here are some suggestions that might help you through your interview. It can be nerve racking, here are some suggestions that might help you through your interview.

Preparing for an Interview Be clean and neat – first impressions are based on appearance. Be clean and neat – first impressions are based on appearance. Know where you’re going – plan your route in advance to avoid mishap or confusion. Know where you’re going – plan your route in advance to avoid mishap or confusion. Have a positive attitude – having a good outlook that the interview can benefit you in some way, even if you do not get the job, will communicate itself to prospective employers. At the very least, you will have more data on how to conduct a good interview. Have a positive attitude – having a good outlook that the interview can benefit you in some way, even if you do not get the job, will communicate itself to prospective employers. At the very least, you will have more data on how to conduct a good interview. Know something about the company – find out basic information about the employer and the position you are applying for before the interview. Know something about the company – find out basic information about the employer and the position you are applying for before the interview. Bring necessary paperwork – a well-developed portfolio paints a picture of who you are as an employee and a person. Bring necessary paperwork – a well-developed portfolio paints a picture of who you are as an employee and a person.

Questions related to the company: Why do you think you would like a job with our company? Why do you think you would like a job with our company? What do you know about our company? What do you know about our company? What interests you about the products and services we offer? What interests you about the products and services we offer? When are you available for work? When are you available for work? –If you are currently employed be sure to show a consideration for your current employer. What kind of salary do you need? What kind of salary do you need?

Questions about your skills: What type of job interests you? What type of job interests you? Why did you choose this type of work? Why did you choose this type of work? What training do you have? What training do you have? What are the qualities you feel should be present in order for a person to be successful in this position? What are the qualities you feel should be present in order for a person to be successful in this position? What are your most outstanding qualities? What are your most outstanding qualities? Give examples when you have shown initiative. Give examples when you have shown initiative.

Questions about past jobs: What was your last job? What was your last job? Why did you leave this job? Why did you leave this job? How often were you absent from your last job? How often were you absent from your last job? What have you learned from your past work experience? What have you learned from your past work experience? Give an example of a situation which you experienced in your last position that had a strong impact on you. Give an example of a situation which you experienced in your last position that had a strong impact on you.

Questions about job preferences: How important are wages to you? How important are wages to you? Are you willing to move to another geographical location? Are you willing to move to another geographical location? Do you like to work alone? in a group? Do you like to work alone? in a group? How do you feel about jobs that involve a lot of routine activities? How do you feel about jobs that involve a lot of routine activities? What are some of the obstacles that you find when involved in teamwork? What are some of the obstacles that you find when involved in teamwork? Are you willing to work overtime? Are you willing to work overtime?

Thinking Questions Tell me about yourself – interested in achievements and what you’re looking for in a job. Tell me about yourself – interested in achievements and what you’re looking for in a job. What is you greatest strength – pick something that is relevant to the job you are applying for. What is you greatest strength – pick something that is relevant to the job you are applying for. What are your weaknesses – take a negative and show how it can be a positive for the position while still being honest. What are your weaknesses – take a negative and show how it can be a positive for the position while still being honest. What do you think your previous employer would list as an area where you need improvement – be honest but indicate the steps you are taking to improve the situation. What do you think your previous employer would list as an area where you need improvement – be honest but indicate the steps you are taking to improve the situation.

Thinking Questions Continued Why do you want to work here – tell how your skills and career goals might contribute to the company. Why do you want to work here – tell how your skills and career goals might contribute to the company. Why should I hire you – show how you are an asset to the company. Why should I hire you – show how you are an asset to the company. Have you ever had a problem on the job – assure the interviewer that if you ever have had a problem, you have learned from it and taken steps to ensure that it won’t happen again. Have you ever had a problem on the job – assure the interviewer that if you ever have had a problem, you have learned from it and taken steps to ensure that it won’t happen again. Do you have any questions – You SHOULD be ready with some questions directly related to the job. Do you have any questions – You SHOULD be ready with some questions directly related to the job.

Hypothetical Questions Given the following situation, what would you do? Given the following situation, what would you do? This question varies depending on the type of employment sought.

Above all else, be honest during an interview. Your prospective employer WILL find out if you have been misleading or untruthful. Above all else, be honest during an interview. Your prospective employer WILL find out if you have been misleading or untruthful. Some feel you should follow up an interview with a thank you letter. Some feel you should follow up an interview with a thank you letter.