BY PENN STATE ALTOONA SIFE Résumé Workshop

Résumé Summarizes:  Education  Employment  Skills and Qualifications  Awards, Honors, and Activities Provides information an employer uses in selecting a candidate to hire

Résumé Formats Chronological  Lists work history starting with most recent  Places emphasis on past employment  Many employers prefer chronological résumés

Your Name Street Address City, State Zip Code Phone number EDUCATION List education in reverse chronological order – most recent first. Keep the information easy to scan. EXPERIENCE List experiences in reverse chronological order. If you have a mixture of experiences, you can break it down into different categories, such as Work Experience and Volunteer Experience. Use action verbs to show details of your accomplishments and responsibilities. Include information and skills that relate to the position you are seeking. Consolidate information when possible; avoid repetition and excessive details when describing experiences – be concise. SKILLS, QUALIFIC You may want to consider a specific skills section to highlight skills you have on specific computer hardware or software or other related skills. AWARDS, HONORS, ACTIVITIES List any awards or honors that you have received. List any activities that you have participated in.

Résumé Fundamentals 1-2 pages typed (preferably 1 page)  If second page is needed, be sure to include your name on the page  Use specific, easy to read information Font size  point font Font style  Arial or Times New Roman Spacing/Margins  Double-space between each sub-heading  Margins should range from.75 inches to 1 inch Paper  Cream, beige, or white bonded paper

Setting up a Résumé Main heading  Include name, address, telephone number, and address  Professional address and voic /answering machine message Education  Include name and location of schools you attended, the dates you attended, fields of study, and degrees or certificates you have received

Setting up a Résumé Work experience or employment history  Begin with the most recent and work backwards  Emphasize your responsibilities and transferable skills  Include:  Employer’s name, city, and state  Dates of employment  Most important job title  Duties and responsibilities you had on the job (be specific)

Setting up a Résumé Skills  List skills that you can use when you are on the job  Include exceptional traits  Works well under stress  Fast-learner Awards, Honors, and Activities  List any awards or honors that you have received  List any activities that you have participated in * Upon completion of this program, you may list it either here or under Education.

Sample Action verbs Generated Coordinated Developed Maintained Managed Supervised Produced Operated Prepared Ordered Established Assisted Directed Collected Monitored Participated

Reference Page Professional References  Previous employers  Volunteer supervisors Be sure to contact your references to ask permission before using them as a reference References are listed on a separate page, but should be available

Reference Page Your Name Street Address City, State Zip Code Phone number References Reference #1 Name Company Address City, State Zip Code Phone number address Reference #2 Name Company Address City, State Zip Code Phone number address

Cover Letter Your Address City, State Zip Code Date of Letter Employer’s Name Title Company/Organization Address City, State Zip Code Dear, First Paragraph: Indicate the reason for writing, the specific position or type of work for which you are applying, and the way you learned about the position opening or the company. Second Paragraph: Explain why you are interested in the particular position, the company or organization, and the products/services of the organization. Above all, indicate what you can do for the company – tell them how you can benefit their company and what you can do for them. If you have had some practical work experience, point out special achievements or qualifications that relate to the advertised position. Third Paragraph: Indicate your desire for a personal interview at their convenience. Indicate the best time to contact you and include your phone number. Sincerely, Name Enclosure

Thank You! Any Questions? *This information, in part, has been adapted from Penn State Altoona Career Services