RESUMES Careers

What is it? A data sheet which includes a list of important events in your life history that employers need to know to consider hiring you for a job. A resume is a marketing tool in which you are the product and the employer is the buyer. The employer, on average, will look at a resume for only 20 seconds.

What purpose does it serve? Standard procedure in the hiring process Communicate your qualifications Represents you as a person Screens out the unqualified Opens the door to get you an interview

Who gets a resume? Every employer you contact about a job! Three ways: 1. In person 2. By mail 3. Electronically

Recipe for a Successful Resume 1 cupObjective. Brief and clear goal describing the kind of job you are looking for. 1-1/2 cups Qualifications. A list of skills. 2 cupsWork History. Including paid and unpaid. 1 cupEducation and training 1 cupReferences Instructions: Blend, Pour and Bake.

The difference between a good and a bad resume A Bad Recipe (Over or under baked) 1. Includes information having nothing to do with job. 2. Has unclear objective or is too wordy. 3. Uses incorrect English 4. Has sloppy typing A Good Recipe (Just right) 1. Highlights your good points 2. Directs attention away from when you were not working 3. Shows that you are well qualified for the job and that you will benefit the employer. 4. Opens doors.

Quick Tips on Resume Writing 1. List ideas from the most important to the least important 2. Use the same key words that appear in the job announcement 3. Emphasize your skills, experience and education 4. Be accurate and truthful 5. Be clear – use concise language, eliminate unnecessary words 6. Begin each statement with an Action word 7. Use periods on every sentence or no periods at all. Be consistent 8. Keep it short – 1 page only! 9. Use only white, beige or light gray color and high quality paper

Categories of Information What goes on the resume? Many categories of information can be included in a resume. Below is a list of these categories. Keep in mind that most people will not put all of these categories into their resume. Use only those that are most relative to the job being applied for. Suggested categories: Heading – requiredHonors & Awards - optional Objective – OptionalActivities - optional Education – requiredVolunteer Service - optional Experience – requiredReferences - required Skills – optional

HEADING- Required Who are you and how can you be reached? Includes name, address, phone number and an address of the individual. needs to be PG rated and professional. The phone number listed should have voic or answering machine with a professional message on it. Heading should be included in all resumes.

Heading Examples: Cindy Roberts PO Box 456 Robertsville, CA (999) Cindy Roberts PO Box 456 Robertsville, CA (999)

Objectives – Optional What do you want to do? Clearly describes the position one would like to obtain. Should contain:  Job type  Industry  Geographical area Example: A retail management position in the Seattle area

Education – required Where did you get that education? List the most recent education first! Include GPA if higher than 3.0 Include name of institution, city & state, date of graduation or dates of attendance Include areas of specialization in academic work, honors, special areas of study Example: Ingraham High School, Seattle, WA June 2010 Computer Networking FCCLA member present

Experience – required What is your experience and where did you get it? List most recent job first Include position held or job title, name and location of company, date of employment (month and year) Include part time, seasonal jobs, internships, paid and unpaid work Include duties performed for each position

Example of Experience: Food Server, Cheesy Burgers, Seattle, WA June present  Performed effectively in outdoor conditions focusing on excellent customer service.  Operated cash register and maintained correct cash amount in drawer. Teacher’s Assistant, Ingraham High School, Seattle, WA Sept – June 2009  Organized filing system for business educator.  Graded student work. See job description handout provided

No soft skills…..No jobs! What are soft skills? Also known as Transferable Skills Communication Customer Service Problem Solving Leadership Teamwork Project Management

Are soft skills important to business? According to the number of books found on Amazon.com they are VERY important! Soft SkillNumber of books Soft skills579 Communication50,031 Leadership18,605 Customer Service5,488 Teamwork887 Problem Solving7,792 Project Management946 TOTAL92,850

Skills – optional What can you do? Write one line statements that clearly describe how he/she used and developed that skill in the past. Statements always begin with the action word. Do Not use “I statements”. List 3-5 of the most important things you want the employer to know about you. Example:  Proficient with all Microsoft programs and Adobe packages.  Identified three key ways to better serve customers during busy restaurant hours.  Effective in addressing customer concerns in a professional manner See action words and action statements handout

Honors, Awards, Activities & Volunteer Services - Optional List anything that specifically relates to the position sought. Specific dates should be listed. Example:  Received 1 st place at the State Music Fest in an octet performance for 250 people June 2004

DO NOT Include on a Resume: Weight Height Social Security number Birth date Marital status Photographs Salary histories Reason for leaving past jobs Hobbies, activities and memberships not related to the job being applied for References to race or religion

References Should always be listed on a separate page Three to five references are adequate Should include name of the person, job title, address, phone number, and address and relationship to student Be sure to ask permission from the individuals before submitting their names to potential employers. See handout provided

REFERENCES Mary P. Brown th St. Seattle, WA Mr. Harry Sipprell th Dr. NW Kirkland, WA (425) Long time family friend Relationship to student Mrs. Susan Grant Ingraham High School 1819 N 135 th St Seattle, WA FACSE Teacher Vertically align your page Use same heading as resume Include 3-4 references

Would you hire this person? Joy “See” Stipek I don’t think my address should be given out Experience: None, except being on a cheer squad and making Rezervations for dinner at Pizza Hut Hobbies: Cooking truffles, making chocolate, cheering, hiking, Sleeping, playing with my dying dog References: Available upon request!

References Mom view ave NW Seattle Wa Dad view ave NW Seattle Wa Aunt Josephine boyton ave S seattle Wa 98119

Resume Critique List; THE FINAL TEST Will an employer have a positive first impression with less than 20 seconds to scan the resume? Appearance  Is the paper good quality?  Is the paper neutral color?  Is the text balanced and free from spelling errors?  Do key selling points stand out?  Are boldface, italics and underlining used properly? Content  Are all categories included?  Are categories clearly labeled?  Is information from most important to least important?  Is it only 1 page in length? If you were an employer, would you invite this person for an interview?