How to Write a Resume? Workshop Presentation MHS 6340 CAREER DEVELOPMENT Fall 2008

Warm-Up On a piece of paper participants write the definition for a Resume and the purpose for writing one.

Ask Before Telling In order to elicit information participants are asked jot down words, phrases and sections that they think should be included in a resume. (3 min.) Participants group share responses. (3 min.)

A personal summary of a person’s professional history and qualifications. It includes information about a person’s career goals, education, work experience, activities, honors, and special skills. It is used to apply for a job. What is a Resume?

General Guidelines Length: It is best to limit an entry-level resume to one typed page. Be as concise as possible in stating information in each section. Font: Avoid fonts smaller than 10 point and larger than 12 point. Paper: Use 8 1/2” x 11” 20 lb paper. Print the resume with a laser or high quality ink-jet printer.

Information to Consider General job information. Desired qualifications and skills. Key values and words. Company Literature, Trade Journals, Newsletters, and Directories.

Parts of a Resume Contact Information Objective Statement Summary of Qualifications Education Information Course Work Employment Experience Honor and Special Skills References

Contact Information At the top of the resume include: Your name Permanent and campus addresses Phone numbers address

Objective Statement Write a one to three sentence summary of your area of expertise and career interest. Write complete and clear sentences. Relate your skills directly to the job you are applying for. List what you can do for the company.

Write a Specific Objective State your goal clearly: For example: A position which allows me to apply my background in counseling students in grades K-5 who may be experiencing academic, social or emotional problems.

Summary of Qualifications Write a bulleted list of your qualifications. Emphasize skills you possess that aren’t obvious from your past work experiences. For example: In addition to educational software and websites I have experience in using various computer programs such as: Power Point & Excel.

Include: Schools attended Degrees earned (major & minors) Grade Point Average Date of Program Completion List the highest level of educational achievement at the top. Education

Provide a list of additional courses that you have taken and may be relevant for the job you are applying for. Do no repeat the courses that are part of your major and minor. Course Work

Employment Experience Include positions you have held which are related to the job you are seeking. Both paid and volunteer positions can be listed. Provide the company’s name and location, and job title, dates, and responsibilities. Highlight the duties you performed.

Honors and Special Skills Include relevant activities and honors that you could discuss with your prospective employer or that have given you valuable experience or skills. List the languages you speak, organizations you belong to, etc.

Qualifications Identify: Your strengths. Abilities gained through past employment, campus organizations, and classroom experience. What the employer needs. Skills that make you a successful candidate.

References State that references are available upon request. Use professional references such as professors, people from previous jobs or from volunteering experiences.

References Cont… Include the names, addresses, and phone numbers of people listed in the references. Inform the people listed and ask permission to provide their contact information.

Personalize and Practice Work in groups of 3-4 people. Select one group member: Gather information about the person’s education. List jobs held in a chronological order- including recent ones at the top.

Personalize and Practice Cont… Identify the person’s talents, skills, and qualities. Be ready to share with the rest of the group.

Resume Omissions Height, weight, age, date of birth, place of birth, marital status, sex, race. Reasons for leaving previous job(s). Salary Information for previous positions or Salary Expectations. Names of people listed on the Reference section. Religion, church affiliations, or political affiliations.

Resume Styles Chronological Functional Targeted Refer to the provided handouts to select your style and preference.

Cover Letter Is an introduction to the resume. Provides a sample of a person’s writing skills. When the resume is sent via , the cover letter is the message itself. The resume is included as an attachment.

Process and Summarize Participants answer questions 1-6 in Summarize Handout.

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Evaluation Refer to Evaluation Handout and answer the provided questions.