Resume Writing One of the most important tools of a successful job search is your resume. One of the most important tools of a successful job search is your resume. A resume is an "advertisement" of your significant qualifications and experiences. A resume is an "advertisement" of your significant qualifications and experiences. Careful planning and preparation are necessary prerequisites for a clear and concise resume. Careful planning and preparation are necessary prerequisites for a clear and concise resume.

Resume Uses Answer employment advertisements by mailing resume with an appropriate cover letter. Answer employment advertisements by mailing resume with an appropriate cover letter. Mail to potential employers with a letter of inquiry about current and future job vacancies. Mail to potential employers with a letter of inquiry about current and future job vacancies. Disseminate to business and personal (networking) contacts for direct referral to employer associates Disseminate to business and personal (networking) contacts for direct referral to employer associates Present to employers when making direct contact i.e. career fairs, interviews. Present to employers when making direct contact i.e. career fairs, interviews. Give references to refresh their memory Give references to refresh their memory

Five Key Resume Tips 1. Your resume is about your future; not your past. 2. It is not a confessional. In other words, you don't have to "tell all." Stick to what's relevant and marketable. 3. Don't write a list of job descriptions. Write achievements! 4. Promote only skills you enjoy using. Never write about things you don't want to repeat. 5. Be honest. You can be creative, but never lie.

Self-Analysis What type of job are you seeking? What type of job are you seeking? What work experiences have you had? What work experiences have you had? What activities, honors, and personal accomplishments can you list? What activities, honors, and personal accomplishments can you list? What are your special skills or unusual combinations of skills? What are your special skills or unusual combinations of skills? What are your job-related or technical qualifications? What are your job-related or technical qualifications? What job-related outside interests do you have? What job-related outside interests do you have? Have you belonged to any organizations or professional groups? Have you belonged to any organizations or professional groups? What positions of leadership and responsibility have you held? What positions of leadership and responsibility have you held? Take an inventory of your skills, talents, strengths, work experience and activities.

Resume Heading The heading on your resume consists of The heading on your resume consists of –Your name –Address –Phone Number –Fax Number – Address –Web Address

Objective Your objective should focus on what you want to do, for the employer. Your objective should focus on what you want to do, for the employer. Describe the Describe the –skills you want to use on the job –the job function you seek –the environment/industry in which you want to work. –the environment/industry in which you want to work. Mention the position that is of interest to you. Mention the position that is of interest to you. State the level of responsibility you are seeking. State the level of responsibility you are seeking. This is a marketing piece, not your life history! This is a marketing piece, not your life history! Gives your resume focus and strength.

Weak Resume Objective Your job objective statement should be as concise as possible. Some resumes mistakenly have fluffy opening statements with job objectives buried in them. Your job objective statement should be as concise as possible. Some resumes mistakenly have fluffy opening statements with job objectives buried in them. When formulating your objective, AVOID terms such as: When formulating your objective, AVOID terms such as: –Growing –dynamic company –opportunity for advancement –challenging position –position dealing with people –a progressive company. –a progressive company. These phrases have little meaning to the person who will make a decision for an interview invitation and in fact may indicate the candidate has no idea about his/her professional objectives. These phrases have little meaning to the person who will make a decision for an interview invitation and in fact may indicate the candidate has no idea about his/her professional objectives. "Desire a rewarding position in a challenging environment using my people skills and problem solving talents."

Strong Resume Objective Tailor your objectives to your own –Skills –Education –Professional goals To obtain a secondary teaching position in biology and chemistry in grades 5-12, in order to contribute to the scientific development of junior and senior high school students. Secondary Teacher

Summary Statements The Summary of Qualifications section on your resume is composed of three to four brief statements that say why you're the ideal candidate for the job mentioned in your objective statement. The Summary of Qualifications section on your resume is composed of three to four brief statements that say why you're the ideal candidate for the job mentioned in your objective statement. Experience Experience Credentials Credentials Expertise Expertise Personal Values Personal Values Work Ethics Work Ethics Background Background Anything that makes you qualified for the job Anything that makes you qualified for the job  Good Example:  Reputation for writing clear and concise explanations for technical and non technical users.

Resume Formats Chronological Chronological –Within each section, information is organized in reverse chronological order-most recent first. –Within each section, information is organized in reverse chronological order-most recent first. –Over 60% of all resumes follow this format. –Advantages: Many employers are more comfortable with the chronological format; highlights a steady employment record –Disadvantages: This format clearly exposes gaps in work history. Sometimes emphasizes work areas you prefer to minimize. Functional Functional –Organizes experience by skills or job functions. –Advantages: Highlights skills and accomplishments –Disadvantages: Some employers are suspicious of this format. They may think you are trying to hide something. –Disadvantages: Some employers are suspicious of this format. They may think you are trying to hide something. – Extra care must be taken to be clear and concise to overcome initial unfamiliarity. – Extra care must be taken to be clear and concise to overcome initial unfamiliarity. Combination Combination –1) A career summary –2) Areas of expertise –3) Accomplishments and/or achievements –3) Accomplishments and/or achievements –4) Experience section that highlights skills. Chronological vs. Functional

Resume Do’s 1. Use phrases 2. Keep phrases to ten or twelve words and paragraphs to three or four lines. 2. Keep phrases to ten or twelve words and paragraphs to three or four lines. 3. Statements are clear and concise. 4. Avoid the pronoun “I”. 5. Use action words. 5. Use action words. 6. Make statements positive, omit negatives. 6. Make statements positive, omit negatives. 7. Emphasize capabilities and skills, especially transferable skills such as “coordinated, initiated, supervised”, etc. 8. Stress accomplishments. 9. Target resumes to different jobs, using more than one resume with different objectives.

Resume Do’s 10. Use numbers to quantify achievements whenever possible. 11. Use “white space” to emphasize separate sections. 11. Use “white space” to emphasize separate sections. 12. Use bolding, underlining, CAPITALIZATION and bullets. 12. Use bolding, underlining, CAPITALIZATION and bullets. 13. Limit resume to two pages. 13. Limit resume to two pages. 14. Have resume printed on 8½"x11" good quality bond paper, one side only. 15. Use white or off white paper which will photocopy well. 15. Use white or off white paper which will photocopy well. 16. Block, center and balance text on page. 17. Use clear, sharp print such as type with letter quality or laser printer. 17. Use clear, sharp print such as type with letter quality or laser printer. 18. Proofread - use perfect spelling and grammar. 18. Proofread - use perfect spelling and grammar. 19. Send resume with matching cover letter and envelope

Education Your education is almost always a point of interest to a prospective employer. Your education is almost always a point of interest to a prospective employer. This section is usually positioned at or near the end of the resume. This section is usually positioned at or near the end of the resume. You may position it in the Summary of Qualifications section near the beginning of the resume: You may position it in the Summary of Qualifications section near the beginning of the resume: If your education is highly relevant to your new position. If your education is highly relevant to your new position. If you're a new graduate. If you're a new graduate. If you have no employment experience in the field you are going into, but have a degree or training in that field. If you have no employment experience in the field you are going into, but have a degree or training in that field.

Education Dates are optional. They sometimes indicate how old you are and how current your knowledge is, so be conscious of that when deciding whether or not to include them. Dates are optional. They sometimes indicate how old you are and how current your knowledge is, so be conscious of that when deciding whether or not to include them. Majors, minors, theses, dissertations, internships, and coursework should be listed only if they are relevant to your job objective. Majors, minors, theses, dissertations, internships, and coursework should be listed only if they are relevant to your job objective. You can spell out the degree (e.g., Bachelor of Arts) or use the representative letters (e.g., BA or B.A.). You can spell out the degree (e.g., Bachelor of Arts) or use the representative letters (e.g., BA or B.A.).

Build Upon Your Resume This section is your technical, personal, and professional details. Some possible additional headings to build upon: - Personal Interests - Community Service - Professional Affiliations - Publications - Awards - Computer Skills - CertificationsThis section is your technical, personal, and professional details. Some possible additional headings to build upon: - Personal Interests - Community Service - Professional Affiliations - Publications - Awards - Computer Skills - Certifications

Potential Employer Be sure to include a list of references that will provide your potential employer with a good recommendation for you. Be sure to include a list of references that will provide your potential employer with a good recommendation for you. Always prepare a thank you letter to thank the interviewer for their time and re-enforce your interest in the position. Always prepare a thank you letter to thank the interviewer for their time and re-enforce your interest in the position. Mail thank you letter immediately after the interview. Mail thank you letter immediately after the interview.