TECHNICAL WRITING October 6, 2014

Today Job Applications: Résumés

Should Contact info - NAME Certification (e.g. test scores) Education info Work experience * Family information* Objective

Shouldn’t Wage/salary expectations Private info (e.g. marital status) Slang and emoticon Outdated information (e.g. elementary school education) ** Hobbies Family history * Photo

- LG Electronics, Sales Manager 2003 – Fluent in English (spoken and written) - Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Access - Kia Motors Company, Sales Assistant 2000 – Master’s of Business Administration, HEC Paris SPSS - Upper-intermediate French (spoken and written) - Seeking a regional sales representative using my proven skills in e-commerce and communication to develop and expand a company base. - Bachelor’s of Commerce, University of Southern California 1995 – David Davidson 1234 Dave St. Burbank California

Résumé - A résumé may be the most important document for your job search. - It proves 3 things to potential employers: 1. Proves you are qualified 2. Proves you care about the job 3. Proves you understand the working world

Résumé – What is it? A résumé is not : - Your life story. - Your emotional autobiography - A college transcript.

Résumé - – What is it? - A résumé is a factual and concise summary of your qualifications. - A résumé shows prospective employers that you have the education and experience for the job you are applying for. Think of it like a persuasive advertisement about yourself. - It’s your billboard

Résumé - What employers like to see 1. Honesty - Be truthful about your qualifications: - education - experience - skills i.e., if you were the manager’s assistant, don’t say you were the assistant manager. i.e., # 2: professor’s assistant vs. assistant professor

Résumé - What employers like to see 2. Attractiveness - The document should be “pleasing to the eye.” - Appropriate spacing - font - use of boldface This tells the employer that you are visually intelligent.

Résumé - What employers like to see 3. Organization - Careful organization of information is: - easy to follow - logical - consistent This shows your ability to process information.

Résumé - What employers like to see 4. Concise - Keep to your purpose (get the job). - Generally, your résumé should be 1 page (2 at the most). - Résumés are written in SHORT sentences - They do not use the word “I” - Use “action-packed” verbs.

Action-oriented language - Examples Duties at my last job: I made the company website  Designed the company website. I helped with lab reports  Assisted lab report composition. I changed programs to suit each customer  Customized programs for customers.

Résumé - What employers like to see 5. Accuracy - Make sure: - grammar - spelling - dates - names -titles -programs Are ERROR-FREE Inconsistencies and errors say: “I don’t know what I’m doing.” credit: thechive.comthechive.com

Real résumé lines Graduated in the top 66% of my class. Thank you for your consideration. Hope to hear from you shorty! I am very detail-oreinted. Here are my qualifications for you to overlook. Education: College, August May 1984.

Résumé - What employers like to see 6. Currency (current) - Make sure that ALL information is up-to-date. e.g. Winner: ARRA Middle School speech contest, 1995

Résumé - What employers like to see 7. Relevant - Make sure the information is appropriate for the job. Employers are looking for necessary education and experience.

Résumé - What employers like to see 1. Honesty – no false is misrepresented information 2. Attractiveness – proper font and layout 3. Organization – proper format 4. Conciseness – brief, and to the point (descriptive) 5. Accuracy – error-free 6. Currency – all information should be up-to-date 7. Relevance – Information should be relevant to the position

Résumé - What employers like to see Which of these do you have?

Writing your résumé Consider these questions: 1. What classes did you excel in? 2. What papers, reports, or presentations earned you your highest grades? 3. What computer skills have you mastered?

Writing your résumé Consider these questions: 4. What technical skills (other than computer skills) have you acquired? 5. What jobs have you had? 6. Have you ever been promoted or chosen for special duty or tasks?

Writing your résumé Consider these questions: 7. Do you work well with people? 8. Can you organize complicated tasks or identify and solve problems quickly? 9. Have you had experiences/responsibilities managing money? 10. Have you won any awards or scholarships or received a raise, bonus, commendation, and/or promotion at work?

Parts of a résumé Do not include : - Salary demands or expectations. - Work schedule preferences, days off, overtime - Travel restrictions - Your citizen’s number - Height, weight, hair color - Religion, political affiliations - Hobbies, interests (unless they are relevant)