Why are they important? RESUMES

What is a Resume? A personal data sheet. A personal data sheet. Short summary of important facts about you. Short summary of important facts about you. Will determine whether or not you get the interview. Will determine whether or not you get the interview.

9 Key Elements of the Resume 1. Personal Information (The Heading) 2. Objective 3. Education 4. Work Experience 5. Volunteer Work / Community Service 6. Awards 7. Extra-Curricular Activities 8. Special Skills 9. References

The Heading Includes: Includes: –Full Name –Complete Address –Telephone Number – Address

The Heading John Smith 123 Main St. Shepherdsville, KY (502)

Objective One sentence only One sentence only What you can do for the company? What you can do for the company? Don’t get specific Don’t get specific State the EXACT job title you seek State the EXACT job title you seek

Objective “Dependable and motivated high school student seeking part-time position as Office Administrative Assistant to gain further knowledge in the areas of business and management.”

Education Reverse order of education Reverse order of education –Most recent first. Name of school, location, dates attended Name of school, location, dates attended

Work Experience Brainstorm! Brainstorm! –Everyone has done something No work experience looks bad No work experience looks bad List in reverse chronological order List in reverse chronological order –Most recent first –Position, Location, Dates, Job Duties

Volunteer Work / Community Service Any unpaid work/duties you have done Any unpaid work/duties you have done –YMCA –Church –School (teams, clubs) –Helping with the family business

Awards What have you won? What have you won? –Young Authors –Essay contest –Field Day –Attendance –Honor Roll

Extra-Curricular Activities Inform of your accomplishments. Inform of your accomplishments. This is where you can shine! This is where you can shine! –Show leadership (officer in club) –Involvement in school and the community

Special Skills Other things at which you are good: Other things at which you are good: –Experienced in Word, PowerPoint, Photoshop, etc. –Good communication skills –CPR certified –Anything that pertains to this job

References People that know your skills and abilities People that know your skills and abilities –People that will speak highly of you Teachers (past/present) Teachers (past/present) Principals or Counselors (past/present) Principals or Counselors (past/present) Coaches (past/present) Coaches (past/present) Employers or supervisors (volunteer work) Employers or supervisors (volunteer work)

Accuracy of Information Plain and simple: DO NOT LIE! Plain and simple: DO NOT LIE! George O’Leary George O’Leary George O’Leary George O’Leary

Layout One page in length. One page in length. Bold or Underline section headings. Bold or Underline section headings. Use either Times New Roman or Arial type font. Use either Times New Roman or Arial type font. Traditional is usually more acceptable and professional than fads. Traditional is usually more acceptable and professional than fads.

Length of Resume Use only one page. Use only one page. The only time you would want to add an additional page would be if you had extensive work experience or information that relates to your career. The only time you would want to add an additional page would be if you had extensive work experience or information that relates to your career.

Personal Information Employers, by law, cannot be concerned with personal characteristics such as weight, sex, or age. Do not worry about this information. Employers, by law, cannot be concerned with personal characteristics such as weight, sex, or age. Do not worry about this information. NEVER attach a photograph to your resume. Employers are interested in the skills you possess and the contributions you can make to their organization. NEVER attach a photograph to your resume. Employers are interested in the skills you possess and the contributions you can make to their organization.

Grammar and Spelling Typos and poor grammar are signs of carelessness and lack of professionalism. Typos and poor grammar are signs of carelessness and lack of professionalism. Make sure you have someone else proofread it. Make sure you have someone else proofread it. NO cross-outs or handwritten parts. NO cross-outs or handwritten parts.

Printing the Resume Use good quality paper. Use good quality paper. White, ivory, or off-white. White, ivory, or off-white. Each copy of your resume should be crisp and clean; no bent corners, ink smudges, blurs, marks, or ink streaks. Each copy of your resume should be crisp and clean; no bent corners, ink smudges, blurs, marks, or ink streaks.

Leave Out Availability Availability Reason for leaving Reason for leaving –This will be asked in an interview. References References –They will be expected later. –Use a separate sheet of paper. Salary Salary Weaknesses Weaknesses