1. Objective 3.04: Academic, Occupational and General Employment Skills
The
Amazing
Resume
Objective 3.04: Academic, Occupational and General Employment Skills

2. The Resume
A document containing appropriate and important facts about a person who is applying for a job is a resume
A resume aids the job-seeking process in that it organizes experiences and skills.

3. What is a resume? Primary marketing tool to obtain interviews
Represents your experience and strengths
Highlights your competencies, accomplishments, and future capabilities

4. The type of resume that works best for a person with continuous work experience is a chronological resume

5. Format: DO’s ONE page and error-free Prioritize order
Reverse chronological order
One font choice
Professional; single font color

6. Format DON’Ts AVOID: Personal information Personal photo Health status
NO height, weight, age, marital status
Personal photo
Health status
Abbreviations or acronyms

7. Anatomy of the Resume
Contact information
Objective
Education
Experience
Related
Additional
Skills, Certifications, Professional Affiliations
Community/Civic Involvement
Leadership
Volunteer
Activities, Honors or Awards

8. jsmith2@iastate.edu ♦ 620 Lincoln St., Ames, IA 50011 ♦ (515) 555-7890
Contact Information
Joe Smith
620 Lincoln St. 40 High Road
Ames, IA Newton, MA
(515) (617)
JOE R. SMITH
Lincoln St.
(515) Ames, IA
First Name / Last Name
Current Address
Permanent Address (if applicable)
Phone number
address
JOE R. SMITH
♦ 620 Lincoln St., Ames, IA ♦ (515)

9. OBJECTIVE
Specific to position and work-centered, not self-centered
Stated on either the resume or cover letter
Examples:
A part-time position that offers contact with the public and the opportunity to market a quality product or service
A summer 2007 internship in technical design with Land’s End
When formulating your objective, avoid terms such as: growing, dynamic company; opportunity for advancement; challenging position; position dealing with people; 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.
For instance, read the following poor resume objective:
"Desire a rewarding position in a challenging environment using my people skills and problem solving talents."
This objective tells nothing about what the individual wants to do. In fact, this objective could fit any position from a Doctor to a Zookeeper!
EXAMPLES:
Sales representative... A summer position/internship that offers contact with the public, structured on-the-job training, exposure to management, and the opportunity to market a quality product or service.

10. EDUCATION Institution name, city, state OPTIONAL:
Degree, expected graduation date
Major
Minor
Concentration
Option
May (or may not) include high school
OPTIONAL:
Related courses
Honors and Awards
GPA (3.0 or higher)
Study abroad
Study tours
Research projects
Honors

11. HONORS or AWARDS Awards Scholarships Prizes Honor Societies
Professional affiliations

12. Education Example #1 Humboldt High School, Humboldt, IA
High School diploma, May 20xx
Top 10% of graduating class

13. EXPERIENCE Most recent first
Employer name, job title, city, state, dates
Separate experience into different sections
(if applicable)
Use action statements to highlight accomplishments
Internships, practicum, volunteer, leadership

14. EXPERIENCE “LABELS” Community Service Related Experience
Leadership Experience
Volunteer Experience

15. ACTION VERBS
Begin phrases with action verbs
Start with best action first; least impressive action last
Quantify and qualify
Provide the context of your work

16. Use of Action Verbs Avoid Active verb examples Responsible for
Duties included
Assisted with
Active verb examples
Coordinated
Oversaw
Trained
Performed
Planned

17. Experience Example Experience Floor Team Member, Target
Ames, IA, June 200x-present
Assist customers with merchandise selections
Create and maintain merchandise displays
Complete sales transactions

18. Experience Example Experience
Host, Chili’s, Des Moines, IA, December 200x-present
Train new staff under direction of Restaurant Manager
Greet and escort customers to seating area
Process orders and complete sales transactions for Chili’s To Go carry out service

19. SKILLS
A candidate with little work experience will need to focus attention on skills.
Foreign Language(s)
Computer Skills
Special Technical Equipment or Software
Possible descriptive phrases:
Fluent
Proficient
Conversational skills
Reading and/or writing ability
Working knowledge of
Familiar with

20. Skills Example
Skills
Computer: Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Photoshop
Proficient on Macintosh and PC
Languages: Fluent in Spanish
Conversational in French

21. REFERENCES First and Last Name Title Street Address City, State
Separate page from your resume
Match “header” format and content for resume
Current or former supervisors
Avoid family members, unless you have worked for them
First and Last Name
Title
Street Address
City, State
Phone number
address