1. Creating an Effective Resume Library Association of Brevard
Presented by:
Dona Gaynor
Director, Career Management Services

2. Overview Purpose of a resume Resume vs CV
Preparing to write your resume
Resume content areas
Resume format
What to include and exclude
Cover letters

3. A resume gets you the interview so you can get the job!
What is a Resume?
Necessary to apply for jobs
Summary of education, skills, experience and accomplishments
Introduction to the employer
Self marketing tool
A resume gets you the interview so you can get the job!

4. Resume vs CV? Resume CV – Curriculum Vitae Summary of qualifications
Concise – usually no more than 1-2 pages, 3 at most
Used to apply for corporate library positions, public schools and libraries and for non-faculty positions at universities
CV – Curriculum Vitae
Course of Life – a more detailed and complete history of your education, career, volunteer and professional activities
Can be any length
Used to apply for academic and research library positions

5. Preparing to Write Your Resume
Conduct self-assessment
Why do you need a resume?
What is your geographic preference?
What is your industry preference?
What is your job preference?

6. Preparing to Write Your Resume
Conduct Self Assessment
Outline experience, skills, and abilities
Write down all your jobs, volunteer work, involvement in professional associations, etc.
Focus on accomplishments, achievements, success stories
Try to provide concrete, quantifiable data when possible
Conduct research on available opportunities and review qualifications
Find matches between your skills and interests and available

7. CV Content – Basic Section Titles
Contact information
Education
Professional(Library) Experience
Publications
Presentations at Conferences
Teaching Experience
Skills – technology, languages
Volunteer Experience
Grant Writing
Professional Affiliations

8. Resume Content – Basic Sections
Contact Information
Professional Summary or Objective
Professional Experience
Skills – technology, language, “soft” skills
Education
Professional Affiliations
Volunteer or Community Service

9. Professional Summary
A section at the beginning of your resume used to summarize your experience, skills, and special qualifications targeted to the position
Can be one paragraph or a series of bulleted statements
Focus on the key qualifications of the job – keywords!
Most appropriate for experienced individuals or those who are transitioning careers

10. Professional Summary Sample
Assist in the planning, implementation, coordination, evaluation and promotion of the library’s instructional and information competency programs.
Provide direction to library staff and students.
Collaborate with other faculty to increase students’ knowledge of library resources.
Experience in providing reference service and bibliographic instruction in an academic environment, including teaching library research strategies and presenting workshops.
Strong interest in developing information competency/literacy programs.

11. Professional Summary Sample
Librarian and Information Specialist with concentrated studies in reference & user services and information science & technology.
Seasoned information analyst with 20 years of experience in IT and accounting environments.
Skilled in research, Internet searching, database tools, instruction, fact checking, and user-centered design.
Detail oriented with the ability to work independently or as part of a team, and to deliver on time.
Dedicated to information literacy and life-long learning through library services and community collaboration.

12. Experience Resumes List in reverse chronological order
Include only most recent and most relevant if you have a lot of experience
Bulleted lists that begin with action words and are not complete sentences
Focus on achievements and accomplishments, not just job descriptions

13. Experience CV
List most recent/relevant experience section first and then list descriptions within the section in reverse chronological order
Include all experiences
Focus on activities and experiences that advance the profession
Can be listed in paragraph format with more complete descriptions

14. Experience Sample for Online Reference Librarian:
Locate and communicate information, articles, and books to adults, professionals, children, teens, and college students within a real-time 24/7 chat environment.
Conduct online reference interviews using strategies that result in connecting customers with reliable sources best fitting their research, homework, and life-long learning information needs.
Access information using advanced online search techniques, Internet sites, and research databases; and educating information-seekers with adhoc tips and on-screen instruction for independent research.
Evaluate information sources for authority and appropriateness, working under limited time constraints, and helping users of varying knowledge levels and computer abilities.
Research and create topical pathfinders and research guides in response to reference inquiries requiring a broader or deeper selection of information source recommendations.

15. Experience Sample for School Librarian:
Supervise OCS library maintaining and developing the library collection and facilities.
Administer a library literature and skills curriculum, collaborating with teachers on school & library activities, supervising library personnel & volunteers, research & purchasing of library acquisitions, collection development, & budget management.
Work collaboratively with other faculty in developing bibliographic instruction programs across the curriculum.

16. Other Content Areas
List other sections in order of importance or relevance to the position
Education: List in reverse chronological order with most recent degree first
Skills: A technology skills section may be very important for technical librarian positions and should be prominent and possibly listed before experience
Professional Affiliations: Don’t forget to include accomplishments, achievements and awards

17. Online Resumes Resumes submitted through online applications process
Selections are often made by keyword searches from electronic applicant tracking software packages so matching keywords is very important
Carefully review job requirements for keywords
Avoid bold, italics, and graphics as well as creative formats that use columns and tabs

18. Resume Tips
Engage the reader right away – the first few lines of your resume may be the most important!
Show the clear match between your qualifications and the requirements of the position
Descriptions should be concise – use action words with impact and show achievements
Target your resume for each application
No spelling errors, typos, grammatical errors or inconsistent format

19. CV Tips – Academic Institutions
Appeal to the academic side when applying to a research university
Show all experience and involvement in the profession
Experience in assessment is important – highlight skills in collecting and analyzing data
Technology skills – show how you used it in past experiences
No spelling errors, typos, grammatical errors or inconsistent format

20. Do’s & Don’ts Do use a legible font face and size
Do include enough white space to allow for skimming
Do use bulleted lists
Do use a consistent format
Don’t include your SSN, Photo, Marital Status, or other personal information
Don’t use more than two fonts
Don’t put references on the resume – create a separate document
Don’t use excessive bold face/italics, graphics
Don’t use an ink color other than black

21. Cover Letters Should always accompany a resume/CV
Opportunity to introduce yourself to the employer
Provide enhanced details about your qualifications, especially soft skills
Point out specific experiences which make you an excellent fit for the position
A cover letter does not need to be lengthy and should not exceed one page

22. Cover Letters
Paragraph #1: How did you learn about the job? Identifying your source of information about the job.
Paragraph #2: Why you are interested? Address your knowledge of the employer and your interest in the position.
Paragraph #3: How you are qualified? Opportunity to relate your qualifications to the various skills the employer has outlined in the position description.
Paragraph #4: What steps you plan to take to be considered?
Summarize your interest in the position, show appreciation, indicate contact information for further information, and take responsibility for following up.

23. Resources American Library Association
LIS Jobs – many good resources and articles