1. Resume Writing Workshop

2. Updated: 23 Oct. 02 - Slide # 2 The Purpose of a Resume is… GET THE INTERVIEW! Marketing yourself What makes you unique Answer the question “Why should the employer want to talk to you?” Customize, Customize, Customize Only give enough information that 100% qualifies you for the job and “NO MORE, NO LESS.”

3. Resume Writing Workshop Updated: 23 Oct. 02 - Slide # 3 What is a Resume? It is one part of a set of documents you need when searching for any job: –Cover letter –Resume –Reference list –Thank you note These are your personal ADVERTISING kit

4. Resume Writing Workshop Updated: 23 Oct. 02 - Slide # 4 Resume “Rules of Thumb” Keep it to no more than two pages Tailor it as much as possible to the job description Use language that is in the job description KISS the physical layout (Keep It Simple Silly) REMEMBER: The resume represents you in your absence!

5. Resume Writing Workshop Updated: 23 Oct. 02 - Slide # 5 Key Content Components Your Contact Information –Who you are and how you can be reached Your Job or Professional Objective –What kind of work you are looking for Your Accomplishment Statements –Successes you have achieved Problem, Solution, Results ( PS Rs) Your Skills or Qualification Summary –What makes you the ideal candidate

6. Resume Writing Workshop Updated: 23 Oct. 02 - Slide # 6 Resume Types: Chronological AdvantagesReasons to use Emphasizes continuity and career growth When your career direction is clear Highlights the name of employers When your job target is in line with your work history Easy to followWhen the name of your last employer adds strong prestige Source: The Perfect Resume, Tom Jackson, 1990

7. Resume Writing Workshop Updated: 23 Oct. 02 - Slide # 7 Resume Types: Functional AdvantagesReasons to use Flexibility in emphasisWhen you change or redirect your career Eliminates repetition of job assignments When you start your first job search Tends to de-emphasize experience When you reenter the job market and want to emphasize your abilities Source: The Perfect Resume, Tom Jackson, 1990

8. Resume Writing Workshop Updated: 23 Oct. 02 - Slide # 8 Resume Types: Targeted AdvantagesReasons to use Lets you present an impressive case for one selected job When you are exceptionally clear about job targets and what they require Demonstrates strong understanding in a targeted area of expertise Certified, licensed, or bonded job requirements Source: The Perfect Resume, Tom Jackson, 1990

9. Resume Writing Workshop Updated: 23 Oct. 02 - Slide # 9 Writing Guidelines Top-Left Rule Use “active” v. “passive” language Use present tense to describe what you are looking for now Use past tense to describe what you have done before Incomplete sentences are acceptable Take job description and using “white” letters paste job description is small font below first page of resume so can only be read by scanner.

10. Resume Writing Workshop Updated: 23 Oct. 02 - Slide # 10 Physical Appearance Make it easy to to look at and easy to read WHITE SPACE Use at least 10 point type (12 is the best) –tiny type is hard to read! Use a simple typeface (a.k.a. “font”) –A “sans serif” font such as this is clean –A “ serif ” font such as this is easier to read Don’t mix fonts on a page

11. Resume Writing Workshop Updated: 23 Oct. 02 - Slide # 11 Overview Does the resume “Paint a Clear Picture?” Does the resume “Tell your Story?” Does the resume let the employer make a quick assessment to go further with an interview? Is it a good advertisement?

12. Resume Writing Workshop Updated: 23 Oct. 02 - Slide # 12 Impact of the Internet Makes it easy to distribute your resume very quickly to lots of companies Quickly becoming a preferred means of receiving resumes by employers Presents opportunities for abuse –Consider setting up a Hotmail or Yahoo email address to protect yourself from spam

13. Resume Writing Workshop Updated: 23 Oct. 02 - Slide # 13 Ways to Submit Electronically As an attachment via email –Attachments are falling out of favor due to viruses, worms, etc. –Only use if job description says to do so Embedded in email –You will need a text-only file for this Submitted on-line through a web site –You will need a text-only file for this

14. Resume Writing Workshop Updated: 23 Oct. 02 - Slide # 14 Emailing a Resume Save Document as “text only with line breaks” (60 characters per line) Open the document, edit again and save. Highlight all and copy onto clipboard. Go to internet service screen and paste the copied resume into the e-mail preceded by a cover letter. Keep the margins at 6 1/2” to prevent wrap- around Send it to yourself so you can preview it.

15. Resume Writing Workshop Updated: 23 Oct. 02 - Slide # 15 Plain-Text Resume Ugly but necessary –Companies are wary of computer viruses in attachments –HR clerks, not hiring managers, are tasked with printing out emails Simple format –60 characters per line (with a CR at the end) –Use ALL CAPS for headers –Add line spaces to separate blocks of text

16. Resume Writing Workshop Updated: 23 Oct. 02 - Slide # 16 The Electronic “Scannable” Resume Software “reads” your resume for keywords –Most popular system is Resumix (now owned by Hotjobs.com) –Will score and rank resumes by number of hits Sample list of companies using it: –AMD, Amdahl, Apple, Bank of America, Cadence, Intel, GE, National Semiconductor, Sun Microsystems, AT&T

17. Resume Writing Workshop Updated: 23 Oct. 02 - Slide # 17 The Evil Scan Software

18. Resume Writing Workshop Updated: 23 Oct. 02 - Slide # 18 Cover Letters First Paragraph - Opening Tells why you are writing in a way that arouses interest. Displays your knowledge of the reader’s company or group. Second Paragraph - Accomplishments Briefly describes your qualifications and identifies the relevant job title. Third Paragraph - Answers the question: Why should I hire you? Fourth Paragraph - Takes the initiative Requests action, asks for an interview, suggests a time to meet. Close - Always thank the employer for time and consideration.

19. Resume Writing Workshop Updated: 23 Oct. 02 - Slide # 19 Your References Ask permission to use your references’ name. Send your references a copy of your resume. Ask you references what they think your strengths and weaknesses are. Call your references once you have provided their names to a company. Coach your references on what skills to highlight when called. Ask them to tell you when they are called for a reference.

20. Resume Writing Workshop Updated: 23 Oct. 02 - Slide # 20 Incidentals Cover letters –Keep them brief and aligned with what is written in your resume Reference lists –Don’t send them with your resume, but have them with you at the interview Thank you note –A nice (and rare) personal touch