1. HOW TO WRITE AN EFFECTIVE RÉSUMÉ Jenny Leonard Montana State Billings August 2004

2. RÉSUMÉ MYTHS Résumé must be limited to one page Résumé must be in chronological format Résumé must be a balanced look at your strengths and weaknesses Résumé must contain an “Objective” You write your résumé once and never again

3. A RÉSUMÉ IS are the product!

4. PURPOSE OF THE RÉSUMÉ Land you an interview!!!! Don’t just inform – EXCITE! Not a history Not a personal statement Not a self-expression 10 – 20 seconds is all you have

5. PLAN & PLAN SOME MORE Focus on employer’s need – not yours What will make you the ideal candidate? What special abilities would you have? What would make an exceptional candidate rather than a acceptable one? Ask yourself some questions and WRITE DOWN THE ANSWERS!

6. PART I: ASSERTIONS or WHY I AM THE PERFECT PERSON FOR YOU SUMMARY  Short paragraph about why you are wonderful  Use your field’s jargon  For students, may be based on potential rather than actual expertise  May also be called SUMMARY OF QUALIFICATIONS

7. Summary Section A short phrase describing your profession Followed by a statement of broad or specialized expertise Followed by two or three statements about  Depth or breadth of skills  Unique mix of skills  Range of environments in which you have worked  Special or well-documented accomplishments  History of awards One or two professional or appropriate personal characteristics A sentence describing professional objective or interest

8. Summary Example Web designer with five years experience in creating interactive websites. Skilled in use of Front Page, Dreamweaver, Flash, XML, HTML, and ASP. Energetic self-starter with excellent creative, organizational, and marketing skills. Proven ability to work with teams. Seeking a challenging position in web design that offers extensive contact with end- users.

9. PART II: SKILLS & ACCOMPLISHMENTS or PROVING I AM WONDERFUL SKILLS AND ACCOMPLISHMENTS  More details about what you have or have done  May also be called ACCOMPLISHMENTS SUMMARY OF ACCOMPLISHMENTS RECENT ACCOMPLISHMENTS AREAS OF ACCOMPLISHMENTS AND EXPERTISE AREAS OF EXPERTISE CAREER HIGHLIGHTS PROFESSIONAL HIGHLIGHTS OTHER SKILLS AND ACCOMPLISHMENTS

10. Skills and Accomplishments (continued) Formats  Chronological Lawyers Accountants Academics  Functional Students Wide skill range Changing careers Returning to workplace

11. Skills and Accomplishments (continued) Ways to present  Bullet list  Major headings with bullet list  Chronological with bullet list

12. Skills and Accomplishments (continued) Possible Headings  Technology & Programming  Technical  Management Subheadings  Web Design and Support  Help Desk Support  Network Administration  Applications  Languages

13. Skills and Accomplishments (continued) Experience  Reverse chronological order Summarize the old stuff!  Format Title – Firm – Location – Dates Firm – Title – Location – Dates  Location is ONLY city and state  Dates are ONLY in years  Include ALL experience – paid AND unpaid!  Do NOT call this section “Work History” or “Employment”  May also call it “Professional Experience” or “Professional History”

14. Skills and Accomplishments (continued) Education  Degrees first (if you are not finished use “Expected 2004”)  Licenses second  Advanced or technical training  Awards  DO NOT INCLUDE HIGH SCHOOL!  May also be called Education and Licenses Education and Training

15. Skills and Accomplishments (continued) Professional Affiliations  Current, relevant, impressive  Combine with civic affiliations and call it Professional and Community Memberships Publications  ONLY if published  May use websites you have designed or helped design References  “References available upon request”

16. PART III: WRITING IT OUT Use power words Hit the highlights Clear, concise, to the point Phrases – not complete sentences Verb tense – first or third person Verb tense – current is present, past is past Okay to use jargon Shorter is generally better

17. PART III: WRITING IT OUT (continued) Sometimes it is easier to think about your accomplishments as if you were writing about your best friend and not yourself.

18. PART IV: MAKE IT LOOK GOOD Uniform use of formatting NAME: Bold and Caps (may be larger font) Name on Second page (unobtrusive, but seeable) HEADINGS: Bold Numbers  1 – 10 spell out  11+ write as number Experience before Education  Unless you are a student! Phone number must be answered all the time – person OR machine Email must be checked frequently

19. PART IV: MAKE IT LOOK GOOD (continued) Match your cover letter heading to your résumé heading You are IT people – show off your technical skills!  Résumé not resume for example Print on résumé paper  White or ivory! Preferably use Laser not Ink Jet Black ink – no color!

20. PART V: DO NOT!!!! UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES! Put RESUME at the top! Use fluffy statements or ramble Give salary information Give full addresses for employers Give supervisor names for employers Give reasons for leaving Include a Personal section Include references

22. What Next? Write your résumé Have someone you trust look over it