1. Creating a Resume OST 1211 – Chapter 3

2. What is the purpose of the resume? To get you an interview with a company. The more targeted your resume, the more favorable the impression.

3. In writing your resume, Avoid “I” statements Keep sentences short Use plain English Use bullets Move from general to specific Limit resume to one page

4. Organize your resume to include, Heading (Personal contact information) Objective Education Skills Awards Work Experience/Volunteer Experience

5. What to leave out! Exact dates Reasons for leaving other positions Personal information References

6. Common Resume Pitfalls Unprofessional Carelessness Vagueness Overkill/Long-winded Irrelevance/Fluff Misrepresentation  14% of job applicants lie about education  43% of resumes contain significant inaccuracies  96% of businesses conduct some type of background check on job applicants  Evidence indicates that those who cheat on job applications also cheat in school and in life.

7. Getting It Into Print Choose a format Select a typeface and size Use graphics sparingly Choose quality paper Get feedback

8. Proofreading Tips Employers have little tolerance for careless errors Don’t rely entirely on computer spell-check Proofread resume out loud Have another person proofread it also

9. Where to get help! http://www.free-resume-tips.com/10tips.html http://www.monster.com http://www.vault.com/

10. What Tennessee Employers Say! (about resumes) Applying on a company Website  96.6% have a company Website  64.3% advertise job opening on their Website  30% allow uploading of resume to their company Web site  20% allow completion and submission of resume through company Website

11. Importance of Letter of Application 43% letter is important even when applying electronically 39% letter is desired, but not critical 17% no letter is needed

12. Preference of Receiving Resumes (top five of eight) E-mail message with resume as attached file Regular U.S. mail FAX Online job bank (monster.com) Online company Website

13. Importance of GPA Information 45% use the GPA as a screening tool Lowest GPA Used for Screening  0%--3.5 and above  25%--3.0 to 3.499  50%--2.5 to 2.999  25%--2.0 to 2.499

14. Length of Resumes (When is a resume too long?) 3.4% think two pages is too long 48.3% think three pages is too long 41.4% think more than three pages is too long vs.

15. Preferences Regarding References 14% prefer references omitted from resume 21% prefer references included on resume 21% prefer references on a separate sheet but mailed with resume 17% prefer typed list of references brought to interview 28% prefer references written on application form

16. Time Spent Evaluating Resumes 21.4% spend less than 1 minute 50% spend less than 5 minutes 28.6% spend more than 5 minutes

17. Importance of Resume Information (5 point scale) Related experience (4.03) Computer experience (4.0) Previous employment (3.81) Accomplishments/duties (3.70) Degree (3.5) Major (3.11) Unrelated experience (3.11) GPA (3.04)