1. Writing A Resume Resources: Same Day Resume ( Copyright 2004 by JIST Publishing, Inc. ) http://www.free-resume-tips.com/10tips.html

2. Sample Resumes Sample Resumes Websites http://www.bestsampleresume.com http://jobsearch.about.com/od/sam pleresumes/a/sampleresume2.htmhttp://jobsearch.about.com/od/sam pleresumes/a/sampleresume2.htm http://susanireland.com/resume/ex amples/http://susanireland.com/resume/ex amples/

3. Writing the Major Sections of Chronological Resume Phone # and E-Mail  Essential to give this info. Since most employers will contact you using phone or e- mail  Always include the area code of the phone number  Use a phone # that will be answered throughout job search like cell phone with voice mail  Make sure that your voice mail/answering machine message sounds professional; no howling sounds and such  Phone number can have explanations such as 413-356- 6956 (cell phone) Name  Do not use a nickname, use your official name Mailing Address  Don’t Abbreviate (Street, Avenue)  If planning to move while job hunting – ask a relative, neighbor, friend to use their address. Forwarded mail may be delayed and you might miss a job opportunity as a result  As last resort, get a PO Box  If possible, get your new address so that it appears that you are settled

4. Writing the Major Sections of Chronological Resume Job Objective  Good idea to choose a job objective because you can include info. that directly supports the job  Be careful how to write your job objective so that it does not exclude you from any possible position  Examples: “Desire a position in the office management, accounting, or administrative assistant area. Prefer a position requiring responsibility and a variety of tasks.” (Page 19) This gives her more options than simply writing “administrative assistant”. “Seeking a position that require excellent business management skills in an office environment. Position should require a variety of tasks, including office management, word processing, and spreadsheet and database program use.” (Page 19)  Emphasize what you can do, your skills, and where you want to use them  Bad Objective: “Interested in a position that allows me to be creative and that offers adequate pay and advancement opportunities” (Page 19)

5. Writing the Major Sections of Chronological Resume Education and Training  Start with your strengths  For recent grads with little job experience, put education and training before job experience  Those with extensive job experience put experience before education and training  Can drop this topic if it does not apply to the job you are applying for  Generally, stress most recent or highest level of education/training

6. Work and Volunteer History Details of work history Start with the most recent job For significant work histories, list each job with details of what you accomplished and special skills used Stress skills that directly relate to job applying for Volunteer and military experience are considered job experiences

7. Previous Job Titles Modify job title you had to accurately reflect your responsibilities Example: Sales clerk, but opened and closed the store and were often in charge, change to night sales manager If worried about this – check with previous supervisors to make sure that it is ok

8. Other Information Previous Employers 1. Give organization’s name, and list city, state or province 2. More details are not necessary and can be provided in references sheet Employment Dates 1. If you have large gaps in employment, use months and years to avoid stressing the gaps 2. Try to fill in any gaps with something positive to explain them even if it does not relate to the job applying for 3. Example: Mowing lawns, painting houses = self- employed

9. Addition Information Continued Duties and Accomplishments 1. Use action words to describe and stress experience 2. Quantify experience and provide evidence that did it well 3. Stress specific skills that relate to the job that you want 4. If past experience not related to current job that you want, stress skills that are transferable to the current job 5. Example: Waiter has people skills that are transferable to managing and accounting\ 6. Make sure every word contributes something Professional Organizations 1. Optional Section to list job-related professional, humanitarian or other organizations 2. Mention awards and accomplishments

10. Use Action Words and Phases Achieved Administered Analyzed Controlled Coordinated Created Designed Developed Diagnosed Directed Established policy Established priorities Expanded Implemented Improved Increased productivity (or profits) Initiated Innovated Instructed Modified Negotiated Organized Planned Presented Promoted Reduced expenses Researched Scheduled Solved Supervised Trained

11. Recognition and Awards You may have a separate section for recognitions and awards that relate to the job that you are applying for This section can also be combined with other sections such as professional organizations, work experience, skills, education or personal

12. Personal Information Do not include info like height, weight, marital status, hobbies, leisure activities, etc. Current laws may prompt a potential employer to toss your resume if this information is included This is an optional section “Some resumes provide a touch of humor or playfulness as well as selective positives from outside school and work lives.This section is a good place to list significant community involvements, a willingness to relocate, or personal characteristics an employer might like. Keep it short.” (Page 25)

13. References Not necessary to include references on resume If an employer wants references, they will ask for them Get in touch with reference in advance- ask permission to use their names and make sure that they will be supportive of you application for the job that you are apply for Ask references to evaluate you and push for negatives and DO NOT get defensive or offended. Nobody is perfect and this allows you to delete references When you know who to include, create a separate sheet with your references. Include full name, title, address, phone number You may include details as to why you chose these people as references

14. Helpful Resume Tips 1. Use titles or headings that match the jobs you want  Make the job title as descriptive as possible  Example: Management of A/R and A/P Accounts is more descriptive of Accounting/Recordkeeping 2. Employers make snap judgments within a 5- second glance of your resume  Highlight the most important information about work experience, skills and education  You want the employer to read further.

15. Helpful Resume Tips 3. Create content that sells Be specific and detailed (without being too long) when describing your former duties Example: “Managed over 1,000 accounts receivable and payable accounts working directly with the Chief Financial Office” is better than “Maintained records for accounts receivable and payable accounts.” 4. Quantify and Use Power Words Usually – the more specific you can be at describing your duties the better Use power words and verbs that match the level of position you want ”Directed workflow, supervised and trained accounting staff performing posting to general ledger, accounts receivable and payable account”: is better than “Gave work assignments to staff of entry level accounting clerks.”

16. Helpful Resume Tips 5. Analyze Ads and Job Descriptions to Identify Key Words  Direct resume to specific job posting (if possible) 6. Identify and Solve Employer’s Hidden Needs Find skills that employers need (and you can provide) but do not necessarily put in their ads. 7. Sell the Benefit of Your Skills Describe how your skills can help the employer Example: A good typist might state that she/he is able to save the employer time and cut the need for part time staff saving the employer money.

17. Helpful Resume Tips 8. Create an Image that Matches the Salary That You Want “Seeking an entry level position in an accounting field.” versus “Seek an Accounting position utilizing my experience: Managing a department and accounting for up to $250,000 in monthly claims.” 9. Prioritize the Content of Your Resume  Prioritize them by importance, impressiveness and relevance to the job you want

18. Helpful Resume Tips 10. Tweak and Target Your Resumes and Cover Letters to Particular Job Opportunities