Resume Writing How to write an effective resume

What is a Resume? IT IS NOT – Your complete autobiography IT IS – A document stating your professional credentials ITS PURPOSE IS – Not to get you a job – To get you an interview (YOU get the job)

Your Resume is Your Advertisement Purpose – Why are you sending this resume? – Do your credentials qualify you for the position? Focus on Achievements – What separates you from other applicants? – Skills, skills, skills Accuracy – Make sure your dates and descriptions are accurate. Clarity and Simplicity – This is not the time to write paragraphs, or use a thesaurus. An attractive package – You want your resume to illustrate professionalism A sense of person behind the resume – This paper needs to be able to sing and dance so that the employer will want to meet you CREDIBILITY – More than 80% of resumes contain some stretch and truth. JUST DON’T DO IT!

The 20 Second Rule The personnel director’s of America’s top corporations say time and time again if you have not presented the most important information about yourself in the top half of your resume, you can forget about getting the job. The head of personnel management for one of the largest and most prestigious employers in D.C. told authors that she allows 20 seconds to scan each resume she receives. If in that brief time, she does not see anything that gets her attention she rejects the resume

Rule of Thumb Pick up your resume Where are you thumbs? – Most employer spend seconds when first examining a resume and only see the top half. Everything above your thumbs should be the most important information that you want to convey to the employer and everything below should support the message your communicating

Style Recommendations Keep your resume one page unless specified otherwise Avoid flashy colors (text and paper) Keep your font simple (Times New Roman or Arial) Size 11 or 12 font Highlight important information (name, address, job titles, major categories) using boldface type Use action words when describing what you have done PROOFREAD Highlight computer/technology and skills, as well as experience working as part of a group or team

Remembering a Few Things There is no one way to create a resume. What one person likes, another may not. What listing your tasks do not exceed 3 bullet points 3-Example Rule: if you list a skill, you need to come up with three examples to support it Anything listed on your resume is fair game for an interview