Writing an Effective Resume

What is a Resume? A marketing tool A marketing tool l The first impression a prospective employer has of you l Summarizes your work qualifications and skills. It will help you sell your skills to an employer. Request for an interview Request for an interview l Purpose of the resume is to get you an interview Must capture the reader ’ s interest and attention Must capture the reader ’ s interest and attention l Must convince the employer that you have the ability to fill their position

Resume Formats - Chronological Highlight your work experience in reverse chronological order Highlight your work experience in reverse chronological order Be sure to not leave gaps Be sure to not leave gaps The most widely used format for working professionals The most widely used format for working professionals

Resume Formats - Functional Highlight specific skills for which the market has high demand Highlight specific skills for which the market has high demand Seldom used by new graduates Seldom used by new graduates Frequently used to change jobs or careers Frequently used to change jobs or careers

Resume Formats - Combinational Highlight specific work experience Highlight specific work experience Highlight marketable skills Highlight marketable skills Use reverse chronological order Use reverse chronological order

Standard Resume Sections Objective Objective Education Education Honors/Activities Honors/Activities Work Experience Work Experience Skills Skills References (Optional) References (Optional) Move toward bottom

The Header Section The first line should be your name The first line should be your name l Avoid using decorative fonts Don ’ t use black or gray shaded backgrounds Don ’ t use black or gray shaded backgrounds Include contact address Include contact address l Permanent address l Current address (if different from permanent) Include your address Include your address l Professional Ex. Don ’ t use “ or “ ” Don ’ t use “ or “ ” Include your phone number Include your phone number l Be sure that contact information is correct l Change the voic message so that it is appropriate

The Objective Section Your objective should explain the kind of work that you want to do Your objective should explain the kind of work that you want to do Make statement clear, concise, and to the point Make statement clear, concise, and to the point Bad: “ I want to get a job ” Bad: “ I want to get a job ” Weak: “ To attain an internship in the computer industry. ” Weak: “ To attain an internship in the computer industry. ” Good: “ To attain an internship in the computer industry working with database or network security. ” Good: “ To attain an internship in the computer industry working with database or network security. ” Avoid being specific to one company Avoid being specific to one company “ To attain a position at 3M Pharmaceuticals working on … ” “ To attain a position at 3M Pharmaceuticals working on … ”

The Work Experience Section Dedicated to most recent and relevant employment Dedicated to most recent and relevant employment Format Format l Employer and location on the first line  Don ’ t need name of supervisor, complete address, or contact information l Position and time-span on the second line F Use only year, not month and year (avoids time gaps) Each position should have at least two bullets Each position should have at least two bullets l Explain role and contributions Don ’ t emphasize duties but rather emphasize outcomes Don ’ t emphasize duties but rather emphasize outcomes  “ Increased efficiency of … by 20% ”  “ Improved user navigation experience on … ”

Resume Tips Use action words in your descriptions Use action words in your descriptions

The Honors/Activities and Volunteer Sections Since you have little work experience, you will want to emphasize accomplishments in and out of the classroom. Since you have little work experience, you will want to emphasize accomplishments in and out of the classroom. Don ’ t include hobbies or activities not related to the job or your story Don ’ t include hobbies or activities not related to the job or your story l For example, it may not be a good idea to list freestyle rap as a hobby if you are applying for a position in accounting Be sure to include volunteer work. It demonstrates character and commitment. Be sure to include volunteer work. It demonstrates character and commitment.

References References are individuals who can give potential employers information about your job qualifications and character. References are individuals who can give potential employers information about your job qualifications and character. l References may be included on your resume. Use professional references only Use professional references only l Pick individuals that think highly of you l Pick individuals that are familiar with your work Always ask your references before using their names Always ask your references before using their names l Be prepared to give supporting materials – courses, projects, … l Ask again if it has been a while

Scannable Resumes Most large employers will scan your resume into a central database. Only 2 of 100 are read by employers. Most large employers will scan your resume into a central database. Only 2 of 100 are read by employers. Tips to assist the scanning process Tips to assist the scanning process Don ’ t use italics, underlining, or graphics Don ’ t use italics, underlining, or graphics l Use bold only for headers Use “ scanner-friendly ” fonts Use “ scanner-friendly ” fonts F Times New Roman or Arial are good examples F Font sizes of between 9 and 12  Not Lucida Handwriting l Use black ink on white background

Resume Tips Act like a professional Act like a professional l Avoid cute or inappropriate graphics, pictures, formats, … One page only One page only l You are a high school student, so you will only have one page. Only individuals with lots of experience have resumes longer than one page TELL THE TRUTH! TELL THE TRUTH! l If you exaggerate on your resume your prospective employer will find out! It speaks volumes about your character when you can ’ t explain your own resume It speaks volumes about your character when you can ’ t explain your own resume

Resume Tips Be sure your spelling and punctuation are correct Be sure your spelling and punctuation are correct l Errors will get your resume thrown out! Follow the instructions Follow the instructions l If the company asks for specific information, then give it to them Follow up Follow up l If you said you would call, then call

Avoid These Mistakes “ Education: Banjamin Bennerker High School 2013 ” “ Education: Banjamin Bennerker High School 2013 ” “ Personal: In a Complicated Relationship, 15 yrs old ” “ Personal: In a Complicated Relationship, 15 yrs old ” “ Proven ability to track down and correct erors. ” “ Proven ability to track down and correct erors. ” Cover Letter: “ Thank you for your considuration. I hope to here from you soon. ” Cover Letter: “ Thank you for your considuration. I hope to here from you soon. ”

Good Examples (1)

Good Examples (2)

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