Resume Writing Workshop Presented by Aaron Saenz

Overview Preparation Resume Types Resume Analysis Common Mistakes

First Thing’s First: Preparation Spend some time brainstorming on your career history – List job history – How have you changed over the course of a position – Trainings, raises, etc. – Awards, accomplishments, etc.

3 Types of Resumes Chronological – Places experience in reverse chronological order – Most traditional Functional – Highlights skills and accomplishments, headings are build from these Combination – Combination of previous two

Resume Analysis: Who Will View My Resume? A recruiting officer in Human Resources? – The document should be visually pleasing – Headers should be easily distinguished Entered into massive database via scanner – Use action words – Minimal format consideration – Usually no space limitation

Common Mistakes Focused on Job Duties Objective Statement Resume Length Grammar Personal/Irrelevant Information Proper Resume type Profile Section Use of Keywords Typos Quality Counts

Too Focused on Job Duties Don’t cut and paste your job description Try: – How did you do better than anyone else? – How were problems you or the company handled? – What were the outcomes? – Awards or recognition

General Objective Statement Don’t be cliché, use obvious statements Try: – Being specific to what you are looking for – Add positive qualities you posses

Resume Length One page rule is myth – If you need to go over a page, it’s ok as long as it’s relevant Be concise. Ask,”Will this statement help me land an interview?” If the answer is “yes,” leave it.

Grammar Don’t use personal statements, “I” or “we” Minimal use of articles: “an” and “the” Proofread, proofread, proofread, and have others proofread.

Listing Personal/Irrelevant Information Don’t put hobbies and interests – Unless relevant to position or industry (rare) Don’t put personal information such as D.O.B., marriage status. What have you done lately? – Don’t put everything, just most recent

Use Proper Resume Type/Order Only use Functional style if you have no previous experience Place education heading first if you are a new graduate or education is your strength

Profile that Sells Do your research – What is the employer looking for? Job description – Tailor your resume so that these skills stand out

Use of Keywords Sprinkle throughout document, not centered in one place Make sure you choose proper words, and that they reflect what you did

References Available… Everyone knows that you have references – Bring them to interview Don’t send extra documents, unless required – Letters of recommendation, transcripts

Typos Just one can land your resume in the trash bin Look everywhere for them PROOFREAD!

Quality Counts Use resume quality paper – Costs more, but it helps you stand out more Don’t bend the truth – Background checks reveal all No Excuses – Don’t include the reason you left previous job Don’t photocopy resumes, unclean copies

Nobody has ever created the perfect resume, because each recruiter has pet peeves. Just do your best, it’s all you can offer!