Facts and Information About the Resume. By: Dan Bocchino Megan Bergeron

Why should I have a resume? To establish yourself as a professional with high standards To establish yourself as a professional with high standards To demonstrate your writing skills To demonstrate your writing skills Provide something to give to potential employers Provide something to give to potential employers To place in employer files To place in employer files To clarify your goals, qualifications, and strengths. To clarify your goals, qualifications, and strengths.

The Basics A typical job offer will attract between resumes. A typical job offer will attract between resumes. Most resumes will receive nothing more then a quick glance. Most resumes will receive nothing more then a quick glance. The goal of an effective resume is to win an interview. The goal of an effective resume is to win an interview.

Only one interview is granted for every 200 resumes received… First impression is crucial. First impression is crucial. Make sure your resume is free of all errors. Make sure your resume is free of all errors. Consider your resume as an advertisement for yourself. Consider your resume as an advertisement for yourself. Be proud of what you have accomplished Be proud of what you have accomplished

How long should a resume be? Shorter is usually better… Shorter is usually better… Typically 1-2 pages. Typically 1-2 pages. However a resume that is too short is just as bad as one that is too long. However a resume that is too short is just as bad as one that is too long. Do not bore the reader with unnecessary details. Do not bore the reader with unnecessary details. Do not turn your resume into your life history. Do not turn your resume into your life history.

Getting Started… It is best to create a rough draft It is best to create a rough draft Include everything you wish to cover in the final draft Include everything you wish to cover in the final draft Do not concern yourself with length Do not concern yourself with length Then edit and revise your resume Then edit and revise your resume Leave formatting for last Leave formatting for last

The Final Draft Be sure it is 100% free of errors Be sure it is 100% free of errors Use size a standard, sized font Use size a standard, sized font Print on a laser printer Print on a laser printer Use resume paper Use resume paper Do not distribute photocopies of your resume, only originals. Do not distribute photocopies of your resume, only originals.

Be sure to… Be positive when describing your background Be positive when describing your background Use margins and titles Use margins and titles Use bold-facing, underlining, or italics to emphasize key areas Use bold-facing, underlining, or italics to emphasize key areas Use phrases, not complete sentences Use phrases, not complete sentences

Avoid… Referring to high school, unless you are an undergraduate seeking an internship. Referring to high school, unless you are an undergraduate seeking an internship. Stating reasons for leaving previous jobs Stating reasons for leaving previous jobs Including personal data, such as race, age, sex, religion, etc. Including personal data, such as race, age, sex, religion, etc. Repeating yourself Repeating yourself Including salary information, unless requested in the job advertisement. Including salary information, unless requested in the job advertisement. Using resume templates for your final copy. Using resume templates for your final copy.

There are several types of resumes…

Reverse Chronological Lists experiences in a strict time sequence Lists experiences in a strict time sequence The most recent is listed first The most recent is listed first This works best for people who are working their way up the career ladder. This works best for people who are working their way up the career ladder. Not recommended for someone with gaps in employment. Not recommended for someone with gaps in employment. Example Example Example

Functional Lists experiences by skill areas. Lists experiences by skill areas. Under each of these areas, list the specific skills gained. Under each of these areas, list the specific skills gained. Effective for those who: Effective for those who: have held several of the same positions. have held several of the same positions. wish to focus on skills to change to another position wish to focus on skills to change to another position are returning to the workforce after a prolonged absence. are returning to the workforce after a prolonged absence. Example Example Example

Combination Mix of the reverse chronological, and the functional Mix of the reverse chronological, and the functional Lists experiences by skill and dates of employment Lists experiences by skill and dates of employment Recommended to most students Recommended to most students Example Example Example

Targeted Aims directly at a particular job. Aims directly at a particular job. Emphasizes what you can do for a particular employer. Emphasizes what you can do for a particular employer. Looks foreword rather than backwards. Looks foreword rather than backwards. Direct sales pitch to employers. Direct sales pitch to employers.

Which style should I use? Resume calculator on

Posting a Resume Online The Basics… Similar to a “for sale” ad viewable to the general public. Similar to a “for sale” ad viewable to the general public. Allows thousands of employers to view your qualifications. Allows thousands of employers to view your qualifications. Two common methods Two common methods E-forms E-forms Be sure to keep your resume current once it is posted. Be sure to keep your resume current once it is posted.

References es.html es.html jobs9706.html jobs9706.html uidelines.htm uidelines.htm