Professional Resume

Resumes What is the purpose of a resume? To get a job you really want To get a job you really want To give your work history To give your work history To entice a prospective employer to call you for an interview To entice a prospective employer to call you for an interview

Entice a prospective employer Show the employer that you can make an immediate & valuable contribution Show the employer that you can make an immediate & valuable contribution Only include information relevant to the position Only include information relevant to the position Focus on where you are going with your career (short and long-term goals) Focus on where you are going with your career (short and long-term goals)

Types of Resume Chronological (most common, lists the most recent job experience first) Chronological (most common, lists the most recent job experience first) Functional (Describes set of skills/specific accomplishments ) Functional (Describes set of skills/specific accomplishments ) Combination (Uses major skills in an addition to a record of job experience) Combination (Uses major skills in an addition to a record of job experience) Electronic/Scannable Electronic/Scannable

Electronic/Scannable Scanned by a computer using optical character recognition software Scanned by a computer using optical character recognition software Helps large employers manage a large number of resumes Helps large employers manage a large number of resumes Used to respond to Internet job postings Used to respond to Internet job postings Database search for specific skills, experience and education Database search for specific skills, experience and education Electronic Resume = Formats, uploads converts, or scanned by computer (Common) Electronic Resume = Formats, uploads converts, or scanned by computer (Common)

Electronic Resume Scanning  Avoid italics, underlining, shadows, and reverse type.  Avoid vertical and horizontal lines, graphics, and boxes.  CENTER name and address.  Use standard fonts such as Helvetica, and Times  Use white or ivory paper.  Use key words, jargon and acronyms specific to your industry.

Resume Layout  Try to have one-inch margins on all sides. You want to create the visual impression that there is not too much reading to be done.  Font size should be pt.! Anything less will give the reader eyestrain.  Printing needs to be laser quality.

Resume Do’s… Use short phrases rather than complete sentences. Use short phrases rather than complete sentences. Use positive language in describing your accomplishments. (use action words) Use positive language in describing your accomplishments. (use action words) Keep the reader of your resume in mind. Ask yourself, “If I were the employer, would I interview this person?" Keep the reader of your resume in mind. Ask yourself, “If I were the employer, would I interview this person?"

Skill Assessment 1. Find out what skills, knowledge, experience and training are required for job. 2. Make a list of your 3-5 strongest skills or abilities that make you a strong candidate for your target.

Resume Components Identification Information Identification Information Objective Objective Education Education Skills Skills Experience Experience Activities Activities

Career Objective Every resume needs one! Every resume needs one! Gives focus to your job search Gives focus to your job search Clear and concise statement about the position you are seeking using a job title or a job description Clear and concise statement about the position you are seeking using a job title or a job description May be specific or general May be specific or general

Sample of Objectives Chemical engineer with focus in biopharmaceuticals Chemical engineer with focus in biopharmaceuticals Seeking a management position which utilizes my engineering background Seeking a management position which utilizes my engineering background Process Engineer with Dow Chemicals Process Engineer with Dow Chemicals Technical service representative in the computer science industry Technical service representative in the computer science industry Seeking position in lean manufacturing Seeking position in lean manufacturing

Education List items in reverse chronological order List items in reverse chronological order List high school only if you have not gone to college List high school only if you have not gone to college Name of institution, city, state, degree, major/minor, graduation date, GPA=3.0 Name of institution, city, state, degree, major/minor, graduation date, GPA=3.0 Selected relevant courses/Detail on course work Selected relevant courses/Detail on course work Honors/Scholarships Honors/Scholarships Computer skills Computer skills Foreign languages Foreign languages % self-supporting if greater than 50% % self-supporting if greater than 50%

Sample Education Education University of KentuckyLexington, KY Masters degree in Mechanical Engineering August, 2008 GPA: 3.0/4.0, worked 20+ hours/week XYZ UniversityIndia Bachelor degree in Electrical EngineeringMay 2005

Skills Highlights qualifications in an easy to read format Highlights qualifications in an easy to read format Example: Example:Qualifications Proficient in C++, HTML, JAVA Proficient in C++, HTML, JAVA Knowledge of lean manufacturing Knowledge of lean manufacturing 4 years customer service experience 4 years customer service experience

Experiences Anything career related, including volunteer positions, co-ops, internships Anything career related, including volunteer positions, co-ops, internships List in reverse chronological order (most recent position first) List in reverse chronological order (most recent position first) Info to include: employer, location (city, state), job title, dates of employment and description of your duties and accomplishments Info to include: employer, location (city, state), job title, dates of employment and description of your duties and accomplishments

Work Experience Start with your current position and work your way back. Start with your current position and work your way back. List a minimum of 3 related positions – try to go back 10 years. Be sure to include job duties and accomplishments for each position. List a minimum of 3 related positions – try to go back 10 years. Be sure to include job duties and accomplishments for each position. Again, tailor your details to the job for which you are applying.

Sample Experience Powerful Job Description Statements With Action Words Powerful Job Description Statements With Action Words Example: Example: Toyota Erlanger, KY Engineering Co-opSpring 2005, Summer 2006 Designed car doors using AutoCAD Designed car doors using AutoCAD Developed and formalized manufacturing processes Developed and formalized manufacturing processes Reduced waste on line by 20%, saving $300,000 Reduced waste on line by 20%, saving $300,000

Activities Include Relevant Activities (i.e., Fraternity, Sorority, Campus Organizations, Sports, etc.) Include Relevant Activities (i.e., Fraternity, Sorority, Campus Organizations, Sports, etc.) List positions and describe your participation List positions and describe your participation Incorporate skills acquired and used Incorporate skills acquired and used Focus on accomplishments Focus on accomplishments

Additional Informatin  Honors and Activities  Computer Skills  Accomplishments  Professional Memberships  Projects  Skills or Summary of Skills

Resume Tips Use black ink on white, ivory, or gray resume paper. Use black ink on white, ivory, or gray resume paper. Should NOT include a picture unless you are applying for a job in modeling or ministry. Should NOT include a picture unless you are applying for a job in modeling or ministry. One page only, unless you are writing an academic vita. One page only, unless you are writing an academic vita. Mail in a large envelope to prevent unnecessary creasing. Mail in a large envelope to prevent unnecessary creasing.

Resume Tips Reflects the truth Reflects the truth Is free of errors and gimmicks Is free of errors and gimmicks Is visually powerful and easy to read Is visually powerful and easy to read Focuses on skills and uses action words to get the reader’s attention Focuses on skills and uses action words to get the reader’s attention Should always be accompanied by a cover letter Should always be accompanied by a cover letter

Do… Demonstrate how you can benefit an employer Demonstrate how you can benefit an employer Use reflective language (what does their ad say?) Use reflective language (what does their ad say?) Keep concise and relevant Keep concise and relevant Manage referees Manage referees Check spelling and grammar Check spelling and grammar Target resume for specific jobs Target resume for specific jobs Always send a targeted cover letter Always send a targeted cover letter

DON’T… Use an inappropriate address: Use an inappropriate address: Leave major gaps in the dates without explanation Leave major gaps in the dates without explanation … remember - short and sharp … remember - short and sharp Go into too much detail about duties Go into too much detail about duties Try to be humorous Try to be humorous Lie or over inflate your experience Lie or over inflate your experience Use fancy fonts or change fonts throughout Use fancy fonts or change fonts throughout … keep it simple … keep it simple

Other Tips Proofread your resume for correct spelling, punctuation, and grammatical and typographical errors. Have your resume critiqued by several professionals. Proofread your resume for correct spelling, punctuation, and grammatical and typographical errors. Have your resume critiqued by several professionals. Use capital letters, dashes, bolding or bullets for emphasis. Use these symbols sparingly, or they lose their effect. Use capital letters, dashes, bolding or bullets for emphasis. Use these symbols sparingly, or they lose their effect. Never use the word “I” Never use the word “I”

Is your resume…. 4 Concise. 4 Focused. 4 Easy to read and find information. 4 Error-free. 4 Powerful