Résumés Module Twenty Seven Copyright © 2014 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved. McGraw-Hill/Irwin

Learning Objectives LO 27-1 Demonstrate reasons for employers to read your résumé. LO 27-2 Apply principles for résumé design with computers. LO 27-3 Select résumés for different situations. LO 27-4 Contrast differences among résumé features. 27-2

Learning Objectives LO 27-5 Compare similarities among résumé features. LO 27-6 Apply principles for appropriate résumé length. LO 27-7 Apply principles for electronic résumé design. LO 27-8 Apply principles for video résumé design. 27-3

Résumés  Résumé  a persuasive summary of your qualifications for employment 27-4

Allocating Time in Writing Résumé 27-5

How can I encourage the employer to pay attention to my résumé?  Do more than just list what you’ve done.  Emphasize achievements that  Are the most relevant to the job.  Show your superiority over other applicants.  Are recent.  Use industry jargon and buzzwords. 27-6

How can I encourage the employer to pay attention to my résumé?  Include skills that are helpful to almost every job.  Design one résumé for people, the other for electronic scanning.  Consider using a career objective with the employer’s name. 27-7

Using a Computer to Create Résumés 27-8 Play with Layout and Design Avoid Templates Proofread

What kind of résumé should I use?  Chronological résumé  Summarizes what you did in reverse order.  Is the traditional résumé format.  Is used to show a logical preparation for the job or a steady progression leading to the present. 27-9

What kind of résumé should I use?  Skills résumé  Emphasizes the skills you’ve used  Is useful when your job history does not directly lead to the kind of job you’re applying for

How do the two résumés differ? 27-11

How do the two résumés differ? 27-12

Chronological Résumés  Include for each job  The position or job title.  The organization.  The city and state.  The dates of employment.  Details such as full- or part-time status, job duties, special responsibilities, or promotions

Chronological Résumés  Normally, include jobs as far back as the summer after high school  Use minimal detail about low-level jobs

Chronological Résumés Too vague: Sales Manager, The Daily Collegian, University Park, PA, 2008–10. Supervised staff; promoted ad sales

Chronological Résumés Good details: Sales Manager, The Daily Collegian, University Park, PA, 2008–10. Supervised 22-member sales staff; helped recruit, interview, and select staff; assigned duties and scheduled work; recommended best performer for promotion. Motivated staff to increase paid ad inches 10% over previous year’s sales

Action Verbs for Résumés 27-17

Skills Résumés  Use as headings the skills used in or aspects of the job you’re applying for.  For entries under each skill, combine experience from paid jobs, unpaid work, classes, activities, and community service 27-18

Skills Résumés  Use headings that reflect the job you’re applying for.  Logistics rather than planning; procurement rather than purchasing.  Use at least three headings related to the job you’re applying for

A Skills Résumé for Someone Changing Job Fields 27-20

What parts of the two résumés are the same? Contact Information Career Objective Summary of Qualifications EducationHonorsReferences

Keywords for Sample Jobs 27-22

What should I do if the standard categories don’t fit?  Create headings that match your qualifications:  Computer Skills, Military Experience, Foreign Languages, Summer and Part-Time Jobs, Marketing Experience, Achievements Related to Career Objective.  Put your strongest categories near the top and at the bottom of the first page

Should I limit my résumé to just one page?  A one-page résumé is sufficient, but do fill the page.  The average résumé is now two pages  If you do use more than one page, the second page should have at least 10 to 12 lines

How do I create a scannable résumé?  Use a standard typeface  Use 12- or 14-point type  Use a ragged right margin rather than full justification  Don’t italicize or underline words  Don’t use lines, boxes, script, leader dots, or borders

How do I create a scannable résumé?  Don’t use two-column formats or indented or centered text  Put each phone number on a separate line  Use plenty of white space  Don’t fold or staple the pages  Don’t write anything by hand on your résumé  Send a laser copy 27-26

How do I create a scannable résumé? 27-27

How do I create a scannable résumé? To increase the number of matches or “hits”:  Use a keywords section  Use industry buzzwords and jargon  Use nouns  Use as many pages as possible  Mention specific software programs  Join honor societies and professional organizations 27-28

How should I prepare an online résumé?  Use an link.  Omit your street address and phone numbers.  Consider having links under your name and address.  Link to other pages about you.  Don’t be cute.  Put your strongest qualification immediately after your name and address

How should I prepare an online résumé?  Specify the job you want.  Specify the city and state for educational institutions and employers.  Use lists, indentations, and white space.  Craft phrases on commercial and university Web sites to convince recruiters to click on your name.  Proofread your résumé carefully

Can I use a video résumé?  Consider using a video résumé if it’s appropriate for the organization and job sought  Stick to traditional methods otherwise

Can I use a video résumé?  Be professional in behavior and appearance  Practice a few times before recording  Use imagery and sound to enhance your presentation  Record several versions using quality equipment  Check your video résumé from time to time to make sure it downloads 27-32