HOW TO WRITE A SUCCESSFUL RESUME

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HOW TO WRITE A SUCCESSFUL RESUME

• By Shikha Kothari and Brian Jungman

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Why Create a Resume?

• It summarizes your skills, education, activities
  and on the job experience and objectives
• Demonstrates how your qualifications match the
  employers needs

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Resume Guidelines

• Focus on YOUR unique qualifications, skills, and
  background
• Make a list of special qualities that set you
  apart from other applicants
• Resume MUST be customized or tailored to a
  specific job description
• It must be clear, concise, appealing and
  informative

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Bad Resumes
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Resume Formats

• Chronological Easiest to prepare and read and
  the most commonly used
• Functional Focus on the skills and qualities
  that can be applied to a number of work
  situations
• Combination Merges elements of both functional
  and chronological resume

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Resume Outline

• Heading
• Name (most important fact on a resume) - put at
  the top in all caps
• Address, phone number, professional e-mail
  address
• Job Objective
• Skills and Qualifications
• GPA (only if more than 3.0)
• Relevant Coursework
• Experience
• Optional Information
• awards, interests, affiliations, etc

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TIPS!!!

• ONE PAGE should be enough
• Spell and Punctuate properly!!!
• Use Good Quality Paper
• 10-12 pt font w/bullets, underlining, bold-facing

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Sample Action Words

• Achieved
• Adapted
• Analyzed
• Built
• Completed
• Coordinated
• Created
• Designed
• Developed
• Established

• Generated
• Implemented
• Increased
• Led
• Managed
• Organized
• Performed
• Reduced
• Trained
• Wrote

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Sample Resume
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Goals of the cover letter

• Provide a good first impression/opinion for the
  reader
• To quickly and clearly point out your skills,
  knowledge, and track record
• Explain how these credentials can make a tangible
  contribution to a prospective employer
• Persuades the reader to continue on to your
  resume with positive expectations

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Rules of a Cover Letter

• Targeting your message
• Spotlight your accomplishments and measurable
  results
• Focus on what you have to offer
• Send your letter to a specific individual
• Spell their name right!!!
• Helps to use the person you got their contact
  info from
• Include contact info and ask them to contact you

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Cover Letter Format

• Opening paragraph
• State position for which youre applying and how
  you found out about it
• If you were referred by someone, indicate whom
• Middle paragraph(s)
• Build connection between qualifications and
  companys needs
• Focus on skills, education, experience
• Emphasize strongest attributes that relate to the
  position youre applying for
• Grammar, spelling, punctuation are important
• Closing paragraph
• Restate interest in position, demonstrate how
  your qualifications fit the position
• Include contact info again, and either offer to
  contact them or ask them to contact you

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Sample Cover Letter
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Its Done!!!

• Now go make an AWESOME resume and show those
  companies what Jacobs engineers are all about _