Resume Writing

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Resume Writing

• Preparing a winning resume

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The Purpose of a Resume

• Win an interview
• Advertise yourself
• Demonstrate skills writing, organization,
  layout, etc.
• Help clarify your direction, qualifications, and
  strengths
• NOT just a list of past experience and education

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Job Statistics

• A single job offer attracts between 100 and 1,000
  resumes.
• Your resume will get between 10 and 20 seconds of
  the recruiters time.
• Only 1 interview is granted for every 200 resumes
  received by the average employer.

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Writing a Resume

• Focus on the needs of the employer.
• Emphasize how you can meet their needs.
• Be persuasive sell yourself!

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Parts of the Resume

• Heading located at the top
• Includes your name, address, telephone, fax, and
  e-mail
• Make your name stand out 16 font
• Email address should be tasteful

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Parts of the Resume

• Objective located under the heading
• States the title of the position you are applying
  for.
• States the qualities and abilities that will make
  you stand out.
• Is optional
• Example A position teaching English as a second
  language where a special ability to motivate and
  communicate effectively with students will be
  needed.

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Parts of the Resume

• Education locate next if it is noteworthy.
• Includes
• Name Central Texas College
• Location Killeen, Texas
• Major Field of Study Communication
• Degree Associate of Science
• Date of graduation or intended graduation Dec.
  07
• GPA if above 3.0
• You may also list specific courses that apply
  directly to the position being sought.

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Parts of the Resume

• Work Experience place above education if more
  relevant and important.
• List jobs in backwards order most recent first.
• For past jobs use past tense descriptions.
• List three to five previous jobs.

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Parts of the Resume

• Work Experience, cont.
• Include
• Employers Name Chase Bank
• City and State Austin, Texas
• Date you started and ended the job May 2002 to
  June 2006
• Most important job title Customer Service Rep.
• Significant duties Responsible for efficient
  management of customer finances.
• Activities, Accomplishments, Awards

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Parts of the Resume

• Work Experience, cont.
• Emphasize management, communication skills,
  interpersonal capabilities, leadership
  opportunities, and teamwork experience.
• Tips
• Be concise, not vague
• Dont say, Worked with customers
• Use past tense if you are not currently working
  in that job position. Managed two
  problem-solving teams.

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Parts of the Resume

• Extras
• Capabilities and Skills emphasize skills or
  talents i.e. computer software, language
  fluencies
• Awards, Honors, Activities include awards,
  scholarships, honors, fellowships, recognitions,
  commendations, certificates, or group
  memberships.
• Personal Data use only if directly relevant to
  the job position!
• References do not put on resume, but have ready
  on another piece of paper.

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Resume Formats

• Chronological
• Advantages
• Lists work history job by job.
• Quickly reveals education and job history.
• Disadvantages
• Not always good for college students.
• Highlights only experience and education.

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Resume Formats

• Functional
• Advantages
• Focuses on skills rather than past employments
• Good for students because it can demonstrate
  transferable skills attained through experience
  gain in nontraditional venues i.e. school,
  organization
• Disadvantages
• Takes more time to construct.
• Not always good for a generic resume.

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Resume Formats

• Combined format
• Advantages
• Draws from the best of both formats by listing
  skills and previous job history
• Great format for recent graduates.
• Disadvantages
• Not a Word template format.
• Takes time to construct.

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Six Ways to Make Your Resume POP!

• Visually enticing use white space, bolding,
  italics, lines, and bullets.
• Include all necessary information
• Be consistent spacing, indents, punctuation,
  and verbiage.
• Use power words action verbs i.e. strengthened,
  identified, streamlined, managed, researched,
  distributed, etc.
• Be Truthful
• Be Flawless

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