Résumé 101 The Basics of Writing an Effective Résumé
Résumé Rules… What are the Absolute, Unbreakable Rules of Resume Writing? There are only a few absolute rules in resume writing! These rules, however, are absolutes: No typing errors. No misspellings. Do not tell a lie or mistruth. Do not include any negative information.
It is YOUR résumé, your opinion matters. Use your critical thinking skill and filter suggestions from others.
Think of WHO is going to be reading your résumé and what THEY are most interested in knowing.
Résumé = Marketing Tool How long do you think the average employer looks at a résumé? What do you most want the employer to know about you? Formatting: first, BOLD, white space!
THE PURPOSE OF A RESUME IS TO GET AN INTERVIEW
MUST HAVE Categories on a Résumé Personal
Logo
(Name, Address(es), Phone Number(s), and Email)
Education Experience
(Work or Volunteer)
Categories NEVER Included on a Resume
Height, weight, age, date of birth, place of birth, marital status, sex, race, health, social security number (except on an International Resume) Reasons for leaving previous job(s) Picture of yourself Salary Information References (more on this issue later) The title "Resume" Religion, church affiliations, political affiliations
Templates: To Use or Not To Use? What About Those Resume Wizards in Microsoft Word? Word's Resume Wizards are increasingly popular with students. They can be help get you started with categories for your resume. CAUTION: Formats are not geared to college students and can cause students to set up your resumes inappropriately. If you use Wizards, adapt them to recommended guideline for college students. FURTHER CAUTION: Since so many college students are using Resume Wizards, employers are seeing an awful lot of resumes that look exactly alike.
Education Bachelor of Science in Scientific and Technical Communication Emphasis in Web Development University of Minnesota Anticipated Graduation: Fall 2005 GPA: 3.23 Major GPA: 3.50
Work Experience
Five Components: – Job Title – Name of Employer – Location – Dates of employment – Description
Use Action Verbs! Keep it brief and to the point
Organized Planned Supported Reported Described Led
Communicated Created Initiated Edited Developed Sold
Directed Assisted Solved Analyzed Managed Designed
Tie skills to context How have you applied them?
Excellent communication skills vs. Presented detailed information related to resume writing in strategic career planning workshops
And now for the numbers…
Conducted presentations for student orientation program
Led over 30 presentations to groups of 50 students and their parents introducing them to the University’s services
Use their language Assisted students in developing resumes targeted to the needs of the employer Taught analytical skills to students through job search correspondence instruction
Other Resume Categories Objective Computer Skills Honors and Achievements Scholarships and Awards Volunteer Experience Leadership Experience Campus or Community Activities Certificates and Additional Training
Objective Objective can add focus to the resume Specific to field and industry, but not to job Examples:
– Obtaining an editing position within the
medical industry – To provide web development services to a health care company in the Chicago area
Summary of Qualifications Must be specific, weighty, & descriptive Must NOT be a list of vague skills
Example of a good Summary: – Three years editing experience through college newspaper – Adept at using Pagemaker, Quark, Flash, and Dreamweaver – Lead designer for 11 web sites used in higher education and industry
Where to start? What are you trying to communicate? Three guiding questions: – What is that particular employer looking for in the dream candidate? – What are the 3-5 most important aspects of your experience that you need to describe based on what the employer is looking for? – What is your competitive advantage relative to other candidates?
Other strategies Placement of content makes a difference Clump related qualifications Use category headings that communicate your qualifications – be creative.
The Importance of Research Talk with people who know the employer, it’s products, past employees, or customers. Web, of course. U of M Business Reference Library at www.lib.umn.edu/reference click on Careers and Jobs
Checklist
Is it attractive? Does it make a good first impression? One page? Or can two pages be justified? Is it concise? Is extraneous information reduced or eliminated? Is unfamiliar information clarified? Just what is the Wilma Wonderwoman scholarship? Example: Wilma Wonderwoman Scholarship Recipient: Awarded to the senior who displays outstanding leadership.
Types of Resumes Standard Resumes: Laser printed, wellformatted, & reader friendly. Scannable Resumes: Text-based, plain, no formatting, key words (nouns & phrases), & qualifications summary. Web-based Resumes: It is available 24/7, global exposure (good and bad), no page restrictions.
Cover Letter Basics
Guiding Principles
What are your themes? What sets you apart? Specify how you will benefit the employer Be as specific as possible-- with examples How does your background meet their specific qualifications? You are just what they are looking for and you have the proof to back up your statements
Employer Name If the name isn’t given, employ your research skills to find out the name Be sure you have the gender and title correct
Position A good cover letters targets a specific position Lack of clarity may lead to the perception that you don’t know what you want to do
Use examples My excellent financial management skills will greatly benefit your company vs. ď Ź Through my work at the Jane Smith House, I honed my financial management skills by developing spreadsheets, reporting on cashflow accounts and ledger balances ď Ź
Show your knowledge of the employer I am interested in working for Delta because of your reputation for quality ď Ź I have been following your decision to pursue portal technology as a part of your communication strategy. I am eager to work for a Delta because of your commitment to cutting edge technology. ď Ź
Relate skills to the objective
Objective: Entry-level writing position In my position at Joiner Co. I entered data, contacted clients to update their addresses, and wrote letters and reports. Composed more that 50 letters sent to corporate clients such as Zeneca and Campbell, Inc. Wrote narrative for statistical report that was included in annual report sent to 1000 organizations nationwide.
The Big Finish Ask for an interview ď Ź Indicate how you will follow-up (unless instructed specifically otherwise) ď Ź
Be sure you really do follow-up!
Questions?