Developing a Resume
How to use a Resume
Sending Resumes
Format for Resumes
|
 |
Introduction
to Resumes & Letter Writing
Resumes
An Effective resume succinctly describes your education and
experience in relation to the job you are applying for. You will often
make your first impressions on employers through your writing, and
you’ll want those impressions to be outstanding. Your resume is a
written snapshot that should clearly support your career goal and be
tailored to that position. Information on the resume should be presented
in order of relevance to the position
Developing a Resume
Analyze the job description for skills and abilities
Review job descriptions for the skills and abilities that employers are
seeking. Read through the descriptions and highlight the required
skills, attributes and qualifications. Use these words in your resume.
Create a list of accomplishments
Take some time to think about
your accomplishments: things that you did well, enjoyed doing, and were
proud of. Include education, training, internships, volunteer
opportunities, jobs, projects, school assignments, travel. Describe in
detail what you did, who you did it with, what equipment you used and
what happened. Quantify your results, if possible, and use commonly
understood terminology. Identify the personal strengths and skills that
you used to achieve your accomplishments. Don’t be humble; this is your
chance to promote your skills and abilities.
Analyze experiences for relevant skill areas
Analyze your
experiences to identify your skill areas.
Write descriptive phrases
Using action verbs, write short
phrases to describe what you did that illustrates each skill. Be concise
and specific. Arrange the descriptive phrases in order of relevance to
the position for which you are applying.
Choose the appropriate format
There are several resume formats
to choose from so be sure to choose the format that best presents your
background and qualifications. Samples of each resume format can be
found in the Sample Resumes section.
Chronological
The resume lists your background in a reverse
chronological sequence, starting with the most recent. You may
arrange you’re heading in various ways, depending upon what aspects
of your background you wish to stress. This format works best when
your work, volunteer and academic experiences relate directly to the
type of job for which you are applying. It is preferred by
most on-campus recruiters and business employers.
Skills/functional
This resume highlights your most
important skills or functions. Headings are built around these
areas. Job titles, employers and dates of employment are listed in a
brief section at the bottom of the page. This format allows you
highlight skills, knowledge and abilities relevant to the position
regardless of where and when you obtained them. It works well when
your work experience is not directly related to your career goal.
You are entering the job market for the first time, or you are
making a career change.
Use a Resume to:
Respond to an advertised job vacancy.
Send to employers that interest you after you have researched an
organization.
Accompany government or other formal application forms.
Present to a potential employer at the time of an interview.
Reinforce a personal contact you have already established with an
employer.
Submit to employers before on-campus interviews.
Accompany a request that someone write a letter of recommendation
for employment for you.
Present to a professional association employment committee or
conference placement service.
Sending Resumes and Letters Electronically
When submitting a resume via an organization’s website, use the
formatting and display style recommended by the website.
To send your resume via email, find out the employer’s format
preference when possible. Although some recruiters accept attachments,
others prefer your resume be included in the text of the employer’s
preference, send it both ways in one message.
Unless you are told otherwise, include a cover letter. Send both the
resume and cover letter in one email message.
Tips for sending your resume as an attachment
Create your resume using a common word processing program.
Give the document a name the recruiter will associate with you, such
as "MillerJennifer.doc". This will enable a recruiter or employer to
find your resume once it is saved on a computer. Don’t name the document
"Resume.doc".
Be absolutely sure your document is free of viruses.
Send it electronically to a friend to make sure it is easy to open,
the formatting stays correct, and the document is virus-free.
Key Components That Attract Attention To Resumes
You will note that we recommend a simple,
straightforward, eye-catching format with dynamic headings. This emphasizes
the most important factors first.
Therefore, we begin with the Profile, Skills, and
Accomplishments. Even if you are just out of college, you have skills and
accomplishments from college that will generate the employer’s interest.
It is true that employers like to see a career objective.
But remember, this may limit your being considered for various positions,
because a Profile covers a broader range. You can add the objective to the
Profile such as in the example below.
We continue to stress the importance of a Profile
followed by Skills and Accomplishments to enhance your value to the
employer. Accomplishments impress people, and this is your opportunity to
sell yourself. Use action words to your best advantage.
Remember, you must make a good impression in Twenty
Seconds. If you have special qualifications, by all means show them,
especially if you cannot show accomplishments.
Remember: You only get one chance for a first good
impression!!
Format for College Students or New Graduates
You can still use the basic format, but it will have to
be structured to emphasize your education and training, and any work
experience of activities during college. For example, your Profile could
read like this:
Motivated college graduate with training in computer technology
Pursuing a career in systems analysis.
Do not embellish how much value you can be to the company
right out of college with no experience. Do not antagonize the employer or
insult his or her intelligence.
|
