16
10 Steps to Build a Stand Out Resume
10 Steps to Build a Stand Out Resume
NOTE: Not every item in this presentation will agree with
your text book.Resumes are personal!
What is the primary purpose of your resume?
• Entice the company to call you for an interview.
Nothing more, nothing less.(After that, it’s up to you
to sell yourself!)
Step 1 –Basic Data
• Your name
• Contact information:
–Address
–Your phone or cell phone
–E-mail address
–Personal Web SiteRemember: All should be appropriate for your target audience!
will generally not land you a job interview!
Step 2 – What’s next is personal!Ask the questions?
• What is my personal brand?
• Who is my target audience, i.e. what type of companies or jobs am I looking to obtain?
• What is my most valuable skill or experience now? Whatever it is, it should be listed first!
» It may be your education, your volunteer work, your professional experience, etc.
Step 3 – MUST HAVE sections of your resume…
• Education
• Professional or Work Experience
• Computer or Technical Skills/Expertise
The order of listing is specific to how
you can bring value to the position.
Step 4 – Possible sections…(Do they need to be labeled?)
• Career Objective– Pro: Tells company what you are looking for.– Con: If doesn’t match the opening, it will screen you out.
• Summary of Qualifications– Pro: Provide company with brief snapshot of how you can add
value to the organization.– Con: If too general or just descriptive*, can be wasted space!
*Hardworking, ambitious, goal oriented with strong interpersonal and public speaking skills.
SO? WHO CARES? ANYONE CAN SAY THAT!
Step 5 – Might have sections:
• Community Service
• Military Service
• Professional Affiliations
• Regulatory Experience
• Licensures or Certifications
• Hardware/Software
• Internships
• Activities
• Part Time Work Experience
• Awards and Honors
• Technical Expertise
• Publications
• Training
• Foreign Languages
• Hobbies (Only if related to your career choice.)
Step 6 – DO NOT include these SECTIONS or ITEMS:
• Personal Information or Data (How many kids you have, marital status, etc..)
• Religious or Ethnic Group Affiliations (Unless this will benefit your consideration based on the organization you’re applying to.)
Step 6 – DO NOT include these SECTIONS or ITEMS continued…
• Information that is too OLD or DATES YOU!– If you are in college, why list your high school?– Graduated from college in 1988 – Let’s see that makes
you… how old?• You do not need to list dates of degrees! Just list the degree!
– Had a great job in 1992…things have changed!– Proficient in DOS or Word 2000….are your skills out of
date?– Type 30 words a minute…who owns a
typewriter and is this the best you can do?
Step 6 – DO NOT include these SECTIONS or ITEMS continued..
– References forwarded upon request
• EVERYBODY know that!
– Too much detail such as:
• Complete addresses of employers
• Salaries or pay rates– Details such as these are only necessary for an actual
application.
– GPA’s that looks average at best!
• 2.5 out of 4.0??
Step 6 – DO NOT include these SECTIONS or ITEMS continued..
– Statements that begin with I….• I did this… I did that…
• Resumes are not narratives…they’re advertisements!
– Listing responsibilities (Try to avoid this word!)
– Misspelled or misused words
– LIES – MISTRUTHS – FABRICATIONS• Remember in this digital age..it’s easier to verify
information.
Step 7 – FINALLY DON’T INCLUDE:
•Anything that gives a company reason to screen you out!
Step 8 - Do include:
• Industry Buzz Words or Jargon
• Searchable words from what you see used in job ads for your field.
• Action words (See the list in your text on page 59.)
• Your accomplishments.
• Anything you can quantify.
• How you were recognized for good work.
Step 9 – Demonstrate or SHOW how you add value, don’t tell!
• Telling: Strong Initiative and Creative Manager.
– DEMONSTRATING: Provided leadership to streamline our customer complaint process. Created new policy and presented it to management.
• Telling: Responsible for opening and closing store daily.
– DEMONSTRATING: Oversaw store operations. Trouble shoot and resolved scheduling issues to ensure superior customer service.
• Telling: Motivated employees.
– DEMONSTRATING: Supervised 25 employees. Implemented sales tracking system and recognition awards to increase employee engagement. Improved overall sales 10%.
Step 10 – Create several versions• Use inter-changeable blocks
– Tailor your ad to your target audience.
– Use the job description for keys!
• Lock it UP!– PDF your resume
• Otherwise when sent electronically formatting can change!
• Create an RTF or Rich Text version
– For scannable databases and on-line application downloads. (See page 49 of your text.)