RRéésumsuméé 101 101

The Basics of Writing an The Basics of Writing an Effective REffective Réésumsuméé

RRéésumsuméé Rules… 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.

RRéésumsumé = Marketing Toolé = 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 MUST HAVE Categories on a Ron a Réésumsuméé

Personal Logo (Name, Address(es), Phone Number(s), and Email)

EducationExperience (Work or Volunteer)

Categories NEVER Included on a Categories NEVER Included on a ResumeResume

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: Templates: To Use or Not To Use?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.

EducationEducation

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 ExperienceWork Experience

Five Components:– Job Title– Name of Employer– Location – Dates of employment– Description

Use Action Verbs!Use Action Verbs!Keep it brief and to the pointKeep it brief and to the point

Organized Communicated Directed

Planned Created Assisted

Supported Initiated Solved

Reported Edited Analyzed

Described Developed Managed

Led Sold Designed

Tie skills to contextTie skills to contextHow have you applied them?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…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 languageUse 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 CategoriesOther Resume CategoriesObjectiveComputer SkillsHonors and AchievementsScholarships and AwardsVolunteer ExperienceLeadership ExperienceCampus or Community ActivitiesCertificates and Additional Training

ObjectiveObjective

Objective can add focus to the resumeSpecific to field and industry, but not to jobExamples:

– Obtaining an editing position within the medical industry

– To provide web development services to a health care company in the Chicago area

Summary of QualificationsSummary of Qualifications

Must be specific, weighty, & descriptiveMust 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?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 strategiesOther strategies

Placement of content makes a differenceClump related qualificationsUse category headings that communicate

your qualifications – be creative.

The Importance of ResearchThe 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

ChecklistChecklist

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 ResumesTypes of Resumes

Standard Resumes: Laser printed, well-formatted, & 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 Cover Letter BasicsBasics

Guiding PrinciplesGuiding 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 NameEmployer 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

PositionPosition

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 examplesUse examples

My excellent financial management skills will greatly benefit your company

vs.Through my work at the Jane Smith House,

I honed my financial management skills by developing spreadsheets, reporting on cash-flow accounts and ledger balances

Show your knowledge Show your knowledge of the employerof the employer

I am interested in working for Delta because of your reputation for quality

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.

Relate skills to the objectiveRelate 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 FinishThe Big Finish

Ask for an interviewIndicate how you will follow-up (unless

instructed specifically otherwise)

Be sure you really do follow-up!

Questions?Questions?