• Highlight your strongest assets and skills
• Differentiate you from other candidates
seeking the same position
be able to:
• Create a heading, education, experience and skills section on
your resume
• Craft effective bullets using action verbs and results
• Format resume clearly and consistently
• Target resume to a job or internship by researching industry and
highlighting skills
• A well-crafted, targeted, error free resume =
higher chance for the interview
• Not a complete history, but highlights
Bad and the Ugly
Email:
[email protected]
Graduated 2009
Really Trendy Clothes, Boston, MA
Sales Associate, September 2008-August 2009
Assisted customers in selection of clothing. Responsible for
setting up specials and floor displays. Did inventory and
stock.
Trained new employees.
Babysitter, August 2006-September 2008
Supervised two elementary school aged children. Spent time playing
with them, cooking meals, and helping with school work.
Skills
Interests
Jane Smith 45 Paul Pierce Way Boston, MA 02215 •
[email protected]
• 617-123-4567
EDUCATION
Candidate for Bachelor of Arts in Communication Studies May
2014
GPA: 3.6
Relevant Courses: Principles of Organizational Behavior, Media
Culture and Society
Activities and Honors: Dean’s List; Dean’s Scholarship; Modern
Marketing Club; Intramural Soccer; SGA
Member
GPA: 3.7 June 2009
Activities and Honors: Varsity Soccer Team captain; Student Council
VP; Debate Club;
EXPERIENCE
• Promoted sales and assisted customers in selection of
clothing
• Coordinated and marketed store specials and floor
displays
• Inventoried and replenished stock as required
• Trained ten new employees on store policy and sales
techniques
The Green Family Boston, MA
Babysitter August 2006-September 2008
• Supervised two elementary school aged children in after school
activities three times a week
• Planned entertaining and educational activities for the
children
• Assisted children with math, English and science homework
weekly
VOLUNTEER EXPERIENCE
Reader January 2007-January 2008
• Read text books, instruction manuals and fiction that were
recorded for use by the blind
SKILLS AND INTERESTS
Language: Spanish (Conversational)
– Personal Information
– Skills
optional
state objective
Section 1: Personal Information • Name should be visible, not
huge
• E-mail address should be professional
• Voicemail message must be employer ready
skills, certifications, other
skills, leadership skills do not belong in the
skills section!
• Third Step - Write a draft (and rewrite, and
rewrite …)
• Volunteer Activities
• Academic Projects
• Leadership Activities
• Skills you utilized in position/experience
• Each skill you’re trying to highlight should be a
single bullet starting with a strong “action
verb”
or “in charge of”
– What you achieved in position
– How you achieve benefit the company?
– Show the results of your work!
• Whenever possible, give quantifying details
– Give employer a clearer picture of what you achieved
– Time saved, money saved, honors or awards
– Ex. - trained 5 new employees, increased sales by
5%)
…And After Smithson, INC. Boston, MA
Account Representative June 2010 – May 2011
• Sold office supplies to a variety of New England businesses for
innovative, high energy organization.
• Increased sales in assigned territory by 12.5%.
• Generated sales leads and maintained over 30 accounts.
• Produced weekly sales and forecasting report using “Lotus 1, 2,
3” software.
• Developed strong product assessment and presentation
skills through weekly presentations to sales managers.
• Trained 6 new account representatives on all sales
procedures.
• Think-Pair-Share Activity
– Take 5 minutes to think of one past experience and make
a
“resume style” description for it
– Keep in mind:
• Your skills
– Once you’ve crafted a description, switch with a
partner
for feedback
• Research jobs in the industry (what are employers looking
for?)
• Identify industry “buzz” words (i.e. tested, programmed,
evaluated, diagnosed)
• Tailor your skills to the job description (have your most
relevant skills first)
My Skills Job Requirements
Come to Career Development:
Individual appointments