Date post: | 21-Dec-2015 |
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RESUME WRITING
Objectives
• Understand the purpose of a resume
• Discuss stages of resume writing: Preparation, Format, Content, and Evaluation
• Identify resume sections and their respective content
• Help you identify next steps and available resources
The Purpose of a Resume
• Provide a summary of experiences and qualifications; tell your career story
• Communicate your potential value
• Marketing tool to obtain an interview
• Helps prepare you for interviews
Effective Resume Writing
• Communicates specific and relevant competencies & accomplishments
• Well organized, concise and easy to read
• Indicates career direction & interests
Employers spend about 30 seconds
or less reviewing
your resume.
Preparation
• Research the career area
• Identify target audience
• Review job descriptions for the field
• Gain an understanding of what skills are needed to obtain employment in your area of interest
Content Possibilities• Contact Information*• Objective• Education*• Experience* • Activities• Honors• Awards• Skills
A resume should not include everything
and anything!
Employers are looking for a concise resume.
* Denotes typical categories on a resume
Contact InformationChris McCormick
Campus Address Permanent Address192 Orrington Avenue 888 Santa Cruz RoadEvanston, IL 60201 Arcadia, CA 91007(847) 888-5041 (826) 888-0767
Chris S. McCormick
2133 Sheridan RoadEvanston, IL 60208
(847) [email protected]
Objective An “at a glance” picture of you and your career interests
A good objective statement answers questions:
– What position(s) are you applying for?– What are your main qualifications?– What is your professional identity?
Optional but helpful when applying for Co-op or Internship through MCD
Objective Examples
Weak: To find a job in business with opportunity for advancement
Strong: To secure a Co-op in the field of industrial engineering which utilizes interest in logistics and supply chain management.
Education
EDUCATION Northwestern University, Evanston ILBachelor of Science in Mechanical EngineeringAnticipated June 2012Current GPA: 3.3/4.0
Relevant Courses: List key courses
• Courses allow you to emphasize your skills and background • Course titles in engineering
Experience
• Emphasizes past and present employment and/or activities
• Identify transferable skills
• May also be called: Professional Experience, Relevant Experience, Leadership Experience, Work History, etc..
Blue Cross Blue Shield Association, Chicago, IllinoisIntern, June 2007 – August 2007 Analyzed statistical data from Contractor Performance Reports to compile a database providing benchmarking data for subscribing Medicare contractors Contributed to the development of current and new services related to the Medicare business
Bullet Point DescriptionWeak: Answered phones and wrote messages
Strong: Served as liaison between clients and 14 staff members by effectively communicating inquiries and
issues to the appropriate department
• Action verbs • Positive modifiers • Quantitative/qualitative indicators
• Answer journalistic questions• Achievement Focused• Terminology of your chosen field
Elements of Description
Activities and/or Honors
Focus on content that is relevant to position/employer
Emphasize skills acquired, leadership/team roles, achievements
Include: clubs, sports, volunteer, community activities
Site Leader, Community Development CorpsCoordinator, Used Winter Coat DriveVolunteer, Alternative Student Break
ACTIVITIES
HONORS
Al Neuharth Free Spirit Scholar, March 2005University Women Scholarship, May 2005Excellence in Leadership Scholarship, June 2005
Skills
• Computers
• Technical/Lab
• Languages
Hardware, software operating systems, languages
Equipment, standard process
Level of ability (fluent, proficient, conversant, reading/writing ability)
Skills should address qualifications you have training on and/or considerable experience utilizing, as well as relevance to the position/employer.
Do Not Include…
• SSN
• Pictures
• Ethnicity/Race
• Height/weight
• Reasons for leaving previous employer(s)
• Birth date
• Salary history
• References
• Religion
Final Draft – Do’s and Don’ts DO
• Tailor for each position
• Highlight section headings
• Use action verbs
• Quantify accomplishments
• Use technical language
• Proofread multiple times
DON’T
• Use acronyms
• Use a template
• Repeat information
• Exaggerate or lie
• Use fancy/unusual fonts
• Hurry/rush to send it out