Date post: | 26-Mar-2015 |
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What will an effective resume do for you…..
It should reveal your individual strengths and personality not just your work history..
It should focus on the direction you want to go…
It should also prioritize and accentuate the most relevant pieces of your background
It also translates and summarizes your most important assets for employers….
Selling Your Product
Job search is a sales & marketing endeavour
You are the product, you are the salesperson
Know your product
Create a match between the benefits of your product and prospective employers
Resume Defined
…a formal written communication, used for employment purposes, notifying a potential employer that you have the skills…credentials to meet specific job requirements.A successful resume is a marketing tool that demonstrates that you can solve {an employer’s} problems…meet specific needs and…warrant an interview in anticipation of being hired (Betrus & Block, 1997;11 – 101 Best Resumes)
Resume Writing Process
Broad Inventory
Collect Facts
Identify your Skills
Identify your unique contributions
Organize and prioritize
Decide on format and layout
Skills Inventory
3 categories: Job-related skills (i.e. Financial
controllers work with data and info.) Transferable skills (valued by many
orgs. i.e. creating, problem-solving) Self-management skills (describe
attitude and work ethic – i.e. persistent, adaptable)
Resume Styles
Targeted – used when you know the industry you want to work in and what you want to do
Inventory – used when you are open to a number of options or are unable to define what you want to do – used to showcase your marketable skills
Resume Formats
Chronological:
Most popular
Chronicles your work history from most recent job to earlier jobs
Appropriate when on-going progression in same type of work with no obvious gaps
Resume Formats cont’d
Functional:
Highlights skills and achievements vs. where and when you did them
Preferred approach when you want to shift careers and don’t want to be seen as last job title you had
Functional cont’d
Suitable if you’ve done various jobs across different areas and appears that there is little consistencyAppropriate when gaps exist in work history ie. Due to travel, caring for sick relative etc.Jobs and dates are listed, but only on second page
The 5 P’s of Resume Writing
Packaging
Positioning (of Information)
Punch, or Power of Information
Personality
Professionalism
(Betrus & Block, 1997;17-19)
Packaging
Includes paper, graphics, font etc.
Usually on white, ivory or grey paper
Spell check, proofread again and again!
Make it stand out from the crowd, but keep it PROFESSIONAL
Positioning of Info
A.k.a., organization of data
Make info easily accessible to reader
Ensure that reader is able to quickly see significant information
Punch or Power of Info
Most important of 5 P’s
Matches skills, abilities & qualifications to employer’s needs = hireability
Try to anticipate hiring criteria
Emphasize specific accomplishments i.e. successes & results
Personality
Hiring managers want people with personality!
Used exciting vocabulary to convey personality i.e. ignited vs. increased; a catalyst for…vs. being responsible for…
GET A THESAURUS!
Professionalism
The way you present yourself to a hiring manager tells the employer how you will represent their company
Suggestions: 1) Include a personalized cover letter 2) Send resume in flat envelope, not folded 3) Send by express mail 4) Follow-up phone call to ensure resume has arrived
Anatomy of a Resume
Five Primary Sections Include:
1) Heading
2) Introduction
3) Employment Section
4) Education
5) Misc. Sections
1. Heading
Name, address, phone (home & cell), email address
Do NOT include a work #
Repeat contact info at top of each page
2 styles: a) centered b) creative (anything not centered)
2. Introduction
Sets the tone, ignites interestAnswers the q’s – What do you want to do? What can you do for my company?This info is delivered in 3 ways
a) Title (i.e. accountant)b) Objectivec) Summary/Profile
Objective vs. Summary/Profile
Objective tell the employer what you want, focusing on your wants and needs.Don’t use if it limits your scopeEx. An active administrative role in Health Care of Education with emphasis on community outreachDon’t use objective if it sounds fluffy…
Summary/Profile
Written from the employer’s perspectiveTells employer what you can DO for them vs. what you WANT from themAll points must be proven in body of resumeLists 3 – 5 highlights of your achievements and qualificationsShould precede your work history
Summary/Profile cont’d
Inspires the reader to carefully review the rest of your qualifications….
Ex. A motivated and skilled individual with sales and training experience, certified in the travel industry, with more than 8 years experience.
Ex. Summary/Profile
Effective problem solver using excellent written and verbal communication skillsExcellent track record for generating overall cost reduction and operation efficiency improvementsStrong leadership skills while advancing a team player approach.Confident, professional communicator with outstanding presentation skillsSpecial talent for identifying clients’ needs and presenting effective solutions
3. Employment
Will not be the focus for recent grads but becomes most important section Highlights professional careers, experience, qualifications, achievementsFor each employer include: name of org, city/prov where you worked, dates of employment, titles/positions held
Employment cont’d
Include 3 pieces of info for each job:1) Basic responsibilities and/or industry-
specific information2) Special skills required to perform resp.3) Specific accomplishmentsEx. Revenue increases, productivity
improvements, reducing employee turnover etc.
Use Power Words/Phrases
Designed and implemented
Researched and developed
Coded and tested
Communicated
Facilitated
Managed or coordinated
Example of phrases/sentences
Gave work assignments to accounting clerk staff.
Instead…..
Directed workflow, supervised and trained accounting staff performing posting to general ledger, receivable and payable accounts.
4. Education
Appears at beginning of resume if limited work experienceList from most recentIf you have a degree, do not list high school credentialsDetails might include: GPA (if high), awards, scholarship, research projects, relevant coursework etc.
5. Misc. Sections
Extra-curricular/volunteer work
Certifications/Licenses
Professional and Board Affiliations
Technical Expertise
Honours/Awards (other than academic)
Languages
Interests
References
‘References available upon request.’
Should be in writing (i.e. reference letters)
Select 5 or 6 people who can best support your credentials and value (i.e. supervisors, professors, co-workers).
Ask reference if they will support you in your job search by providing a ‘favourable’ reference.
Reference cont’d
Should support what is in your resume
You can offer to write. Ensures you get what you want.
Company letterhead.
Shorter is better - 1 page.
Best to be current.
A testimonial to promote you!