Creating a Resume

OST 1211 – Chapter 3

What is the purpose of the resume?

To get you an interview with a company. The more targeted your resume, the more

favorable the impression.

In writing your resume,

Avoid “I” statements Keep sentences short Use plain English Use bullets Move from general to specific Limit resume to one page

Organize your resume to include,

Heading (Personal contact information) Objective Education Skills Awards Work Experience/Volunteer Experience

What to leave out!

Exact dates Reasons for leaving other positions Personal information References

Common Resume Pitfalls Unprofessional Carelessness Vagueness Overkill/Long-winded Irrelevance/Fluff Misrepresentation

14% of job applicants lie about education 43% of resumes contain significant inaccuracies 96% of businesses conduct some type of background

check on job applicants Evidence indicates that those who cheat on job

applications also cheat in school and in life.

Getting It Into Print

Choose a format Select a typeface and size Use graphics sparingly Choose quality paper Get feedback

Proofreading Tips

Employers have little tolerance for careless errors

Don’t rely entirely on computer spell-check Proofread resume out loud Have another person proofread it also

Where to get help!

http://www.free-resume-tips.com/10tips.html

http://www.monster.com

http://www.vault.com/

What Tennessee Employers Say!(about resumes)

Applying on a company Website96.6% have a company Website64.3% advertise job opening on their Website30% allow uploading of resume to their

company Web site20% allow completion and submission of

resume through company Website

Importance of Letter of Application

43% letter is important even when applying electronically

39% letter is desired, but not critical 17% no letter is needed

Preference of Receiving Resumes(top five of eight)

E-mail message with resume as attached file

Regular U.S. mail FAX Online job bank (monster.com) Online company Website

Importance of GPA Information

45% use the GPA as a screening tool

Lowest GPA Used for Screening0%--3.5 and above25%--3.0 to 3.49950%--2.5 to 2.99925%--2.0 to 2.499

Length of Resumes(When is a resume too long?)

3.4% think two pages is too long 48.3% think three pages is too long 41.4% think more than three pages is too

long

vs.

Preferences Regarding References

14% prefer references omitted from resume 21% prefer references included on resume 21% prefer references on a separate sheet

but mailed with resume 17% prefer typed list of references brought

to interview 28% prefer references written on

application form

Time Spent Evaluating Resumes

21.4% spend less than 1 minute 50% spend less than 5 minutes 28.6% spend more than 5 minutes

Importance of Resume Information(5 point scale) Related experience (4.03) Computer experience (4.0) Previous employment (3.81) Accomplishments/duties (3.70) Degree (3.5) Major (3.11) Unrelated experience (3.11) GPA (3.04)