Resume TipsDo’s and Don’ts of resume buildingJim FentonBluegrass Community & Technical College

Overview

We’ll talk about:

0Why a resume?0What problem does a resume address?0Some Don’ts 0Some Do’s0Questions/Discussion/Comments

Why a resume?

Why a resume?

A resume: is a ticket to a job interview

is a summary of your skills/experience/education

is an opportunity for an employer to find a match

represents you and your abilities: you are skilled, experienced and qualified for the job!

Making spacecount: resumes

are short

The problem: space is valuable and you

don’t have enough! Resume = 1 or 2 pages maximum

Keep it short: Employers don’t want to read a biography

Employers do want to identify skills, experience and qualifications; nothing else!

What problem does a resume address?

What problem does a resume address?

A resume allows an employer: to quickly identify a pool of qualified applicants for a

position to meet this goal in the most efficient way to select a few candidates for an interview to add new skills and diverse experience to an

existing workforce to meet a new need in the market place/business

world

Some example resumes issues

Some examples

• Crowded, confused & weak organization:

• Mixes experience with education.

• Why summarize qualifications in a resume?

• Education in two places

• What skills does she possess that an employer can use?

Missed opportunities:Skills not presented well

Work experience in LA and US with Spanish speaking clientele?

Bilingual/Bicultural skills?

Lesson planning?

Student success?

Foreign language technology course work?

A Better Resume/use of space

A better resume:Skills presented well

Skills, education and experience are the three categories used

Clearly identified skill set that uses appropriate vocabulary

No confusion as to education/experience/skills

Obvious dates allow reviewer to see work history

Employment history includes description of activities, successes and milestones:

‘One of the region’s fastest growing telecommunications companies; one of the first three employees hired into the Department that currently employs more than 25; earned 4 promotions in 3 years’

Strategies:some don’ts and

do’s

Combined Strategies

Resume

Cover Letter

Letters of Recommendation

Combined Strategies Resume Cover letter Letters of Recommendation

These are: 3 opportunities to say the same thing? NO! 3 opportunities to provide complementary info? YES 3 opportunities to describe all your skills and

experience? YES

Cover letters

0More detail is OK.0Explains why you are seeking a position.0Explains why you are the best person for the job.0Shows you know the company’s needs and

background.0Shows you have good communication skills.0Shows you can represent the company brand in

writing.0Expresses your professional approach to a career.

Letters of Recommendation

0Ask before you send!!0 Inform your referees of your job application

0 Explain your interest to them and ask for a letter of recommendation.

0 Provide key talking points – help your referees write the best letter they can.0Send a copy of the job description, your cover letter and

your resume to help them out.

Resumes:some don’ts

Basic Format Don’ts

No photos, borders, ornaments or fancy paper Because your resume will be read by computer and

these elements get in the way

Because you’re not applying for a job designing resumes

Because you need the room to describe more important elements of your skills, experience, education

Content Don’ts Don’t exaggerate and don’t misinform Don’t list your daily tasks as ‘experience’ Don’t include an ‘Objective’ statement

Obviously, your objective is the job you are applying for!

Don’t write “References available on request"Obviously, references will be available when

requested!

Don’t be vagueVague job at XYZ Kept on task = is this necessary? Cleaned = what/who/where/why? Helped customers = how? Rang up change = how?

Good job at XYZ Managed daily work schedule Maintained a clean and safe environment for residents and

guests Assisted customers with requests for service and complaint

resolution Operated an NEC 78-2 automatic till/computer terminal

Clean up your online profile

Don’t have a stupid email name/address – use professional language/tone/vocabulary

Don’t leave your personal Facebook info for all to see. Edit/shut down. Employers will check – are you a risk to their brand or company?

Resumes:

some do’s

Establish a Professional online profile

Create an email name/address – that uses your name if possible. If you have an institutional affiliation, use this one.

Create an online brand/career presence. (Google yourself – what would an employer find?

Content Do’s Divide your resume into three basic components:

Skills Qualifications/Education Experience

Do tell employers about impressive feats and stand-out accomplishments. Do include your skills at the top of your resume. Write 3 to 5 sentences

tailored for the job you are applying for.  

Example:SKILLS PROFILE

Excellent people skills and problem solving Superb communication skills, verbal and written Strong attention to detail and proficient at running and handling office

equipment Efficient in billing and coding, and excellent computer skills

Soft Skills Personal qualities, habits, attitudes and social graces that

make someone a good employee Just as important an indicator of performance as hard skills

Strong Work Ethic Positive Attitude Good Communication Skills Time Management Abilities Problem-Solving Skills Confidence Ability to Accept and Learn From Criticism Flexibility/Adaptability Work Well Under Pressure

Don't get lost in translationBig companies use

applicant tracking software (ATS), which scans resumes for keywords

Present your qualifications as if the reader is comparing the words on the resume to a list of desired qualifications:

Strategic planning Performance and

productivity improvement

Organizational design Infrastructure

development New media Internet E-commerce Change management Team-building Leadership Competitive market Product positioning

Investor and board relations

Oral and written communications

Problem-solving and decision-making

MBA Project management Customer retention Business development Corporate vision Long-range planning Cost reduction

One resume: many variations

0 each position at a company requires its own resume0 Tailor the resume to the job0 Use appropriate vocabulary and terminology0 Talk to your referees about multiple job applications0 Keep a record of where you applied0 Apply for jobs you’re qualified for0 Apply to the right person/office