RESUME WRITING

OPENING THE DOORS TO OPPORTUNITY THROUGH COLLEGE EDUCATION !!!

What is a Resume?

A resume is a short document that details

your qualifications for a job

How much time do you think someone will look at your resume?

About 20 seconds

What are the 3 types of resumes?

1. Print- Word, Word Perfect, etc.

2. Electronic- ASCII, Plain Text, Notepad

3. Web- HTML, FrontPage, Dreamweaver

What makes a winning resume?

Quickly shows you have the qualifications for the job

Demonstrates that you can meet the employer’s needs-(show knowledge of the job and what you have accomplished that is similar)

Suggests you are likeable and works well with others (Stress activities, teamwork and leadership-use words like accurate, cooperative, flexible, organized)

Appeals to both human and electronic reviewers-(Some employers scan, have databases but some still read-use keywords and action words)

Four steps to preparing your resume

1. Decide on your job objective- even if you don’t write it on the resume

2. Choose most appropriate layout- which one works the bet for you

3. Organize it carefully and write forcefully- use action phrases not sentences-use numbers and specific examples-”raised $3,000- for American Cancer Society while…”-use keywords and industry terminology- “AutoCad, Access, Holland Codes, etc.”

4. Fine tune each section- Include sections of resume most relevant

3 Most Appropriate Resume Layouts

Reverse Chronological -list your employment history with most recent first-typical of college student- page 141 figure 9-6

Functional-If you lack directly related experience-skills resume- Page 142 figure 9-7

Combination-Do summary of skills then list your experiences with most recent first- Page143 figure 9-8

PERSONAL DATA-(no information about age, height, weight, gender, marital status, race, religion, photograph, ss#, etc.-this is sometimes called your “banner”)

NAME ADDRESS (LOCAL & PERMANENT) PHONE NUMBER (CELL, LOCAL & PERMANENT LANDLINES) E-MAIL

BRIAN D SANDERS Home: School: 6897 Red Lane 278 Ocean Way Thurmond, MD 28771 Ocean

Town, MD 21998 (301) 555-7897 (410) 555-4444 .Student@salisbury.edu

CAREER OBJEECTIVE (OPTIONAL)

ONE OR TWO PHRASES NOT TOO VAGUE OR TOO SPECIFIC BEST WRITTEN FOR A PARTICULAR JOB

EXAMPLETo develop and apply planning, analysis, and financial management skills in a new or an established organization

EDUCATION DEGREE-(Graduation Date) MAJOR/MINOR GPA UNIVERSITY AND LOCATION

FOREIGN STUDY PROGRAMS RELEVANT COURSES-??-May be separate section

EXAMPLE Bachelor of Science In … May 2008

Major: Management/Minor: Psychology GPA- Major: 3.6/4.0 Overall: 3.2/4.0

Salisbury University, Salisbury, MD Relevant Coursework; Financial Management, Marketing or describe activities in classes.

Other Experience

INTERNSHIPS VOLUNTEER EXPERIENCE COMMUNITY SERVICE EXPERIENCE RELATED PART-TIME JOBS EXAMPLE

Intern Summer 2002 Dean Witter Reynolds Inc., Ocean City, MD -

Coordinated three marketing seminars for 100 employees and analyzed market events such as…

WORK EXPERIENCE

Paid employment List most recent job first For each job that you select,

list your job title first, employers name, city and state, dates of employment, brief results oriented descriptions-give examples

EXAMPLEManager Trainee Summer 2008 Dean Witter Reynolds Inc., Ocean City, MD -

Coordinated three marketing seminars for 100 employees and analyzed market events such as…

ACTIVITIES LIST ORGANIZATIONS STATE YOUR ROLE BRIEFLY DESCRIBE IF APPLICABLE

EXAMPLEChairperson, LEADS Program 2008-09

Counseled local “high risk” elementary school students on the importance of education

HONORS SCHOLARSHIPS AWARDS HONORARY SOCIETIES DEAN’S LIST GRADUATING WITH HONORS

EXAMPLE Recipient of the OUTSTANDING HISTORY

STUDENT AWARD University Trustee Scholarship

OTHER??- Usually not a good title-consider using such things as “Awards/Honors, Volunteer Work, Community Services,

Activities, Certificates, etc.” Must be pertinent to your job objective Include activities such as memberships, leadership

offices held), professional associations, social and school organizations

All of this shows you are well-rounded and able to work with others

EXAMPLEActivities: Served as Head Counselor and Lead Instructor of St.Mary’s College

Sailing school in St. Mary’s City, MD

Reference Page Rules

Do not include on your resume Use separate page of resume paper Only people who can attest to your workability

and personal qualities 3-5 references List name, title, employer, phone,

email, and relationship to you 3-4 references listed

Tips for Choosing References

Consider different types of references Get permission to use someone Collect all details from each reference Keep your references informed Be sure to thank your references

REFERENCES ofJOHN WILLIAMS

Mr. Blaine Smith Dr. Rebecca EmeryPresident Director of Career Services

The Feed Company Salisbury University1234 Sandy RD 1101 Camden Avenue

Wayne, TX 22391 Salisbury, MD 21801(555) 555-5847 410-543-6075Bsmith@feed.com raemery@salisbury.eduSupervisor Employer

Mr. Charlie EndicottAssociate Director of Career ServicesSalisbury UniversitySalisbury, MD 21801410-543-6075rcendicott@salisbury.eduAcademic Advisor

Organization & Format

Appropriate length: 1 page for every 5-7 years of work experience (limit to 2 pgs-most of you will have 1 page)

Use standard fonts like Times-Roman or Arial Use bolds, centering/left and right, solid bullets and indent tabs 1 inch margins 12 inch font for inner text-14 inch for name Use 8 1/2 by 11 inch resume stock paper that is white or light color-

quality (16-25 lb.) bond paper Present strongest qualifications first Brief succinct language; no unnecessary words Appropriate format includes keyword phrases of profession Begin phrases or sentences with powerful action verbs Bold the Functional Titles (Objective, Education, Activities, etc.) Always use action verbs to describe entries Dates should be right-aligned

Don’t list anything that has to do with your high school experiences. They are considered “expired”

Don’t include your GPA unless 3.0 or higher

Don’t include specific addresses for your employment; the state and county is all you need

Don’t use any font larger than 16 point

Don’t include any personal information other than email, permanent/present address, phone #

Top 10 things employers look for in a resume

1.Computer 2. Communication 3. Leadership 4. Interpersonal 5. Adaptable/Flexible 6. Analytical/problem

solving 7. Teamwork 8. Integrative and

life long learner 9. Mathematics 10. Foreign

Language

Embed these skills in your resume

Recruiter Pet Peeves

1. Spelling errors, typos, poor grammar2. Too duty-oriented; talk accomplishments3. Missing/inaccurate dates4. Missing/inaccurate contact info5. Poor formatting6. Long resume7. Long, dense paragraphs-use bullets

EXAMPLES OF SKILLS Computer literate- Lotus 1-2-3, Microsoft Word, Harvard Graphics, etc. Communication -Corresponded with alumni on progress of fraternity house

expansion and fundraiser Interpersonal- Assisted incoming students with transition to college Analytical/Problem Solving- Assisted with accreditation of American Chemical

Society Student Chapter Adaptable/Flexible-Worked full time, earning 100% of

educational expenses Teamwork-Completed many team projects for class such as…. Analytical/Problem Solving- Assisted with accreditation of American Chemical

Society Student Chapter Adaptable/Flexible -Worked full time, earning 100% of educational expenses Teamwork -Completed many team projects for class such as… Leadership -Served as president of... Mathematics-Using Access, developed data base for senior project Foreign Language-Lived closely with 12 students and professor (foreign study)

A WELL WRITTEN RESUME WILL GET YOUR FOOT IN THE DOOR

WHERE YOU GO FROM THERE IS ENTIRELY UP TO YOU!!!