Resumes That ROCK

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Resumes That ROCK!

• Touch the Future Career Fair

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Why a Resume that ROCKS?

• Catch the attention of an employer
• Get an interview

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Definition of a Resume

• A resume is an advertisement for yourself,
  designed to communicate your school and work
  history and skills in a way that motivates the
  employer to invite you for an interview.
• Or heres why you should hire me for the job.

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No One-Size-Fits-All RESUME

• Tailor the resume to the position.
• Incorporate language from the job posting/
  position description into headings and action
  bullets.

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An Effective Resume

• Is clear, organized, direct professional.
• Has accurate information.
• Looks good on paper.
• Focuses on accomplishments by using action verbs.
• Is brief and easy to read.

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Resume Writing Steps

• Target your job.
• Choose a format.
• Draft your resume.
• Edit and critique.

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Choose a Resume Format

• Chronological
• Work history most recent first
• Format preferred by many employers
• Best for those whove advanced in titles and have
  a good work history
• Functional
• Centers around skill areas
• Works best for those with limited education or
  experience
• Not well received work with a career advisor if
  you use this style
• Combination
• Combines work history skills

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Rocking Resume Contents

• One-page format (two at most)
• Name, relevant addresses and phone numbers
• Web page e-mail address

• Objective
• Education
• Experience
• Skills
• Activities
• Honors

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Objectives

• In one statement, define your career goals
  clearly concisely, or briefly describe a
  particular position you are considering for
  employment.
• Ex To obtain an entry level retail sales
  position that provides opportunities for
  advancement

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Education

• List high school graduation date.
• State GPA if 3.0 or better.
• List any special honors, ex Honor Roll.
• List pertinent courses completed related to job
  youre applying for.
• Holt High School, Holt, Michigan 48842
• Graduation Expected June 2007
• Computer Classes Microsoft Word, Excel
  PowerPoint

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Experience

• Action verbs statements
• Show potential for more responsibility.
• Advanced from Youth Leader to 4-H Council Youth
  Representative
• Show results.
• Provided club leadership for Habitat for Humanity
  Community Service project resulting in 50 hours
  of donated services
• Promoted from caddie to grounds student supervisor

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Skills

• Not just a list of duties performed
• Be specific and results-oriented.
• Promoted from hostess to waitress in two months
• Proficient in MS-Excel, PowerPoint and Adobe
  Photoshop
• Wrote youth column for high school newsletter for
  three years

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Activities Honors

• Demonstrate your leadership and community
  involvement.
• 4-H Michigan State University Junior Scholarship,
  2006
• Outstanding Service Volunteer, Harvest House,
  Holt, MI, 2005

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Resume Dos

• Stick to one page.
• Use one-inch margins.
• Use consistent format.
• Use bullets instead of paragraphs.
• Avoid italics and underlining.
• Use all caps and bold to make important words
  stand out.

• Make headers contact info larger.
• Choose an easy-to-read font.
• Arial, Times New Roman, Palatino, Tahoma or
  Verdana
• No less than 11 points for smaller fonts
• Larger fonts can be 10 points

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Resume Killers

• Spelling, typos or poor grammar (proof backwards)
• Poor presentation (poor formatting, too wordy or
  poor paper selection)
• Unprofessional e-mail address
• Unqualified candidates

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References

• List references on a separate page.
• Ask permission give them a copy of your resume.
• Choose wisely.
• Recommendation letters need to be originals.

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Cover Thank-You Letters

• A cover letter draws attention to the resume and
  convinces the employer to grant you an interview.
• Use a one-page cover letter when you mail, fax or
  e-mail a resume or application.
• Thank-you letters leave a positive impression and
  set you apart from others.

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Conclusion.

• Resumes evolve and are developed over time.
• Good resumes get interview opportunities.
• Your interview performance secures the job.
• What you put into your career management is what
  you will get out of it.
• I am not bound to win, but I am bound to be
  true. I am not bound to succeed, but I am bound
  to live up to the light I have. - Abraham
  Lincoln