INGREDIENTS OF A GOOD RESUME

1
INGREDIENTS OF A GOOD RESUME

• Amy Gelb, M.S.
• Institute for Community Inclusion/Umass Boston/
  UCED
• Workforce Action Grant
• January 26,2005

2
What is a Good Resume?

• Highlights the persons positive experiences and
  skills
• Information is easy to understand and read
• Gives enough information to pique readers
  interest
• Leaves reader wanting to find out more

3
GOOD RESUME (cont.)

• Use proper grammar
• No spelling mistakes
• Natural progression/No gaps in professional
  activity
• Clean appearance
• One-Two pages depending on type of job person is
  applying for and skill level and experience

4
Resume for Person with Little or No Experience

• Use a personal profile
• Interests
• Life Experience
• Education
• Volunteer Work
• Create a picture of the person

5
Employment Gaps

• Use years, not months
• List jobs, not dates
• Explain in summary section
• Fill in with volunteer work
• Productive activities, skills, trainings,
• Educational classes

6
Types of Resumes

• FUNCTIONAL
• CHRONOLOGICAL
• COMBINATION

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FUNCTIONAL RESUME

• Skills resume
• Experience is organized under key skills
• Advantages-
• Present accomplishments from all experiences
• Presents strengths and avoids weaknesses
• Disadvantages-
• Some employers may not like them
• Can be harder to write

8
CHRONOLOGICAL RESUME

• Most recent experience is listed first, followed
  by previous job
• Advantages-
• The simplest
• Disadvantages-
• Shows gaps in employment
• Frequent job changes
• Lack of work experience

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COMBINATION RESUME

• Includes elements of both functional and
  chronological resumes
• Used for someone with a long work history
• Emphasizes certain skills
• Can include other life experiences besides work
  to support your skills.

10
Top 10 things NOT to do

• Spelling errors, typos, and poor grammar
• Too duty oriented
• Inaccurate or missing contact information
• Inaccurate dates or none at all
• Poor formatting

11
Top 10 things NOT to do

• Functional resumes
• Long resumes
• Long paragraphs
• Unqualified candidates
• Personal information unrelated to the job

12
Cover Letters

• Should be addressed to specific person
• State what job you are applying for
• State how you found out about the position
• Explain how your experience and education matches
  the job requirements

13
Cover Letters (cont.)

• Describe your interest in working with the
  particular company
• Thank person for their time
• Short and to the point is always best
• No spelling or grammar mistakes