Writing The Effective Resume

1
Writing The Effective Resume

• The First Step Toward Landing Your Next Job

2
Writing An Effective Resume

• What information should be in a resume?
• Characteristics of a successful resume.
• Functional or Chronological.
• Scannable resume.

3
What Information Should Be In A Resume?

• Identify Yourself
• Education
• Continuing Education
• Work or Professional Experience
• Volunteer Experience
• Activities
• Computer Skills
• Professional Associations

• Optional Sections
• Objective
• Special Skills and Abilities
• Reference Statement

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Characteristics Of A Successful Resume

• Focuses on skills. Uses action words to define
  the
• responsibilities of your job-related experience.
• Easy to read and understand.
• Visually powerful and free of gimmicks.
• One page, or at most 2 pages long.

5
Characteristics Of ASuccessful Resume

• Language is grammatically correct.
• Spelling has been checked.
• Formal Style

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Resume Faux Pax

• Typos and Grammar Slips
• Great attention to detail.
• Proven ability to track down and correct erors.
• Am a perfectionist and rarely if ever forget
  etails.
• Accomplishments Completed 11 years of high
  school.
• Dont use I or me

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Characteristics Of A Successful Resume

• Must always be 100 truthful.
• Contains no inappropriate personal information.
• Produced on a computer.
• Data presented in chronological order (unless
  functional).

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Whats the Right Resume for Me?

• One size does NOT fit all. Choose the resume
  style that suits your job history and target
  position
• Chronological
• Functional
• Electronic Resume
• Curriculum Vitae

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Chronological Resume

• organized by job titles with the most recent
  position listed first.
• Employers tend to prefer because the format lists
  prior positions beginning with the most current.
• Most effective for job seekers with solid
  experience and a logical job history.
• Career changers and those who lack formal
  on-the-job experience (like new graduates) find
  this resume the most difficult to write.
• Click here for examples

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Functional Resumes

• Doesnt go in chronological order.
• Based upon competencies or skills.
• Used for career changers or those with
• unconventional work histories (or executives).
• Might say Sales Experience then list it.
• Typically brief with a simple list of positions
• held, etc.
• De-emphasizes importance of specific jobs.
• Drawbacks to this system (not as popular).
• Click here for examples

11
Electronic Resume

• Submitted as a data file or scanned and searched
  by optical scanning systems.
• Many large employers use electronic resume
  processing systems to handle large volumes of
  resumes. Electronic resumes are used by resume
  banks to match applicant qualifications with
  employer needs.
• Quick and convenient for applicant and employer.
• Challenges hard for the employer to sort
  through. Difficult for the candidate to stand
  out .
• Writing a good electronic resume is often as much
  about strategy (keywords) as content.
• Click here for examples http//susanireland.com/a
  bout/

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Curriculum Vitae

• A detailed, lengthy and structured listing of
  education, publications, projects, awards and
  work history.
• Rather than a resume, a curriculum vitae (often
  called a "C.V." or "Vita") is required for
  certain positions educators and scientists most
  commonly.
• Job seekers with extensive academic and
  professional credentials applying for positions
  in education or research. Check with an advisor
  or others in your field if you are unsure whether
  a C.V. or a resume is expected. Samples
• ScienceCareers.org How to Craft a Winning Resume
  (and CV)

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Basic Checklist

• No spelling or grammar errors.
• Neat, clean, and professional looking.
• Length should be 1-2 pages.
• Margins at sides and bottom.
• Layout makes reading easy. Use of white space is
  effective.

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Basic Checklist

• Important titles should be emphasized. Experiment
• with fonts styles bold, italic, and
  underlines. No
• more than 2 or 3 different sizes.
• Information is logically recorded.
• Use Action Verbs for accomplishments results.

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Basic Checklist

• Bullet points when possible for accomplishments.
• Quantify your results whenever you can.
• Format - chronological

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How To Write A CoverLetter - Rules

• Give enough information to interest the reader,
  dont
• overwhelm.
• Research the company. Address the letter to a
• specific person.
• Answer an ad if you have 50 of the skills or
  background that the ad
  requires.
• Mention the person who referred you if
  appropriate.

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How To Write A CoverLetter - Contents

• Your address, city, state, zip, and telephone
  number.
• Date
• Name, title, company, address, city, state, and
  zip of
• person youre writing to.
• Greeting, followed by a colon.

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How To Write A CoverLetter - Contents

• Paragraph 1
• What you want.
• How you know about the organization.
• Mention enclosure of your resume.
• Paragraph 2
• Concise overview of work history and skills
• that will help you perform the job.
• Paragraph 3
• State confidence in your ability.
• Give information on how you can be contacted.

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How To Write A CoverLetter - Contents

• Paragraph 4
• Express appreciation
• Closing, signature, and typed name