Resume Tips

Resume

by Darren Nobleby Darren NobleAssociate DirectorAssociate Director

GFU Career ServicesGFU Career ServicesStevens 325Stevens 325

[email protected]@georgefox.eduwww.careers.georgefox.eduwww.careers.georgefox.edu

503.554.2330503.554.2330

From real resumes and cover letters (printed in the 7/21/97 issue of Fortune

Magazine):

• Reason for leaving last job: maturity leave.

• It’s best for employers that I not work with people.

• I have an excellent track record, although I am not a horse.

• Received a plague for Salesperson of the Year.

• I procrastinate, especially when the task is unpleasant.

• The company made me a scapegoat, just like my three previous employers.

There are many ways and approaches to writing a resume…

This format is based on conversations with HR

professionals, attending international seminars and workshops, trade journals,

electronic list-serves, books and life experience.

Quick Tips...

Your Resume should be on “Resume Paper.”

This paper can be found at most copy service businesses, the print room or at one-stop shopping places. Choose conservative colors for your resume.

The font of a resume should be

“true type”

and easily readable at any font size.

90 % of the time your resume should be limited to one page!

“Bold” key words,

USE ALL CAPS,

underline

or Italicize

when you want the reader to pay close attention to certain

areas of your resume.

Left justify every line and take out any underlining and bullets if you are sending the resume in the body of an e-mail message.

Sophia R. Baker414 N. Meridian Street, #2331

Newberg, OR 97132503-554-0000

[email protected]

OBJECTIVE

Seeking Assistant Sportswear Designer position within the women’s apparel division at NIKE World Headquarters.

EDUCATION

B.S., Family and Consumer Science Expected May 2006With Fashion Merchandising/Interior Design ConcentrationGeorge Fox University, Newberg, OR Hampton Honors Scholar Mexico Study Abroad Program

[Example 2- Shows employer the value of experience as related to your objective]Product Development Intern June 2004 - PresentColumbia Sportswear, Portland, OR

EXPERIENCE (OR WORK EXPERIENCE)[Example 1- Very task oriented description, Try again!]Intern June 2004 - PresentColumbia Sportswear, Portland, OR

ACTIVITIES & VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES

St. Michael’s Soup Kitchen, Bend, OR

File pattern designs, ship product to manufacturer, enter data into computer, answer the phone, schedule meetings.

Work with developer to ensure appropriate fabric content and accessory placement. Review women’s outerwear designs with lead designer. Organized entry system for apparel development software input. Schedule and supervise fit models.

Family and Consumer Science Club, George Fox University, Newberg OR

Designed and created aprons and accessories for staff of twenty. Consulted with head chef. Tested product while preparing 250 meals for agency guests.

Organized successful social event to raise funds for group events. Attended the 2000 International Apparel Forum in St. Louis, MO.

Interacted with native residents using fluent Spanish. Studied people and culture while living with Mexican host family.


Newberg, OR 97132503-554-0000

[email protected]

OBJECTIVE


EDUCATION













Newberg, OR 97132503-554-0000

[email protected]

The The “letterhead” “letterhead” section of the section of the resume should resume should

have basic have basic name and name and contact contact

informationinformation


Newberg, OR 97132503-554-0000

[email protected]

The name The name should be the should be the longest and longest and

largest largest portion of the portion of the

letter headletter head


Newberg, OR 97132503-554-0000

[email protected]

Choose one Choose one telephone number telephone number

that will be that will be answered by a answered by a professional professional

sounding voice-sounding voice-mail greeting or mail greeting or by someone in a by someone in a

business-like business-like manner.manner.


Newberg, OR 97132503-554-0000

[email protected]

No cell No cell phones should phones should

be listed- A be listed- A disconnected disconnected

line or line or uncontrollable uncontrollable background background noise sends noise sends the wrong the wrong

message to an message to an employer.employer.


Newberg, OR 97132503-554-0000

[email protected]

A professional E-A professional E-Mail Address Mail Address

makes a great makes a great impression to the impression to the reader. (Skip the reader. (Skip the

“cute” or “cute” or “unique” e-mail “unique” e-mail

addresses on your addresses on your resume).resume).

[email protected]

[email protected]

Sophia R. Baker414 N. Meridian Street, #2331Newberg, OR 97132 503-554-0000 [email protected]

Sophia R. Baker

414 N. Meridian Street, #2331Newberg, OR 97132503-554-0000

[email protected]

There are There are several correct several correct ways to format ways to format your letterheadyour letterhead


Newberg, OR 97132503-554-0000

[email protected]

OBJECTIVE


EDUCATION












OBJECTIVE


Be specific in Be specific in your objective your objective

to the to the position, position,

department department and company and company

or or organizationorganization

OBJECTIVE

Seeking Catering Manager position with Divine Tastings.

OBJECTIVE

Seeking Interior Design Internship with Residential Treatments.

Other Other ExamplesExamples


Newberg, OR 97132503-554-0000

[email protected]

OBJECTIVE


EDUCATION












State your State your degree (B.A., degree (B.A.,

B.S., M.S.) with B.S., M.S.) with the discipline. the discipline.

Include Include concentration & concentration &

minor if relevant.minor if relevant.

EDUCATION

B.S., Family & Consumer Science Expected May 2006Fashion Merchandising/Interior Design ConcentrationGeorge Fox University, Newberg, OR Hampton Honors Scholar Mexico Study Abroad Program Interacted with native residents using fluent Spanish. Studied people and culture while

Living with Mexican host family.

If you have If you have concentrated on concentrated on

certain areas of study certain areas of study you can state an you can state an emphasis area emphasis area

(typically a emphasis (typically a emphasis is not formally is not formally

recognized by the recognized by the registrar’s office so registrar’s office so

make sure to be able make sure to be able to back up your to back up your

emphasis claim).emphasis claim).

EDUCATION

B.S., Family & Consumer Science Expected May 2006Fashion Merchandising/Interior Design Concentration with Home Design EmphasisGeorge Fox University, Newberg, OR Hampton Honors Scholar Mexico Study Abroad Program Interacted with native residents using fluent Spanish. Studied people and culture while


Note: Your high school Note: Your high school should NOT be listed on a should NOT be listed on a

college level resume. college level resume. Community colleges or Community colleges or trade schools can be trade schools can be

omitted if you are going omitted if you are going to receive your four-year to receive your four-year

degree or Master’s degree or Master’s Degree from George Fox Degree from George Fox

University.University.

EDUCATION



Put the date Put the date in which you in which you

will receive or will receive or have received have received your degree.your degree.

EDUCATION



ScholarshipScholarships can be s can be

listed along listed along with GPAwith GPA

EDUCATION



GPA Rule: A 3.5 GPA or GPA Rule: A 3.5 GPA or above can be listed on above can be listed on the resume. A lower the resume. A lower

GPA should be kept off GPA should be kept off the resume. (all the resume. (all

accounting majors accounting majors should have a GPA should have a GPA

listed- no matter the listed- no matter the points). points).

EDUCATION

B.S., Family & Consumer Science Expected May 2006Fashion Merchandising/Interior Design Concentration 3.86 GPAGeorge Fox University, Newberg, OR Hampton Honors Scholar Mexico Study Abroad Program Interacted with native residents using fluent Spanish. Studied people and culture while


Educational Educational enhancement enhancement

opportunities can be opportunities can be listed here or under the listed here or under the experience or activities experience or activities

sections.sections.

Explain the value of the Explain the value of the experience to the experience to the

reader. reader.

(List each experience (List each experience just once).just once).

EDUCATION


living with Mexican host family.

Coursework can be Coursework can be listed for Internship listed for Internship

Resumes- Employers Resumes- Employers will get a sense of the will get a sense of the relevant coursework relevant coursework

you are taking or have you are taking or have completed.completed.

Interior Design II Interior CAD Residential TechnologyMarketing Communications International Management Organizational Communication

Coursework Includes

EDUCATION




Newberg, OR 97132503-554-0000

[email protected]

OBJECTIVE


EDUCATION












KEEP DESCRIPTIONS

CLEAR, CONCISE AND PRECISE

• use action verbs• use quantities• give results• tout accomplishments• keep entries consistent in

format

USING SUPERLATIVES

Top sales producer in the branch Achieved the lowest error rate in

the office Merchandised the most profitable

line in the store President of the largest chapter

in the fraternity Youngest branch manager in

history of the companyCredit: Don

Asher

MAXIMIZE IMPACT

• Traveled to Boston for client pitch meeting

• Traveled to Boston with senior management team for client pitch meeting

• Selected to travel to Boston with senior management for client pitch meeting

• Only intern selected to travel to Boston with senior management for client pitch meeting

Credit: Don Asher

EXPERIENCE = EXPERIENCE = Paid, Internships & Paid, Internships & Volunteer PositionsVolunteer Positions

WORK EXPERIENCE = WORK EXPERIENCE = Paid PositionsPaid Positions

EXPERIENCE

Product Development Intern June 2004 - PresentColumbia Sportswear, Portland, OR


The order The order of these of these two lines two lines

can can change change but the but the format format

needs to needs to be be

consistenconsistent through t through out your out your resume.resume.

The dates The dates of of

experience experience need to be need to be stated. stated.

Place them Place them on the right on the right hand side hand side

of the of the page!page!

EXPERIENCE



Test to see if you are using Test to see if you are using an action verb by verbally an action verb by verbally beginning the sentence beginning the sentence

with an “I”.with an “I”.

Begin with action verbs Begin with action verbs (Manage, strategize, train, (Manage, strategize, train,

etc.). No pro-nouns are used etc.). No pro-nouns are used in the descriptions. If you in the descriptions. If you

are currently in the position are currently in the position you should use present you should use present

tense (past tense if you are tense (past tense if you are done with that done with that

position/assignment).position/assignment).I My

EXPERIENCE



Though the format and Though the format and content are correct in content are correct in

this example, the this example, the descriptions are too task descriptions are too task

oriented. oriented. Employers/organizations Employers/organizations

can train un-skilled can train un-skilled persons to do these persons to do these

tasks.tasks.

EXPERIENCEOffice Specialist June 2004 - PresentJeld-Wen, Wilsonville, OR

Make photo copies. File. Organize press releases. Answer the phone. Serve as courier.


Newberg, OR 97132503-554-0000

[email protected]

OBJECTIVE


EDUCATION












Use same Use same “rules” as “rules” as the the experience experience section for section for your your descriptionsdescriptions

No No dates dates are are

necessanecessaryry






There are many other There are many other sections that can be put sections that can be put on a resume…on a resume…

SkillsSkills

Professional Professional OrganizationsOrganizations

SummarySummary

AchievementsAchievements

Community InvolvementCommunity Involvement

Civic ExperienceCivic Experience

Professional ExperienceProfessional Experience

Just to name a few…Just to name a few…

PROOFREAD CAREFULLY!

• use outside materials such as dictionary, stylebook

• ask others to look it over with a critical eye

January 24, 2005 Mr. C.M. Bishop, JRVice President, Apparel DivisionPendleton Woolen MillsP.O. Box 3030Portland, OR 97208 Dear Mr. Bishop,

Create interest and briefly state why you are writingThank you for taking the time to talk with me regarding the apparel division at Pendleton Woolen Mills. I was very impressed to learn that Pendleton is the United State’s largest producer of wool gloves. As we discussed, I am interested in following up on the upcoming glove developer position you mentioned might be a great way for me to get started at Pendleton. From your description, it sounds like a great match with my background and qualifications.

Make a connection between their job requirements and your experience on your resumeAs you can see from my resume, I have had previous experience in apparel and accessory development. As an intern with Ocean Pacific, I learned and assisted in the process of the design and development of swimwear and water-sport gloves. My interaction with our diverse team of designers, developers, pattern makers and product line managers provided great insight into the whole process from design implementation to the final product launch. As an assistant to Professor Diane Wood at George Fox University, I was charged with updating and organizing our fabric library. This exposure to over 5,000 wool samples increased my interest and knowledge of working with this medium.

Call to action!I am very interested in becoming a glove developer at Pendleton Woolen Mills and will follow up with you next week to ensure you have received my resume and talk about the next steps in the hiring process. If you need to reach me before then, please contact me via phone at 503-554-0000 or e-mail, [email protected].

Sincerely,

SIGN YOUR LETTER!

Sophia R. Baker

Encl: Resume


Newberg, OR 97132503-554-0000

[email protected]


Newberg, OR 97132503-554-0000

[email protected]

Use your Use your same same letterhead letterhead for the for the cover letter.cover letter.


Newberg, OR 97132503-554-0000

[email protected] 24, 2005 Mr. C.M. Bishop, JRVice President, Apparel DivisionPendleton Woolen MillsP.O. Box 3030Portland, OR 97208 Dear Mr. Bishop,

This This example is a example is a business business block style block style letterletterUse only Ms. or a Use only Ms. or a

professional title professional title (Dr., Rev., (Dr., Rev., President) when President) when addressing females addressing females in professional in professional correspondence or correspondence or interaction.interaction.

January 25, 2004 Mr. C.M. Bishop, JRVice President, Apparel DivisionPendleton Woolen MillsP.O. Box 3030Portland, OR 97208 Dear Mr. Bishop,

Create interest and briefly state why you are writingThank you for taking the time to talk with me regarding the apparel division at Pendleton Woolen Mills. I was very impressed to learn that Pendleton is the United State’s largest producer of wool gloves. As we discussed, I am interested in following up on the upcoming glove developer position you mentioned might be a great way for me to get started at Pendleton. From your description, it sounds like a great match with my background and qualifications.

Make a connection between their job requirements and your experience on your resumeAs you can see from my resume, I have had previous experience in apparel and accessory development. As an intern with Ocean Pacific, I learned and assisted in the process of the design and development of swimwear and water-sport gloves. My interaction with our diverse team of designers, developers, pattern makers and product line managers provided great insight into the whole process from design implementation to the final product launch. As an assistant to Professor Diane Wood at George Fox University, I was charged with updating and organizing our fabric library. This exposure to over 5,000 wool samples increased my interest and knowledge of working with this medium.

Call to action!I am very interested in becoming a glove developer at Pendleton Woolen Mills and will follow up with you next week to ensure you have received my resume and talk about the next steps in the hiring process. If you need to reach me before then, please contact me via phone at 503-554-0000 or e-mail, [email protected].

Sincerely,

SIGN YOUR LETTER!

Sophia R. Baker

Encl: Resume


Newberg, OR 97132503-554-0000

[email protected]


Newberg, OR 97132503-554-0000

[email protected]

REFERENCES

Mr. Roger Kershner Mr./Ms./Dr./Rev. First Name Last NameExecutive Manager Job TitleMaple Tree Productions Place of employment333 NW Birch Street AddressSisters, OR 97777 City, ST Zip541-245-3431 Phone #[email protected] E-Mail AddressSupervisor Context in which you know them Mr./Ms./Dr./Rev. First Name Last Name Mr./Ms./Dr./Rev. First Name Last NameJob Title Job TitlePlace of employment Place of employmentAddress AddressCity, ST Zip City, ST ZipPhone # Phone #E-Mail Address E-Mail AddressContext in which you know them Context in which you know them

Contact

Call x2330 to schedule an appointment or stop by duringdrop-in hours for a brief resume critique/”I have a quick question”:

Monday/Tuesday: 2—3pmWednesday: 8:30—10:30amThursday: 10:30am--Noon

Darren NobleAssociate DirectorGeorge Fox University Career ServicesStevens 325x2331 (direct line)[email protected]

mailto:[email protected]

http://www.careers.georgefox.edu/