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Writing a Great ResumeWriting a Great Resume

Created by:

George Mason University

School of Management Career Services

Presented by:

Julia Makela, Career Coordinator

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Presentation OverviewPresentation Overview

Prep StepsWhat to IncludeTypes of ResumesResume CategoriesWriting the DetailsPutting It All TogetherNext Steps…

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Prep Step 1: Prep Step 1: Know what you have to offerKnow what you have to offerThink functional skills & personal qualities

SAMPLE FUNCTIONAL SKILLS

Advising people Handling complaints Planning agendas Analyzing data Interpreting languages Programming computers Auditing financial records Interviewing people Promoting events Budgeting expenses Investigating problems Recruiting people Compiling statistics Listening to others Reviewing programs Coordinating events Managing projects Running meetings Corresponding with others Mediating between people Selling products & services Creating new ideas Motivating others Speaking in public Delegating responsibility Negotiating contracts Supervising others Designing data systems Organizing people & tasks Teaching classes Editing publications Persuading others Writing for publication

Try it now! List three of your functional skills.

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Prep Step 1: Prep Step 1: Know what you have to offerKnow what you have to offerThink functional skills & personal qualities

SAMPLE PERSONAL QUALITIES

Assertive Expressive Persistent Attention to detail Firm Perform well under stress Authentic Flexible Poised Candid Generous Resourceful Committed to growth Hard working Respectful Cooperative Honest Sense of Humor Curious Loyal Sincere Dynamic Open-minded Spontaneous Empathic Optimistic Tolerant Enthusiastic Patient Versatile

Try it now! List three of your personal qualities.

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Prep Step 1: Prep Step 1: Know what you have to offerKnow what you have to offerThink functional skills & personal qualitiesBuild your list of…

work experience academics volunteer work classes course projects

activities clubs languages technical skills and so on…

Try it now! List at least five activities / experiences.

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Prep Step 2:Prep Step 2:Know your audienceKnow your audienceLearn as much as you can about the position,

field & employer Career Library Professional Associations Employer Websites www.hoovers.com Career Network (user id: student, password: jack$$pot)

Patriot JobWeb Contacts

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With a Little Prep…With a Little Prep…

Your resume can then: Focus on skills & qualities you want to use most Present your strengths based on the employers

needs

Need help defining your strengths? Don’t know what career fields to target?

Come visit us in Career Services!

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What should I put on my resume?What should I put on my resume?

Follow the three tenets of resume writing: Every resume has a purpose Everything on your resume supports that purpose The items that best support your purpose come first

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Three Types of ResumesThree Types of Resumes

ChronologicalFunctionalHybrid

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The Chronological ResumeThe Chronological Resume

When would you use this type? You have a significant amount of continuous

experience, OR Your experiences have been progressively more

responsible.

What is the general outline of this type? List experience in reverse chronological order Most important information at the top

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The Functional ResumeThe Functional Resume

When would you use this type? When you don’t have a lot of experience in the

specific area of work for which you are applying

What is the general outline of this type? Group your skills and qualities into 3 or 4

functional areas Strengthen your skills and qualities by listing

where you acquired them

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The Hybrid ResumeThe Hybrid Resume

When would you use this type? Your most related experience is not your most

recent, OR You have related experience and want to add

special emphasis to your skills and qualities

What is the general outline of this type? Resume is organized by skill categories Under each category, experiences are in

chronological order

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Resume Categories – IdentificationResume Categories – Identification

Name – Biggest thing on the resumeFull Address – May need current & permanentPhone number with area codeEmail – (Make it professional!) Website – If you have a personal one to share

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Resume Categories - ObjectiveResume Categories - Objective

What does an objective do? Clarifies the purpose of your resume Presents a clear statement of your goals

When should I use an objective? Always have one in mind! – What is your purpose? Include it on the resume when it is very targeted

• specific type of position

• specific skills you offer

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Resume Categories – Objective Resume Categories – Objective (2)(2)

Some objective writing tips… Keep it clear & simple Be specific Avoid using trite words like “challenging” and

“stimulating” Focus on what you will offer, rather than what you

are looking for Remember: Everything on the resume should

support this purpose/objective

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Resume Categories – Education Resume Categories – Education

Be sure to include: Names of Schools Degrees Earned Major / Minor Date Attended or

Graduation Date

Could also include GPA

(general rule, include if 3.0 or above)

Honors / Awards Selected Courses

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Resume Categories – Experience Resume Categories – Experience

Remember – Experience can be: Paid part-time/full-time positions Internships Volunteer work Club/campus group involvement Significant course projects

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Resume Categories – Experience Resume Categories – Experience (2)(2)

Required Information Name of Employer / Organization Location – City & State Position Title Dates Duties, Responsibilities & Accomplishments

This piece can be the most challenging. Let’s take a few moments to explore it…

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Writing the Details… Writing the Details… Storming & Forming Storming & Forming ExerciseExercise1. Put the resume aside; begin with a blank

sheet of paper

2. Choose a position or activity that is easy to talk about

3. Brainstorm a list of everything that you did in that position / activity

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Writing the Details… Writing the Details… Storming & Forming Exercise Storming & Forming Exercise (2)(2)

4. For each item on your brainstorm list, search for specifics How much? How often? How many people? How much $? What were the results?

5. Condense your brainstorm to 3-5 concrete tasks & accomplishments, using positive action verbs to introduce each

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Resume Categories – Experience Resume Categories – Experience (3)(3)

Guidelines for duties, responsibilities & accomplishments Include most relevant skills & qualities Most relevant information comes first Use strong action verbs Provide evidence of skills & qualities by

• Quantifying information

• Acknowledging accomplishments & evaluations

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Resume Categories - OtherResume Categories - Other

Qualifications HighlightsSummary

Relevant CoursesCourse ProjectsHonors & Awards

Work Experience Management Experience Research Experience Leadership Experience Other Experience

Computer SkillsProfessional Associations /

MembershipsLanguagesCommunity Service

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Putting It All Together…Putting It All Together… Things to Remember Things to RememberThere is no perfect resume – only great works

in progressThere is no “cookbook” – only traditions &

guidelinesKeep your language concise, crisp & clearProvide concrete evidence (#, %, $)When in doubt, ask “does it support my

purpose?”

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Putting It All Together…Putting It All Together… Things to Avoid Things to AvoidAvoid stating salary requirementsAvoid providing reasons for leaving past

employersAvoid limiting geographical considerations

(unless necessary)Avoid expounding on philosophy or valuesAvoid offering any negative information

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Putting It All Together…Putting It All Together… Formatting FormattingAttract & hold your reader’s attention

Combinations of capital lettering, underlining, bold face type, and indentations can jazz up your paper (yet, watch for employers who scan resumes)

Well placed white space can help the reader’s eye move across the paper

Whatever format you choose, be sure to be consistent

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Putting It All Together…Putting It All Together… Final Details Final DetailsCheck for grammatical, spelling & typing

errorsCritique! Critique! Critique!Laser print on resume paper

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RememberRemember

A resume does not get you a job…

A resume does get you an interview.

And, putting time and consideration into your resume is one of the

best ways to prepare for your interviews!

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Next Steps…Next Steps…School of Management Career Services

Enterprise Hall, Room 008(703) 993-1880

mycareer@gmu.edu

Walk-In Hours for SOM Career Services:

Monday & Friday 2:00pm-4:00pmThursday 10:00am – 12:00pm

University Career Services

SUB 1, Rm 348 (703) 993-2361

careerhp@gmu.edu

Make an appointment or come to walk-in hours

for additional help or questions.