CREATING AN CREATING AN EFFECTIVEEFFECTIVE RESUME RESUME

How to Write an Effective How to Write an Effective Resume TitleResume Title

Select a name that is memorable and Select a name that is memorable and professionalprofessional

Goal is to get employer to keep reading your Goal is to get employer to keep reading your resumeresume

Include resume objective and your strongest Include resume objective and your strongest qualificationqualification

Ex. Years of experience, an industry Ex. Years of experience, an industry credential desired job target or job-related credential desired job target or job-related skillskill

OVERVIEW OF BASICOVERVIEW OF BASICSECTIONSSECTIONS

THE OBJECTIVE SECTIONTHE OBJECTIVE SECTION EDUCATIONEDUCATION EXPERIENCEEXPERIENCE SKILLSSKILLS HONORS AND ACTIVITIESHONORS AND ACTIVITIES CONTACTCONTACT*NOT ALL SECTIONS ARE NEEDED*NOT ALL SECTIONS ARE NEEDED

RESUME OBJECTIVE RESUME OBJECTIVE SECTIONSECTION

A short section (1-3 lines), often in form of a A short section (1-3 lines), often in form of a sentence fragment, immediately below sentence fragment, immediately below contact information.contact information.

What are you trying to accomplish, your What are you trying to accomplish, your career objective career objective

Is this section needed, no, but information Is this section needed, no, but information used here could be put somewhere elseused here could be put somewhere else

Tips for writing objective statementTips for writing objective statement

Focus on how you would benefit employerFocus on how you would benefit employer DonDon’’t be vaguet be vague Keep it concise and targetedKeep it concise and targeted Emphasize key qualifications, skills and/or Emphasize key qualifications, skills and/or

goalsgoals Makes a good first impressionMakes a good first impression Relate company goals to personal goalsRelate company goals to personal goals

A good objective statement answers A good objective statement answers questions!questions!

What position(s) are you applying for?What position(s) are you applying for? What are your main qualifications?What are your main qualifications? What are your career goals?What are your career goals? What is your professional identity?What is your professional identity? How can you help the company?How can you help the company?

““Instant Objective StatementsInstant Objective Statements””

For practice fill in the parts in bracketsFor practice fill in the parts in brackets

An opportunity to [professional goal] in a [type of An opportunity to [professional goal] in a [type of organization, work place or field]organization, work place or field]

[Position title] with emphasis in [areas of expertise][Position title] with emphasis in [areas of expertise] To utilize my [qualifications, strengths, or skills] as To utilize my [qualifications, strengths, or skills] as

a [position title]a [position title] A position as a [position title] for [company name] A position as a [position title] for [company name]

allowing me to develop my [qualifications, allowing me to develop my [qualifications, strengths, or skills]strengths, or skills]

CONTACT INFORMATIONCONTACT INFORMATION

Usually located at top of resume pageUsually located at top of resume page Info for prospective employer to contact youInfo for prospective employer to contact you IncludesIncludes

– NameName– Address (city, state, zip)Address (city, state, zip)– Phone (home and/or cell)Phone (home and/or cell)– EmailEmail– Web addressWeb address– Any other means of contactAny other means of contact

WRITING A WINNINGWRITING A WINNINGEMPLOYMENT HISTORYEMPLOYMENT HISTORY

TIPS:TIPS: Ditch the Job Description (its boring)Ditch the Job Description (its boring) Prove Your ValueProve Your Value

– Emphasize your accomplishmentsEmphasize your accomplishments– Provide proof of your potential valueProvide proof of your potential value

Quantify Results Quantify Results – Include measurable results of your workInclude measurable results of your work

Use numbers and percentsUse numbers and percents

..Employment History cont.

A.A.Which statement had more impact?Which statement had more impact?

B.B.Significantly increased revenues and grew Significantly increased revenues and grew client base between 2005 and 2008.client base between 2005 and 2008.

C.C.Increased revenues from $250,000 in 2005 Increased revenues from $250,000 in 2005 to $1.5 million in 2008 and tripled client base to $1.5 million in 2008 and tripled client base from 2,500 to 7,000from 2,500 to 7,000.

ARE YOU UP TO PAR?ARE YOU UP TO PAR?

Stands for-PROBLEM, ACTION, RESULTSStands for-PROBLEM, ACTION, RESULTS Think about your accomplishmentsThink about your accomplishments

– What type of challenges did you face?What type of challenges did you face?– What actions did you take to overcome it?What actions did you take to overcome it?– What were the results of your efforts? Did your What were the results of your efforts? Did your

accomplishments benefit the company?accomplishments benefit the company? Write down a list of your PAR outcomesWrite down a list of your PAR outcomes

– Incorporate the most impressive ones into your Incorporate the most impressive ones into your resumeresume

LEAD WITH YOUR WORKLEAD WITH YOUR WORK’’S S OUTCOMESOUTCOMES

Write the results of your work before listing Write the results of your work before listing the problems and action. This allows you to the problems and action. This allows you to lead with the most compelling aspect of your lead with the most compelling aspect of your accomplishment.accomplishment.

For example: Reversed an annual $2 million For example: Reversed an annual $2 million decline in market share by streamlining the decline in market share by streamlining the benchmark process and building a top-flight benchmark process and building a top-flight sales team.sales team.

MAKE IT READABLEMAKE IT READABLE

Use a combination of paragraphs and Use a combination of paragraphs and bulletsbullets

Provide brief paragraph that details your Provide brief paragraph that details your responsibilitiesresponsibilities– Then create a bulleted list of your top Then create a bulleted list of your top

contributionscontributions Use heading like: KEY ACCOMPLISHMENTS OR Use heading like: KEY ACCOMPLISHMENTS OR

SIGNIFICANT CONTRIBUTIONSSIGNIFICANT CONTRIBUTIONS

TARGET YOUR EXPERIENCE TO TARGET YOUR EXPERIENCE TO YOUR GOALYOUR GOAL

RESUMES ARE MARKETING TOOLSRESUMES ARE MARKETING TOOLS Employment history should market you for Employment history should market you for

current job objectivecurrent job objective– Use accomplishments that relate to your goalUse accomplishments that relate to your goal– Remove job duties and etc that do not support Remove job duties and etc that do not support

your objectiveyour objective

USE POWER WORDSUSE POWER WORDS

Select your words carefullySelect your words carefully Avoid dull or stale phrases like:Avoid dull or stale phrases like:

– Responsible forResponsible for– Duties includedDuties included

BE HONESTBE HONEST•ALWAYS BE TRUTHFUL ABOUT YOUR ALWAYS BE TRUTHFUL ABOUT YOUR BACKROUND!BACKROUND!

EDUCATION SECTIONEDUCATION SECTION

Use your education section to outshine your Use your education section to outshine your competitioncompetition

Where to place education?Where to place education?– Place experience before education if 5 or more years Place experience before education if 5 or more years

related to your goalrelated to your goal– Place education before experience if recent graduate or Place education before experience if recent graduate or

with less than 5 years work experiencewith less than 5 years work experience– Which is stronger? Education or experience??Which is stronger? Education or experience??

Place strongest closest to top of the pagePlace strongest closest to top of the page

THE GPATHE GPA

STUDENT OR RECENT GRADUATESTUDENT OR RECENT GRADUATE– List GPA if 3.0 or higher List GPA if 3.0 or higher

– Lower GPA if very challenging programLower GPA if very challenging program

– Add your Major GPA if higher than overall GPAAdd your Major GPA if higher than overall GPA

– If scale is not standard 4.0, list the scaleIf scale is not standard 4.0, list the scale e.g. GPA: 4.1/4.5e.g. GPA: 4.1/4.5

HONORSHONORS

Include academic honors to show you Include academic honors to show you excelledexcelled

NEW GRADSNEW GRADS• Students and new grads with little relate job experience Students and new grads with little relate job experience make education the center piece of your resume make education the center piece of your resume

• Showcase academic achievementsShowcase academic achievements

• Extracurricular activitiesExtracurricular activities

• Special projects and related courses (to job objective)Special projects and related courses (to job objective)

• College Name– Payson, AZCollege Name– Payson, AZ

• BA in Communications, concentration in BA in Communications, concentration in advertising, anticipated graduation 2013advertising, anticipated graduation 2013

• Senior Project – Mock Advertising Senior Project – Mock Advertising Campaign for Coca-ColaCampaign for Coca-Cola

• Billboard/print/TV/radio ads, direct mail Billboard/print/TV/radio ads, direct mail campaign and press releasescampaign and press releases

• Related course work: Advertising, Ad Related course work: Advertising, Ad writing, Direct mail, Media Plans in writing, Direct mail, Media Plans in Advertising and Marketing, Public RelationsAdvertising and Marketing, Public Relations

EXPERIENCED JOB SEEKERSEXPERIENCED JOB SEEKERS

List basic facts regarding your degree:List basic facts regarding your degree:– Institution nameInstitution name– LocationLocation– DegreeDegree– Major and dateMajor and date

Ex. The College of New Jersey-Trenton, NJEx. The College of New Jersey-Trenton, NJ– MA in Education May 1986MA in Education May 1986

HIGH SCHOOL INFORMATIONHIGH SCHOOL INFORMATION

Include all relevant HS information just like Include all relevant HS information just like college info was enteredcollege info was entered– List related coursesList related courses– Conferences or trainingConferences or training– Professional developmentProfessional development

If you have college credits, remove If you have college credits, remove references to high schoolreferences to high school

““BARE BONESBARE BONES”” EDUCATION EDUCATION SECTIONSECTION

Schools you have attended, including Schools you have attended, including universities, community colleges, technical universities, community colleges, technical schools, etc.schools, etc.

Location of schoolsLocation of schools Date of graduation (actual or anticipated)Date of graduation (actual or anticipated) Degree(s) earned or pursuedDegree(s) earned or pursued GPAGPA Courses taken outside of typical major Courses taken outside of typical major

classes that may add to qualifications of job.classes that may add to qualifications of job.

Example:Example:M.A. in EducationM.A. in Education

The College of New JerseyThe College of New Jersey

Trenton, New JerseyTrenton, New Jersey

Graduation: 1986Graduation: 1986

GPA: 3.96 / 4.0GPA: 3.96 / 4.0

WHAT ELSE MAY BE WHAT ELSE MAY BE INCLUDED?INCLUDED?

EXTRA INFO ABOUT YOUR DEGREEEXTRA INFO ABOUT YOUR DEGREE– Major, minor, or selected GPAs, funding Major, minor, or selected GPAs, funding

sources, honors,etc.) usually listed or included sources, honors,etc.) usually listed or included in ( )in ( )

SPECIALIZATIONS AND SPECIAL SPECIALIZATIONS AND SPECIAL PROJECTS – list or describe PROJECTS – list or describe brieflybriefly

OTHER RELEVANT SKILLS AND OTHER RELEVANT SKILLS AND TRAINING (relevant course work, computer TRAINING (relevant course work, computer skills, language proficiency, certificates etc.skills, language proficiency, certificates etc.

QUESTIONS TO ANSWERQUESTIONS TO ANSWER Major or minor GPAsMajor or minor GPAs Any honors related to Any honors related to

degreedegree What are my areas of What are my areas of

specialization, specialization, emphasis,or emphasis,or concentrationconcentration

What special course or What special course or degree-related projects degree-related projects may be relevantmay be relevant

What courses have I What courses have I taken that are related taken that are related to my career goals?to my career goals?

With what computer With what computer programs am I most programs am I most familiar?familiar?

What languages am I What languages am I good in?good in?

Any certifications or Any certifications or licenses?licenses?

Any on-job-training?Any on-job-training?

SHOWCASE MARKETABLE SHOWCASE MARKETABLE SKILLS IN YOUR RESUME SKILLS SKILLS IN YOUR RESUME SKILLS

SECTIONSECTION Great opportunity to show employer youGreat opportunity to show employer you’’ve got the ve got the

right skills for the job.right skills for the job. Consider skills important for the jobConsider skills important for the job Search job postings in newspaper or on-line Search job postings in newspaper or on-line

employment sitesemployment sites– Find ideal requirements in the ads and list frequently Find ideal requirements in the ads and list frequently

repeated skillsrepeated skills– Create list of your matching skills, put in your resume. Create list of your matching skills, put in your resume.

Your skills can come from your work experience, Your skills can come from your work experience, education, hobbies, extracurricular activities, volunteer education, hobbies, extracurricular activities, volunteer work and even self study.work and even self study.

3 TYPES OF SKILLS3 TYPES OF SKILLS

JOB RELATED SKILLSJOB RELATED SKILLS– Relevant to a specific jobRelevant to a specific job

TRANSFERABLETRANSFERABLE– Skills learned in one field that can be used in Skills learned in one field that can be used in

another, data( research, synthesize information) another, data( research, synthesize information) and people (instruct, manage, lead, negotiate)and people (instruct, manage, lead, negotiate)

ADAPTIVEADAPTIVE– Adaptive skills include reliability, ability to get Adaptive skills include reliability, ability to get

along with colleagues, honesty & productivityalong with colleagues, honesty & productivity

ADDING YOUR SKILLS TO YOUR ADDING YOUR SKILLS TO YOUR RESUMERESUME

Job relate and transferable are most desirable on Job relate and transferable are most desirable on your resumeyour resume

Indicate your skill level and years of experience for Indicate your skill level and years of experience for each skilleach skill– Be honestBe honest

Guideline for skill levelGuideline for skill level– BeginnerBeginner- you have exposure but lack experience- you have exposure but lack experience– IntermediateIntermediate – between beginner and expert – between beginner and expert– ExpertExpert – Highly developed skill level. Solid experience – Highly developed skill level. Solid experience

and understand advanced concepts. You demonstrate and understand advanced concepts. You demonstrate proficiency and superior skill levelproficiency and superior skill level

HOW MANY SKILLS DO I LIST?HOW MANY SKILLS DO I LIST?

Employers quickly scan resumes, so long Employers quickly scan resumes, so long lists are not likely to be readlists are not likely to be read

– Select 10 to 15 of strongest, most desirable Select 10 to 15 of strongest, most desirable

– Short bulleted list more effectiveShort bulleted list more effective

ADDING ADDITIONAL ADDING ADDITIONAL INFORMATIONINFORMATION

Ad information that supports and reinforces your Ad information that supports and reinforces your qualificationsqualifications

Honors and AwardsHonors and Awards– List or awards – add to Honors and Awards sectionList or awards – add to Honors and Awards section– One or Two – list under corresponding jobOne or Two – list under corresponding job– Academic honors – Education sectionAcademic honors – Education section

TestimonialsTestimonials– Adds credibility and validate accomplishments andAdds credibility and validate accomplishments and

personal traits and area of expertise mentioned in resumepersonal traits and area of expertise mentioned in resume

PublicationsPublications– Career related articles, books, blogs Career related articles, books, blogs – Shows you are an expert in your fieldShows you are an expert in your field– Demonstrates good written communication skillDemonstrates good written communication skill– Add to Career Highlights sectionAdd to Career Highlights section

Speaking EngagementsSpeaking Engagements– Employers value good verbal communicatorsEmployers value good verbal communicators– Include: topic, where and when doneInclude: topic, where and when done– Add to Career Highlights sectionAdd to Career Highlights section

VolunteerismVolunteerism– Demonstrates dedicationDemonstrates dedication community and reflects community and reflects

positively on your characterpositively on your character– Include in Career Highlights sectionInclude in Career Highlights section

AffiliationsAffiliations – Professional memberships – especially in career fieldProfessional memberships – especially in career field– Make sure it is an active membershipMake sure it is an active membership

HobbiesHobbies– Ask yourself if your hobby will help employers see you Ask yourself if your hobby will help employers see you

in a better light, if so includein a better light, if so include– Include in Interests and Hobbies sectionInclude in Interests and Hobbies section

All of these go into the last section of your resumeAll of these go into the last section of your resume Can be omitted if there is a lack of space or relevant Can be omitted if there is a lack of space or relevant

informationinformation

WHAT GOES INTO IT?WHAT GOES INTO IT? Draw three columns, one for each of the followingDraw three columns, one for each of the following

– Titles or positionsTitles or positions– Sponsors or affiliated organizationsSponsors or affiliated organizations– Dates of involvement (M/Y _ M/Y or Y – Y)Dates of involvement (M/Y _ M/Y or Y – Y)

VISUAL DESIGNVISUAL DESIGN Simple list, Simple list, Columns Columns List with bulleted descriptionsList with bulleted descriptions Coordinate with other sectionsCoordinate with other sections

EXTRACURRICULAR EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIESACTIVITIES

Can be used to show commitmentCan be used to show commitment As important a component of your overall As important a component of your overall

experience as any part-time job or internshipexperience as any part-time job or internship Look for skills developed in these activities Look for skills developed in these activities

that can relate to the job you want.that can relate to the job you want. Look for leadership opportunities, employers Look for leadership opportunities, employers

love leadership experience love leadership experience

DESIGNING YOUR RESUMEDESIGNING YOUR RESUME

USE DESIGN STRATEGIESUSE DESIGN STRATEGIES Picking fontsPicking fonts

– Serif Serif – Sans serifSans serif

Using layoutUsing layout– AlignmentAlignment– ColumnsColumns

Coordinate with the rest of the resume!!!Coordinate with the rest of the resume!!!

COORDINATE DESIGN COORDINATE DESIGN STRATEGIESSTRATEGIES

Match design with rest of resumeMatch design with rest of resume– Use same font typesUse same font types– Use consistent layoutUse consistent layout

AIM FOR A PROFESSIONAL PACKAGEAIM FOR A PROFESSIONAL PACKAGE

PROOFREAD WITH A PROOFREAD WITH A MAGNIFIYING GLASSMAGNIFIYING GLASS

TRIPLE-CHECK FOR ACCURACYTRIPLE-CHECK FOR ACCURACY

SPELL CHECKSPELL CHECK

ONE TYPO COULD COST YOU AN ONE TYPO COULD COST YOU AN INTEVIEW!INTEVIEW!