Effective ResumesEffective Resumes

ContentsContents

Introduction to Resume WritingIntroduction to Resume WritingPurpose of the resumePurpose of the resumeDifferent styles of resumes: descriptions Different styles of resumes: descriptions

and examples; layout and organizationand examples; layout and organizationGuidelines for Writing ResumesGuidelines for Writing Resumes8 Tips 8 Tips

20-30 Seconds20-30 Seconds

The time you have to make a great The time you have to make a great impression on a potential employer.impression on a potential employer.

Main Purpose

An Interview

Other Reasons

To help you clarify your direction, qualifications, and strengths, boost your confidence, or to start the process of commiting to a job or career change.

Other Reasons (cont) To establish you as a professional person with

high standards and excellent writing skills, based on the fact that the resume is so well done (clear, well-organized, well-written, well-designed).

To use as a covering piece or addendum to another form of job application, as part of a grant or contract proposal, as an accompaniment to graduate school or other application.

Resume StylesResume Styles

1.1. ChronologicalChronological

2.2. FunctionalFunctional

3.3. CombinedCombined

1. Chronological1. Chronological

AdvantagesAdvantages Easier to understand what you did in what Easier to understand what you did in what

jobjob May help the name of the employer stand May help the name of the employer stand

outout Appeals to older, traditional readersAppeals to older, traditional readers

DisadvantagesDisadvantages Difficult to highlight what you do bestDifficult to highlight what you do best

2. Functional2. Functional

AdvantagesAdvantages Helps you most in reaching for a new goalHelps you most in reaching for a new goal Clearly shows what you can do for the Clearly shows what you can do for the

readerreader

DisadvantagesDisadvantages Not clear what you did in what jobNot clear what you did in what job

3. Combined3. Combined

AdvantagesAdvantages Maximizes the advantages of both stylesMaximizes the advantages of both styles

DisadvantagesDisadvantages Tends to be longTends to be long Can be repetitiousCan be repetitious

Guidelines for Writing Resumes

How Long?

IT DEPENDS!Think about the impression you give - are you organized? - are you succinct? - have you included all that is important? Can you justify TWO pages?

Very Poor!The second job worked in Finex Taiwan from 2000 till now as an export customer service

specialist in the beginning to Demand manager representative now. During the work experience in Finex, I was lucky and appreciated by my direct , I have across through three different functions in Logistics Division., and also got the promotion opportunities. I not only obtain a lot of Supply Chain science and also improve the communication skill and manner from my duties. Moreover, the supervision position is a bridge between the subordinates, director and company. I apply my leadership to help subordinates to grow up , meanwhile, to achieve company goal.

Work Experience:Company Name : Finex Taiwan CorporationCompany Major product : Decorative LaminatePeriod : 2000~till nowTitle : Demand Manager Purchasing

assistance manager Export service specialist/Supervisor

Better!

Finex Taiwan (2000–Present)

• Demand Manager (2005-Present)

lead a team of 5 subordinates; responsible for achieving company targets, development of staff and reporting to CEO.

• Purchasing Assistant Manager (2004-2006)

• Customer Service Specialist (2000-2005)

Resume

• Personal Details Name:Susan Chang

Date of Birth: 29th Febuary 1995Address: 13, Minsheng Rd, TaipeiTelephone: 02 123 4567 Sex: Female

Marital Status: SingleNationality: Chinese

• Education• 1993-1997 Minsheng Junior High School

1997-2004 Minsheng Senior High School: 10 GCSEs, 4 A’ Levels – Economics, History, Maths, General Studies2004 - to date Top University, Taichung, studying for a BA in Economics

• Work History• 2008-2009: Part-time work in Family Mart

2004-2005: Assistant Bar Manager for the Fat Pig, Taipei.I became familiar with the full range of products supplied in the bar and enjoyed striking up a rapport with customers. (Left after disagreement with the manager)

• Extracurricular Activities• Entertainments Officer for the University Drinking Society

Captain of the University Women's Hockey Team• General Skills• Conversational Mandarin

Word Procesing Skills Driving Licence (7 points)

• References• Dr Lee, Top University, Taichung• Mr Derek Chang 13 Minsheng Road, Taipei

Resume

Personal Details

• Name:Susan ChangDate of Birth:29th Febuary 1995Address: 13, Minsheng Rd, TaipeiTelephone: 02 123 4567Sex:FemaleMarital Status:SingleNationality: Chinese

Susan Chang

• 13 Minsheng E. Rd, Sec 2, Taipei, Tel: 02 123 4567, email susan_chang@hotmail.com.tw

Objective BA candidate in Economics. Management experience. Knowledgeable about China.

Excellent communicator. Seeks to parlay education and work experience at leading global economic forecasting firm.

Education2004 – present Top University, Taichung, Economics undergraduate

1997-2004 Minsheng Senior High School: 10 GCSEs, 4 A’Levels

DON’T

- cram the information onto a page!

(Type point >10.5) - start a new page in the middle of a

description. - have only a few lines on a page. - add superfluous text to fill up space. - repeat your entire letterhead.

DO

- include your name and page number at the top of subsequent pages.

- condense information. - preserve your resume’s readability.

LAYOUT

Font Subheadings Bullet Points

Different Fonts

Showcard Gothic Arial Old English Text MT Times New Roman Century Broadway Verdana

Subheadings

Education (Bold)

Education (Bold & underlined)

EDUCATION (Bold & Capitals)

EDUCATION (Bold,Capitals & underlined)

Bullet Points

COMPARE Without Bullet Points

Recruited, trained and managed 35-member team.

Ensured continuous delivery of outstanding customer service

Designed, developed and implemented employee training program which increased sales revenues

With bullet points

Recruited, trained and managed 35-member team. Ensured continuous delivery of outstanding customer

service Designed, developed and implemented employee

training program which increased sales revenues

WHAT TO INCLUDE

Name Address Phone Number Email Address Jobs Educational Qualifications Additional Targeted Information

WHAT NOT TO PUT ON A RESUME

The word "Resume" at the top of the resume Fluffy rambling "objective" statements Salary information Full addresses of former employers Reasons for leaving jobs A "Personal" section, or personal statistics (except

in special cases) Names of supervisors References *

Target Your Resume

Objective Statement

The “Objective” statement (also known as the “Overview” statement) comes right after your contact information and highlights your unique talents, experience, and goals. Through this paragraph your reader can immediately grasp why you’d be a strong candidate for or even an excellent fit with his opportunity.

Focus

Three Basic Pieces of Information

1. What you have to offer the company—your qualifications and expertise.

2. How much relevant experience you have and for what length of time you did it.

3. How your work impacted your employer’s bottom-line—what are your quantifiable results.

Activity 1Activity 1

In small groups, proof-read the Resumes In small groups, proof-read the Resumes you are given and make at least five you are given and make at least five recommendations to improve the recommendations to improve the Resumes.Resumes.

1.1.

2.2.

3.3.

4.4.

5.5.

Strengths

What are your strengths?What are your strengths?

In groups decide on a list of five In groups decide on a list of five strengths that you possess.strengths that you possess.

StrengthsStrengths

1.1. 2.2. 3.3. 4.4. 5.5.

1.1. 2.2. 3.3. 4.4. 5.5.

Discuss in groupsDiscuss in groups

What advice would you give someone who What advice would you give someone who

asked you how to write a good resume?asked you how to write a good resume?

Try to agree on the three most useful pieces of advice.Try to agree on the three most useful pieces of advice.

1.1.

2.2.

3.3.

8 Resume Tips8 Resume Tips

1. Technical Skills1. Technical Skills

2. Customize your 2. Customize your QualificationsQualifications

3. Quantify Your Past 3. Quantify Your Past ResultsResults

Poor

• Languages:

• English 、 Mandarin and Taiwanese

Better

Languages• Mandarin Chinese (native speaker)• Taiwanese (native speaker)• English (upper intermediate) TOEIC score 780

4. Use Action Words4. Use Action Words

Examples of Action WordsExamples of Action Words

LearnedLearned ImprovedImproved NegotiatedNegotiated PublishedPublished SupervisedSupervised TackledTackled

5. Give Yourself Credit5. Give Yourself Credit

(but don’t lie!)(but don’t lie!)

6. Be Concise6. Be Concise

Poor

• I spent three months in the USA travelling and studying English.

• I worked for Acer for six months and worked on a project in a small team.

Better

SkillsTeamwork - successful member of project team in ACER (2008)

Communication – improved language and cultural knowledge in USA (2007)

7. Be Pertinent7. Be Pertinent

(tailor the information)(tailor the information)

8. No Errors8. No Errors

Activity 2Activity 2

Find the errors in your handout and Find the errors in your handout and correct them.correct them.

That’s all folks!That’s all folks!

Thank YouThank You