PREPARING TO WRITE A RESUME

LYCOMING COLLEGE

Third Floor

Wertz Student Center Lycoming College

Williamsport, PA 17701

Phone: 570-321-4034 Fax: 570-321-4236

E-mail:

Careerservices @lycoming.edu

Website:

www.lycoming.edu/careerservices

Your resume may be the most important document you ever write. Resumes average about 250 words per page. Use your limited space wisely to communicate your strengths. Spelling and grammar errors are unacceptable. Proofread your resume carefully and have others review it as well. Resumes get interviews. Interviews get jobs. Update your resume on a regular basis.

Use this simple, step-by-step approach to develop a resume that highlights your unique qualities and watch your resume unfold!

Purpose of a Resume:

What Information Should Be Included?

According to most employers, resumes are used: • To allow candidates to articulate and sell their experience, education, skills, and accomplishments to potential employers, with an interview being the end result. • As a screening tool to rule out applicants who do not meet the qualifications or present themselves professionally in writing.

• Contact information • Career objective, skill summary, or personal profile • Education/degrees attained • Related experience • Computer skills, research skills, language skills • Activities, professional organizations, community service • Honors, awards, publications, presentations • Training, certifications • Related coursework (optional)

C A R E E R

SERVICES

Placement of key information is essential in creating a strong resume. Use the following tips as you for-mat your resume. Placement: Resumes are read from top to bottom and left to right. The most important information should appear

in the top left “power” position.

Include dates on the right side of the page or below main information. Appearance: Use margins (.5-1), fonts (10-12 point) and spacing that are easily viewed. Select bold, enlargement, italicizing, CAPITALIZATION, or un-derlining for emphasis. Maintain your format and font style throughout the resume. Word Choice: Use concise, positive action verbs to describe your strengths. Use active tense if currently involved, past tense if involved in the past. Avoid repetition of non-descriptive words like “is,” “was,” “used,” or “responsible for.” Length: Most entry-level positions require a one-page resume. Paper Selection: Select high-quality bond paper. Use matching paper for the resume, cover letter, and reference list. Recommended paper colors are white, ivory, or pale gray.

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Resume Strengths

A unique format is visually appealing and showcases skills. Extensive related experience is emphasized. Functional

Resume Elements Resumes may include any of the following components. The order and

style should reflect your personality and highlight your strengths.

CONTACT INFORMATION Full Name Mailing Address (current and permanent, if necessary) Daytime Phone Number (With an answering system) E-mail Address

CAREER OBJECTIVE A short, concise statement describing the position sought. Examples: - To secure a position in pharmaceutical sales. - To obtain a management training position in the sales industry

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EXPERIENCE Should include: Position Title Company Name Employment Dates Should Highlight: Accomplishments Skills you have learned Abilities How skills benefit employer Note: Experience can be paid or unpaid (internships, etc.) Possible Headings: Related Experience Relevant Experience Professional Experience Career-Related Experience Work Experience Employment History Employment Experience COMPUTER SKILLS List of software and hardware in which you are proficient. ADDITIONAL HEADINGS Include additional headings only if they offer additional evidence of your qualifications for the career objective you are pursuing. Possible Headings: Honors Awards Activities Community Service Publications Interests Special Skills Leadership Experience Presentations Professional Organizations

Resum

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ents PERSONAL PROFILE OR SKILL SUMMARY A brief summary of top qualifications (often used when a candidate has a less clearly-defined career objective). Examples: Well-organized, motivated individ-ual with quality leadership skills. Multi-disciplined graphics designer with award-winning experience in design and illustration, print advertising, and packaging design.

EDUCATION Institution(s) attended, degree(s) earned, major(s) and minor(s) obtained, and/or overall GPA Other Information May be included under educa-tion or under a separate head-ing: Special Projects Study Abroad Academic Honors Research Skills Related Coursework

“If you are applying for a specific job, customize your resume to re-flect your goals and objectives as

they relate to that position.”

Kathy Allen Director of Employment Services

Susquehanna Health System

Resume Strengths Clearly stated and specific objective.

Chronological formatting is clear and easy to read. Excellent action verbs.

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Review the Job Description. By reviewing the job description, you can tailor your resume to make ob-vious connections for the employer. It also shows that you have done your “homework” and understand the needs of the position.

Choose the Best Format. There are three basic

resume styles:

Chronological: A chronological resume organizes your work history by date (most re-cent position first) and is best for emphasizing the development of work responsibili-

Res

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Tips

Functional: A functional resume works best if you have little or no past experi-ence in an industry. It presents your abilities in categories that showcase the particular skills the job requires. For example, if the job description emphasizes strong sales experience, consider dividing your resume into categories such as communication, negotiation, and persuasion skills. Combination: A combination resume uses ele-ments of both the chronological and functional format. This format is used when the applicant has strong related experiences and can also highlight specific skills, abili-ties, and accomplishments in that field.

Present the Tangible Results of Your Accomplishments. • Clearly explain how past experiences can contribute to an employer’s bottom line. • Outline accomplishments and

their positive outcomes on an organization. • Describe results and accomplishments. • Provide examples and specific

skills you can bring to an organi-zation.

• Employers hire people who can

make them money.

Resume Strengths � Focused, brief objective identifying positions for which

he is applying. � Clear formatting of educational

experience including academic honors, date of graduation and academic majors.

� Chronological format to describe work experience in

office settings. � Dates of employment clearly

noted on right margin. � Excellent use of action words

to describe work experience. � Placed most important information (education and

work experience) in the top left “power” position.

� Strong presentation of computer skills, extra-curricular activities, and

community service.

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Do: � Make it 1 – 2 pages in length.

� Use action verbs in concise phrases such as: created, initiated, organized, supervised. � Include summer and part-time employment.

� Emphasize skills, strengths And accomplishments, especially those related to the

position.

� Place most pertinent information at the top and to the left.

� List awards, achievements, and accomplishments.

� Use the language of your chosen field.

� Have your resume critiqued for style, impact, grammar, and spelling.

Don’t: � Use negative words.

� Include salary expectations.

� Use abbreviations.

� Use common introductory phrases such as “My duties included” or “I was re-sponsible for”.

� Include personal information (e.g., height, weight, birth date, marital status, children, or religion).

Resume Strengths

Two-page resume highlights wide variety of experiences. Lists extensive leadership skills that compliment a prospective position in law.

“A well written resume will have these features:

Good quality, bond paper. Simple to read fonts. Co nfined to one page. Descriptions that are clear and to the point. Infor mation organized in a

logical fashion.

We like to see a specific objective statement. It helps when routing a resume to the appropriate person. Proofread your r esume and have others

do so as well.”

Dos and D

on’ts

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� Resume formatting emphasizes can-didate’s strengths.

� Employment section demonstrates abilities by listing specific skills acquired.

� Academic excellence is demonstrated through Honors and

Activities section.

� Resume has sharp clean lines on the left and right margins.

� Graphic element separates contact information from body of resume.

� Computer Experience and Honors and Activities sections are formatted In columns for ease of reading.

Resume Strengths

“ A resume needs to be neat, clean, and easy

to read. I prefer reading bulleted lists versus paragraphs of

information.”

Judith Krezmer, Operations/Marketing

Manager DePasquale Staffing

Services, Inc.

Act

ion

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bs

Use Action Words When Possible

Accomplished Achieved Adapted Administered Analyzed Budgeted Calculated Collaborated Compiled Composed Conducted Confronted Constructed

Contributed Coordinated Corresponded Counseled Created Cultivated

Decreased Delegated Demonstrated Designed Developed Directed Distributed Edited Established Evaluated Examined Facilitated Focused

Forecasted Formulated Founded Gained Generated Guided

Handled Identified Illustrated Implemented Improved Increased Informed Initiated Inspected Interpreted Interviewed Invented Investigated

Lectured Located Maintained Managed Marketed Mediated

Minimized Monitored Motivated Negotiated Observed Obtained Operated Organized Overhauled Oversaw Performed Planned Predicted

Prepared Prevented Prioritized Processed Produced Programmed

Promoted Published Raised Recorded Recruited Reorganized Represented Researched Resolved Screened Selected Served Simplified

Sold Solved Supervised Taught Trained Updated

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Resumes should be included as part of a packet that includes a cover letter and reference list.

Reference

On a separate page, list in-formation for 3-6 people serv-ing as references. Maintain a style and format-ting that is consistent with the resume.

Use references that can provide

employers with specific information

about your skills and abilities.

Reference List Should Include

Name

Title Phone Number

Mailing Address E-mail Address

Additional Information

Uniform formatting through-out resume, cover letter, and reference list demonstrates attention to detail and projects a powerful image to an employer.

WRITING YOUR CURRICULUM VITA (CV)

A curriculum vitae (CV) is a detailed description of one’s educational and work back-ground. The term curriculum vitae is Latin and means “the course of one’s life or career.” This document is often lengthy and may include extensive details regarding your work background and education—something quite different from a one-page resume that summarizes educa-tional and work experiences. Key headings which may be included are: professional/career objective; educational back-ground; academic coursework; research experience; thesis or dissertation; professional experi-ence; publications, presentations and work in progress; laboratory and/or instrumentation ex-perience; specialized skills; professional affiliations; and honors and achievements. This list is not all-inclusive, however, and the information to be included in a CV is dependent upon the writer’s background and experiences.

Predominantly utilized by higher education professionals in the past, the curriculum vitae (a/k/a “academic resume”) has grown in use by undergraduates who are applying to graduate or professional schools and among those who may be entering such disciplines as research, teaching or management.

KENNETH ROBERT BAILEY

42 Grampian Boulevard Lycoming College Williamsport, PA 17701 700 College Place (570) 555-3000 Williamsport, PA 17701 E-mail: baikenn@lycoming.edu (570) 555-3000

PROFESSIONAL/CAREER/RESEARCH

OBJECTIVE

A research position that requires background in organic synthesis and/or chemical identification through spectrographic techniques such as NMR, GC, IR, UV-Vis, and mass spectroscopy

EDUCATION

B.S. 2006, Lycoming College, Williamsport, PA, Major: Chemistry; GPA 3.5 Cumulative GPA 3.3 2002-2004, Susquehanna University, Selinsgrove, PA Summer 1992 Bucknell University, Lewisburg; studied Biochemistry and Environmental Science

COURSEWORK

Introductory Chemistry I*, II* Instrumental Methods Organic Chemistry I*, II*, III Calculus I*, II Advanced Organic Chemistry Physics I, II Physical Chemistry I, II Biology I*, II* Advanced Inorganic Chemistry Environmental Hazards Independent Research in Chemistry Natural Hazards Senior Research in Chemistry Environmental Geology and Natural Resources

(*denotes courses taken at Susquehanna University)

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Kenneth Robert Bailey, MD Page2

INSTRUMENTATION EXPERIENCE ♦ Nuclear Magnetic Resonance ♦ Infrared and Ramen Spectroscopy ♦ Ultraviolet and Visible Absorption ¨ Spectroscopy ♦ Mass Spectrometry ♦ Atomic Absorption Spectrometry High Performance Liquid Chromatography ♦ Fluorimetry ♦ Gel Electrophoresis

MEMBERSHIP

Younger Chemists, American Chemical Society 2004

HONORS AND ACHIEVEMENTS

Holly King Memorial Prize in chemistry for outstanding performance in first year chemistry 2002 Jennie Shoemaker Mathematics Prize for Excellence in Calculus II Captain, National Championship Swim Team 2001 All-America, high school swimming 1999-2001 Patricia Tressler Athletic Scholarship (swimming), Susquehanna University 2003-2004

COCURRICULAR ACTIVITIES

Varsity Swim Team, Lycoming College 2004-2006

Varsity Swim Team, Susquehanna University 2002-2004 Big Brother/Big Sister, Lycoming College 2002-2004 Tutor, Chemistry Department, Lycoming College, Fall 2005; assisted students in Advanced Organic Chemistry

OTHER EXPERIENCES

Assistant to the Manager, Wesco Electric, Williamsport, PA ♦Coordinated warehouse inventory with showroom inventory, Summer 2006 Coach, Montoursville Swim Club, Montoursville, PA 2005 Coach , YMCA, Williamsport, PA 2003, 2004

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Curriculum

Vita

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RESUME CHECKLIST Utilize the following checklist to evaluate your resume.

Overall Appearance and Layout Resume has been created specifically for the position for which you are applying and with the employer in mind. Promotes a positive first impression Is printed on high-quality (20lb.white or ivory) paper Font size is between 19-12 points and margins are adequate, preferably 1 inch all around. Headings catch the reader’s eye and stand out from text; are bolded and capitalized

Is one page in length (for recent graduates) and no more than two pages maximum (for those with prior experience) Includes your name and “Page 2” at the top of resume is more than one page The most important and relevant information is listed first Formatting is pleasing to the eye and allows for a quick. “30- Second scan” Language Action verbs and concise statements describe experience Current positions are described in present tense; past positions in past tense Personal pronouns such as “my” and “I” are omitted Articles such as “a”, “an” and “the” are omitted Abbreviations are very limited or nonexistent Is written in language with which you are comfortable No grammatical, punctuation, spelling, word usage, or typographical errors exist. Utilizes field-specific “jargon” which is easily known by employers in your field Emphasizes key skills and abilities for targeted position Personal information, unrelated to the position you seek, is not listed, i.e. height, weight, marital statue, etc. Is organized in terms of problems solved, action taken and Results obtained (PAR) for each achievement cited. Proofreading Has been proofread by at least three other people Received feedback from others in your field of interest Has been read backwards, from the bottom up Has been spell-checked by the computer Has been read aloud line by line

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Scannable Resume Sample

CHARLES L. JONES

5321 Blacktop Drive, Apt. 3 Williamsport PA 17701 (570) 321-4448 cjones@lycoming.edu CAREER OBJECTIVE To obtain a position in business management with an interest in computers and banking with an emphasis in management information systems teamwork and customer service EDUCATION Lycoming College Williamsport PA Bachelor of Art in Business Administration 2007 Concentration: Management Minor Computer Science Cumulative GPA 3.2 / 4.0 Major GPA 3.5 / 4.0 COMPUTER SKILLS Proficient with IBM and MAC computers and with Windows based applications such as Microsoft Of-fice Visual Basic PowerBuilder and Oracle SQL WORK EXPERIENCE Assistant Coordinator / Tutor Lycoming College’s Writing Lab Williamsport PA January 2003 to Present * Tutor students with business writing needs * Hire train and supervise four tutors * Coordinate promotions for the writing lab Retail Management Intern Sears Roebuck & Company Williamsport PA May 2003 to January 2004 *Gained knowledge in the retail management industry *Performed managerial tasks with upper management of store *Gained experience that enhanced my coursework Pharmacy Intern Taylor Drug Store Williamsport PA August 2003 to August 2004 * Received and verified drug stock orders * Filled prescriptions and counted out medications * Performed business duties for the company ACTIVITIES / HONORS AIESEC International Exchange Organization Vice President Alpha Sigma Phi Fraternity Treasurer Lions Club Fundraising Assistant National City Bank Scholarship Award June 2005

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Scannable R

esume