How to write Effective Resumes.
How to write Effective Resumes.
A resume is one of the most important documents for a
professional.
A single document that informs potential employers about all the
facts related to the professional life of the individual.
Everything written in a resume is of extreme importance. Should
contain only information that is critical and relevant to the
professional.
RESUME
The Number One Purpose Of A Resume
The resume is a tool with one specific purpose: to win an
interview. A resume is an advertisement - it makes the same
assertion that all good ads do: If you buy this product, you will
get these specific, direct benefits. It presents you in the best
light. It convinces the employer that you have what it takes to be
successful in this new position or career.
Only one interview is granted for every 200 resumes received by
the average employer.Your resume will be quickly scanned, rather
than read.Resumes saved in rich text format should ensure the text
isn't distorted in transmission. Many resumes are scanned for
keywords once they reach the employer; distorted words are not
going to be picked up.10 to 20 seconds is all the time you have to
persuade a prospective employer to read further.The decision to
interview a candidate is usually based on an overall first
impression of the resume.
Research shows:
Your resume should be conveying why you are the perfect
candidate for the specific job.Good advertising is directed toward
a very specific target audience.Targeting your resume requires that
you be absolutely clear about your career direction.
DETERMINE NOW!
TYPES OF RESUME
CHRONOLOGICAL RESUMEA chronological resume starts by listing
your work history, with the most recent position listed first. Your
jobs are listed in reverse chronological order with your current,
or most recent job, first.Employers typically prefer this type of
resume because it's easy to see what jobs you have held and when
you have worked at them.This type of resume works well for job
seekers with a strong, solid work history.
FUNCTIONAL RESUME
The functional resume highlights your major skills and
accomplishments from the very beginning. It helps the reader see
clearly what you can do for them, rather than having to read
through the job descriptions to find out. It is used most often by
people who are changing careers or who have gaps in their
employment history.
COMBINED RESUMEA combined resume includes elements of both the
chronological and functional formats. A combination resume lists
your skills and experience first. Your employment history is listed
next. With this type of resume you can highlight the skills you
have that are relevant to the job you are applying for, and also
provide the chronological work history that employers prefer.
A Resume Must Be Visually Enticing.The resume is a work of
art.Simple clean structure. Very easy to read. Symmetrical/
Balanced. Uncrowded - As much white space between sections of
writing as possible; sections of writing that are no longer than
six lines, and shorter if possible.
Uniformity And Consistency.There is uniformity and consistency
in the use of italics, capital letters, bullets, boldface, and
underlining.
There Are Absolutely No Errors.No typographical errors. No
spelling errors. No grammar, syntax, or punctuation errors. No
errors of fact.
Suggested Headings In A Resume.Personal particularsCareer
objectiveEducation (in reverse chronological order)Experience (in
reverse chronological order)Co-curricular activities
CertificatesSpecial skills/ AchievementsReferees ( provide two
academic & employment/character reference )
Personal particularsThe 'Personal Particulars' section of your
resume is your first opportunity to introduce yourself to a
potential employer.
Include:Professional photo
plain solid colour background clear photo of head and the top of
your shoulders earrings and other jewellery should be kept to a
minimum professional appearance solid eye contact and look directly
into the camera
NameContact details address, tel. no., email address
(professional)
NOT [email protected], [email protected],
[email protected], [email protected]
YES [email protected], [email protected], [email protected]
Marital statusNationalityDate of birthLicense
One of the most important aspects of the resume is the career
objective.
The importance of writing a career objective for a resume
ExpectationsThe professional and the company will work with each
other based on mutual understandings therefore it is crucial that
the professional as well as the company are open about what they
expect from the working relationship from the beginning.Job Search
TargetThe reader may think that the professional does not know what
he or she wants and is undecided.
Important considerations when writing career objectives for a
resume.
Location Must be in a prominent place-usually at
thebeginning.
InformationGives the readera quick idea as to what the
professional is seeking.The reader can make a quick decision.
Give it the proper attentionShould be written in a style and
language that comply with the rest of the resume.Do not write in a
hurry hence losing the connection between the resume and the career
objectives paragraph.
Simple and to the point
Be truthful and honest
What is a career objective statement and why is it so
important?
If the Objective is a good one, it will greatly enhance the
document. If the Objective is too long and complicated - or
improperly focused - it can be detrimental.
Make the objective a short phrase. If you make it long and
complicated, the reader will be forced to workto read your
objective.Focus on how you cancontributeto the reader's needsMake
the objective real. Make it sincere.Highlight your strengths and
skills that will most appropriately fill and fit the job
application. * This is your chance to indicate to your reader how
you cancontributeto the reader's needs
The career objective statements are a short summary of your
profile and your career goals and it is what employers are looking
for.
The objectives are for the employers so they can evaluate your
competencies.
The resume objectives help them perceive whether you would suit
the position.
What to include in your career objectives?
Information in line with the job that you haveapplied for.
For example, if you have applied for a job in an IT company, you
should make sure that your career objectives reflect that you have
prepared yourself for the job and have always wanted to pursue a
career in the IT field.
The professional should make it clear that he orshe would be
more than interested in theamount of new skills that the job will
offer tohim or her.
CAREER OBJECTIVEImportant part of resume.
WHY IS IT IMPORTANT?It introduces YOU.It shows the employer that
you know what you are looking for.It can display your personality
and potential.
Is The Sentence Below A Good Career Objective?
I would like to work in this company in order togain more
experience in this field.
NO!!!
WHY NOT?
IT SHOWS YOU ARE ONLY CONCERNED ABOUT YOURSELF.
YOU HOPE TO BE TRAINED BY THE COMPANY.
CAREER OBJECTIVEA software sales position in an organization
seeking an extraordinary record of generating new accounts,
exceeding sales targets and enthusiastic customer relations.
Employers are immediately interested. This sentence conveys some
very important and powerful messages: "I want exactly the job you
are offering. I am a superior candidate because I recognize the
qualities that are most important to you, and I have them. I want
to make a contribution to your company."
The employer knows that someone who wants to do exactly what
they are offering will be much more likely to succeed and that
person will probably be a lot more pleasant to work with as
well.
You are not writing from a self-centered point of view. The
employer is interested in hiring you for what you can do for them,
not for fulfilling your private goals and agenda.
Sample Career Objectives
Seeking a position in an office environment, where there is a
need for a variety of office management tasks including computer
knowledge, organizational abilities, business intelligence and
database program use.
Obtain a position as a team-player in a people-oriented
organization where I can maximize my customer-service experience in
a challenging environment to achieve the corporate goals.
Customer care representative position where my customer
relations experience can be fully utilized to improve customer
satisfaction and enhance the company brand name.
Obtain a position as a team-player in a people-oriented
organization where I can maximize my customer-service experience in
a challenging environment to achieve the corporate goals.
EducationArranged in reverse chronological order.Include year,
qualification, institution, result.E.g.
YearInstitutionCGPA2013B.Ed. TESL (Hons.)Universiti Kebangsaan
Malaysia3.652011Foundation EnglishUiTM3.52010Sijil Pelajaran
MalaysiaSekolah Menengah Seri Puteri, Selangor.5As 4Bs
A Resume Is Targeted.
You should figure out what key skills, areas of expertise or
type of experience the employer will be looking for in the
candidate. Gear the resume structure and content around this
target, proving these key qualifications.
When You List Your Previous Employment/ Training, Include:
the position, the name of the firm, the address of the firm, the
number of months/years there.(you can also give job
description)
Position CompanyYearDescriptionCashierKFC Giant KinraraBandar
Kinrara 5, 47100 Puchong, Selangor.June August 2011 Compute and
record totals of transactions. Establish or identify prices of
goods and tabulate bills using optical price scanners. Process
merchandise returns and exchanges. Resolve customer complaints.
Sales ExecutiveDebenham,The Curve, 47800 Damansara,
Selangor.July- Sept. 2012 Sells products by establishing contact
and developing relationships with prospects. Maintains quality
service by establishing and enforcing organization standards.
Contributes to team effort by accomplishing related results as
needed.
Sample:
Every working experience provides you with skills. Map them out
as below and choose the ones relevant for the job you are applying
for.
INTERNSHIPWHICH COMPANY?
WHAT DID YOU LEARN?
WHAT WAS YOUR JOB SCOPE?
WHAT DID YOU OBSERVE?
Strengths Are Highlighted / Weaknesses De-emphasized.
Focus on whatever is strongest and most impressive.
Make careful and strategic choices as to how to organize, order,
and convey your skills and background.
Consider: whether to include the information at all, placement
in overall structure of the resume ordering of information, more
impressive ways of phrasing the information use of design elements
(such as boldface to highlight, italics to minimize, ample
surrounding space to draw the eye to certain things).
Sample on de-emphasizing
weaknessLanguageWrittenSpokenEnglish66Bahasa Melayu1010
LanguageWrittenSpokenEnglishGoodGoodBahasa
MelayuExcellentExcellent
NOT ADVISABLESUGGESTED
Negative statements
I feel I am a good communicator.I believe in diversity and equal
opportunities.During this experience I had to manage seven
people.Even though I failed to achieve my target, I learned a great
deal about managing projects.Some people have told me that I have
good communication skills.I have had a few relevant
experiences.
Expressing things more positively
I am a good communicator.I am committed to diversity and equal
opportunities.During this experience I successfully managed seven
people.Through this experience I learned a great deal about project
management.I have excellent communication skills.I have substantial
relevant experience.
Use Power Words.
For every skill, accomplishment, or job described, use the most
active impressive power word you can think of (which is also
accurate).In more technical terms, resume power words are usually
verbs - action words, or adjectives - noun modifiers. They are
powerful words that are used to describe the action you took, or to
help you to powerfully describe what you accomplished.
AccomplishedAchievedAcquiredAuthoredAwardedBuiltChangedConstructedConductedDevelopedDesignedExecutedFormulatedGuidedHeadedLaunchedLedMonitoredManagedNegotiatedPublishedPromotedRepresentedSolvedTrainedUpdatedWrote
Sample power words
You can use verbs to show particular qualities with words such
as:Initiative: called, created, devised, designed, developed,
formulated, founded, generated, initiated, set up,
startedLeadership: coached, coordinated, delegated, directed,
drove, enabled, enforced, encouraged, established, guided,
inspired, led, managed, mentored, motivated, nurtured,
orchestrated, organized, steered, supervisedOrganization: arranged,
collected, distributed, filed, inspected, maintained, monitored,
organized, planned, prepared, processed, recorded, reviewed,
scheduled, sorted, standardized, systematized, updated,
verifiedCommunication: addressed, broadcasted, called,
collaborated, contacted, corresponded, elicited, heard, influenced,
listened, negotiated, presented, settled, spoke, toldHelping:
aided, assisted, cared, counselled, diagnosed, educated,
encouraged, facilitated, influenced, referred, rehabilitated,
supported, taught, volunteeredProblem-solving: analyzed, assessed,
classified, created, critiqued, designed, developed, evaluated,
invented, isolated, mapped, optimized, prioritized, revised,
solved, testedCreativity: built, composed, conceptualized, created,
designed, directed, drew, entertained, fashioned, illustrated,
invented, innovated, modeled, originated, painted,
performedImprovement: decreased, eliminated, enhanced, increased,
maximized, minimized, removed, sharpened, shortened, speeded,
terminated
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Verbs as Power Word
Power words are usually action words or simply verbs. These
words are more powerful in expressing what was accomplished. For
example, take a look at the following statement pairings:Example 1-
I know how to handle ..- I acquired knowledge in
Example 2- I was a member of many societies - I participated in
many activities and managed
I can achieve results. For example, I started a new tracking
method that reduced the errors by 14 percent.
I make good decisions. For example, I applied changes that
resulted in better work relations.
I am creative. For example, I designed an attractive leaflet
that increased demand by 40%.
Adjectives as Power WordsPersonal attributes describe you, your
values, your attitude andapproach to life. These often appear as
adjectives. Here are some ofthe best to use:active, adaptable,
ambitious, assured, calm, caring, cheerful, considerate,
conscientious, consistent, creative, credible, dependable,
determined, diligent, diplomatic, discreet, dynamic, eager,
efficient, energetic, enterprising, enthusiastic, excellent,
flexible, focused, generous, happy, honest, independent,
industrious, knowledgeable, level, loyal, mature, methodical,
motivated, open, passionate, persistent, practical, productive,
professional, punctual, quiet, realistic, receptive, respected,
resolute, responsible, self-starter, sincere, steadfast, studious,
tactful, team-player, thoughtful. tough, trustworthy, unbiased,
vigorous, warm, willing
Nouns as Power WordsNouns are often more important than verbs
forscannable resumes. The best way to find themost important nouns
for you is to get anumber job descriptions for the job type you
areseeking and look for common nouns used.
Nouns to use can be very varied depending on the job, buthere
are a few for example:acquisition, advice, assistant, book-keeping,
campaign, communication, computer, conference, consumer, contract,
cost, course, credit, customer, cycle, data, document, education,
employee, engineering, entrance, environment, excellence,
experience, facility, finance, goods, hardware, invention, loss,
knowledge, labor, leader, management, meeting, operation, partner,
people, plan, price, production, profit, program, project, quality,
record, return, safety, satisfaction, schedule, stock, supplier,
system, team, technology, time, transaction, user, work, workflow,
visit, yield
REMINDERDo not over-use power words - particularly not to
over-use the same words. If everything you did is 'successful', the
employer is likely to get tired of the word and either ignore it or
reject your entire resume.
Howshould you write your resume to get it found in a crowded
resumes database?
Keywords inResumes
Nowadays resumes are often emailed to the employers and these
emails are kept in their database.HR now work with an electronic
tool to scan and screen these resume when they look for potential
applicants.This tool is calledResume Scanner Softwareor Recruiting
Management Software.This scanner will pick your resume up based on
the keywords used in it.
How to find keywords for a resume?
The keywords could be found in:
The general job description (i.e. job requirement):such
asprofessional expertisetechnology skills, education, years of
experience/education, some action words relevant competencies
OR they could be
University Certificationsname of the educational institutionJob
Titles Product Names, Service type, Technical/Industry
terms,Software or Hardware areas
Accuracy/ Honesty/Stretching The Truth
Make sure that you can back up what you say.Keep the claims you
make within the range of your own integrity/ truth. There is
nothing wrong with pumping things up in your resume so you
communicate who you are and what you can do at your very best.
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What Is The Best Length For Your Resume?Employers will
appreciate a BEAUTIFUL and scannable resume.A one pager is
acceptable if information is compact.A two-pager is perfect.A three
or four pager if you are highly active participating in
competitions, winning competitions, held important positions,
played important roles etc.
Employers approach to a resumeFirst reactionWill depend on your
first10-15lines. This is where you address the employer's needs in
a focused CAREER OBJECTIVE that states what you are seeking and
also offers your best "selling points". In Round 1, thetop
portionof any resume may be the only section that gets read.
Second reaction (if interested in 1st part)Employers will merely
SCAN your job titles to see how closely these support your
Objective Look for evidence of how well you have performed or where
you made a difference. This is why your ACCOMPLISHMENTS need to
stand out.In particular,keywordsneed to be highlighted. Above all,
your resume needs to be easily scannable in seconds.
Resume Layout and AppearanceWhite or off-white paper.Usually 2
page (1-3).Font at 12 pt. (no smaller than 11).Be consistent with
the layout, underlining, capitalizing, bold, etc.Use white space,
good margins, and tabs.Use bullets.Spell and grammar check!
Where to end?Write and re-write/edit.Ask at least 2 other people
to give you feedback.Be open to feedback.Rewrite based on each job
youre applying for.Remember that it is NEVER finished!
Sample Resumes
MEGAT SYAMIL BIN MEGAT RASIFNo.61, Jalan Tiong Dua,Bandar
Puchong Jaya,47500, Puchong, SelangorContact Number: 017-3090265
(HP), 03-80755700 (H)E-mail: [email protected]
CAREER OBJECTIVE
Interest in position that will utilize communication and
organization skills in a competitive and persuasive environment,
with particular interest in sales and marketing.
PERSONAL PARTICULARS
Date of Birth: Jan. 29, 1991IC Number: 910129-12-5481Gender:
MaleMarital Status: SingleRace: MalayReligion: IslamNationality:
Malaysian
EDUCATIONAL BACKGROUND
2010 - 2013 Field of Study: Bachelor of Arts (Hons), English
Language Studies. Name of Institution: Universiti Kebangsaan
Malaysia (UKM), Bangi, SelangorCGPA: 3.43
2009 - 2010Field of Study: Foundation in TESLName of
Institution: Universiti Teknologi Mara (UiTM), Shah Alam,
SelangorCGPA: 2.84MUET : Band 4
2008 Level: Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM)Name of Institution:
Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan Bandar Puchong Jaya (B),
SelangorResult: 5As, 3Bs
EXTRA-CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES
2011 - 2012Treasurer of School of Linguistic and Language
Studies, UKM.IZISH Student Executive Council (Head of Welfare
Bureau) , UKM.Marketing EXCO of UKMs Global Knowledge Collaboration
to Melbourne, Australia.Co-Director of Annual Dinner of the School
of Linguistic and Language Studies, 2011/2012.Received Hopeful
Musician Award, Intercultural Arts Festival, UKM.
2010 - 2011Director of Pertandingan Teater, Festival Kesenian
dan Integrasi Budaya, IZISH, UKMCommittee member of English
Speaking Zone, IZISH, UKMHead of Publicity for Karnival Silang
Budaya, IZISH, UKMParticipant of Intercultural Arts Festival
(Theater Category), UKM.
WORKING EXPERIENCE
Administrative Assistant under the Scholarship Division,
Ministry of EducationAttend to international students inquiries
regarding international scholarships programmes offered by the
Ministry.Insert and manage data using Microsoft Excel and Microsoft
Word. CURRENT EMPLOYMENT
Customer Service Executive at E2 Power Sdn. Bhd. (Subsidiary of
OCBC Bank).Attend to Singaporean customers credit card
enquiries.Provide assistance in banking enquiries.
LANGUAGE PROFICIENCY
Malay Language: Written (Excellent) Spoken (Excellent)English
Language: Written (Good) Spoken (Good)
SKILLS
Computer literate in Microsoft Office: Microsoft Word, Microsoft
PowerPoint and Microsoft Excel.
EXPECTED SALARY
RM2900-3200
REFERENCES
Dr. Khatijah RasoolSchool of Langauge and Linguistic
StudiesFaculty of Social Sciences and HumanitiesUniversiti
Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM)43600, Bangi, Selangor Darul Ehsan.Hp:
019-2642774E-mail : [email protected]
Miss Wong Fook FeiSchool of Langauge and Linguistic
StudiesFaculty of Social Sciences and HumanitiesUniversiti
Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM)43600, Bangi, Selangor Darul Ehsan.Hp:
012-6626739E-mail: [email protected]
Creative ResumeDo not attempt this unless you are in the
creative field.Malaysian employers are still very conservative.
Good Luck In Writing An Amazing Resume!
