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RESUME WRITING

The Key to a Successful Future!

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By the end of this lesson, you will be able to do the following:

• Identify your skills, experience, and accomplishments.

• Write a professional resume.

• List three valid references.

• Write a convincing cover letter.

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What is a Resume?

• It is a summary of your skills, education, and experience.

• It is a personal marketing tool for you. Consider it your personal advertisement.

• Use it with one goal in mind – to get you a job interview.

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Why do I need a Resume?

• It gives the employer more information about you – more than will fit on the application.

• Your competition will have one - and you want to be part of the competition.

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A Resume has 7 essential parts.

1. Name, Address, Telephone #, and Email.

2. Job Objective or Employment Goal

3. Summary of Qualifications

4. Work Experience

5. Education

6. Accomplishments / Interests

7. References

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Part #1 Name, Address, Phone # and Email.

• Use your full name.• Give the address where you receive US mail.• Give the phone # where a message can be left

for you.• Give an appropriate email address.

Example: Samantha Martin4280 W. Sixth StreetSunnyvale, CA 94087

(408) 555-1234samantham@gmail.com

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Part #2 Job Objective or Employment Goal

• Write about the position that you are seeking in a clear sentence.

Example:Seeking a part time position in the computer industry while completing high school.

OrTo obtain a part time Receptionist position whileattending college.

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Part #3 Summary of Qualifications

• Qualifications are also known as skills.• List the qualifications that you have that will

fulfill the job requirements/responsibilities.• You can also use characteristic traits.Example:

- Bi-lingual (French) - Organized

- Customer Service - Self Motivated

- Office 2003 Suite - Goal Oriented

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Part #4 Work Experience

• List all paid and unpaid experience.

• Give the company name and location, your title, dates of work, and describe your responsibilities, achievements, and results.

• Use action words ending in the letters (ed) to describe what you have done.

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Part #4 Work Experience Continued

Paid Example:

Gap Inc., Sales Associate 5/2004 -Current

Santa Clara, California• Provided customer service• Operated cash register• Stocked merchandise• Merchandised sales floor

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Part #4 Work Experience Continued

Unpaid Example:

Santa Clara County Animal Shelter, Volunteer 6/2005 – 8/2005

Santa Clara, California• Monitored front desk operations• Cleaned and maintained animal cages• Prepared food and water for animals• Demonstrated proper care of animals

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Part #4 Work Experience Continued

What if I do not have any experience?

• Utilize class projects, clubs, sports, or volunteer work, and list as you would for paid and unpaid experience.

• You can also use community service and service learning experience.

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Part #5 Education

• List the name and location of your high school.• Include dates that you have attended, expected

diploma date and special courses taken.

Example:

Monta Vista High School 8/2006 – Current

Cupertino, CA• General Education and College Preparatory Courses• Diploma expected June 2010

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Part #5 Education Continued

• List the name and location of your ROP course including dates that you have attended, expected diploma date and special courses taken.

Example:

North County Regional Occupational Program 8/2009 – Current

Cupertino, CA• Engineering Technology Course• Certificate expected June 2010

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Part #6 Accomplishments / Interests

• List all accomplishments including awards, recognitions, competitions.

• List your interests including hobbies, sports, extracurricular activities.

Example:

Member of Key ClubMember of Robotics Club

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Part # 7 References

• List the following as your last line on your resume:

References: Available Upon Request.

Or

References: Included in Application PacketOr

References: Attached to Resume

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Resume Do’s

• Keep your Resume to one page in length.

• Use 12pt Helvetica or Times New Roman font (10pt smallest) with appropriate spacing.

• Use spell check.

• Use white paper.

• Keep it neat and easy to read.

• Keep it professional, accurate, and honest.

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Resume Don’ts

• Don’t make it too long – one page only.• Don’t use fancy fonts – stick to suggested fonts.• Don’t use colored paper – white or off white is

best.• Don’t do a sloppy job –remember that this will

most likely be your employer’s 1st impression.• Don’t use slang, inappropriate language, or lie.

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References – What are they?

• They are people who can speak highly about you and your skills, and have known you for one year or longer.

• They could be your teacher, coach, manager, neighbor, counselor, etc.

• They should not be under age 18, a family member, or a friend.

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Tips when using References

• Always ask the person before your use them as a reference.

• You should always list at least three.• References should be listed on a separate

sheet of resume paper.• References should be from different

backgrounds – coach, music teacher, high school teacher, neighbor, mentor, etc.

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Formatting your Reference Page

• Type References for Your Name at the top of the page, underline, and centered.

References

for

Samantha Martin

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Formatting your Reference Page Continued

• Center and list each reference as follows:

NameTitle

CompanyStreet Address

City, State Zip CodeEmail Address

Telephone numberYears Known

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What is a Cover Letter

• It is a letter that accompanies your resume and introduces you and your skills to the employer.

• It shows what you know about the job and tells the employer why they should be interested in you.

• It’s written on resume paper using 12pt (10pt smallest) Helvetica or Times New Roman font

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A Cover Letter has 8 essential parts

• Date• Employers name and address• Greeting• 3 Main Paragraphs• Closing• Your Signature• Your name typed• Enclosure

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The 3 Main Paragraphs

• Paragraph 1 – State your purpose, tell the employer what job you are applying for, how you learned of the opening, and that you are including a resume

• Paragraph 2 – State your qualifications, indicate what skills, education, and experience make you the ideal person for the job.

• Paragraph 3 – Get action, ask for an interview, state how and when you can be contacted.

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Review

• What is a resume?

• Name the 7 parts of a resume.

• What is a reference?

• Before using someone as a reference, what should you do?

• What is a cover letter?

• Name the 8 parts of a cover letter.