resume tips
Post on 22-Feb-2016
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Resume TipsDo’s and Don’ts of resume buildingJim FentonBluegrass Community & Technical College
Overview
We’ll talk about:
0Why a resume?0What problem does a resume address?0Some Don’ts 0Some Do’s0Questions/Discussion/Comments
Why a resume?
Why a resume?
A resume: is a ticket to a job interview
is a summary of your skills/experience/education
is an opportunity for an employer to find a match
represents you and your abilities: you are skilled, experienced and qualified for the job!
Making spacecount: resumes
are short
The problem: space is valuable and you
don’t have enough! Resume = 1 or 2 pages maximum
Keep it short: Employers don’t want to read a biography
Employers do want to identify skills, experience and qualifications; nothing else!
What problem does a resume address?
What problem does a resume address?
A resume allows an employer: to quickly identify a pool of qualified applicants for a
position to meet this goal in the most efficient way to select a few candidates for an interview to add new skills and diverse experience to an
existing workforce to meet a new need in the market place/business
world
Some example resumes issues
Some examples
• Crowded, confused & weak organization:
• Mixes experience with education.
• Why summarize qualifications in a resume?
• Education in two places
• What skills does she possess that an employer can use?
Missed opportunities:Skills not presented well
Work experience in LA and US with Spanish speaking clientele?
Bilingual/Bicultural skills?
Lesson planning?
Student success?
Foreign language technology course work?
A Better Resume/use of space
A better resume:Skills presented well
Skills, education and experience are the three categories used
Clearly identified skill set that uses appropriate vocabulary
No confusion as to education/experience/skills
Obvious dates allow reviewer to see work history
Employment history includes description of activities, successes and milestones:
‘One of the region’s fastest growing telecommunications companies; one of the first three employees hired into the Department that currently employs more than 25; earned 4 promotions in 3 years’
Strategies:some don’ts and
do’s
Combined Strategies
Resume
Cover Letter
Letters of Recommendation
Combined Strategies Resume Cover letter Letters of Recommendation
These are: 3 opportunities to say the same thing? NO! 3 opportunities to provide complementary info? YES 3 opportunities to describe all your skills and
experience? YES
Cover letters
0More detail is OK.0Explains why you are seeking a position.0Explains why you are the best person for the job.0Shows you know the company’s needs and
background.0Shows you have good communication skills.0Shows you can represent the company brand in
writing.0Expresses your professional approach to a career.
Letters of Recommendation
0Ask before you send!!0 Inform your referees of your job application
0 Explain your interest to them and ask for a letter of recommendation.
0 Provide key talking points – help your referees write the best letter they can.0Send a copy of the job description, your cover letter and
your resume to help them out.
Resumes:some don’ts
Basic Format Don’ts
No photos, borders, ornaments or fancy paper Because your resume will be read by computer and
these elements get in the way
Because you’re not applying for a job designing resumes
Because you need the room to describe more important elements of your skills, experience, education
Content Don’ts Don’t exaggerate and don’t misinform Don’t list your daily tasks as ‘experience’ Don’t include an ‘Objective’ statement
Obviously, your objective is the job you are applying for!
Don’t write “References available on request"Obviously, references will be available when
requested!
Don’t be vagueVague job at XYZ Kept on task = is this necessary? Cleaned = what/who/where/why? Helped customers = how? Rang up change = how?
Good job at XYZ Managed daily work schedule Maintained a clean and safe environment for residents and
guests Assisted customers with requests for service and complaint
resolution Operated an NEC 78-2 automatic till/computer terminal
Clean up your online profile
Don’t have a stupid email name/address – use professional language/tone/vocabulary
Don’t leave your personal Facebook info for all to see. Edit/shut down. Employers will check – are you a risk to their brand or company?
Resumes:
some do’s
Establish a Professional online profile
Create an email name/address – that uses your name if possible. If you have an institutional affiliation, use this one.
Create an online brand/career presence. (Google yourself – what would an employer find?
Content Do’s Divide your resume into three basic components:
Skills Qualifications/Education Experience
Do tell employers about impressive feats and stand-out accomplishments. Do include your skills at the top of your resume. Write 3 to 5 sentences
tailored for the job you are applying for.
Example:SKILLS PROFILE
Excellent people skills and problem solving Superb communication skills, verbal and written Strong attention to detail and proficient at running and handling office
equipment Efficient in billing and coding, and excellent computer skills
Soft Skills Personal qualities, habits, attitudes and social graces that
make someone a good employee Just as important an indicator of performance as hard skills
Strong Work Ethic Positive Attitude Good Communication Skills Time Management Abilities Problem-Solving Skills Confidence Ability to Accept and Learn From Criticism Flexibility/Adaptability Work Well Under Pressure
Don't get lost in translationBig companies use
applicant tracking software (ATS), which scans resumes for keywords
Present your qualifications as if the reader is comparing the words on the resume to a list of desired qualifications:
Strategic planning Performance and
productivity improvement
Organizational design Infrastructure
development New media Internet E-commerce Change management Team-building Leadership Competitive market Product positioning
Investor and board relations
Oral and written communications
Problem-solving and decision-making
MBA Project management Customer retention Business development Corporate vision Long-range planning Cost reduction
One resume: many variations
0 each position at a company requires its own resume0 Tailor the resume to the job0 Use appropriate vocabulary and terminology0 Talk to your referees about multiple job applications0 Keep a record of where you applied0 Apply for jobs you’re qualified for0 Apply to the right person/office
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