Dust Off That Dust Off That Resume!Resume!

Resume WritingResume Writing

Why Write a Resume?Why Write a Resume?

Writing a Solid ResumeWriting a Solid Resume

Choosing a Resume Choosing a Resume FormatFormat

Common QuestionsCommon Questions

Last Minute TipsLast Minute Tips

“Before everything else, getting ready is the secret to success.” -Henry Ford

Main Function of a Main Function of a ResumeResume

A written summary A written summary of your self-analysisof your self-analysis

Assumption: You Assumption: You have done some have done some self-analysis! self-analysis!

“Before everything else, getting ready is the secret to success.” -Henry Ford

Why Write a Resume?Why Write a Resume?Resumes are a vital Resumes are a vital part of corporate part of corporate AmericaAmerica– Like it or not, they Like it or not, they

are neededare needed– They present your They present your

experience and experience and background to future background to future employersemployers

“Before everything else, getting ready is the secret to success.” -Henry Ford

Why Write a Resume?Why Write a Resume?A well prepared and A well prepared and presented resume will:presented resume will:– Present a positive imagePresent a positive image– Capture the interest of Capture the interest of

the recipientthe recipient– Tell what you have doneTell what you have done– Share your Share your

accomplishmentsaccomplishments– Result in interviewsResult in interviews– Trigger a positive actionTrigger a positive action

“Before everything else, getting ready is the secret to success.” -Henry Ford

Why Write a Resume?Why Write a Resume?

The resume is intended to “Open The resume is intended to “Open the Door” to new opportunities. the Door” to new opportunities.

“Before everything else, getting ready is the secret to success.” -Henry Ford

It is often the first impression It is often the first impression that you will make on the that you will make on the prospective employer.prospective employer.

Writing a Solid Writing a Solid ResumeResume

Evaluate the needs of the employerEvaluate the needs of the employer– Determine how you can fill those needsDetermine how you can fill those needs

Use action verbs:Use action verbs:– WroteWrote management reports management reports– DesignedDesigned new protocol new protocol– Managed Managed Accounting DivisionAccounting Division– Cut Cut costs by over 20%costs by over 20%– Planned Planned meetings and eventsmeetings and events

How Resumes are How Resumes are ReadRead

Two ways resumes are read:Two ways resumes are read:– The Quick Scan The Quick Scan

(average time spent reviewing resumes: 20 (average time spent reviewing resumes: 20 seconds)seconds)

– The Long ReadThe Long Read

Your initial objective is to have your Your initial objective is to have your resume pass the “Quick Scan” and resume pass the “Quick Scan” and get to the “Long Read.”get to the “Long Read.”

Choosing a Resume Choosing a Resume FormatFormat

There are three basic types:There are three basic types:– ChronologicalChronological– FunctionalFunctional– CombinationCombination

It may be helpful to write one of It may be helpful to write one of eacheach

Note: Regardless of the format, your Note: Regardless of the format, your resume should be “Web-Ready”resume should be “Web-Ready”

Chronological Chronological ResumeResume

Organized by job title with the Organized by job title with the most recent position listed firstmost recent position listed first

Chronological Chronological ResumeResume

Pros:Pros:– Accentuates most recent experienceAccentuates most recent experience– Shows pattern of progression and Shows pattern of progression and

associated skillsassociated skills– Gives recruiters and managers an Gives recruiters and managers an

instant look at your credentialsinstant look at your credentials– Widely accepted / preferred formatWidely accepted / preferred format

Chronological Chronological ResumeResume

Cons:Cons:– May reveal visible “Gaps” in May reveal visible “Gaps” in

employment historyemployment history– Doesn’t work well if your work history Doesn’t work well if your work history

has been spotty or stagnanthas been spotty or stagnant– Doesn’t work well if you are changing Doesn’t work well if you are changing

careerscareers

Chronological Chronological ResumeResume

Works Best For:Works Best For:– Job seekers with solid experience and a Job seekers with solid experience and a

logical job history, the chronological logical job history, the chronological resume is the most effective. Career resume is the most effective. Career changers and those who lack formal on-changers and those who lack formal on-the-job experience (like new graduates) the-job experience (like new graduates) find this resume the most difficult to find this resume the most difficult to write. write.

Functional ResumeFunctional ResumeRearranges employment history into Rearranges employment history into sections that highlight areas of skill sections that highlight areas of skill and accomplishmentand accomplishment

Example:Example:– ManagementManagement– LogisticsLogistics– Human ResourcesHuman Resources

Functional ResumeFunctional ResumeBegin with the skill you want emphasized Begin with the skill you want emphasized the mostthe mostYou may customize for different You may customize for different employers by:employers by:– Changing your job objectiveChanging your job objective– Changing the order in which you list the Changing the order in which you list the

functionsfunctions

Functional ResumeFunctional ResumePros:Pros:– Emphasizes your abilitiesEmphasizes your abilities– Useful if you are changing careersUseful if you are changing careers

Shows how you can transfer your skillsShows how you can transfer your skills

Cons:Cons:– May hide actual experiences, employers, May hide actual experiences, employers,

projects, etc.projects, etc.– If you don’t list your previous jobs, the If you don’t list your previous jobs, the

person reviewing your resume may be person reviewing your resume may be suspicioussuspicious

Functional ResumeFunctional ResumeWorks best if:Works best if:– You have a You have a "mixed bag""mixed bag" work history: no clear work history: no clear

thread uniting positions held. thread uniting positions held. – You are a You are a new graduatenew graduate or entering the or entering the

workforce. You must show how the skills you workforce. You must show how the skills you have used in the past (in volunteer or have used in the past (in volunteer or coursework) apply to the job you are seeking. coursework) apply to the job you are seeking.

– Your job titles, such as such as "Administrative Your job titles, such as such as "Administrative Assistant" or "Marketing Coordinator," do not Assistant" or "Marketing Coordinator," do not clearly reflect the level of skills you used. clearly reflect the level of skills you used.

– You are making a You are making a career changecareer change--either --either changing industry or changing occupationchanging industry or changing occupation

Combination Combination ResumeResume

Combines a functional resume with a Combines a functional resume with a chronological resumechronological resume

Useful if you spent a long time at Useful if you spent a long time at one job but moved up through the one job but moved up through the ranksranks

Common QuestionsCommon QuestionsWhere should my Educational background Where should my Educational background go?go?– If you have a college degree not necessary to If you have a college degree not necessary to

include HS informationinclude HS information– Place at top of resume if:Place at top of resume if:

Education completed less than 5 years agoEducation completed less than 5 years ago

Your degree is relevant to positionYour degree is relevant to position

You completed your education more than 5 years You completed your education more than 5 years ago and you worked outside your field of study but ago and you worked outside your field of study but you would like to re-enter the field.you would like to re-enter the field.

– Otherwise, place at bottom of resumeOtherwise, place at bottom of resume

Common QuestionsCommon QuestionsHow long is too long?How long is too long?– General rule of thumb: 1 pageGeneral rule of thumb: 1 page

Employers only need to see a snapshotEmployers only need to see a snapshot

– May extend to 2 pages if you have extra May extend to 2 pages if you have extra “stuff” that you must include“stuff” that you must include

Additional relevant work experience Additional relevant work experience

Special awards, AchievementsSpecial awards, Achievements

Additional relevant community service Additional relevant community service experienceexperience

Other pertinent informationOther pertinent information

Common QuestionsCommon QuestionsWhat about personal information?What about personal information?– Do notDo not include any personal information include any personal information

such as:such as:HeightHeightWeightWeightAgeAgeMarital statusMarital statusReligious backgroundReligious background

– In the U.S. it is In the U.S. it is IllegalIllegal for employers to for employers to request this type of informationrequest this type of information

Common QuestionsCommon QuestionsWhere do I put salary history?Where do I put salary history?– If requested by an employer, include it If requested by an employer, include it

as an addendum to resumeas an addendum to resume

Common QuestionsCommon QuestionsHow do I handle gaps in employment?How do I handle gaps in employment?– Consider using a functional resume instead of a Consider using a functional resume instead of a

chronological resumechronological resume– Put emphasis on your strengthsPut emphasis on your strengths– Consider including volunteer activities if it is Consider including volunteer activities if it is

relevant to the job you’re applying forrelevant to the job you’re applying for– Never lie on your resumeNever lie on your resume– Instead of writing specific dates, use years of Instead of writing specific dates, use years of

employmentemployment– Be prepared to answer questions regarding Be prepared to answer questions regarding

your “gaps” – AND don’t apologize – be up frontyour “gaps” – AND don’t apologize – be up front

Last Minute TipsLast Minute TipsProof-read your resumeProof-read your resume– Have a friend proof-read itHave a friend proof-read it

Put it away for a day, then proof-Put it away for a day, then proof-read it againread it again

Keep it updatedKeep it updated– Add new skills/experience acquiredAdd new skills/experience acquired– Add details of special projectsAdd details of special projects