resume writing

© 2009 LaunchPad Careers, Inc.

Resume WritingPresented by LaunchPad

Careers

Overview

• Understand the purpose of the resume.

• Learn the different parts of a resume and how to build an effective resume.

• Recognize your transferable skills and how use to them to overcome common obstacles.

• Use Web 2.0 to enhance your resume.

• Learn how resumes are viewed by employers, and how you can get yours in front of the right people.

• Avoid costly mistakes and red flags.



Past, Present, and Futureof the Resume

• Standard resume is 1-2 page document showcasing professional, employment, and academic history.

• Past: 1-2 page word processor document mailed or faxed to prospective employers.

• Present: Pervasiveness of Internet brought online job boards and other Web 2.0 tools.

• Future: Capabilities of the Internet will continue to change the way resumes are created, displayed, and transmitted.

The Resume of the Past

• 1-2 page black and white document

• Emailed, mailed or faxed to employers

• Emphasized job duties

• Written from perspective of what benefits the employee


The Resume of the Future


• Web 2.0 document Features: presentations,

videos, photos, and audio

• Created, updated, and distributed online

• URL distribution: visualcv.com/ajankans

• Links to blog, social networks, and company sites

http://www.visualcv.com/ajankans


Create a Successful Resume

• Be targeted. Create separate resumes for different positions.

• Be specific and unique when describing your personal brand and experience.

• Double check for errors and omissions.• Always write from perspective of the employer:

What’s in it for them?• Cover letters aren’t always necessary, but are good

for interviews and hiring managers. If you include one, be specific about how your qualifications are

good match for that position.

Anatomy of a Resume



Anatomy of a Resume

• Contact Information

• Title

• Objective Statement or Summary

• Professional Experience

• Education

• Additional Optional Categories

Keywords Accomplishments


Contact Information

• Name should stand out. Ideal: In capital letters and larger font than rest of document.

• Address Format: Street address, city, state, zip code.

• Home or Mobile Phone 10 digits with area code: 800.363.0307

• Email Address must be professional.


Title

• Targeted title goes below contact information. Example: If you’re applying for a position as a forklift operator, your

title should say Forklift Operator.

• Add an industry-related keyword to your title. Example: If applying for engineering position at solar panel

manufacturing company, “Design Engineer, Solar Technology.”


Objective Statement

• Traditionally used to keep job seekers focused on their job search.

• Trend is moving away from objective statements towards title statements and summary paragraphs.

• If you include an objective statement, omit the title, and focus your objective on a specific position.


Summary

• Summary is a concise statement that summarizes your experience, areas of expertise, professional and technical skills, and special distinctions.

• Tips for writing winning summary statements: Emphasize personal brand by summarizing value added skills,

experience, and accomplishments. List 2-3 specific skills that relate to the position. Be specific about your strengths and accomplishments. Show how you saved money, reduced costs, or increased sales.


Professional Experience

• List employers, job titles, and dates of employment in reverse chronological order.

• Format: Company, Job Title, Responsibilities and Accomplishments, and Dates.

• Include brief description of responsibilities and scope of job. Keep it within 1-3 sentences.

• Use bulleted format to list job responsibilities.

• Begin each point with a strong action verb.


Education

• Education section covers academic credentials and any education that would apply to job you seek.

• Typically placed below relevant work experience.

• Format: Name of institution, city and state; degree awarded with major and minor; date degree was awarded.

• List degrees in reverse chronological order, with highest degree first.

• Do not include incomplete degree unless you include an expected graduation date.


Optional Categories

• List additional information at bottom of your resume. Only include items relevant to specific position.

• Awards and Honors Format: Award title, date, awarding organization.

• Professional Development Certifications, licenses, and memberships.

• Volunteer Experience Emphasizes key skills not shown in work experience.

• Work Samples and Publications Can help you build portfolio and enhance your personal brand.


Keywords and Tags

• Keywords are search terms recruiters and hiring managers use to filter resumes.

Using the right keywords increases the chances of your resume getting seen.

• Information employers look for in resume database search: keywords, titles, companies, education, location, compensation.

• Keywords often originate from job description.

• Identify critical keywords. Use them prominently and frequently.


Tag, You’re It!Solar Project Construction Manager

Solar Project Construction Manager responsible for management of multi-disciplined construction projects including Electrical, Roofing, Civil and Mechanical trades.

Responsibilities:• Solar construction projects from Pre-Construction Phase to Construction Phase to Project

Close-Out Phase. • Tasks include managing multiple contractors, time schedules, and budget. • Assists in the development of cost estimates. • Tasked with maintaining communications with customers and contractors. Requirements: • The right candidate will have at least 6+ yrs exp. as project manager working on solar energy

projects. • Bachelors in Construction Management or Engineering or 6 yrs. direct project management

experience required. • Experience managing new construction and major modifications on commercial/ industrial facilities. • Work on commercial solar panel installations is a plus.• Must be knowledgeable in state and city codes and regulations required by local building

departments and safety OSHA requirements associated with construction. • Excellent written and verbal communication skills along with superb time management and project

scheduling skills using MS Project or other scheduling software.


Resume Formats

1) Chronological

2) Functional

3) Technical


Chronological Resume

Chronological resume format provides your work history dating back from the present.

•Briefly describes accomplishments and successes that support your summary statement.• Stresses responsibilities, skills, and accomplishments.• The format calls attention to your recent job history and

relevant experience.


Who Should Use Chronological?

• Most job seekers will be using the chronological format.• You are staying within specific occupation or industry.• You have steady work history with few gaps.• Your career shows steady growth and development.• You have relevant work experience to the position you

are applying for.• You are applying to a traditional field (accounting, law,

finance) or organization.


Functional Resume

Functional resume format stresses qualifications over specific employers and dates.

• Organizes information around specific skill sets and supports skills with accomplishments and experience.

• Directs attention to functional skills, strengths, and qualifications.

• Allows you to customize content to match job position. Not confined by chronological format.


Who Should Use Functional?

• Contract or 1099 workers.• You have a weak employment history.• You have unexplainable gaps in your employment

history.• You are making significant career or job change.• You want to emphasize skills and abilities not used in

recent experience.• You have held numerous positions in a short time frame.• You have been employed in highly technical positions.


Technical Resume

Technical resume format is designed to emphasize your technical skills and strengths.

• Lists computer, software, or specialized machinery knowledge early on.

• Emphasizes hard skills over soft skills.• Focuses on Skills and Professional Experience sections.• Technical/Chronological vs. Technical/Functional

Most technical resumes follow chronological format but include summary of skills at beginning of resume.

Use functional format if you’re a technical worker who’s mainly been hired for project-based or contract work.

Build a Better Resume



3 Steps to Building aBetter Resume

1) Start with resume hub: an all-inclusive resume.• List all experience. Never send out this resume.

2) Create spoke resumes: offshoots of your resume hub.• Target resume to match specific job categories.

3) Do your research.• Customize and tailor your spoke resumes to job

positions using keywords.


Hub and Spoke Resumes

SalesLoan

Modifications

Customer Service

Hub Resume

Example: Loan Officer


Targeting Your Resume

Black & Decker Staff AccountantJob Description

• Reconcile and analyze selected general ledger accounts and subsidiary ledgers.

• Inter-company account reconciliations with U.S. and International affiliates.

• Cross-train with other team members to understand key processes including: use of MFG/Pro, Hyperion, Corporate tax reporting, regulatory reporting and reconciliation with affiliates.

• Work with Black & Decker Corporate Finance to understand and record the following types of charges: insurance, taxes, and payroll and legal fees.

• Work with various functional teams to drive process improvements.

CustomerQualifications

• X amount of years experience as staff accountant reconciling and analyzing general and subsidiary ledger accounts (domestic & international) for manufacturing firm.

• Certified in corporate tax reporting and Hyperion.

• Selected numerous times by CFO to participate in corporate task force and project teams to drive process improvements.

• BA in Finance from Wharton School of Business.


Writing Your Resume

• Page length and design

• Final resume document formats: Word .doc or .pdf

• Free word processors Google Docs: docs.google.com Zoho.com OpenOffice.org

• Free resume templates

• Create online Web 2.0 resumes Recommended sites: VisualCV.com and Gigtide.com

Overcoming Obstacles and Objections


“Every battle is won before it is fought.” – Sun Tzu, The Art of War


Baby Boomers

Baby Boomers Applying for Jobs• Overcoming Objections

“Older workers are more costly.” “Older workers need re-training and can’t learn new skills.” “Older workers are over-qualified and will get bored.”

• Advantages When writing your resume, emphasize your knowledge and

experience.


Military Transitioning to Civilian Workforce• Overcoming Objections “Speak civilian, not military.” Translate military experience to

understandable civilian qualifications.

• Advantages Modern and current skills and training. Ability to work in a team. Ability to adapt to change and handle pressure.

Military

College or High School Grads without Work Experience

• Overcoming Objections “Recent graduates feel entitled in the work place.” “Recent graduates lack professionalism and strong work ethic.”

• Advantages Bring new ideas: Business thrives on innovation, so highlight your

ability to apply new information and ideas to your work. Hard working: Younger employees take spirited approach toward

work, staying up late or working on weekends to complete tasks. Affordable: Show value you offer the employer, and what they

stand to gain by hiring you over someone more established.


Recent Graduates


Career Changers

Job Seekers Who Are Changing Careers• Overcoming objections

“Has no experience.” Know and articulate transferable skills. “Why does this person want to leave their current field?”

• Advantages Bring new and fresh perspective to the position. Value added by bringing skills from other profession.

• Other helpful tips Do your research and change your resume accordingly. Emphasize accomplishments in your previous career and stress

your transferable skills.

View from the Inside



How Hiring Managers and Recruiters View Resumes

• Location: If address indicates you live too far away—SKIPPED.

• Stability: Depending on position, if you appear to be a job hopper—SKIPPED.

• Education: If the job requires a degree, and you don’t have one—SKIPPED.

• Companies: Previous employers with recognizable names or brands stand out. Make sure company names and subsidiaries are listed prominently.


Submitting a Resume

• Emailing your resume Most effective and common means of submitting resume to

employers and contacts. Use standard file formats: Word .doc and .pdf Be direct and clear in your subject line. Include title of position, word “resume,” and keywords in email.

• Electronic screeners Crack the code by using keywords highlighted in job description. Use keywords throughout your resume. Prioritize keywords so that those most relevant to position are at the

top.


Posting Your Resume Online

• Job boards Keep resume current and updated. Avoid posting confidential resume.

• Social networks Make sure information on resume and public profiles are consistent

and professional. Consider creating a Web 2.0 resume that can be linked to your

profile or sent out with a URL link.

• Blogs and Websites Control your professional presence online and be conscious of the

image you are presenting to potential employers.


Social Networks

• Great forums to promote your personal brand.

• Join LinkedIn, add, and update work experience.

• Keep profile information and resume consistent across multiple sites.

• Provide link to Web 2.0 resume.

Online Profile Development

• Apply same rules as posting resume online.

• Use targeted approach emphasizing your personal brand.

• List job titles.

• Use keywords frequently and prominently.


Blogs and Websites

• On your blog or website, have a section about your personal brand.

• Increase exposure by linking your Web 2.0 resume.

• Use Search Engine Optimization (SEO) to drive traffic to your profile and resume.



Guidelines for a Well-Written Resume

• Use strong and concise language to communicate your skills and accomplishments.

• Do not use personal pronouns: “I,” “me,” “my,” “our.”• Use professional language. Remove slang or

localized terminology.• Shorten long and complex sentences. Leave out

extraneous information.• Check grammar and spelling.• Beware of red flags.• Avoid other common mistakes.


Resume Checklist

Do you have a “hub” resume cataloging all of your marketable skills and experience?

Is your resume targeted to a specific job position? Do you address the needs of the employer over

your needs? Does your resume sell your personal brand? Do

you demonstrate where you can add value? Does your resume include sufficient contact

information including full name, address, phone number (cell phone number is ideal), and email?


Checklist Continued

Does the experience you listed support the claims you made in your summary and objective?

Does your resume include 10-20 keyword “tags” and strong action words?

Does your resume focus on results, tasks, and accomplishments?

Are your strengths highlighted early, prominently, and frequently?

Is the language professional, concise, and specific?


Beware of Red Flags

• Grammatical and spelling errors.• Too wordy or too much information.• Irrelevant experience.• False claims and over-embellishment.• Inconsistent work history or unexplained career

gaps.• Email address is too provocative.

Any Questions?
