Resume Writing

Patty CounihanDirector, University of Maine Career Center

March 12, 2013

Third Floor Memorial Union207.581.1359

umaine.edu/career

Resume Writing Outline

• Resume Tips• Content/Categories of a Resume• Improving the First Draft• Making Effective Use of Your Resume• Resume Formats• Questions and Discussion

What Resumes Do For You

• It is a self marketing tool.

• It is designed to get you a job interview.

• It selects and interprets past experiences

as they relate to your career objective.

Quick Tips

• Sell yourself• Use active language• Be consistent• Present information in reverse chronological order• Check for grammar• Make sure it is neat and visually appealing• Present information to the employer from most

important to least important

What Employers Are Looking For

• Communication Skills• Work Experience• Motivation/Initiative• Teamwork Skills• Leadership Abilities

• GPA/Academic Credentials• Technical Skills• Interpersonal Skills• Analytical Skills• Ethics

Contents of a Resume

• Basic Information• Name, current address and phone number• Permanent address (if you plan on moving)• E-mail address

• Objective /Summary of Qualifications• Career Goal• List of Qualifications

Contents of a Resume

• Educational Background• Degree, major, and date of (expected) graduation• Institution’s name, city and state

• Work Experience• Title, employer, address• Time period• Skills utilized• Accomplishments

• Honors• Honors, recognition, awards• Scholarships, Dean’s List

Contents of a Resume

• Activities• Clubs, organizations, teams• Community involvement

• Special Skills• Research and writing• Computer skills• Languages

Optional Categories

• Community Activities• Accomplishments• Professional Memberships• Seminars/Conferences• Languages• Presentations• Publications• Technical Skills• Related Courses

• Travel• Military• Interests/Hobbies• Certificates• References• Summary of Qualifications• Volunteer Activities• Internship Experience• Related Projects

Action Verbs

• Collected• Critiqued• Diagnosed• Evaluated• Examined• Extracted• Identified• Interviewed

• Interviewed• Investigated• Organized• Reviewed• Summarized• Surveyed• Systematized

Research Skills

• Assembled• Built• Calculated• Computed• Designed• Devised• Engineered• Fabricated

• Maintained• Operated• Overhauled• Programmed• Remodeled• Repaired• Upgraded

Technical Skills

Action Verbs

• Administered• Analyzed• Attained• Chaired• Contracted• Coordinated• Delegated• Evaluated

• Improved• Increased• Organized• Oversaw• Prioritized• Recommended• Supervised

Management Skills

• Addressed• Arbitrated• Authored• Convinced• Developed• Directed• Enlisted• Formulated

• Mediated• Moderated• Negotiated• Promoted• Publicized• Recruited• Translated

Communication Skills

Action Verbs

• Approved• Arranged• Catalogued• Compiled• Executed• Generated• Monitored• Organized

• Prepared• Processed• Recorded• Retrieved• Specified• Systematized• Tabulated

Administrative Skills

• Assessed• Assisted• Clarified• Coached• Counseled• Demonstrated• Diagnosed• Educated

• Expedited• Facilitated• Familiarized• Guided• Motivated• Referred• Rehabilitated

Helping Skills

Action Verbs

• Adapted• Advised• Clarified• Communicated• Demystified• Developed• Encouraged• Evaluated

• Explained• Facilitated• Guided• Instructed• Simulated• Trained

Teaching Skills

• Acted• Conceptualized• Customized• Designed• Developed• Directed• Established• Fashioned

• Initiated• Instituted• Integrated• Invented• Originated• Performed• Revitalized

Creative Skills

Paper and Layout

• Paper weight:• Use matching paper for resumes and cover letters (rag

bond, textured, etc.)• Color:

• Use white, off-white, tan, beige, or light gray to achieve a professional, businesslike appearance

• Spacing: • Center your resume on the page leaving adequate

“white space.” Make sure top and bottom margins are equal.

A Convincing Resume

• The four “ C’s ”:• Complete• Concise• Consistent• Correct

• Proofread carefully and proofread again!• A simple error can cause your resume to be recycled!