Resumes that get Recognized

The Plan

• Reason for resumes• Things to keep in mind• Specific parts and pieces of the resumes• Refer to handout examples

Real Reasons for Resumes

• Focus employers on your skills & accomplishments

• Most important marketing tool• Forms first impression• Everyone has an opinion• Not a history piece

Start off Strong

• Most relevant information first• 10-30 second rule• Grab readers’ attention• Clear, strong verbs• Quantify information

Research Your Audience

• Research employer/job announcements– What is the mission, vision, and values of

organization?• Use Contacts• Culture of the organization

Utilize Job Announcement

• Job Announcement is your answer sheet• Read job descriptions & requirements

– Utilize language from job announcement– Provides information for you to emphasize– How do your qualifications/skills match the

needs of the employer?

Job Titles May Fool You

• Don’t rely on job titles alone to present your skills to the employer.– Why? Titles give very little information about

extent of work accomplished• Different meanings-depending on organization

Visual Format

• Use what format works for you• Written in 3rd person – No “I” statements• One to two pages

– Use name and page number for consecutive pages

• Adjust paper margins and font sizes accordingly

• Be consistent with the format• Examples

Contact Information

• Contact information– Name– Address– Telephone Number– E-mail– Virtual portfolio site: VisualCV

Objective

• Similar to your professional goal• Specific and concise• Focused and targeted to the employer/job,

not you– Position or type of work being sought– Field of work– Skills to be used on job

• Remainder of resume should support your objective

Objective Examples

• Speak directly to the needs of each recipient. Don’t try to be all things to all people.

• What not to do:– “Seeking a challenging position that offers

professional growth.”• Somewhat improved:

– “A challenging entry-level accounting position.”

• Best:– “A challenging entry-level accounting

position that requires proven skills in data analysis to increase revenue.”

More Objective Examples

• Position as a marketing assistant with xyz company.

• Agency position advising adolescents and their families.

• Internship which will allow utilization and expansion of accounting skills.

• Position as a school nurse• Management position incorporating skills in

customer relations.

Qualification Summary (Optional)

• Synopsis of experience, skills & education• 3–5 phrases• Synthesis of resume• Remainder of resume should support the

summary• 10–30 second• Can replace objective if focused on your

occupational interests

Qualification Summary Example

SUMMARY OF QUALIFICATIONS• Effective decision-maker with a focus on the

accounting aspects of business• Self motivated and resourceful,

demonstrating strong communication skills, sound judgment, and ability to complete tasks in a highly professional manner

• Multilingual skills include fluent Vietnamese• Experienced in auditing financial statements

and accounting information systems

Education

• Reverse chronological order• Degree, concentration, major, focus• City, state, graduation date or projected

graduation date• GPA (optional), academic awards, honors,

scholarships• Relevant coursework/classes/projects

(Keep all course syllabi)• If current college student, high school

information is not necessary to include

Education Example

EDUCATIONUniversity of Washington TacomaPursuing Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration - June 2011Concentration in Accounting GPA 3.7

CPA Candidate – Test scheduled May 2011

Green River Community CollegeAssociate in Business - June 2009

Relevant Coursework

• Formal titles of courses• Group/individual projects• Research projects• Example

Work & Experience

• Convey relevant accomplishments & resultsrather than responsibilities/duties

• Focus on those 3-5 skills most relevant to job seeking (objective) in order of importance

• Start with verbs• Make sure your skills are transferrable• Be brief and action oriented

Work & Experience Cont.

• Stress results- Quantify: Increase sales, reduce costs,

improve productivity, implement a new program/procedure, develop a new idea

• Elaborate contributions to past employers

• Verb + What you did or are doing + result/accomplishment = bullet point

• Example: “Assigned increasingly challenging projects based on performance, initiative, teamwork and professionalism.”

Talk about Your Experiences

• Use a coach• Talk about your experiences in

classes, work, volunteer, other relevant information through prompted questions

Questions to Get You StartedAsk the questions:• Were you selected for any significant projects?• Did you extend your knowledge beyond your normal

responsibilities?• Did you develop forms/processes that improved efficiency?• Do you have a strong record for on-time project

completions?• Did you improve customer relations?• How have you demonstrated your leadership skills?• Have you worked while completing your degree?• Have you held leadership responsibilities in activities or

student orgs?• Did you study abroad?• Were you recruited to resolve a major problem?• Did you bring new ideas or vision to the organization?• How would your colleagues/classmates describe you?

Convey Experiences in Writing

• Write/brainstorm• Spend time writing about past

experiences, skills, accomplishments & achievements for each job, internship & class.

• Support with examples• Highlight relevant experiences

Experience & Accomplishment Examples

• Organized filing system that resulted in 50% faster retrieval time

• Coordinated weekend retreat enhancing leadership & communication skills

• Conducted research of existing software program to help staff determine new applications

• Wrote and designed new company brochure

Experiences to Consider

• Internships• Summer jobs• Volunteer work• Class projects• Extracurricular activities• Leadership positions

Other Sections Worth Including

• Special Skills– Computer– Technical– Foreign Language

• Professional Memberships– Name of organization– Offices held– Dates

References

• Include on a separate document• Have ready for interview• ASK references FIRST & send email

reminder when applying for jobs• Three or four total references:

– Career-related– Supervisors – jobs or internships– Work peers– Professors

Reference Example

Heather Galloni (Adviser)

Student Services SpecialistCareer Development & EducationUniversity of Washington TacomaBox 358410 Tacoma, WA 98402253.692.4835hgalloni@uw.edu

What Not To Do

• Stating reason for leaving previous jobs– Best discussed at interview

• Personal data– Race, age, sex, religion, marital status

• Picture• Salary information

– Unless specifically requested• Avoid repeating yourself• If unemployed: make this as small as

possible– Use “self-employed” or “freelancing” if

appropriate

Polished Resume

• Write, rewrite, and polish• Proofread; read aloud• Present tense: current experience, activities• Past tense: previous experience, activities• Cover letter when mailing• Check with others: does it clearly sell you?

Questions?