Writing An Effective Resume

What makes a resume effective?

It is more than a paper representation of YOU.

It is a marketing tool to highlight your uniqueness.

It is an opportunity to get you an interview.

How do you put together an effective resume?

FIRST: Recognize the types of

resume so you can choose the type effective for your situation:

-chronological-functional-combination

Chronological resume

EXAMPLE:

EXPERIENCEIntern, C.S. Media, Honolulu, HI, January 2000 to present.Prepare and submit public service announcements.Correspond with clients..Produce weekly calendar of community events and programs

Student Assistant, Department of Communication, University of Hawaii at Manoa, September 1999 to Dec. 2000

.Performed degree checks for graduating seniors.

.Updated and maintained computer database.

.Scheduled appointments with departmental advisors.

.Handled in-person and telephone inquiries.

Functional resumeEXAMPLE:

SKILLS & EXPERIENCESALES & CUSTOMER SERVICE

Demonstrated jewelry and advised customers about style; researched market availability of customer-preferred merchandise.

ORGANIZATION & PLANNINGOrganized fashion shows; planned selections of merchandise appropriate to customers’ age groups, tastes, and in response to public fashion trends; worked within a budget as assistant buyer.

LEADERSHIP & MANAGEMENTCoordinated program of Service Club, for fashion, speech, and community activities; acted as President of Girls Club.

EMPLOYMENT HISTORYSalesperson & Assistant Buyer, Lilly Enterprises, Los Angeles, CA, 1995-99

Combination resume

Uses a chronological listing in some parts and functional groupings in other parts

How do you put together an effective resume?

SECOND: Include information relevant to your job

search and present them in parts that will highlight your background

Basic Parts

Heading or identification Objective Education Experience Skills Honors & Scholarships Extracurricular Activities Personal or Interests or Background

Basic part: Heading or identification

Name Address Telephone number or cellular number Email address

Basic part: Heading or identification

Example 1:

MALIA KAMAAINA123 Home Street

Honolulu, HI 96808(808) 123-4567

malia@hawaii.edu

Basic part: Heading or identification

Example 2:

MALIA KAMAAINA123 Home StreetHonolulu, HI 96808(808) 123-4567

malia@hawaii.edu

Example 3:

MALIA KAMAAINAmalia@hawaii.edu

Permanent: Current123 Home Street 1825 Dole StreetHonolulu, HI 96808 Honolulu, HI 96822(808) 123-4567 (808) 957-0001

Basic part: Objective

Tells the employer:-what kind of work you are interested in,-what you are hoping to do, or-what area you wish to work in

Examples:

To work in a Student Assistant position in Info Technology Services.To obtain an internship in a financial services company. To become Marketing Assistant in a public relations firm.

Basic part: Education

Describe your academic accomplishments:

-degree you expect to earn, university, and expected date of grad

-overall or major GPA

-honors (dean’s list)

-related course work or major class project

Basic part: Education

Example:

OBJECTIVETo obtain a part-time position as a Customer Service Representative.

EDUCATIONBachelor of Arts in Psychology, University of Hawaii at Manoa, Honolulu, HI. December 2003.Overall GPA 3.10/4.00. Dean’s List: Fall 2000 and Spring 2001.Relevant Course Work: PSY 385 Consumer Behavior

FAMR 455 Consumer Communications

Basic part: Experience

Include paid and volunteer experiences, summer and part-time

Use action verbs to describe your accomplishments

Use verbs in present tense for current experiences and past tense for completed experiences

Basic part: Experience

Example:

EXPERIENCEStudent Assistant August 2000-presentCareer Services, University of Hawaii at Manoa, Honolulu, HIProvide assistance with front office operations. Handle incoming phone inquiries from students and employers. Answer career-related questions at the service window. Schedule appointments for counselors and employer recruitment program. Maintain and update information on office web site. Input student registration data into Access database system. Assist in compiling semester and year end statistics.

Basic part: Skills

Include: computer skillslanguage skillskeyboarding speed10-key by touch

Example:

SKILLSComputer: Microsoft Word & Excel. FrontPage for web design.Language: Japanese, good verbal communication.

Basic part: Scholarships& Honors

Example:

Scholarships & Honors

Presidential Scholarship Sept. 1999-present

Fernandez Fun Factory Scholarship Sept. 1999-May 2000

Golden Key National Honour Society Spring 2001

Basic part: Activities

Include: student organizations (membership, officer or chair positions), professional memberships, professional development activities

Example:

ACTIVITIES

American Marketing Association, Member Sept. 1999-present

Speech Communication Society, Secretary Sept. 2001-present

Basic part: Personal or Interests or Background

Include background information (high school you graduated from, accomplishments and extracurricular activities in high school, hobbies, interests, etc.)

Example:

BACKGROUNDGraduated from Kauai High School in top 5%. Participated in marching band for 3 years. Enjoy tennis and pottery.

Basic part: References

Example:

References Available upon request.

MALIA KAMAAINAReferences

Ms. Jane SegalSupervisorCareer ServicesUniversity of Hawaii at Manoa2600 Campus RoadHonolulu, HI 96822(808) 956-8136jsegal@hawaii.edu

Dr. Tom HaydenDept. of CommunicationUniversity of Hawaii at Manoa2201 Maile WayHonolulu, HI 96822(808) 956-2222hayden@hotmail.com

Final Tips for an Effective Resume

Check & double check for content flow, grammar, punctuation, and spelling

Keep to 1 or 2 pages Have a top, bottom, left and right margin of about 1” Use variations in style to help the reader’s eye pick up

most important information and move through the resume Use 10 or 12 size font Print on quality white or off-white paper Have your resume reviewed at Career Services

Writing An Effective Cover Letter

Cover letter

What is the cover letter?

-letter that accompanies your resume Why is a cover letter needed?

-introduces you to the reader

-identifies the position you are applying for

-acts as a bridge between the job vacancy and the information on the resume

-opportunity to market yourself in a less structured way

Parts of the Cover Letter: Introduction

Identifies the position you are applying forTells how you learned about the positionInclude your special interest in the position

Parts of the Cover Letter: Body

Highlight your most important qualifications

Describe points that may be of special interest to the employer

Include information on your degree, major, certification and experience

Parts of the Cover Letter: Closing

Indicate your interest in having an interview or the next step you plan to take

Inform that your resume is enclosed Thank the reader

Cover Letter Tips

Check for content flow, grammar, punctuation and spelling

Keep to one page Use standard business letter format Center letter on paper Use a font style and size that is easy to

read Sign your letter

GOOD LUCK