WRITING A RESUME
What is a resume?
A report, or list, of your skills, interests, and successes shown by your activities, school work, and job experiences.
Why do I need a resume?
· School - A resume is a required part of most scholarship application packets. It is important to have a complete, well organized document to convince a scholarship committee or employer that are the best candidate for their award or job.
· Employment – A resume makes a great impression and shows responsibility, organization, and most importantly, that you are serious about getting that job.
How do I write a resume?
· Get organized and get started while you have plenty of time-like now.
· List of every activity you have been involved in since you started in high school.
· Separate the list into community/volunteer and school activities.
· Make another list of jobs you have had paid or unpaid.
· List of awards (academic, athletic, etc.)
· List of skills (operate machines, office and computer skills, etc.)
When did these events happen?
For each of your activities and jobs you will need to put dates, at least month and year you
started and finished each one. Use “Present” if you are currently or continuing an activity or job.
Now, how does all this become a resume?
Two basic resume styles:
· Chronological is a list of facts in time order, beginning with the present.
· Functional is a list of your skills and accomplishments.
*Either style is appropriate, it is what best fits you!
How do I start putting it together?
· Contact information-name, address, phone number, and e-mail address, if you have one. This can be centered or lined up on the left side margin.
· Education Objective will be the degree you are pursuing.
· Education Background, list your school name, address, grade level and GPA, if it is 2.5 and over
· Academic Awards with dates
· School Activities with dates
· Community Volunteer Activities with dates
· Skills with dates
· Work Experience with dates
How will I know if I’ve done it correctly?
· No more than one page length
· Use 10 or 12 plain font
· Resume centered on the page
· Revised by other people
NOTE: Just as you would dress carefully for a first meeting with someone you wanted to impress, you need to ‘dress up’ your resume. Use high quality paper that is either white or pastel colored and have absolutely no errors or cross-outs in typing, spelling, punctuation, etc.
Sample Resume Format
Name
Street Address
City, State Zip Code
Home Phone, Cell Phone
e-mail address
EDUCATIONAL BACKGROUND
Name of High School
Street Address
City, State Zip Code
(Area Code) School Phone Number
Graduation Date: May ___, 20__
ACT: Sept. 20__, Score SAT: Nov. 20__, (Score Include this category if they are strong)
G.P.A.: weighted _______ unweighted ________ (Score Include this category if they are strong)
Rank: ______ of ______ (Score Include this category if they are strong)
ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENTS AND AWARDS
(Include all awards you have received that identify your academic achievements)
National Honor Society 2005-Present
Secretary 2006
Who’s Who Among High School Students 2008
A-Team 2006-2007
EXTRA-CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES
(Any school activities that are not specifically a class)
Sports Years involved
Varsity football co-captain Year
Clubs Years involved
Offices held Years
COMMUNITY SERVICE AND INVOLVEMENT
(All activities that have not been included in the extra-curricular activities—include duties and responsibilities)
Volunteer work Years involved
Duties, responsibilities, and activities
Church Years involved
Activities and responsibilities
Organizations/Groups Years involved
Duties, responsibilities, and activities
WORK EXPERIENCE
(Include all jobs for which you have been paid--be sure to include level of responsibility and duties)
Construction Years involved
Framed new construction, pulled wiring
REFERENCES
(Include at least three adults who have given permission to use them as references, or write Available upon request)