Resume Writing
20 seconds… is the average time a manager takes to scan a resume and determine if the applicant should be granted an interview. What can you do to the design and content of your resume to peak the interest of a prospective employer?
The DOs and Don’ts of Resume Preparation
DOs
/ Don’tsØ Make sure your resume is easy to read. Use concise, unambiguous sentences and avoid over-writing or flowery prose.
Ø Know your audience - use the vocabulary and speak the language of your targeted field.
Ø Keep the overall length of your resume short. Depending upon your experience, one or two pages is ideal.
Ø Stress your past accomplishments and the skills you used to get the desired results.
Ø Focus on information that's relevant to your own career goals. If you're making a career change, stress what skills are transferable to support your new career objectives.
Ø Begin accomplishment statements with action verbs instead of pronouns like I, we, or even the company.
Ø Neatness counts. A poorly structured, badly typed resume is a reflection of the applicant. / Ø Your salary history or reasons for leaving a previous job should not be included on a resume unless requested.
Ø If you're considering enclosing a photograph of yourself, don't! You may bear a striking resemblance to someone the reader doesn't like.
Ø Don't include personal references on your resume. A potential employer is interested in references only after they are seriously considering hiring you. At that time, you may be asked to provide reference information.
Ø Don't stretch the truth! Misinformation or untruthful statements will inevitably come back to haunt you.
Ø Avoid references to hobbies, activities and memberships that are not business-related or haven't any application to your current career goals or job objectives.
Ø Last, but certainly not least, don't have any unreasonable expectations of what a resume can do. Employers do not hire resumes. They hire people.
Action Verbs Make A Difference
When describing your accomplishments, the use of action verbs can make the difference between a statement that attracts attention and one that seems commonplace and uninteresting.
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achieved added broadened consolidated coordinated - created developed designed eliminated established evaluated expanded generated identified increased initiated invented maintained managed negotiated organized performed planned purchased reduced saved simplified streamlined strengthened supervised trained transferred utilized verified worked wrote.
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Resume Worksheet
______
ObjectiveEducation
Awards received
Extracurricular activities
Interests and activities
Community or Volunteer experience
Work Experience
Model Resume
[Your Name]
[Your Address]
______
Objective / Beginning with an action verb, describe your career goal or job objective.Education / Beginning with an action verb, described your education including dates attended, name of school or training facility, city and state.
Awards received / Beginning with an action verb, describe your awards received including the name of the academic class or activity for which you received the award and the date received.
Extracurricular activities / Beginning with an action verb, described your extracurricular activities.
Interests and activities / Beginning with an action verb, describe only your interest and activities that are related to your current career goals or job objectives.
Community or Volunteer experience / Beginning with an action verb, describe your community or volunteer activities including dates and number of hours.
Work Experience / Beginning with an action verb, describe your work experience including beginning and ending dates, company name and job title.
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