resume tips and tools

Resume Tips and Tools Resume Tips and Tools For students participating in SKILLS USA

Mindi Federman Askelson

Director of Placement and Student Life

Purpose of a ResumePurpose of a Resume

Resumes are effective tools for employers to use as a screening device to control the deluge of responses to job postings.

Applicants use resumes to introduce themselves to the employer in hopes of be granted an interview.

Resume SecretsResume Secrets

There is a good chance that a support staff person, not the hiring manager, will review your resume and compare it to the job description.

Resumes are not read thoroughly, so it is important you bring your qualifications out front and center.

Phases of Building Phases of Building ResumesResumesTargeting a specific employer or

employment opportunity.Developing the content that

documents your skills and abilities.

Designing and editing the document.

In this power point will In this power point will cover developing and cover developing and designing a resume.designing a resume.

Types of ResumesTypes of Resumes

According to Resume Magic, 99% of business resumes fall into two distinct genres:

ChronologicalFunctional

ChronologicalChronologicalA historical timeline of your experiences. Does not necessarily need to include

dates.Descriptions of what you did and how

you did it should be listed under Experience or Employment History section.

Most recent employer is listed first and least recent is listed last.

Example of a Chronological Resume

FunctionalFunctionalRelies on skills-based section to

demonstrate qualifications.Company names, employment

titles, and dates are intentionally omitted.

Often the best choice for individuals with minimal or no paid experience.

Example of a functional resume

Choosing a Type of Choosing a Type of ResumeResumeTo learn which resume style best

suites your needs go to:

Choosing a resume style

Parts of a ResumeParts of a ResumeA resume can contain any or all of the

following sections: Resume Header Objective or Focus Statement Professional Experience Skills, Abilities, and Special Interests Education, Credentials, and Licenses Affiliations Awards and Honors

Resume HeaderResume HeaderA resume header can contain any or all

of the following sectionsNameAddressLandline numberCell phone numberWork phone numberFaxEmail address

John Doe Pitt

123 Green Tree Rd New York, NJ 09092

(343) 341-8765 jdoepitt@zmail.com

Using Action Verbs Using Action Verbs

Today’s job descriptions begin with action verbs, so should your resume. Start sentences with action verbs that list results and complete the sentence with the method used to achieve the results.

Ex: Increased sales 17% through introduction of consultative sales approach.

Action WordsAction Words

The internet is full of good examples of action oriented words for resumes. Here are just a few links:

http://www.quintcareers.com/action_skills.html

http://www.bc.edu/offices/careers/skills/resumes/verbs.html

http://www.resume-help.org/resume_action_words.htm

http://www.usao.edu/studentservices/Career%20Services/Resume%20Action%20Words%20and%20Phrases.pdf

Objective or Focus Objective or Focus StatementStatementNeeds to grab the readers attention.Is focused on the employer’s needs.Is directed toward what the employer

wants or is looking for and how you can be an asset to them.

Should be brief, one or two sentences.Includes:

the position you want. the key skills that qualify you. the benefits or value to an employer.

Professional ExperienceProfessional ExperienceLargest portion of the chronological

format.Can include both paid and

volunteer positions related to your career goal.

Includes job title, company name, company location and dates employed.

SkillsSkillsOffers employers a “menu” of

your talents.Largest portion of the functional

format.Provides a format for individuals

with limited paid or recent job experience to showcase their abilities.

Turning Experiences Into Turning Experiences Into WordsWordsNeed help brainstorming

experiences that will look good on a resume? Having trouble turning college experiences and coursework into transferable skills? Not sure what extracurricular and volunteer activities to list on your resume? We have some worksheets that can help!

WorksheetsWorksheetsCollege experience worksheetTransferable skills worksheetExamining extracurricular, voluntee

r and community activities worksheet

Portray your skills as transferable worksheet

Writing an objective or focus statement worksheet

Previous work accomplishment worksheet

Education, Credentials, and Education, Credentials, and LicensesLicensesWhere recent graduates can

showcase their talents and experiences.

Includes and trade school or college training.

Should include required course work, internships, or testing process.

Can include name of schools, college major, honors, GPA, co-curricular activities, languages studied, degree received.

Turning Education, Turning Education, Credentials, and Licenses Credentials, and Licenses Into Words Into Words http://www.pongoresume.com/bl

ogPosts/552/7-resume-writing-tips-for-your-education-section.cfm

http://www.resumeedge.com/promo/education2.shtml

http://www.quintcareers.com/college-grad_resume_FAQ.html

AffiliationsAffiliations

If you have numerous affiliations split them into two sections: career and civic◦Career – organizations dedicated to a

profession or industry.◦Civic – community, nonprofit, or for-

fun groups.

Turning Affiliations Into Turning Affiliations Into WordsWordsListing affiliationsWhere to put affiliations

Awards and HonorsAwards and Honors

Can include awards related to career accomplishments, community based volunteering, contributions to service organizations, or academic awards and scholarships.

What Not to Include on a What Not to Include on a ResumeResumeDate of birthMarital statusPersonal dataPhotographSalary history or requirements

More Resume Don’tsMore Resume Don’tsQuintcareers Do’s and Don'tsForbes Do's and Don'tsResume Mistakes and Don'ts6 Resume Don'tsTTG Consultants Effective

Resumes

For More InformationFor More Information

about writing resumes go to:http://www1.umn.edu/ohr/

careerdev/resources/resume/http://www.quintcareers.com/

covres.htmlhttp://www.rileyguide.com/

letters.htmlhttp://www.jobweb.com/

resumes.aspx?folderid=142