Creating Excellent Resumes
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FACT
No matter what degree or what experience you have, you still must be perceived as competent, professional
What is a resume?
Webster’s definition: a summing up; a summary, statement of job applicants education and previous experience
Career definition: an electronic or paper presentation describing why you should receive an interview for a job opening
Document of introduction to an employer
An Excellent Resume Will…
Two Characteristics of People who create excellent resumes
Over time, they have put extensive effort into creating the resume
They seek constructive critiques from qualified people (career services, advisors, professors, recruiters, communication experts, family, professional references)
What makes a resume excellent?
AccurateEmphasis on Education,
AccomplishmentOrganizedEasy to ScanConciseTruthfulJob Appropriate
Types of Resumes
Types of Resumes
ChronologicalEducationListing of JobsMost relevant, recent history firstTraditional
Types of Resumes
Functional (Skills)Cluster experiences under major skill
areasLimited paid work experienceChanging careersNot worked for a whilePresents strengthsMore challenging to write
Types of Resumes
Combination Resume (Creative)Uses elements of both chronological
and functional resumesUsed to improve the clarity or
presentation of a resume
Content
Headings
Annie Schaffer1224 Seventeenth Street
Bloomington, IN 47401(812) 744-4568
Headings
Dan James 103 Adler Rd Bloomington, IN 47401, 330-1010 djames@gmail
Professional Objective
Professional Objective
Tell the employer what you want to do for them
Information should be focused on meeting their needs and solving their problems
Identify two or three: job type, employer / industry, skills and responsibilities you want to perform in this position.
Professional Objective
THIS……….Seeking a
challenging position in design technology utilizing knowledge in AutoCAD, Solid Works, Pro E, CAD / CAM
NOT THIS…A draftsman
position in which I can use my people skills and abilities to advance in a small to mid-sized company with room for growth.
Education
Ivy Tech Community College Bloomington, IN December 2014 Pursuing an A.A.S. in Design Technology Bio-Mechanical / Quality Focus GPA: 3.7/4.0 Deans List December 2012
Ivy Tech Community College, Bloomington, IN May 2014 Associate of Science Degree in Design Technology Transfer into Purdue College of Technology August 2014 Bachelor of Science Degree in Mechanical Engineering Technology
Ivy Tech Community College, Bloomington, Indiana May 2014 AS Degree in Engineering Technology Chancellors List, December 2012; GPA 3.5/4.0
Education
Not Impressive
August 2013 - currently enrolled at Ivy Tech in the Design Technology program. I have a 2.8 grade average and go nights.
Certifications
AutoCAD Certification; 12-13 Attained certified user credential upon completion of Advanced CAD, Design 220 course
Solid WorksCAD / CAMCNC ProgrammingISO / QS International Standards
Related Course Work
Technical GraphicsAdvanced CAD / Solid ModelingLogic, Design, and ProgrammingStaticsKinematics of MachinerySystems Analysis and DesignParametric Solid ModelingCNC Programming
Skills
The purpose:
Provide a summary of the skills you offer to the employer --- that relate to the kind of job you want to do for them.
Example of Skills
Computer Systems: All MS products, AutoCAD, Solid Works, Pro Engineering, SketchIT, Adobe Creative Suite, 3DS Max
Product development and testing, estimation, RF circuit design
Example of Skills
Experience with Engineering Terminology, DFM, test method and process validations (IQ, OQ, and PPQ)
Experience with Design of Experiments and product / process Failure Mode and Effects Analysis (FMEA)
Summary of Qualifications
Summarize for the employer why you are qualified to do the job you say you want
Specify the reasons why the employer should hire you
ExampleSummary of Qualifications
Familiar with design operating systems
Knowledgeable in Microsoft Office, Exchange Administrator
Experienced in graphic illustrationExperienced in installing and
configuring drafting workstations
Experience
Experience
“Work” or “Professional” Experience are categories indicating paid positions
“Experience” or “Related Experience” are categories indicating either paid or unpaid positions
Experience
Include job title, employer name, city and state, dates of employment.
Description of skills used, learned. Highlight accomplishments of your work.
Emphasize the job title by listing it first – Some prefer to list employer name first
Experience
Emphasize skills versus duties
It is important to present experience as an action-oriented contributor
Prioritize
Example of Experience Descriptions
Assistant Manager, Fastenal Bloomington, IN January 2010 to present
Interfaced (action verb) extensively (descriptor) with contractors (object) troubleshooting problems and generating solutions (end-result).
Example of Experience Descriptions
Front Line Server, McDonald’s Corporation, Bloomington, IN (1/11-1/14)Took orders promptly and accurately (action verb) from customers (object) including counter and drive up (descriptor) keeping orders flowing and providing excellent customer satisfaction (end-result).
Example of Experience Descriptions
MIS Coordinator, HOPE Foundation Bloomington, In (5/13 - present)
Provided (action verb) information management support (object) for all plant users (descriptor) contributing to the highest rate of employee computer use over a two-year period (end-result)
McDermott Construction 2012 to presentConfer with customer to review schematics and answer questions pertaining to construction development
Example of Experience Descriptions
Programmer Associate, ProsLink Technical Company, Inc., Bloomington, IN (1/2010 to present)Monitored and controlled (action verb) computer processing (object) including output queues, printing, and output distribution (descriptor) keeping operations on schedule (end-result).
Activities
Provide an overview of the professional, extracurricular, and community activities that compliment your ability to perform the job
Can be a main section or subsectionPrioritizeEmphasize what you didOther headings may be Interests,
Community Involvement, Civic Engagement, Service, Experiential Learning, Professional Organizations, Presentations, Publications
A Word About Length
As long as it takes to do the jobInformation on resume should be
Relevant, concise, complete, accurate, without errors
Organized, easy to scan Don’t “squeeze” it on No “fluff” Generally 1 page for entry level
References
References
Professional references are people with whom you have some formal relationship such as a professor or boss
Generally 3-6 references are preferredEssential - discuss your job search with
your references.List an individual only if he or she has
agreed to be a positive reference
Reference Examples
Dean Kirk Barnes Technology and Applied Sciences Chair Ivy Tech Community College 200 Daniels Way Bloomington, Indiana 47404
812-330-6050; [email protected]
Jane Smith, EE, Engineering Tech SupervisorBloomington Limestone Company109 S. College Ave
Bloomington, Indiana 47401812-337-2626; [email protected]