effective resume writing
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TRANSCRIPT
EFFECTIVE RESUME WRITINGWorkshop
HOW TO TARGET YOUR RESUME TO WIN YOUR
WAY TO THE EMPLOYERS’ SHORTLIST
CAREER MAVEN
AGENDA:
PRINCIPLES OF EFFECTIVE RESUME WRITING RESUME CONTENTS/FORMATS/ LAYOUTS OVERVIEW OF RESUME TEMPLATES AND
SKILLS STATEMENTS COVER LETTER AND REFERENCES
OBJECTIVES
Learn about the purpose, structure and content of the Resume
Learn basic principles of effective resume writing
Be able to create a targeted resume , a cover letter and reference list
RESUME CLINIC
RESUME DRAFT’S CRITIQUE GUIDED COMPLETION OF A TARGETED
RESUME SUPPORT WITH JOB LEADS/POSTINGS SUPPORT WITH FOLLOW UP CALLS,
COLD CALLING, JOB APPLICATIONS
HOW DO I GET THERE ?
RESUME
COVER LETTER
INTERVIEW PREPARATI
ON
PORTFOLIO
CAREER EXPLORATION
LABOUR MARKET
INFORMATION
NETWORKING
JOB SEARCH
HOW EMPLOYERS FILL POSITIONS
EMPLOYERHIRING FROM
WITHIN (PROMOTION)
HIRING AN UNKNOWN WHO BRINGS PROOF
OF ABILITY
FRIEND/BUSINESS CONTACT• REFERRAL• JOB FAIR
AGENCY• RECRUITERS• SEARCH
FIRMS
ONLINE/NEWSPAPER
ADVERTISEMENTS
RESUME YOU
EFFECTIVE RESUME IS: TARGETED TO A SPECIFIC EMPLOYER AND/OR JOB POSITION
FACTUAL AND TO THE POINT –
YOUR BEST MARKETING WEAPON –
EASY-TO-READ AND PROFESSIONAL IN APPEARANCE
COMPONENTS OF A RESUMENAME AND CONTACT INFORMATION
CAREER OBJECTIVE
PROFILE/PERSONAL SUMMARY
RELEVANT QUALIFICATIONS
RELEVANT WORK EXPERIENCE
EDUCATION TRAINING PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIP
AWARDS AND ACHIEVEMENTS
VOLUNTEER EXPERIENCE (OPTIONAL)
INTERESTS (OPTIONAL)
TAGLINE – REFERENCES AVAILABLE (OPTIONAL)
IDENTIFYING INFORMATION
KIMBERLY ANN HURST 2222 Dixie Rd #112
Mississauga, ON(905) 336-4432
YOUR NAME SHOULD STAND OUT!
Put your name, permanent address, phone /voicemail numbers, and email
address
HIGHLIGHTS OF QUALIFICATIONS
The number of years experience in the field
Any important certifications Any programs or technical equipment Any other languages Any relevant personal qualities
CAREER ACCOMPLISHMENTS
State your experiences and achievements
(in reverse order )
Show the positive results of your actions, the benefits to the company
Quantify your accomplishments
START WITH ACTION, END WITH A RESULT
DUTY SKILL RESULT
DESCRIBE WITH AN ACTION WORD
HOW DID YOU DO IT?
WHAT VALUE WAS ADDED BY YOUR ACTION
CREATED NEW
INTERNAL AUDITING SYSTEM
USING COMPUTER
ACCOUNTING/TIME
MANAGEMENT SKILLS
BETTER INVENTORY
CONTROL/REDUCED LOSS
THE CHRONOLOGICAL RESUME FORMAT
presents your job history and education strictly by date, with the most recent first (reverse order)
When to use: To show lateral or vertical career growth To emphasize previous job titles or companies Employer preference. Your current or most recent position is one you
are proud of and enjoy.
THE FUNCTIONAL RESUME FORMATcontains a summary of qualifications that is organized by education, experience, and skills.
When to use: First job or very little work experience Re-entering the job market /gaps in
employment /job hopping Changing your career De-emphasize age or previous job titles
THE COMBINATION RESUME FORMAT
A mix of the best of the chronological and functional resume formats
When to use: Little work experience/or gaps in
employment Highlight a particular work experience
or company name Relevant skills obtained from other,
non-paid work experiences Personal preference
PAGE MARGINS• CONSISTENT , EQUAL ON
EVERY SIDE• BETWEEN 1 INCH TO
1.25 INCH
FONTS• COMMON, EASY-TO-READ EX. : ARIAL, TAHOMA, FRANKLIN GOTHIC
• E-MAIL IN PDF FORMAT, TO AVOID
ANY CONFLICT IN MS WORD
• SIZE IS APPROPRIATE TO FONT AND PAGE SPACE
CLEAN, ORGANIZED AND CONSISTENT
PARAGRAPHS AND BULLETS
DO NOT OVERUSE THEMUSE EXTRA SPACE IN BETWEENTEXT ENHANCEMENTS
BOLD IS PREFERRABLE TO ITALICSUNDERLINES COULD BE CONFUSINGUPPERCASE SHOULD ONLY BE USED FOR SHORT PHRASES AND SINGLE WORDS
CLEAN, ORGANIZED AND CONSISTENT
TYPES OF GRAPHICS
• SHOULD BE SUBTLE AND SUPPORT, NOT OVERPOWER THE OVERALL MESSAGE OF THE RESUME
• CAN BE USED AS • A BACKGROUND OR
WATERMARK
• COMPARE THE IMPACT OF THE GRAPHIC ON SCREEN AND IN PRINT
CLEAN, ORGANIZED AND CONSISTENT
CLEAN, ORGANIZED AND CONSISTENT
RESUME CONTENT DONT’S
Avoid vague wording such as "a few months." Leave out the "I's,' as in "I directed..." Leave out the negatives or any irrelevant
information. Avoid jargons, acronyms or unusual abbreviations. Don't write a meaningless job objective. Do not rely on the spell-check programs
RESUME CONTENT DOS
Use lots of action words Use bulleted, short phrases Use the correct buzzwords
/keywords for the industry Emphasize the positive Be concise Focus on accomplishments and
specific results
HOW TO FIND RESUME KEYWORDS
Words that keep popping up in company job postings
Company key values from its mission statement posted on a web-site.
Scan LMI web-sites to identify key trends in your industry.
COVER LETTER Introduction to the employer
Summarize who you are, why you want to work for this employer and what you can do
It communicates:- your writing skills- professional approach- knowledge of the field
COVER LETTER 1 page, typed
Broken into short paragraphs (introductory, body, closing)
Highlights how your skills and qualifications will benefit the employer
Attached to your resume
Direct and concise
REFERENCES
Former managers/supervisors Current or former teachers, coaches, and
club leaders Volunteer coordinators/supervisors A respected member of the community
(doctor, lawyer, social worker, and police officer)
Family members that you have worked for Your career counsellor
GOLDEN RULE
Always ask your references (don’t assume!)
Choose references that can speak about your relevant skills and abilities
THANK YOU!
“EXCELLENCE IS TO DO A COMMON THING IN AN UNCOMMON WAY”
“
LET YOUR RESUME REFLECT THAT EXCELLENCE!