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How to Write a Resume

by Davida Bluhm

Director

Educational Career Services

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ECSO Address

505 E. Green St.

Suite 202

Champaign, IL

(Next door to Starbuck’s.

Same building as Cold Stone Creamery and National City Bank, second floor.)

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Overview

The Resume The Cover Letter The Application

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W A R N I N G ! ! !

Technology is presenting some new challenges. Email addresses—No cute or off-color email

addresses. Answering machine messages—Make sure you

have recorded a professional message on your answering machine for all your phones including cell phone.

Cell phones—Turn off before going into an interview.

Facebook/MySpace—What is lurking about on cyberspace about you?

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The Resume

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What is a resume?

A summary of your experience. A summary of who you are and what you

can offer an employer. An indispensable marketing tool and

advertisement . . . about you. Both format and content matter.

The first impression an employer will have of you.

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3 Essentials in a Resume

1. Identity

2. Educational Background

3. Teaching Experience (experience related to job objective)

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SUGGESTED RESUME HEADINGS

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Your Name . . . (your identity)

Legal name, address, zip code, telephone number with area code and/or cell number, email, fax, web address Include at the top of the page. Name in larger point size and bold.

List permanent and local addresses. Make sure they can find you.

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OBJECTIVE

Short and concise. To obtain a position as an Elementary Teacher.

To become a Math Teacher, 6-12. Also interested in coaching basketball.

Can also include an interest in coaching or sponsoring a club.

Can also include a short philosophical statement if you desire.

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EDUCATION

List academic degrees, major, minor, concentration, earned or in progress.

Include graduation date(s). Include certification, grade levels,

endorsements. List GPA if it is good; otherwise leave it off. List most recent degree first. Include study abroad.

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Example:

EDUCATION Bachelor of Science, Elementary Education,

University of Illinois, Urbana, IL, May 2009, GPA 3.5/4.0.

Middle School Endorsements: Math, Science, Language Arts, Social Studies

Certification: Initial Illinois Certificate in Elementary Education (Type 03, K-9)

Study Abroad: Barcelona, Spain, Spring 2008

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PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

List most recent job first. Student teaching, practica, internships Work with youth in programs such as YMCA, Park District,

church youth programs, summer camps, Vis a Vis, Tutor, Mentor, private music lessons, etc.

Can include both full and part time, paid and volunteer. List job title first, then school or organization/company, city

and state, and date. Example: Student Teacher. Champaign Central High School,

Champaign, IL, Spring 2009. [description]

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professional experience . . . descriptions

Use action words in your descriptions. Examples: organized, supervised, arranged,

managed More alive and shows energy. Makes your points stronger. Reduces number of words needed and

increases impact of words used.

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professional experience . . . descriptions

Use current buzzwords in the field. i.e., differentiation, diversity, multiculturalism,

technology, classroom management, collaboration, balanced literacy, multiple intelligence

words specific to your major Use phrases, not complete sentences. Be consistent with phraseology. Do not abbreviate; spell out everything.

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professional experience . . . descriptions

Do not include what everyone has to do such as full takeover or writing lesson plans, etc.

Include what makes you different and unique, i.e., What you teach How you teach Classroom management strategies Multi-cultural experiences Technology skills, other special skills Other language ability Reading, bilingual, math, science, Spanish/foreign

language, working with special needs students

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Additional Categories

Found in a Resume

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COLLEGE AND COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT

College organizations Professional memberships Committee leadership/membership Conference attendance/participation College activities (intramural sports,

marching band, etc.) Volunteer activities/civic contributions

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AWARDS, HONORS, GRANTS

Professional recognition Honors, awards, distinctions Scholarships Exhibits, shows, publications Grants, special projects Create a special category if you have

many. If not, can include under EDUCATION.

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INTERESTS, ACTIVITIES, AND SKILLS

Language abilities Technology skills Travel abroad Hobbies and interests Teaching competencies or special skills (dance,

pottery, cooking, kick boxing, sign language) Extracurricular interests Recent courses of interest

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Note . . .

Most employers realize that educators who seek supplemental experiences tend to be independent, intellectually curious, and committed to learning.

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REFERENCES

Include a comment indicating they are available through ECSO, listing our name, phone, email, fax, website.

OR List names of references, title,

school/organization, city and state, phone numbers, email, and fax.

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Example:

Educational Career Services Office, University of Illinois, Champaign, IL, 217-333-0740, ecso@illinois.edu, fax 217-333-5689, www.education.illinois.edu/ecso.

OR Hary Bary, Cooperating Teacher, Edison

Middle School, Champaign, IL, 217-000-0000, harybary@xxxxxxxxxx.org.

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Resume Tips

Know your audience. Present your job objective stating what job

you are seeking and what grade level. Use strong action words and phrases. Use short, concise phrases. Make it easy to read. List most recent experience/education first. Use 12 point or 11 point font.

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resume tips . . .

Use bullets, bold, italics, underline, bold-italics, CAPITALIZATION but don’t overuse.

Use headings to draw reader. Use sufficient white space and balance

content on the page. Can be 2 pages but do not print front to back. Use good quality, professional resume

paper. PROOFREAD. MUST BE ERROR FREE.

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The Cover Letter

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What is the purpose of a cover letter?

To cover your resume. To introduce yourself along with your

attached resume to a prospective employer. To show an interest in a particular position. To request an interview appointment. Informs employer of your communication

skills and your writing skills.

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the cover letter . . .

Emphasizes additional skills, experiences, or abilities not found in a resume. Can expand on experience in resume or

include experience not in resume but no repeats.

Letters are compared with others to screen applicants for further consideration.

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2 Types of Cover Letters

Letter of application Targets identified positions

Letter of inquiry or interest Not directed at any specific job vacancy. Directed at a school district or school.

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3 Parts of a Cover Letter

Introduction (1 paragraph) Body (1 or 2 paragraphs) Close (1 paragraph)

BUSINESS LETTER FORMAT

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Introduction (1 paragraph)

Say who you are and what you want. Name position for which you are applying

and how you heard about the position. Stress interest in a geographical location. Spark interest of the reader. Say

something about their district. Include name(s) of individuals you know

who the district might know (networking).

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Body (1 or 2 paragraphs)

Direct attention to your strongest points and relate to position.

State why you want to work for this school district. Reference items you see on their website and/or job description and relate to your skills and abilities.

State how your education and past achievements have prepared you for this job and this school.

What makes you unique?

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body . . .

Use action words. administered, conducted, coordinated,

managed, organized Use self-descriptive words.

consistent, fair, diplomatic, extroverted, methodical

Be specific and use concrete examples of your experiences.

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Close (1 paragraph)

Request action on the part of the reader. End letter with what you want employer to do.

I would be happy to schedule an interview with you at your convenience to discuss my qualifications.

If employer is in another geographical location, tell him/her when you will be in their area and request an appointment.

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Business Letter Format

Block style Modified block style Modified block style with indented

paragraphs

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Tips for Cover Letters

Short and to the point. Be specific about your experiences. Address letters to individuals –

NOT To Whom It May Concern. Use tone of moderate confidence. Sign and date each letter. Limit use of “I.”

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tips for cover letters . . .

Use good word processor and printer. Use good quality paper that matches

resume. Include all possible phone numbers, email,

addresses, fax, etc. Include clues that hiring you will lead to

enhance their school. Do not repeat what is in your resume.

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tips for cover letters . . .

Type and laser print each letter individually. Send originals, not copies.

Business letter format. Be direct in requesting an interview. Apply only for positions for which you

understand, are qualified, and interested. Obtain as much information about the job as

possible. PROOFREAD. MUST BE ERROR FREE.

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The Application

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TIPS for Applications

Complete applications. Most are now on line. Follow instructions carefully.

Pay attention to detail—sentence structure, spelling, etc. Be careful how you answer questions.

Type answers in Microsoft Word and cut and paste to the application.

You will likely use all or portions of these answers in other applications.

PROOFREAD before submitting.

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NOTE

Employers can read partially completed applications before they are submitted. Therefore, make sure your applications always contain accurate information, correct spelling and sentence structure, etc.

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W A R N I N G ! ! !

PROOFREAD ALL YOUR DOCUMENTS AND MAKE SURE THEY ARE ERROR FREE.

Your resume, cover letter, and application will be the first contact an employer has with you. It is their first impression of you.

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General Tip

A great resume, cover letter, and application will not necessarily get you the job

BUT a poor resume, cover letter, and application can keep you from getting the job.

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Aloha & Mahalo !

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The Placement File

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Placement/Credential File

Set up a Placement/Credential File in ECSO using eRecruiting A valuable online tool you can use and

manage in your job search containing professional information about you.

An online file stored in a central location on a non-corruptible, backed-up system and available to you 24/7.

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What does the placement file contain?

Profile of your information input by you and viewed only by ECSO.

Your resume when you upload it. Letters of recommendation written by your references.

ECSO scans them into your file. Your career eportfolio created by you in eRecruiting

which employers see by your invitation only. Or list your web address on your resume in eRecruiting to create a hyperlink for employers to click on.

Option of storing your cover letter.

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What does the placement file provide?

Access to online job vacancies. Access to your letters of recommendation. Employer access to your online resume when

you upload and publish to Resume Books. Employer access by your invitation to your

career eportfolio. Job referrals. 10 sets of credentials (hard copy) sent to

employers of your choice.

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placement/credential file . . .

Your placement file remains in ECSO for 15 years so you can reactivate later.

Cost of a placement file: $50 per placement year for new registrants; $75 for reactivations.

Placement year – September 1-September 1. Go to our web site at

www.education.illinois.edu/ecso for more information.