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Student Success Center
HOW TO WRITE A RESUME
Prepare for Your Job Search
Student Success Centers
University of Southern Maine
at Portland/Gorham/LAC
Adapted with Permission
Rodney Mondor
Student Success Coordinator
University of Southern MaineUpdated 06/25/10
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WHAT IS A RESUME . . .
It is a summary of:
...who you are
...your employment history
...your strengths
...your skills and abilities
...why the employer should call you for an interview
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TYPES OF RESUMES
Chronological• Organized by job titles with the most recent position
listed first
Functional• Places the focus on professional skills and experience
that you gained from your employment
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WRITING YOUR RESUME
The KEY to a successful resume...
skill identification and presentation!
There are many important aspects to a resume.
Everyone has a different way of putting one together and in most cases, there is no
"right way" or "wrong way."
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MAJOR COMPONENTS
• Contact Information
• Objective Statement
• Education
• Experience
• Honors and Activities
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CONTACT INFORMATION
• Usually located at the top of the page.
• Includes:• Name
• Address and phone
• Campus
• Permanent
• Any other means of contact
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FOR EXAMPLE
Rose MantleCurrent Address: Permanent Address:
University of Southern Maine 123 City Drive
37 College Ave. Stowe, VT 12345
Gorham, ME 04038 (555) 555-5555
(207) 555-5555 [email protected]
Rose Mantle
123 City Drive Stowe, VT 12345 (555) 555-5555
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OBJECTIVE STATEMENT
• An “at a glance” statement of you and your career interests.
• Be clear and specific.
• “Seeking a nursing job in pediatric care.”
• Make sure your objective matches the position you are applying for.
• Not a required component, but suggested.
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“Instant” Objective examples
Practice filling in the parts in the ( ) :
To use my (qualifications, strengths, or skills) as
a (position title).
An opportunity to (professional goal) in a (type
of organization, work environment, or field).
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EDUCATION
• Name and location of school(s)
• All college work if you transferred
• Need not include high school
• Degree and date of graduation (actual or anticipated)
• Major/Minor
• Optional Items
• GPA
• Relevant courses outside of a typical major that may add to qualifications of job
• Other formal training or skills if applicable (computer, language proficiency, licenses, etc.)
• Specializations and special projects
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FOR EXAMPLE
EDUCATION
University of Southern Maine, Portland, ME
Bachelor of Science: History / Minor: Economics May 2010
Major GPA: 3.9 Overall GPA: 3.8
Honors and Awards: Dean’s List 2006-2010
Related Coursework: History of the Wars, European Economics
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EXPERIENCE: (Purpose)
• Provides information to help
persuade prospective employers
that your experiences make you
qualified for the job and that you
align with the company’s goals.
• Helps your resume stand out
from others in the pile.
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EXPERIENCE (Content)
Select your resume format.
• Chronological
• List employment in reverse order.
• Include position held, employer, and dates.
• Describe job duties, tasks, and skill levels.
For example…Company 1 September 2009 - Present
Sales Associate
Description of job duties
Company 2 December 2007 – September 2009
Intern
Description of job duties
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EXPERIENCE (Content)
Functional• Choose skill headings according to your job
objective, and job description’s keywords.
• Include accomplishments, responsibilities, and duties.
For example…
Customer Service
List accomplishments, responsibilities, and duties
Sales & Advertising
List accomplishments, responsibilities, and duties
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EXPERIENCE cont.
Developing your descriptions- Example:
Before: Planned activities
After: As Recreation Therapist intern, planned activities and exercises weekly for children with physical challenges.
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HONORS and ACTIVITY SECTION
A section that demonstrates your participation in
relevant activities and any honors or awards you
have received. May include:
• Memberships in professional clubs and
organizations
• Volunteer activities/ Service learning projects
• Study abroad
• Outstanding Senior Award
• Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society
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LET’S GET STARTED
• Think about the jobs you have held.
• Consider any activities that used the same skills that may be used in the job you are applying for- such as volunteer positions, assistantships, etc.
• What were your responsibilities?
• What specific skills/abilities did you use?
• Incorporate value into your statements, “how well you did.”
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Receptionist Y:
• Received incoming calls on 3 business lines, determined nature of call, and effectively transferred caller to destination with 99% accuracy.
• Maintained daily phone log.
• Collected, sorted, and distributed mail and messages to staff members.
• Greeted visitors to office and issued visitor passes.
• Arranged future appointments for staff upon request.
Who would you hire?
Receptionist A:
• Answered phone
• Greeted plant visitors
• Made appointments
• Sorted incoming mail
• Processed checks
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HELPFUL RESUME TIPS
• Keep your resume up to date.
• Try different formats.
•Watch your objective sentence.
• Two pages is OK.
• You have your cover letter to explain.
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OTHER CONSIDERATIONS
•DESIGN: Aim for a professional package so that your
resume and cover letter have consistent format (layout,
font types and sizes, stationery).
•ACCURACY: Proofread with a magnifying glass and
have others review for you too. What’s wrong with
this skill statement in someone’s resume?
•Skill: have perfected my “atttention to detail”
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NEED MORE HELP?
Visit one of USM’s Student
Success Centers
Portland 119 Payson Smith
(207) 780-4040
Gorham
119 Bailey
(207) 780-5652
Lewiston/Auburn 119 LAC
(207) 753-6536
www.usm.maine.edu/success