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RESEARCH OPPORTUNITIES

BUSINESS OFFICE TECHNOLOGY

Career Development

Information Unit:

Career Development

LAP Title:

Employment Procedures-Resume

LAP Number:

CD-3

Prerequisite LAPs:

CD-2

Performance Standards:80%

Competencies:Identify sources for locating employment opportunities

Identify the guidelines for seeking employment

Evaluate personal characteristics as they relate to success in the job market

RESUME

LAP CD-3

Learning Steps

Instructions:Complete the steps below in order. Check off each step as you complete it.

_____ 1.READ:

The Unit Objective and Specific Objective

on page 4.

_____ 2.READ:

Introduction, The Resume: Your Written

Portrait, on page 5.

_____ 3.READ:

Information Sheet #1, Nine Phrases You Should

Never Put on Your Resume, on pages 6-8.

_____ 4.READ:

Information Sheet #2, Designing Your

Resume, on pages 9-18.

_____ 5.READ:

Information Sheet #3, Parts Of A Resume,

on pages 19-20.

_____ 6.READ:

Information Sheet #4, Six Steps In Writing

A Resume, on page 21.

_____ 7.READ:

Information Sheet #5, Choosing A Resume

Format, on page 22.

_____ 8.STUDY:

Samples 1-4, on pages 23-26.

_____ 9.DO:

Job Sheet #1, Choosing A Format, on page 27.

_____10.READ:

Information Sheet #6, Facts Sheets, on page 28.

_____11.READ:

Fact Sheet #1, Identifying Data, on page 29.

_____12.DO:

Job Sheet #2, Identifying Data, on page 30.

_____13.READ:

Fact Sheet #2, Career Objective/Opening

Statement, on page 31.

_____14.DO:

Job Sheet #3, Career Objective/Opening

Statement, on page 32.

_____15.READ:

Fact Sheet #3, Qualifications/Skills, on

page 33.

_____16.DO:

Job Sheet #4, List Your Skills, on page 34.

_____17.READ:

Fact Sheet #4, Education And Training, on

page 35.

_____18.READ:

Fact Sheet #5, Work Experience, on page 36.

_____19.DO:

Job Sheet #5, Work Experience, on page 37.

_____20.READ:

Fact Sheet #6, Military Service, on page 38.

_____21.DO:

Job Sheet #6, Military Information, on page 39.

_____22.READ:

Fact Sheet #7, Personal Information, on

page 40.

_____23.READ:

Fact Sheet #8, Traits And Interests, on

pages 41-42 .

_____24.READ:

Fact Sheet #9, References, on page 43.

_____25.DO:

Job Sheet #7, References, on page 44.

_____26.READ:

Information Sheet #7, Typing Your

Resume, on page 45.

_____27.DO:

Job Sheet #8, Preparing Your Own Resume,

on page 46.

_____28.SUBMIT:

Your completed resume and completed

references on a separate sheet to the instructor for evaluation.

_____29.READ:

Supplemental information provided by you

instructor, upon availability.

UNIT OBJECTIVE

Upon completion of this unit, the student

should be able to compose and type a

personal resume, sometimes

called a data sheet or vita. Satisfactory

completion of this LAP will be determined

by the instructor's evaluation of the task performed.

SPECIFIC OBJECTIVES

Prepare a personal inventory.

Develop and complete a resume for

use in job hunting.

List the different parts

of a resume.

Type a personal resume.

INTRODUCTION

The Resume: Your Written Portrait

Dear Ann

Recently our small office advertised for part-time help. After interviewing 34 applicants, it became clear to me why a lot of people are out of work. The position involved clerical work, and we also wanted someone who could deal with the public. The ad mentioned that some experience was required and requested applicants to send resumes and references.

Several people phoned and babbled about past employment, bragging about what a great job they had done for so-and-so. They said they would send A-1 references, but none arrived. A few applicants sent Xerox copies that were unreadable and semiliterate letters written in pencil on notebook paper or legal pads. A former teacher's letter of application had four misspelled words. A high schooler came in, wearing jeans, sporting a punk hairdo and chewing bubble gum. We finally hired a woman with no experience except homemaking. "But I can learn," she said. She turned out to be terrific.

Please Ann, tell job applicants to prepare a resume. Books from the public library will tell you exactly how. Wear clean, neat, attractive clothes. Focus on what you can do for the business, not what the business can do for you.

Boston

INFORMATION SHEET #1

Nine Phrases You Should Never Put On Your Resume

Since most recruiters and hiring managers receive far more resumes than they have time to review carefully, they’re forced to find shortcuts that will allow them to quickly sort resumes into “yes,” “maybe,” and “no” piles.

There are lots of ways to get into the “yes” pile customizing your resume, using strong verbs, giving concrete examples of past accomplishments and showing your value, for example.

But there are also many ways to get your resume immediately consigned to the “no” pile. One way is to use the wrong words or phrases – often, empty clichés, annoying jargon or recycled buzzwords. In a recent article, “10 Words and Terms That Ruin a Resume.” We highlighted some of the worst offenders. That article really got people talking, so we asked some recruiting experts to share more of these detestable resume terms:

1. “Job Duties”

Heather Hubman, career expert and founder of content marketing and digital PR consultancy Come Recommended, says the term “job duties” is not convincing on a resume.

“List job duties under each position at your own risk,” she says. “Instead, focus on your accomplishments. Ideally, you should be able to use the S-A-R method: Situation, Action, Results. Include up to three bullets per position, and as [few] as one.”

Keep in mind that your job duties are something that happened to you, not something you achieved – and your resume should tell a story of achievement.

2. “Related Coursework”

“Unless you’re applying for your very first internship, remove your related coursework,” Hubman says. All your relevant education definitely belongs on your resume, but a separate section for “related coursework” isn’t necessary. Your resume needs a laser-sharp focus. If you’re struggling to show how a class is relevant to the job you’re applying for, consider removing it.

3. “Proven Ability”

HR manager Jen Strobel views this phrase as just resume filler. “The ability was proven by whom? How is the ability proven? How does this ability compare to those which are not proven?” she asks.

So use your resume to prove your ability by giving specific examples of your career achievements.

4. “Married with Children”

Delmar Johnson, an HR professional with 20 years of experience and founder of HR services firm HR Brain for Hire, says personal information doesn’t belong on a resume. “That’s great you have a family and you’re proud [of it],” she says. “[But] your goal is to reflect a level of professionalism that demonstrates your knowledge, your skills and abilities that are applicable to the job to which you are applying.”

5. “Transferable Skills”

When executive recruiter and career counselor Bruce Hurwitz sees these words, he takes them to mean “I’m not qualified, but do me a favor.” He says the terms “skills” or “skill set” are fine to use, but the word “transferable” has negative connotations.

And this is a great example of why it’s important to show, not tell. Don’t tell a recruiter that you have transferable skills. Show how the skills you have are relevant to the job.

6. “Results-oriented”

Cousin to the term “hard worker,” this is something anyone can say about himself. And as Stacey Hawley, career specialist and founder of career consultancy Credo, points out, that you’ll work toward results “is assumed.” There’s no need to use your resume to tell people things they already know.

7. “Utilized My Skills”

“Who else’s skills would we be using? Hawley asks.

Stuffy, overly formal language on resumes is out. It’s wiser nowadays to use direct language. Beware of boilerplate phrases that have lost their meaning and that can be replaced with expressive words that say something specific about you.

8. “Had _____”

Career and etiquette expert Sandra Lamb is a proponent of using strong language on resumes. “Had is an anemic and colorless verb that gives the reader the impression you’re submitting a job description,” says Lamb, author of How to Write It. “Don’t use this to start a bulleted item on your resume; you’ll be better-served by a strong, active verb.”

For example, you might say “Managed three people” instead of “Had three direct reports.”

9. Wacky Email Addresses (and Twitter Handles!)

Recruiting and career expert Abby Kohut of AbsolutelyAbby.com says that inappropriate email addresses like [email protected] or [email protected] can send a resume to the bottom of the pile, if not the trash. “It’s not so much the email address as it is [the job seeker’s] judgment that I’m concerned about,” she says.

And the same goes for Twitter. More and more recruiters are researching candidates on social sites, so make sure you have a professional-sounding Twitter handle as well.

More Resources from Monster:

· The Biggest Resume Mistake You Can Make

· Update Your Resume

· Search for Jobs

Related Resources:

· Free Salary Calculator

· Resume Writing Services

· Skills Analysis & Training


Designing Your Resume

Purpose

A resume is a self-marketing tool, designed with the goal of obtaining a job interview. Resume information is targeted succinctly to a career field and addresses the needs of a specific employer. Your resume should market your relevant skills, knowledge, and accomplishments.

Preparation

It will be difficult to begin the process of writing your resume unless you identify the career field and types of employers that will be the focus of your job search. When you know how you will use the resume, then you will be able to write an effective, targeted resume that gets results. You will likely spend a considerable amount of time developing your resume, choosing the right words and phrases to describe your marketable skills and experiences. It is not uncommon to write several revisions before arriving at the final version.

One-page resumes are preferred for most entry-level positions. Two-page resumes are acceptable if the information on both pages demonstrates the skills and/or experience relevant to your profession. Resumes should highlight skills and accomplishments that meet employer qualifications, excluding irrelevant information and experiences. Well-designed resumes will be visually appealing and free from any spelling, typographical, punctuation, or grammatical errors. All resumes should be written concisely in an organized format that presents the most important information first. You can check the Resume Checklist for the most important points. Employers who read individual resumes spend very little time on each resume--in most cases, only twenty to thirty seconds. Many large employers are now using optical scanning machines and various software programs to assist them with this initial review. (See the article on Scannable Resumes)

Types of Resumes

Information related to skills and experiences can be presented in a chronological format, a functional format, or a combination of the two. Each format has its advantages and disadvantages. To select the type which best supports your strategy, review the following descriptive information and resume samples.

Chronological Resume

In the chronological resume, job history is organized chronologically with the most recent job listed first. Job titles and employers are emphasized and duties and accomplishments are described in detail. A chronological resume is easy to read, and can highlight career growth. It is suited to those whose career goals are clearly defined and whose job objectives are aligned with their work history.

A chronological resume is advantageous when:

· your recent employers and/or job titles are impressive;

· you are staying in the same career field;

· your job history shows progress;

· you are working in a field where traditional job search methods are utilized (e.g., education, government).

A chronological resume is not advantageous when:

· you are changing career fields;

· you have changed employers frequently;

· you want to de-emphasize age;

· you have been recently absent from the job market or have gaps in employment.

Functional Resume

In a functional resume, skills and accomplishments developed through work, academic, and community experiences are highlighted. Your skills and potential can be stressed and lack of experience or possible gaps in work history de-emphasized.

The functional resume is advantageous when:

· you want to emphasize skills not used in recent work experience;

· you want to focus on skills and accomplishments rather than a lengthy employment history;

· you are changing careers/re-entering the job market;

· you want to market skills and experience gained through coursework and/or volunteer experience;

· your career growth in the past has not been continuous and progressive;

· you have a variety of unrelated work experiences;

· your work has been free-lance, consulting, or temporary in nature.

The functional resume is not advantageous when:

· you have little work experience or leadership experience;

· you want to emphasize promotions and career growth;

· you are working in highly traditional fields, such as teaching, accounting, and politics, where employers should be highlighted.

Combination Resume

This format combines the elements of the chronological and functional types. It presents patterns of accomplishments and skills in categorical sections or a single section called "Qualifications Summary." It also includes a brief work history and education summary. This format is advantageous for those who wish to change to a job in a related career field or strategically promote their most marketable skills.

Constructing Your Resume

Categories of information you include on your resume should provide answers to these questions:

· Contact section

Who are you and how can you be reached?

· Objective statement

What do you want to do?

· Experience section

What can you do?

· Education section

What have you learned?

· Employment section

What have you done?

Sequence the categories according to what is most important to the employer and your career objective. A recent college graduate with limited experience will usually put the education section first since it is the most significant qualification. Education will also be listed first when it is a qualifying requirement, as in the case of teaching, law, medicine, or engineering. If an applicant wants to emphasize significant work or leadership experience, or apply for jobs in fields such as sales, public relations, or merchandising, it may be useful to present the experience or employment sections first.

Contact Information

Begin your resume with your name by capitalizing and using bold type. Include street address, city, state, and zip code. Include phone number(s) where you can be reached weekdays, 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. Designate your home number with an "H," and work number with "W," or a “Messages" number. Add an e-mail address if it is checked regularly.

Career/Job Objective

The purpose of the objective statement is to inform the employer of your career goal and targeted interests. The statement should describe the focus of your job search. If your resume is broader, relay the most relevant objective in an accompanying cover letter. A good objective includes type and/or level of position, type and style of organization, and skills/qualifications.

A career/job objective is advantageous when:

· you want to specify your interests and where you would fit in the organization.

· you want to present the impression of a focused, self-confident person.

A career/job objective is not advantageous when:

· it is too broad and meaningless, reflecting indecision.

· it is too exclusive, eliminating you from jobs for which you might be considered.

Qualifications or Experience Summary

A summary of qualifications can condense an extensive background by emphasizing experiences and accomplishments in brief keyword phrases. The qualification summary is accomplishment-oriented and provides an overview of your work experience. It can also serve to summarize relevant academic, volunteer, and leadership experience for those who have limited work experience. A summary is most appropriate for someone with substantial experience, for someone that is changing careers and wants to demonstrate transferable skills, for someone with a varied background.

Scannable resumes also rely on accomplishment statements. If you know your resume will be electronically scanned, consider a summary.

EXAMPLE:

Accomplished editor, news reporter and promotional writer. Demonstrated skills in project management and staff development.

Education

If your education relates to your objective and is within the past three years, it should be the first section. If not, education should follow the work experience section of your resume.

Start with your most recent degree or the program in which you are currently enrolled. List other degrees or relevant education in reverse chronological order. Highlight your degree by using bold type or capital letters. If the degree is relevant to your job objective, begin with degree and emphasis, followed by university, location of university, and date of graduation or anticipated date of graduation.

EXAMPLE:

M.S., Communications Engineering, The George Washington University, Washington, DC, May 1996. If degree/program is not directly related to current job objective, begin with the university, followed by the location, degree and emphasis, and graduation date. If you are within two semesters of graduation, do not use "expected" or "anticipated" with month/year of graduation. If you have a high GPA, include it on your resume. You may want to highlight your GPA on a new line, or in an educational highlight section.

Educational Highlights

This section is most effective when you have experiences from your education that are impressive and/or directly relate to your objective. Adding this section is useful when you have developed skills and specific knowledge through education and related activities rather than work experience. This section can be used to highlight coursework, research, study abroad experience, leadership and student activities that complements your objective.

Consider listing relevant coursework under the appropriate degree.

EXAMPLE:

Relevant Coursework

· Investment and Portfolio Management

· Advanced Financial Management

· Marketing Research

· International Banking

An alternative to highlighting courses is to list the skills and knowledge acquired through important courses and research.

EXAMPLE:

· Developed model investment portfolio for Fortune 500 company.

· Analyzed stock market trends using state-of-the-art computer simulation programs.

· Invested innovative capital formation strategies at metropolitan Washington area investment firms.

· Designed promotional campaign for new consumer product in a targeted market.

You may want to describe research or design projects.

Employment Experience (Chronological)

Begin with your current/most recent position and work backward, chronologically. Devote more space to recent employment. If your job titles relate to your current job objective, start each position description with job titles. If not, begin with the organization. Follow job title and organizational information with the organization's city and state. Use the first and last month and year to describe dates of employment.

EXAMPLE:

Telecommunications Engineering Aid, Center for Telecommunications Studies, Washington, DC, September 1990-January 1996. Describe the last three to five positions in detail. Summarize earlier position unless relevant to your objective. Do not show every position change with each employer. Only list in detail the most recent job and briefly summarize promotions. Do not repeat skills that are common to several positions. Within each listed position, stress the major accomplishments and responsibilities that demonstrate your competency. It is not necessary to include all responsibilities, as employers will assume them. Tailor your position descriptions to future job/career objectives.

If writing a two-page resume, make sure the most marketable information is on the first page.

Employment Experience (Functional)

Use two to four sections to summarize each area of functional skill or expertise. Develop the functional skill headings based on the skills you want to market to employers and/or that are most related to your targeted objective. Describe your skills in short phrases and place under the appropriate functional skill categories. Rank the phrases within each category and place the most important skill or accomplishment first.

Resume Checklist

The following checklist has been designed to assist you in writing your resume. This checklist reflects the expertise of the Career Center staff developed through critiquing thousands of resumes, discussing selection criteria with numerous employers, and gathering input from a wide range of career professionals.

Appearance

· is inviting and easy to read; not too much information

· uses appropriate font styles and font sizes (10-14 pts.)

· incorporates enough white space between sections to facilitate skimming

· centers text; adequate margins

· creates visual impact using bullets, boldface, underlining, italics, and font sizes to emphasize key words (for scannable resumes, use boldface only), printed on high quality (16-25 lbs.) bond paper, print is letter quality

Organization and Format

· appropriate format includes keyword phrases of profession

· presents strongest qualifications first

· appropriate length - 1 page for every 6-10 years of work experience

Writing Style

· begin sentences or phrases with powerful action verbs

· short paragraphs mostly under five lines; short sentences

· brief, succinct language; no unnecessary words

· absolutely free from grammatical, spelling, punctuation, usage, and typographical errors

Content

Contact Information

· address, current and permanent (if necessary)

· telephone number(s) where you can be reached 9-5

· objective (optional for chronological resume. Required for functional resume.)

· briefly indicates the sort of position, title, and possible area of specialization sought for management or supervisory positions, indicates level of responsibility sought

· language is specific, employer centered not self-centered; avoid broad or vague statements

Summary of Skills, Accomplishments, or Expertise

· identifies 3-6 key achievements that support the objective

· summarizes relevant work experience and accomplishments that support objective

Education and Training

· Highest level of attainment is listed first. Work from most current degree backward, degree in progress or most recently completed degree; include type of degree, name of university, location of university, date of graduation or anticipated date, list of other degrees, relevant higher education coursework, continuing professional education or training courses, and study abroad, major, minor, or areas of concentration.

· omit high school if you have completed more than two years of college unless referencing impressive honors or relevant extracurricular activities.

· relevant courses, papers, projects; include paper or project titles

· GPA, honors, awards, scholarships

· percentage of educational expenses earned

Employment Experience

· include all paid, volunteer, intern, or cooperative education experiences that are relevant to your objective. Start with most recent experience if using chronological format.

· title held, organization name, city, state, or country locations (if not USA). Dates position held; if several positions for one employer list employer once. Responsibilities listed in order of each item's relative value to the future employer; indicate transferable skills and adaptive abilities used on the job, accomplishments on your job; what problems did you face? What solutions did you find?

· contributions to the organization, i.e., ways your work helped increase profit, membership, publicity, funding, motivations, efficiency, productivity, quality; saved time or money; improved programs, management, communication, information flow etc. quantitative or qualitative indicators that describe the results of your contributions or accomplishments, i.e., increased sales by $50,000, reduced staff turnover by 25%, significantly improved staff ability to access data

· learning that took place on the job that is relevant to your job

· objective (optional)

· describe accomplishments in jargon of field

Skills

· computer skills: software applications, languages, hardware, operating systems language skills: specific level of fluency and ability to read and write as basic, intermediate, or advanced

· extracurricular activities, community service, professional associations

· list of significant positions of responsibility; include title, name of organization or team, dates leadership roles, achievements, and transferable skills that are relevant

· include hobbies and personal interests only if they are relevant

Marketing Focus

· demonstrates ability or potential to do the job; supports your objective

· speaks to the employer's needs and requirements (employer-centered not self-centered)

· indicates knowledge of the field, typical issues or problems, solutions

· omits racial, religious, or political affiliations unless a bona fide occupational qualifications

· contains only personal data relevant to your objective; omits age, sex, marital status, national origin, health, names of references


Parts of a Resume

A resume has several parts. Some parts are essential. You must have these parts because they provide information that every employer needs or wants.

Other parts are not essential. They simply provide additional information that will help you look good as a possible candidate for the job. Listed below are the seven parts of a resume and a description of each part.

1. Identifying Data - Name, address, and telephone number.

2. Career Objective/Opening Statement - The career objective can either be the title of the job you are seeking or the one for which you are trained. An opening statement is similar to a job objective, but the opening statement also provides an introduction of your skills for the job.

3. Education and Training - High schools, vocational schools, community colleges, and colleges attended. Dates of attendance. Major courses or programs completed and degrees or special achievements earned. List chronologically (in order, according to time), starting with the most recent.

4. Work Experience - Former employers, addresses, dates of employment, job titles, duties, and a brief description of each, emphasizing results rather than activities.

5. Qualification and Special Skills - Abilities to do work tasks. Listing those qualifications that relate to your job objective will improve your chances of getting the job. Often language skills, computer skills, or very specialized skills are included.

6. Honors and Activities - Activities that you participated in while attending school as well as community activities. In addition, you should list any offices that you held in any club or professional organization, as these will reflect your leadership ability.

7. Military Service - If you have been in the military, state the branch, dates of service, rank, job title, and duties performed.

8. Personal Information - Most resumes do not include this section. Current law prevents employers from asking for personal data in making employment decisions. However some individuals believe traits (qualities), interests, a statement that they are non-smokers, and one in good health may increase their chances of getting a job. All of this information is optional (your choice).

9. References - Traditionally, a statement on how to obtain references is included. Some employment experts suggest that employers know references will be provided upon request, therefore, it is a waste of space to include this statement. References should be prepared on a separate sheet and include the following: Names, titles, complete addresses, and phone numbers of two three or four responsible people. These are people who will make favorable comments about you and your job qualifications. Your references may include instructors, counselors, work supervisors, former employers, older friends, and community leaders. Obtain their permission before including their names.


Six Steps In Writing A Resume

The process of writing a resume has been broken down into the six steps listed below. It is important that you complete each step, and then use the list to guide you as you work through this LAP.

1. Study the parts of a resume - Read the information that explains the parts of a resume. Make sure that you understand the purpose of each part.

2. Choose a resume format - Study samples of different resume formats. A format is the overall design and layout of the resume parts.

3. Fill in the fact sheet - Fill in the fact sheets with information about yourself. You will use this information to write your resume. The fact sheets will contain the following pieces of information:

a.Identifying Data

b.Career Objectives and Opening Statement

c.Education and Training

d.Experience

e.Qualifications and Special Skills

f.Military Service (if applicable)

g.Personal Information

h.References

4. Prepare your resume - Prepare a resume sheet using the sample resume you selected as an example. Write in the information about yourself in the proper place.

5. Complete a resume checklist - Use the resume checklist to make sure you have included all the necessary information and that you have made no mistakes.

6. Type your resume - Use a good bond paper and never present an employer with a copy.

Remember:A well-prepared and informative personal resume can be the first important step in obtaining a job!


Choosing A Resume Format

People use many different styles and formats in placing their information on a resume sheet. This step will give you the opportunity to become familiar with some of these formats. You will then be able to choose the format you want for your resume.

The next four pages contain samples of resumes for people with different abilities, education, and experience. Select the style and format that best fits your needs.

SAMPLE #1

Student Name

1234 Street

AnyTown, ST 56789-0321

Career Objective

An entry-level desktop publishing position with an opportunity to advance to positions involving graphic design.

Qualifications and Special Skills

Desktop Publishing Skills - Key at 85 words per minute. In-depth knowledge of the

two leading desktop publishing software packages, four leading word processing

software packages, and three leading graphics packages.

Computer Skills - Basic knowledge of database and spreadsheet software. Knowledge

of major computer operating systems.

Interpersonal/Communications Skills - Excellent interpersonal skills. Work

effectively as team member. Superior writing, editing, and design layout skills.

Education

Technical School, AnyTown, State, 1992. Specialized in office systems and earned

a 3.5 grade point average on a 4.0 scale. Served as editor (1990-91) and as president

of Phi Beta Lambda.

Midtown High School, AnyTown, State, diploma, 1990. Graduated in top 5 percent

of class. Active in Midtown Honor Society and Cardinal Service Club; served as editor of the Midtown News.

Experience

Production manager of The AnyTown Star, 1991-92. Worked 25 hours per week.

Responsible for layout and production of The AnyTown Star, published three days

per week. Met every publishing deadline. Earned design award.

Assistant production manager of the Plains Reporter, 1990-91. Worked 20 hours

per week assisting with layout and production. Supervised all desktop publishing activities.

References

Available upon request.

SAMPLE #2

Student Name

1234 Street

AnyTown, US 56789-1023

(400) 555-9876

Career Objective

A sales management position with an office systems company.

Work Experience

OFFICE SYSTEMS, INC. Tulsa, Oklahoma

Senior Account Manager. Managed 10 large technical accounts and sold

integrated systems solutions. Coordinated the sales activities of a team of three

account managers. Exceeded sales goal by at least 20 percent each quarter and

earned Presidents' Club status. 1991 to present.

Account Manager. Sold integrated systems solutions to technical accounts. Met and exceeded sales goals every quarter. Earned President's Club status. 1989-1991.

Sales Trainee. Sold system software and provided technical assistance to two account managers. Coordinated training for users. 1986-1988.

ON-LINE COMPUTER SERVICES, Lawton, Oklahoma

Technician. Installed software and provided technical assistance to customers.

Trained users on software purchased. Managed the help desk. (30 hours per week

while attending school) 1986-1988.

Education

TECHNOLOGY TRAINING INSTITUTE, Oklahoma City,

Oklahoma, Associate Degree, 1988. Majored in computer systems.

TECHNICAL TRAINING SEMINARS, INC., Boston, Massachusetts

Technical Selling Skills. Attended a six-week training program designed to

teach technical people how to sell to nontechnical users. June 1990.

Management Development for Technical Sales Representatives. Attended a

three-week training program designed to prepare account managers and sales representatives for management positions. March 1992.

Service

Volunteer firefighter, Community Fund Representative, and director of Church Outreach program.

SAMPLE #3

Student Name

Temporary Address

1401 Michigan Avenue

Chickasha, OK 73012-1122

message # (405) 555-3333

PERMANENT ADDRESS

Route 4 Box 134

Minco, OK 73045-5643

(405) 349-6836

Career Objective

Seeking a position as a Information Management Specialist with an opportunity for advancement.

Qualifications and Specials Skills

Desktop Publishing Skills. Keyboard 85 words per minute. In depth knowledge of two of the top desktop publishing software programs, five leading word processing software programs, and four leading graphics programs.

Computer Skills. Basic knowledge of data entry, dBase 3+, Lotus, computer logic and computer accounting. Knowledge of major operating systems skills (DOS).

Interpersonal/Communication Skills. Good interpersonal skills. Work well as a team member. Great writing, designing layouts and editing skills.

Experience

Receptionist at Canadian Valley Technology Center, Chickasha, Oklahoma, 1990-1991. Worked 30 hours a week. Responsible for enrolling adult students into night classes. Creating layout for monthly newsletter.

Property Supervisor at Management USA, Phoenix, Arizona, 1985-1990. Rented apartments and/or rooms. Maintained clean rooms and landscape. Prepared payroll and paid employees. Made daily deposits and slips. Made reservations.

PBX and Computer Operator, Paddock Pools, Scottsdale, Arizona, 1983-1985. Data entry clerk. Answered phone. Prepared payroll.

Assistant Manager, Jr. Quick Stop, El Monte, California, 1980-1983. Hired and trained employees. Opened and closed store. Made daily deposits.

Education

Canadian Valley Technology Center, Chickasha, Oklahoma. Word Processing I & II, Desktop Publishing and Business Computer Applications.

Phoenix Junior College, Phoenix, Arizona, Property Management.

SAMPLE #4

Students Name

1401 Michigan Avenue

Chickasha, OK 73018-1111

(405) 224-7777

Career Objective

A position as a Receptionist with possible advancement.

Services-Volunteer

Secretary/Receptionist - Minco Public Schools. Answered phone,

relayed messages and directed calls.

Adult leader, Instructor, and Judge - FFA, FHA, and 4-H, organized

projects, kept records of business and reported to local news media.

Secretary, Teacher, and Youth Director - for the First Baptist Church.

Qualifications and Special Skills

Computer Skills - Basic Word Perfect and Lotus 1-2-3 software

programs.

Office Skills - Keyboarding (55 wpm), Business Communications, Payroll,

Filling, Office Procedures, and Basic Accounting.

Education

Canadian Valley Technology Center, Chickasha, Oklahoma. Secretarial

Training, Data Processing, and Accounting I. Currently serving as President of Canadian Valley Technology Center chapter of Phi Beta Lambda.

Work Experience

Owner/Manager/Wheat Operation - Bookkeeper, accountant, order all

merchandise, bought and sold products, and filing.

Secretary/Treasurer - Extension Homemakers, Arcadia club and District

America Milk Producer's Women's group.

JOB SHEET #1

Choosing A Format

Study the sample resume formats on the preceding pages. Decide on the format you will use for your resume. The instructor may provide other samples upon request.


Facts Sheets

Your resume will contain a great deal of information about you. The following pages are fact sheets that will help you gather information about yourself. The fact sheets have instructions, suggestions, and blank spaces where you can fill in your background data. When completed, the fact sheets will contain all of the information you will need to prepare your resume.

There is a separate sheet with specific instructions for each of the nine parts of the resume (identifying data, career-objective/opening statement, skills, education and training, activities, work experience, military service, personal information, and references.)

For some parts of resume, sample listings have been included. These listings will help you select information that applies to you.

It is important that you gather and write down all of the information concerning you. Later, you will decide which information to include on your actual resume.

FACT SHEET #1

Identifying Data

1. Name: Use your first name, middle initial and last name. Use your full name with no nicknames. DO NOT use Ms., Mrs., or Mr. in front of your name.

2. Street Address: This part of the address should include your house number, plus any apartment letter or number, and the street name, or your post office box number. Spell out the street. No abbreviations here.

3. City, State, Zip + 4: The city should be spelled out, but the state can be abbreviated. Include the correct zip + 4 Code.

4. Phone: The telephone number should be your home number or a message number where someone responsible can take a message for you. This could be the number of a reliable friend, relative, or neighbor. Include an area code.

JOB SHEET #2

Identifying Data

Instructions: Write your identifying data:

Name: _______________________________________________________

Street Address: ________________________________________________

City, State, Zip: ________________________________________________

Phone: _(___)___________________________________________________

FACT SHEET #2

Career Objective/Opening Statement

State the job you are seeking and for which you are trained. Your career objective is important because it is your job title. It will serve as a headline on your resume. Your career objective should appear near your identifying data. The following list contains suggestions for job objectives in your field.

Examples of Career Objectives

Receptionist

Secretary

Transcriptionist

Court Reporter

Switchboard Operator

Data Entry Clerk

File Clerk

Front Desk Clerk

Bookkeeper

Computer OperatorCorrespondence SecretaryBookkeeper/Clerk

Clerk Typist

General Office Clerk

Legal Secretary

Examples of Opening Statements

· Offering good office skills, the willingness to learn any assigned task, a good deal of energy, and a cheerful outlook.

· Can demonstrate competency in many areas of office work, including word processing.

· Have the proper training and credentials to work in an office.

· Qualified to be a working, productive member of an office staff immediately.

· Responsible person who can handle the detailed work of an office setting.

· Offer excellent typing and filing skills and enjoy working in an office.

· Have the proper training and credentials to work in a legal office; also familiar with the local, state, and federal court systems.

· Have the proper training to operate microcomputers; also have knowledge of payroll taxes and deductions.

JOB Sheet #3

Career Objective/Opening Statement

Write your career objective:

Write the first sentence of your opening statement:

The second sentence of your opening statement will be:

Seeking a position as a __________________________________________

(career objective)

FACT SHEET #3

Qualifications/Skills

List the knowledge and work skills you have that can be used in the job you are seeking. Be specific and brief. Be sure to list all of your skills. Use the following examples as a guide in determining your own specific skills. Study the four resume samples for additional reference.

General Skills

Accounting

Telephone Training

Office Procedures

Fundamental Business Communications

Filing

Legal Typing

Proofreading

Language Arts

Speedwriting

Interpersonal Communication

Spelling

Keyboarding (_____) wpm

Shorthand (_____) wpm

Office Machines

Business Law

10-Key (_____) sam

Electronic Calculator

Copier

Computer Skills

Word Processing

Digital Photography

Quickbooks

Spreadsheet Operations

Video Editing

Web Design

Data Base Management

PowerPoint

Desktop Publishing

Medical Office Skills

Medical Transcription

Medical Terminology

Insurance Forms

Diagnostic Coding

Procedural Coding

Bookkeeping

Pegboard Accounting

JOB SHEET #4

List Your Skills

List your skills: (include at least six)

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

8.

9.

10.

FACT SHEET #4

Education and Training

Educational information should contain the complete name of all educational institutions attended, diplomas or degrees received, major program studied, and/or business skills successfully completed.

Be sure to list your schools in chronological order, with the most recent first. This means that you should begin with the last school you attended and go backward in time.

1. School: Write in the full name of the school. Give the city and state in which the school is located. You need not write in a street address.

2. Dates: Write in the years that you attended the school. Do not write in months or days of the months.

3. Programs and Courses: List the programs you enrolled in and the courses you studied. Include any high school subjects that relate to your job objective.

4. Honors: If you received any special honors or achieved something noteworthy in school, write in that information. If not, leave that part blank.

5. Documents: Indicate the kind of documents you received for completing each part of your education or training. The document could be a diploma, degree, certificate, or license. Include the year during which you received the document. If you did not receive a document, leave that part of the chart blank.

Study the sample below:

AnyTown High School, AnyTown, State, Diploma, 1995.

Graduated with honors. Active in FBLA Business Club,

National Honor Society, 4-H, served as editor of school paper.

FACT SHEET #5

Work Experience

Work experience of any kind should be listed with complete information concerning the name of the company, dates of employment, and type of job held. These should be listed with the most recent ones first. Avoid listing jobs that lasted less than two months. You can include volunteer experience as well as paying jobs.

(Yes, baby-sitting is a job! You were hopefully paid for being employed, and holding this position shows that you are a responsible person as well as one with initiative.)

1. Place of employment: Write in the name and address of each company or firm. Be brief. Do not write in street addresses--just write in the city and state.

2. Dates: State the time periods you worked from year to year. If your period of employment took place during only one year, just write in that year. Do not write in months or days of the month.

3. Job title: Give yourself a job title for each job. Every job title is important, even if it is News Carrier or Dishwasher. The job title shows that you took responsibility without sounding as if you are bragging.

4. Description of duties: Give a brief description of your duties at the job. Do not explain every detail of what you did--simply state the main tasks. Try to be positive without sounding as if your are bragging.

5. Achievements: List any special accomplishments or honors that you received at that particular job. State the accomplishment or honor and the year it was received. This information will look good on your resume.

JOB SHEET #5

Work Experience

In the space below, write in your own work experience. You can list fewer than five jobs, but do not list more than five. Avoid listing jobs that lasted less than two months. You can include volunteer experience as well as paying jobs. List your work experience in chronological order with the most recent job first.

FACT SHEET #6

Military Service

If you have been in the military service, complete this section. If you have not been in the service, go to the next information sheet.

When including your military service, name the service branch (spell it out--don't use initials), the highest rank/rate you attained, the dates you served, your job description, and the duties you performed. If you are in the Reserve, state that fact by including it with the service branch (for example: United States Army--Reserve.). If you have been honorably discharged, say so.

On your resume, you will list this information under a separate heading titled "Military Service." It will look like the sample below.

MILITARY SERVICE

United States Navy (June, 1976- June, 1980). Rank: Petty Officer 3rd Class (E-4). Yeoman Clerical. Duties: handled the accounting records and purchased, disbursed, and controlled the stock supplies. Honorable discharge.

JOB SHEET #6

Military Information

Write your military information.

Service Branch: ________________________________________________

Dates Served: __________________________________________________

Rank/Rate: ____________________________________________________

Job Title: _____________________________________________________

Honorable Discharge: ________________Yes________________No

Duties Performed:

FACT SHEET #7

Personal Information

Most resumes do not include this section. Current law prevents employers from asking a personal data in making employment decisions. However some individuals believe traits (qualities), interests, a statement that they are non-smokers, and one in good health may increase their chances of getting a job. All of this information is optional (your choice).

FACT SHEET #8

Traits And Interests

Traits

Your traits are your positive personal qualities. They tell the employer a little something about you. They make you sound like the kind of employee every employer wants.

Some traits are appropriate for any type of employment. Others are especially desirable for specific work situations. The following list contains phrases that describe two kinds of personal traits. (1) general traits common to all people and (2) specific traits related to office occupations. The phrases across from each other are slightly different ways of expressing the same trait. Remember that some traits are qualifications and could be included in the qualification section.

Get along well with people

Enjoy working with people

A cheerful outlook

Friendly disposition

Can be flexible with tasks

Can handle change of routine

Can handle responsibility

Responsible person

Good attendance record

Dependable

Lots of energy

Good health

Like to keep busy

Active person

High in academics

Good student

Good with details

Careful worker

Good communication skills

Well-spoken

Good in spelling

Good proofreader

Excellent grammar

Good English skills

Have neat and orderly ways

Tidy person

Work well under pressure

Calm and efficient

Willing to improve my skills

Can take criticism

Dress appropriately

Proper attire

Tactful with others

Considerate of others

Good organizational skills

Well-organized

Attentive to time schedules

Punctual

Good at following directions

Understand directions well

Excellent typist

Good typist

Interests

Interests are any activities, such as hobbies that occupy your leisure time. Since these activities indicate skills, your interests can frequently be mentioned on a resume. Some common interests are swimming, horseback riding, sailing, camping, reading, listening to music, crafts, sewing, painting, tennis, racquetball, golf, skiing, movies, television, and traveling. Think about your interests. You may want to include two or three on your resume-especially if they relate to the job you are seeking. This may be considered personal information; therefore, you may omit it.

FACT SHEET #9

References

References are responsible people who will make favorable comments about your job qualifications. The best references to list are teachers and instructors, work supervisors, and former employers. If you have little work experience, you can give personal references. These should be reliable people who know you, such as counselors, older friends, and community leaders.

Always ask your potential references for permission to use their names. Include a specific job title for each reference.

You should list from two to four references. Give the name, title, complete address, and phone number for each reference. You should list your references on a separate sheet. You may make a statement about how to obtain the references. However, some employment experts suggest that employees know references will be provided upon request; therefore, it is a waste of space to include that statement. One more thing to remember, always adapt your references to each employment situation.

Type your references on a separate sheet using the same identifying data on your resume as a heading. You may include them with your resume when you mail it or hand them to the interviewer at the interview.

JOB SHEET #7

References

Write in your references:

Name and Position: __________________________________________________

Company or School Name: ____________________________________________

Street Address: _____________________________________________________

City, State, and Zip: _________________________________________________

Phone Number: _____________________________________________________



Street Address: _____________________________________________________


Phone Number: _____________________________________________________



Street Address: _____________________________________________________


Phone Number: _____________________________________________________

Type your references on a separate sheet using the same identifying data you used on your resume as a heading. Also, list only three or four in the following style at the left margin.

Name, Title

Company Name

Address

City, State, Zip Code + 4

Phone Number


Typing Your Resume

A personal resume should be typed and well balanced on a page. Use good bond paper and never present an employer with a copy. Here are a few tips that may help you obtain a better appearance when typing a resume.

1. Set your margins for a space line that will allow for even top and bottom margins when typing is complete. This will depend, of course, on the amount of information that you may want to include. If you use a typewriter, use a 50-space line for short resume, 60-space line for an average one, and 70-space line if you have a lot of information. If you use a computer, use a 1.5" margin for short resumes and software default margins for average and long resumes.

2. Type all headings in capital letters. Underline if necessary.

3. Double or triple space after the last line of one section and the heading of another section. This provides for easier reading. (The general rule is to triple space after the last line of a major heading; the length of your resume will determine whether or not this will be possible.)

4. PROOFREAD very carefully and make sure your resume is error free. There should be no visible corrections!

JOB SHEET #8

Preparing Your Own Resume

You now know the types of information that belong on a resume and the different ways this information can be arranged. You have gathered and listed all of the necessary information about yourself. The next step is to prepare your resume.

1. Select the sample resume format you wish to use in preparing your resume.

2. Using the information you put together on the preceding Job Sheets, type or write out a rough-draft copy of your resume.

3. Use the samples of resumes on pages 19 through 22 for examples.

4. Once you have completed your rough draft copy, type a finished copy that can be turned in for evaluation.

5. Turn in your typed copy of references with your resume.

� EMBED Word.Picture.8 ��

Resume

Formats

1. Identifying Data

2. Career Objective/

Opening Statement

3. Skills

4. Education& Training

5. Activities

6. Work Experience

7. Military Service

8. Personal Information

9. References

Name:____________________________________ Date Started:_______________ Date Completed:_______________

��

Canadian Valley Technology * 1401 Michigan Avenue * Chickasha, OK 73018

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