What Is A Resume?

your education job related experiences skills and accomplishments

Resume is a French word meaning, summary. A resume is a brief, concise history of:

Why Is A Resume Important?

Your resume introduces you.

It serves as your personal advertisement.

It lets employers know you are a first-rate candidate.

A Good Resume Is:

Concise Well Organized Dynamic Easy to read Neat Arrange categories starting

with your greatest strength.

This means some of you will have education first, others, your employment history.

What To Include?

Your full name Your complete address Home telephone # Email address

Caution

Job Objective

• Poor Statement – A challenging position that uses my education and creativity

• Better Statement – An entry level position as a child care provider with First Step Child Care.

•My Advice – Leave it off.

Education & Training• Names and locations of schools or programs, e.g. Modesto Junior College, Modesto,CA 95354

• Dates of attendance:

e.g. 2009-present

• Degrees, certificates or licenses awarded

e.g. Associate of Arts Degree

• Major: Speech Communication

• G.P.A.

• Course work

Work Experience

• Full-time employment

• Part-time employment

• Internships

•Military service

•Volunteer and summer work

Special Skills

• Skills e.g. language skills, computer (write down specific computer knowledge that you possess e.g. XP or Vista)

• Personal accomplishments; e.g. Employee of the Year -2009

• Interests and activities that demonstrate job-related skills.

Set the Right Tone Focus on the positive contributions you

have made to your employers, your school and your community.

Highlight your accomplishments - Don’t just list your duties. Tell what you have actually achieved, and be specific

POOR Supervised staff.

GOOD Supervised six staff members at a summer camp for 9 to 12 year olds.

Avoid Wordiness• Use key words and phrases instead of complete sentences.

• Eliminate the pronoun I.

• Be direct.

• Good Example –Increased profits from fund-raisers by 10% in one year .

• Poor Example –I staged an extensive campaign to cut costs and increase overall

profits from fund-raisers by 10% in the course of one year’s time

COSTPLUS Modesto, CA 4/1985-8/2008Merchandise Department ManagerSupervised staff of 21 employees including hiring, firing, discipline and training. Organized system to expedite merchandise returns which totaled over $200K. Enhanced relationship between the sales & retail division with the merchandise & wholesale division. Responsible for $1million+ in-house inventory including purchasing, quality control, distribution and rotation of multi-million dollar inventories. This responsibility also included bonus-earning reductions in inventory loss and variations. Terrific vendor relationships to ensure correct and prompt delivery of products and return of low-turning merchandise. Reorganized department into separate divisions to improve efficiency. Oversaw and assisted shipping & receiving manager. Reported directly to President.

COSTPLUS Modesto, CA 4/1985-8/2008Merchandise Department Manager Supervised staff of 21 employees including hiring, firing, discipline and training. Organized system to expedite merchandise returns which totaled over $200K. Enhanced relationship between the sales & retail division with the merchandise division. Reorganized department into separate divisions to improve efficiency. Entrusted with $1million+ in-house inventory including purchasing, quality control, distribution and rotation of multi-million dollar inventories.

Leave Out

• Age

• Weight

• Marital status

• Health status, etc.

• Picture of yourself

What Format to Use?

The two most common formats are:

Reverse Chronological

Functional

Reverse Chronological

Information is arranged listing the most recent experience first.

Advantage - This format gives a clear picture of where you’ve worked and what you’ve accomplished. It is logical and easy to follow. Many employers prefer this form.

Disadvantage - Limited experience, any gaps in employment, or other weak areas may be evident.

Casey Smith__________________________________________________________________1111 Tally Court, Modesto, CA 95356 h(209)555-0000 smithc@abcglobal.net m(209)444-0000 Professional Background THE RICHMOND CO. Modesto, CA 8/2008-1/2011Operations Manager Supervised staff of 25 employees including hiring, firing, discipline and training. Implemented a new custom order system increasing revenues by 50%. Facilitated weekly sales meetings, which included motivating sales staff with promotions. Reorganized A/R department to ensure sustainability. Trained employees on new ERP computer program. Developed reference book outlining a step-by-step procedure guide. Entrusted with transporting $250K worth of merchandise to retailers and tradeshows. COSTPLUS Modesto, CA 4/1985-8/2008Merchandise Department Manager Supervised staff of 21 employees including hiring, firing, discipline and training. Organized system to expedite merchandise returns which totaled over $200K. Enhanced relationship between the sales & retail division with the merchandise division. Reorganized department into separate divisions to improve efficiency. Entrusted with $1million+ in-house inventory including purchasing, quality control, distribution and rotation of multi-million dollar inventories.  Awards received: 6 Employee of the Month Awards. 5, 10 and 20 year service awards  Inspirational Trustworthy Leaders from Soleman Leadership Institute Education Background MODESTO JUNIOR COLLEGE Modesto, CA 2009-PresentBusiness Administration--19 Units completed General Education Computer Literacy: MS Works 8.0, Winsoft Software, Myriad Reader, ModelPress Viewer Languages: Working knowledge of reading and speaking Spanish References: Furnished upon request

Functional

In this format information is arranged in areas of skill

Advantage - It draws attention to accomplishments. It highlights what you’re capable of doing.

Disadvantage - Some employers are suspicious of this format.

EMILY HOUSE435 College Avenue, Modesto, California, 95350 (209) 575-6239

OBJECTIVE: To obtain an entry level Registered Nurse Position.

EDUCATION: Modesto Junior College – Associated Degree in Nursing –December 1997 – Grade Point Average 3.94

PERSONAL: Financed 100% of education through part-time work.

NURSING EXPERIENCE:Precepted on Surgical floor at Doctors Medical Center; participated inall facets of patient care including IV therapy, dressing changes, patientassessment, and primary care; assisted RN in all duties.

SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

ORGANIZATIONAL SKILLS:Structured daily workload to maximize output of a quality product;developed new ways to utilize existing resources.

HUMAN RELATIONS SKILLS:Developed quality working relationship with clientele; competentlyhandled customer complaints and improved customer satisfaction;established excellent rapport with coworkers.

CONFIDENTIALITY/INTEGRITY:Maintained client confidentiality of privileged personal and financialinformation; handled large cash sums accurately on a daily basis.

EMPLOYMENT HISTORY:Bookkeeper Randall Smiths’ Bookkeeping Modesto, CaliforniaBookkeeper Mervyn’s Department Store Turlock, CaliforniaClerk/Cashier Savemart Supermarket Modesto, California

REFERENCES: Will be provided upon request.

References

Two lines of thought on references:

Simply state:

REFERENCES: Will be provided upon request

Or

Include them on a separate sheet of paper that matches your resume.