Writing a

Winning Resume!

Holly Heilberg – Career Development Specialist

UHR Faculty & Staff Career Services

914 Emmet St., Room 225

924-4343 Hollyh@virginia.edu

http:www.hrs.virginia.edu/career

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Agenda

Introductions Myths and Realities Constructing a Winning Resume Types of Resumes Resume “Do’s” and “Don’ts” Complete a resume template Q & A Action Plan….what can you do next?! 2

Let me know what you need

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No question is unimportantand there are no mistakes

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Mind absorbs as much as…..

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Confidentiality

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Introductions:

Connect with a partner and find out:– Their name– What would be their

“ideal job” to apply for (or send a resume in for)

Report back about your partner to the large group

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Myths & Realities

MYTH: The best jobs go to the best applicants

REALITY:The best jobs typically go to those who know:

• What they want• How to summarize it in the “30 second elevator speech”• How to target their resume for what they want• How to market themselves in the interview!

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What is a 30 secondElevator speech?

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Myths & Realities

MYTH: The most important word in the job search is “YES”

REALITY:Before you hear “Yes”, you probably need to hear “No”, “No”, “No”,

“No”, and “NO”. Each NO is one step closer to YES!• This means you are making an effort, communicating what you want,

making calls, sending emails, doing informational interviews, networking and asking for information and advice (not sitting by the phone

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Myths & Realities

MYTH:

The best way to look for another job is the newspaper, web, or job placement agencies

REALITY:

– 80% of good jobs are found through contacts, referrals and networking. So, spend 80% of your job search time making connections!

– Focus on what someone else might benefit from….not what will benefit for you.

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Myths & Realities

MYTH:

The best way to look for another job is the newspaper, web, or job placement agencies

REALITY:

– 80% of good jobs are found through contacts, referrals and networking. So, spend 80% of your job search time making connections!

• Neighbors• Previous co-workers• Dr., Dentist, Lawyer• Friends

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Myths & Realities

MYTH: The resume will get you the job.

REALITY:– The goal of a good resume is to help you:

• Focus your goals

• Attract attention

• GET YOU an Interview!– NOTE: The best time to leave a resume is after you’ve

connected with someone (it’s like a business card)

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Myths & Realities

MYTH: The job search must be a solitary activity

REALITY:– The best job search is one often conducted with another person.

This helps provide:

• Support

• Encouragement

• New ideas

• Accountability

• Commitment!

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How is a Resume “screened”

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What is a Resume?

A Marketing Tool .. Individually designed

Summarizes and highlights your background

Shows employers how you have contributed ….and how you’ve made a difference!

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What is a Resume?

Serves as a screening device Can guide the interview Should be targeted to each specific job Is just ONE piece of the job search

processl

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What is a Resume?

Should be crisp and focused Should be written in the language of the

industry or department Should be truthfully slanted to your goal

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What do you include on your resume?

The initial Heading: Objective, skills summary or profile Work experience Education and/or other training

information

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What do you include on your resume?

Other information: – Other skills (typing, computer, etc) – Licenses – Certificates – Awards – Professional affiliations – Language proficiencies

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Finder’s Sheet

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A Worksheet to get you started:

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The Heading(Use the “header” formatting)

• Include: – Name

• If you have a name you prefer to be called you can place this is ( )

• Example – Margaret (Peggy) Smith

– Address– Phone number– Email address

Sample Headings:(page 4)

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Objective:(page 5)

Should be written specifically for the position you are applying for:– What you want to do– Where you want to perform it– At what level of responsibility – With what goal in mind and/or – And/or utilizing what skills

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Other possible categories:

A “Skills Summary” A “Summary of Qualifications” or

“Qualifications Summary” Highlights Profile

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Skills Summary or Profile:(for Ernie the Alley Cat – pg 6)

Excellent nonverbal communication skills.

Highly developed purring ability. Affectionate. Adaptable. Rare feline

willingness to follow established guidelines.

Omnivorous. Strong rodent-control capabilities.

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Experience Heading:

Reverse chronological order (most recent experience first)

Include:– Name of organization– Location– Job Title– Dates of employment (or to “present”)

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The most important section!

Describe your job duties:– ACTION VERBS! (pg 17-18)– Describe accomplishments over duties

• Not just a job description

– Use present or past tense– Let’s try one! (write down a sentence

about something you currently do on your job)

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Experience Section:

Quantify information:– Number of employees you supervised– Amount of money you handled– Percentage increase in participation

Indicate positive outcomes!

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Problem Action Result!

Initiated a program to place students in professional position. Interviewed, screened and placed students in 150 positions and increased the placement rate by 25% in the first year.

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Positive Outcomes:

Reduced turnover Save money Increased efficiency Contributed to departmental goals Demonstrated ability to ….. Recognized for…..

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Experience examples:

Page 8

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Education Heading:

List the most recent schooling (reverse chronological)

Do not include High School if you have a college degree

Don’t always need to put the dates

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Education: (page 9)

The education information should include: • Name of the school or institution• Location • Date graduated (or anticipated date) • Major/minor • GPA (or major GPA) • Honors can also be added here (Dean's List...) • Related courses (that pertain to the position)

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Other Possible Headings: (pg 10)

TECHNICAL SKILLS: Proficient in:

– Microsoft Office 2005 (Work, Excel, PowerPoint) Harvard Graphics (DOS and Windows) Microsoft Windows 2000 Microsoft DOS 6.2 Alpha4

Familiar with: – Lotus 1-2-3 Microsoft Word for Windows

Video Show/Picture it

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Language Skills:

Fluent in French

Conversational Spanish

Basic Chinese

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Other Possible Headings: (pg 10)

Honors and Awards: Future Business Leaders of America,

President Professional Assistants International

Scholarship Berkley Award for Outstanding

Achievement in Business Education

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Professional Affiliations:

American Institute of Professional Accountants

Arizona Society of Certified Public Accountants

VP of Membership – The American Society for Training and Development

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Types of Resumes:

Chronological:

Functional:

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A few Samples:(pages 11 – 16)

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What a recent survey reported:

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Do’s and Don’ts

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S.M.A.R.T. Goals

Specific Measurable Acceptable Realistic Timely

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Your Individual Plan

Write down these goals:

– When will you complete a first draft of your resume:• DATE:________________________________________

– Who are three people who will look it over:• _____________________________________________• _____________________________________________• _____________________________________________

– When will these people have finished looking it over:• DATE:__________________________________________

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The Good Life

“Living in the place you belong, with the people you love, doing the what you love, on purpose”

Richard Leider, Repacking your bags, 1995 47

Small Group Discussion Get with your small

group Are you Plateaued?

– What are the “symptoms”?

– What are some issues or obstacles you’re facing?

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