Purpose?

This ain’t your mama’s resume.

Whet their appetite!

Which is More Effective?

Constant remodeling

It’sa competitive

buyer’s market.

Resume length

• You have 10-15 seconds!

• One page

• Extensive experience – Two pages

Readability• Scan

• Copy

• Fax

Skip the template.

Building supplies• Professional quality paper

• White or light color

• Preferably, use a laser printer

Construction: margins• 1 inch on all sides

• Ample side margins

Construction: fonts• Size: 10-14 pt.

• Professional and easy to read

• Good styles:– Helvetica– Arial– Times– Schoolbook– New Century– Optima– Palatino

Sentence structure• Short

• Bulleted sentences

• Correct grammar

• Past tense - past experiences Present - current

• Avoid “I”

Resume types• Chronological

–Most common/recommended

–Experiences support career objective

Resume types• Functional

–Based on skills

Resume types• Combination

–Allows descriptive information as well as specific skills

Blueprint: resume elements• Objective• Education• Work experience• Activities• Additional information

Contact information• Be professional

– E-mail address

– Phone

• List current and permanent address

Objective• Brief, clearly stated

• Can replace with skills, profile or qualifications

• See “Writing Career Objectives Ready Reference.” (E5)

Sample objective

An entry-level position in the hospitality industry where a background in advertising and public relations would be needed.

Sample profile

Highly motivated, strong work ethic; available as needed for training, travel and overtime.

Sample skillsSPECIAL TRAINING• Specialized training in public relations, advertising, marketing, HTML and website design.• PC/Macintosh experience includes QuarkXPress, Photoshop, Illustrator, Acrobat, GoLive, InDesign and Pagemaker.

Sample qualifications

• Fluent in Spanish• Oklahoma Elementary Education Certification• Available to relocate

Forgethigh school!

Education• Degree(s)

• Major

• Minor

• Last institution attended

• Date of graduation

• GPA

Sample educationEDUCATIONOklahoma State University, Stillwater, OKBachelor of Science in Agriculture Expected: May 2012Majors: Animal Science and Agricultural CommunicationsEmphasis: Livestock MerchandisingGPA: 3.70•Financing 50% of education through part-time employment

Work experience• Volunteer, internships, work experiences• Relevant vs. other experience• Include:

– Title– Company– Location– Dates– Responsibilities

• Put in numbers• Prioritize responsibilities• Describe fully but briefly

Word choice• Vary words

• Action verbs

• Descriptive words

• See “Verbs, Modifiers, Qualities & Skills Ready Reference.” (E7)

Action verbs•Accelerated•Arranged•Accomplished•Changed•Communicated•Executed•Generated•Identified•Implemented•Launched•Maintained

•Monitored•Motivated•Obtained•Organized•Overcame•Piloted•Pioneered•Produced•Publicized•Renovated•Scheduled

Sample experiencePROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCEManaging Editor, American Hereford Association, Kansas City, MO – Oct. 1996 to present•Direct, author and edit all magazine and commercial newspaper editorial content.•Assist in layout.•Write association news releases.•Edit and design association newsletters. •As of April 1, 1998, expanded and administered association communications.Associate Editor, American Hereford Association, Kansas City, MO – July to Oct. 1996•Developed magazine editorial content, wrote feature stories and association news releases.

Executive Secretary, Arkansas Beef Council, Little Rock, AR – May 1995 to June 1996•Managed $1 million+ budget.•Oversaw and carried out beef council programs including the National Beef Cook-off.Director of Beef Promotion, Arkansas Cattlemen’s Association, Little Rock, AR•Implemented beef promotional activities.•Organized ACA events.•Created publicity for the nation’s largest state cattlemen’s association.

COLLEGE INTERNSHIPS:State Fair of Texas Livestock Media Department and American Salers Association

Unemployment gaps• Don’t emphasize dates

• Volunteer, freelance and consulting

• Use years only

• Functional resume

• Be open and honest (and positive) in cover letter

Activities• List skills and involvement

• Don’t include non-relevant hobbies

• Don’t abbreviate

• Include:– Leadership– Activities– Honors

Sample activitiesOSU ACTIVITIES AND HONORS:• Outstanding Animal Science Senior• Top Ten Senior, Division of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources• Livestock Judging Team, “Team of the Year” Member• Meat Judging Team, Reserve National Champion Team Member• Block and Bridle (4 years), Livestock Workshop Chairman• Ag Communicators of Tomorrow National Advertising Winner• Ag Communicators of Tomorrow National Feature Story — Fifth Place• OSU Ag Communicators of Tomorrow Feature Story Winner• President’s Leadership Council• OSU Alumni Association Outstanding Student Award Nominee• Who’s Who Among Students in American Universities and Colleges• Phi Kappa Phi, Golden Key, Alpha Zeta, Phi Eta Sigma Honor Societies

Sample activitiesINDUSTRY ACTIVITIES AND HONORS:• Chicago Mercantile Exchange Beef Industry Scholarship Winner• State 4-H Vice President• American Junior Hereford Association National Director (3 years), Second Vice President, Reporter• American Junior Hereford Association National Public Speaking Champion• Oklahoma Junior Hereford Association State Director and Officer (8 years)

Additional information• Languages spoken

• Visa status

• Special computer knowledge

Be the best on the market• Philanthropy

• Special skills/certifications

• Professional affiliations/associations

• Professional development workshops

Bonus points• Creative

• Eye catching

• Consistent

• Conservative

• Positive

All hands on deck• Spell check AND proofread

• Get other eyes on it

• Use career services staff

• You will have conflicts

Stand out with keywords.

File name• Use your name

–Anita Job resume.pdf

References• Always ask beforehand

• Provide with copy of resume

• Visit about career path and job description

References• One page• Same heading as resume• One employer, one faculty, one

personal• List should include:

– Name– Title– Employer– Address– Phone number– E-mail

The certified letter trick

Hand deliver

Should I use AP style?• State abbreviations• Publication names• Capitalization• Numbers• Punctuation• Street address

To do before graduation• Think about chosen career

–Jobs–Internships–Experiences–Skills –Contacts

• 90% of jobs are filled by referral.

• Brand yourself!

Budget your time• Finding a job is a 40-

hour/week job• Average job search: 6-9

months

Move that bus!

You are the HR manager• Oklahoma Wheat Commission Director of

Marketing/Communications– Director of marketing is assigned

responsibilities involving the planning, promotion and monitoring of marketing programs that will benefit the sale of Oklahoma wheat. The director of marketing will perform activities related to opening and expanding markets for the wheat producers of Oklahoma and perform other related educational functions which will enhance the wheat industry in the state.