February 21, 2012February 21, 2012

Entry task: What is a resume? What do you use it for?

Target: Identify what makes a successful resume, cover letter and thank you note today in class.

Lip SyncLip Sync

Leadership Opportunity!! Thursday night at 7:00PM in the Theatre $5.00 at the door 15 Leadership Points!

ResumesResumes

What do we use them for? Why?

What is a Resume?What is a Resume?

A personal summary of one’s background, experiences and accomplishments. A good resume will vary depending upon personal strengths as well as the type of job being applied for.

A resume must interest the employer enough to want to call and learn more.

Resume Importance?Resume Importance?

The average time a manager takes to scan a resume and determine if the applicant should be granted an interview is 20 seconds!

For this reason, the materials a person uses to market themselves must project a professional image!

What to Include on a What to Include on a ResumeResume Heading Objective Educational background Work experience Special skills Honors, awards, activities and volunteer

work References

PERSONAL PERSONAL INFORMATION/HEADINGINFORMATION/HEADING• NAME

– Full Name (first middle and last)

• ADDRESS– A permanent address where you can be reached

• TELEPHONE NUMBER– Include Area Code

• E-MAIL (if available)

• FAX NUMBER (if available)

CAREER OBJECTIVESCAREER OBJECTIVES Briefly state your GOALS and the type of

job you would like to be considered for. This may need to be changed for different

types of jobs. Should contain three characteristics: the

job type, the industry and geographical location

Example objective: A retail management position in the Seattle area.

EDUCATIONEDUCATION Present EDUCATIONAL EXPERIENCES in reverse

chronological order. List the last school attended first and then go

backwards. Include NAME and location of SCHOOLS. List CURRICULUM studied (College or University). Include DATES of attendance (2000-2003). List DIPLOMA or DEGREE earned. List the Relevant COURSES. Include the Grade Point Average (only if it is about 3.0 or

higher).

WORK EXPERIENCEWORK EXPERIENCE

• Include all PAID work.• Include VOLUNTEER work that may relate to

your objective or shows responsibility.• Include responsibilities gained at each

experience. • Use reverse chronological order• Include DATES (month and year) of

employment, the NAMES and LOCATIONS of the companies or organizations and job titles.

SKILLSSKILLS

These must be related specifically to the desired job. Should include statements that clearly describe how he/she used and developed that skill in the past.

Can include knowledge of software, foreign languages, leadership, teamwork, etc.

An example of a special skill: Proficient with all Microsoft programs and Adobe packages.

WORK SKILLSWORK SKILLS

Computer programs MicroSoft Office, PowerPoint Presentations,

Photo Shop, etc. Equipment

Cash Register, Copying Machines, etc. Personal work ethics

Dependability, Punctuality, Honesty, Creativity, Organization etc.

Awards, Honors, & Awards, Honors, & AchievementsAchievements• List any type of HONORS or

ACHIEVEMENTS in School - Community – Church:

• School Newspapers, Yearbook, National Honor Society, Honor Roll, Eagle Scout, City/County Youth Council, Volunteer Hospital work, etc.

• Any leadership roles should be mentioned because these skills can be very valuable to employers.

• Example: Received 1st place at the State Music Fest in a performance for 250 people.

REFERENCESREFERENCES

• “References available upon request.”– References are usually included on the JOB APPLICATION.

• Ask people who know your strengths to be references:– Former Employer, Teacher, Religious Leader, Close

Friend/Neighbor (adult) • Contact those people you will list and ask if you can use

their names as references.• Include NAME, POSITION (Business Title),

PHONE NUMBER, E-Mail Address• Be sure to ask permission from the individuals before

submitting their names to potential employers

REFERENCES CONTINUEDREFERENCES CONTINUED

Must include 3-5 references ASK THEM FIRST! Go over the positions that you have applied

for and the skills that you have for that position.

Must know your reference for at least one year.

References cannot be family, spouses, etc.

ACTION WORDSACTION WORDS

Are used to emphasize responsibilities related to work experiences.

They bring life to tasks performed and communicate those skills to potential employers.

Examples: participated, generated, implemented, organized and utilized.

WHAT WHAT NOTNOT TO INCLUDE ON A TO INCLUDE ON A RESUMERESUME• Weight• Height• Social Security Number• Birth date• Marital status• Photographs• Salary histories• Reasons for leaving past jobs• Hobbies, activities, and memberships that do

not relate to the sought position.

AVOID “I”AVOID “I”

Avoid using “I” statements. Never list exact dates, where as month and

year are sufficient. Never list the date that it was created, as it

will appear out of date if it is more than a few months old.

YOUR RESUME IS YOUR YOUR RESUME IS YOUR MARKETING TOOLMARKETING TOOL• Resumes may be prepared in various forms. • Remember to show your STRENGTHS. • Resume should be:

– TYPED or Computer generated.– Free from ERROR!– Minimum margins of ¾”– Printed on 8 1/2” X 11” paper (1 page).– Include COMPLETE and CORRECT INFORMATION.– Be NEAT and Look PROFESSIONAL.– Never stapled– Heading, education, experience and references (in that

order)