Writing an Effective ResumeWriting an Effective Resume

Road MapRoad Map Role of the ResumeRole of the Resume Types of ResumesTypes of Resumes Resume FormatsResume Formats Resume SectionsResume Sections Additional DocumentationAdditional Documentation Miscellaneous TipsMiscellaneous Tips Miscellaneous TiltsMiscellaneous Tilts Sample ResumesSample Resumes

What is a Resume?What is a Resume?

A marketing toolA marketing tool Your first tool for building a careerYour first tool for building a career The The first impressionfirst impression a prospective employer has of you a prospective employer has of you A A selling toolselling tool that allows you to highlight to an employer how you that allows you to highlight to an employer how you

can contribute to the companycan contribute to the company Request for an interviewRequest for an interview

Purpose of the resume is to Purpose of the resume is to get you an interviewget you an interview Must capture the reader’s interest and attentionMust capture the reader’s interest and attention Must convince the employer that you have the ability to fill their Must convince the employer that you have the ability to fill their

positionposition Your “big picture”Your “big picture”

A A snapshot of what you believesnapshot of what you believe are your most important are your most important experiences and qualificationsexperiences and qualifications

Types of ResumesTypes of Resumes

A Paper/PDF ResumeA Paper/PDF Resume A printed resume for use at job fairs, conferences, …A printed resume for use at job fairs, conferences, … Should be clean, concise, professional, and pleasing to the eyeShould be clean, concise, professional, and pleasing to the eye Use bullets, bolding, and indentationUse bullets, bolding, and indentation Take this resume with you on job interviews, career breakfasts, …Take this resume with you on job interviews, career breakfasts, …

An Electronic ResumeAn Electronic Resume A plain text resume for on-line submissionA plain text resume for on-line submission Typically must conform to employer specificationsTypically must conform to employer specifications Use left-justified and space indented formattingUse left-justified and space indented formatting If desired, use “+”, “*”, and “0” to represent bulletsIf desired, use “+”, “*”, and “0” to represent bullets

An HTML ResumeAn HTML Resume Typically includes links to homepage, images, … Typically includes links to homepage, images, … Avoid this type of resumeAvoid this type of resume Most people don’t want an employer walking around in their homepageMost people don’t want an employer walking around in their homepage

Resume Formats - ChronologicalResume Formats - Chronological Highlight your Highlight your

work experience in work experience in reversereverse chronological chronological order order

Be sure to Be sure to not not leave gapsleave gaps

The most widely The most widely used format for used format for working working professionalsprofessionals

Cut off

Resume Formats - FunctionalResume Formats - Functional Highlight specific Highlight specific

skillsskills for which for which the market has the market has high demandhigh demand

Seldom usedSeldom used by by new graduatesnew graduates

Frequently used Frequently used to to change jobschange jobs or or careerscareers

Again, cut off

Resume Formats - CombinationalResume Formats - Combinational Highlight Highlight specific specific

work experiencework experience Highlight Highlight marketable marketable

skillsskills The The best resume stylebest resume style

for most college for most college studentsstudents

I would prefer bullets

The Silver BulletThe Silver Bullet

What is unique or interesting about your college experience?What is unique or interesting about your college experience?

My RecommendationMy Recommendation If you have an interesting internship – If you have an interesting internship –

emphasize it – emphasize it – if not get one!if not get one! Most UW-EC graduates have interesting Most UW-EC graduates have interesting

project experienceproject experience Build on your liberal arts education!!!Build on your liberal arts education!!! Demonstrate Demonstrate leadershipleadership, , communicationcommunication, ,

cultural awarenesscultural awareness

Standard Resume SectionsStandard Resume Sections

HeaderHeader ObjectiveObjective EducationEducation Honors/ActivitiesHonors/Activities Work ExperienceWork Experience Relevant CoursesRelevant Courses SkillsSkills ProjectsProjects

Move toward bottom

I prefer other order

The Header SectionThe Header Section

The first line should be your nameThe first line should be your name Larger than the Larger than the largest fontlargest font used in body used in body Avoid using decorative fontsAvoid using decorative fonts Don’t use black or gray shaded backgroundsDon’t use black or gray shaded backgrounds Exclude titles Mr., Mrs., Ms., …Exclude titles Mr., Mrs., Ms., …

Include contact addressInclude contact address Permanent addressPermanent address Current addressCurrent address

Include your email addressInclude your email address Use your UWEC email address Use your UWEC email address Don’t use “Don’t use “BIGBOY@HOT_MAIL.COMBIGBOY@HOT_MAIL.COM””

Include your phone numberInclude your phone number Change the message machine to be appropriateChange the message machine to be appropriate

The Objective SectionThe Objective Section

Considered optional but I strongly suggest including itConsidered optional but I strongly suggest including it

Make statement clear, concise, and to the pointMake statement clear, concise, and to the point Bad: Bad: “I want to get a job“I want to get a job”” Weak: Weak: “To attain an internship in the computer industry.”“To attain an internship in the computer industry.” Good: Good: “To attain an internship in the computer industry working “To attain an internship in the computer industry working

with database or network security.”with database or network security.” Avoid being overly specific to single companyAvoid being overly specific to single company

““To attain a position at 3M Pharmaceuticals working on …”To attain a position at 3M Pharmaceuticals working on …” I prefer objectives from the company’s perspectiveI prefer objectives from the company’s perspective

““To attain a web application programming position where To attain a web application programming position where knowledge of Java and the Struts framework will add value the knowledge of Java and the Struts framework will add value the overall development process.”overall development process.”

The Work Experience SectionThe Work Experience Section

Dedicated to most recent and relevant employmentDedicated to most recent and relevant employment FormatFormat

Employer and location on the first lineEmployer and location on the first line Don’t need name of supervisor, complete address, or contact informationDon’t need name of supervisor, complete address, or contact information

Position and time-span on the second linePosition and time-span on the second line Use only year, not month and year (avoids time gaps)Use only year, not month and year (avoids time gaps)

Each position should have at least two bulletsEach position should have at least two bullets Explain role and contributionsExplain role and contributions Don’t emphasize duties but rather emphasize Don’t emphasize duties but rather emphasize outcomesoutcomes

““Increased efficiency of … by 20%”Increased efficiency of … by 20%” ““Improved user navigation experience on …”Improved user navigation experience on …”

Descriptions should be consistent in wordingDescriptions should be consistent in wording Watch the tenseWatch the tense

Current job uses present tenseCurrent job uses present tense Former jobs use past tense Former jobs use past tense

Employers wantproblem solvers

The Relevant Courses SectionThe Relevant Courses Section

The keyword is The keyword is relevantrelevant courses courses Don’t include Foundations of ComputingDon’t include Foundations of Computing Don’t include Algorithms and Data StructuresDon’t include Algorithms and Data Structures Focus on courses the are either unique or would normally be Focus on courses the are either unique or would normally be

considered electiveconsidered elective Computer SecurityComputer Security Computer GraphicsComputer Graphics Artificial IntelligenceArtificial Intelligence Computer NetworksComputer Networks Database SystemsDatabase Systems Data MiningData Mining

The Projects SectionThe Projects Section

Used correctly, this section can set you apart from other new graduatesUsed correctly, this section can set you apart from other new graduates Most new grads don’t get the opportunity to use this sectionMost new grads don’t get the opportunity to use this section

Show any lengthy, impressive, or relevant projects to which you have Show any lengthy, impressive, or relevant projects to which you have made real contributionmade real contribution

Each project should have at least two bullets (focus on outcomes)Each project should have at least two bullets (focus on outcomes)““Market Basket Analysis SystemMarket Basket Analysis System

Designed and implemented a Java application for predicting future purchases Designed and implemented a Java application for predicting future purchases based on a probabilistic analysis of past purchase recordsbased on a probabilistic analysis of past purchase records

Deployed system as a web service using XML and SOAP and an Oracle Deployed system as a web service using XML and SOAP and an Oracle database on the backenddatabase on the backend

Used synchronized threads to increase overall throughput of the system to Used synchronized threads to increase overall throughput of the system to handle up to 50 client requests per second”handle up to 50 client requests per second”

Scannable ResumesScannable Resumes

Most large employers will scan your resume into a central Most large employers will scan your resume into a central databasedatabase

Tips to assist the scanning processTips to assist the scanning process Don’t use italics, underlining, or graphicsDon’t use italics, underlining, or graphics Use bold only for headersUse bold only for headers Use “scanner-friendly” fonts (Serif or Sans Serif fonts)Use “scanner-friendly” fonts (Serif or Sans Serif fonts)

Times New Roman, Courier, Helvetica, or Arial are good examplesTimes New Roman, Courier, Helvetica, or Arial are good examples Font sizes of between 9 and 12Font sizes of between 9 and 12

Use black ink on white backgroundUse black ink on white background Tips to assist the retrieval processTips to assist the retrieval process

Most lookup is keyword-basedMost lookup is keyword-based Samples: Unix, C++, Java, hardware, networking, trouble-Samples: Unix, C++, Java, hardware, networking, trouble-

shooting, testing, security, data mining, …shooting, testing, security, data mining, …

Tips on Delivery of Your ResumeTips on Delivery of Your Resume

Posting OnlinePosting Online ““rules” are still emergingrules” are still emerging Common mistake – formatting that doesn’t make the tripCommon mistake – formatting that doesn’t make the trip

Convert to text onlyConvert to text only Use PDF if allowedUse PDF if allowed ProofreadProofread carefully after conversion carefully after conversion

If they ask about salary, leave it emptyIf they ask about salary, leave it empty If they force salary, be honest but don’t shoot for the moonIf they force salary, be honest but don’t shoot for the moon

Emailing your resumeEmailing your resume Attach resume as a PDF document (or Word document)Attach resume as a PDF document (or Word document)

75 – 80% of companies are running Windows75 – 80% of companies are running Windows Also include text version in the email message Also include text version in the email message

Attachments can get dropped or filteredAttachments can get dropped or filtered Test before deployTest before deploy

Send to at least three friends, ask them to print it and send it back to youSend to at least three friends, ask them to print it and send it back to you

Miscellaneous Tips (1)Miscellaneous Tips (1)

Act like a professionalAct like a professional Avoid cutesy or inappropriate graphics, images, formats, …Avoid cutesy or inappropriate graphics, images, formats, …

One page onlyOne page only You are a fresh graduate, don’t assume that the one-page rule You are a fresh graduate, don’t assume that the one-page rule

doesn’t apply to you!doesn’t apply to you! Stick to the truthStick to the truth

Don’t sprinkle buzzwords in that you really don’t understandDon’t sprinkle buzzwords in that you really don’t understand It speaks volumes about your character when you can’t explain It speaks volumes about your character when you can’t explain

your own resumeyour own resume Focus on achievements and resultsFocus on achievements and results

Laundry lists of duties are not impressiveLaundry lists of duties are not impressive

Miscellaneous Tips (2)Miscellaneous Tips (2)

Use easy-to-read languageUse easy-to-read language Winston Churchill - “Use short, old words.”Winston Churchill - “Use short, old words.”

Get the words and punctuation correctGet the words and punctuation correct Errors and “broken English” are the kiss of deathErrors and “broken English” are the kiss of death

Follow the instructionsFollow the instructions If the company asks for specific information, then give it to themIf the company asks for specific information, then give it to them

Follow upFollow up If you said you would call, then callIf you said you would call, then call

Maintain a consistent writing styleMaintain a consistent writing style Avoid “To apply …” then “Applying …”Avoid “To apply …” then “Applying …”

Avoid the use of “I” or “my”Avoid the use of “I” or “my”

Don’t Make These Famous MistakesDon’t Make These Famous Mistakes

““Education: Curses in liberal arts, curses in computer Education: Curses in liberal arts, curses in computer science, curses in accounting”science, curses in accounting”

““Personal: Married, 1992 Chevrolet”Personal: Married, 1992 Chevrolet”

““Proven ability to track down and correct erors.”Proven ability to track down and correct erors.”

““Disposed of $2.5 billion in assets”Disposed of $2.5 billion in assets”

““Accomplishments: Oversight of entire department”Accomplishments: Oversight of entire department”

Cover Letter: Cover Letter: “Thank you for your consideration. I hope “Thank you for your consideration. I hope to hear from you shorty!”to hear from you shorty!”

Good Examples (1)Good Examples (1)

Good Examples (2)Good Examples (2)

Bad Examples (1)Bad Examples (1)

Bad Examples (2)Bad Examples (2)