Resumes That Get Recognized[12]
Transcript of Resumes That Get Recognized[12]
Resumes that get Recognized
The Plan
• Reason for resumes• Things to keep in mind• Specific parts and pieces of the resumes• Refer to handout examples
Real Reasons for Resumes
• Focus employers on your skills & accomplishments
• Most important marketing tool• Forms first impression• Everyone has an opinion• Not a history piece
Start off Strong
• Most relevant information first• 10-30 second rule• Grab readers’ attention• Clear, strong verbs• Quantify information
Research Your Audience
• Research employer/job announcements– What is the mission, vision, and values of
organization?• Use Contacts• Culture of the organization
Utilize Job Announcement
• Job Announcement is your answer sheet• Read job descriptions & requirements
– Utilize language from job announcement– Provides information for you to emphasize– How do your qualifications/skills match the
needs of the employer?
Job Titles May Fool You
• Don’t rely on job titles alone to present your skills to the employer.– Why? Titles give very little information about
extent of work accomplished• Different meanings-depending on organization
Visual Format
• Use what format works for you• Written in 3rd person – No “I” statements• One to two pages
– Use name and page number for consecutive pages
• Adjust paper margins and font sizes accordingly
• Be consistent with the format• Examples
Contact Information
• Contact information– Name– Address– Telephone Number– E-mail– Virtual portfolio site: VisualCV
Objective
• Similar to your professional goal• Specific and concise• Focused and targeted to the employer/job,
not you– Position or type of work being sought– Field of work– Skills to be used on job
• Remainder of resume should support your objective
Objective Examples
• Speak directly to the needs of each recipient. Don’t try to be all things to all people.
• What not to do:– “Seeking a challenging position that offers
professional growth.”• Somewhat improved:
– “A challenging entry-level accounting position.”
• Best:– “A challenging entry-level accounting
position that requires proven skills in data analysis to increase revenue.”
More Objective Examples
• Position as a marketing assistant with xyz company.
• Agency position advising adolescents and their families.
• Internship which will allow utilization and expansion of accounting skills.
• Position as a school nurse• Management position incorporating skills in
customer relations.
Qualification Summary (Optional)
• Synopsis of experience, skills & education• 3–5 phrases• Synthesis of resume• Remainder of resume should support the
summary• 10–30 second• Can replace objective if focused on your
occupational interests
Qualification Summary Example
SUMMARY OF QUALIFICATIONS• Effective decision-maker with a focus on the
accounting aspects of business• Self motivated and resourceful,
demonstrating strong communication skills, sound judgment, and ability to complete tasks in a highly professional manner
• Multilingual skills include fluent Vietnamese• Experienced in auditing financial statements
and accounting information systems
Education
• Reverse chronological order• Degree, concentration, major, focus• City, state, graduation date or projected
graduation date• GPA (optional), academic awards, honors,
scholarships• Relevant coursework/classes/projects
(Keep all course syllabi)• If current college student, high school
information is not necessary to include
Education Example
EDUCATIONUniversity of Washington TacomaPursuing Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration - June 2011Concentration in Accounting GPA 3.7
CPA Candidate – Test scheduled May 2011
Green River Community CollegeAssociate in Business - June 2009
Relevant Coursework
• Formal titles of courses• Group/individual projects• Research projects• Example
Work & Experience
• Convey relevant accomplishments & resultsrather than responsibilities/duties
• Focus on those 3-5 skills most relevant to job seeking (objective) in order of importance
• Start with verbs• Make sure your skills are transferrable• Be brief and action oriented
Work & Experience Cont.
• Stress results- Quantify: Increase sales, reduce costs,
improve productivity, implement a new program/procedure, develop a new idea
• Elaborate contributions to past employers
• Verb + What you did or are doing + result/accomplishment = bullet point
• Example: “Assigned increasingly challenging projects based on performance, initiative, teamwork and professionalism.”
Talk about Your Experiences
• Use a coach• Talk about your experiences in
classes, work, volunteer, other relevant information through prompted questions
Questions to Get You StartedAsk the questions:• Were you selected for any significant projects?• Did you extend your knowledge beyond your normal
responsibilities?• Did you develop forms/processes that improved efficiency?• Do you have a strong record for on-time project
completions?• Did you improve customer relations?• How have you demonstrated your leadership skills?• Have you worked while completing your degree?• Have you held leadership responsibilities in activities or
student orgs?• Did you study abroad?• Were you recruited to resolve a major problem?• Did you bring new ideas or vision to the organization?• How would your colleagues/classmates describe you?
Convey Experiences in Writing
• Write/brainstorm• Spend time writing about past
experiences, skills, accomplishments & achievements for each job, internship & class.
• Support with examples• Highlight relevant experiences
Experience & Accomplishment Examples
• Organized filing system that resulted in 50% faster retrieval time
• Coordinated weekend retreat enhancing leadership & communication skills
• Conducted research of existing software program to help staff determine new applications
• Wrote and designed new company brochure
Experiences to Consider
• Internships• Summer jobs• Volunteer work• Class projects• Extracurricular activities• Leadership positions
Other Sections Worth Including
• Special Skills– Computer– Technical– Foreign Language
• Professional Memberships– Name of organization– Offices held– Dates
References
• Include on a separate document• Have ready for interview• ASK references FIRST & send email
reminder when applying for jobs• Three or four total references:
– Career-related– Supervisors – jobs or internships– Work peers– Professors
Reference Example
Heather Galloni (Adviser)
Student Services SpecialistCareer Development & EducationUniversity of Washington TacomaBox 358410 Tacoma, WA [email protected]
What Not To Do
• Stating reason for leaving previous jobs– Best discussed at interview
• Personal data– Race, age, sex, religion, marital status
• Picture• Salary information
– Unless specifically requested• Avoid repeating yourself• If unemployed: make this as small as
possible– Use “self-employed” or “freelancing” if
appropriate
Polished Resume
• Write, rewrite, and polish• Proofread; read aloud• Present tense: current experience, activities• Past tense: previous experience, activities• Cover letter when mailing• Check with others: does it clearly sell you?
Questions?