Creating an Effective Resume

1. Creating an Effective Resume Created by Mrs. Anderson

2. Nine Question Quiz from Monster.Com 1. Does your resume have an objective or summary statement? A. I'm trying to keep my options open, so my resume has a general objective statement that doesn't tie me to any one position. This way, I can use the resume to apply to a bunch of different jobs. B. My resume doesn't have an objective or a summary statement. C. My resume is targeted to my current career goal and includes my desired job title in a Career Summary section.

3. The BEST Answer is C • This is the strongest answer. The most effective resumes have an objective or summary that includes a clear job target. This enables hiring managers to understand your career goals and qualifications at the beginning of the resume.

4. 2. How did you figure out which keywords to add to your resume? • My field has a lot of industry jargon, which I added to my resume under the appropriate positions. • I didn't think about adding keywords. I wrote my resume and hoped for the best. • I've incorporated industry buzzwords that I know apply to my career goal. I've also reviewed a number of job ads to see if there are any other frequently used terms that apply to my qualifications and added those as well.

5. The BEST Answer is C • This is the strongest answer. By doing extra research on hiring managers' needs, you might find additional buzzwords that will help your resume get found in an electronic applicant search. Examples of keywords are job titles (sales manager, project manager, network administrator), specific skills (HTML, project management, financial analysis) and education (MBA, BA, BS, bachelor of arts). Some hiring managers have reported they also use soft skills, such as self-starter, and specific company or school names as keywords.

6. A recent Michigan State University employment study stated that most companies look for the following qualities in new employees (CAM Report, March, 2004): • Strong oral and written communication skill • Strong work ethic • Flexibility • Teamwork • Initiative • Motivation • Willingness to acquire new skills • Positive attitude • Computer software skills • Integrity • Problem-solving ability • Organization • Leadership • Customer-service orientation • Time management • The ability to perform well under pressure.

7. 3. Does your resume relay the significance of your accomplishments? • My resume contains specific examples of how my employers benefited from my performance. Wherever possible, I have included measurable outcomes of my work. • I didn't see the need to explain my accomplishments -- I can do that in the job interview. • I haven't included accomplishments on my resume.

8. The BEST Answer is A • This is the strongest answer. When you provide quantifiable accomplishments, employers understand the impact of your job performance and can predict your chance of future success.

9. 4. Have you included personal information such as age, marital status and hobbies? • Yes, I would like employers to understand what I'm all about, so I've included a section for personal information. • I haven't included personal information, but I added a list of hobbies. • No, I haven't included any personal information on my resume.

10. The BEST Answer is C • This is the strongest answer. Your resume will be more effective if it focuses on work-related credentials, rather than including details about your personal life.

11. 5. Do you state your reasons for leaving each employer? • No, I haven't included my reasons for leaving previous employers. • I have included my reasons for leaving my most recent employer. • Yes, my resume includes why I left each employer throughout my career.

12. The BEST Answer is A • This is the strongest answer. Your resume is a marketing tool, so you are correct in omitting your reasons for leaving each employer.

13. 6. Do you use the personal pronouns ''I'', ''me'' and ''my'' in your resume? • Yes, I have used personal pronouns throughout my resume. • No, there are no personal pronouns in my resume. • I have used the words ''I'' and ''my'' in the objective statement only.

14. The BEST Answer is B • This is the strongest answer. Personal pronouns are not necessary, because it's understood you are referring to yourself. Also, removing pronouns makes your resume more concise and less ''I'' focused.

15. 7. Which best describeshow you filled in the ''Describe Your Ideal Job'' and ''Describe Your Ideal Company'' fields on your Monster resume? • I wrote about what I'm looking for in an employer and job, including excellent benefits, flextime, salary and bonuses. • I focused on my interest in finding a future-oriented company with potential for growth and employee advancement. • I wrote that I'm looking for an employer who will benefit from my job performance and reiterated my value proposition.

16. The BEST Answer is C • This is the strongest answer. You've shown that your main concern is to contribute to a potential employer's success, and you've used this opportunity to reiterate how you would add value to an employer's operation.

17. 8. Does your resume have typos or other errors? • No, my resume was carefully proofread by a professional writer, and I also showed it to a number of trusted colleagues to make sure my resume is error-free. • I ran my resume through my word-processing program's spell check, so it should be OK. • I reviewed my resume before sending it out, and I haven't heard any comments from employers.

18. The BEST Answer is A • This is the strongest answer. Nothing beats having your resume professionally reviewed to ensure perfection. It pays to solicit feedback from as many people as possible, as a resume with just one typo could be destined for the circular file.

19. 9. How successful is your resume in generating interviews? • I have my resume on Monster, and I frequently send it out to employers, but I haven't had any response. • I've been using my resume as part of an aggressive job search, which includes keeping an updated profile on Monster, networking as much as I can and following up on all possible leads. I've been going on job interviews but have not yet found the right position as of yet. • I have been getting calls for interviews, but they've been for positions way below my experience or salary level.

20. The BEST Answer is B • This is the strongest answer. Congratulations, your resume is working for you. For more great resume advice, check out the articles in the Resume Center of Monster.com. Quiz questions were all taken from Monster.com retrieved February 23, 2008.

21. Remember • Research shows that students should not work more than 15 – 20 hours per week. • Students who are involved in school perform much better than those who are not.

22. AND . . . • Once you graduate from high school then college, you will spend over a third of your life working. • So make the best of it.