Career Workshop @ Your Library

1. Career Workshop@ Your Library Resume Writing & Computer Skills

2. Your Resume What It Is & What It Does • Your resume is “you” to potential employers • It is their first opportunity to get to know you • If it is merely “good enough” it tells them that is the kind of job you will do

3. Your Resume What It Is & What It Does con’t • It takes potential employers 8-30 seconds to “read” a resume1 • The purpose of the resume is to get an interview • Put nothing in a resume that will discourage them from asking you for an interview 1What Color Is Your Parachute?, Richard N. Bolles, 2009, p. 53

4. Resumes in the Digital Age • Computers, word processing software are standard creation tools for resumes • Posting, emailing, uploading resumes are common, as well as saving and printing • Digital resumes are easier to change

5. MicroSoft Word This is how it looks when you open the program – familiarize yourself with the tools at the top.

6. Resume Templates in Word Choose one that showcases the information you want to convey.

7. Using Templates:highlight text & type in your own information

8. Resume Writing Pointers • If you state a goal, make it about what you want to do for THEM, not for YOU. • Be consistent with the formats you use. • Consider using a “Profile” section. • State achievements and accomplishments and use dollars and percentages when possible. • If skills and abilities are varied, group them in categories. • If there are gaps in employment, list the number of years in each position.

9. Challenges • Format • Readable, 11 or 12 point font • Organization • Chronological or Functional • Cover letters • Customize! • Number of pages • One is best

10. Resources • Career center books • Brochures, additional workshops • Resume builder in Learning Express Library