Resume Writing Tips

1. Resume Writing Tips

2. What is your Resume? Past : What have you done? Present: What are you doing? Future: What do you want?

3. Resume Elements • Contact Information • Work Experience • Technical Skills • Education • Honors and Special Skills • Professional Affiliations

4. General Guidelines • Length:1 to 2 typed pages • Be as concise and keep it uncluttered Recommended Font: Not smaller than 10 point • Not larger than 12 point Paper:Use 8 1/2 ” x 11” and 20 lb paper Print your resume with a high quality printer.

5. Research before Writing a Resume • Find out • Desired qualifications and skills • General job information • Key values and words • Check with • Company Literature • Internet • Directories

6. Identifying Information • Name • Addresses • Phone Numbers • Email Address or Fax Number • *Should appear at the top of your resume* KIMBERLY ANN HURST 1305 Palmer Dr. #1276 West Lafayette, IN Boiler@purdue.edu (765) 555-1706

7. Objective Statement (optional) • Summarize your area of expertise and career interest in 2 to 3 sentences. • Write complete sentences or as descriptive phrases • - minimal punctuation. • Relate your existing skills directly to the job you are seeking. • Demonstrate what you can do for the company.

8. Objective Statement Avoid over generalized statements: • A position allowing me to utilize my knowledge and expertise in different areas • Use statements such as: • Seeking a clerical position which allows me to apply my background and hardworking ability as well as become an asset to your company • To obtain a position with Sprint as a telemarketer

9. Summary of Qualifications • Concise targeted statement or list of accomplishments • Summarize your key skills and qualifications pertaining to the job

10. Qualifications Statement Summary of Qualifications • More than 13 years experience as a technical trainer/instructor with strong knowledge in software and technical training. • Strong ability to translate technical information making it easily understood by non-technical audiences.

11. Key Qualifications

12. Education • This is an important section for recent college graduates or students seeking internships or summer jobs. • Beginning with the highest level of educational achievement. Include: • University Attended • Grade Point Average • Degrees Earned • Date of Program Completion • Minors • Major

13. Education Bachelor of Science in Computer Engineering HOPE University, West Lafayette, IN Pursuing a Pre-Engineering Associates of Arts degree Gulf Coast Community College, Panama City, FL

14. Employment Experience • Include positions you have held which are related to the job you are seeking. • Describe and emphasize your experiences in the most relevant way possible.

15. Action Phrases: • Action phrases help: • You avoid being too brief • Think about your qualifications • as a professional would.

16. Employment Experience Hospitality Specialist (May 1999-August 2003) Mountain Jacks, Lafayette, IN • Oversaw the planning, production, preparation and prompt delivery of food • Assisted in training and retaining new and experienced employees • Created a positive and healthy atmosphere in the restaurant • Include information such as company name and location, job title, dates, and duties performed. • Make this section easy to read by using spacing and bullets. • Use action phrases to highlight the duties you have performed.

17. Activities and Honors • Include relevant activities and honors: • That you could discuss with your prospective employer • That have given you valuable experience or skills.

18. Specialized Skills • Include skills that make you unique - computer skills, foreign language skills, or military service. • Be specific in describing your special skills - name computer programs you know, how long you studied a foreign language, or your dates of military service.

19. References • In general, do not include the names and addresses of your references on your resume. • It is enough to state that references are available upon request. • Choose professional references rather than character references.

20. Reference Sheet Ms. Mary Delinsky Operation Manager Kmart, Inc. Destin, FL (850) 494-3723 • Include the names and phone numbers of your references. • Always ask permission before you include any information on your reference sheet. • Consider giving your references a copy of your resume so they will be prepared to talk to employers.

21. Types of Resumes The most common resume styles are: FUNCTIONAL CHRONOLOGICAL

22. Chronological Resume Style • Present your education and work experience in chronological order - beginning with your most recent experiences. • This style is best for people whose: • Job experiences closely parallel the positions for which they are applying or • Who have not had periods of unemployment time between jobs.

23. Chronological Resume Example

24. Functional Resume Style • WHY? • Shifting Careers • Unrelated Jobs • Entering Workforce after long period of not working • ALLOWS: • Ignore experiences that do not relate to the job • Place things in order of importance rather than chronological order.

25. Functional Resume Example • Jane K. Doe • 305 Delle Street, Panama City, FL 32405 • Phone: (850) 555-3507 • Email: janedoe@yahoo.com • ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ • Objective • To obtain a position as an Elementary Teacher that will enable me to utilize my strong organizational skills, educational background, and ability to work well with people.               • Key Abilities • *Educational Experience *Communication Skills *Problem Solver • *Dependable *Work Well Under Pressure *Organized • Professional Experience • Child Care • Identify signs of emotional or developmental problems in children and bring them to parents' or guardians' attention. • Instruct children in health and personal habits, such as eating, resting, and toilet habits. • Read to children and teach basic skills such as color, shape, number and letter recognition, songs, personal hygiene, and social skills. • Leadership • Provide a variety of materials and resources for children to explore, manipulate and use both in learning activities and in imaginative play. • Establish and enforce rules for behavior, and procedures for maintaining order. • Observe and evaluate children's performance, behavior, social development, and physical health.

26. Biggest mistakes: Running too short or too long DON'T include personal information Physical shortcomings Highlighting duties instead of accomplishments Typos and “Poor Punctuation;

27. Contact: Career Center Leila Winther Student Union East Rm 54 872-3855 Job Placement Office Christine Etheridge Student Union East Rm 54 769-1551 x 3339