Resume Writing

1. Resume Writing By: Meaghan Dwyer-McNally September 26, 2006

2. Objectives for this presentation • To identify the purpose and content of a professional resume • To discuss strategies to create a successful resume • To apply these concepts in reviewing selected resumes or constructing content for future resumes

3. What is a resume? • Everyone has a unique set of credentials and personal goals, a resume should be individually designed to reflect yours (Doelling, 1997). • A one-of-a-kind marketing communication! • A written document used to market your background to potential employers

4. The #1 purpose of a resume • To win you an interview with a prospective employer • By highlighting accomplishments that demonstrate to the potential employer that you are qualified for the position you want.

5. A resume should be: • Creative • Well written • Organized • Highlighting your education, skills, accomplishments, and experiences

6. Remember 1st impressions are the most important! • Make sure your resume is: • Visually enticing • Uniform and consistent • Absolutely error free! • Written concisely and to the point • Set up correctly

7. Brainstorm list Write about each important item on the list Pick the items that you will highlight on your resume Create sections Format your resume! (Princeton, 2006) When starting a resume from scratch…

8. Resume Formats: • Chronological • Functional • Combination

9. Contact Information Objective Summary Skills Experience Education Additional sections References Sections to include:

10. Contact Information: • Keep it simple • Name • Address • Phone number • E-mail address (make sure it’s professional!)

11. Objective: • #1 complaint of employers- A lack of a specific objective! • Clear and concise • Focus on your interest as well as your employers interest • “an XXX position in an organization where YYY and ZZZ would be needed.”

12. Summary Section • Several concise statements that focus the reader’s attention on the most important qualities, achievements, and abilities you have to offer (Lore, 1998) • “10-second sound bite”

13. Summary ingredients: • A short phrase describing your profession • Followed by a statement of broad or specialized expertise • One or more professional or appropriate personal characteristics • A sentence describing professional interest • Bullet 3 to 4 one-liners about who you are

14. Skills & Accomplishments • Here you will go into more detail than you did in the objective and summary • This can be 2 different sections • Great opportunity to really sell yourself!

15. Education: • Chronological order • Degrees and licenses • To include GPA or not? • No degree yet? • Expected • anticipated

16. Experience • Use RAP Statements (Result + Action + Problem/Project) (Princeton, 2006) • Include: job title, name of organization, dates of employment, & an active descriptive summary of job duties • Include: paid work, unpaid internships, extensive job opportunities • Use keywords, and skills used and developed

17. Additional sections • Awards • Civic/Community leadership • Publications • Comments from supervisors • Personal interests (if space is limited, these sections may also be used in your cover letter)

18. References • May put “References available upon request” • Do not include actual names on the resume • Can bring an extra sheet with a list of references to the interview

19. What NOT to include in your resume: • Exclude marital status, social security number, religion, race, etc. • Avoid controversial activities and associations • Do not use pronouns such as “I”, “She”, “He”, “Me’’, etc. • Photographs!

20. 2 words you should NEVER use in your resume: • “Entry- level” • One thing never to do on your resume is to stretch the truth

21. Proof reading your resume • Spell check • Read aloud • Have 2 additional people review it • Spell check again! • “Thirty second Proof Technique”(Doelling, 1997)

22. 1 page only Times Roman or other Serif font 10-12 point size No more that 2 fonts or sizes Margins Use quality paper Contact information clearly stated Use keywords and descriptive words No personal/discriminatory data Always remember your resume is never complete! Last minute tips!

23. End note: • There are many different ways to make a resume. It’s important to make a good first impression and tell your employer what you have to offer. Your resume will not get you a job, but it will hopefully get you an interview.

24. Curriculum Vitae (c.v.) • A detailed document that stresses teaching, research, grant awards, publications, and presentations (Doelling, 1997). • Used for academic or research positions • Demonstrates professional competence

25. Group Activities: • Create description of Maternal & Child Health Program for resume • Compare and contrast examples of resumes • Questions?

26. Presentation References • Boston College (2005). Resume writing. Retrieved September 14, 2006, from Career Center Website http://www.bc.edu/offices/careers/skills/resumes. • Doelling, C.N. (1997). Social work career development A handbook for job hunting and career planning. Washington, DC: NASW Press. • Lore, N. (1998). THE PATHFINDER: How to choose or change your career for a lifetime of satisfaction and success. New York, NY: Fireside. • Princeton University. Resume guide. Retrieved September 20, 2006, from Career Services Website http://web.princeton.edu/sites/career/Undergrad/JobSearch/resu me_guide.html • Purdue University (2003). Developing a winning resume. Retrieved September 14, 2006, from the Center for Career Opportunities Website http://purdue.placementmanual.com/resume. • University of Michigan, School of Social Work (2005). OFI: What is a resume. Retrieved September 13, 2006, from the Office of Field Instruction Website http://www.ssw.umich.edu/ofi/resume/whatis.html.