RESUME WORKSHOP

1. RESUME WORKSHOP

2. WHAT IS A RESUME? A resume is your personal information sheet that introduces your skills and abilities to an employer. A resume should present you as an organized and motivated person. A resume should show the employer that you are serious about finding a job. Never forget that the goal of a resume is to obtain a job interview.

3. INTRODUCTION You only get one chance to make a first impression! Your first contact with a prospective employer will be when he or she reads your resume. First impressions are lasting - so think of your resume as an extension of you!

4. A NOTE TO THE WISE! There is no such thing as a �right� or �wrong� resume. The best indicator of whether your resume is doing its job is by answering this question, �Are employers contacting you?�

5. BASIC GUIDELINES Most resumes should be one page. A resume should look neat, concise and be easy to read. A resume should contain information on your work history, education, volunteer activities, military experiences and skills. A job objective should be clearly stated. Do not use �I� in your resume. Start with your action words. (e.g. Delegated responsibility)

6. BASIC GUIDELINES (cont.) Use professional looking resume paper that is white, off-white, light tan, or light gray. As resumes are often faxed, be sure to have one copy on plain white paper as it is easier to read. If you email a resume, be sure you have used the correct software program (i.e. Word 2003 vs. Word 2007; Mac vs. PC).

7. DETAILS OF RESUME WRITING Paper: 8 1/2� x 11�, white or ivory, and 100 % cotton fiber. Margins: 1� margins on either side and 1 1/2� margins on top and bottom. Typeface: �Times New Roman� or �Arial� are usually the best to use. Spacing: A resume with too much space or very little space looks bad - fill up the page, but double space! Font Size: 10 - 12 font size.

8. DETAILS OF RESUME WRITING Headings: Section headings are either centered or placed on the left margin. Whatever you choose, just be consistent. Dates: Be sure that you indicate the dates of employment, completion of training or education programs, or volunteer experiences. The dates should show month and year. Dates are either placed on the left margin or integrated into the descriptions you write. Again, whatever you choose, be consistent!

9. CHRONOLOGICAL STYLE RESUME This resume emphasizes your past work experiences and dates of employment. This resume style is only useful if you are applying for a job that you have already done before because it highlights your most important strength � related experience. If you have little or no experience, the functional or hybrid resume is a better choice.

10. FUNCTIONAL STYLE RESUME A functional resume focuses on your work skills, abilities, and training/education. It helps show the employer how your current skills can be �transferred� into the job that you are applying for. Works well for people with little or no work experience or for people changing careers. Answers the employer�s question about whether you are qualified for the job.

11. HYBRID STYLE RESUME The hybrid resume is now the most popular way to create a resume. It allows you to combine both the chronological and functional resume style into one. The hybrid resume retains the same chronological order but there is a lot more emphasis on skills and achievements. This style of resume works well if you have some experience but not enough to put in a chronological resume.

12. CREATING A RESUME The Resume Booklet that is available on the SSC Website provides examples of chronological, functional and hybrid resumes. What is more, there are templates to assist you in writing your own resume!

13. TRANSFERABLE SKILLS Transferable Skills are skills that you have obtained through past job, hobbies, and/or volunteer work. Highlighting your transferable skills is important if you have no direct experience. You want to show the employer that although you may be new to this type of job, you have collected skills through other activities that you can use in this new job. To identify your transferable skills, use the template available in the Resume Booklet.

14. TRANSFERABLE SKILLS (cont.) To identify your transferable skills: List all job titles and detailed descriptions of job duties List all technical skills that you know how to use (computer, tools, machines, etc.) Make a list of the skills and duties that your new job requires (you can obtain this info from the job posting) Match any of your transferable skills to your job skills list Those are the skills you want to highlight on your resume!

15. SUMMARY Be sure to review your resume before sending it to an employer. Make sure your resume is easy to read with no spelling or grammatical errors. Emphasize your skills, achievements and other accomplishments if relevant. Use the �Resume Checklist� that is available in the Resume Booklet.

16. SUMMARY (cont.) Your resume is a factual document that describes your skills and abilities. So keep to the facts! Do not forget that an employer�s first impression of you will be based on your resume! Have as many people as possible review your resume before you test it out on the job you really want! Your resume should be a constant work in progress!

17. THE �RESUME BOOKLET� The Resume Booklet is a valuable resource as you begin to write your resume or update your old resume. Sometimes it�s hard to get started. The Resume Booklet provides examples and templates to assist you in creating a dynamic resume! What is more, the booklet provides you extensive descriptive phrases and action verbs to help describe your skills and achievements.

18. Now you are ready to create your own resume! The Vista Adult Education SSC at both the main office and satellite office have computers that you can use to create a resume. Make an appointment with one of the career counselors to critique your resume and provide feedback. Take the Career Essentials class to obtain personal assistance in writing your resume! CONCLUSION