Resume Writing Workshop

1. Resume Writing Workshop Instructor: Name, Title US Department of Veterans Affairs Vocational Rehabilitation & Employment Program Date:

2. Introduction • Have you signed the class roster? • Do you have a Trainee Handout packet? • Facilities • About the topic

3. Topic Objectives • Describe the importance and purpose of a resume. • Recall the information that is common to all resumes (the anatomy). • Differentiate between the three different types of resumes. • Select the resume that is most appropriate for your work history so that your job skills can best be presented. • Identify skill sets and write skills statements. • Draft a functional (skills-based) resume targeted to the job you are seeking.

4. Describe the Resume • Purpose and Importance. First impressions are important. Make sure the resume is: • Well written • Written in commonly used language • Attractive, relevant, and targeted • Anatomy • Contact information • Career Summary or Job Objective • Education and Training • Work Experience • Skill Statements • Put “sellable” points first

5. Different Types of Resumes • Chronological • Functional (skills-based) • Combination Your choice of resume should be based on your work history, but should be targeted to your job goal.

6. Different Types of Resumes continuedChronological • Most common format: most recent job listed first. • Use when you have a continuous employment history and you want to call attention to your stable work history. • Focus on activities that are similar to what you want to do in your new job.

7. Different Types of Resumes continuedFunctional (skills-based) • Use to highlight your skills and accomplishments rather than your work history. • Effective when you are switching fields or your job titles don’t do justice to your abilities. • Focus on the skills that support your new job goal.

8. Different Types of Resumes continuedCombination • Uses aspects from both the chronological and functional formats • Lists your jobs from most recent to earliest, then highlights responsibilities and accomplishments within each job listed. • Effective when you have held several jobs with significant responsibilities and accomplishments.

9. Identifying Skills • Use Handouts, page 8 (Functional Skill Headings) to: • Identify skills required by job • Identify your skills • Write skills statements

10. Practice Exercise: Sample Job Description (15 minutes) • Break into groups of 3-4 people • Identify the skills a job announcement is looking for • Use page 8 (Functional Skill Headings) of your handouts as a guide • Write 4 skill headings and one sentence under each • Use handouts (page 2 Sample Skills Statements and page 9 Action Verbs) • Come together to discuss as a large group

11. Draft Your Own Functional Resume • Identify skills required by job • Handouts, page 8 (Functional Skill Headings) • Identify your skills • Handouts, page 8 (Functional Skill Headings) • Write skills statements • Handouts, page 4 (Skill Sets Worksheet) See page 6 (Functional Format Sample Class) to see where your skills sets worksheet should be placed in your resume. • Handouts, page 2 (Sample Skills Statements) • Handouts, page 9 (Action Verbs)

12. Summary We have learned about: • The purpose, importance, and anatomy of resumes • The 3 different types of resumes. • How to identify skills. • How to write skills statements

13. Post-Lecture Exercise/Requirement • Register in http://www.vetsuccess.gov/ • Post here after you finalize your resume.

14. Are there any questions?