R ésumé Writing

1. Résumé Writing Getting a running start Office of Career Connections University of Louisiana at Monroe

2. It’s a rite of passage-- So, like going to get your driver’s license, it may be a little scary. First, realize that you probably have more to offer than you know.

3. Here are 7 tips to get you started. • Start with the basics • Include an objective and/or summary of skills • Choose the right resume style • Brainstorm your experience and skills • List educational and volunteer experience • Know the cardinal rules of resume writing • Never, ever lie

4. 1. The basics: heading • Name • Address (permanent; may also include school address) • Telephone numbers • Email address (make it professional)

5. 2. Objective/Skills Summary • Make it concise: What job do you want, at what company (or what kind of company)? • In summarizing your skills, remember to concentrate on what the employer wants and needs in an employee—not what you want or need.

6. 3. The right resume style • Chronological (really reverse chronological) is always good. • Functional is good if you need to emphasize skills instead of experience. • Combination resumes are a good compromise.

7. 4. Brainstorming: experience and skills • You probably have more relevant skills than you realize. • Think backward—from what the employer wants to what you have. • Don’t sell yourself short. Little things can be BIG. (That babysitting job contributed management skills, creative skills, scheduling skills….)

8. 5. Academic and volunteer experience • Employers care about what you’ve learned—think about the content of those courses. • Employers care about what you’ve done—whether you were paid or not. • Employers like to see balance: work, school, other activities.

9. 6. Cardinal rules • Do not use sentences! • Do not use the word “I”! • Use powerful action verbs (avoid “to be” verbs: was, were, etc.) • Use parallel structure in lists (begin each item with same part of speech) • Make no mistakes in spelling, grammar, punctuation, etc. None! • Proofread, proofread, proofread.

10. 7. No lying • Never, ever lie. • Lies will come back to bite you!

11. 8. Resume first, then cover letter The idea of a cover letter/application letter is to “interpret” the resume for the reader. So write the resume first.

12. Feel free to use our services. • Sample resumes and cover letters are on our website: www.ulm.edu/careerconnections. Look under “tips and resources.” • Feel free to make an appointment with us to get one-on-one help (318-342-5338).