Resume Workshop

What is a resume?
An advertisement of you.
A snapshot of who you are and your personal, professional, educational and work qualifications.
It is about your future, NOT your past.

Why do you need a resume?
To obtain an interview, not a job
A marketing tool
Interest the employer in your abilities.
Requirement of many organizations
Summarizes what you have to offer employers—your unique selling points—in an easy-to-read format.

What is it NOT?
Not an autobiography or a confessional.
You do not have to tell all – only what is marketable and relevant to the position.
It is NOT going to get you a job (only an interview!).

How we read resumes….
Top to bottom, left to right
10-second glance, most recent and relevant
Important information needs to be found easily and quickly!

Resume as Map: Make it easy for your reader!
Bold, italics, underline
Font size
Category headings
Order of categories
Use of white space
Bullets
Don’t “lose” the employer in a maze of job descriptions and extracurricular activities.

TYPES OF RESUMES
Chronological resumes
Functional resume / Skills-Based
Combination resumes
Curriculum vitae (CVs)
Online Resumes

Chronological Resumes
Most traditional format.
Lists work experience by dates in reverse chronological order (most recent first).
Does not highlight main skills and qualifications.
Useful when:
1. You have consistent work history with growth and achievements.
2. No gaps in employment and staying in the same field.

Functional or Skills-Based Resumes
Groups your qualifications around skill headings.
Highlights major areas of accomplishment, strengths, and abilities in order of importance to this particular job/employer.
Actual work history is minimized. Useful when:
1. Changing careers or reentering job market.
2. Gaps in employment.
3. Variety of different jobs.

Combination Resumes
Combines the best of chronological and functional.
Includes qualifications section and may highlight key strengths.
Work history section may emphasize results instead of job duties.

Curriculum Vitae
A curriculum vitae (CV) provides an overview of a person's experience and other qualifications.
It is typically used to screen applicants, often followed by an interview.
an outline of a person's educational and professional history.
A CV is the most flexible and convenient way to make applications.
It is an application form is designed to bring out the essential information and personal qualities that the employer requires.

Online Resume
Benefits of online resume.
You can submit your resume on any online job portal website which will manage your resume and make it visible to employers.
You can update your resume online anytime and anywhere.
Add your "resume page address" into your e-mail's signature.
Attach files such as Certificates, Word documents, PDF, and databases.
Add up to 5 different photos.
Very easy-to-use and it is Free.

Types of Online Resumes
Career Change Resume
Entry Level Experience Resume
Nurse Resume
Public Information Director Resume
Quality Review Auditor Resume
Writer Resume

Resume Components
Heading
Job Objective (optional)
Summary of Qualifications (optional)
Work Experience
Education
Skills and Abilities
Other

Heading
What should be included?
Name
Permanent and present address
E-mail address
Telephone number
Where should contact information go?
Top of the page
Be sure to check your phone and email messages periodically!

Sample Resume Headings
John A. Smith [e-mail]
123 Main Street, Burlington, VT 05401 (Website URL)
802/999-9999 (IM Address)
John A. Smith
123 Main Street
Burlington, VT 05401
[phone]
[e-mail]
(Website URL, IM address)

Job Objective
A short statement that tells the employer what specific position you’re applying for.
Directly reflects the position applying for.
Should be concise and specific.

Job Objective
Examples
Management trainee position with a specialty retailer.
Technical sales with an energy related industry in the Southwest. Long range goals of regional sales management.
To obtain a position as field service representative with XYZ Software Corporation.

Summary of Qualifications (Professional profile)
It’s five-to-ten lines that describe your key strengths. (3-5 bulleted statements).
What makes you the best candidate for this job? (ie: qualifications, skills, abilities, years of experience, work ethic and values, accomplishments, etc.)
Key talents/special knowledge related to target job
Must reflect what is required in the job description.
Most important part of your resume; catches and keeps the reader’s attention.

Work Experience
Reverse chronological order
Required: Position title, name of company, dates of employment (month & year)
Extra: City and state, specific responsibilities, description of job, accomplishments.
a) Better than a list of job duties – list accomplishments/results. Give specific $ amounts, years, %, etc.
b) Show your value and success.

Experience
Use the term "experience"
What is considered experience?
Full and part-time jobs
Self-employment
Volunteer work
Practicum, field, and cooperative education
Information to include
Job Title
Dates of employment
Company name
City & State

Listing Responsibilities
Use bullet points
Start of each line with an action verb
Present tense if currently employed
Past tense if no longer employed
Vary your choice of verbs
Tailor skills and experiences to the position for which you are applying
Be concise while providing enough detail

Experience --Responsibilities at work
e.g. translator, waitress
Communicated with customers in fluent English and Chinese, sometimes translating between the two languages.
e.g. administrative work, PR
Negotiated and arbitrated conflicts among team workers
Developed a climate of enthusiasm, teamwork, and cooperation
Introduced student projects as well as creative ways of advertisements to different companies.

Education
Reverse chronological order.
Required: Degree, major, school, year of graduation.
Extra: GPA (if over 3.0), minors, honors, specific related courses.
Professional training may also be listed either under Education or Training

Education (Examples)
Name of Institution
Include city and state if not part of the title
Name of your degree and major
Bachelor of _________ in ___________
Bachelor of Science in Business Administration: Accounting
List degrees in reverse chronological order
Most recent degree is listed first

Education
Date or expected date of graduation
Graduation Date: May 2014
Expected Graduation Date: May 2015
GPA
Major or overall at least 3.0
Round down to the nearest tenth
3.0 not 3.062
GPA: 4.0, Summa Cum Laude
High School Information
Do not include after Sophomore year

GPA
General Scale In U.S.:
90-100=4.0
80-89=3.0
70-79=2.0
60-69=1.0
59 and below=0.0

Skills and Abilities
Listed as a separate section (functional or combination resume).
Divide in categories that are related to the job.
Examples: Computer Skills, Manufacturing Skills, Leadership Skills, Customer Service, Patient Care, etc.

Additional Resume Components
Additional Resume Components
Any of these can be added if they are relevant to the position you are
applying for:
Activities
Honors
Certifications
Achievements
Awards
Licenses
Professional Affiliations
Languages
Interests/hobbies (optional)
References/portfolio

Honors & Awards
Order by dates
Reverse chronological
Rank order by importance to the career objective

Professional Affiliations & Activities
Order by date
Reverse chronological
Rank order by importance to the career objective
Do not say Member of …
Emphasize your leadership roles
Spell out the organization’s name:
Do not use abbreviations or acronyms

Testimonials:
Who might be on your reference list?

Ideal References
Get a minimum of 3 references - people who can attest to your work habits, skills, and accomplishments
Current or past employer(s)/supervisor(s)
Inform reference of your career objective and give them a copy of your resume
Professors
Advisors
Coaches
Internship, field experience, or community service supervisor

May Include on the Bottom of Resume or Attach Reference Contacts with Your Resume
Name, title, company, address, phone #
Or indicate at the bottom of the resume that:
References are Available on Request… References Available… References will be Furnished upon Request (optional)

Sample Presentation of Reference Information
References
John A. Smith [e-mail]
123 Main Street, Burlington, VT 05401 802/999-9999
Mr. Charles Amey, III
Instructor, Hospitality Industry Management Program
Champlain College
P.O. Box 670 [e-mail]
Burlington, VT 05402-0670 [phone]
Mr. Milton Smith
Field Experience Supervisor
ABC Conference Center
208 Main Street [e-mail]
Burlington, VT 05401 [phone]
As a general rule, have at least three references.

Don’ts
Don’t list interests and hobbies unless directly related to the position.
Don’t use personal pronouns (I, me, my) in your resume.
Don't include your height, weight, age, date of birth, place of birth, marital status, sex, ethnicity/race, health, social security number, reasons for leaving previous job, picture of yourself, religion, church affiliations, or political affiliations.
Don’t ever lie on your resume.

DO’S
cover letter.
Do strive to make a good impression.
Do make your resume clear, concise and easy to read.
Do use BOLD or Underline for section headings.
Do emphasize your strongest qualifications.
Focus on accomplishments, skills, and results.
Do print your resume on high quality 8 ½ by 11 paper.
Give contact info like home and office telephone numbers.
Create a resume tailored to the job you are after.
Do keep your resume up-to-date.

Resume Layout and Appearance
White or off-white paper.
Usually 1 page (1-2).
Font at 12 pt. (no smaller than 11).
Be consistent with the layout, underlining, capitalizing, bold, etc.
Use white space, good margins, and tabs.
Use bullets.
Spell and grammar check!

Wording
Use action verbs.
Use phrases that focus on your successes and accomplishments.
Only include what is relevant and marketable.
Use bulleted lists instead of paragraphs.
Use past tense for work in the past.
BE HONEST!

Limit font to two choices
For text: a serif font like Times
For headings: Arial or Helvetica are good choices to add visual interest
Don’t choose non-standard fonts like Comic Sans or Lucida Handwriting

Write concisely and vigorously
A focused, targeted resume is best:
Avoid the temptation to go more than one page
Delete obvious information in order to highlight your unique qualities
Find specific, dynamic verbs:
Use present (or past) imperatives
Include each verb only once
Consult online lists of “resume action words”

Make lists parallel
Managed staff of ten
Presented reports to consultants
Developed new reporting system
Led monthly staff meeting
Coordinated monthly review