The document provides guidance on writing an effective resume. It defines a resume as highlighting one's experience, skills, and accomplishments to motivate employers to grant an interview. A resume needs to capture an employer's attention within 10-20 seconds through powerful content on the top half of the first page. The document also distinguishes resumes from CVs and outlines best practices for resume formatting, content, word choice, and other tips to create a strong resume.
2. What is a resumé?
A resume is your calling card
A resume highlights your experience, skills
and accomplishments
A resume motivates an employer to
interview you
A resume communicates your value to an
employer
The interview gets you the job, the resume
gets you the interview!
3. The ‘killer’ edge
Depending on the level of the job
1 interview is granted for every 300-500 resumes
received by an average employer
10-20 seconds is all the time you have to
persuade an employer to read further
Top half of the first page either makes or breaks
you
4. What's the difference between a
resume and a CV?
Primary differences are the length, the content and
the purpose.
A resume is a one or two page summary of your
skills, experience and education.
A CV, is a longer (two or more pages), more
detailed synopsis.
It includes a summary of your educational and
academic backgrounds as well as teaching and
research experience, publications, presentations,
awards, honors, affiliations and other details
5. What's the difference between
a resume and a CV?
CV is used primarily when applying for academic,
education, scientific or research positions. It is also
applicable when applying for fellowships or grants
In addition to the basics, a CV includes research
and teaching experience
Publications, grants and fellowships
Professional associations and licenses
Awards and other information relevant to the
position you are applying for
6. John Smith
Street, City, State, Zip
Phone: 555-555-5555
Cell: 555-666-6666
email@email.com
Objective:
Assistant Professor, Psychology
Education:
Ph.D., Psychology, University of Minnesota, 2006
Concentrations: Psychology, Community Psychology
Dissertation: A Study of Learning Disabled Children in a Low Income Community
M.A., Psychology, University at Albany, 2003
Concentrations: Psychology, Special Education
Thesis: Communication Skills of Learning Disabled Children
B.A, Psychology, California State University, Long Beach, CA, 2000
Experience:
Instructor, 2004 - 2006
University of Minnesota
Course: Psychology in the Classroom
Teaching Assistant, 2002 - 2003
University at Albany
Courses: Special Education, Learning Disabilities
Research Skills:
Extensive knowledge of SPSSX and SAS statistical programs.
Presentations:
Smith John (2006). The behavior of learning disabled adolescents in the classrooms. Paper presented at the Psychology Conference at the University of
Minnesota.
Publications:
Smith, John (2005). The behavior of learning disabled adolescents in the classroom. Journal of Educational Psychology, 120 - 125.
Grants and Fellowships:
•RDB Grant (University of Minnesota Research Grant, 2005), $2000
•Workshop Grant (for ASPA meeting in New York, 2004), $1500
Awards and Honors:
•Treldar Scholar, 2005
•Academic Excellent Award, 2003
Skills and Qualifications:
•Microsoft Office, Internet
•Programming ability in C++ and PHP
•Fluent in German, French and Spanish
References:
Excellent references available upon request.
7. Preparation
Brainstorm
Write your answer to, ‘What would make
someone the perfect candidate for the job?’
‘What is your USP?” Cover all the possible ways
of thinking about and communicating what you do
well
What does the employer really want?
9. Formats
There are two kinds –
One is the the familiar ‘tombstone’ that lists where
you went to school and where you’ve worked in
chronological order
The other is what is called the ‘functional’
résumé – descriptive, fun to read , unique to you
and much more likely to land you an interview
10. Chronological format
Name Header
Objective
Summary of skills/qualifications
Work Experience
Education
Memberships/Activities/Honors
11. Chronological format
When listing positions include –
Name of Employer
Employer’s location
Your dates of employment
Your position or job title
Summary of your responsibilities
Your major accomplishments
12. Functional format
Name header
Objective
Summary of skills, qualification
Skills
Education
Memberships/Interests/Honours
13.
14.
15.
16.
17.
18.
19.
20. Objective
Objectives are the simplest, quickest way to
target a specific position
Objective should be tailored to the
prospective employer’s needs
Use the objective to establish why you are
the perfect candidate for the job
Eg: An XXX position in an organisation where YYY and ZZZ
would be needed
21. Objective
Objective should be simple, specific and brief -- no
more than two or three lines.
It should highlight what you have to offer the
company, such as a specific skill or experience.
A recruiter is more interested in what you can give
the company than what you hope to get from it.
Eg: To obtain an entry-level account management position
in financial services utilizing my strong analytical and
interpersonal skills.
22. Career Objective
Short Term Format
Specifies position and field
Example: “To obtain a position as an Administrative Assistant in
a hospital setting”
Functional Format
Specifies knowledge and experience required within the field
Example: “ To obtain an Administrative Assistant position which
will utilize my experience in office management and accounting”
Skills Format
Specifies skills and abilities required for the position
Example: “ To obtain a position as an Administrative Assistant
that will utilize my communication, computer and general office
skills”
24. Skills and Accomplishments
State your skills and accomplishments rather
than just job responsibilities
“Managed an office with five employees with an
annual budget of $100,000” is not as powerful as
“Increased efficiency and reduced costs by 20%
while maintaining a qualified and trained five
person staff”
25. Exercise
Decide which points should be
included
Attended university, left after a year
Studied business administration at night school
20 years raising children
Coordinated charity fund raising in town
Chairperson of son’s school parent teacher association
Sung in Church choir
Have run 5 marathons
Raised money for local social project
26. Exercise
Helped salesman husband reorganize his filing system by
installing a micro-computer
Worked for 3 years as secretary to the manager of sales
division,ABC company
Hated secretarial work
Promoted to administrative assistant
Like flower arranging
Look after family budget and save 10% of yearly income
Like working in a team
42 years and only 5 years of salaried income
27. Words count
Use of language is extremely important
Avoid large paragraphs (five or six lines).
Use action verbs. Verbs such as "developed",
"managed", and "designed"
Don't use declarative sentences like "I developed
the ..." or "I assisted in ...", leave out the "I"
". Avoid passive constructions, such as "was
responsible for managing". Just say, "managed":
33. Tips
Limit to 1 or 2 pages
Don’t cram, Edit
Use easy to read font size – Arial /
Verdana / Sans Serif
Select a readable size 10-12, preferably
12
Don’t mix type faces
Highlight with bold type faces
Underline for section heads only
34. Tips
Use bullets to highlight accomplishments
Keep paragraph length to not more than 4-5 lines
Use short line length
Keep it simple
Select ivory Bond paper
Print on one side of the paper only
35. Formatting
Top margin 1”
Sides ½”
Ragged right margin (Right justified)
Double space between sections
Single space between lines
If 2 pages, add ‘continued’..
Write Pg 2 on the 2nd page
36. Action Phrases
Analyzed problems and developed solutions
Excellent interpersonal and people management skills
Able to exercise good judgment and sound reasoning
Good interpersonal skills
Able to concentrate and pay attention to detail
Can work well on own initiative
A good communicator
Experienced, self motivated and energetic
A good planner