The document provides tips for creating an effective resume, including focusing the top third of the page to grab the employer's attention in 10-20 seconds, and using an objective that highlights how you meet the company's needs. It recommends a functional format that emphasizes skills over chronology, and suggests using action verbs and quantifying accomplishments. Background checks mean only including verifiable responsibilities and achievements on the resume.

1. How to write a winning
Resumé

2. What is a resumé?
A résumé is an advertisement of your
self, disguised as a story of your life
It is not a history of your past or a
personal statement
It has only one purpose, to make sure
that you get called for 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

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?

8. Qualities employers seek
1.Communication skills
2.Honesty, Integrity
3.Team skills
4.Interpersonal skills
5.Motivation/Initiative
6.Strong work ethics
7.Analytical skills
8.Flexibility/Adaptability
9.Computer skills
10. Self-confidence

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

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. Skills for the functional resumé
1. Communication skills
1. Computer skills
2. Organizational skills
2. Event management
3. Management skills
skills
4. Administrative skills
5. Interpersonal skills
6. Teaching skills
7. Team/Competitive skills
8. Leadership skills
9. Financial skills
10. Money management skills
3. Creative skills
4. Child management skills
5. Analytical skills
6. Motivational skills
7. Training skills
8. Mentoring skills

23. Exercise
Decide which points should be included
 Attended university ,left after a year
 Studied business administration at night school
 20 years raising children
 Co-ordinated 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

24. 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

25. 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":

26. Background checks
You have to have done what you claim
on your resume
Background checks can include:
reference checks
criminal background checks
past employment verification
education verification

27. Words Every Resume Should
Include
'Teamwork‘
'Flexibility‘
'Detail-Oriented‘
'Self-Motivated'

28. Words That Weaken Your
Resume
'Assist,' 'Contribute' and 'Support'
'Successfully'
'Responsible For'
Avoid buzzwords that have become
cliché and words that are unnecessarily
sophisticated. "Synergy" and "liaise" are
examples of buzzwords that have been
overused and abused.

29. Remember
Put yourself first
Sell what you can do not who you are
Toot your own horn
Never apologize
Add punch with action words –
completed, managed, operated,
supervised..
Be specific, concrete, brief

30. Forget!
Heading ‘resumé’
Job references
Salary information
Personal statistics
Photos
Personality profiles (attributes)
Testimonials

31. Tips
Limit to 1 or 2 pages
Don’t cram, Edit
Use easy to read font size – Times…
Select a readable size 10-12
Don’t mix type faces
Highlight with bold type faces
Use all-caps and underlying for section heads
only
Don’t overuse capitalization, italics,
underlines or other emphasizing features

32. Tips
Use bullets to highlight accomplishments
Play Match Game
Keep paragraph length to not more than 4-5
lines
Use short line length
Keep it simple
Don’t mix design style
Don’t photocopy
Select ivory Bond paper
Print on one side of the paper only

33. 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

34. 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