The document provides tips for writing an effective resume. It discusses the role and purpose of a resume, different resume formats and sections, and tips for delivery. The key points are that a resume should be a one-page marketing document highlighting relevant skills and achievements to convince employers the applicant is qualified for the position. Sections generally include contact information, objective, education, experience, and courses or projects. The resume should have a consistent professional format and focus on outcomes rather than just duties.

1. Writing an EffectiveWriting an Effective
ResumeResume

2. Road MapRoad Map
 Role of the ResumeRole of the Resume
 Types of ResumesTypes of Resumes
 Resume FormatsResume Formats
 Resume SectionsResume Sections
 Additional DocumentationAdditional Documentation
 Miscellaneous TipsMiscellaneous Tips
 Miscellaneous TiltsMiscellaneous Tilts
 Sample ResumesSample Resumes

3. What is a Resume?What is a Resume?
 A marketing toolA marketing tool
Your first tool for building a careerYour first tool for building a career
TheThe first impressionfirst impression a prospective employer has of youa prospective employer has of you
AA selling toolselling tool that allows you to highlight to an employer how youthat allows you to highlight to an employer how you
can contribute to the companycan contribute to the company
 Request for an interviewRequest for an interview
Purpose of the resume is toPurpose of the resume is to get you an interviewget you an interview
Must capture the reader’s interest and attentionMust capture the reader’s interest and attention
Must convince the employer that you have the ability to fill theirMust convince the employer that you have the ability to fill their
positionposition
 Your “big picture”Your “big picture”
AA snapshot of what you believesnapshot of what you believe are your most importantare your most important
experiences and qualificationsexperiences and qualifications

4. Types of ResumesTypes of Resumes
 A Paper/PDF ResumeA Paper/PDF Resume
A printed resume for use at job fairs, conferences, …A printed resume for use at job fairs, conferences, …
Should be clean, concise, professional, and pleasing to the eyeShould be clean, concise, professional, and pleasing to the eye
Use bullets, bolding, and indentationUse bullets, bolding, and indentation
Take this resume with you on job interviews, career breakfasts, …Take this resume with you on job interviews, career breakfasts, …
 An Electronic ResumeAn Electronic Resume
A plain text resume for on-line submissionA plain text resume for on-line submission
Typically must conform to employer specificationsTypically must conform to employer specifications
Use left-justified and space indented formattingUse left-justified and space indented formatting
If desired, use “+”, “*”, and “0” to represent bulletsIf desired, use “+”, “*”, and “0” to represent bullets
 An HTML ResumeAn HTML Resume
Typically includes links to homepage, images, …Typically includes links to homepage, images, …
Avoid this type of resumeAvoid this type of resume
Most people don’t want an employer walking around in their homepageMost people don’t want an employer walking around in their homepage

5. Resume Formats - ChronologicalResume Formats - Chronological
 Highlight yourHighlight your
work experience inwork experience in
reversereverse
chronologicalchronological
orderorder
 Be sure toBe sure to notnot
leave gapsleave gaps
 The most widelyThe most widely
used format forused format for
workingworking
professionalsprofessionals
Cut off

6. Resume Formats - FunctionalResume Formats - Functional
 Highlight specificHighlight specific
skillsskills for whichfor which
the market hasthe market has
high demandhigh demand
 Seldom usedSeldom used byby
new graduatesnew graduates
 Frequently usedFrequently used
toto change jobschange jobs oror
careerscareers
Again, cut off

7. Resume Formats - CombinationalResume Formats - Combinational
 HighlightHighlight specificspecific
work experiencework experience
 HighlightHighlight marketablemarketable
skillsskills
 TheThe best resume stylebest resume style
for most collegefor most college
studentsstudents
I would prefer bullets

8. The Silver BulletThe Silver Bullet
What is unique or interesting about your college experience?What is unique or interesting about your college experience?
My RecommendationMy Recommendation
If you have an interesting internship –If you have an interesting internship –
emphasize it –emphasize it – if not get one!if not get one!
Most UW-EC graduates have interestingMost UW-EC graduates have interesting
project experienceproject experience
Build on your liberal arts education!!!Build on your liberal arts education!!!
DemonstrateDemonstrate leadershipleadership,, communicationcommunication,,
cultural awarenesscultural awareness

9. Standard Resume SectionsStandard Resume Sections
 HeaderHeader
 ObjectiveObjective
 EducationEducation
 Honors/ActivitiesHonors/Activities
 Work ExperienceWork Experience
 Relevant CoursesRelevant Courses
 SkillsSkills
 ProjectsProjects
Move toward bottom
I prefer other order

10. The Header SectionThe Header Section
 The first line should be your nameThe first line should be your name
Larger than theLarger than the largest fontlargest font used in bodyused in body
Avoid using decorative fontsAvoid using decorative fonts
Don’t use black or gray shaded backgroundsDon’t use black or gray shaded backgrounds
Exclude titles Mr., Mrs., Ms., …Exclude titles Mr., Mrs., Ms., …
 Include contact addressInclude contact address
Permanent addressPermanent address
Current addressCurrent address
 Include your email addressInclude your email address
Use your UWEC email addressUse your UWEC email address
Don’t use “Don’t use “BIGBOY@HOT_MAIL.COMBIGBOY@HOT_MAIL.COM””
 Include your phone numberInclude your phone number
Change the message machine to be appropriateChange the message machine to be appropriate

11. The Objective SectionThe Objective Section
 Considered optional but I strongly suggest including itConsidered optional but I strongly suggest including it
 Make statement clear, concise, and to the pointMake statement clear, concise, and to the point
Bad:Bad: “I want to get a job“I want to get a job””
Weak:Weak: “To attain an internship in the computer industry.”“To attain an internship in the computer industry.”
Good:Good: “To attain an internship in the computer industry working“To attain an internship in the computer industry working
with database or network security.”with database or network security.”
 Avoid being overly specific to single companyAvoid being overly specific to single company
““To attain a position at 3M Pharmaceuticals working on …”To attain a position at 3M Pharmaceuticals working on …”
 I prefer objectives from the company’s perspectiveI prefer objectives from the company’s perspective
““To attain a web application programming position whereTo attain a web application programming position where
knowledge of Java and the Struts framework will add value theknowledge of Java and the Struts framework will add value the
overall development process.”overall development process.”

12. The Work Experience SectionThe Work Experience Section
 Dedicated to most recent and relevant employmentDedicated to most recent and relevant employment
 FormatFormat
Employer and location on the first lineEmployer and location on the first line
Don’t need name of supervisor, complete address, or contact informationDon’t need name of supervisor, complete address, or contact information
Position and time-span on the second linePosition and time-span on the second line
Use only year, not month and year (avoids time gaps)Use only year, not month and year (avoids time gaps)
 Each position should have at least two bulletsEach position should have at least two bullets
Explain role and contributionsExplain role and contributions
Don’t emphasize duties but rather emphasizeDon’t emphasize duties but rather emphasize outcomesoutcomes
““Increased efficiency of … by 20%”Increased efficiency of … by 20%”
““Improved user navigation experience on …”Improved user navigation experience on …”
Descriptions should be consistent in wordingDescriptions should be consistent in wording
 Watch the tenseWatch the tense
Current job uses present tenseCurrent job uses present tense
Former jobs use past tenseFormer jobs use past tense
Employers want
problem solvers

13. The Relevant Courses SectionThe Relevant Courses Section
 The keyword isThe keyword is relevantrelevant coursescourses
Don’t include Foundations of ComputingDon’t include Foundations of Computing
Don’t include Algorithms and Data StructuresDon’t include Algorithms and Data Structures
Focus on courses the are either unique or would normally beFocus on courses the are either unique or would normally be
considered electiveconsidered elective
Computer SecurityComputer Security
Computer GraphicsComputer Graphics
Artificial IntelligenceArtificial Intelligence
Computer NetworksComputer Networks
Database SystemsDatabase Systems
Data MiningData Mining

14. The Projects SectionThe Projects Section
 Used correctly, this section can set you apart from other new graduatesUsed correctly, this section can set you apart from other new graduates
Most new grads don’t get the opportunity to use this sectionMost new grads don’t get the opportunity to use this section
 Show any lengthy, impressive, or relevant projects to which you haveShow any lengthy, impressive, or relevant projects to which you have
made real contributionmade real contribution
 Each project should have at least two bullets (focus on outcomes)Each project should have at least two bullets (focus on outcomes)
““Market Basket Analysis SystemMarket Basket Analysis System
Designed and implemented a Java application for predicting future purchasesDesigned and implemented a Java application for predicting future purchases
based on a probabilistic analysis of past purchase recordsbased on a probabilistic analysis of past purchase records
Deployed system as a web service using XML and SOAP and an OracleDeployed system as a web service using XML and SOAP and an Oracle
database on the backenddatabase on the backend
Used synchronized threads to increase overall throughput of the system toUsed synchronized threads to increase overall throughput of the system to
handle up to 50 client requests per second”handle up to 50 client requests per second”

15. Scannable ResumesScannable Resumes
 Most large employers will scan your resume into a centralMost large employers will scan your resume into a central
databasedatabase
 Tips to assist the scanning processTips to assist the scanning process
Don’t use italics, underlining, or graphicsDon’t use italics, underlining, or graphics
Use bold only for headersUse bold only for headers
Use “scanner-friendly” fonts (Serif or Sans Serif fonts)Use “scanner-friendly” fonts (Serif or Sans Serif fonts)
Times New Roman, Courier, Helvetica, or Arial are good examplesTimes New Roman, Courier, Helvetica, or Arial are good examples
Font sizes of between 9 and 12Font sizes of between 9 and 12
Use black ink on white backgroundUse black ink on white background
 Tips to assist the retrieval processTips to assist the retrieval process
Most lookup is keyword-basedMost lookup is keyword-based
Samples: Unix, C++, Java, hardware, networking, trouble-Samples: Unix, C++, Java, hardware, networking, trouble-
shooting, testing, security, data mining, …shooting, testing, security, data mining, …

16. Tips on Delivery of Your ResumeTips on Delivery of Your Resume
 Posting OnlinePosting Online
““rules” are still emergingrules” are still emerging
Common mistake – formatting that doesn’t make the tripCommon mistake – formatting that doesn’t make the trip
Convert to text onlyConvert to text only
Use PDF if allowedUse PDF if allowed
ProofreadProofread carefully after conversioncarefully after conversion
If they ask about salary, leave it emptyIf they ask about salary, leave it empty
If they force salary, be honest but don’t shoot for the moonIf they force salary, be honest but don’t shoot for the moon
 Emailing your resumeEmailing your resume
Attach resume as a PDF document (or Word document)Attach resume as a PDF document (or Word document)
75 – 80% of companies are running Windows75 – 80% of companies are running Windows
Also include text version in the email messageAlso include text version in the email message
Attachments can get dropped or filteredAttachments can get dropped or filtered
Test before deployTest before deploy
Send to at least three friends, ask them to print it and send it back to youSend to at least three friends, ask them to print it and send it back to you

17. Miscellaneous Tips (1)Miscellaneous Tips (1)
 Act like a professionalAct like a professional
Avoid cutesy or inappropriate graphics, images, formats, …Avoid cutesy or inappropriate graphics, images, formats, …
 One page onlyOne page only
You are a fresh graduate, don’t assume that the one-page ruleYou are a fresh graduate, don’t assume that the one-page rule
doesn’t apply to you!doesn’t apply to you!
 Stick to the truthStick to the truth
Don’t sprinkle buzzwords in that you really don’t understandDon’t sprinkle buzzwords in that you really don’t understand
It speaks volumes about your character when you can’t explainIt speaks volumes about your character when you can’t explain
your own resumeyour own resume
 Focus on achievements and resultsFocus on achievements and results
Laundry lists of duties are not impressiveLaundry lists of duties are not impressive

18. Miscellaneous Tips (2)Miscellaneous Tips (2)
 Use easy-to-read languageUse easy-to-read language
Winston Churchill - “Use short, old words.”Winston Churchill - “Use short, old words.”
 Get the words and punctuation correctGet the words and punctuation correct
Errors and “broken English” are the kiss of deathErrors and “broken English” are the kiss of death
 Follow the instructionsFollow the instructions
If the company asks for specific information, then give it to themIf the company asks for specific information, then give it to them
 Follow upFollow up
If you said you would call, then callIf you said you would call, then call
 Maintain a consistent writing styleMaintain a consistent writing style
Avoid “To apply …” then “Applying …”Avoid “To apply …” then “Applying …”
 Avoid the use of “I” or “my”Avoid the use of “I” or “my”

19. Don’t Make These Famous MistakesDon’t Make These Famous Mistakes
 ““Education: Curses in liberal arts, curses in computerEducation: Curses in liberal arts, curses in computer
science, curses in accounting”science, curses in accounting”
 ““Personal: Married, 1992 Chevrolet”Personal: Married, 1992 Chevrolet”
 ““Proven ability to track down and correct erors.”Proven ability to track down and correct erors.”
 ““Disposed of $2.5 billion in assets”Disposed of $2.5 billion in assets”
 ““Accomplishments: Oversight of entire department”Accomplishments: Oversight of entire department”
 Cover Letter:Cover Letter: “Thank you for your consideration. I hope“Thank you for your consideration. I hope
to hear from you shorty!”to hear from you shorty!”

20. Good Examples (1)Good Examples (1)

21. Good Examples (2)Good Examples (2)

22. Bad Examples (1)Bad Examples (1)

23. Bad Examples (2)Bad Examples (2)