The document provides guidance on creating effective resumes, including the purpose of a resume, common resume headings, resume formats, how to write job descriptions, and tips for cover letters. It discusses summarizing qualifications, education, experience, skills, awards and other sections of a resume. The document also compares chronological and functional resume formats and provides examples of each.

1. Creating Effective
Resumes

2. WHAT IS THE PURPOSE OF A RESUME?
 To get the interviewer to read your
resume and call you in for an interview
Demonstrates your fit for the job you
are applying for

3. It is a summary of
• Job you are seeking
• Your Education
• Skills and Abilities
• Experience
• Accomplishments

4. Resume Headings
 Contact Information
 Summary
 Education
 Experience
 Skills or Knowledge
 Community Service/Extracurricular activities
 Volunteer Experience
 Internships, Field Work, Clinicals
 Honors/Awards

5. What style of resume
should I choose?

6. Functional Resume Format
A functional resume emphasizes your knowledge,
skills, and experience in terms of functions you
have performed rather than job title
Relevant Skill #1
something I did using that skill
something I did using that skill
Relevant Skill #2
something I did using that skill
something I did using that skill

7. FUNCTIONAL RESUME SAMPLE

8. Chronological Format
Lists work history in reverse chronological order starting
with the most recent. Your work history supports your
objective.
Job Title #1
something I did on that job
something I did on that job
Job Title #2
something I did on that job
something I did on that job

9. CHRONOLOGICAL SAMPLE

10. CHRONOLOGICAL SAMPLE

11. CHRONOLOGICAL FUNCTIONAL
Emphasizes consistent
employment history from
relevant work experience
Emphasizes skills obtained from
school, jobs or other activities
Good for someone with a
seamless work history, one
career path and no gaps in
their employment
De-emphasizes entry level,
gaps, career changes
Not useful for those with no
experience or unrelated jobs
Good for those without much
related work experience, career
changers, and gaps in
employment

12. ONet
 http://www.onetonline.org/

13. What should I focus on when creating a
resume?
 After you have a job objective, you need to find out what skills,
knowledge, and experience are needed to do that kind of work.
You can find this information:
 In a classified ad or online job posting.
 In the company's description for the job.
 In an occupational reference book such as the Occupational Outlook
Handbook or in O'Net
 From someone already working in that field.

14. Summary of qualifications
Brief list of 4 – 6 key points that show you are
qualified for the job
 # of years or months of experience
 Talents, knowledge, skills
 Personal work style or attitude
 An accomplishment or recognition
 Education, training, or certification
Make it relevant to the job you are seeking

15. Summary of Qualifications
 PARALEGAL EXAMPLE
 Strong analytical, writing, and research skills. Thorough in
working with details, and able to extract relevant points in
legal documentation.
 Proficient in Microsoft Word, Excel, and WESTLAW.
 Work well under pressure and enjoy challenging projects.
Equally effective working independently or working in
cooperation with others.

16. EDUCATION
 Most recent education
first unless other
education is related to job
 Don’t include high school
if you graduated more
than 2 years ago

17. EDUCATION
 Name of school, city, state
 Major, name of degree
 GPA if 3.0 or higher
 Dates of attendance or graduation(not both)
 Relevant courses
 Honors, Awards, Extracurricular activities
 Internships, projects

18. Education Sample
Palm Beach Community College, Lake Worth
AS Degree in Accounting Technology expected 8/2009
GPA 3.2, Treasurer of Student Government
Related Coursework:
Financial Accounting Managerial Accounting
Cost Accounting Microcomputer Operations
Bookkeeping I& II Computerized Bookkeeping

19. EXPERIENCE
(for chronological resumes)
 List jobs in reverse chronological order starting with
the most recent.
 Name of company, city, state
 Date Started (mm/yy) to end date
(mm/yy)
 If still employed – indicate present
 Job Title
 Job Description (use action verbs)

20. Job Description (chronological format)
Describe your duties, responsibilities, and
accomplishments in simple, powerful action
statements that emphasize your uniqueness and
contributions to the employer.
Start with an Action Verb Be specific!
No two word statements
Do not use the words duties, responsibilities
in this section of your resume

21. Suggestions for the job description
What skills or knowledge did you use to
perform this job?
(dealing with angry customers, ability to reconcile
bills with purchase orders, troubleshooting software
problems)
What were some of your biggest
achievements?
(developed a new filing system, saved money for
employer, increased sales, managed office efficiently)

22. Suggestions for the job description
What comments ( written or verbal) have
been made about your work?
(“He’s a quick learner!” “She’s always able to smooth things
over with an angry customer.” She is accurate and fast and
always balances to the penny)
What aspects of your personality were
illustrated by your work performance?
(attention to detail, writing skills, creativity, problem solving)

23. Action Verbs
• Use numbers to show the extent.
• Use “Powerhouse Buzzwords” to sell yourself to employers.
Achieved Adapted Advised Assisted
Built Controlled Convinced
Coordinated Created Delivered
Developed Directed Employed
Equipped Established Expanded
Experienced Guided Handled
Improved Investigate Led
Managed Operated Organized
Performed Persuaded Processed
Produced Repaired Researched
Served Sold Taught
Treated Wrote

24. Retail Sales Job
 What would the person do in the job?
 How can we change that to be marketable skills?

25. Sample Job Description
Retail Sales Position
Consistently exceeded daily sales quota by 15-20%
Increased number of repeat customers by providing
excellent customer service.
Reconciled the physical and computerized inventory
utilizing an Access database.
Stimulated customer requests for assistance in
coordinating assembles by wearing merchandise with
polished style
Maintained an accurate, consistently balanced cash
register.

26. FUNCTIONAL RESUME
Identify at least 2 -3 skill
categories relevant to the
job you are seeking.
Examples of categories:
Customer Service
Sales and Marketing
Administrative Support
Accounting & Bookkeeping

27. Identify Skill Categories
Objective: Bank Teller
Customer Service
Cash Handling
Administrative Support
Objective: Paralegal
Administrative Support
Writing and Research
Paralegal Experience
Use ONET and OOH

28. Writing Action Statements
 For each category list accomplishments from your
work history, education, extracurricular or
community service to illustrate that skill.
 Each accomplishment should be a one-liner
describing what you did.
 The one liner typically starts with an action word
such as "Researched" or "Presented" and describes
what you did. Be sure to mention specific results
whenever possible.

29. Examples for Action Statements
Paralegal Experience
As a Paralegal Intern for a local law firm - summarized depositions, medical
records, and employment records. Devised profiles of estimated earnings,
losses, and medical expenditures. Prepared Notice of Entry of Judgment forms.
Writing & Research Skills
Drafted interrogatories, declarations, and memoranda of law in handicap
discrimination case. Drafted pleadings, discovery documents, client and
demand letters, memoranda of law, and motions with points and authorities, in
paralegal course work. Performed research in handicap and sex discriminates
cases: motion to compel, response to motion to strike, and application for
preliminary relief in U. S. District Court.

30. Customer Service
 Handled difficult customers with tact listening to
their concerns while maintaining store policy.
 Provided prompt, courteous and personalized service
to over 100 customers in a four hour shift.
 Increased sales in the Natural Foods Department by
advising customers on bulk alternatives.

31. Work History for the Functional Resume
 On a functional resume your work history is simply
listed providing no details about the duties or tasks
performed.
 List your most recent job first, then your earlier jobs.
Include any unpaid work, including an internship
that shows you have the skills for the job.

32. EMPLOYMENT HISTORY
Randolo, Dobson, P. A., Palm Beach Gardens, FL Paralegal Intern 1/2009 - 05/2009
Bank of America, West Palm Beach, FL Teller0 8/2007 - present
Macy’s Palm Beach Gardens, FL Sales Associate 5/2005 - 7/2007

33. AWARDS:
 Add AWARDS section
if applicable
Name of Award
Who gave it to you
When received
 Shows you are leader
and contributor

34. SPECIAL ACTIVITIES:
 Related Clubs
 Organizations
• Dates of membership
• Position held
• Accomplishments
• Contributions

35. PROFESSIONAL
DEVELOPMENT or
OTHER TRAINING:
 Related training and/or seminars
 Include skills learned
 Month/Year
 Title of Training/Program
 Who Sponsored Training

38. Cover Letter

39. First Paragraph
 This is the "why I'm writing to you" paragraph which
immediately tells the employer the position you want to
be considered for. This is short - usually 2-3 sentences.
 Points to cover:
 Why you are writing and which position you are applying
for.
 How you heard about the position is irrelevant unless it is a
mutual contact or recruiting program. Do not write, "I
learned of this opportunity through the Career Services
Office."
 Show from your research why you are interested in this
position or organization. The goal is to make a connection -
do this Briefly and Specifically or leave it out; sweeping
statements will not work.

40. Second Paragraph
 This is the "why I'm qualified" paragraph. Highlight
some of your most relevant experiences and qualities as
they relate to the position for which you are applying.
Choose 2 - 3 points you want to make about Specific
experiences/accomplishments or about general qualities
you have exhibited, and provide Specific examples to
support those points. This paragraph will change
according to the job/employer for which you are
applying. This is usually the longest paragraph of the
letter. You may break this paragraph into two if it looks
too lengthy or if your points work best in separate
paragraphs.

41. Second Paragraph
 The body of the paragraph should provide evidence to
back up what you've just claimed. Cite specific
jobs/internships/activities/projects and
accomplishments associated with those experiences.
Use your resume to come up with some specifics, but
NEVER reiterate passages from your resume word for
word. Discuss why what you did is to the employer-
relate the facts to the job. Strong examples are
important!
 The final sentence is a summary of what you've
discussed above. It's a good idea to mention the position
title and company name to bring the reader back to the
specific job in question.

42. Final Paragraph
 This is a short 2-4 sentences paragraph. You should refer to the
enclosed resume, request an interview and let the reader know
what will happen next (Contact them within specific period of
time unless it is a recruiting program). It is vital that you thank
the reader for his/her time and consideration.
 Sincerely,
 Your Signature
 Your Name

43. Tips
 Research the company and the specifics about the position so
you can tailor your letter to the needs of the organization.
 Avoid using too many sentences that start with "I" or writing in
the passive voice (ex. "This experience enabled me to..." or
"Through my internship, I was responsible for..."); instead, make
yourself the subject of each sentence and use active descriptions
(ex., "In this internship, I demonstrated sound judgment and
problem-solving skills on a daily basis.").

44. Tips
 Do not use contractions (I'd, didn't, it's).
 Spelling, grammar, or punctuation mistakes are out of the
question! Cover letters are a reflection of your writing skills, so
make each cover letter an example of your best work.
 Keep your letter short and simple. This is not the time to tell your
whole life's story.
 Get a Career Specialist to look it over if you are having difficulty.

45. COVER LETTER GUIDELINES
 Introduction
The first paragraph states why you are writing to that
particular company or organization and the position you
are seeking. Express your enthusiasm and interest in this
line of work and this company.
 Sales Pitch
The second paragraph should expand on your skills and
qualifications described in your resume skills. List job
requirements and how you meet or exceed them.

46. COVER LETTERS
 Close and Action Steps
The last paragraph indicates your interest in
arranging an interview. Provide a phone number,
where you can be reached.

47. SAMPLE COVER LETTER