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Resume writing
- 1. Writing Your Résumé Applied Communications MATC
- 2. Purpose of a Résumé To get a job interview. To structure the interview process. To remind the interviewer of you after you're gone. To serve as the basis for justifying the hiring decision to others.
- 3. Never …
- 8. Delivery Formats Print Version 1-Page Print PDF File Plain Text Version HTML/ Web Version
- 9. Parts of a Résumé Required Name Contact Information: Address Telephone number(s) Email Education / Training Work Experience “References Available Upon Request”
- 10. Parts of a Résumé Optional Summary Statement Professional Profile Qualifications Summary Keyword Summary Licenses/Certifications Accomplishments/Achievements
- 11. Parts of a Résumé Optional Transferable Skills Strengths Affiliations/Memberships Languages Foreign travel
- 12. Parts of a Résumé Optional Presentations Publications Activities Hobbies/Interests Military
- 13. Parts of a Résumé Never (probably not) Height, weight, age, date of birth, place of birth, marital status, sex, race, health, social security number (except on an International résumé /CV) Reasons for leaving previous job(s) Name of boss or supervisor Street addresses and phone numbers of past employers (city and state is sufficient)
- 14. Parts of a Résumé Never (probably not) Picture of yourself Salary information Specific names of references The title " Résumé " Religion, church and/or political affiliations
- 15. Parts of a Résumé Your Name James Tiberius Kirk James T. Kirk James Kirk Jim Kirk JT Kirk Captain Kirk Capt. Kirk
- 16. Education & Experience Which comes first?
- 17. Education
- 18. Experience Job Titles
- 20. Unique Situations Multiple jobs at same employer Age Discrimination Employment Gaps Job-Hopper No Paid Experience
- 21. Language of Your Résumé
- 22. Your Résumé … is just the beginning
Editor's Notes
- Typos and Lies
- Chronological—in reverse chronological order, beginning with your most recent job or education, depending on which one is most relevant to the current job for which you are applyingFunctional—organizes your experience of skill sets and clustersHybrid—combines chronological and functional
- ChronologicalIn reverse chronological order, begin with your most recent job or education, depending on which one is most relevant to the current job for which you are applyingGood for an employee with solid work history in the field. Popular with HR managers. Standard template on computer software.
- FunctionalOrganizes your experience of skill sets and clusters. Includes a list of job titles, companies, and dates, but little details.Good for employee changing careers or with little formal work experience or someone with gaps in their employment history.
- Hybrid(Combined)Combines chronological and functional by taking the highlights of your skills, qualifications, and experience combined with the highlights of your work chronology. The best of both worlds, this is the most unusual format so it stands out. Be careful not to go beyond one page. It’s easy to give too many details in this format.
- Print VersionHard copy usually created in Word but saved as a PDF file that can be sent via mail and brought to an interview.Use white or slightly off-white 8.5” x 11” paper. Only use colorful paper if you're applying for a job in a creative industry. Even then, it may be wise to play it safe. Print on one side of the paper only using a laser or high-resolution inkjet printer. Don't staple your résumé.1-Page PrintThis shorter version of your regular résumé can be brought to networking eventsSame paper and printing rules of your print version, but use the back side if needed.PDF FileThis version looks identical as a hard copy or an email attachment, but it can’t be edited once saved as a PDF, so always save it as a Word document first so you can make changes later.If sending your résumé as an email attachment, use the PDF file to ensure that the formatting holds. Send it to yourself first and make sure it looks good when it’s opened.Plain Text VersionThis version is simplified with no formatting for electronic submissions where you answer questions directly on the Internet on electronic formsScan this format-free version or copy and paste pieces on to an electronic application. No fancy fonts, indents, bolding, or bullets. Text only.HTML/Web VersionThis version is part of professional looking web page dedicated to presenting your skills and qualifications to potential employersKeep it professional information only and don’t make it too busy or too detailed.
- This is just the list. Each individual part will be discussed further later in this PowerPoint
- This is just the list. Each individual part will be discussed further later in this PowerPoint
- This is just the list. Each individual part will be discussed further later in this PowerPoint
- This is just the list. Each individual part will be discussed further later in this PowerPoint
- It depends on whether your degree or your experience is your best selling point. Always list the most relevant section first.If you are a current college student or about to graduate, generally list education first. If you are currently working, generally list experience first. A good cutoff point for moving your Experience section to the forefront of your résumé is a year to 18 months after graduation.
- If you have multiple degrees, list the most recent first. For each degree, list the name of your degree first. Include your college name, city, and state. Include graduation date (or expected graduation): Month/Year. Once you've been out of school a year or so, you can omit the month. Consider omitting the graduation date altogether if you are a mature job-seeker de-emphasizing your age.
- Use the heading “Experience” rather than “Jobs” or “Employment” because then you can list activities other than paid employment, such as volunteer work, internships, sports-team participation, and class projects. Job Titles Generally, list job title first unless you are trying to call attention to the name of prominent companies for which you've worked. (Example: If you plan to enter the automotive industry, and you've had internships at Harley Davidson, you could list the company name first).
- Generally, résumés no longer include your hobbies. Some job-seekers consider these items conversation-starters, while some employers feel the information humanizes the candidate and presents a fuller picture. Many recruiters and employers feel hobby and interest information can expose the candidate to discrimination. As with most information on your résumé, the option to list hobby and interest information is a personal choice, but it's usually more risky to list it than to leave it off. Ask yourself: Does this information add value to my résumé? Space constraints may also guide your decision. Never list specific names and contact information of references directly on your résumé. If an advertisement asks for them along with your résumé, list them on a separate sheet, the letterhead of which matches your résumé, and if you get an interview, bring that list with you as well as a clean copy of your résumé. References available upon Request is the standard final line of your résumé. Only leave it off it if you are trying to conserve space.
- Multiple jobs with the same employerIt’s recommended to list each position separately, as if it were a separate job, even repeating the name of employer and employer location each time. This approach provides more consistency throughout the résumé and clearly shows your progression from job to job. It can also illustrate rapid promotions when the prospective employer sees short time periods between positions. Age Discrimination when listing ALL jobsHiring decision-makers are split on this point, which is affected by the growing practice of conducting background checks. Many, especially recruiters, are adamant about seeing every job listed from your college graduation to the present. They argue that background checks -- or even just seeing you in person at an interview -- will reveal your age anyway, so why hide it? Others recommend going back 15-20 years, with the idea that jobs beyond that point are likely not relevant to your next career move. If you have the opportunity to contact the decision-maker before sending your résumé, you can always ask his or her preference. Another option is to include your jobs that are more than 15 years old, but list them in bare-bones fashion (title, employer, location) without dates of employment. You may want to title this section Previous Professional Experience. Even if you opt to leave off the dates, the recipient will at least know that you have provided full disclosure by listing all jobs. A similar option is to insert a disclaimer statement to the effect that "additional employment history is available upon request." Employment GapsA chrono-functional résumé is one way to deemphasize employment gaps. Another approach, if you can legitimately do so, is to frame periods of unemployment as stints of self-employment, consulting, or project work. Some job-seekers quit their jobs to pursue advanced education or training; you can account for a period of unemployment by listing yourself as a Graduate Student during that period. One recruiter called gaps "a huge red flag," so they should be explained in your résumé if you can gracefully do so. Other options include explaining them in your cover letter or being prepared to do so in an interview (however, gaps may preclude you from getting the interview). Job-hopperVery short, frequent job stints can certainly raise eyebrows. A chrono-functional résumé will deemphasize job-hopping but comes with its own drawbacks. Another choice is to omit jobs of short duration. In these days of background checks, however, your omission can be risky. Most hiring decision-makers emphasize that nothing should be left off because jobs you've omitted will be discovered eventually in the vetting process, and you'll be eliminated. It's best to list everything, but make a strong case for your qualifications in your cover letter and top third of your résumé so that you get called for an interview. Then be prepared to explain and put a positive spin on problematic or short-duration jobs face to face. No Paid ExperienceIf you’ve never actually held a job, or any job of relevance, try to identify transferable /applicable skills from these areas: Internships Summer jobs Campus jobs (work-study) Entrepreneurial/self-employed jobs Temporary work Volunteer Work: school, church, club, not-for-profit organizationsResearch papers/projects Certification courses Campus activity positions Fraternity/sorority/social club positions Extracurricular or sports leadership positions
- A big part of your résumé will be the language you use to sell yourself and your skills. Focus on specific accomplishments -- how you made each job your own, and quantify these accomplishments whenever possible. Use action verbsin describing your accomplishments from the following list: Your résumé is one of the few times your English teacher will say it’s okay to write in fragments! It’s okay to use verb command statements and phrases throughout the résumé, but not in the cover letter.