The document provides essential tips for writing and customizing a resume, emphasizing the importance of format, relevant content, and keyword usage. It advises updating resumes with new skills and experiences, particularly before job interviews or performance reviews. The text also discusses proactive job searching and the significance of effective communication and references in the application process.

1. Writing a Resume
KAYLA CARBAUGH
PENN STATE MONT ALTO
BA 420

2. Basic Component of a Resume
o It is important to have the correct format when writing your resume.
o Your information on your resume will differ depending on the job you are applying for.

3. Customizing the Basic Resume
Components
o Every resume has basic requirements it needs to meet
o To avoid being initially bypassed, rather than list your full address, use the city and state only.
o Recruiters have made the determination not to call a candidate because the commute would be too far

4. Upgrading Your Resume
oYour current job responsibilities have changed, you have new training and skills, you’ve recently
completed a degree program or obtained a certification from a professional association.
oIt’s time for your annual performance review and you intend to ask for a raise. Is your resume
updated so that it will demonstrate your value to your employer?

5. Layout and Formatting Choices
oRecruiters expect information to appear in a standard format in a relatively standard area of the
resume.

6. Alternative Resume Design
oCustomize the content of your design sheet and portfolio by including projects and designs
which are relevant for the job to which you are applying.

7. Handling Common Hurdles
oA caveat to this is that everything you include should still be relevant and stay within resume
writing guidelines.
o Making a career change is not easy, but there are ways to structure your resume to profile your
experience in the best light.
oBe realistic about your skill set and what you bring to the table so that when you do apply for a
job, you have an understanding of the possibility of being contacted. Remain confident in your
abilities while you work on getting your foot in the door, starting with your resume.

8. Using Your Resume to Get the Job You
Want
oYour summary of skills, or summary of qualifications, is at or near the top of your resume and
it's another area that will be scanned quickly. If you want this section to make the reader keep
reading, you need to include all of the right keywords.
oPlace the most important and relevant information within the first two bullet points of your
experience to capture the reader's attention.

9. Standing Out from the Crowd
oAn email within hours of the interview shows that you have an interest in the role and you're
looking forward to next steps.
oBefore you put someone on your reference list, make sure you have spoken to that person and
had a conversation about what type of job you are seeking, and which particular skills you would
like them to focus on.

10. Best Practices for Using a Resume
oReview your resume. Not just your general resume, but the customized resume you created
which helped you get the job interview.
oHave examples ready to discuss skills and experiences
oIt's not appropriate for you to present your resume in the hope that you will be offered an
introduction to a hiring manager. It is also inappropriate for you to ask for a job.

11. Conducting a Proactive vs. Reactive Job
Search
o"Choose a job you love, and you will "never have to work a day in your life." Everyone
remembers the part about the job you love, but no one really pays attention to the first word in
that sentence. He said Choose, not wait for someone else to offer you a job in a company they
think you should work for. The word choose implies you have a choice, and you do.