Resume Essentials: Crafting An Effective Resume

1. Resume Essentials: Crafting An Effective Resume Facilitator’s Name: Leslie Robinson Date: July, 2014

2. A recent study indicates that recruiters spend just 6 seconds reviewing your resume to see if it is worth a second look. ~ Eye Tracking Online Metacognition: The Ladders, 2012 What are three things that you would like the recruiter to know about you in 6 seconds?

3. Objectives • Identifywhat recruiters value in a resume. • Describe the process recruiters use when reviewing resumes. • Select the main components to include on a personal resume. • Identify selling points – the most relevant skills, experience, and education. • Determine the resume format that highlights selling points. • Produce a professional, high-quality resume.

4. Purpose of a Resume • The Resume serves as: • A written summary of your most important experiences, skills, and academic background • Your first impression – your spokesperson • Shows your strongest selling points • It only takes ONE wrong letter to change the entire meaning. • Becomes your ticket to an interview.

5. Resume Blooper • What Bob intended to write on his resume … • Responsible for running the entire Northeast chain of restaurants. • What Bob actually wrote on his resume … • Responsible for ruining the entire Northeast chain of restaurants. • Just one wrong letter can have a big effect on a resume!

6. * "I am very detail-oreinted." • "I have a bachelorette degree in computers." • "Graduated in the top 66% of my class." • "I worked as a Corporate Lesion." • "Served as assistant sore manager." • "Married, eight children. Prefer frequent travel." • "Special skills: Thyping." • "Special skills: Experienced with numerous office machines and can make great lattes." • "Typing Speed: 756 wpm.“ • "Reason for leaving last job: Pushed aside so the vice president's girlfriend could steal my job." • "Reason for leaving last job: The owner gave new meaning to the word 'paranoia.' I prefer to elaborate privately." • "I am a rabid typist." • “Special Skills: Speak English." • "Education: College, August 1880 - May 1984." • "Fortunately because of stress, worked in the cardiac intensive-care ward."

7. Recruiter Simulation • Read resume for 6 seconds. • Then take 20 seconds to record observations. • For each resume: • Put “Resume #” on top • Your OVERALL IMPRESSION from a stylistic, eye-appealing standpoint • Was it well organized? • Was it too cluttered, too bare, or balanced well? • Did it look professional? • The CONTENT that stood out • What themes emerged? • Were there noticeable selling points?

8. Resume Components • No exact rights or wrongs • Name only required element • Recommended elements: Personal Contact Information, Education, Experience • Optional elements: Skills, Honors and Awards, Interests and Hobbies, and Objective

9. Resume Objective tells: • the type/level of job you want • where you hope to get it • Should be targeted and to the point Resume Objective BAD EXAMPLE To obtain a challenging position in a top-notch company where I am able to use my skills and advance within the company. GOOD EXAMPLE To obtain a sales position within the pharmaceutical industry.

10. Professional Summary vs. Objective BAD EXAMPLE • Excellent communication and organizational skills. • Ability to get along with a wide-range of people. • Ability to solve problems and conflicts. • Strong work ethic and very responsible. GOOD EXAMPLE • Public Speaking Skills: Participated in two weeklong communication seminars. • Ten years of brand management experience. • Strong Computer Skills: Proficient in C++ programming language and web-page design. • National certification in conflict resolution.

11. Education • Where should the Education section be placed? • Highly recommended items • Schools/Colleges • Degrees, Licenses, Certifications • Majors, Minors, Specializations • Relevant Training Programs/Courses

12. EDUCATION • University of Whatever,RuralvilleCT Bachelor of Science in Supply Chain Management May 2014 GPA 3.05 • Information Systems Technician “A” School,Chicago, IL 2005 • U.S. Navy “Boot Camp” ,Chicago, IL 2006 Education Section Samples EDUCATION Master of Education in Special Education — ELON UNIVERSITY, NC — May 2001 Bachelor of Science in Education — SHIPPENSBURGUNIVERSITY, PA — December 1991 CERTIFICATION Special Education: 2001. (NC certification) Elementary Education: K – 8, 1991. Early Childhood Education: Nursery – 3, 1991. (PA certification)

13. Experience • For each experience include up to six parts - 1) organization name, 2) organization location (city and state), 3) position title, 4) start and end date, 5) responsibilities, and 6) accomplishments. • Avoid stating the obvious • Highlight responsibilities that are most relevant to what you’re pursuing • There are several different types of experience: Internships/Apprenticeships; Work; Volunteer/Community Service; Leadership; Extracurricular Activities; Projects/ Experiments/Research

14. EXPERIENCE USAR Unit Administrator & Work Center Technician — 2009 to Present Army Reserve Command — Fort Bragg, NC • Supervise 32 reservists while completing 90 hours of maintenance for unit equipment. • Work center completed 145 out of 145 damage control maintenance checks. • Resolve an average of 25 trouble calls daily. • Responsible for maintaining 900 unclassified and 400 classified computer workstations. Experience Section Samples • Assistant Manager and Cashier — 2007 to 2009 • Shop ‘n Save — Beaver Falls, PA • Supervised front line operations and reported directly to the manager; responsible for entire operation in manager’s absence. • Interviewed, hired, and trained new employees; provided feedback on performance. • Developed system for monitoring specialty item inventory; decreased inventory time by 50% and increased sales by 25%.

15. Other Possible Components SKILLS Computer:10 years of Network and System Maintenance and Service Language:5 Years of Spanish Management:8 years of management and leadership experience • HONORS and AWARDS • Dean’s List — Sept 2012- Present Navy Achievement Medal — Jul 2010 Joint Service Achievement Medal — Feb 2010 U. S. Ambassador’s Letter of Appreciation — 2010 Commanding Officer’s Letter of Commendation — 2008 HOBBIES and INTERESTS Hiking and Mountain Biking Sketching and Drawing International Politics and Travel Tennis and Racquetball PROFESSIONAL and TRADE ASSOCIATIONS Association of Forestry 2003-2012 League of International Business Women 2002 to present, President 2004.

16. Important but not on your resume. • Put on separate page. • “References available upon request” is common. • Recruiters will contact your references.

17. Effective resumes accentuate your selling points! Determine your key “selling points” Choose resume format to highlight them Resume Formats

18. The resume focuses on you and the past. The cover letter focuses on the employer and the future. Tell the hiring professional what you can do to benefit the organization in the future. Emphasize your strengths on your resume, in your cover letters and in your interviews. It may seem obvious, but many people just list everything they’ve ever done. Convey your passion and link your strengths to measureable results. Employers and interviewers love concrete data.

19. Top skills/qualities employers rate as important in a job candidate (according to NACE Job Outlook Survey, 2012): • Ability to work in a team structure • Ability to verbally communicate with persons inside and outside the organization • Ability to make decisions and solve problems • Ability to obtain and process information • Ability to plan, organize and prioritize work • Ability to analyze quantitative data • Technical knowledge related to the job • Proficiency with computer software programs • Ability to create and/or edit written reports • Ability to sell or influence others Top Skills & Qualities in the Workplace

20. Selling Points Exercise With a partner: • Share one of the top jobs you plan on pursuing • Discuss and identify your most relevant experiences, skills, and educational background based on the job you’re pursuing • Discuss and identify the general work skills and qualities on NACE’s list that you possess the most

21. Resume Formats • Chronological • Functional • Combination • Combination-Internal Resume

22. Chronological Resume EXPERIENCE USAR Unit Administrator & Work Center Technician — 2009 to Present Army Reserve Command — Fort Bragg, NC • Supervise 32 reservists while completing 90 hours of maintenance for unit equipment. • Resolve an average of 25 trouble calls daily. • Responsible for maintaining 900 unclassified and 400 classified computer workstations. • Coordinate special events in conjunction with the Fayetteville Chamber of Commerce. • Manage a network improvement projects for the Work Center and the reserves. • Train reservists in the maintenance and troubleshooting skills required for computer systems. Program Coordinator— 2006 to 2009 Office of Research and Special Studies — ABC Department of Transportation • Coordinated all facets of the Department’s research program including developing requests for proposals. • Coordinated the procurement and maintenance of all computer hardware and software. Research Analyst — 2004 to 2006 Legislative Office for Research Liaison (LORL) — The XYZ General Assembly • Conducted policy research for members of the state legislature. ResearchIntern — 2002 to 2004 The Office of State Representative Joe Smith

23. Functional Resume TRANSFERABLE SKILLS LEADERSHIP & TRAINING • Over 8 years of leadership and management experience. • Supervised 32 reservists while completing 90 hours of maintenance for unit equipment. • Trained 18 reservists in the maintenance and troubleshooting skills forcomputer systems. COMPUTER NETWORK MANAGEMENT • Resolved an average of 25 trouble calls daily. • Responsible for maintaining 900 unclassified and 400 classified computer workstations. • Coordinated the procurement and maintenance of all computer hardware and software. EVENT & PROJECT MANAGEMENT • Coordinated special events in conjunction with the Fayetteville Chamber of Commerce. • Managed a network improvement projects for the Work Center and the reserves. • EXPERIENCE USAR Unit Administrator & Work Center Technician — 2009 to Present Army Reserve Command — Fort Bragg, NC Program Coordinator— 2006 to 2009 Office of Research and Special Studies — ABC Department of Transportation Research Analyst — 2004 to 2006 Legislative Office for Research Liaison (LORL) — The XYZ General Assembly • COMMUNITY SERVICE • Managed the State-wide Track and Field Special Olympics Championship games. • Volunteered 50 hours to both the ABC Boys Orphanage and the XYZ Boys Orphanage. • SKILLS • Computer: 10 years of Network and System Maintenance and Service • Language: 5 Years of Spanish • EDUCATION • Bachelor of Arts in Mathematics, Spring 2005 – ABC University, NC

24. Combination Resume EXPERIENCE • LEADERSHIP & COMPUTER MANAGEMENT USAR Unit Administrator & Work Center Technician — 2009 to Present Army Reserve Command — Fort Bragg, NC • Supervise 32 reservists while completing 90 hours of maintenance for unit equipment. • Resolve an average of 25 trouble calls daily. • Responsible for maintaining 900 unclassified and 400 classified computer workstations. • Manage a network improvement projects for the Work Center and the reserves. • Trainreservists in the maintenance and troubleshooting skills required for computer systems. Program Coordinator — 2006 to 2009 Office of Research and Special Studies — ABC Department of Transportation • Coordinated the procurement and maintenance of all computer hardware and software. • Coordinated all facets of the Department’s research program including developing requests for proposals. RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT Research Analyst — 2004 to 2006 Legislative Office for Research Liaison (LORL) — The XYZ General Assembly • Conducted policy research for members of the state legislature. Research Intern — 2002 to 2004 The Office of State Representative Joe Smith

25. Combination-Internal Resume EXPERIENCE • USAR Unit Administrator & Work Center Technician — 2009 to Present • Army Reserve Command — Fort Bragg, NC • TRAINING & SUPERVISION • Supervise 32 reservists while completing 90 hours of maintenance for unit equipment. • Train reservists in the maintenance and troubleshooting skills required for computer systems. • COMPUTER NETWORK MANAGEMENT • Resolve an average of 25 trouble calls daily. • Responsible for maintaining 900 unclassified and 400 classified computer workstations. • EVENT & PROJECT MANAGEMENT • Coordinate special events in conjunction with the Fayetteville Chamber of Commerce. • Manage a network improvement projects for the Work Center and the reserves. Program Coordinator— 2006 to 2009 Office of Research and Special Studies — ABC Department of Transportation • Coordinated all facets of the Department’s research program including developing requests for proposals. • Coordinated the procurement and maintenance of all computer hardware and software. Research Analyst — 2004 to 2006 Legislative Office for Research Liaison (LORL) — The XYZ General Assembly • Conducted policy research for members of the state legislature.

26. Reformatting Exercise • You will work in teams of 4. • Review the 2-page resume for Joe Military. • Discuss and decide on the best resume format for Joe – one that will accentuate the skills and experiences that are most relevant to his objective. • Discuss and write a Professional Summary for Joe to incorporate into his resume. • Select a recorder and reporter to report out

27. Tweak your Resume • Tailor your resume to the job. • Have more than one “version” of your resume. • Reorder items, change headings and sub-headings, and reword some of your bulleted statements as appropriate.

28. Designed to show the critical paths to meaningful careers in growth sectors such as energy, healthcare, information technology (IT; including cyber security) transportation and infrastructure, Fast Track helps Veterans and transitioning service members make informed decisions about the use of the GI Bill to gain targeted employment opportunities. The program maps the 100 metropolitan areas with the fastest-growing job markets, and is populated with the educational and credentialing pathways to well paying, highly skilled careers. FAST TRACK www.uschamber.com/hiringourheroes/fast-track

29. Shows where the jobs are, what industries and sectors are hiring, and how to use educational benefits to gain specific qualifications, so they can land one of the two million well-paying jobs that President Obama mentioned in his 2012 State of the Union address. • Identifies the qualifications needed for employment opportunities; shows how to target the GI Bill for use at community colleges, vocational schools, and apprenticeships; and credentialing programs to earn specific qualifications to land a job in a given area. • Helps veterans better market themselves to employers.

30. Their digital resources include distinct resume builders for veterans and transitioning service members as well as military spouses; a jobs portal that allows veterans and service members to search for employment opportunities in America’s fastest growing job markets and industries; and a virtual mentorship program that connects veteran and spouse protégés with experienced mentors. These online tools have also been integrated into the employment workshops that take place at hundreds of their job fairs. FAST TRACK

31. RallyPoint is the US Military's Professional Network RallyPoint was founded in 2012 by two military veterans at Harvard Business School to help make military life better. Backed by two of the US military's recent Joint Chiefs of Staff, RallyPoint connects its members and gives them the best tools possible to succeed both while in the military, and beyond. With RallyPoint, you can build out your professional network, connect with other members of the military in a safe environment, and explore career opportunities both within the military (PCS opportunities) as well as in the private sector.   www.rallypoint.com

32. RallyPoint also allows service members to search by unit, rank and specialization, so they can find people and opportunities well-suited to them. Veterans transitioning from the military to the private sector have trouble translating esoteric military terms to potential employers, so RallyPoint connects users with other veterans with similar backgrounds now working in the corporate world.

33. Combination Resume EXPERIENCE • LEADERSHIP & COMPUTER MANAGEMENT USAR Unit Administrator & Work Center Technician — 2009 to Present Army Reserve Command — Fort Bragg, NC • Supervise 32 reservists while completing 90 hours of maintenance for unit equipment. • Resolve an average of 25 trouble calls daily. • Responsible for maintaining 900 unclassified and 400 classified computer workstations. • Manage a network improvement projects for the Work Center and the reserves. • Train reservists in the maintenance and troubleshooting skills required for computer systems. Program Coordinator — 2006 to 2009 Office of Research and Special Studies — ABC Department of Transportation • Coordinated the procurement and maintenance of all computer hardware and software. • Coordinated all facets of the Department’s research program including developing requests for proposals. RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT Research Analyst — 2004 to 2006 Legislative Office for Research Liaison (LORL) — The XYZ General Assembly • Conducted policy research for members of the state legislature. Research Intern — 2002 to 2004 The Office of State Representative Joe Smith

34. Tweaked Combination Resume EXPERIENCE • RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT • Program Coordinator — 2006 to 2009 • Office of Research and Special Studies — ABC Department of Transportation • Coordinated all facets of the Department’s research program including developing requests for proposals. • Coordinated the procurement and maintenance of all computer hardware and software. • Research Analyst — 2004 to 2006 • Legislative Office for Research Liaison (LORL) — The XYZ General Assembly • Conducted policy research for members of the state legislature. • Research Intern — 2002 to 2004 • The Office of State Representative Joe Smith • LEADERSHIP & COMPUTER MANAGEMENT • USAR Unit Administrator & Work Center Technician — 2009 to Present • Army Reserve Command — Fort Bragg, NC • Supervise 32 reservists while completing 90 hours of maintenance for unit equipment. • Resolve an average of 25 trouble calls daily. • Responsible for maintaining 900 unclassified and 400 classified computer workstations. • Manage a network improvement projects for the Work Center and the reserves. • Train reservists in the maintenance and troubleshooting skills required for computer systems

35. Crafting Your Resume Pair up with the same person you worked with on the Selling Points Exercise. Briefly revisit your selling points with your partner. Write down and share with your partner a job you really want to have. Write down the work experiences you plan on including on your resume. Reflect on and choose the resume format that would be best for you. Work together to write a professional summary or objective.

36. Get Your Resume Out There • Applying Online • Company Web sites • 3rd Party Employment Firms • Professional Online Networking Sites • Linked-In • Field-Specific Sites • Electronic Keyword Scans • Be very DESCRIPTIVE • Mirror key words on job descriptions

37. Summary of the DOs • Establish your selling points per job target. • Choose the format that will best accentuate your selling points. • Develop a Professional Summary/Objective that strategically aligns with the job description. • Tweak your resume to the job. • Have someone you trust proofread your resume. • Be descriptive and results-oriented. • Craft a resume that looks balanced and professional.

38. Summary of the DON’Ts • Simply throw your content into a generic resume template or someone else’s format. • Write an objective that is long and fluffy. • List your references on your resume (you should have a separate sheet of references). • Use generic “catch phrases” to describe your experiences (personalize your resume). • Have one version of your resume when pursuing multiple types of jobs.

39. Objectives • Identify what recruiters value in a resume. • Describe the process recruiters use when reviewing resumes. • Select the main components to include on a personal resume. • Identify selling points – the most relevant skills, experience, and education. • Determine the resume format that highlights selling points. • Produce a professional, high-quality resume.

40. Additional Resources My Next Move for Veterans • Helps you explore different career options by industry or careers similar to your military job. • Compares jobs in your field at a glance including the job’s projected salary and outlook information. TurboTAP Career Decision Toolkit • Offers a Career Decision Toolkit to help guide you in career exploration, financial planning, searching for jobs, writing cover letters, resumes and much more. • View the topics that are most interesting and important to you. I • Take short quiz before each topic and put your knowledge to the test. Hero 2 Hired (H2H) • Upload your resume to H2H. • Employers may come to you. • Register to participate in online virtual job fairs. • Find a local job event near you. 

41. Resume Essentials: Crafting An Effective Resume Facilitator’s Name: Leslie Robinson Date: July, 2014