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Resumes that ROCK !. Why a Resume that ROCKS ?. Catch the attention of an employer Get an interview. Definition of Resume.
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Why a Resume that ROCKS? • Catch the attention of an employer • Get an interview
Definition of Resume • A marketing tool that summarizes a person’s skills, experience, education, and other unique factors that make him or her qualified for a position, opening, or opportunity
Purpose of a Resume • Main purpose is to get an interview. • Other uses: • Scholarship applications • Entrance into graduate school or specialized training programs • Award applications • Part of a portfolio
What does a resume include? • Very much should depend on the purpose and position applying for. • All resumes should include applicant’s contact information. • Information about applicant’s education, training, experience, and skills.
ROCKing Resume Contents • Objective • Education • Experience • Skills • Activities • Honors • Name, addresses, phone numbers • Website and email address • Summary of qualifications
No one-size-fits-all Resume • Target the resume to the position. • Incorporate language from the job posting/position description into headings and action bullets.
An Effective Resume • Is clear, organized, direct and professional. • Has accurate information. • Looks good on paper. • Focuses on accomplishments by using action verbs. • Is brief and easy to read.
Resume Writing Steps • Target your job. • Choose a format. • Draft your resume. • Edit and critique.
Choose a Resume Format • Chronological • Work history, most recent first • Preferred by many employers • Best for those with a good work history who have advanced in job titles • Functional • Emphasizes skills • Best for those with limited education or experience • Not well received Work with a career adviser if you choose this style • Combination • Combines work history and skills
Objective • Define career goals clearly and concisely. or • Briefly describe the position you seek. Example: To obtain an entry-level retail sales position that requires strong customer-service skills.
Experience • Use action verbs and statements. • Show potential for more responsibility. • Advanced from Youth Leader to 4-H Council Youth Representative • Show results. • Provided club leadership for Habitat for Humanity community service project resulting in 50 hours of donated services. • Promoted from caddie to grounds student supervisor.
Education • High school and graduation date. • GPA if 3.0 or better. • Special honors. Example: Honor Roll. • Courses completed related to the job. • Cousino High School Warren, Michigan Graduation expected: June 2013 • Computer classes: Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint
Skills • Not just a list of duties performed. • Specific and results-oriented. • Promoted from host to waiter in two months • Proficient in Microsoft Excel, MS PowerPoint, and Adobe Photoshop • Wrote high school newsletter’s youth column three years
Activities and Honors • Demonstrate leadership and community involvement. • 4-H Michigan State University Junior Scholarship, 2012 • Outstanding Service Volunteer, United Way of Southeast Michigan, 2011
Resume Do’s • Headers and contact info larger. • Easy-to-read font. • Arial, Times New Roman, Palatino, Tahoma, Verdana • Smaller fonts no less than 11 points • Larger fonts can be 10 points • Keep to one page. • One-inch margins. • Consistent format. • Bullets, not paragraphs. • Avoid italics and underlining. • All-caps and boldface text make important words stand out.
Resume Killers • Spelling errors, typos, poor grammar (proof by reading backward) • Poor presentation (poor formatting, wordy, poor paper selection) • Unprofessional email address • Unqualified for job
References • List on a separate page. • Ask permission and give references a copy of your resume. • Choose wisely. • Recommendation letters need to be originals.
Conclusion • Resumes evolve over time. • Good resumes get interview opportunities. • Your interview “performance” secures the job. • What you put into your career management is what you will get out of it. “I am not bound to win, but I am bound to be true. I am not bound to succeed, but I am bound to live up to the light I have.” — Abraham Lincoln