Resume

Resume Writing Guide

Identification

Organizing your resume into a clear, interesting format is the next step. Regardless of the layout you choose, you will likely begin by listing your name, address, phone number and email near the top. If you can be reached at more than one location during your job search campaign, you may want to list both sets of contact information. You may also want to include a fax number if you have one. Finally, if you’ve created a web page that you would want a potential employer to see, include the URL.

Objective (Optional)
Some people choose to state their job objective on the resume, as opposed to including it in the body of their cover letter. Stating an objective helps convince employers that you know what you want and are familiar with the field. Stating your objective on your resume is optional, having an objective for your resume is not—you need to be clear on your goal.
In reality, even after careful assessment, your interests may span a number of diverse fields. You may decide to draft more than one resume, each with a different focus. This option allows the separate resumes to highlight the types of skills or qualities most sought after in each unique field. You may choose to include objectives or let the resumes speak for themselves.

If you have interests in a variety of career fields, but the basic skills and qualifications required for those areas are similar, you may be able to use one resume without an objective on it. The objective should be clarified on each cover letter as it will vary with the particular position, field, and/or employer which you targets (see samples at the end of the Guide).

On a resume, an objective may be as brief as a job title. Depending on the position, the objective may need supporting information in order to make the target clear. The most effective objective is the one which is most specific about the position and type of employer desired. Conduct informational interviews to find the appropriate title for the type of work you seek.

Examples:

Elementary Education Teacher
Account executive trainee in small advertising agency.
Position as clinical practice assistant for health maintenance organization, utilizing writing, research, and leadership skills.
Another option is to include a Summary Statement at the top of the resume (rather than an objective). This would include a brief list of the highlights of your candidacy and works especially well for people with a significant amount of experience. For example:

production assistant/intern for nationally broadcast television series
assistant to producer/intern for regional film festival
experience in radio production at college-based radio station
degree in English and Art, graduated with honors
member, American Broadcast Association
A very common resume format is the chronological resume. This format divides paid and non-paid experiences, and presents them in reverse-chronological order. This format is very effective for highlighting a work history, especially if upward movement is evident.

Many students and recent graduates do not have a long work history to describe. Often, the most effective tool for them is the skills-based resume. In it, experiences of all types are grouped under major headings which highlight the skills or qualities required to function in a particular field. The benefit of this format is that major headings may be supported by paid and non-paid jobs, internships, hobbies, and class work. Any experience is valid, as long as it supports the heading to which it is linked. If you are unsure of which skills are most needed in the work you seek, speak with a career counselor who will be able to direct you to appropriate resources for your answer.


Education
For students and recent graduates, the Education section will be the first major category to follow the Identification and Objective or Summary Statement sections. This is because your most recent, long-term, full-time role has been that of student. You may choose to include as much or as little of the autobiographical data from your worksheet as you see fit. If you wonder about whether you should include certain information or not, ask yourself whether it will help you in getting an interview. If you believe it will, it probably has a place on your resume.

Identifying Skills
To determine which headings to group your experiences under, try to find the three skills or qualities most important to the job you seek. Typically an employer lists the required skill set as “qualifications?in a job lead (see samples at the end of the Guide). Or, think of your three strongest skills or qualities.

The Skills Chart on the next page may help. The Skills column represents those skills which may be useful in many different types of jobs. These are considered transferable. Below these transferable skills are spaces for you to fill in the more career-specific skills you might have, for example, public relations, economics, teaching. Along the top of the chart are areas for you to list experiences identified earlier on your worksheets. Under each experience, you should check the skill you feel you learned/used/mastered.

When you have completed your chart, look for the patterns of skills checked most often. Decide if you would like to use those skills in the job you seek. If you would, use these skills as headings (i.e., communications skills; leadership skills; organizational skills). The chart then acts as an outline of experiences to include in support of your headings.

Descriptions
Select information from your worksheets to support your chosen headings. Try to be concise and specific when writing your descriptions. Past experiences should be written in past tense; present experiences in present tense. Remember to begin
statements with verbs (refer to the Skills Lists on the previous pages), use descriptive nouns and list your information in priority order. Include references to accomplishments or recognition whenever possible.

Fine Tuning Your Resume
The following tips may be used to polish your resume and be sure it is a professional looking document.
Leave off irrelevant information such as age, sex, marital status, religious or political affiliation, and health. This information is not likely to attest to your potential as an employee and may be illegal for U.S. employers to consider in the hiring process.
Check spelling. Like any writing we do, it is often difficult to catch our own mistakes. Take advantage of the opportunity to have others review your resume. Maintain consistency in layout. For example, if you begin one entry with a job title, begin all entries with a job title. This makes the resume easier to skim. Make ample use of "blank space." Do not clutter your resume. Design a layout which is easy to skim; one which facilitates quick comprehension of the message you are trying to present.
Aim for a one page resume since it is more appealing to many employers, but do not sacrifice neatness. If your information warrants it, it’s better to use two-full pages rather than one page that’s difficult to skim. Use various graphics techniques (capital letters, boldface, underlining) to emphasize headings and important facts on your print resume. Avoid several styles of type set, though. And for your scannable resume, minimize use of graphics.
Use laser bond paper for your resume and cover letters (something that will hold up to a good deal of handling). You may choose to use matching #10 envelopes or the larger 9?X 12?envelopes to allow your documents to be mailed without folding (the latter is preferable for scannable resumes).
Use the most professional method of reproduction you can. Strong options include using a word processing system which is linked to a letter quality or laser printer; having a printing service typeset your resume; and bringing a camera ready resume to a printing service to be offset copied.


A Little Bit About The "Electronic" Resume
Joyce Lain Kennedy and Thomas J. Morrow provide tips on writing a scannable resume that computers can read in their book, Electronic Resume Revolution. They explain that computers used to “scan resumes by the thousands and store their data for instant recall...search resumes for ‘key words?- words that define the requisites of a particular job. The key words for an accountant might include ‘BS accounting, accounts payable, accounts receivable, IRS Amendments, and CPA.?Kennedy has written, “action verbs that work so well on paper resumes lose their punch on scannable resumes.?amp;nbsp;

Their tips also include keeping graphics simple for electronic resumes. Specifically,
Use popular, nondecorative typefaces.
Use a font size of 10 to 14 points.
Use light-colored (white is best), standard-size, 8 -1/2?x 11?paper, printed on one side.
Avoid italic text, script, and underlined passages. Capitalized words and boldface are okay.
Avoid graphics and shading. Don’t compress spaces between letters.
Avoid horizontal and vertical lines - they confuse the computer.
Your name should be the first readable item on each page.
You can find additional information on creating scannable resumes on the World Wide Web. Sites to check included:

Job Searching Resume Center

FAQ’s About Electronically Scannable Resumes

The Riley Guide: Online Resume Databases

Margaret Riley, co-author of The Guide to Internet Job Searching and creator of “The Riley Guide?at http://www.dbm.com/jobguide suggests that you might want to consider creating three versions of your resume—a highly designed one for postal mailing; a minimally-designed one for scanning, and a plain text one for electronic mailing. She recommends that if you are in doubt as to whether a potential employer scans, call and ask.

Also, Riley recommends that you not fax a resume to a potential employer who scans resumes because the breakdown in quality is enough to adversely affect proper scanning of your resume.


The following list includes resume samples that fit a variety of employment situations. These resume writing samples and templates provide job seekers with examples of resume formats and layouts that will work for almost everyone, including new college graduates, students, moms returning to the work force, career changers and experienced candidates in many career fields.

Don't just copy a resume format that you like. Instead, choose your resume very carefully. Review examples, then select a format that highlights your strengths and achievements and limits or excludes your weaknesses. Remember, your resume needs to impress the hiring manager enough so you get the interview. That means it needs to be perfect.


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Resume Samples

Sample 1a: Resume

Sandy Kwong


Phone: (555)555-5555 Address: 87 Washington Street, Hopedale NY 11233 email: xxxxxxx@xyz.edu


EDUCATION


XYZ UNIVERSITY: Hopedale, NY: BA in American Studies
Cumulative GPA: 3.93


GEORGETOWN UNIVERSITY STUDY ABROAD: University of Trier, Germany (Summer 1999)


AMERICAN UNIVERSITY: Washington, DC: Washington Semester in American Politics (Spring 1999)


RESEARCH AND ANALYTICAL EXPERIENCE


U.S. Department of Education: Intern, Office of the Deputy Secretary Washington, DC (Spring 1999)

Generated concise written synopses of current legislative action for use by the Department, Congress members, and the general public through the ED website
Researched and presented to policymakers several successful school design and construction projects to support the Administration’s “Schools as Centers of Community?proposal

Washington Semester Independent Research Project: American University (Spring 1999)

Examined how the increasing dependence of needy students on federal loans instead of grants for higher education has affected college access and enrollment; culminating in 65-page paper

Historical Society of Saratoga Springs: Research Assistant Hopedale, NY (Spring 1998)
Researched archival materials, wrote text panels and selected objects for a historical exhibit on Saratoga in the 1930s

LEADERSHIP EXPERIENCE


Vice President/Academic Affairs: Student Government Association XYZ University (1997-1998)
Chaired 60-member body representing each academic department and student perspectives on curricular issues
Participated in college-wide policy decisions concerning such ethical issues as the sale of cigarettes on campus
Made detailed oral and written presentations of curricular reform actions in public student fora

Presidential Search Committee: XYZ University (1997-1999)

Served as one of two students on a college-wide committee to nominate the sixth President of XYZ University, through all stages including:
A detailed self-study of institutional needs and goals to determine selection criteria
Search for, and hire of, a higher-education specialty consultant
Written evaluation of each applicant, interviews and final recommendation to the Board of Trustees

Honors Forum Council: Student Body Representative XYZ University (1997-1998)

Set goals and guidelines for the first two years of Skidmore’s innovative, comprehensive honors program whose mission is to increase intellectual engagement and academic rigor in students?freshman and sophomore years

ADDITIONAL ACTIVITIES


Student Alumni Society: Founding Member XYZ University (1998-present)
Committee on Academic Freedoms: Student Representative XYZ University (1998-present)
Skidmore Orchestra: French Horn XYZ University (1996-present)
American Studies Club: Secretary XYZ University (1998-present)

COMPUTER/LANGUAGE SKILLS


Proficient in written and spoken German
Extensive experience with html language, Netscape and Explorer, Lexis-Nexis and Microsoft Word




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Sample 2: Resume



Charlie Hong

67-61 75th Street
Anytown, NY 00000
(555) 555-5555 xxxxxxxxxx@aol.com 87 Washington Street
Hopedale, NY 11233
(555) 555-5555
xxxxxxx@xyz.edu



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EDUCATION


XYZ University
Bachelor of Arts, May 2000
Major: Psychology. Minor: Studio Art
Hopedale, NY

BRITISH AMERICAN COLLEGE OF LONDON
Student during the semester of Spring 1999 London, ENGLAND

EXPERIENCE


Fall 1999 AMERICA READS PROJECT
Tutor
Assisted children ages 6-7 with the fundamentals of reading
Aided with capitalization, punctuation and printing
Read stories aloud, entreating children to address content
Helped with other activities, from math assignments to art projects
Eased frustration by providing support and encouragement
Hopedale, NY
1997-1999 XXX CAREER SERVICES
Office Assistant
Gathered alumni career surveys and updated hundreds of data files utilizing Microsoft Access
Maintained employer literature and credential, counseling and recruiting information files
Compiled materials needed for mailing of credential requests
Performed various administrative duties
Hopedale, NY
Summer 1999 CITYARTS, INC.
Intern
Researched corporate and foundation funding sources, using resources at the Foundation Center
Drafted preliminary correspondence with possible philanthropists
Prepared grant applications and supporting materials
Helped with fundraising events such as benefit auction
Provided general office support
New York, NY
Summer 1999 MUSEUM OF AFRICAN ART
Artist Assistant
Supervised young participants in painting workshop
Aided children in the creative process by providing support with painting
Assisted the lead artist in all phases of project implementation, from hanging canvases to cleaning workspace
New York, NY
Fall 1995 NEW YORK PUBLIC INTEREST RESEARCH GROUP
Volunteer
Collaborated with others to rebuild a brownstone in Brooklyn under the auspices of Habitat for Humanity
Recruited others to participate in NYPIRG meetings and events
Posted material around the Queens College campus which advocated public awareness of issues

Flushing, NY


SPECIAL SKILLS/TRAVEL

Microsoft Word, Microsoft Access, Netscape, and research databases, including PsychInfo. Travel throughout Europe.



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Resume Sample 3: Resume/Student



FirstName LastName
email: xxxxxxx@xyz.edu



PRESENT ADDRESS:
XYZ University
Hopedale, NY 11233
(555) 555-5555
PERMANENT ADDRESS
155 Essex Street
Anytown, CT 00000
(555) 555-5555


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EDUCATION


XYZ University, Hopedale, NY
Candidate for Bachelor of Arts, May 2000
Major: Government 3.83 GPA Minor: Business 3.87 GPA

The Williams School, New London, CT
High School Degree, June 1995

WORK EXPERIENCE


Merrill Lynch & Co. Inc., New Haven CT, Summer 1999
Completed a rigorous internship working closely with retail and institutional brokers examining US markets and industries. Researched and analyzed equities, derivatives, and bonds utilizing Merrill Lynch computer systems.

Hartford Superior Court, Hartford CT, Summer 1998
Conducted in-depth project studying daily flow within the courthouse including data collection and analysis utilizing Microsoft Excel. Participated in data correction and filing in both criminal and civil case flow offices.

ACTIVITIES/SERVICE


Social Integrity Board Chairman, XYZ University, Fall 1999 ?Present
Appointed by Student Government Association Executive Committee and confirmed by Student Senate as member of Social Integrity Board. Adjudicate and sanction students in violation of the XXX Student Codes of Conduct. Lead board members in delivering opinions and sanctions to students in hearings and written form. Conduct cases in close collaboration with Head of Residential Life and examine XXX's social policies and honor code.

Student Speakers Bureau Member, XYZ University, Fall 1998 ?Present
Allocate funds to various organizations throughout the XXX community to bring speakers to campus.

COMPUTER SKILLS


Microsoft Office 2000

Microsoft Excel
Microsoft Access
PowerPoint
WordPerfect
Lotus 1-2-3
I.E. 4.0 and Netscape 4.6
Adobe PhotoShop 5.0
HTML/Web Publishing


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Sample 4: Administrative Position

Amy L. Cherwin

Experience

Dec. ?8 - Present Manpower Temporary Services Naperville, IL

Independent Contractor

Assigned to GE Silicones in the industrial sales division.
Responsible for analysis of monthly, weekly, and, daily sales reports.
Responsible for scheduling training classes, seminars, and conferences.
June ?8 - Dec. ?8 Minnesota Life Insurance Barrington, IL

Administrative Secretary

Primary responsibility was research and design of sales and training presentations.
Responsible for scheduling a three person sales and training staff.
March ?8 - June ?8 SBC Warburg Dillon Reed Chicago, IL

Facilities Assistant

Responsible for balancing a $7 million dollar facilities budget.
Responsible for scheduling maintenance calls, staff meetings, office relocation’s, and construction projects.
May ?6 - May ?7 KSMR Radio 92.5/94.3FM Winona, MN

General Manager

In charge of a 36 member staff, as well as a 7 member management team, with duties that include disciplinary actions, budgeting, special requests, program scheduling, and hiring.
Balancing a $15,000 dollar budget, as well as chairing a committee to receive a grant for increasing station amenities such as wattage, equipment, space, and music library.
May ?5 - May ?7 KSMR Radio 92.5/94.3FM Winona, MN

Sports Director

Responsible for a 3 member broadcast staff, with standard duties that included scheduling daily on-air sports reports, scheduling all on-air game broadcasts, maintaining all broadcast equipment, training broadcast team, and making travel arrangements for broadcast team.
Responsible for a weekly sports talk show, with duties that include scheduling guests, doing background research, and running the production board.
Education

1993 - 1997 St. Mary’s University of Minnesota Winona, MN

B.A., Public Relations



Sample 5: Customer Service Position

JAMES E. WINDSOR

2000 NE 31st AVE.
Ft. Lauderdale, FL 33302
Home Phone 594-563-7467
Pager 1-888-594-5692

e-mail jewindsor@netscape.net

Q U A L I F I C A T I O N S

Substantial experience and outstanding skills in customer service with seventeen years at PRC Realty Systems including five in management.

Accustomed to working in fastpaced environments with the ability to think quickly and successfully handle difficult clients.

Use the Internet daily and know the workings of it from real estate to e-commerce.

Completed two real estate courses during the last five years while working full-time. Passing the state test for agent licensing in New Mexico and becoming a broker in Florida. Working partime as a Realtor during this time.

Excellent interperson skills, ability to work well with others, in both supervisory or support staff roles.

Willing to relocate and travel.

W O R K H I S T O R Y

INSTALLATION MANAGER, BUSINESS CENTER CONCEPTS, INC Position, 1998- 1999

Installing the "The Office", a state-of-the-art business center offered by AlphaNet Hospitality Systems Inc. at hotels across the country. "The Office" provides guest with a personal computer complete with Word, Excel and PowerPoint software, Internet and e-mail access as well as printing, faxing and photocopying capabilities. Installation includes assembling a desk, connecting credit card readers to each component and using a ethernet system to connect each unit to the master. Provide training to hotel staff and management in use of each component and having all installation contracts singed.

SALES MANAGER, ADVANCED TECHNOLOGY COMPONENTS, INC. 1997- 1998

ATC is a procurement specialists for the military, defense and aerospace industries. They supply clients with electronic components for current projects. Developed strong relationships with established accounts while acquiring new accounts. Coordinate the administration of product orders, understand customer needs and guaranteeing deliver of company’s commitment.

OWNER/OPERATOR, ENTERTAINMENT SERVICES, 1994 - 1997

Marketed video vending machines to restaurant and cocktail lounge’s, installed and serviced machines. Did weekly customer service calls to existing customers.

REALTOR/BROKER, RECA BETTER HOMES AND GARDENS/MILLER PROPERTIES 1994-1999

Real Estate professional specializing in residential resale and new homes sales. Worked real estate full-time and part-time while doing other jobs.

ACCOUNT MANAGER/ PRC REALTY SYSTEMS, 1976- 1994

PRC Realty Systems provides on-line computer software to boards and associations of Realtors across the United States. As Account Manager, I was in charge of servicing multiple accounts which included all contractual items; supervising the on-site staff; preparing the budget; negotiating contract renewal; installation of new hardware and software; agent training; maintain customer relationship with Directors, MLS committees and Board staff.

E D U C A T I O N

Brokers Certificate, Gold Coast School of Real Estate, 1997

Agent Certificate, New Mexico School of Real Estate, 1994

Certificate Electronic Technician, TVI, 1976

Junior year, Geography, University of New Mexico, 1974