Presenting . . . . Presenting . . . .

You!You!Writing Your ResumeWriting Your Resume

What is a resumeWhat is a resume??

• A short description of your A short description of your training and experiencetraining and experience

• An employer’s guide to An employer’s guide to what you can dowhat you can do

Types of resumesTypes of resumes

ChronologicalChronological

• Lists most recent job firstLists most recent job first

• Lists other jobs in reverse Lists other jobs in reverse orderorder

• Most common typeMost common type

Functional•Transforms experience into functions/skills.•Good for those changing careers or who have little experience.

What to includeWhat to include• Name, address, phone number,Name, address, phone number,

e-mail addresse-mail address

• Career objective - optionalCareer objective - optional

• EducationEducation

• Work experienceWork experience

• Professional licenses, certificatesProfessional licenses, certificates

• Military experienceMilitary experience

• Membership in organizationsMembership in organizations

• Special skills, honors, Special skills, honors, awards or achievementsawards or achievements

• ReferencesReferences

Use action verbs to describe what you did on the job!

No YesPassive Voice vs. Active Voice

Filing was done Maintained files

Program was Researched or written designed program

Children were Supervised childrensupervised

Use action verbs--power words--when describing your work.

managed planned organized

analyzed taught initiated

directed developed produced trained maintained supervised

Some resume writers even bold or italicize these words

Words to avoid

Abbreviations and acronyms, unless they are commonly used.

Personal pronouns – the reader knows the resume is about you; the addition of I, me, or my is redundant.

Your resume should be as concise as possible.

Chronological Chronological ResumeResume ObjectiveObjective

EducationEducation

Work HistoryWork History

Awards, Awards, membershipsmemberships

ReferencesReferences

Sarah J. Brown Current Address Permanent Address 2928 East C 2834 Rd 22C Torrington, WY 82240 Laramie, WY 82070

e-mail: sjb@warmmail.com

Objective:To obtain part-time/summer employment working with animals while attending

college.

Education: August, 2004 - Present Eastern Wyoming College Vet Tech Major

Work History: May , 2003 - August, 2004 Mountain View Veterinary Clinic

Kennel attendant (part time) - Fed and watered animals according to schedules and medical instructions. Cleaned and disinfected cages, pens and yards.

August, 2002 - May, 2003 DJ’s Pet Shop Evanston, WY Fed and watered animals, cleaned kennels, operated cash register, customer service.

References: List at least three

Functional ResumeFunctional ResumeObjectiveObjective

QualificationsQualifications

EducationEducation

Work HistoryWork History

ReferencesReferences

Address: Jonathon Q. Smith

Education

University of Wyoming, Laramie, WY Eastern Wyoming College, Torrington, WY B.S. Political Science June, 2004 A.A. Political Science May, 2002

Qualifications

Sales: Skilled in selling ideas and persuading others to agree upon a common goal.. Planning: Well organized and have public relations experience. Training: Able to train and motivate people to maximum work performance.

Work History

United Minority Students, University of Wyoming Program Representative:

July 2004-Present) Planned and implemented ten educational and cultural programs.

Political Science Department, University of Wyoming Research Assistant

(September 2002- May, 2004) Assisted professor in research project concerning voter apathy; interviewed subjects and compiled survey results.

References available upon request

How did the last resume differ from the one before?

1. There was no objective.The objective is optional. If you are applying for a specific job, use it. However, if you are willing to get your foot in the door, or are applying for more than one type of job, you do not have to use it.

2. The last resume stated, “references available upon request,” which is acceptable. However, wouldn’t you rather have the employer have your references in hand so he doesn’t have to make that extra phone call?

Listing your references puts you a step ahead!

Yes, you may have noticed that Mr. Smith’s address is also missing, but only in the interest of space. Your address and phone number are always on the resume!

Another option

Combination Combination Resume:Resume:

Functional and Functional and ChronologicalChronological

Combination Resume Samantha K. Jones 1500 West Z Street

Torrington, WY 82240 307-555-0000 skj@hotnet.net

Education Eastern Wyoming College Graduated December, 2004 School of Cosmetology Wyoming State Board Exam

Associate of Arts Degree Passed, January, 2005 Experience 2003-Present part time insurance clerkTimmerly Insurance Agency

Duties: process applications and claims, type claims, type, maintain files, receptionist, reconcile bank statements, prepare tax reports, payroll, cash method accounting bookkeeper.

1997-2003 Self-Employed cosmetic consultant Managed Avon business.

1988-1997 Full-time homemaker/mother

Temporarily left job market to raise three children.

Skills Strong organizational skills Strong leadership skills Ability to work with others Able to motivate others

Volunteer Experience: Financial Secretary for church. Jayceettes past president

References: List at least three references

How long should my resume be?

Many sources will tell you that the resume should be only one page in length. It’s true that it should be concise. However, after you’ve worked for a period of time, your list of skills, organizations and training may become longer. In a survey, employers stated they prefer more information presented concisely over the one page format.

Most Common Mistakes

1. Too much 1. Too much information information2. Too short2. Too short3. Punctuation 3. Punctuation

errors errors4. Poor grammar4. Poor grammar

5. Misspelled words5. Misspelled words6.6. Verb tense Verb tense changedchanged7.7. Disorganized Disorganized8. Inappropriate 8. Inappropriate paperpaper

D D ee tt aa ii ll ss

What is too much What is too much informationinformation?

HobbiesHobbies

Health Height,

WeightMarital Status

It’s not necessary to state any of the previous information.

However, if you have a hobby or sideline that is applicable to the job for which you are applying, list it!

Ex: woodworking = carpentry job

What is What is too too short?short?Worked in office.

Worked on ranch.

Typed, filed, answered phones, computed payroll, bookkeeping.

Fed cattle, repaired equipment, fixed fence, swathed and baled hay.

PunctuationPunctuation Proofread for commas,Proofread for commas, periods, quotation marks.periods, quotation marks.

Grammar Grammar Don’t use no double Don’t use no double negatives.negatives. SpellingSpelling

Awlays pruf for spleling Awlays pruf for spleling airers.airers.

Verb Tense not parallel

Organized meeting schedule

Take notes at meeting

Writing minutes of meeting

Select one tense and stay with it!

Disorganized!Disorganized!

Work experienceDYNOworksOperated crane5/99-9/99Sheridan,WY

EducationGillette High SchoolMay, 1995Eastern Wyo CollegeMay, 2000

Special TrainingAttended heavyequipment operatorschool Fall, 1999

Job objective:To do constructionwork in a mine

Though it may be Though it may be attention attention grabbing, using grabbing, using bright orbright orgaudy colors will gaudy colors will not be to your not be to your advantage. See?advantage. See?

Use stationery that is Use stationery that is attractive, and doesn’t attractive, and doesn’t hurt your eyes to read.hurt your eyes to read.

Colors to use?Colors to use?Beige, pale blue, off-white Beige, pale blue, off-white are best.are best.

Available at bookstore, Available at bookstore, officeofficesupply stores.supply stores.

Selecting fonts

Sans serif - May be used for headers. This one is Arial.

Serif - works nicely for the text. This one, Times-Roman, is most commonly used.

Customize your resumeCustomize your resume for the job for which

you are applying. Perhaps you want to emphasize certain skills or volunteer work you have done in addition to your work experience to draw attention to specific abilities.

It is okay to have more than one version of your resume. For example:

. . .A writer may have up to six resumes—one each for editor, copy editor, reporter, marketing manager, and free lancer.

Look at your own skills and decide what you need to do.

For each position for which you apply you may:

• List all related jobs

• List all related hobbies

• List all related training

• Unless it accounts for a long period of time, omit unrelated work, hobbies

Helpful hints

Is it your first time writing a resume? You may wish to utilize templates available in Microsoft Word to get your start.

After that, you can make changes and set it up the way you wish.

Word templates• From menu, select File, then New

– Select New from template– Select Other document– Select the resume you wish to use (First timers may want to use the wizard)

– Choose style, type (font), headers – Type in information– Finish

Internet sources

Want a jump start on the competition? Go to hotjobs.com for all kinds of

information, sample resumes and templates.

You can choose between free templates and professional resume writers. There is also information on writing cover letters.

You may even post your resume on the internet at places like hotjobs.com or monster.com; the websites will tell you how to do it.

What’s next?•Take your resume with you to interviews or when filling out applications for use as a reference. The dates, job descriptions, addresses, phone numbers will be right there.

•Keep it saved on a USB port or a personal computer.

•Update it. And, most importantly USE IT!