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Quick & Easy Resume Quick & Easy Resume ToolsTools

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““Resume Realities”Resume Realities”Some things to keep in mindSome things to keep in mind

• The 10-30 second rule: employers will determine within the first 10-30 seconds whether or not to keep your resume.

• Employers don’t want to read “fluff”, they want to read facts.

• Grammatical errors: they will be noticed!• There are many other applicants that are

competing for the job you’re interested in.

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““Resume Realities” Resume Realities” (continued)(continued)

Based upon the number of applications and resumes employers receive, don’t be surprised if your resume ends up…

…here

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Well, that’s depressing. What should I do?

BREAK THE MOLD!Make it PERSONAL and SPECIFIC to the job.

But first, you probably have some questions…

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Common QuestionsCommon Questions

• What if I don’t have any experience in the job I am applying for?

Start volunteering in the field ASAP.

• How far back should I list my work experience? 10-15 years max.

• What if I have gaps in my employment? Explain it (See following pages).

• What if there are lots of jobs I am looking for? Make a different resume for each.

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Common Questions Common Questions (continued)(continued)

• I hear about CHRONOLOGICAL and FUNCTIONAL resumes. Which one should I use?

Employers typically like CHRONOLOGICAL because it states your work history from the most recent to the first (remember the 10-15 year rule). Use FUNCTIONAL if you have limited or no experience relevant to the job title you are applying for.

• My gaps are killing me! What should I do? Try to describe it on the resume the best you can.

Example: 2000 – 2003 → Family Leave, Travel, Stay-at-Home Parent, etc.

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Common Questions Common Questions (continued)(continued)

• Should I indicate that I was injured? We don’t recommend it because employers may

consider your injury to be a liability. Under the protection of Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the American’s with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1998, persons with disabilities have no obligation to disclose their disability PRIOR to receiving a job offer.

• Thanks, so what do I write? You may want to state: personal time or include

any volunteer or “self-employed” positions (repair work, child care if you have children).

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Common Questions Common Questions (continued)(continued)

• Is there such thing as a “perfect” resume? Like most things, “beauty is in the eye of the

beholder”. No, there is no perfect resume but if you use some “basic” tools that are based upon employer feedback, your resume will hopefully end up…

…here

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What is a resume?What is a resume?

It IS:• brief and to the point.

• specific to the objective.

• based on facts.

• based on your accomplishments.

• a document that can be changed and revised.

• simple and easy to read.

It IS NOT: a long-winded biography.

general and vague.

based on opinions.

based solely upon your past duties.

a document that is “set in stone”.

a document that has clip art or pictures on it.

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Pieces of the ResumePieces of the Resume

• 4 basic components• Employers focus on

Work Experience the most.

WorkExperience

Objective Skills

Education

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Getting started…Getting started…

• Start by identifying the job title you are interested in: Janitor, Sales Manager, Engineer, Auto Parts Sales, Driver, etc. (Objective)

→ Look up job descriptions for the job title to see if you have work experience and/or training that qualify you for this job.

• Identify what relevant work, education, volunteer experience you have. (Skills)

• List your past jobs/employers. (Work Experience)

• List any training/certificates/academics (Education)

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Functional or Chronological ResumeFunctional or Chronological ResumeWhich one should I use?Which one should I use?

• Choose CHRONOLOGICALCHRONOLOGICAL if you have work experience and/or training that is RELEVANT to the job you are applying for.

• Use FUNCTIONALFUNCTIONAL if you don’t have a lot of work experience and/or training that is consistent for the job. Summarize your skills by listing your accomplishments.

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Example of a CHRONOLOGICAL Resume

• Chronological resumes are designed to attract employers to your recent education, skills and work experience.

• They can be designed in a number of ways (don’t over-analyze).

• They begin with the MOST RECENT experience.

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Example of a FUNCTIONAL resume

• Functional resumes are more general.

• The majority of info is in the QualificationsQualifications section.

• The QualificationsQualifications section highlights your training and experience that relate to the job you are applying for.

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OBJECTIVES…OBJECTIVES…

• …indicate the EXACT job title you are applying for.

• …need to be clear and concise. Avoid long sentences.

ExamplesExamplesObjectiveObjective: to obtain a position as an Sales Manager.

ObjectiveObjective: to obtain a Senior Management position in a credit union with responsibilities in branch administration and lending.

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SKILLS…SKILLS…

• …identify what you will bring to the company.• …are not listed in the EMPLOYMENTEMPLOYMENT section.• …relate to the objective.

ExampleExampleObjectiveObjective: Sales Manager

SkillsSkills: Management, Supervision, Marketing, Scheduling, Accounts Payable, Customer Service, etc.

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EDUCATION…EDUCATION…

• …indicates your professional credentials.• …provides reference to your training.• …should be consistent with your work

experience.

ExampleExampleObjectiveObjective: Sales Manager

SkillsSkills: Management, Supervision, Marketing, etc.

EducationEducation: A.S. Business or B.A. Economics

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WORK EXPERIENCE…WORK EXPERIENCE…• …is what the employer will look at the

most.• …is provided to show job duties that you

have participated in the past.• …SHOULD be transferable to the job your

are applying for.

ExampleExampleObjectiveObjective: Sales ManagerSkillsSkills: Management, Supervision, Marketing, etc.EducationEducation: A.S. Business, Mesa College; 2004Work ExpWork Exp: Sales Associate, Verizon Wireless, 1999-2003

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WORK EXPERIENCE (continued)WORK EXPERIENCE (continued)

• List a few of your job duties, then…• …indicate your ACCOMPLISHMENTSACCOMPLISHMENTS..

ExampleExampleSales Associate: Verizon Wireless 1999-

2003Provided quality customer service, researched and

promoted Verizon products, and increased sales by 60%. Became Staff Member of the month, provided leadership within a team environment and was promoted from a Customer Service Representative to Sales Associate after one year.

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Include your full name with the best contact info

DO NOT include your work phone if you have one.

Keep your OBJECTIVE short and specific to the job you are applying for:Marketing Supervisor vs.

Marketing

The most recent firstAdd simple info about your duties but HGHLIGHT your

accomplishments.

The most recent firstAdd certificate, degree, or major under the name of

the institution.

Community Service or Volunteering is important.

Don’t add Hobbies

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Where to keep your resume…

Save your resume to your desktop so that you can easily open it to edit, print or send via email.

It is also recommended that you save it to a disk in case your hard drive

crashes.

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Don’t get lost in the specifics…Don’t get lost in the specifics…

• Stick with one or two resumes: and save them to your hard drive/desktop for easy access.

• Be careful of the books: resources and books are helpful but they can be overwhelming. Try to limit yourself to one or two good ones.

• Make your resume specific to the job: hiring managers will notice if yours is a “general” resume that is being sent out to many employers.

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RESOURCESRESOURCES

• Online Resources

www.jobhuntersbible.com – Dick Bolles, great author.

www.jobstar.org/tools/resume/index.cfm - electronic resumes.

www.provenresumes.com – Regina Pontow’s site. Very good.

www.monster.com – Monster.com has an excellent resume site.

www.jan.wvu.edu – Job Accommodation Network, GREAT SITE!

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The “BEST” Online Resource…The “BEST” Online Resource…

O*NetOccupational Information Network

• O*Net is a little technical but it will help you identify key duties that are necessary for the job title you are applying for.

http://online.onetcenter.org/• Click FIND OCCUPATIONS, then type the title of

the job you are interested in.• Examine the TASKS and KNOWLEDGE sections to

identify the skills that are necessary for the job.

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RESOURCES RESOURCES (continued)(continued)

• Recommended Books:

What Color is your Parachute? – Dick Bolles

Beyond Traditional Job Development – Denise Bissonnette

I Don't Know What I Want, but I Know It's Not This: A Step-By-Step Guide to Finding Gratifying Work – Julie Jansen

Resume Catalog: 200 Damn Good Examples – Yana Parker

* These books can all be found on Amazon or at your local Barnes & Noble or Borders bookstores.

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Final Points…Final Points…

• While designing your resume can be fun, try to limit the time you spend developing it. Take breaks while designing it and find some resumes that you like that follow the points listed previously. Remember, you can always change your resume but always, always make it specific to the job you are applying for.

Good luck!