1. 1. Introduction to Resume Writing
2. 2. Professional Summary Sales Brochure Calling Card
3. 3. Catalog Laundry List Comprehensive History Static
4. 4. Overestimating the power of a resume A good resume can help you get an interview Overestimating attention paid to resumes The average resume is read in 15-20 seconds Underestimating the odds Employers receive dozens if not hundreds of resumes for open positions Overestimating the people screening resumes Screeners are often not field personnel
5. 5. Including irrelevant content A good resume is tailored to the job description or to the specific company/industry where you apply Using distracting or inconsistent formats A good resume is easy to quickly read Assuming the cover letter will sell the resume Cover letters can explain or expound upon your background and experience and are often read after your resume is screened.
6. 6. A Resume is Designed to Get you A Job Myth- A Good Resume Can Get you an Interview A Resume Can Be Longer Than One Page Fact- Your Resume Should Outline Your Qualifications in a concise, clear Manner I Only Need One Resume Myth- Resumes should be tailored to individual Jobs There is more than one way to do a resume Fact- A resume is your signature calling card. It should represent you.
7. 7. Chronological Most Common Form Easiest to Prepare Lists Detailed Employment History in Reverse Chronological Order Provides Dates of Employment and Duties Performed
8. 8. Functional Also known as a skills resume Focuses on knowledge, skills and abilities Provides less detailed job experience Does not focus on employment dates Is often used to disguise potential faults Poor/Short work history Gaps in employment Irrelevant experience
9. 9. An Effective Resume Sells your experience and qualifications Relates your qualifications to the industry and company Showcases what you CAN DO over what you HAVE DONE
10. 10. Contact Information Introductory Statement Professional Experience Education
11. 11. Full Name (Largest item on page) Mailing Address Contact Phone Number(s) Email Address Should be professional I.E. first.last@email.com
12. 12. John Smith 1234 Any St, Anywhere, USA, (555) 555-1212 john.smith@email.com John Q. Smith 123 Any Street Anywhere, USA 55555 (555) 111-2222 johnqpublic@ineedajob.com
13. 13. Explains background, qualifications or intentions Brief, directly related to Job Examples: Objective statements Profile statement Professional summary Core competencies
14. 14. Statement of your specific employment goal Relates directly to the position from the employers point of view Must be clear and concise
15. 15. To obtain a position in a foreign relations firm where my knowledge and background in Political Science as well as Russian language and culture will allow company goals and objectives to be met
16. 16. Pro Frames your resume in relation to the job Shows analytical ability Con Employers dont care about Your objective; they care about Their objectives Wording often not specific enough to be useful Can often be considered fluff by screeners
17. 17. Also called a career summary or career profile Provides an overview of your qualifications, experience and accomplishments Is helpful only if the employer is seeking the kind of experience on your profile
18. 18. Profile Top producing sales specialist with 15 years experience developing innovative solutions to complex technical problems
19. 19. Lists professional strengths Shows strengths within focus areas Can be listed in multiple columns if necessary Should be focused on relevant skills to the specific job
20. 20. CORE COMPETENCIES Strategic Program Development Public Speaking Event Coordination Strategic Communications Community Outreach Team Development and Motivation Individual and Group Instruction Cross Organizational Communication
21. 21. Include paid and unpaid work experience in reverse chronological order Company name Location Dates of employment Job title Principal duties and accomplishments Provide in bullet form Be specific and concrete Stories tell; numbers sell
22. 22. Build-It Construction June 1997 August 2009 Construction Foreman Managed a staff of ten construction laborers Collaborated with crew to ensure timely completion of projects Developed blue prints applicable to the job at hand Finalized inspections with the county building department
23. 23. List all institutions you graduated from in reverse chronological order Include name and location of institution Include GPA if 3.0 or greater Include extra curricular activities If you received a bachelors degree or higher, leave off high school If you graduated from college within the past three years, list education at top of resume
24. 24. EDUCATION Appalachian State University, Boone, NC Bachelor of Science, June 2010 Major: Marketing and Public Relations Deans list GPA: 3.97
25. 25. Military Experience Publications Media Experience Certifications/Training Affiliations Achievements Computer Proficiency
26. 26. Hobbies (Unless relevant to the job) Protected info (Religion, Race, Nationality, etc.) Pictures Salary history or salary expectation Exaggerations or misrepresentations Reason for separation from previous employment References Available Upon Request
27. 27. List references on a separate sheet of paper Use the same format as your resume List 3 5 professional references (I.E. co- workers, former supervisors etc.) Include: Name Email address Phone number(s) Brief description of how you know them
28. 28. Write your own resume, do not use templates Use traditional fonts I.E. Arial for headings and Times New Roman for body Keep formatting consistent Do not pack in too much text or leave too much blank space Use high quality paper such as resume or parchment paper
29. 29. If emailing your resume, save in PDF format Ensure you are submitting your resume to the correct person Use the same fonts and paper quality for all documents submitted with your resume
30. 30. Proofread, Proofread, Proofread Do not use gimmicks such as colors, perfume, graphics, pictures, etc. Watch out for redundant content Avoid I statements Make it easy to read
31. 31. Your resume is your sales pitch You are the worlds foremost expert on you and your qualifications Just as a calling card gets a salesperson a meeting, your resume can get you an interview Your resume should be engaging and motivate them to meet you You got this!
32. 32. Unbeatable Resumes by Tony Beshara 101 Best Ways to Land a Job in Troubled Times By Jay A. Block
33. 33. Charles E. Anderson (828) 265 5385 Charles.Anderson@NCCommerce.com