RESUME WRITING 101 How to write an effective resume

WHAT IS THE PURPOSE OF A RESUME? A resume is a personal summary of your professional history and qualifications.

It should include information about:

Your career goals and objectiveEducationWork experience

ActivitiesHonorsAny special skills you may have

RESUME – HIDDEN MESSAGES

NeatWell-organizedError freeProfessional appearance

NeatWell-organizedDetailed orientedCareful and competent

YOU RESUME

KEY COMPONENTSHeading

Objective

Education

Skills

Experience

References- in resume or as an addendum

ADDITIONAL COMPONENTSPersonal Skills and Assets

Honors, awards and activities

Community service

Foreign language proficiency

Computer skills & applications

Volunteer experiences

Prospective Colleges &

Universities (if applicable)

FORMATTING AND APPEARANCEMake your name stand out with a bold, larger font size

Use standard fonts such as Times New Roman, Arial, or Courier

Type Size: 10 - 12 Point

White, beige, or light gray quality bond paper

Use a laser printer for best finish

Limit entry level resume to one typed page

HEADINGIncludes contact information: Top of the pageName: large and bold- so it stands out!Address: street, town, state & zip codeTelephone number(s): with professional messageEmail address: professional looking (bobaluver4lyfe@gmail.com is not appropriate) check e-mail on a daily basis

SAMPLE HEADINGSMelody Chang

1 Meadow WayMonterey Park, CA 91754

(626) 555-1234MelodyChang1125@gmail.com

Marcus JonesM_Jones518@yahoo.com

Current Address Permanent Address 325 Maple St 55 Sycamore Drive

Alhambra, CA 91781 Alhambra, CA 91781 (626) 555-3357 (626) 555-4429

Bianca L. Garcia83 Prospect Road San Gabriel, CA 91776 (626) 555-8975

Bianca.L.Garcia@gmail.com

OBJECTIVEWhat is an objective?A one sentence summary of position desired.ShortSpecificTailored to the position

What does an objective do?Clarifies the purpose of your resumePresents a clear statement of your goals

SAMPLE OBJECTIVES• Hostess at a upscale restaurant

• Part-time position at spa or salon

• Receptionist at a veterinarian’s office

• Customer service representative at a call center

• A part-time job or summer internship at a communications firm

• Part-time retail sales position in a clothing store

PERSONAL SKILLS AND ASSETS

A couple of sentences or bullets that describe what you are like as a person and how you do things, including personality traits, attitudes, work habits, etc.

This is a useful section, especially if you do not have much work experience.

Think of the skills you use in school that employers want!!!

• Punctuality, Time Management, Teamwork

SAMPLE PERSONAL TRAITS AND SKILLS Hard Working

Responsible

Dependable

Goal Oriented

Self-Starter

Motivated

Willing to Learn

Quick Learner

Reliable

Team Player

Works well with people

Enthusiastic

Punctual

Friendly

Flexible

Outgoing

Articulate

Effective at time management

Able to multitask

Confident

HonestTRY IT NOW!

LIST THREE OF YOUR

PERSONAL TRAITS/SKILLS!

EDUCATION Name and location of the school

Major, minor and area of concentration

Graduation or anticipated graduation date

GPA – if 3.2 or higher

Relevant Coursework- See next slide for more information

EDUCATION - RELEVANT COURSEWORK

List relevant courses that:

Help you stand out from the crowd

Have provided you with specific skills or knowledge

EXAMPLE:Spanish (4 semesters)Computer ScienceMarketingEconomics

Do not include courses that are part of a required curriculum- Ex. English

Include courses that are at an advanced level if they are relevant to the position- eg. AP Biology, Calculus

EXPERIENCE

Experiences

Paid part-time/full-time positions

InternshipsVolunteer work/ Community Service

Club/campus group involvement

Summer Jobs

Guidelines for duties, responsibilities & accomplishments

Include most relevant skills & qualities

Most relevant information comes first

Use strong action verbs- see handout

SPECIAL SKILLS, ABILITIES, HONORS &AWARDS Include skills that make you unique, such as computer skills, foreign language skills, or CTE course skills. Be specific in describing your special skills; name computer programs you know, how long you studied a foreign language, etc.

Honors & Awards

Order by dates Reverse chronological

Rank order by importance to the career objective

EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES & CLUBS

Order by dateReverse chronological

Rank order by importance to the career objective

Do not say Member of …

Emphasize your leadership roles

Spell out the organization’s name: Do not use abbreviations or acronyms

DON’T BE GUILTY OF THESE RESUME FAUX PAS!

Typos and Grammar Slips

“Great attention to detail.”

Don’t use “I” or “me”

“Proven ability to track down and correct erors.”

“Am a perfectionist and rarely if ever forget etails.”

Accomplishments: Completed 11 years of high

school.”

RESUME DOS & DON’TS DO

Use action verbs

Use short, concise sentences

Use #, %, $ amounts

Keep resume easy to read

Keep resume about one page

DON’TDo not use the pronouns such as I, me, my, etc.Do not include referencesDo not clutter your resume with nonessential informationDo not make any misrepresentationsDo not include personal information

SSN, age, sex, height, weight, marital status, photograph, etc.

THANKS FOR COMING!

QUESTIONS?Come to the Career Center!