What is a resume?

(www.RockportInstitute.com)

a one-of-a kind marketing communication an advertisement of yourself makes you stand out as a superior

candidate

a tool with ONE specific purpose: TO WIN YOU AN INTERVIEW

ATTRACTS an employer’s eye CONVINCES the employer that you have

what it takes to be successful in the position

STIMULATES interest in meeting you INSPIRES the employer to interview you WINS you an interview before someone

even more qualified

Pass the screening process required education necessary experience

Provide contact information phone address E-mail

Establish you as a professional with high standards and excellent writing skills

Supply references Use as a “business card” – keep with you

WRITE A RESUME... DO NOT WRITE A RESUME...

with the goal to persuade the employer to call you

knowing it is your ticket to getting the job you want

with enthusiasm

thinking it is only a history of your past

thinking it is a personal statement

thinking it is some form of self expression

CREATE A MASTERPIECE!

How do I write an effective resume?

research shows that only 1 interview is granted for every 200 resumes

your resume will be quickly scanned, not read

10-20 seconds is all you have to persuade a prospective employer to read further

top half of the resume will either make or break you

people often buy the best advertised product, not the best product

FOCUS ON THE EMPLOYER’S NEEDS, NOT YOURS:

Ask yourself, What would make someone the perfect candidate? What does the employer really want? What special abilities would the perfect candidate have? What would set a truly exceptional candidate apart from

a good one? Gather hints from...

the help-wanted ad other people in the same company or field the prospective employer (call and ask what they want)

1.Make assertions about your abilities

andachievements

2.Provide evidence for your assertions

DEMONSTRATES YOUR CLARITY OF DIRECTION WITHIN THE WORKFORCE

EXAMPLE: Objective – a software sales position in an organization

seeking an extraordinary record of generating new accounts, exceeding sales targets and enthusiastic customer relations.

EXAMPLE 2: Objective – a position where I can hone my skills at

selling goods and strengthen my expertise in customer relations.

work history, including job title descriptions of tasks, dates of employment, etc.

education & training professional affiliations awards and honors special talents and/or interests (if

applicable) civic / community leadership references

Presentation

simple and clean easy to read symmetrical and well balanced uncrowded as much white space between sections as

possible no more than 6 lines per section uniformity and consistency

1. NO errors2. Key information :

contact info - name, address, phone, e-mail Professional Experience - reverse chronological

order job title name of company city and state term of employment description of responsibilities/achievements

3. Education/Training - reverse chronological order even if unfinished

highlight strengths / de-emphasize weaknesses

use power words show you are results-oriented concise and to the point use phrases rather than full sentences most important or most impressive first

use quality paper use an ink-jet printer use off-white, ivory or bright white paper use 12 pt. font or higher 2 pages maximum use bold and italics to draw attention, but

be consistent

put the word “resume” at the top fluffy, rambling Objective statement salary information full addresses of employers reasons for leaving jobs personal statistics names of supervisors character references fabricate the truth