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CAREER SERVICES Resume Writing CAREER SERVICES Purpose of a Resume Targeting your Resume Basic Categories Resume formats CAREER SERVICES Purpose of a Resume • A summary of your qualifications • An advertisement or form of persuasive writing that intends to evoke interest and action in an online job search world • It’s most important function is to get an employer to grant you an interview © CPCC Career Services 2010 CAREER SERVICES Target Your Resume • Tailor your resume to the specific position you are applying for • Match the employer’s needs • Create several editions for different positions © CPCC Career Services 2010 CAREER SERVICES Job Description Barnett & Falls Location: North Carolina-Charlotte Job Title: Legal Secretary Description: Legal secretary needed for small criminal defense law firm. Communication and computer skills a must. Job includes answering phone, scheduling, writing checks and updating accounts with Quickbooks, letters, file creation and closing. Fluent in Spanish preferred but will consider all. Prior experience in law firm a plus, but not required. What are the employers needs? © CPCC Career Services 2010 CAREER SERVICES Job Description Barnett & Falls Location: North Carolina-Charlotte Job Title: Legal Secretary Description: Legal secretary needed for small criminal defense law firm. Communication and computer skills a must. Job includes answering phone, scheduling, writing checks and updating accounts with Quickbooks, letters, file creation and closing. Fluent in Spanish preferred but will consider all. Prior experience in law firm a plus, but not required. What are the employers needs? © CPCC Career Services 2010 CAREER SERVICES JILL EHLI 235 West Thayer Avenue Charlotte, NC 28203 (704) 354-7982 [email protected] Objective: To secure a legal secretary position with the Barnett & Falls law firm where I can utilize my education, administrative and bi-lingual skills. Summary of Qualifications: Excellent interpersonal and communication skills Fluent in Spanish Proficient in Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint; QuickBooks Attention to detail, follow-through and time management Education: Central Piedmont Community College, Charlotte, NC Associate of Arts, Paralegal Technology, 2009 Relevant Coursework: Legal Research and Writing I&II, Civil Litigation I&II, Spanish III&IV Experience: Legal Secretary, January 2007 – present Smith Law Firm, Charlotte, NC Performed general office duties including word processing, filing, telephones, and other duties as required Interviewed clients, open files, draft petitions and letters, and file petitions at courthouse. Researched legal issues. Six months devoted to major international case. Receptionist, December 2001- November 2006 Charlotte Family Medicine, Charlotte, NC Scheduled approximately 80 patient appointments daily Translated for Spanish speaking patients Prepared and filed invoices and compiled payments using computerized system. Decreased errors by 15% © CPCC Career Services 2010 CAREER SERVICES Basic Categories for a Resume Contact Information Objective Education Experience Computer Skills References © CPCC Career Services 2010 CAREER SERVICES Contact Information • Your Name is in a Your Name Address (city, state zip code) Telephone Number larger/bold font • Appropriate voicemail? • Appropriate email address? Email © CPCC Career Services 2010 CAREER SERVICES Objective Type of position you are seeking What setting Skills, education, experience that you will bring to the position © CPCC Career Services 2010 CAREER SERVICES Objective Examples Seeking a Legal Secretary position Position as a Legal Secretary with Barnett & Falls Seeking a Legal Secretary position using my computer and Spanish language skills © CPCC Career Services 2010 CAREER SERVICES Education Include degree, major, institution and actual or expected graduation date GPA is optional (3.0 or higher) Subcategory of Relevant Coursework is optional (3-5 courses) Academic honors, Academic Clubs & Associations © CPCC Career Services 2010 CAREER SERVICES Education A.A.S. Paralegal Technology May 2009 Central Piedmont Community College Charlotte, NC • Relevant Coursework: Legal Research/Writing I&II, Civil Litigation I & II, Spanish IV © CPCC Career Services 2010 CAREER SERVICES Experience • Include: position, employer, location, dates of employment and accomplishments • Focus on accomplishments that set you apart from other candidates • Use a bulleted style for reading ease • Do not limit yourself to paid experiences. Include: co-op, clinicals, volunteer work, leadership roles © CPCC Career Services 2010 CAREER SERVICES Experience Formats Chronological Format Functional Format Combination Format © CPCC Career Services 2010 CAREER SERVICES Chronological Format EXPERIENCE • Legal Secretary, Smith Law Firm, Charlotte, NC January 2007 - present – Interview clients, open files, draft petitions and letters, and file petitions at the courthouse – Perform legal research • Administrative Assistant, Wachovia, Charlotte, NC December 2001 – November 2006 – Performed various office duties including letter composition, word processing, filing, telephones, and other duties – Verified accuracy of bills received and submit payment – Utilized computer system programs for scheduling appointments and inventory © CPCC Career Services 2010 CAREER SERVICES Functional Format SKILLS • Communication – Fluent in Spanish – Communicated verbally and in written form to students, parents, teachers and administrators – Interviewed clients to obtain pre-trial information • Computer – Microsoft Office: Word, PowerPoint and Excel – Implemented computerized bookkeeping system – Proficient in QuickBooks EXPERIENCE • Legal Secretary, Smith Law Firm, Charlotte, NC, 1/06-present • Administrative Assistant, Wachovia, Charlotte, NC,12/9911/05 © CPCC Career Services 2010 CAREER SERVICES Which format is best for you? Chronological Functional • Emphasizes career progression • Easy for employers to understand • Often easier to write • Emphasizes continual employment • Most common/traditional format • Focus is on skills not recently used and those skills specific to job • Showcases transferrable skills • Changing careers • Entering job market for first time • Have unconnected work experiences • Have gaps in employment history © CPCC Career Services 2010 CAREER SERVICES References Never list specific references on resume Indicate: Available Upon Request Three references is generally sufficient Ask permission and thank references © CPCC Career Services 2010 CAREER SERVICES Irrelevant/Controversial Information • • • • Age or birth date Picture Marital status Salary received from present or past employers • Health • Social Security number • Complete addresses of previous employers • Religious or political affiliations © CPCC Career Services 2010 CAREER SERVICES Resume Language • Resumes do not use complete sentences • Resumes avoid using personal pronouns • Descriptive statements should be concise and clear • Avoid acronyms • Use action verbs and numbers © CPCC Career Services 2010 CAREER SERVICES Format Be consistent Avoid fonts that are difficult to read Limit to one page in length Use proper grammar and SPELLCHECK © CPCC Career Services 2010 CAREER SERVICES For Help with Formatting Use ResumeMaker online resume writing software Login to Connections to begin: www.cpcc.edu/career © CPCC Career Services 2010 CPCC CAREER SERVICES Resume Referral Let Us Send Your Resume to Employers Sign Up Online through Connections Full-time positions only; student must have 32 credit hours in an AAS/Diploma program to qualify © CPCC Career Services 2010 CAREER SERVICES VISIT CAREER SERVICES [email protected] 704-330-6551 www.cpcc.edu/career