Transcript Resume Writing Workshop

Resume Writing
Workshop
What is a Resume?
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A resume is a one or two page summary of your
education, skills, accomplishments, and experience.
Your resume's purpose is to get your foot in the door.
A resume does its job successfully if it does not
exclude you from consideration.
To prepare a successful resume, you need to know
how to review, summarize, and present your
experiences and achievements on one page. Unless
you have considerable experience, you don't need
two pages. Outline your achievements briefly and
concisely.
Your resume is your ticket to an interview where you
can sell yourself!
THE BASICS
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Paper: plain bright white
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Font: Times,Arial,Courier
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Font Size: 10 or 12 pt.
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Length of resume: 2 PAGES MAX!
CONTENT
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Name, address, telephone, e-mail address, web
site address:
All your contact information should go at the top of
your resume.
Avoid nicknames.
Use a permanent address. Use your parents'
address, a friend's address, or the address you plan
to use after graduation.
Use a permanent telephone number and include the
area code. If you have an answering machine, record
a neutral greeting.
CONTENT
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Add your e-mail address. Many employers
will find it useful. (Note: Choose an e-mail
address that sounds professional.)
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Include your web site address only if the web
page reflects your professional ambitions.
CONTENT: Objective
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An objective tells potential employers the sort
of work you're hoping to do.
 Be specific about the job you want. For
example: To obtain an entry-level position
within a financial institution requiring strong
analytical and organizational skills.
 Tailor your objective to each employer you
target/every job you seek.
CONTENT: Objective,Con’t.
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While it's important for your
resume to include a clear career
goal, you don't have to convey it
through an Objective section. The
majority of job seekers may
incorporate their career goals into
a Qualifications Summary instead.
CONTENT: Education
Place education before experience
if you are a recent graduate or
have less than five years of work
experience. If you are changing
careers and have continued your
education to support your new
goal, education should come first.
 Include applicable coursework.
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CONTENT: Education
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Include certifications
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If you are a student or recent graduate,
list your GPA if it is 3.0 or higher.
Consider including a lower GPA if you
are in a very challenging program. Add
your major GPA if it's higher than your
overall GPA.
CONTENT: Education
Include academic honors to show you
excelled in your program. For example:
 Ace College -- Springfield, Illinois
BA in Accounting (cum laude), June
2000
 - Delta Gamma Delta Honor Society,
Dean's List, GPA: 3.9
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Qualifications Summary
1. Conduct Research on Your Ideal
Job
 The more closely you can target your
profile to the employer's needs, the
better your results will be. Start by
searching jobs for your ideal position.
Compare the ads and write a list of
common job requirements and
preferred qualifications.
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Qualifications Summary
2. Assess Your Credentials
 Based on your research, how do you
measure up? How would you help
potential employers meet their goals?
Besides the qualifications described, do
you offer any added bonus? If you are
lacking in one area, do you make up for
it with other credentials?
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Work Experience
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Briefly give the employer an overview of
work that has taught you skills. Use
action words to describe your job duties.
Include your work experience in reverse
chronological order—that is, put your
last job first and work backward to your
first, relevant job.
Work Experience
Include:
 Title of position,
 Name of organization
 Location of work (town, state)
 Dates of employment
 Describe your work responsibilities with
emphasis on specific skills and
achievements.
Other Experience
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A staff member at your career services office
can advise you on other information to add to
your resume. You may want to add:
Key or special skills or competencies,
Leadership experience in volunteer
organizations,
Participation in sports.
Awards
References
Ask people if they are willing to serve as
references before you give their names
to a potential employer.
 Do not include your reference
information on your resume. You may
note at the bottom of your resume:
"References furnished on request."
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How do I ask for References?
Inform them of your goals and interests.
 Provide a copy of your transcript and
job description.
 Follow up with a hand written thank you
note.
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RECORD KEEPING
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Keep copies of the ads you responded
to.
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Write when you sent/emailed/faxed your
resume.
Important Resources
Monster.com
 jobweb.com
 “Knock ‘Em Dead”, 2006, by Martin
Yates – approximate cost $15.00
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