Transcript Resume Clinic - James Madison University
Resume Workshop
What is a Resume?
Definition:
A description of who you are:
your competencies
accomplishments future capabilities
Purpose:
Applicant’s perspective-
Get the attention of a prospective employer Get an interview
A marketing tool
Reviewer’s perspective:
Communicate value
Applicant screening
Quick Question
An interviewer will spend, on average, ___________, screening any one individual resume.
A. 1 minute
B. 3 minutes
C. 5 minutes D. none of the above
Do Your Research!
Know yourself…
Experiences
Skills Strengths Interests Future goals Desired type of job
Know the employer
Mission or Vision
Distinctive services or features
Applicant “fit” Culture
Target your resume.
A GOOD RESUME =
CONTENT The type of information you choose to put on your resume.
FORMAT The way you arrange this information.
APPEARANCE How this information is presented aesthetically.
CONTENT
Content: Guidelines
Think about the qualities, skills and experiences you want your audience to know about.
Relevant experiences can be both paid and unpaid.
You can make custom categories and headings to suit your needs.
Contact specifics
:
One e-mail address
A phone number with professional voice mail
Your current address
Example:
Amanda Smith
12234 Main St.
Hometown, VA 00011 [email protected]
(540) 555-8989
Objective Statements – Yes or No?:
Writing Objective Statements:
Focus on how you would benefit employer or grad school- not how they can help you.
Don’t be vague.
Be concise and direct.
Target your objective to each specific employer.
Key ingredients to a successful objective statement:
Name the job/position for which you are applying.
Note how your skill set is a match.
What’s wrong with this picture?
Let’s look at the samples.
Educational Background
:
JAMES MADISON UNIVERSITY, Harrisonburg, VA Bachelor of Business Administration, May 2008 Hospitality & Tourism Management Major Overall GPA – 3.1; Major GPA – 3.6
(Usually don’t need to list High School at all.)
Relevant Coursework Bulleted list of 6-8 courses OR Description of 2-3 major projects Academic honors, special certifications, endorsements, etc.
Experience:
Start with your title, the organization, location, and time frame.
Each relevant position should have a list of your accomplishments.
Start with a verb in the past tense. Avoid “duties include” or “responsible for”.
Quantify, be descriptive, and identify strengths.
Example: “Edited a monthly newsletter for the department, streamlining office communication."
Skills:
Technical Skills:
Computer programs/software/languages.
“Familiar” or “proficient”?
Foreign Language Skills:
“Basic understanding”, “conversant” or “fluent”?
Lab/Scientific Skills:
Equipment you can use, processes you can perform.
References:
“References available upon request” at the bottom?
When to provide references
What to include for each reference
FORMAT
Chronological Format
Organizes information around dates, stating what you did and when.
Work history is typically related to the job objective.
Jobs/experiences are listed in reverse chronological order.
Titles and organizations are emphasized.
Accomplishments are highlighted.
DOLLY M. MADISON Current Address
: 123 Village Lane ?
Harrisonburg, VA 22801 ?
(540) 555-1212 ? [email protected]
Permanent Address
: 789 Main St. ? Anywhere, VA 22222 ?
(540) 555-0000
OBJECTIVE
An entry level position in Organizational Development, specifically in a Human Resources department, which will utilize my knowledge and experience.
EDUCATION JAMES MADISON UNIVERSITY
, Harrisonburg, VA Bachelor of Business Administration, May 2008 Major in Management, Human Resources Concentration Minor in Communication Studies, Overall GPA: 3.3 Major GPA: 3.7
CAREER RELATED EXPERIENCE OWENS & MINOR, INC.,
Glen Allen, VA
Intern, Corporate Communications & Human Resources within Organizational Development, June 06 – August 06
Coordinated projects such as attendance awards, service awards, and blood drive Gathered and collated information for Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs audit. Helped interview and evaluate potential teammates.
JMU ADMISSIONS OFFICE,
Harrisonburg, VA
Tour guide, clerical worker, June 05 – August 05
G
ave campus tours to prospective students.
Filed and mailed information regarding admissions.
COMMUNICATION COURSE WORK
Conducted communication audits of campus organizations; responsibilities included formulating a questionnaire, interviewing, analyzing and interpreting data, presenting findings in written and oral formats. Conducted a survey of graduating seniors at JMU; responsibilities included formulating a questionnaire, conducting telephone survey, analyzing and interpreting data, presenting findings written formats. Completed public relations project for local company; project entailed producing a brochure, newsletter, press release, and feature article.
AMERICAN HOME FUNDING,
Glen Allen, VA
Secretary for Human Resources and General Service, May 04 – August 04
Attended to phone calls and greeted interviewees. Helped conduct a job fair for the Human Resource department. Assisted in ordering supplies for all branches of the company.
OTHER WORK EXPERIENCE ACTIVITIES MARTIN, DOLAN, AND HOLTON, LTD.,
Glen Allen, VA
Secretary/receptionist, Winter Breaks 02, 03, and 04
Answered and directed phone calls and greeted clients Sigma Kappa Sorority; Student Ambassadors; International Association of Business Communicators; Football Recruiting Hostess; Commission on Undergraduate Studies
COMPUTER SKILLS
Word Perfect Microsoft Word PageMaker HyperCard Professional Write CricketGraph MacDraw Lotus 123 MacWrite ReadySetGo MacPaint SPSS-X
Functional Format
Organizes information around functional headings, highlighting major areas of accomplishments and strength.
Allows you to organize content in an order that most supports the objective; not bound by dates.
Titles and work history are secondary.
Draws on all sources of experience- volunteer, activities, courses, work and signifies each as equally important.
123 Village Ln.
Harrisonburg, VA 22801 540-555-1212
OBJECTIVE EDUCATION Dolly M. Madison
789 Main St.
Anywhere, VA 22222 540-555-0000 Seeking a programmer/analyst position with a dynamic, progressive, and growing firm.
James Madison University
, Harrisonburg, VA Bachelor of Business Administration, May 2003 Cumulative GPA: 3.7 Dual Major: Computer Information Systems, concentration in Programming & Analysis GPA: 3.8 Media Arts and Design, concentration in Telecommunications GPA: 3.6
COMPUTER SKILLS QUALIFICATIONS
COBOL C HTML AppleShare Java Macintosh Lotus 1-2-3 Microsoft Excel Microsoft Word WS-FTP Microsoft Windows WordPerfect MacWrite Adobe Photoshop FileMaker Pro
TECHNICAL EXPERIENCE
Maintained sports section for the on-line version of the school newspaper, BreezeNet Downloaded, translated, and edited copy into HTML format for BreezeNet twice weekly Assisted in the initial design of the layout for the BreezeNet sports section Developed and maintained a music database for WXJM using FileMaker Pro
MANAGEMENT AND LEADERSHIP EXPERIENCE
Managed a department of 7-15 staff members and on-air personalities Produced a weekly talk show which explored issues relevant to the listening audience Supervised a staff of 7 employees during each shift Delegated duties and responsibilities to ensure efficient, quality customer service Responsible for training new employees Assisted primary manager in accounting, hiring, scheduling, and marketing functions Led group tours of JMU Recreation Center and served as a customer service representative
WORK EXPERIENCE AWARDS & ACTIVITIES COMMUNICATION EXPERIENCE
Effectively maintained contact with at least 40 record company representatives Reviewed and answered customer suggestions and complaints Performed as an on-air personality and disc jockey on a weekly radio program Performed and entertained crowds of up to 2200 people at concerts and dances Conducted surveys with WPGC target demographic group to evaluate their radio listening habits
WXJM
, Harrisonburg, VA- Urban Music Director (9/98-Present)
JMU BreezeNet
, Harrisonburg, VA- On-line Sports Editor (8/01-1/02)
JMU University Recreation
, Harrisonburg, VA- Welcome Center Assistant (8/01-1/02)
ProPark
, Harrisonburg, VA- Assistant Manager (8/00-9/01)
WPGC
, Washington, DC- Research Intern (6/99-8/99)
KPMG Peat Marwick
, Washington, DC- Administrative Intern (5/99-8/99) Beta Gamma Sigma Coors Minority Business Scholarship Dean’s List Student-Athlete Tutor Mobil Disc Jockey President’s List NAACP Academic Achievement Award Boys and Girls Club volunteer Intramural Referee
Combination Format
Combines the best aspects of both the chronological and functional.
Emphasizes skills, accomplishments, interests, and work experience relative to the objective.
When to use the Combination Format?
Use when you want to emphasize previous activities and or experience while also highlighting transferable skills.
Objective Education Work History Activities DOLLY MADISON
123 Village Lane Harrisonburg, VA 22801 540-555-1212 [email protected] To obtain a position in the import/export industry and utilize my international business knowledge. James Madison University, Harrisonburg, VA Bachelor of Business Administration, May 2003 Major: International Business Minor: Spanish
CAREER RELATED EXPERIENCE International Fraternity of Delta Sigma Pi
, 2001-2003
Committee Head of Interchapter Relations
Served as liaison between regional chapters Coordinated social, fundraising and consulting events Organized a gathering of two chapters for 60 attendees Coordinated committee meetings and discussions
Committee Head of Alumni Activities
Maintained and updated records for more than 500 chapter alumni Gathered and wrote articles for newsletter Organized and assembled newsletter for printing Distributed newsletter to 500 alumni, 3 times per semester Assigned responsibilities to a committee of 5
International Business Club
, 2001-2003
Newsletter Committee Head
Wrote article relating to topics and activities concerning international business majors Designed and sent newsletter to all international business majors twice a semester Coordinated activities and assignments of other committee members
Integrated Functional Systems Course
, 2001 Worked in a team with 4 other students to develop a comprehensive, 30 page professional business plan Carried process from brainstorming and logistical stages into functionality and execution
SKILLS Leadership
Supervised 6 employees on various functions in busy retail environment Maintained productivity of employees supervised Trained new employees on areas of responsibility, customer service and policies and procedures
Communication
Handled all special customer service complaints and requests in an efficient and pleasant manner Made 30-40 phone calls per night to solicit funds Maintained and communicated a daily roster of all duties and activities to be performed Interacted with customers from a variety of backgrounds and provided excellent customer service JMU Greater University Fund, Harrisonburg, VA, September 2002-May 2003 -Worked part-time during school to help finance education Food Lion, Inc., Fredericksburg, VA, Summers 2000-2002 Habitat for Humanity Marching Royal Dukes
Dolly M. Madison
Current Address 123 Village Ln. Harrisonburg, VA 22801 [email protected] Permanent Address 789 Main St. Anywhere, VA 22222 (540) 555-1212 (540) 555-0000
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________ OBJECTIVE
S eeking experience in the area of health fitness and promotion.
EDUCATION
JAMES MADISON UNIVERSITY, Harrisonburg, VA Bachelor of Science, Health Assessment and Promotion, May 2003 Major GPA 3.9 Overall GPA 3.39
HONORS
President’s List, Dean’s List World Scholar Athlete Games-selected to participate with 1,500 students worldwide in a program designed to use sports as medium to discuss world issues Academic Athletic Banquet-selected three times based on a minimum 3.0 GPA two semesters consecutively
HEALTH PROMOTION SKILLS
Formulated mass promotion materials including a brochure, poster, and fact sheet on HIV prevention Gained familiarity taking blood pressure, doing body composition assessments, calibrating equipment, cholesterol testing, and giving orientations of weight machines at the JMU Recreation Center Led a group of six writing a grant proposal simulation for class Marketing committee member for a campus-wide “Alcohol Awareness Week” program Certified in First Aid and CPR
EXPERIENCE
ROCKINGHAM MEMORIAL HOSPITAL,
Practicum
, Fall 2002 Presented a 25 minute in-service on vegetarianism to several hospital employees Gave an in-service on Health Risk Appraisal results and how to interpret them Created a bulletin board on the dangers of passive smoking Learned about the career duties of Health Promotion Coordinator in a hospital setting HARRISONBURG/ROCKINGHAM FREE CLINIC ,
Internship
, Summer 2002 Successfully wrote and received funding for a grant proposal for breast education and early detection techniques among the lower class in Harrisonburg Interacted among members during attendance at board meetings and community meetings Constructed weekly bulletin boards Admitted and communicated with people entering clinic DUKE UNIVERSITY MEDICAL CENTER
, Student Worker,
Summer 2001 Conducted general office management including filing medical charts, photocopying, answering and directing phone calls, and medical data processing on the computer UNC FACULTY STAFF AND RECREATION ASSOCIATION and DUKE UNIVERSITY
Tennis Instructor
, Summers 1996-2002 Developed personalized lesson plans for individual lessons Periodically taught private lessons to individuals ranging in ages from 10-50 Provided individual instruction and feedback when teaching groups JAMES MADISON UNIVERSITY TENNIS TEAM Occupied #1 position since freshman year Voted Rookie of the Year in Colonial Athletic Conference Voted Team Captain by members of the tennis team senior year Named Athletic of the Week in school paper (The Breeze) Positive Performer in US Today Online, Jan. 28 1997 ( http://www.usatoday.com/sports/football/sfc/sfcppp.htm
APPEARANCE
Appearance
Don’t use a template.
Print on a laser printer.
Be consistent with heading style and margins.
Font: no smaller than 10 point.
Margins: no smaller than 0.5 inches.
Paper choice matters.
Check for spelling and grammatical errors.
Use one font style and size (except for your name).
Fill the page.
Try to stick to 1 page in most cases.
Paragraphs vs. bullets.
Use bullets, not dashes.
A Few Final Guidelines… Do’s
Revise your resume often. Have a variety of people give you feedback.
If a position is still in progress, indicate so:
“Fall 2006-present”.
Vary your verbs.
Talk about the big picture, i.e. what impact your action had on the organization.
Proofread beyond spell check.
A Few Final Guidelines……
Don’t include hobbies.
Don’t use “I”.
Don’t describe duties in paragraph form - use bullets.
COVER LETTERS
Key Elements:
Contact Information Content
Purpose of Letter