Transcript Document

The Basics of Writing a
Resume
Peirce College, Career Development Services
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Why Write a Resume?
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Your resume is a personal pitch intended to persuade
a potential employer that you are the best one to do
the job.
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A resume helps you to keep track of your professional
experience and skills you have acquired. No matter
how long you have been at your current job, you
should always keep it updated.
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“Good resumes open doors to job interviews;
interviews open doors to jobs.”
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First Rate Resumes
1. Format
2. Content
3. Winning Words
4. Do’s & Don’ts
5. Proofread!
Proofread!
Proofread!
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Resume Formats
There are three different formats when
writing a resume. The three formats are:
 Chronological
 Functional
 Combination
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Chronological Format
This is the most common type.
 It begins with the most recent job listed
first in the Work Experience section.
 It is best for job seekers who have
advanced through one field.
 It is also suitable for people who have
not gone through many job changes or
long gaps.
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Functional Format
The attention is focused more on the
skills developed at different jobs.
 The dates of employment play a minor
role.
 This is suitable for entry level, career
changers, and mature professionals with
various experiences.
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Combination Format
This type of format focuses on putting
your work experiences in chronological
order, but emphasizes skills like one
would with a functional resume.
 Dates and process are both important.
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Resume Content
All resumes should include the following:
 Heading
 Objective (in most cases)
 Summary of Qualifications (optional)
 Education
 Work Experience
Optional inclusions:
 Skills/Qualifications
 Activities/Organizations
 Honors
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Heading
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Your name should appear on the first line,
larger and bolded (usually no bigger than 14pt
font).
Include address, phone number, and email.
If you are moving, give current and permanent
addresses and/or dates.
If scanning your resume, always center your
heading.
Do not abbreviate (except for the state).
Do not use Mr., Mrs., Ms. or Miss.
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Heading Example
Anita Job
123 Main Street
Philadelphia, PA 12255
phone: 123.456.7890
email: [email protected]
•The name is bolded and in a larger font than the
rest of the heading
•No use of Mr., Miss, or Mrs. to avoid
discrimination
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Objective
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An objective is one or two sentences about the
specific job you want and what you can
contribute to the employer in return for the job.
 Use an objective when…
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You are pursuing a specific job goal.
You know the exact title of the position for which
you are applying. Make it your objective.
You have a diverse career background that needs
direction.
You are a new graduate and need to formalize your
goals.
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Examples of Objectives
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Bad Objectives:
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To obtain a job utilizing my skills and abilities.
Seeking a position where I can advance.
Good Objectives:
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Sales management position using expertise in motivating
sales personnel in order to increase profit sharing.
To obtain an Accountant position in which my knowledge and
skills as a Financial Analyst can be applied in order to benefit
the mission of the organization.
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Heading and Objective
Anita Job
123 Main Street
Philadelphia, PA 12255
phone: 123.456.7890
email: [email protected]
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Objective
A senior position in sales/marketing management in a
mid-size pharmaceutical company
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Summary of Qualifications
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A summary of your experience and
qualifications that relate the most to the
job for which you are applying.
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A brief (3 or 4 lines) statement.
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May be used in place of or following your
objective.
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Example of a Summary of
Qualifications
Summary of Qualifications
Extensive experience in the high performance
marketing industry with a proven ability to
increase sales. Able to obtain excellent sales
results through direct calls on users and
management of third-party distribution channels.
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Education
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Include:
Name of institution
 Location (city and state)
 Date of graduation, or potential graduation
 Degree awarded
 Field of study
 GPA optional
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If your GPA is a 3.0 or better, you can include it.
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Example of Education Section
Education
Peirce College Philadelphia, PA
B.S. Paralegal Studies, GPA: 3.8
Degree expected June 2009
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Work Experience
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The order of jobs depends on the
resume format
Chronological: List most recent job first,
generally the last 3 jobs or last 10 years,
description of duties should relate to your
objective and the position you seek.
 Functional: Focus on positions that relate
closest to the job you seek, list other work
experience under a separate heading in
less detail.
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The Basics
Name of company
 Position held
 Location of company (city and state)
 Dates of employment (month and year)
 Description of duties & responsibilities
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Description of Duties
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Bad Descriptions:
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Use “I”
Use complete sentences
Are too general
Are too long and hard to follow
Good Descriptions
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Use action verbs
Are specific and measurable
Describe what you did and your successes
Are positive and sell your skills
Relate your past skills and experiences to the job
you seek
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Example of Work Experience
Work Experience
Sales Manager
1998-Present
Seldane Research
Santa Fe, NM
• Manage Staff of 10 with volume of over $25 million
• Negotiate large contracts; represent company; corporate
field contact for service and maintenance
• Set forecasts; coach sales staff and critique their abilities
• Oversee and write all performance evaluations, salary
reviews and expense accounts
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Skills/Qualifications
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Before writing your resume it is important to
recognize valuable skills. Skills categories can
include:
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Specialized skills (ex: certifications, computer
software)
Computer skills
Office skills
Communications skills
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Avoid overgeneralized phrases
Be specific about what you know and relate it to the
job you want
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Activities/Organizations
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Include hobbies and personal interests if
they are employment related, noncontroversial, and they show skills and
experience
National affiliations/professional
organizations
 Relevant positions held in clubs
 Honor/academic societies
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Honors
Dean’s List
 Who’s who
 Scholarships
 Awards
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Winning Words
When describing your responsibilities,
start each statement with an action word.
This is the active voice and
demonstrates initiative and drive
 Keep verbs the same tense
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Current job=present tense
 Past job(s)=past tense
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Use NOUNS for an electronic resume
because of the scanning function
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Do’s & Don’ts
Do
Don’t
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Keep it brief; 1-2 pages
Include your name and contact
information at the top of the first
page
Put your name and page number
at the top of the second page
Open with a strong objective
and/or summary
Include a cover letter when
mailing your resume
Use the right format for your
skills and objective
Be neat, organized and
professional
Use the same font and verb
tense throughout
Be creative
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Use a template
Lie
Misspell
Use colored paper or fancy
fonts
Supply personal information
Include salary information
List discriminatory affiliations
Include the phrase “references
available upon request”
Include hobbies or personal
interests unless they relate to
your objective
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PROOFREAD
Read your resume over for spelling
mistakes, repeated words, capitalization
and content errors
 Give your resume to a reliable person to
proofread for you
 Read your resume backwards to check
for errors
 Proofread it again
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