resume guide

Resume Guide

1 This outline is a compilation of ideas from many sources and programs. Thanks to all who

have contributed their valuable time and efforts to assist others.

Name

Address

Telephone Number (List only one ~ do not label (i.e. home, cell)

Email Address

LinkedIn Address

Summary: An effective introductory Summary statement at the opening of your resume is

a critical component of effectively branding yourself to a prospective employer. This is the first

part of your resume that a potential employer will read, and the goal is to communicate clearly

what your expertise is and why you are qualified. Often an “Objective” statement tends to

focus more your own interests as the job seeker, while a “Summary” statement communicates

what you can bring to the table in the targeted role for the organization. Why should they hire

you, essentially? This is communicated by highlighting the most relevant strengths, skills & core

competencies that are unique to you as a candidate, versus a trait or skill that’s an industry or

professional standard (i.e. “multi-tasker” or “team-player”). The Summary statement should be

no more than 4 lines and speak only to your professional background, and not address any

outstanding circumstances (employment gaps, change of career, personal experiences, etc.).

Accomplishments: Let's start by understanding what kinds of accomplishments or

achievements are important to employers and hiring managers. In her book, Resume Magic,

Susan Britton Whitcomb explains that every jobseeker has "buying motivators" - these are the

contributions that you have made in your career that would encourage a hiring company to

"buy" you or in other words hire you. Simply put - every company listens to the same radio

station WIFI - What's In It For Me. Think of areas in which you have helped make your company

successful and create career-defining accomplishments. Don't be fooled - quantifiable

accomplishments are NOT only for sales executives. Your stories can be created around other

accomplishments.

Here are a few other examples of buying motivators:

Made money for the company

Helped the company save money or reduce costs

Implemented processes that save time or increase work productivity

Improved company's competitive advantage in the marketplace

Enhanced corporate image or building company's reputation in its industry

http://erclk.about.com/?zi=3/sKE

Resume Guide



Skills: Transferable Skills: Simply put, transferable skills refer to the generally applicable

skills you've gained in your life to date. They include (but are not limited to) skills you may have

learned at a previous job, in academic settings, or even during leisure activities. Most job

postings list the skills required of successful applicants. Use this information to your advantage.

Tailor your resume letter to match by highlighting those activities and experiences where you

gained your most valuable skills. Limit your skills to those top ten skills listed on the employer’s

job posting supported by an additional set of skills (no more than 5) that will set you apart from

other applicants.

Employment History: The chronological resume is preferred by the widest variety of

employers, as well as by recruiters and many of the Internet job boards. Recruiters and hiring

managers tend to like this resume format because it's easy to read and clearly demonstrates your

job history and career advancement/growth. Include the company name, title, location

(city/state) and dates of employment. Provide information on skills and achievements for this

period. Show where skills (Skills Area) and achievements (Achievements Area) and how they

applied to this position. If you were at a company for several years and held different positions

list those positions separately under the original company heading along with skills and

achievements. Remember Volunteer opportunities are considered Work… List these as part of

your Employment History.

Examples:

(Contingency/Contract Worker)

ABC Inc, (company where you worked) Temps are Us (name of contractual employer) St

Louis, MO

Title: (Don’t use the title “Contractor” unless that is what your actual title was, use the title you

were hired to fill (i.e. Program Analysis, Administrative Professional, etc.))

(Volunteer)

ABC Inc, St Louis, MO

Title: (Use your actual Volunteer Title, i.e. Support Staff, Facilitator, etc.) (followed by

“Volunteer”, in quotes.

Education: Education/Training. Include all the pertinent information regarding education,

degrees, training, and certifications. Spell out names of degrees. Include the educational

institution's name and location. If currently enrolled in an educational program, list expected

graduation month and year. Graduates should list graduation year if within the last 10 years.

Affiliations: List all affiliations current and past if appropriate for this position

Resume Guide



10 Resume Mistakes (Quint-Careers.com)

1. Resume Lacks Focus

2. Resume is duties-driven versus accomplishments driven

3. Resume items are listed in an order that doesn't consider the reader's interest

4. Resume exposes the job-seeker to age discrimination by going too far back into the job-

seeker's job history

5. Resume buries important skills, especially computer skills, at the bottom

6. Resume is not bulleted

7. Resume uses a cookie-cutter design based on an overused resume template

8. Resume has misspelled words or grammatical mistakes

9. References are listed directly on your resume

10. Resume's appearance becomes skewed when sent as an e-mail attachment and/or resume

is not available in other electronic formats (send PDF format if at all possible)