Resume Writing

Putting Your Best Foot Forward!

What is a Resume?

A Resume is: A personal data sheet A short summary of important facts

Why Should You Prepare a Resume?

Helps to complete job application Demonstrates potential to an employer Shows organization, preparedness and

seriousness about getting a job Can be used to refer to during an interview

Types of Resumes

There are 2 types of resumes: General Resume

Used by people who want to apply for several different jobs

No objective Specific Resume

Used by people applying for a specific job at a specific location

Has an objective

What Should be Included?

Personal Information (General & Specific) Full Name Complete Address Phone Number

Job Objective (Specific) Should be clearly and concisely written

What Should be Included?

Education (General & Specific) List in reverse chronological order Dates of attendance Name and location of the schools Curriculum Studied Diploma or degree earned

If still in school place your expected graduation month and year in parenthesis next to diploma or degree

What Should be Included?

Work Experience (General & Specific) Include all paid and volunteer work

Any kind of work shows responsibility List in reverse chronological order Include dates of employment Include names and locations of the companies Include job titles held

What Should be Included?

Work Skills (General) Skills learned in school or somewhere else are

important Employers carefully examine your skills to see if

they can be utilized within their companySpeaking experienceLanguage fluencyComputer skills

What Should be Included?

Sales abilityMathematical problem-solvingMany others

Memberships (Specific) Include those in professional organizations or

career related clubs and associations Section can be eliminated if you don’t belong to

any

What Should be Included?

Honors, achievements, and other interests (General & Specific) Can sometimes be substituted for actual work

experience Participation in sports, music, along with any

special recognitions (honor roll) should also be listed

What Should be Included?

References (General & Specific) Current thinking is references are not necessary

(Avoid Resume Pitfalls – Nov. 2004 – AZ Republic)

On a general resume they are usually listed on the resume

On specific resume they are generally listed as “Available on Request”

What Should be Included?

References should include:Person’s name and titleCompany nameComplete addressTelephone number including area code

References should be:Former employers, teachers or neighborsShould not be family or friends

Why Not Give References in Advance?

You don’t want an employer calling references before you even interview

You want to let your references know ahead of time that they may be contacted

Recruiters’ Resume Pet Peeves

Spelling errors, typos, and poor grammar Too duty-oriented. Reads like a job description

Fails to explain accomplishments Dates not included or inaccurate dates No contact information or inaccurate information Poor formatting Is more than one page

Internet Resources

www.bridges.com click on Log In Choices Explorer (CX online)

Click on Login page Metro Tech Site ID: 0088103 Metro Tech Password: metrotec

www.msn.careerbuilder.com