RESUMES

Careers

What is it?

A data sheet which includes a list of important events in your life history that employers need to know to consider hiring you for a job.

A resume is a marketing tool in which you are the product and the employer is the buyer.

The employer, on average, will look at a resume for only 20 seconds.

What purpose does it serve?

Standard procedure in the hiring process Communicate your qualifications Represents you as a person Screens out the unqualified Opens the door to get you an interview

Who gets a resume?

Every employer you contact about a job!

Three ways:

1. In person

2. By mail

3. Electronically

Recipe for a Successful Resume1 cup Objective. Brief and clear goal

describing the kind of job you are

looking for.

1-1/2 cups Qualifications. A list of skills.

2 cups Work History. Including paid and

unpaid.

1 cup Education and training

1 cup References

Instructions: Blend, Pour and Bake.

The difference between a good and a bad resumeA Bad Recipe

(Over or under baked)

1. Includes information having nothing to do with job.

2. Has unclear objective or is too wordy.

3. Uses incorrect English

4. Has sloppy typing

A Good Recipe

(Just right)

1. Highlights your good points

2. Directs attention away from when you were not working

3. Shows that you are well qualified for the job and that you will benefit the employer.

4. Opens doors.

Quick Tips on Resume Writing1. List ideas from the most important to the least important2. Use the same key words that appear in the job announcement3. Emphasize your skills, experience and education4. Be accurate and truthful5. Be clear – use concise language, eliminate unnecessary

words6. Begin each statement with an Action word7. Use periods on every sentence or no periods at all. Be

consistent8. Keep it short – 1 page only!9. Use only white, beige or light gray color and high quality paper

Categories of InformationWhat goes on the resume? Many categories of information can be included in a

resume. Below is a list of these categories. Keep in mind that most people will not put all of

these categories into their resume. Use only those that are most relative to the job

being applied for. Suggested categories:

Heading – required Honors & Awards - optionalObjective – Optional Activities - optionalEducation – required Volunteer Service - optionalExperience – required References - requiredSkills – optional

HEADING- RequiredWho are you and how can you be reached?

Includes name, address, phone number and an e-mail address of the individual.

E-mail needs to be PG rated and professional.

The phone number listed should have voicemail or answering machine with a professional message on it.

Heading should be included in all resumes.

Heading Examples:

Cindy Roberts

PO Box 456

Robertsville, CA 55555

(999) 555-0101

croberts@hotmail.com

Cindy RobertsPO Box 456

Robertsville, CA 55555

(999) 555-0101 croberts@hotmail.com

Objectives – OptionalWhat do you want to do?

Clearly describes the position one would like to obtain.

Should contain: Job type Industry Geographical area

Example: A retail management position in the Seattle area

Education – requiredWhere did you get that education?

List the most recent education first! Include GPA if higher than 3.0 Include name of institution, city & state, date of

graduation or dates of attendance Include areas of specialization in academic work,

honors, special areas of study

Example:Ingraham High School, Seattle, WA June 2010

Computer Networking FCCLA member 2008- present

Experience – requiredWhat is your experience and where did you get it? List most recent job first Include position held or job title, name and

location of company, date of employment (month and year)

Include part time, seasonal jobs, internships, paid and unpaid work

Include duties performed for each position

Example of Experience:

Food Server, Cheesy Burgers, Seattle, WA June 2004- present Performed effectively in outdoor conditions focusing on excellent

customer service. Operated cash register and maintained correct cash amount in drawer.

Teacher’s Assistant, Ingraham High School, Seattle, WA

Sept. 2008 – June 2009 Organized filing system for business educator. Graded student work.

See job description handout provided

No soft skills…..No jobs!

What are soft skills?

Also known as Transferable Skills Communication Customer Service Problem Solving Leadership Teamwork Project Management

Are soft skills important to business?According to the number of books found on Amazon.com they are

VERY important!

Soft Skill Number of booksSoft skills 579Communication 50,031Leadership 18,605Customer Service 5,488Teamwork 887Problem Solving 7,792Project Management 946TOTAL 92,850

Skills – optionalWhat can you do?

Write one line statements that clearly describe how he/she used and developed that skill in the past.

Statements always begin with the action word. Do Not use “I statements”. List 3-5 of the most important things you want the employer to

know about you.

Example: Proficient with all Microsoft programs and Adobe packages. Identified three key ways to better serve customers during busy

restaurant hours. Effective in addressing customer concerns in a professional

manner

See action words and action statements handout

Honors, Awards, Activities & Volunteer Services - Optional List anything that specifically relates to the

position sought. Specific dates should be listed.

Example: Received 1st place at the State Music Fest in an

octet performance for 250 people June 2004

DO NOT Include on a Resume: Weight Height Social Security number Birth date Marital status Photographs Salary histories Reason for leaving past jobs Hobbies, activities and memberships not related to

the job being applied for References to race or religion

References

Should always be listed on a separate page Three to five references are adequate Should include name of the person, job title,

address, phone number, and e-mail address and relationship to student

Be sure to ask permission from the individuals before submitting their names to potential employers.

See handout provided

REFERENCES

Mary P. Brown4258 125th St.

Seattle, WA 98121

Mr. Harry Sipprell100 15th Dr. NW

Kirkland, WA 98034(425) 828-5572

Long time family friend Relationship to student

Mrs. Susan GrantIngraham High School

1819 N 135th StSeattle, WA 98133FACSE Teacher

Vertically align your page

Use same heading as resume

Include 3-4 references

Would you hire this person?

Joy “See” StipekI don’t think my address should be given out

783-2926

Experience:None, except being on a cheer squad and making Rezervations for

dinner at Pizza Hut

Hobbies:Cooking truffles, making chocolate, cheering, hiking, Sleeping,

playing with my dying dog

References:Available upon request!

References

Mom. 9111 view ave NW Seattle Wa 98117

Dad. 9111 view ave NW Seattle Wa 98117

Aunt Josephine. 8965 boyton ave S seattle Wa 98119

Resume Critique List; THE FINAL TEST Will an employer have a positive first impression with less than

20 seconds to scan the resume? Appearance

Is the paper good quality? Is the paper neutral color? Is the text balanced and free from spelling errors? Do key selling points stand out? Are boldface, italics and underlining used properly?

Content Are all categories included? Are categories clearly labeled? Is information from most important to least important? Is it only 1 page in length?

If you were an employer, would you invite this person for an interview?