The Basic Resume

Chris D. Steed, Director, Vocational Services

The Rules of Resume Writing

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There are no 'Rules' to Resumes anymore. Instead, think of the purpose of a resume.

Act as a vehicle for your core sales message. Quickly and efficiently display your unique

strengths, skills, and abilities. Separate you from the competition. Encourage a response. Incorporate the correct keywords, so that

automated systems 'hit' you.

Sections of a Resume

Summary Section, A.K.A. Profile Relevant Experience Skills Education Interests

This is a rare and special case, and is only included when it helps present something that you have which the potential employer needs. For example, you are applying to Nike, and happen to have completed 10 marathons.

Things not in a modern resume

Objective statements.

Generally, there are far more applicants than jobs. Employers have the upper hand. It is about them and their needs in initial presentation.

References available upon request.

Many companies don't want references due to fears of lawsuits. Even people with sketchy backgrounds can turn up references.

Any extraneous information.

Recent studies have shown the average read time for an unsolicited resume is 6-17 seconds. You may be rightfully proud if you won the National Hula-Hoop Competition in 1999, but is it relevant?

The Sections

This is just a transitional slide, intended to direct the presentation back to a specific topic, such as Sections of a Resume.

The technique works even when the Presenter tells the audience.

The Summary (Profile) Section

Area to describe your global skills and abilities. Good place to incorporate keywords. Numbers, metrics and data are important.“Experienced Career Counselor who has helped thousands of people

reach their goals.”

vs.

Career Counselor who has developed programs currently serving 800 clients in a four-county area. Skilled with assisting the most challenging clients, including people with significant physical, cognitive, mental health, and multiple disabilities. Enjoys helping returning Veterans transition back to civilian life.

Relevant Experience

Discard outdated or distracting jobs which do not add to your presentation.

Numbers and achievements matter. Sold Consumer Electronics. Greet Customers (or ring cash register, etc)

vs.

Sold Consumer Electronics, exceeded sales goal by 127% in 2012.

Redesigned Register area-Increased P.O.P Sales by $18,000 in 2011.

Skills

This section will be in a paragraph format, and is another good place to place industry-specific keywords. A Computer Programmer might say:

5 Years experience with C++ and C. Developed 22 Java applications. Excellent skills with Python and Mathmatica...

Education

For most positions, the highest education is all that is needed.

Exceptions are found when a lower degree brings something of interest to the employer.

You may decide to include an otherwise irrelevant diploma or degree when it adds some connection, such as attending the same college as the Hiring Manager.

Interests

The Interests section can be a landmine OR a goldmine. In most situations, it is best to leave it off. If they care so much about your hobbies, let them call and ask you (and you can schedule an interview from there).

Let's say you list an interest in fishing. Perhaps the Hiring Manager is also a fisherman. Goldmine! What if they happen to be active in animal rights, and considers fishing to be barbaric? Landmine!

However, some interests can be quite relevant to certain industries or specific companies, as in my earlier example of a marathon runner applying to a shoe company.

The safe play is to leave Interests off, and reserve that resume space, and reader attention for you best selling points.

The Order of the Sections. (This title sounds like an award they give to REALLY good

Theater Ushers) The rules are off. For logical consistency, the Summary or

Personal Profile probably goes first. Then, you put in your strongest area. Someone who 'started at the bottom' and

worked their way up, leads with Experience. A recent college graduate might lead with Skills. Your weakest area comes last. By then, you've

already sold them.

Good Luck and Best Wishes

If you would like more detail than I can provide in a slideshow, please visit my blog at:

http://www.thejobsguy.blogspot.com/

Thanks,

Chris