resume revamp
DESCRIPTION
TRANSCRIPT
RESUME REVAMP
Sarah Rach-Sovich
LET’S START WITH AN
OVERVIEW
SKILL IDENTIFICATION Activities and traits we have learned and can do
with efficiency and proficiency We all have hundreds of skills
Job related Transferrable Self-management
JOB RELATED TRANSFERRABLE SELF-MANAGEMENT
Electrician Mechanic Safety engineer Doctor Cashier Personnel
manager Boiler operator
Universal skills Detail oriented Anticipate problems Problem solve Handle complaints Investigate Organize
Personality traits Good natured Assertive Dependable Serious Responsible Thorough
ARE YOU IN THE
KNOW… ABOUT
RESUMES?
Leonardo de Vinci wrote the first professional resume in 1482
In 1940 resumes included weight, height, marital-status and religion
1987 – Fax machines were the most popular way to send a resume
In 2007 the video resume hit YouTube 2012 – over 100 million resumes will be sent out this year
Did you know?
RESUME CONSTRUCTION IN
PROGRESS
PURPOSE An opportunity An advertisement Who you are If prepared properly…
YOUR RESUME
SHOULD…Utilize bullets & bold text
Be direct & easy to understandBe a record of success
Be able to be read in less than 30 seconds
Contain energetic & descriptive words
Be job and company specificContain white space
EFFECTIVE RESUMES SHOULD NOT…
Contain just duties Be “general” Be difficult to read Too wordy Use complete sentences Be ordered incorrectly Contain personal
information Have typing, spelling, or
factual mistakes
COMPANIES WANT TO HIRE SOMEONE WHO IS…
TrustworthyTrainable
Dependable
All of the above can be expressed
in a resume
FIRST IMPRESSIONS People think First impressions are highly accurate
TIDBITS… TemplatesBrief, short bulletsSentence fragments are fine
As long as they make sense
PRESSURE POINTS OF A RESUME
First impression Whole page
Important info Left side
Dates Right side
What you did Middle
A RESUME IS A TOOL, AND YOU NEED TOUSE THE RIGHT TOOL FOR EACH JOB!
Use the most effective resume for each specific job
The “universal” resume lacks focus and effort
TYPES/FORMATS
TypesTraditionalElectronic
FormatsChronologicalFunctionalCombination
CHRONOLOGICAL Emphasis on experience Reverse chronological order No gaps The most widely used format for working
professionals Quick and easy
FUNCTIONAL
Highlight specific skills, experiences and accomplishments
Organized by functions or skills No dates, names or places Job fairs Frequently used to change careers or deal with gaps Less common
COMBINATION
Highlight specific work experience Highlight marketable skills Use reverse chronological order Best of both worlds
TARGETED RESUME Directs skills and experiences
to the needs of each employer
Using the employer’s key words in a resume
Research is done through informational interviews, job descriptions, and company profiles
Visit their webpage!!
WHAT IS THE BEST KIND OF RESUME? Combination Includes both chronological listing and functional
description areas Try to begin with a strong summary Focus on the most relevant parts of your background You DO NOT need to list everything
RESUME CONSTRUCTION
THE AND
OF A RESUME
POSSIBLE HEADINGSObjective
Career ObjectiveProfessional Objective
EducationEducational Background
Teaching PreparationProfessional Development
ExperienceRelevant ExperienceRelated ExperienceWork Experience
Work HistoryEmployment Summary
SummarySummary of QualificationsHighlights of Qualifications
SkillsTechnical Skills
Teaching SkillsProfessional Skills
Special Projects and SkillsAcademic Projects and Skills
Computer SkillsRelated SkillsCapabilities
Honors and AwardsHonors and Activities
Extra-Curricular ActivitiesProfessional Development
Professional AffiliationsVolunteer ActivitiesCommunity ServicesLeadership Activities
Additional InformationOther Information
References
SECTIONS Contact information Objective Qualifications/Summary Employment
history/experience Education/Academic
Accomplishments Extras/Personal
Accomplishments
CONTACT INFO Name Address Phone Email Website Social Media
Should I use my middle initial? Should I include degrees or certifications after my name?
Patricia Mahone 105 South Maple Coralville, IA 52242 (319) 645-0001
PATRICIA L. MAHONE 105 South Maple
Coralville, IA 52241 319.645.0001
Patricia Lynn [email protected]
Present AddressPermanent Address105 South Maple 123 Oak DriveCoralville, IA 52242 Skokie, IL 60000319-645-0001 708-333-4444
OBJECTIVEStatement summarizing
your skills and talents or about the position you are seeking
Target thisMirror to mission/job
descriptionShould be clear and
focused
PROBLEMS WITH JOB OBJECTIVES
Limit job opportunities
Take-up valuable space and reading time
Can be difficult to write
NOT SO GOOD OBJECTIVES:
To acquire a creative development position within the entertainment industry that would utilize my vast (2 years) technical experience.
To find a gig. My goal is to be a meteorologist. But since I
have no training in meteorology, I suppose I should try stock brokerage.
Seeking a party-time position with potential for advancement.
SUGGESTIONS Make statement clear, concise, and to the point
Bad: I want to get a job.Weak: To attain an internship in the computer industry.Good: To attain an internship in the computer industry
working with database or network security. Be careful about being specific to single
company…unless…To attain a position at 3M Pharmaceuticals as a…
Objective from the company’s perspectiveTo attain a web application programming position
where knowledge of Java and the Struts framework will add value the overall development process.
OBJECTIVE EXAMPLES
COUNSELING: To work as a case manager and professionally contribute to a social service agency which provides services to special populations.
HUMAN RESOURCES: Seeking a position as a personnel assistant within a public services organization utilizing my knowledge of recruitment, benefits and employee relations.
OBJECTIVE EXAMPLES INFORMATION SYSTEMS: A position as
a programmer or systems analyst which will make use of my quantitative and mathematical training. Have a special interest in marketing and finance applications.
PUBLIC RELATIONS: A public relations position within a publishing or large industrial organization that will take advantage of my skills in the areas of photography, copywriting, editing and preparing news releases.
ONE WAY TO WRITE IT
As a Personal Care Attendant, I will bring commitment and responsibility to serve clients with their everyday living needs. Bethany Homes is known for exemplary care for elderly clients. My goals in this position include: interacting in a friendly and appropriate manner with clients, ensuring that meals are served on time….
CONSIDER
ProfileA keyword sectionGreat for resume scanning
software and online resumes
SUMMARY OF QUALIFICATIONS/SKILLSSummaries are popularEasy to readSummarize – that is the pointUse powerful language
Avoid passive and repetitive words
Ask Yourself…So What?
WH
AT’S
WRO
NG
WIT
H T
HIS
RES
UM
E?
FOCUS Use action statements that show
resultsMaintained budgets for
ordering supplies for three grocery store departments
Operated cash register and kept accurate close out records for past three years
Processed insurance claims reports with 95% accuracy
Effective trouble shooter-assigned as lead quality control worker
Responsible for cataloging inventory
Accurately recorded and documented inventory easily accessible by all staff and saved hundreds of hours each month
VS.
EMPLOYMENT HISTORY/EXPERIENCE
JobsCompany name & locationDates employed (year)Name of supervisorTitle of your positionDescription/Accomplishments
Remember… Experience does not have to = Paid
EXAMPLE
Public Relations Intern, Las Vegas, NVLas Vegas Tribune Jan. 2005 to May
2005
Wrote and disseminated 5 newsletters, 3 media advisories, and 10 news releases for clients
Planned and facilitated 2 marketing events for new client Developed a new public relations reporting mechanism used
to track and record client data daily
This
Kept inventory
Called prospective customers
Coordinated volunteers
Answer phones
Take orders
Turns into THIS
Kept daily inventory of over 1000 classifications of medical supplies
Built client base from 0 to 70 within two months by effectively using cold calling techniques
Coordinated over 50 volunteers and tabulated donations during fundraisers
Turned 100% of irate customers into happy customers
Entered orders without mistakes
TELLS
Managed a staff of 20.
Responsible for filing records.
Responsible for meeting department goals.
SELLS
While managing a staff of 20, I cut absenteeism by 20% and reduced employee turn over by 25% in one year.
Improved operation efficiency by reorganizing the filing system so the staff could retrieve client records without assistance from clerks.
Reduced operational budget by 5% each year for the past three years, saving the company $125,000 in operational expenses.
ACCOMPLISHMENT STATEMENTS
Averaged $___ in sales per month Designed entire ____ program, which earned company
$____ in additional revenue Purchased computer upgrade for the office, saving the
company $____ in paid hours Eliminated ____ problem, increasing productivity by
____% Streamlined filing process, decreasing the hours spent on
record searches by ____%
10 WORDS AND TERMS THAT RUIN A RESUME
Salary negotiable References available by request Responsible for ______ Experience working in ______ Problem-solving skills Detail-oriented Hardworking Team player Proactive Objective
Maintained files and reports, did data processing, cashed employees' paychecks.
Responsibilities included checking customers out. Creator / Writer: ihatemylife.us, Los Angeles, CA Overlooked all areas to ensure an overwhelming success. I can type without looking at thekeyboard. Bi-lingual in three languages Revolved customer problems and inquiries. Planned new corporate facility at $3 million over budget. Directed $25 million anal shipping and receiving
operations. Experienced supervisor, defective with both rookies and
seasoned professionals. I am seeking a salary commiserate with my training and
experience.
EDUCATION
Schools Name Dates Degree Major GPA Continuing education
B.B.A., Accounting December 2004 THE UNIVERSITY OF IOWA, Iowa City, Iowa Cumulative GPA: 3.2/4.0 Major GPA: 3.5/4.0 Course Project: Topics in International Business A.A., Agricultural Studies May 2002 KIRKWOOD COMMUNITY COLLEGE Cedar Rapids, Iowa
The University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA Bachelor of Arts, May 2004 Major: Journalism and Mass Communication Minor: Political Science Major GPA: 3.25/4.00
While I've never quite gotten a degree, I am quite close to several.
Completed 11 years of high school. College: August 1880 - May 1984. Finished eighth in my high school graduating class of
ten. Suspected to graduate early next year. Curses in liberal arts, curses in computer science,
curses in accounting
EXTRAS
Honors, awards and recognition Presentations Certifications/Licenses Continuing education Internships Associations, memberships, organizations Community Involvement Military Hobbies/Personal Interests??
PERSONAL INTERESTS Donating blood. 14 gallons so far! I like the Simpsons. Interests: Running, editing video, cooking,
writing and wondering. Go Chargers! Married, 1992 Chevrolet
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION BLOOPERS
Being in trouble with the law, I moved quite frequently.
Let's meet, so you can ooh and aah over my experience.
You will want me to be Head Honcho in no time. I am anxious to spread my wings in new
directions and soar to new heights. Shot at the local gun club. I've left a path of destruction behind me.
SPECIAL REQUESTS Desired Salary: $1.00 Per Year I'll need $30K to start, full medical, three weeks of
vacation, stock options and ideally a European sedan. Please call me after 5:30 because I am self-employed
and my employer does not know I am looking for another job.
I need just enough money to have pizza every night. If U hire me, U will not have any regrets. I don't have a phone 4 the time being. Please email me
instead. I prefer setting my own pace. When things get slack I
like the right to walk out and get a haircut during working hours.
REFERENCES Choose wisely Professional & personal If personal, need to be able to speak to skills that
are appropriate to the position Ask – and provide them with details – thank them
Name Title, Company Address Phone
Office/home Email
REVIEW Spell check Grammar & Punctuation Spacing- Formatting -
Layout Readability – Font size Get critiques – More eyes! Proofread, proofread,
proofread! Step away from the
resume…
GENERATE INTEREST, NOT LAUGHS
Worked party-time as an office assistantPlanned and held up meetingsThank you for beeting me for an interviewComputer illiterateI am entirely through in my work; no
detail gets by me
SCANNABLE RESUME TIPS
Priority is on skills Use block format Use generous
margins/white space Avoid lines, graphics
and symbols Font: 10-14 point and
easily readable
DON’T LET YOUR RESUME END UP HERE….
Your resume should NEVER stop getting better!!!
GENERAL TIPS Customize every resume Keep it simple and straight forward Do not write in paragraphs White or off-white paper Contact info on each page Nice envelope (matching) and addressed neatly or with
a label Clean (no staples, tape, coffee stains) Use bullets for lists Avoid abbreviations Quantify your experience and success
use numbers when possible
IS YOUR RESUME “READABLE”?
PRESENTATION IS EVERYTHING
KEEP IN MIND… Don’t assume email is the best method to send
a resume
Your resume will look best if you… When you do send electronically
THINGS TO REMEMBER
Represents your entire working life
Needs to be updated and changed to fit the needs of each job
Save it, and continue to put forth effort on improving it
NEXT STEPS Create your resume
Look at samples – tons of books, onlinewww.positivelyminnesota.org – Job Seekers, Creative Job
Search Guide, Tools of the Hunting Trade, Resumeswww.iseek.org – Find a Job, Develop Your Resume,
ResumesUniversity of Minnesota Resume TutorRiley Guide Resumes Microsoft Word, WinWay
Have it critiqued – more eyes the better Save it electronically (flash drive) Post it to MinnesotaWorks