school of business administration at portland state university writing a business resume that gets...
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School of Business Administration At Portland State University
Writing a Business Resume That Gets Read!
Jim BombinoSBA Career Services—SBA 240
(503) 725-3746 [email protected]
School of Business Administration At Portland State University
Some BAD resumes
Several ways to really present the wrong image Bad Layout Irrelevant information Poor Proof Reeding Too much information!
School of Business Administration At Portland State University
Eight Keys To Getting Noticed
1. Pick the Chronological format (?)2. Design a good layout3. Target your Audience4. Talk about skills related THIS job! 5. QUANTIFY!!! 6. Be Specific7. Be Honest8. PROO-FREAD!!! (get it?)
School of Business Administration At Portland State University
Two Basic Layouts
Chronological Lists jobs in chronological order Lists specific tasks and skills relevant to
this job Functional
Skill-based resume De-emphasizes companies & dates Separately lists job titles, companies,
dates at the bottom
School of Business Administration At Portland State University
Chronological
Relevant course projects and/or work history.
It is easy to read and understand. Most commonly used (about 95%). Refer to sample (packet)
School of Business Administration At Portland State University
Functional
Without relevant coursework or work history.
Returning to work or changing careers. Less widely used….some employers view
with skepticism. Think we’re trying to hide something!
School of Business Administration At Portland State University
Relevant Skills
Skills you developed in:• Related work or internships• Class projects or assignments!!!• Work in other fields (transferable skills)• Other activities—e.g.
volunteer work student organizations sports
School of Business Administration At Portland State University
YOUR RESUME SHOULD CONTAIN THESE ELEMENTS: Header Objective Profile or Summary Education Course Projects
Written as “accomplishment statements” Work History
Written as “accomplishment statements”
School of Business Administration At Portland State University
OTHER IMPORTANT INFO TO CONSIDER:
Other relevant experience? Student activities? Volunteer or charity work? Awards or honors?
– GPA above 3.0– Dean’s List– Scholarships
School of Business Administration At Portland State University
Quantify,Quantify,Quantify!!!!!
How Much… Money did you raise for your student
organization or charity? Did sales increase?
How many … People did you supervise? Customers did you serve? Attendees came to the student
organization event?
School of Business Administration At Portland State University
Accomplishment Statements Look Like This: Analyzed financial data for 2 billion dollar
sportswear company resulting in cost savings of 10-20% in first year.
Created marketing plan for beverage industry increasing visibility of products.
Performed cost/benefit analysis for apparel company resulting in savings of $10-15,000 in first six months.
School of Business Administration At Portland State University
HERE’S THE “FORMULA”
• Strong verb (or verbs)—e.g.“Assisted” Plus Object—e.g.”30-40 customers” Quantify(?)—e.g.”daily” Plus Result—e.g.”contributing to
improved customer satisfaction ratings of 10-15%.”
School of Business Administration At Portland State University
Finished product:
“Assisted 30-40 customers daily contributing to improved customer satisfaction ratings of 10-15%.”
Now, isn’t that easy?
School of Business Administration At Portland State University
EXERCISE: Write an accomplishment which begins…
• Communicated……• Prepared……• Researched……• Analyzed……• Organized……• Created……• Refer to your action word list. (handout)
School of Business Administration At Portland State University
YOUR JOB IS:
1. Determine who’s reading this?2. The “economical use of words”3. Use the most powerful/descriptive words
without exaggerating.4. Use ONLY information relevant to THIS
job/internship?
School of Business Administration At Portland State University
Be SpecificWhat…
Skills did you use? Results did you have? Tasks/Processes did you perform?
Where… Business setting? Retail environment? Office setting?
Whom…• Did you supervise?• How many?• Did you assist?
School of Business Administration At Portland State University
Be Honest
Do Not: Overstate your responsibilities.
“Managed HR functions for a staff of 300.”
Do: Be honest and accurate.“Coordinated and organized HR filing
project for more than 300 student workers resulting in improved access to personal data.”
School of Business Administration At Portland State University
Format your Resume Effectively
• Most important content should be in the first third of the page (20 seconds average reading time).
• Use the white space- too much or too little can detract from your message.
• Create Balance- your resume should not be lopsided or bottom heavy.
• Be consistent – don’t change fonts or headings; don’t use italics!
School of Business Administration At Portland State University
Target Your Audience
• Review job announcement.• USE THEIR LANGUAGE (keywords)!!!• Skills, knowledge and achievements which
MATCH the position in the top 1/3.• Use only RELEVANT EXPERIENCE.
• If it’s FLUFF, take it out!
School of Business Administration At Portland State University
PROOF-RED!
• Use spell check• Do not rely solely on spell check!
e.g.--misspelled or wrong company name--misspelled contact name--real-words but not the RIGHT real
(Have others review it—”fresh-eyes”)• Put it aside and come back to it later.
School of Business Administration At Portland State University
Your major
“We believe that you should choose a major that truly reflects something that you are passionate about. It should lead to a profession that you can willingly and with joy spend one-half of your waking hours pursuing.”
Dr. Will Keim, Ph.D.Curtis Zimmerman
The Character Institute—Mason, OH
School of Business Administration At Portland State University
SBA Resources
Individual Resume review:
• Fran Moga—(503) [email protected]
•Jim Bombino—(503) 725-3746