technical writing october 11, 2012. today job application (résumés) – continued
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TECHNICAL WRITINGOctober 11, 2012
Today
Job application (résumés) – Continued
Good
Bad
Résumé - What employers like to see1. Honesty – no false is misrepresented information
2. Attractiveness – proper font and layout
3. Organization – proper format
4. Conciseness – brief, and to the point (descriptive)
5. Accuracy – error-free
6. Currency – all information should be up-to-date
7. Relevance – Information should be relevant to the position
Parts of a résumé
Contact information
Gwen Gao42 Lanark Street, Clayton, VIC 3168Ph: [email protected]
Note: avoid unprofessional e-mail addresses
Parts of a résumé
Career objective
Create an objective that directly related to the position you have applied for.
Consider:
1. What kind of job am I Iooking for?
2. What kind of job am I qualified for?
3. What abilities do I have that match the position?
Parts of a résumé
Career objective
Be focused:
Internship in marketing to apply the training earned through my education.
Regional sales representative using my proven skills in e-commerce and communication to develop and expand a company base.
Parts of a résumé
Credentials (Education & Experience)
- The order can vary.
- If you are a recent (or soon-to-be) graduate with little experience, list education first.
- Only include relevant items!
Balancing Education and ExperienceAny part-time work (paid, or not), vacation job, volunteer experience, or internship show an employer that you are responsible and knowledgeable.
i.e,. If you worked at GS 25, it shows that you can work with money and provide customer service and take responsibility for your own duties without supervision.
Parts of a résumé
Credentials - Education
- Begin with most recent education first, then list everything significant since high school.
Include:
Name(s) of school(s)
Dates attended
Degree/Diploma/Certificate earned.
- This includes relevant training courses or military training.
Parts of a résumé
Credentials - Education
IMPORANT: A résumé is NOT a transcript, though. Do not simply list all the courses you took.
- Instead, concentrate on describing the skills you learned.
Parts of a résumé
Credentials - Experience
- A key category for many employers
- Show that you have held a job before and that you are responsible.
Parts of a résumé
Credentials - Experience
- Begin with most recent position (reverse chronological order).
Include:
- Company name
- Location (city, province, country [if necessary])
- Your job title
- Dates of employment
Parts of a résumé
Credentials - Experience
- For each job, provide a short description (one or two lines) of your duties and achievements.
March 2010 – June 2012
Promotions Assistant, Promostaff
- Managed product research studies in supermarkets
- Collated results and highlighted critical feedback items.
- Promoted to team leader due to excellent feedback from clients.
Parts of a résumé
Credentials - Experience
- You may include any relevant volunteer work you have done.
- This may be especially important if you have no work experience.
- Describing your volunteer duties can demonstrate your previous responsibilities.
Parts of a résuméRelated skills and achievements
- Indicate any additional languages you speak or write, extensive travel, certificates or licenses, and memberships to professional organizations or community groups.
i.e., Language skills.
- English: Advanced (spoken and written)
How could I prove this on a résumé?
- i.e., English: Advanced (spoken and written): TOEFL ibt 115
Parts of a résumé
Computer skills
- Knowledge of computer hardware, software, etc. is extremely valuable in the job market.
Any relevant software knowledge is especially useful
- i.e., Excel, PowerPoint, Photoshop, etc.
Parts of a résumé
Honors/awards
- Include only if they are relevant.
i.e.,
Community service awards
Academic awards
Parts of a résumé
References
- Usually, you state:
References available upon request.
Parts of a résumé - summaryNAME
Contact information
Career objective
Credentials (Education and Experience)
Related skills and Achievements
Computer skills
Honors/awards
References
Résumé language: “Action” wordsPoints to remember:
- Résumés must be concise and to-the-point.- In this small space, you must be as descriptiveas possible.
Using the proper “résumé language” can help your résumé stand out from others.
i.e., I looked after the store’s money that people bought things with.
Managed daily cash flow.
Résumé language: “Action” words
Look at the following job descriptions.
Edit them to incorporate action words.
Résumé language: “Action” wordsMade a website for the Daegu Animal Shelter.
Found workplace-related problems and made reports.
Gave advice to customers about products to purchase.
Took existing surveys and changed them for our customers.
Gave presentations about future projects
Made old procedures simpler
Was the leader of 4 other employees
Résumé language: “Action” words
Made a website for the Daegu Animal Shelter.
Designed Created Established
Résumé language: “Action” words
Found workplace-related problems and made reports.
Identified workplace related probs. And composedfileddrafted
Résumé language: “Action” words
Gave advice to customers about products to purchase.
Recommended products to customers Assisted customers with product purchases
Advised customers on product purchases Provided advice…
Résumé language: “Action” words
Took existing surveys and changed them for our customers.
Customized existing for our customersModified existing surveys for our customers Converted existing surveys to serve customers..
Résumé language: “Action” words
Gave presentations about future projects
Delivered presentations about..Held presentations…Presented (on) future projectsPrepared (and delivered) presentations about..
Résumé language: “Action” words
Made old procedures simpler
Stream-lined old proceduresSimplified old..Modified…
Résumé language: “Action” words
Was the leader of 4 other employees
Led a team of…
Supervised… Managed..
Directed…
Fixing a bad (terrible) Résumé
Look at the résumé.
With your partner, identify as many problems as you can.
- Make notes on the paper.
Fixing a bad (terrible) Résumé
Re-write the résumé.
-email address résumé- No phone #- Bio details- Vague and poorly written objective OBJECTIVE- KAC not defined- List of classes- GPA- Exclamation mark!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!- No entrance date for uni- HS info unnec.- Use of “I”- NO use of “résumé” language
Assignment 3 Deadlines
(See website for information sheet)
Résumé 1st draft: Oct. 15
Cover Letter 1st draft: Oct. 20
Final deadline: Oct. 23