Resumes. Types of Resumes

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1 Resumes In essence, a resume is marketing tool that is designed to help you get one step closer to your ultimate goal. A resume needs to be personalized meaning no two resumes should be exactly alike. And, remember, a resume only gets viewed for a handful of seconds before they are either accepted or rejected. Therefore, your resume needs to be a concise, articulate document representative of your past performance and future potential. Next, I will be discussing basic background information, how to set up your resume (with examples), and helpful tips and ideas that will help you perfect your resume. Types of Resumes Chronological The most common resume format lists your work history first, starting with your most recent position and working backwards. Typically, human resource professionals prefer this format because it allows them to work backwards and follow your career progression during their line of questioning. Functional This type of resume focuses on your skills and experience, rather than on your chronological work history. This format is most often used by people who have gaps in their work history or are changing fields. This type of resume is best suited for new graduates or individuals with limited work experience. It is helpful to focus on your potential growth or development. Combination This type of resume lists your skills and experience first followed by your employment history. While highlighting your skills that are relevant to the job that you are applying for, you are also able to chronologically list your employment history (which employers prefer). Curriculum Vitae Commonly referred as a CV. CV s are primarily used when applying for academic, scientific, education, or research positions. They are usually longer documents that list detailed training, awards, publications, honors, and affiliations. Resume Set-Up Do not use a resume template (Microsoft Word, Online Template, etc.). Most often, resumes are opened as attachments and not as a printed document. Don t take the chance to have your resume viewer unable to open up your resume. Start with a blank Word document and build your resume from scratch. Keep the header and footer blank. Do not add page numbering or your contact information. When you print your resume, use 8.5 x 11 standard white paper. It is recommended to use heavy bond or weighted paper copies. Do not use borders or lines. Remember, keep it simple. Use a common font for all text Times New Roman, Arial, or Calibri are always safe bets. Stick with the same font (black only, no colors) throughout the entire document. Font size should be 10-12, with your name between It is acceptable to use bolded, italicized, or underlined text on your resume, but do not go overboard. If you do, it will often confuse the reader into thinking that those points are the only important things on your resume.

2 It s always recommended to keep your resume to one page. Some more experienced workers can justify a two-page resume (or longer), but to remain safe, keep it at one page. You can play with the margins in order to fit your resume on one page. However, it s best to follow these guidelines: half-inch margin for the top and bottom margin and half-inch to one inch for the left and right margin. More Helpful Tips - Use the same style throughout the entire document do not change fonts, do not list dates differently, etc. - Save your resume as your name only (John Smith or Katie Jones, for example). - Use only standard bullet points and do not put periods at the end of bulleted statements. Contact Information Name It s recommended that your contact information be at the top of your resume and centered. If you go by your middle name or a nickname, list this information. Address List your complete address, including: street number (apartment number if applicable), city, state, and zip code. Phone List only the number that you will use most often during your career search. Be sure to check your messages daily and return all calls within 24 hours. Make sure to have a professional and energetic voice message. It is recommended to create a separate account that you will use specifically for your job search. Gmail and Hotmail accounts are free to create. Remember, whether you decide on creating a new account or not, keep your handle professional. The last thing you want to do is have your chance at an interview rejected because of an inappropriate handle. Also, only list your work if your employer knows that you are looking for a new job. Qualifications/Objective Objective This section is 100% optional. If you like using one or think it will help you, go ahead and use it. Think of an objective as a way of organizing your resume by a theme it should be tailored to the position/company that you applying to. One way to use an objective (but not on your resume), is to write your objective on a separate piece of paper and then use this to create/edit your resume. Often times, you will see an objective like the following: Seeking an entry level position in the sales department. This isn t going to cut it. They are going to hire you because they think you can do one (or all) of the following: make them money, save them money, or make their life easier. Here is a better example: Highly committed servant leader who enjoys building and maintaining meaningful, Christcentered relationships. Organized, punctual, and quick-learner. Compassionate and dedicated to helping others succeed. Qualifications Think of this section like the opening statement or an abstract of your research paper or an article if it is interesting, the reader is more likely to continue reading. This section is often better to complete once you are done with your resume. That way, you can find your top 4-5 core accomplishments, skills, knowledge, and abilities, and insert them into the qualification section. Be specific and detailed.

3 Example: Broad knowledge of fashion and design industry based on two years of internships Communications major graduating in the top 10% of my class Volunteered in four groups/organizations during college ability to work in intense environments and great time management skills Expert knowledge in computer design programs Responsible, dependable, and trustworthy take pride in my work List the things that you think will be valuable to the company/employer. An easy way to do this is by looking in the job description, company website, or LinkedIn. Work Experience This can also be labeled as Professional Experience, Work History or Career History. In this section This section should be broken down into two distinct segments for each job or position you have held: Position Description and Quantifiable Bullets. Position Description This is where you highlight your job description (usually 2-3 sentences). It should include your duties and responsibilities. Quantifiable Bullets These are the specific individual accomplishments that you achieved during your period with that position or employer. This is where you have to be ready to talk about yourself and clearly demonstrate how you made an impact in your previous position. It s also a great idea to use anything that you can justify (dollars, percentages, time lines) to document the positive impact you portrayed. - Action Verbs For each quantifiable bullet, you will start out with an action verbs to describe your skills and accomplishments. For a position that you are currently still in, use present tense verbs (lead, exceed, advance, etc.). For previous positions, use past tense verbs (led, exceeded, advanced, etc.). Action Verbs Achieved Adapted Addressed Administered Advised Analyzed Arranged Assembled Assessed Assisted Attained Audited Budgeted Calculated Classified Coached Collected Communicated Compiled Composed Computed Conducted Consolidated Constructed Consulted Coordinated Counseled Created Critiqued Defined Designed Detected Determined Devised Diagnosed Directed Discovered Displayed Earned Edited Eliminated Enforced Established Estimated

4 Evaluated Examined Expanded Explained Experimented Financed Formulated Gathered Generated Grossed Guided Handled Hypothesized Identified Illustrated Implemented Improved Increased Influenced Initiated Inspected Installed Instituted Instructed Interpreted Interviewed Invented Investigated Lectured Managed Marketed Mediated Modeled Monitored Motivated Negotiated Obtained Operated Ordered Organized Oversaw Performed Persuaded Photographed Planned Prepared Presented Printed Processed Produced Projected Promoted Proofread Provided Publicized Purchased Received Recommended Reconciled Recorded Recruited Reduced Referred Refined Rehabilitated Repaired Reported Represented Researched Resolved Responded Restored Retrieved Reviewed Scheduled Selected Solved Sorted Studied Summarized Supervised Supplied Surveyed Tested Trained Transcribed Translated Traveled Tutored Upgraded Utilized Wrote Education List your school, city and state, degree type and major/minor, and the graduation year. o For freshman and sophomores, you can put your expected graduation year. You do not need to list all the years you were enrolled. Always list your highest degree first. You can list your high school information until you graduate with your undergraduate degree. After graduation, remove your high school information. If you have a four year degree, you do not need to list your Associates degree (if applicable). Only list your GPA if it is higher than a 3.0. Example: Carson-Newman University, Jefferson City, TN Bachelor of Arts Major: History Minor: Religion Expected graduation date: May 2018 Cumulative GPA: 3.50

5 Honors, Activities, and Outreach This section of the resume highlights the relevant activities you have been involved with and the honors you have received. It s also a very good idea to communicate how these activities and honors would make you an asset to the organization. Examples - Membership in campus, national, or international organizations - University and community service positions - Academic awards and scholarships - Involvement with athletic teams Other Helpful Tips - Use keywords from the job posting in your resume. Sometimes, employers will run resumes through a database and if your resume lacks those keywords, your resume will get passed up. - Mention if you have paid your way through college. This shows that you are disciplined and you will do what it takes to reach your goals. - List any leadership positions you have had in volunteer organizations. For students without a lot of work experience, volunteering will go a long way. - Use the job posting to your advantage. Take the time to research the company this will help you when you tailor your resume to that specific company. - Customize your resume to each specific job in which you are applying. No two jobs are the same, so your resume for two different jobs should not be the same. - Provide detailed information, but also leave the viewer wanting more this may grant you the opportunity of winning an interview.