The Résumé Guide. What is a résumé? Why use a résumé? What should a résumé include? How should a résumé be written? P a g e 1

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1 P a g e 1 What is a résumé? The Résumé Guide A résumé is an advertisement of yourself! Like a job application form, the résumé summarizes skills, training, education, and experience; however, the résumé focuses on positives that show you are well-qualified for the job you are seeking. The résumé provides detail about accomplishments that are often impossible to include on the employer's application form. Why use a résumé? A résumé will help you make contact when an employer is not available or is not willing to interview. It can also arouse an employer's interest so that he or she will consider you for current or future openings. In other situations it might even give you an edge over competitors without résumés. What should a résumé include? Your résumé should contain your full name, mailing address, telephone number, address, job objective, education, professional qualifications, experience, and employment history. How should a résumé be written? Employers may spend less than ten seconds skimming a résumé, so present your information carefully and concisely. Do not write in complete sentences; instead, use lively phrases and action verbs such as "operated", "coordinated", and "assisted." Avoid using abbreviations or slang and omit all personal pronouns. Use the present tense for ongoing activities and the past tense for completed activities.

2 P a g e 2 Types of Résumés There are hundreds of résumé styles. You need to decide which is right for you. Just remember the information on the résumé is presenting you. Chronological Résumé Education and work experience are listed in reverse chronological order start with your most recent educational information/employer first. Typically list your information in short, brief statements. This is the most common type of résumé for a college student. Use a chronological résumé if you have: Consistent work experience Relevant skills and qualifications derived from work experience Functional Résumé This style allows you to promote certain skills, abilities, and experiences without relating them to specific positions you held. The functional résumé best serves those whose job and volunteer positions do not relate to the position for which they are applying. After listing your skills and experiences, you then need to list in reverse chronological order your volunteer employment history along with the name, location, and dates these positions were held. Use a functional résumé if you have: Various types of employment experiences Relevant skills and qualifications derived from volunteer and extracurricular experiences Combination Résumé The combination style uses elements from both the chronological and functional résumés. This style can be used by either students or experienced workers. This format helps to highlight capabilities and transferable skills. Use a combination résumé when: A functional form better describes your skills and qualifications and you are able to demonstrate a consistent work background

3 P a g e 3 Résumé Components Your résumé is your introduction to employers and should be a brief and concise summary of your education, skills, accomplishments, and work history. Remember, first impressions are important. If you present yourself in an organized and interesting way, you will have an advantage over someone who may be equally qualified for the job but has a sloppy, error-filled résumé. The following general format is an appropriate résumé outline: Identification: The heading includes all your contact information and should be placed at the top of your résumé. Full name (do not use nicknames and middle initial is optional) Mailing address (this should be your permanent address) Telephone number with area code (your answering machine and/or voic should have a neutral greeting) address (your address should appear professional) Targeted Objective (optional): An objective tells employers about the kind of work you want to do. Be specific about the job you want, or do not use an objective statement. An example of this would be: To obtain an entry-level position as a Java Programmer in a financial institution. Tailor your objective and résumé to each employer you contact. Education and Training: Recent graduates should list their educational background first. List your most recent educational information at the beginning of this section. List the college or university and location (city and state) Graduation date (or anticipated date of graduation) Include your degree (e.g., A.A., A.S., B.A., and B.S.) Reference your major and minor concentrations Mention your GPA if it is 3.0 or higher on a 4.0 scale

4 P a g e 4 Employment and Work Experience: Give a brief overview of the work you have done. Concentrate on the skills you have developed. Use active verbs (action words) to describe your job duties. Always list your jobs in reverse chronological order start with your most recent employer and work backward from there. Include the following: Job title Company name Job location (city and state) Dates of employment Job tasks with emphasis on specific skills and achievements Other Information: List any special information. Do you know sign language? Are you bilingual? If so, mention it. Include any leadership positions in volunteer or community organizations. Examples of other things you might include: Awards or academic honors Community/student clubs and organizations Computer skills Conferences Presentations Publications References (optional): References do not have to be sent with the cover letter and résumé unless specifically requested by the employer. You should always have your reference list available if an employer asks. Do not add References available upon request at the bottom of your résumé. Your reference s information should include: Full name Job title Company/organization name Business address, city, state, and zip code Business telephone number Home telephone number (for personal references) address Relationship to you

5 P a g e 5 Targeted Objective The career objective simply states what you want to do and your skills and talents the company will utilize. You may list several types of positions or areas of interest within your field but remember that they should all be directly related to each other and your skills and experiences. Keep the objective to one or two lines. There are three major components of the professional objective: 1. State the functional area (e.g., position in sales) or your skill area (e.g., position using my math and communication skills) 2. State the type of work environment you desire (e.g., human resources, health care, education) 3. May state the level of position desired (e.g., internship, trainee, supervisory) Examples: Objective: Objective: Objective: Objective: Objective: Objective: To obtain an entry-level administrative assistant position in a legal environment. To utilize my experience and education in the nursing field. An entry-level management position in food service, restaurant, or food-related business. To use computer science training in software development for designing and implementing operating systems. A public relations position that will maximize opportunities to develop and implement programs, to organize people and events, and to communicate positive ideas and images. A position in data analysis where skills in mathematics, computer programming, and deductive reasoning will contribute to new systems development. It is important to relate your objective to your audience. While you definitely want a good job, your audience wants to know what you can do for them. Remember, your objective should be work-centered, not selfcentered.

6 P a g e 6 Graduates Education and Training If you are a recent graduate, locate your education on the top section of the résumé. As you continue in your career, education will move to the bottom. Your most recent experience will become your marketing priority. List: College or university name, city, and state Graduation date (i.e., month and year) Degrees Major and minor (if relevant to the position you are seeking) Grade point average if 3.0 or higher on a 4.0 scale Current Students If you are currently working toward the completion of a degree, list it first and be sure to include anticipated date of graduation (i.e., month and year). List: College or university name, city, and state Intended major Completed courses related to the position to which you are applying Academic honors such as the dean s list and/or scholarships General Job Seekers If you are currently seeking employment and do not have any secondary education, it is still essential to include this section in your résumé. List: High school diploma or GED Institution name, city, and state Graduation date or years of attendance (e.g., ) Grade point average if 3.0 or higher on a 4.0 scale If you attended more than one school, list the most recent first, although you do not always need to include all your education.

7 P a g e 7 Employment and Work Experience Describe your paid or unpaid work history starting with your most recent employer. Be sure to include your employment start and end dates, name of organization, city and state address, job title, description of duties, responsibilities, accomplishments, and skills acquired. Include: Action words Quantify information when possible Co-ops or internships Full-time jobs Part-time jobs Seasonal jobs Field experience Volunteer work Make sure to use action verbs and illustrations with adjectives that describe what you did. Focus on your accomplishments. Make sure to keep your description relevant to the time period i.e., former position should be described in the past tense and current position in the present tense. Do not be modest. Present a tone of confidence and pride. Use examples of progressively increasing responsibilities. Emphasize teamwork, willingness to learn new tasks, commitment to hard work, and decision-making responsibilities. Example: Computer Systems Manager XYZ Corporation Anywhere, IL Supervised three technicians in installation and maintenance of networks Developed database applications Automated manual reporting procedures to improve tracking capabilities Tested, repaired, and maintained central processing units Earned certification as IBM, Compaq, and Hewlett Packard Authorized Repair Technician

8 P a g e 8 References Use a separate page for your references. It is recommended to use the same heading that is on your résumé. References can be listed in columns or centered on your reference page. Make sure you include the reference s name, job title, company/organization name, business address, business telephone number, and address. If they do not have a business address or telephone number, ask if they mind that you provide their home telephone number and note that on the reference sheet. Always ask permission to use someone as a reference and provide him or her with a copy of your résumé. Never assume that someone will be a good reference and list them without asking his or her permission. You should never use family members. Be sure to choose individuals who will not only represent you in a positive light, but who are articulate. Example: Joe Somebody 123 Main Street Anywhere, IL (123) joesomebody@hotmail.com References Walt Disney Owner Disney Corporation One Disney Drive Orlando, FL (987) waltdisney@goofy.com References should only be provided when specifically requested. This is so you have control over them. Whenever you give your references to a prospective employer, call each of your references to make them aware of the employer who has their name, the position, highlights of the job description, and your application status (i.e., applied, interview scheduled, interview complete). This way, your references are prepared for who might call.

9 P a g e 9 Self-Descriptive Words accurate active adaptable aggressive alert ambitious analytical articulate artistic assertive attentive aware broad-minded businesslike capable committed competent confident congenial conscientious considerate consistent constructive cooperative creative curious decisive dedicated dependable determined diligent diplomatic discreet dynamic economical effective efficient energetic enterprising enthusiastic exceptional experienced extroverted fair familiar firm flexible forceful friendly generous good-natured helpful honest humorous idealistic imaginative independent individualistic industrious ingenious innovative insightful instrumental intelligent knowledgeable likable logical loyal mature methodical objective open-minded optimistic organized original outgoing patient perceptive persevering persistent personable persuasive pleasant poised positive practical productive professional proficient qualified rational realistic reasonable receptive reliable resourceful respectful responsive self-confident self-motivated self-reliant sense of humor sensible sensitive serious sharp sincere sociable sophisticated stable strong strong-minded successful systematic tactful talented tenacious thorough thoughtful tolerant trustworthy understanding verbal versatile vigorous well-organized well-rounded will travel will relocate

10 P a g e 10 The Vital Verb List acted achieved accelerated adapted addressed adjusted administered advised advocated allocated analyzed appointed appraised approved arbitrated arranged assembled assessed assigned assisted attained audited awarded balanced budgeted build calculated checked classified coached collected communicated compared compiled completed composed conducted contacted controlled consolidated consulted counseled created decided defined delegated delivered demonstrated described designed determined developed diagnosed directed dispatched distributed documented drafted edited educated eliminated emphasized employed established evaluated examined expanded expedited experimented facilitated filed financed formulated founded gathered generated governed guided handled headed identified illustrated increased indexed influenced informed initiated improved improvised inspected integrated instituted interpreted interviewed invented investigated judged lectured led lifted logged maintained managed marketed measured mediated memorized mentored modeled motivated negotiated observed operated ordered organized originated oversaw painted participated perceived performed persuaded planned prepared presented prioritized produced promoted programmed projected proposed provided publicized published received recorded recruited reduced referred reported researched reviewed revised scheduled selected served sold solved spoke strengthened studied summarized supervised supplied supported taught tested trained translated tutored utilized weighted wrote coordinated

11 P a g e 11 Checklist for Résumé Critique Criteria 1. Identification Full name, mailing address, telephone number address 2. Targeted Objective (optional) 3. Education and Training School name Location (city and state) Dates Degrees/majors/certificates/classes 4. Employment and Work Experience Chronological order (start with most recent) Job title Company name Job location (city and state) Dates of employment Unpaid work experience 5. Other Information Awards, honors Community service/volunteer experience Professional associations 6. References (optional) Full name Job title and organization name Business address, city, state, and zip code Business telephone number (home number for personal references) address Relationship to you 7. Overall Style Good Good use of action verbs and appropriate tense Skills highlighted One page/two pages for working professionals Spelling/grammatical errors checked Appearance easy to read Headings in bold letters Paper quality Consistent format Yes No

12 P a g e 12 Résumé Tips Your résumé should have a focus. Your résumé should be open to change. Avoid the use of I or my. Do not include pictures or photographs. Use short, concise phrases beginning with action verbs. Be sure action verbs maintain consistency in tense. Use only information that is related to your job objective or career goals. Avoid personal evaluations such as learned a great deal through this experience. Use specific examples of statistics, whenever possible, to demonstrate your accomplishments. Keep dates consistent by format and location: or Use a serif font, the kind with the little feet (e.g., Times New Roman, Bookman) or sans serif font, without little feet (e.g., Arial, Verdana, Lucida Sans, Tahoma). Edit and proofread for possible spelling and grammatical errors. Use good quality bond paper in a neutral color. Career Services Illinois Valley Community College 815 North Orlando Smith Rd., Oglesby, IL phone fax Room CTC