WRITING A RÉSUMÉ. Steps to Developing a Résumé

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1 WRITING A RÉSUMÉ A résumé is a concise, one-page description of your academic and employment background as it relates to your current career objective. It is one of the first impressions that you make on an employer. Styles and formats may vary depending on the purpose of your résumé, so it is important to determine which best represents you. A résumé should be accompanied by a cover letter. Steps to Developing a Résumé 1. Complete an analysis of your career or occupational goal. What knowledge, skills/abilities, and personal characteristics are necessary for success in your field of interest? Speak to people in the field, ask your teachers, and visit the School Counselor. Complete a career interest survey (see Mrs. Kile for details) to determine the personal qualities, skills, and education that employers are seeking. 2. Review other résumés. Look at other résumés (Microsoft Word offers several different styles). Be sure that the style best represents or highlights your skills, knowledge, education, and characteristics. Since there are no absolutes for the proper way to categorize your experience, develop organizational headings which are useful to you and clear to others. 3. Begin a draft résumé. (preferably in a word processing program). You may consult the internet or Word wizard for possible résumé formatting options. The information on your educational background should reflect any internship experiences, volunteer work, club affiliation, or any honors you have received. You should also describe any previous work experience or skills that relate to the position for which you are applying. 4. Have others critique your draft résumé. After typing your résumé, have teachers, parents, or the career counselor proofread your résumé. You may receive differing or conflicting opinions, but go with your preference. Choose the options that are best for you and best represents you. 5. Keep the résumé brief and to the point. Each word should be descriptive and relevant. Whenever possible, avoid the use of the personal pronouns. Try to use words that are most descriptive of the activity you are discussing; action verbs present a more positive impression than passive verbs. A list of action verbs can be found on page 50. Avoid jargon and obscure acronyms. 6. Your résumé should appear attractive, error-free, easy to read, well organized, and business-like. Pay attention to underlining, capitalization, boldface type, and spacing. Design your résumé so that the information is clear and easily read.

2 Components of a Résumé (These components are the most commonly used; remember that other headings are acceptable and encouraged if they better feature your background.) Identification: At the very top of the résumé, give your full name (no nicknames), current addresses with zip code, and telephone number with area code. Your name should be highlighted in boldface font. Job Objective: The objective is optional; however, it must be addressed in the cover letter if you omit it from the résumé. State briefly, for which position you are applying. Be as specific as possible. Education: List your secondary school and graduation date. Include classes you are taking and any projects that relate to your job objective. Other academic interests should be included, such as extracurricular activities; important offices held, and any honors you have received (You may include these experiences in another section of your résumé, such as under Achievements. ) Previous Work Experience (or Skills & Abilities if no work experience): Your most recent experiences should be listed first. Job descriptions and responsibilities should be brief. Include salary earned, name of supervisor, and employer address (except for city and state). Special Skills and Abilities: List any special skills and abilities you posses that could relate to the job you are seeking. This is your opportunity to mention certain talents and experiences that are not necessarily a part of your educational or work experience. Personal: This section is optional. Include it if your résumé has a lot of blank space. You may also include hobbies or traveling experiences that provide interesting information about you. References: Indicating your references is optional. Employers will assume that you will provide at least three professional references, that is, people, unrelated to you, who can speak to your qualifications and abilities for the job. Be sure to consult them prior to using their names and keep them informed of your job search progress.

3 (Sample of resume format when there is no formal work experience) SAMUEL B. JOBLESS 111 Street St. John, WA address OBJECTIVE: EDUCATION: SKILLS AND ABILITIES Seeking entry-level position in retail sales. 2009: Diploma, SJE High School, St. John, WA - Courses: Accounting, English, Math, Computers Communication: - Delivered 45 minute speeches to 160 people in Public Speaking Class. - Taught English teacher to jump start her 1978 VW Microbus. - Taught woodworking class to 38 kids as camp counselor. Selling: - Sold my car, negotiated with customers, and got my asking price. - Convinced 14 businesses to sponsor ads in high school yearbook. - Generated $ for SADD fundraiser. Math: - Solid B average in all four years of high school. - Computed own 1040EZ tax return, received $340 federal rebate. - Constantly use fractions, decimals, percentages in woodworking. Computers: - Proficient in IBM and Apple computers. - Assisted uncle in understanding how to operate his new IBM PC. PERSONAL INFORMATION: REFERENCES: Reliable: Missed only two days of school in senior year. Honest: Returned $20 check-cashing error to bank. Friendly: Mow elderly neighbor s lawn every Saturday without pay. Athletic: Played second-string varsity basketball. Hobbies: Automobiles and woodworking Available upon request.

4 (Sample résumé format for previous work experience) Adam Smith Main St. St. John, WA OBJECTIVE Part-time or Full-time Position as Beginning Automotive Technologist QUALIFICATIONS 2 years training in automotive technology Computer literate Skilled and experienced in quality customer service Responsible and hard-working EDUCATION St. John-Endicott High School, St. John, WA. Expect to graduate June Major Courses in Automotive Technology: Instruction and training in all aspects of automobile operation and service: Diagnostic Equipment, Computerized Automotive System Simulators, Estimating, Parts Reference and Selection Related Courses: Keyboarding, Computer Applications, Marketing Management, Material Science EXPERIENCE May 2006 Present McDonald s, St. John, WA Cashier. Taking customer orders, working cash register. Earned most valuable employee award in November November 2005-May 2006 Carpinito Brothers, ST. John, WA Customer Service. Responsible for loading heavy nursery items into customer vehicles. AWARDS AND ACTIVITIES Skills USA Club Member, September 2002-Present Placed second in State Skills USA Conference for small engine repair Competed at National Skills USA Conference for small engine repair References Furnished Upon Request

5 Action Verbs Action verbs are key to making an impressive résumé and cover letter. Using these words will provide specificity and clarity to the educational and work experiences you are highlighting. If you have started something: Created Designed Developed Devised Established Founded Generated Implemented Initiated Installed Instituted Introduced Launched Originated Organized Proposed If you have led something: Administered Allotted Approved Assessed Assigned Chaired Coached Conducted Controlled Coordinated Delegated Directed Enabled Enlisted Ensured Evaluated Facilitated Guided Headed Inspected Instructed Managed Monitored Motivated Orchestrated Planned Prepared Prioritized Recruited Researched Resolved Reviewed Scheduled Screened Selected Solved Structured Supervised Surveyed Taught Trained If you have done something Achieved Acted Advised Allocated Analyzed Attained Balanced Calculated Clarified Classified Compiled Completed Composed Consolidated Converted Counseled Decreased Demonstrated Diagnosed Documented Drafted Edited Engineered Enhanced Expanded Expedited Finalized Forecasted Identified Improved Increased Integrated Interpreted Investigated Maintained Maximized Negotiated Obtained Performed Presented Produced Promoted Provided Qualified Reconciled Reduced Reorganized Revamped Revised Revitalized Simplified Specified Stimulated Streamlined Strengthened Surveyed Miscellaneous Verbs, Nouns, Adjectives, and Adverbs Actively Collaborated Contributed Independently Marketed Participated Proficient Project Significantly Strategy Structure Successfully