Creating your Résumé Presented by: Diana Martinez Career Specialist Adult Learning Center Osceola
What is a Résumé? A short summary of a person s career and qualifications. It includes: Education Work Experience Knowledge & Skills Accomplishments
What is a Résumé? It is one of the most effective tools you can use to obtain an interview and to sell yourself to a prospective employer. It is a reflection of you in your absence!
Reverse Chronological Résumé Used When: Job history shows growth and development. Staying in the same field. Prior job titles are impressive. Work experience is related to the job you are applying for.
Functional or Skills-Based Résumé Useful when changing careers or entering the job market for first time. Focuses on skills not used in recent work experience. Used when you have different types of work experience or unrelated careers. Use it when you are a new graduate with relevant coursework and training.
General Résumé Rules Always typed Pleasing to the eye Adequate margins NO errors NO carbon copies Include cover letter when mailing or sending résumé electronically
Sections of a Résumé (note: some are optional) Personal Information Objective/Career Summary Employment Skills Accomplishments Education Volunteer Work
Personal Information One of the most important parts of a résumé. Placed at the top of page. Include it on second page too. Use bigger font (letter size). Include: Name Complete address Phone number E-mail address
Objective Purpose To catch the reader s attention in 1 or 2 sentences only To identify the job title or career field you are interested in To describe the industry or type of company you prefer to work in
Objective Example Friendly and fun child-care worker seeks employment in child-care center Experienced short-order cook with a broad range of culinary skills seeking position in casual family restaurant
Career Summary Can be used in place of objective Gathers best elements of your résumé It is your sales pitch to an employer Brief, but powerful May include abilities, skills, experience, accomplishments, and personal characteristics
Career Summary Example 10 years of call center experience including 5 years as a Customer Service Supervisor. Managed a team of 20 direct reports in a call center environment. Extensive experience in recruiting, hiring, and training Customer Service Representatives. Bachelor's Degree in Business Management.
Employment List your jobs starting with the most recent. Only list the last 10-15 years or the last 4-5 jobs you have had. Tailor your presentation to the job you are applying for. Describe your title, role, and responsibilities.
Employment (continued) Describe what type of company it is if not recognizable. Describe who you reported to. Include list of duties. Use verbs such as: Managed, installed, assisted, organized, trained, prepared
Employment History Example Cook Simpson's Family Restaurant July 2004 - Present Helped restaurant manager develop new menu, increasing profits by 20 percent Prepared food for 20-table family restaurant from a diverse menu of family-friendly food Implemented new inventory control system, which reduced kitchen costs by 34 percent Assisted with the scheduling, hiring and training of new kitchen staff
Use Action Words Helped restaurant manager develop new menu, increasing profits by 20 percent Prepared food for 20-table family restaurant from a diverse menu of family-friendly food Implemented new inventory control system, which reduced kitchen costs by 34 percent Assisted with the scheduling, hiring and training of new kitchen staff More action words: Achieved, handled, maintained, performed, provided, evaluated..
Accomplishments List any task you performed that benefited a previous employer. Demonstrate how you used your skills and abilities to achieve success. Example: Implemented new inventory control system, which reduced kitchen costs by 34 percent
Skills Abilities Acquired knowledge Personal characteristics Use specific examples on how they were used to solve problems Focus on skills that are required for the job you are applying
Examples of Skills Good listener Friendly Excellent customer service skills Bilingual Knowledge of Microsoft Office Cash Handling Experience Able to handle multiple tasks at the same time Operating knowledge of (audio) equipment
Education List Highest Degree Obtained First Name of School & Dates Degree & Major Obtained Not necessary to include high school if college is mentioned. If currently studying include: Expected graduation date. Status (Junior, Senior, etc.) GPA if greater than 3.3
Education Example GED Preparation Courses Adult Learning Center Osceola Kissimmee, Florida Expect to graduate in May 2007 OR Bachelor s of Science in Management August 2002-October 2004 University of Phoenix, Orlando, Florida
Additional Information Training, Workshops, Seminars CPR Training Computer Workshops
Additional Information Licenses, Certification, Accreditation Real Estate License Teacher Certification
Additional Information Awards and Recognition Student or Employee of the Month Employee of the Year Highest Sales Award Customer Service Award
Volunteer Experience Good to include if there is limited work experience. Can be very valuable. It demonstrates initiative, commitment, and perseverance. Include volunteer experience at end of résumé.
Hobbies & Activities List them only if it pertains to the job you are applying for.
Never Include Age Children Weight Ethnicity Height Political Affiliations Marital Status Religious Affiliations
Common Mistakes Including a reference list or references available upon request. Including reasons for leaving a job. Underselling your abilities. Overlooking accomplishments. Misspelled words.
More Tips Use postal abbreviation for the state in your address. Ex. FL for Florida Use only dashes in phone numbers: Ex. 222-123-4567 Be consistent in use of line spacing.
More tips (continued) Use only one font (letter type) throughout document. Use bold to make a title or accomplishment stand out.
Cover Letter Almost as important as your résumé. Use the same font and paper as your résumé Introduce yourself State the position you are applying for Write reasons why you are the perfect candidate for the job Show your interest in the company/customers Show you are dependable and determined
Cover Letter (continued) Sections Your Contact Information Employer s Contact Information Salutation Opening Paragraph Body (2 or 3 paragraphs) Closing
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Sources Workforce One Stop Career Center Kraemer-Troutman, Kathryn. Creating Your High School Résumé, 2 nd ed, JIST Publishing, Inc., 2003 Noble, David F. Gallery of Best Résumés, 3 rd ed., JIST Publishing, Inc. 2004 Enelow, Wendy S. & Kurksmark, Louise M. Cover Letter Magic, 2 nd ed., JIST Works Publishing, 2004. www1.umn.edu/ohr/careerdev/resources/resume/samples.html