Letter Writing
Resume
Outline
§ Résumé basics
§ Résumé research
§ Résumé sections
§ Résumé design
§ Résumé samples and exercise
What is a resume?
What is a résumé?
§ A document that shows your education, job history
§ May also include experiences related to job you want
Why do I need a résumé?
Employers use résumés to:
§ See who can do a job
§ Read about your past jobs
§ Decide which applicant will be interviewed
…
• A resume is a summary of your experiences and skills relevant to the field
of work you are entering.
• A resume is an accomplishment driven marketing tool for individuals
seeking employment.
• A resume relates your experience to your career objective.
Purpose of a Resume
§ The goal of any good resume is to show that you
are a qualified candidate and a good match for
the job.
§ The resume motivates employers to interview you.
§ Remember! Most employers spend 10 – 20 seconds
scanning a resume. Keep your resume to 1 page!
Pre Writing
§ Know Yourself
§ Know the Position
§ How can I target my resume to the company I am applying for?
§ Next…
§ Prepare a list of your skills, accomplishments, education, goals, and
experience.
Before you write your résumé:
§ Make five lists that include
§ Where you went to school or received training, including location,
time/credits, classes completed
§ Where you have worked, including location, time, responsibilities, skills
learned
§ Skills, qualifications
§ References, including all contact information
§ Professional affiliations: trade organizations, unions…
§ If you are missing any information, you have some research to do…
Know the Position
Do the research and tailor your resume to the position you are applying for.
The following is a list of what you should know:
§ Necessary Skills.
§ Desired Qualifications.
§ Required Education and Work Experience.
§ Key Values.
§ Job Duties.
Before you write your résumé:
§ Conduct some research on the company, job:
§ Company name, contact information, description
§ Job title (job number if applicable), requirements
§ Contact person (person to whom you address letter)
§ Application requirements (does company require a résumé, application,
cover letter, list of references?)
§ If you have some missing information, you have some research to do…
§ Also, it’s better to tailor résumés to a specific job, company because it
shows you have researched position, organization
Format
§ Heading
§ Objective
§ Summary of Qualifications
§ Education
§ Experience
Profile
Name: Anita Job
§ Recent Graduate
§ Degree: Associates in Computer
Applications & Office Technology
§ Option: Medical Office Assistant
Heading
§ The heading is placed at the top of the page and aligned at the center.
§ Your name appears on the first line and should be in bold.
§ The heading includes the following contact information: Address, Phone
Number, and Email (Use an appropriate and professional email address!)
Name is in bold and on the first line.
Anita Job
1111 Figueroa Place, Wilmington, CA, Heading
includes
90744
555-555-5555 address and
phone
jobanita@gmail.com number.
Email address is professional
and appropriate. Do not use emails
like “skaterbrat69@yahoo.com!”
Objective
• The objective should consist of 1 -2 short • Contact information – phone
sentences.
number (home, cell), mailing
• The objective specifies the type of position you address, email address
are seeking.
• Tailor your objective to the company. • Objective – the name of the
• Do not use generalized statements or “flowery company and the job you want
language.”
• Do not focus only on what the company can do • Education – elementary, high
for you.
school, college, technical school,
certifications, vocational or trade
school
For Example
Instead of… Try…
“To gain a position where I can “To gain a position as a Medical
be an asset to my employer and Secretary at Kaiser Permanente.”
grow as an individual.”
Summary of Qualifications
• This is optional. (Use a qualification • Work history – jobs you have held
summary only if it puts emphasis or (the order of the work history and
links your background that is most education can be reversed
relevant to the job requirements.) depending on your situation)
• Use 3 – 6 bullet points of special • Summary of qualifications – list of
accomplishments, key work skills, skills that apply to the job you want
outstanding traits, relevant work
history.
• Highlight skills that aren’t obvious
from past work experience.
Education
For students and recent graduates begin with your
education.
• List your highest level of education achieved first.
• Highlight your degrees earned or to be earned.
• List your major, minor, concentration, or emphasis.
• List your GPA if it is a 3.0 or higher.
• List relevant coursework.
• List any special licenses, credentials, certificates,
exams, or training.
Education
For students and recent graduates begin with your
education.
• List your highest level of education achieved first.
• Highlight your degrees earned or to be earned.
• List your major, minor, concentration, or emphasis.
• List your GPA if it is a 3.0 or higher.
• List relevant coursework.
• List any special licenses, credentials, certificates,
exams, or training.
What Counts as Experience?
Include positions related to the job you are seeking such as:
• Paid or unpaid employment
• Internships
• Student Organizations
• Volunteerism
• Community Service
Emphasize vs. Minimize
• Emphasize relevant experience and minimize irrelevant experience.
• You can distinguish between relevant experience and additional
experience.
• List your accomplishments, not just responsibilities. (For example mention
ideas you had that may have improved your workplace.)
• Use vocabulary or keywords from your chosen field.
Quantifying your Experience
Quantify your actions whenever possible.
For example:
• If you were a supervisor how many people did
you supervise?
• If you gave regular reports how often?
• If you improved sales by how much?
Expand on Your Skills
Look for ways to demonstrate such qualities as the following:
• Good communication Skills
• Leadership and Organizational Skills
• Ability to work on a team
• Good Work Ethic
• Interpersonal Skills
Format
• Include the Following: Company Name, Location, Job
Title, Dates of Employment, and Duties Performed.
• Make this section easy to read. Use spacing and
bullets.
• Each sentence starts with an action verb. Do not use
personal pronouns.
• Use correct verb tenses. Use present tense for current
positions and past tense for previous positions.
• Avoid using terms that only an insider would
understand.
Section title
is in bold
and dates Title is bolded. Company
are name and location are
included. provided.
Experience
200X – 200X Sales Associate, JC Penny, Torrance, CA
• Maintained knowledge of sales and
promotions.
• Greeted customers and ascertained
customer wants or needs.
• Answered questions regarding store
merchandise.
Job duties are bulleted,
detailed, and in the
proper tense. * *Paragraph format may be used to
save space.
Other Sections
You can add additional sections to your resume such as:
• Honors
• Activities
• Skills
References
• Generally, do not include references on your resume.
• It is not necessary to type, “References available upon request.”
• Employers will contact you for references if necessary.
• Choose professional references rather than personal references.
• Practice good etiquette and ask your references for permission before
giving out their contact information.
Resume Format
• Keep your resume format simple.
• Use a uniform font type, font size, and margin
settings all around.
• Suggested fonts are Times New Roman or Arial.
• Suggested fonts sizes are 10 to 12 point.
• Suggested margin is 1 inch all around.
• Do not use abbreviations.
• Use bold, italics, and underlining sparingly.
• Print your resume on white or neutral color 8 ½ ×
11 inch paper.
Anita Job
1111 Figueroa Place, Wilmington, CA, 90744
555-555-5555
jobanita@gmail.com
Objective To gain a position as a Medical Secretary at Kaiser Permanente.
Summary
• Knowledge of medical terminology
• Knowledge of Accounts payable software, Accounts receivable software, Billing
software, and Intuit QuickBooks software
• Bilingual English-Spanish
Education Los Angeles Harbor College, Wilmington, CA, June 20XX
Associate in Science Degree, Computer Applications and Office
Technologies, Option in Medical Office Assistant, GPA 3.0
Experience
20XX – 20XX Program Assistant, Los Angeles Harbor College, CA
• Answered telephones and provided customer service.
• Entered counseling appointments using SARS software.
• Performed general clerical duties such as filing and scanning office documents.
200X – 200X Sales Associate, JC Penny, Torrance, CA
• Maintained knowledge of sales and promotions.
• Greeted customers and ascertained customer wants or needs.
• Answered questions regarding store merchandise.
Sample Link
• http://www.ecampustours.com/careerexploration/buildingyourresume/hi
ghschoolresume#.XqsD4C-z2uU
