Peer Learning and Leadership Network

Building a Better Resume

Building a Better Resume

June 22, 20111 p.m.

Presenter:

Michele Martin, DiscoverAbility NJ, John J. Heldrich Center for Workforce Development Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey

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Michele Martin

Materials and an archived version of this webinar will be available at www.discoverabilitynj.org

Agenda

• Purpose of the Resume• How HR Managers Read Resumes• Common Resume Mistakes• Strategy for Constructing the Perfect Resume• Sections of the Resume• Putting it Together• Some Final Tips

What’s the purpose of a resume?

To get an interview!

HR’s goal is to . . .

SCREEN YOU OUT!

What Does HR Do?

• Paper Review– 5-10 second scan

• Online/Database– Keyword search

Looking for . . .

• Relevant experience • Educational/certification requirements• Accomplishments• Mistakes

A MATCH!!

Resume Mistakes Employers Hate!

1. No connection to company need.

2. Takes too long to find relevant info

3. Lack of Focus

4. No knowledge of target industry

5. Poorly written

6. Lack of accomplishments

7. Poor Design

8. Lies

9. One-Size-Fits-All Resumes

10. Functional Resumes

11. An Objective at the Top of Your Resume

12. Boilerplate

• Team player• Excellent communicator• Strong work ethic• Met or exceeded

expectations• Results-oriented• More than X years of

progressively responsible experience

• Proven track record• Bottom line orientation• Trustworthy• Problem solver• Works well under

pressure• References available

upon request

Crafting the Perfect Resume

• Focus on employer needs• Customize!• Use keywords.• Most important info first in descending order

Completing the “T”

1. Review job posting and/or company info2. Identify employer needs, relevant keywords

– For job– For company/culture

3. Fill in job seeker info to complete the T.

4. If you can’t complete The T—DON’T APPLY!

5. If you can, complete your resume.

The “T”

Rinse and Repeat

Putting it Together

The Key Sections

• Contact Info• Profile/Summary of Qualifications• Work History/Accomplishments• Education/Credentials• Relevant awards, professional associations,

etc. (optional)

Contact Info

Profile/Summary of Qualifications

• Best place to include company/industry keywords

• Target company and job posting—highlight most relevant skills and qualifications

• Highlight key accomplishments—SHOW, don’t tell!

• 3-4 sentences or use bullet points

Work History/Accomplishments

• Highlight job duties/accomplishments most relevant to position.

• SHOW, don’t TELL!

• Focus on “So what?”

• Quantify as much as possible

• Use keywords liberally

• List employer name, location, years worked

• Focus on past 15 years

Education Section

• Don’t include HS if you have college degree• Spell out the school name• List degree• Don’t include GPA unless 1) it’s over 3.0 and

2) you are a recent grad• Consider omitting grad date

Dealing with Resume Gaps

Some Basic Tips

• Be truthful about dates• Use volunteer and freelance work in

experience section• Acknowledge/explain in cover letter• Focus on networking/connections to get

interview

Final Advice

Revealing a Disability on a Resume

• DON’T!• Be careful of accomplishments that may

inadvertently reveal a disability.

For Printed Resumes• Free of grammatical and spelling errors• Easy to read• Use white space• Attractive, functional design• Use Helvetica, Garamond, Calibri or Verdana.

NO Times New Roman!• Don’t go overboard on paper• 1-2 pages

Electronic Resumes

• .txt file pasted into body of email• .rtf file attachment—maintains most

formatting. • Can use .doc, but use lowest version• Test email first• Load it with keywords!• Use your name as doc name

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