3601ICT 3601ICT PROFESSIONAL PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE AND PRACTICE AND

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The resumeThe resume

Today’s Lecture

Resumes

Why prepare a resume

Preparing an effective resume

Why Prepare a Resume?The resume is a tool with one specific purpose:

TO WIN AN INTERVIEW

Other Reasons employers screening mechanisms

establish you as a serious professional

demonstrate your writing and creative skills

To support other job application material

Stats about resumesWhat does the research tell us:

Research shows that only 1 person for every 200 resumes collected is invited for an interview

Employers scan resumes quickly – normally between 20 and 30 seconds per resume

The decision to interview is based almost entirely on the first impressions of the resume

The reader must be impressed within the first few lines of the resume

Writing Effective Resumes

What do you think are the characteristics of an effective resume?

Writing Effective Resumes It is like writing powerful advertising copy but

maintaining the subtleness of the medium – the resume.

It must sell a product – YOU!

Writing Effective Resumes powerful conveyor of meaning,

NOT a routine formality

be an effective sales tool,NOT an autobiography

be persuasive,NOT merely descriptive

influence the way others see you by the way you see and describe yourself

be positive, it is NOT a form of public therapy

Writing effective resumes Your target audience: The hiring manager

Audience attributes: needs additional resources Cares about who joins the team

Read the ad/position description carefully – show them you care too!!

Resume Structure & TipsWriting a Killer Resume.pdf – this is a great summary of what your resume should do and how it should be structured…

In summary, 10 rules:•Think about hidden criteria•KISS principle•Sell yourself•Include necessary information•Demonstrate your achievements•Don’t write a novel•Personalise it•Check for errors•It is just as important as cover letter•Keep it updated

Resume Examples

http://www.technical-resumes.com/examples.htmlHas some examples of resumes for various jobs in IT industry

CV / Resume Is there a difference between a

CV & resume?

The terms are often used interchangeably

Both highlight work history, achievements and qualifications

Resume - a short document often tailored to a particular job –often used in business fields

CV – longer with complete listing of professional history, every job held, achievements, qualifications and other achievements – often used in academic and medical fields