CHOOSE A FORMAT FOR YOUR RESUME

You may use a format that focuses on:

History and Experience = Chronological Resume

Skills and Strengths = Functional Resume

Or, use a little of both = Combination Resume

DESCRIPTION BEST USES PLUSES & MINUSESChronological Resume

Lists your jobs with the last one first and the one before that next, etc. The format for each job is: Place of employment, job title and a brief description of what you did. There is a section on training and education and an optional section on honors, interests or other worthwhile personal information.

For people with a steady job history in related jobs, usually showing some advancement.

Most common type of resume.

Best for people planning to stay in the same field.

Doesn’t sell you well if you are planning a major career switch, if your job history is very short, or if you have major gaps in employment.

Functional Resume

Focuses on your strengths: personal abilities, skills and selected accomplishments. Usually ignores your past employers.

For people changing career fields. For those with little or no work history or with a large gap in employment. Also for people with unusual skills.

Promotes your most important skills and assets.

Employers may find themselves asking more questions about you than the resume can answer.

Combination Resume

Combines the chronological and functional styles. Focus is on your strengths. Lets the reader know how and where you’ve acquired them.

Almost all job search situations. Combines the best of both styles.

Resume formats.wd2

Tahoma Resume Format(Suggested)

This format can be applied (by eliminating/reversing the categories) to any of the three types of resumes:The Chronological Resume (History and Experience)The Functional Resume (Skills and Strengths)The Combination Resume (a mixture of both)

NAMEADDRESS (OPTIONAL)

TELEPHONEE-MAIL

Objective: Unless a specific field is desired the job objective should be broad enough to avoid the necessity of typing a different resume for each position. THIS IS OPTIONAL!

Education: Most recent first. Be sure to include special accomplishments, graduation date or pending graduation date. Running Start students should include their collegeand high school information.

Skills & Abilities: A brief summary of skills, experience, and other marketable qualities.

Experience: Most recent employers first. List the location. Include paid work and non-paid volunteer work.

Company NameLocation (city and state is sufficient – DO NOT PUT COMPLETE ADDRESS)Job Title (Position)Dates of Employment Responsibilities

*Personal: {Honors & Achievements{{Skills or Special Interests{{School & Community Activities{

References are available upon request. Do not include names of references ON a resume! Use a separate sheet with list of references.

These last categories could cover related work experiences, volunteer work, or general interests.

RESUME HEADERS

PERSONAL INFORMATIONYour name, email address, and telephone number enable an employer to contact you immediately. The employer may need to know some private facts about you, but this information must stay within the bounds of your state’s labor laws.

OBJECTIVETargeted: identifies specific position, e.g. “Retail Sales Clerk” “Auto Detailer” “Courtesy Clerk”Generic: identifies in sentence form, e.g. “To utilize mechanical abilities while gaining valuable work experience.” “Challenging and responsible position in the Banking Industry that will utilize my academic training.” “Career position in Retail Sales offering opportunity for growth.”

EDUCATIONYour education is a valuable tool for gaining employment. Your future employer will want to know about your past educational accomplishments and future plans. List most recent education first.

HONORS, ACHIEVEMENTS, AND OUSIDE INTERESTSHonors, achievements and outside interests can sometimes substitute for actual work experience. Your participation in sports, music, or other activities in school should be listed, along with any special honors you might have received. Serving as a homeroom officer, or team captain, making the honor roll, working on committees (e.g. Martin Luther King, Jr. Assembly), teacher assistant, P.E. leader—all show a sense of responsibility and achievement. List activities such as orchestra, pep band, choir, talent show, and performing arts productions.

Your community activities should be listed in this section, also. Participation in organizations such as the American Red Cross, church groups, concert associations, and hospital volunteer work are important. An employer might have a personal interest in one of these areas, and you may be able to capitalize on this mutual interest.

EXPERIENCEYou may or may not have had much actual work experience. In this section, include all paid and non-paid work experience. Work of any kind shows responsibility. Volunteer help may be classified as work experience. Examples of volunteer help include assisting in a school library or office, working in a hospital or home for the elderly, Camp Easter Seals, and Scout projects.

SKILLSSkills reflect the mastery of something. Skills that you have obtained in school or elsewhere are important for getting the job you want. An employer will carefully examine your skills to determine what you can do and where you could fit within the business. Your skills tell an employer why you should be hired over another person. Examples of skills are:

A Team Player * Operate Office Machines * Self-Motivated * Solving Mathematics ProblemsBookkeeping * Sales Ability * Auto Repair * Electronic Wiring * Woodworking * Cooking

Possess a Friendly, Sincere Personality * Willing to Make Extra Effort * Lead by ExampleKeyboarding 45 WPM * Strong Written Communication Skills * Dependable * MAC Computer

Skills are also reflected in two other areas: Human relations and organization. Your ability to get along well with other people is essential to any company. If you are well organized during your interview, the prospective employer will conclude you would make an efficient, competent worker.

REFERENCESA reference is someone who knows you, but who is not related to you. An employer may contact a reference to see what that person thinks of you. Be sure to ask permission of those you plan to list. Good references include a former employer, a teacher who knows you well, or friends who are well established in business. You should never include references on a resume. Have a separate list prepared to give to an employer if they request them.

Resume formats.wd2

DESCRIBING YOUR RELATED JOB EXPERIENCES

INSTEAD OF THIS: SAY SOMETHING LIKE THIS:Worked in a gas station:Pumped gas

Service Station AttendantServiced cars, sold suppliesResponsible for closing up at night

Sold shoes Sales representative for ABC ShoesAssisted customers, took inventoryAssisted in training new personnel

Hostess Greeted 85 – 100 customers and provided friendly service. Seated customers in a timely manner

Waitress:Took orders and served people

Responsible for serving food, handling cash register, opening restaurantOccasionally assisted in cooking and training new help

United Way Volunteer 400 hours as United Way campaign coordinatorOrganized volunteersConducted telephone research

Flag person on construction site Controlled traffic safely through construction projectsHad knowledge of markers and signsGave information to drivers and workmen

Guard:Watched over area

Security GuardPatrolled area, checking for irregularities, including fire hazardsControlled traffic in and out

Worked in grocery store Assistant produce manager for ABC StoresTook inventory, ordered stock, checked items for freshness

Taught Sunday School Member of Education Staff at ABC ChurchOrganized materials for teachingSupervised teenagersCoordinated special projects

Carpenter Constructed, erected, installed and repaired structuresUsed all hand and power toolsRead blueprintsSelected materialsResponsible for all phases of carpentry workTrained assistant

Resume formats.wd2

EXAMPLES OF SKILLS ACQUIRED THROUGH LIMITED WORK EXPERIENCES

CHILD CARESKILLS ACQUIRED: handling conflict, perceiving needs, taking and giving instructionsRESPONSIBLIITIES: preparing meals, entertaining children, maintaining a safe and secure environment

FAST FOOD COUNTER PERSONSKILLS ACQUIRED: balancing nightly till, handling money, communicating with public, cooperating with othersRESPONSIBILITIES: taking orders, maintaining customer goodwill, preparing and packaging food, handling and reconciling a cash drawer

LAWN MOWINGSKILLS ACQUIRED: organizing, scheduling, operating machinery, communicating with publicRESPONSIBILITIES: scheduling weekly lawn cutting; cutting, edging and trimming lawns; securing new customers; collecting fees

DISH WASHINGSKILLS ACQUIRED: communicating with co-workers, cooperating with others, following instructions, organizingRESPONSIBILITIES: cleaning dishes, maintaining a supply of fresh dishes, sustaining a sanitary and safe work environment

PROVIDE SUPPORTING EXAMPLES FOR EACH QUALIFICATION YOU LIST

ORGANIZATION ABILITIES Able to assume responsibility and prioritize work for efficient accomplishment Able to complete large and small tasks with same rate of importance and degree Good managerial skills

PUBLIC RELATIONS AND COMMUNICATION SKILLS Able to relate to customers at all levels in a pleasant manner at all times Established pleasant relationship with all previous employers Ease in getting along with fellow employees Written as well as verbal communication easily executed

PLANNING, SCHEDULING Able to schedule fellow employees and plan work loads for efficient flow Able to compensate for slack and heavy work times as well as absenteeism Was able to increase efficiency and reduce each shift by one person in previous

position

Resume formats.wd2

Five Steps to a Winning Resume

1. Refer to your “Personal Data Worksheet” for summarization of your education and work (paid and volunteer) experiences. Carefully examine relevant areas of your life to determine honors and achievements, skills or special interests, and school or community activities.

2. Translate the above information into a draft resume using the most appropriate resume format for you. Use “powerhouse buzzwords” or action words to best describe your skills and experiences

3. Review the “Comments from Employers” to avoid any pitfalls.

4. Arrange the resume on one page so it is easy to read and attractive. Use a combination of bold, underline, bullets, and centering to highlight key points.

5. Proofread. A resume with spelling or typographical errors or one that has sloppy corrections or black marks from photocopying will not get you an interview. Employers will think that you just don’t care about working for them, or if you do care, that you can’t tell a good job from a poor one.

Comments from Employers

“List only real achievements. If you have none, write a sincere cover letter stating your goals and your willingness to work hard.”

“Make the resume fit the job. There is no resume that will fit every job.”

“I like to see how well one got through school—interests, honors, energy.”

“If I get a resume of more than two pages from a young person. I’m getting fluff. Either the person can’t write or it’s baloney.”

“Be honest. Be factual. Avoid exaggeration at all costs.”

Resume formats.wd2

Sample High School Resume

Ima Student12345 SE 123rd St

Maple Valley, WA 98038425-520-77787

imastudent@gmail.com

Objective: To obtain a part-time job in customer service.

Education: Tahoma Senior High School Graduation, June 2014Covington, WA 3.8 GPAFocus on college preparatory classes with a career interest in marketing.

Skills and Abilities: Microsoft Office: Excel, Access, and WordSpanish fluency, verbal and written

Work Experience: Store Clerk 2014 - PresentFred Meyers, Maple Valley

Maintain 23 shelves stocked with merchandise. Provide quality customer assistance to 45- 60 customers/day to locate

merchandise, return items, and ring up purchases. Responsible to balance and reconcile eight cash registers at the end of

the shift.

Crew Member 2012 - 2013McDonald’s, Maple Valley, WA

Greeted customers, took orders and prepared food. Handled cash and balanced receipts against sales at the end of the shift.

Volunteer Activities: Relay for Life, Captain 2014

Scheduled monthly team meetings to keep team members informed. Publicized event on local radio stations and in newspapers to increase

public awareness and secure volunteers. Successfully organized two fundraisers that raised $4,500.

References Available Upon Request

Sample High School Resume

Hannah White24514 SE 216th AvenueMaple Valley, WA 98038

425-530-0000hwhite@gmail.com

OBJECTIVE

An entry-level position with a growing business that will utilize my marketing skills.

EDUCATION

Tahoma High School, Covington, WA Graduation: June 2014Specialized Courses: Business I & II Computer Science (two years) Spanish I & II AP Calculus

EXPERIENCE

Assistant Manager, Taco Bell Restaurant, Maple Valley, WAJune 2013 - present.

Started as line cook and promoted to cashier by November 2013. Promoted to assistant manager with supervisory responsibility May 2014

Assistant Manager, Student Store, Tahoma Senior High, Covington, WA2013 - 13

Responsible for scheduling workers for student store operation. Checked accuracy of cash reports and tracked any discrepancies. Assisted manager with ordering stock and receiving shipments.

Student Assistant, Counseling Office, Tahoma Senior High, Covington, WA2012 - 13

Worked for four counselors, answered telephones, scheduled appointments, typed letters. Student assistants were selected on the basis of ability, skills, and trustworthiness.

ACTIVITIES

Vice President of DECA, which operates the student store at Tahoma Senior High, 2014-15 Attended Washington Business Week at American Institute of Commerce,

Seattle, WA, Summer 2014 DECA (Diversified Education Clubs of America, a marketing club), 2013-14 Future Business Leaders of America, 2012-14

REFERENCES Available on request.

Sample Resume for High School Students

Joseph Rundle6300 Beasley Road

Maple Valley, WA 98038425-530-1111

jrundle@gmail.com

Objective To obtain a job with a successful automotive repair or body shop.

Education Tahoma High School, Maple Valley, WA Graduation pending, June 2014

Coursework focus: Automotive Maintenance, Intermediate and Advanced Auto, Spanish I & II

Skills & Abilities Automotive Repair and Body Work

Assisted with complete exterior repair of six cars. Assisted in engine rebuild and repair. Detail painting on two vans. Interior work on several vans.

Work History Handyman 2013 - PresentDelta Apartments, Maple Valley, WA

Provide landscaping maintenance for apartment complex. Complete interior and exterior painting of two homes. Assist with roofing of one new home and repair on another older home. Minor carpentry work for apartment complex.

Custodian Summers 2012 - 2013Tahoma School District, Maple Valley, WA

Efficiently completed janitorial jobs such as sweeping, vacuuming, cleaning restrooms, painting, and basic maintenance.

References Available on request

WRITING RESUMES: Describe Accomplishments, Not Duties

No one ever said writing a resume was easy. In fact, it is probably one of the most difficult aspects of looking for a job. The truth is, most people write ineffective curriculum vitae. They either don’t understand a resume’s purpose and objective; often, they are too long or poorly organized. While even the best resume won’t land you a job, it is one of the best tools for getting an interview.

Experts agree that the biggest difference between an effective and ineffective resume is that the effective resume describes accomplishments rather than duties and responsibilities. Always use action verbs to describe your achievements and quantify your accomplishments whenever possible—dollars saved, widgets produced, clients served, number of employees supervised.

Each resume you send should be tailored for that particular job. The shotgun approach of sending the same resume to every company is not nearly as effective as when you take the time to customize your resume. When you tailor your resume to a specific job, you are paying your prospective employer a compliment, which means you are more apt to get a response.

Basically, there are three resume styles: chronological, which begins with your most current job and works backward; functional, which lists your accomplishments under functional headings, such as sales or finance; and a hybrid, which is basically a functional resume with a job history. Generally, human resource personnel prefer the chronological format but you may find a different format is better suited for your particular job experience and/or objectives.

If you’re unsure about what to include in a resume, obtain copies of resumes from your friends and colleagues. Analyze their resumes objectively and determine what you feel is effective and what isn’t.

Once you have an initial draft of your resume, ask at least two of your peers to critique and proofread it. Sloppiness, misspellings and typos are the quickest way to ensure that your resume ends up in the trash.

In today’s increasingly competitive job market, your resume has to stand out from the crowd. If you’re lucky, your resume will receive a 30-second scan, which means it has to catch someone’s attention right off the bat. While you may be uncomfortable trying to sell yourself, you have to convince an employer that you are worth considering. Tell prospective employers what you can do for them, being as specific as possible. Always keep the employer’s needs, rather than your own, in mind.

Given the sheer volume of resumes they receive each week, many companies now use high-tech resume scanning programs to screen resumes. These software programs look for key words that match the job description. Whether your resume is being read by machine or person, it’s important to tailor your resume to a particular ad, using some of the same words or phrases that appear in the ad. Use boldface type or bullets to highlight important points.

While some may suggest turning to a professional resume-writing service, it’s actually in your best interest to write your resume yourself. After all, you know yourself better than anyone and are more apt to write a powerful resume with impact. If you decide that you do need help writing your resume, find someone who has been certified by the Professional Association of Resume Writers. For a referral in your area, call (800) 677-9090.Reprinted from The South County Journal, March 1, 1998.

Good Resumes Say Just EnoughHow can I write a resume that gets me a job?

Resumes don’t get you jobs. If you’re lucky, resumes get you interviews, the chance to sell yourself in person to a prospective employer. The best resume explains how your skills meet an employer’s specific needs and demonstrate that you understand the position, the employer and the industry. Employers and executive recruiters recommend that you:

Don’t say too much. Prospective employers don’t need extensive details about the positions you held 10 or 15 years ago, especially if those positions were early in your career. Even for your current and most recent position, skip the narrative about your most routine tasks or those that don’t relate to the job you now seek.

Don’t say too little. Except for long-ago positions, you need more than the employer’s name, location, your title and the dates you worked there. Provide a brief description (perhaps 10 or 15 words) of the employer and discuss your major accomplishments.

Don’t brag. You’re convinced you’re outstanding,” “unique” or “excellent”? Describe your accomplishments so that your projects speak for you: for example, the direct response advertising campaign with the 3 percent response rate, the award-winning web site and the record-breaking sale. Coach your references, too, so that they’ll cite accomplishments that reinforce the impression you’re trying to make.

BARBARA SAUNDERS19809 Renton-Maple Valley Highway

Maple Valley, WA 98038(425) 432-0312

__________________________________________________________________________________________REFERENCES

Doss Elliott16844 186th Southeast

Renton, WA 98058(425) 271-0025

Kim Folk31101 Southeast 384th

Enumclaw, WA 98022(360) 886-9999

Jean Pearson140 Northwest Dogwood

Issaquah, WA 98027(425) 391-5555

ReferencesEmployers will want to find out what kind of a worker you are. They will ask you for references—the names of at least three people you are not related to and who have known you for at least one year. There are two types of references:

Employer References—people you have worked for. Some employers ask for references of people you have worked for, paid or not.

Personal References—people you have not worked for. Some employers expect you to give them the names of people you have not worked for because they want to find out if you’re honest and have good character. Neighbors and parents of your friends make great personal references. Your teachers do too! It is a good idea to ask permission before you use someone as a reference.

Mr. Dan Cochran, OwnerMid Valley Pipe Company

My neighbor 135 Helen WayAnytown, USA 23401(425) 555-0004

Mrs Julie Comino, TeacherAnytown High School

My teacher P. O. Box 5555Anytown, USA 23401(425) 555-6109

Mrs. Kathy Segura, HomemakerMy Mom’s friend 125 River Road

Anytown, USA 23401(425) 555-7601

Only include references if an employer asks for them.

Note: Use the same header for name & address as with accompanying resume.

Jobtalk: Job Seekers Avoid “Seven Deadly Sins” in Using References

References can make the difference between getting or losing the job you want. Despite their importance, job seekers often misuse references, says Douglas Spangler, Associate Vice President for University Relations at California State University, Dominguez Hills in Carson, California. Spangler urges job hunters to remember that asking someone to serve as a reference is asking that person for a very big favor, and has identified “seven deadly sins” to avoid.

Sin No. 1—Not asking people if you may use them as references. Never assume it’s okay to use a past or present boss as a reference without asking. No one likes to be taken for granted. What might have been a good reference can sour into a mediocre or even bad one.

Sin No. 2—Striving for prestige rather than knowledge in your references, and using marginal references. A senator or a company president may not be the best person to use as a reference UNLESS the person really does know about your professional qualifications. If you supply a half-dozen references and only one is superficial, it should not harm your chances. If you supply only three references and one or more is superficial, you may be hurting yourself.

Sin No. 3—Using photocopied letters as references. If you received a photocopied letter admitting you to college or inviting you to a party, you might throw it into the trash. Only the most careless hiring authority would give much credibility to a “to whom it may concern” letter from a major reference. Such letters can serve only as supplemental endorsements from people who have come into contact with you at work but who are not your former superiors. Serious references should be personalized and include a telephone number for prospective employers to call. (It is a good idea to compile a permanent personal-professional file with reference letters because references may relocate or die and some positive statements beat nothing at all.)

Sin No. 4—Overusing your references, especially for jobs in which you have only a mild interest. Save the big push for the choice positions and don’t wear out your welcome with those who are helping you.

Sin No. 5—Not keeping your references updated as to how your job search is going. After a reference has written a letter for you, perhaps returned a phone call to a prospective employer and gone to other lengths, he or she deserves to know the outcome of your quest. Job seekers who are cavalier about not keeping references informed are again breaking the bond between those doing the helping and those asking for help.

Put the best face on rejection—the company hired someone with more experience—but do tell your references the outcome of the fruits of their labor. You can skip tiddlywink details, but keep reminding your references how helpful they are.

Sin No. 6—Not thanking people once you have obtained a position. A hand-written note is minimal, and flowers or champagne is ideal.

Sin No. 7—Not giving progress reports on how you’re doing on the new job. After you have been on the job for six months or a year, write letters to your references sharing with them what it's like on the job and, once again, thanking them. The tendency to not show appreciation seems to be common; by being uncommon you might just go up a notch or two with references the next time around.

As Douglas Spangler says, when you are a job seeker, you expect to be treated with respect and dignity. Give your references not only the same respect, but a good measure of gratitude as well. You’ll stand out from the crowd.

By Joyce Lain Kennedy, Syndicated columnistResume formats.wd2