Career Services Pima Community College

Resúmé GuideIntroduction and Guidelines

This resúmé guide and associated checklist were developed by Pima Community College Career Services Professionals in an effort to provide basic information and minimum standards for those individuals creating their first resúmé. This guide is not intended to be a comprehensive, all-inclusive volume that addresses all possible variations of resúmés.Pima Community College provides services and tools to students and alumni but is not responsible for any representations or guarantees with regard to securing employment.

Pima County Community College District is governed by an elected five-member board. For information on the Board of Governors, see: www.pima.edu/about-pima/board-of-governors.Pima Community College is an equal opportunity, affirmative action employer and educational institution committed to excellence through diversity. Upon request, reasonable accommodations will be made for individuals with disabilities. Every effort will be made to provide reasonable accommodations in a timely manner. For public and employee accommodation requests, as well as information related to the ADA complaint process, contact the College ADA Coordinator at (520) 206-4539 or 4905 E. Broadway Blvd., Tucson, AZ 85709. For PCC student accommodation requests, please contact the appropriate campus Access and Disability Resource office (520) 206-4500 (TTY 520-206-4530).

2

Contents: Section 1: What is a Resúmé? 1.1 A Resúmé is…

Section 2: Where to Start 2.1 Analyze Yourself 2.2 Analyze the Job Description 2.3 Organize Your Experience 2.4 Create Descriptive Phrases 2.5 Ensure Resúmé is Letter Perfect 2.6 Have Your Resúmé Critiqued

Section 3: PCC Resúmé Guidelines 3.1 First Impression / Visual Appeal 3.2 Design Elements (Fonts, Graphics) 3.3 Errors (Spelling, Grammar)

Section 4: Resúmé Sections 4.1 Heading 4.2 Objective 4.3 Summary of Skills 4.4 Education 4.5 Experience / Volunteering 4.6 Activities / Honors 4.7 Skills 4.8 Languages

Section 5: References

Section 6: What Skills Interest Employers? 6.1 Communication Skills 6.2 Technological Skills 6.3 Leadership Skills 6.4 Organizational and Planning Skills

Appendix A: Resúmé Action Words

Appendix B: Accomplishment Statements

Appendix C: Resúmé Checklist

Appendix D: Transferring Resúmé into Web-based Applications

3

Section 1: What is a Resúmé? 1.1 A Resúmé is a document that… • Is an important part of your career planning process that requires self-analysis • Summarizes your plans, qualifications, and values for a potential employer • Is a professional tool that helps you to get a one-on-one interview • Provides a history of your experience while highlighting your accomplishments. It is not an autobiography - the employer wants to know what you are capable of accomplishing, not just what tasks you did • Focuses on the aspects of your background that are directly relevant to the individual job application and/or applications aimed at a particular industry • “Sells” you and shows how you are going to be an asset the employer • Uses mainly active verbs and is organized so that it is easy to read • Makes the first impression that a prospective employer has of you, making it not only the first and the most crucial step you take in your job search

Section 2: Where to Start 2.1 Analyze Yourself • Review and list all: • Classes you have taken • Jobs you have held • Volunteer experiences • Active Memberships • Activities you have participated in school and in the community • Specific accomplishments youhave achieved • You may need to create multiple resúmés for use in your job search. This list will give you the material you need to quickly and efficiently create these resúmés All of your experience counts as you move from student to professional.

2.2 Analyze the Job Announcement and Company • Review job announcement for the skills, abilities, and qualifications employers are looking for • Research the company on their website and other websites including MyCareerLink if they are a registered employer. • Make a list of keywords from the job announcement, such as specific tools, skills or knowledge the employer is seeking

4

2.3 Organize your experience • List strengths and skills used to achieve your accomplishments • Use terminology related to the field in which you want to work • Record as many details as possible, such as the dollar amounts of budgets, the number of people you trained, or the growth in revenues for an organization you created • Save this list and add to it as your experience and skills continue to grow

2.4 Create Descriptive Phrases • Focus on the skills necessary to do the job you are seeking. Use the job announcement as a guide. • Create short phrases to describe your job duties and accomplishments • Match your skills to the keywords you listed in Section 2.2. Including keywords in your resume and cover letter increases the possibility that your resúmé will be noticed and read by the employer • Avoid using the same phrase(s) such as “responsible for” or “in charge of” at the beginning of every phrase. • Arrange the descriptive phrases in order of importance to the position • Begin each statement with a powerful, action verb (refer to Appendix A:Resúmé Action Words) • Communicate the transferability of your experience • Say how you have made a difference – in a job, leadership role, volunteer position, or team project • Do not list detailed descriptions of unrelated job duties • Use facts and figures to quantify accomplishments, where possible. (Refer to Appendix B: Accomplishment Statements)

2.5 Ensure Resúmé is Error Free • Review the PCC Resúmé Guidelines • Correct misspelled words and grammatical or punctuation errors • Check your formatting to make sure it is consistent throughout. This is especially important when uploading your materials online. • Pay attention to sentence tenses. Use present tense when writing about your current position. Use past tense for all previous jobs and/or activities. Errors on your resúmé may disqualify you from a position for which you apply.

5

2.6 Have your resúmé critiqued by others • Make an appointment with a counselor through the Student Services Center on any campus • Seek the advice of people who work in the field or business professionals including your instructors • Submit your resume to PCC Career Services through MyCareerLink • Explore community resources for resúmé assistance • Use each person’s input to clarify your goals, wording, and presentation • Ask 2-3 people to proofread your resúmé for spelling, grammar, and formatting issues

Section 3: PCC Resúmé Guidelines Every resúmé should be tailored to the job or industry for which you are applying.

Here are general format guidelines to assist in preparing your resúmé: • Remember first impressions matter when reading a resúmé – strive to make your resúmé clear, clean, concise and easy to read • Avoid overcrowding with the proper alignment and balance of white (blank) space

3.1 First Impression/Visual Appeal • Length: One to three pages depending on experience • Font Size: Easy to read • Foreign Locations: Spell out names of foreign countries • Languages: Capitalize languages: Spanish, not spanish; French, not french; and • Things to AVOID: • Do not include References on your resúmé (refer to References section) • Do not include personal information (e.g. age, height, weight, marital status, picture, date of birth (DOB), parental status, etc.) • Spell out acronyms the first time you use it • Do not lie or exaggerate • Do not state salary

3.2 Design Elements (Fonts, Graphics) • Font: Use a simple, easy to read font (i.e. Times New Roman, Ariel, Calibri) • Format: List education and work experience in chronological order. If you choose to use a different format, choose a recognized, accepted format • Section Headings: Consistent placement and formatting

6

• Bullet Points: Use simple bullets (like the bullets used for this list), keep points concise • Consistency: If you put a period at the end of a bullet then consistently put periods at the end of all bullets. If you bold one job title, bold all job titles.

3.3 Errors (Spelling, Grammar) • Error-Free: Pay careful attention to spelling, punctuation, and grammar by checking each word. Proofread your resúmé several times and ask other people to proofread your resúmé. Employers may eliminate a candidate from consideration if there are grammatical or typographical errors on the resúmé • Word Usage: Use power and action words with correct meaning in concise phrases(refer to References section)

3.4 Types of Resumes • Chronological Resúmé: Work history and education are listed in reverse chronological order – in other words your most recent experience and education are listed at the top of each list. Use this format when your strongest work experience is reflected in your most recent job and when you have a solid work history with few to no employment gaps. • Functional Resúmé: This resúmé is organized around your skills and accomplishments, and is recommended when you have gaps in employment history or lengthy absences from employment. Use it when your work history is limited or does not pertain to the job you are seeking. • Combination Resúmé: Specific skill and accomplishments are highlighted and reverse chronological work history is presented. Use this format when you want to highlight skills suited for a particular position and when you have a solid work history but few jobs.

Section 4: Resúmé Sections 4.1 Heading – Accurate and complete contact information • If you list two addresses, label one “current” and the other “permanent” • Appropriate email address with no underline or link • Include contact phone number; may use cell and have multiple numbers.

4.2 Objective (Optional) – Tailor to specific position with job–related skills • Objective statements are not being used in resúmés. The focus has shifted to Professional Summary or Summary of Skills. • Write a focused objective that reflects not only your goal but the goal of the organization to which you’re applying. Employer websites often have something you can use; tailor your objective based on what they say about their public identity, theirgoals, and their philosophy • Be concise, preferably one sentence

7

• Include specific examples of your strengths, abilities and qualifications (i.e. “public speaking experience and customer service skills”, not “experience and skills”)

4.3 Summary of Skills (Optional) – Tailor to specific position with job–related skills • Identify areas of expertise, distinction, traits and related experiences you have without using the words “I” or “My”. • Create a short paragraph or a bulleted list of these items. These descriptive terms are meant to let potential employers easily see the pertinent skills and qualities you possess that are relevant to their position.

4.4 Education – Complete and accurate information is expected • Spell out complete school name (i.e. Pima Community College) • Include location of school (i.e. Tucson, AZ). If you attended online or at a satellite campus, you can list it as part of the name of the school or state the campus location as part of the city and state (i.e. Tucson, AZ Campus, or Pima Community College Online) • Include expected graduation date (i.e. May 2011) • Spell-out complete degree name (i.e. Associate of Applied Science in Business) • Include Major(s), Minor(s), and concentrations of study (i.e. Tourism Specialty) • (Optional) Include coursework that is relevant to the job • (Optional) Include Overall GPA. Be consistent. If you list your GPA for one degree, you should list it for all degrees • This section should appear at the top of your resúmé if your education is your most relevant experience to date. Otherwise this section may appear at the bottom of your resume depending on the type of format you are using. • List your high school or GED information if you do not have any additional education or if this information is specifically requested. If you have an undergraduate, graduate, or professional degree(s), it is assumed that you met this basic requirement before beginning your higher education.

4.5 Experience – Effective use of action verbs with quantifiable results and appropriate use of industry specific language will add to the readability of your resúmé • Spell out company names and include location (i.e. Ernst & Young LLP, Chicago, IL); • Position Titles – state your official position title. This is important as companies may verify your employment history. • Include dates of service • Job Description - reflect both the results you have achieved and your potential; include items best suited for the industry or job for which you are applying. Try to present your experience as it relates directly to the skills and experience the employer needs; • When possible, quantify the work you have done. Keep in mind that you must always be truthful

8

• If reporting an internship, list it as you would an employed position. Reflect “intern” title in job position title

4.6 Activities / Honors (Optional) – Leadership and accomplishments should be identified • List volunteer activities, college activities, competitions, memberships or other related activities that highlight your skills and accomplishments • This section may be added before or after the work experience section depending on which section best represents you for the position

4.7 Skills (Optional) – Specific to the position or industry • Focus on the skills required of the position or industry you are targeting • If you already included a summary of skills, do not include a second skills section

4.8 Languages (Optional) – • Be sure to reflect your most accurate fluency (read, write, speak) level

Section 5: References • It is not necessary to include references on your resume unless they are specifically requested in the job announcement • It is not necessary to include the phrase “References Available Upon Request” • Use professional references that can speak to your qualifications for the position and your skills related to the position. • Prepare your employment references before interviewing so that you may have a complete list ready to hand to the interviewer, upon request • Remember to always obtain permission from your references before using them, tell them about the job you are seeking • Your list of references should be a separate sheet and include each name, address, email address, and at least one phone number. Include how you know the reference, and how long you have been acquainted Areferencethatisdifficultfortheemployertocontactisnotagoodreference.

9

Section 6: What skills interest employers?Employers are most interested in the specific skills you have become proficient in through your courses, leadership roles, volunteering, and work experiences as they relate to the job for which you are applying for.Employers want to know about your:

6.1 Communication Skills • Listening to customer needs • Excellent customer service through the anticipation of customer needs • Explaining the benefits of products or services • Report writing, written documentation • Presentations to groups of people • Training others on practices and procedures • Negotiating contracts or services for events or programs • Critical analysis of information and its benefits • Successful resolution of conflicts a team or customer service issues

6.2 Technological Skills • Industry specific knowledge and skills • Computer programming languages • Software packages specific to an industry or task • Publication and/or maintenance of websites for business purposes • Design of databases or spreadsheets for information management • Professional social media experience

6.3 Leadership Skills • Team building and participation experiences • Delegation • Increase in membership of an organization • Working in collaboration with others of diverse backgrounds • Working independently with minimal supervision • Hiring and development of team members

6.4 Organization and Planning Skills • Demonstration of initiative and motivation in projects or tasks • Flexibility and adaptability in handling change, new situations, ambiguity, or new cultures • Good work ethic and reliability; time management • Ability to plan and organize multiple tasks or projects • Ability to identify problems and provide solutions integrating facts from many sources • Ability to effectively weigh alternatives to choose best course of action Your resúmé should match your skills with the skills and keywords from the job listing.

10

Appendix A: Resúmé Action WordsAnalytical/Financial

Communication

Creative

AdjustedAllocatedAnalyzedAppraisedAssessedAuditedBalancedBilledBoughtBudgetedCalculatedCompared

ComputedConservedCutDecreasedDeterminedDisbursedDistinguishedDistributedDoubledDownsizedEconomizedEliminated

EstimatedExceededFactoredFinancedForecastedFundedGainedGeneratedIncreasedInvestedIsolatedMarketed

MeasuredNettedObservedProjectedPurchasedQuadrupledQualifiedQuantifiedReasonedReconciledReducedReported

ResearchedSavedSecuredSoldSolicitedSourcedSupplementedTabulatedTestedTripledUnderwrote

AbstractedActedAddressedAdvertisedAdvocatedArbitratedArticulatedAssessedAuthoredBriefedClarifiedCollaboratedCommunicatedComposedConceptualizedCondensedConductedConferredConstructedConsultedContacted

ConveyedConvincedCorrespondedCreatedCritiquedDebatedDefinedDemonstratedDiscussedDraftedEditedElicitedEncouragedEnlistedExplainedExpressedFacilitatedFashionedFormulatedFurnishedGenerated

HelpedIncorporatedInfluencedInitiatedInspiredIntegratedInteractedInterpretedInterviewedIntroducedInventedInvitedInvolvedJoinedJudgedLaunchedLecturedLedListenedMarketedMediated

MemorizedMergedModeratedMotivatedNegotiatedObservedOutlinedParticipatedPerceivedPerformedPersuadedPlannedPresentedProducedPromotedProofreadProposedPublicizedPublishedReadReasoned

ReconciledRecruitedReferredReinforcedReportedRepresentedResolvedRespondedShapedSolicitedSpecifiedSpokeSuggestedSummarizedSynthesizedTaughtTrainedTranscribedTranslatedVisualizedWrote

ActedAdaptedArrangedAuthoredChoreographedCombinedComposedConceivedConceptualizedCondensedConducted

CreatedCustomizedDesignedDevelopedDirectedDiscoveredDisplayedDrewEnhancedEntertainedEstablished

FashionedFormulatedFoundedIllustratedImprovisedInitiatedInnovatedInstitutedIntegratedIntroducedInvented

MadeModeledModernizedModifiedNavigatedOrchestratedOriginatedPerformedPhotographedPlannedProposed

RedesignedRemodeledRestructuredRevisedRevitalizedShapedSimplifiedSolvedSuggestedTransformedWrote

11

Appendix A: Resúmé Action Words continued

Detail

Leadership/ Management

Organization/Planning

ApprovedArrangedClassifiedCollatedCollectedComparedCompiled

DispatchedDocumentedEnforcedEnsuredExecutedFacilitated Finalized

ImplementedInspectedItemizedJudgedMaintainedMet deadlinesOperated

OrganizedProcessedProofreadPurchasedRecordedRespondedRetained

RetrievedSystematizedTabulatedValidated

AdministeredAdvisedAppointedApprovedArchivedArrangedAssignedAttainedAuthorizedChairedCompiledConsolidatedContractedControlledConvertedCoordinatedCounseledCultivatedDecidedDelegatedDevelopedDesignatedDirectedDisproved

DisseminatedEliminatedEmphasizedEmployedEncouragedEnforcedEnhancedEstablishedEnsuredEvaluatedExaminedExecutedExplainedFacilitatedGeneratedGovernedGuidedHandledHiredHostedImplementedImprovedIncorporatedIncreased

InfluencedInitiatedInspiredInstalledInstigatedInstitutedInstructedIntegratedJudgedLaunchedLedLecturedLobbiedMaintainedManagedMentoredMergedModeratedMonitoredMotivatedNavigatedNegotiatedOperatedOrchestrated

OrderedOrganizedOriginatedOverhauledOversawPerformedPioneeredPlannedPreparedPresidedPrioritizedProducedPromotedProvidedPurchasedRecommendedRecruitedRedirectedReferredRegulatedReorganizedReplacedRepresentedResponded

RestoredRetrievedReviewedRoutedScheduledScreenedSecuredSelectedServed onSet-upSpecifiedSponsoredStreamlinedStrengthenedSupervisedTaughtTerminatedTrainedUnitedValidatedv

ApprovedArrangedCataloguedCategorizedChartedClassifiedCodedCollectedCompiled

CorrectedCorrespondedDistributedExecutedFiledGeneratedIncorporatedInspectedLogged

MaintainedMonitoredObtainedOperatedOrderedOrganizedPreparedProcessedProvided

PurchasedRecordedRegisteredReservedRespondedReviewedRoutedScheduledScreened

SubmittedSuppliedStandardizedSystematizedUnifiedUpdatedUtilizedValidatedWeighed

12

Appendix A: Resúmé Action Words continued

Productivity / Efficiency

Research

Results /Accomplishments

Sales/Persuasion

AcceleratedAugmentedBoostedCollectedComparedCondensedControlledDetected

DiagnosedElevatedEliminatedEnhancedEnrichedEvaluatedExaminedGathered

HeightenedIdentifiedImprovedInvestigatedLocatedMaximizedMeasuredMinimized

OptimizedOrganizedRaisedReportedReplicatedResearchedReviewedSearched

SurveyedTestedUpgradedWrote

AccumulatedAcquiredAnalyzedAssessedAuditedBalancedBenchmarkedCalculatedChartedClarifiedCollectedComparedCompiledComposed

ConcentratedConductedConstructedConsultedCritiquedDecidedDetectedDeterminedDiagnosedDiscoveredDocumentedDraftedEditedEvaluated

ExaminedExperimentedExploredExtractedExtrapolatedFocusedForecastFormulatedFoundGatheredGeneratedIdentifiedInspectedIntegrated

InterpretedInterviewedInventedInvestigatedLocatedMeasuredObservedObtainedOrganizedPinpointedPlannedPreparedProcessedProofread

ReadReplicatedReportedResearchedReviewedScreenedSearchedStudiedSummarizedSurveyedSynthesizedTestedVerifiedWrote

AccomplishedAchievedActedAdvancedAttainedAwardedClosed (a deal)

CollaboratedCompletedContributedDecreasedDeliveredDemonstratedDiscussed

EarnedEliminatedEnlargedExpandedExpeditedImprovedIncreased

Met deadlinesObtainedOptimizedParticipatedProducedRecognized asReduced

ResolvedRestoredSolidifiedStreamlinedStrengthenedTransformedWon

ArbitratedConsultedDissuadedEducatedEstablishedExpeditedFamiliarizedImprovedIncreased

InfluencedInspiredIntegratedInterpretedJudgedLaunchedLecturedLedMarketed

MediatedModeratedNegotiatedOrderedPerformedProcessedProducedPromotedProposed

PublicizedPurchasedRealizedRecruitedResolvedRestoredRoutedSavedSet goals

SoldSolvedStimulatedSummarizedSurveyedTranslatedTripledUrged

13

Appendix A: Resúmé Action Words continued

Technological

Training & Helping

AdaptedAnalyzedAppliedAssembledAutomatedBroadenedBuiltCalculatedChartedClassifiedCodedCompiledComputedConductedConfiguredConservedConstructed

ConvertedCoordinatedCreatedDebuggedDesignedDetectedDeterminedDevelopedDevisedDiagnosedDraftedEngineeredEvaluatedExpandedExpeditedFabricatedFacilitated

ForecastedFormedFortifiedGeneratedInspectedInstalledInstitutedIntegratedInterfacedLaunchedLecturedManufacturedMarketedMasteredModifiedMoldedOperated

OverhauledPackagedPioneeredPreparedProgrammedReconstructedRectifiedReducedReengineeredRegulatedRemodeledRepairedReplacedResearchedRestoredRevampedSolved

SpecializedStandardizedStreamlinedStudiedSupplementedSurveyedSystematizedTestedTrainedTransmittedTreatedUpdatedUpgradedUtilizedValidatedVerifiedWeighed

AcquaintedAdaptedAdjustedAdoptedAdvancedAdvisedAdvocatedAidedAnsweredApprisedApproachedArbitratedArrangedAssessedAssistedAttendedAugmentedBackedBalancedBoostedBriefedBuiltCertifiedClarifiedCoached

CommunicatedConductedConsultedContributedCollaboratedCooperatedCoordinatedCounseledCritiquedDeliveredDemonstratedDesignedDevelopedDiagnosedDirectedDispensedDistributedEducatedEffectedEmpoweredEnabledEnactedEncouragedEnlargedEnlightened

EvaluatedExpandedExpeditedExplainedFacilitatedEnsuredFacilitatedFamiliarizedFosteredFurtheredGeneratedGroupedGuidedHelpedImplementedInfluencedInformedInitiatedInnovatedInstalledInstilledInstitutedInstructedLecturedLed

LiaisedIntegratedIntervenedMentoredMinisteredMotivatedNegotiatedNourishedNurturedOriginatedPersuadedPresentedPreventedPromotedProvidedReassuredReclaimedRectifiedRedeemedReeducatedReferredReformedRepairedRepresentedResolved

RespondedRehabilitatedRelatedRevolutionizedServedServicedSet goalsSettledSimplifiedSpokeStabilizedStimulatedStreamlinedSummarizedSuppliedSupportedTaughtTrainedTranslatedTreatedTutoredUnifiedValued

For more power verbs for resumes, go to www.resume-resource.com/resumeverbs.html

14

Appendix B: Accomplishment StatementsA common weakness found with first resúmés is the absence of accomplishment statements. You need accomplishment statements because while it is easy to write on a resúmé what tasks you did in a particular job, it is more challenging and important to show the reader your past ability to contribute to the productivity and/or profitability of the company.A well written accomplishment statement has two parts: 1. ACTION: The action you took to achieve the outcome. What steps you took and what techniques and strengths you used. Be specific and use strong action verbs. (Refer to Appendix A) 2. OUTCOME: The results or benefits that came as a result of your work. The outcome should be stated in terms of the value added, and in as tangible and quantified a manner as possible. To determine the outcome, you need to think of what would have happened if you did not do such a competent job. Example: If filing is not done in a timely fashion or items are misfiled, co-workers would not be able to find documents needed to provide good customer service.Accomplishment statements show your strengths to the reader, instead of telling them. An employer may or may not believe you if your resume includes the words: “High Achiever”. Employers will know you are a high achiever if your resúmé includes specific examples: • “Saved $60 a year in service charges by proposing and acquiring a checking account at a new bank for Student Council.” • “Instituted class study group that increased average overall GPA from a 2.9 to a 3.3.” • “Increased membership in ABC student club by 50% through creative advertising.”

A general guideline is to write at least one accomplishment statement for every job, but more importantly they should be tied to skills your target job requires.

15

Appendix B: Accomplishment StatementsHow to Write Accomplishment Statements 1. Always start with an action word. • Good: “Responsible for leading team for classroom assignments.” • Stronger: “Directed team of 3 classmates to complete assignment on time.” 2. Use colorful and unique action words. • Good: “Started a new program.” • Stronger: “Created and implemented a new recycling program with 80% participation of employees.” 3. Avoid wordiness and unnecessary adjectives. • Good: Coordinated 150 student housing volunteers for the 12th Annual “Day in Our Shoes” orientation program, which brings students that have been admitted to the College to one of the campuses for the day to learn about attending Pima Community College after high school.” • Stronger: “Coordinated 150 volunteers for the “Day In Our Shoes” program, which brings admitted students to campus for the day to learn about Pima Community College.” 4. Attempt to quantify at all times. • Good: “Handled cash transactions.” • Stronger: “Handled $1,000 in transactions weekly.” 5. When different elements are significant to the accomplishment, put them together. • Good: • Consistently met and exceeded answer and call time requirements, with a 99% accuracy rate. • Achieved a 95% customer satisfaction rate. • Stronger: “Consistently exceeded answer and call time requirements, with 99% accuracy and 95% customer satisfaction.” 6. State the benefit to the employer first and then what you did to accomplish that result. • Good: • “Developed a marketing strategy that Increased student involvement 15%.” • Stronger: “Increased student involvement 15% using a creative marketing strategy.”

Remember to use only accurate facts and percentages. An employer may perceive ‘guessing’ on your part as dishonesty.

16

How to Strengthen an Accomplishment StatementYou may not have enough information to get every accomplishment statement to the “best” level, but get as close as possible for each one.Poor “Trained Employees”

Good “Trained new employees resulting in increased customer satisfaction.”

Better “Trained 15 new employees over a six month period resulting in increased customer satisfaction.”

Best “Increased customer satisfaction 20% by providing effective training for 15 new employees in a six month period.”

17

Appendix C: Resúmé Checklist

Appearance Yes No CommentsIs my name at the top of the page and stands out?Are my address, phone number and email correct and easy to read?Optional: Does my objective statement clearly state what I am seeking? OR Does my summary of skills clearly stated what I will bring to the position?Is my formatting (e.g. bold, font, bullet sizes, heading styles) consistent throughout the resúmé?Are my headings and statements evenly spaced?Is the whitespace balanced?Is my resúmé completely free from spelling, punctuation and grammatical errors?

Resúmé SectionsDid I include a heading for each section (i.e. Education, Experience, Activities, Skills)?Did I include city and state for my education and employment sections?Does my education section state my official degree and my expected graduation date?If I included my cumulative GPA, is it current and correct?Are verb tenses in the present tense for current jobs?Are verb tenses in the past tense for previous jobs?Do my statements demonstrate major accomplishments rather than routine tasks/duties?Do my accomplishment statements start with action verbs? (Refer to Appendix A)Do my accomplishment statements demonstrate the use of key skills? (Refer to the Section 6: What Skills Interest Employers?) Did I quantify my results (e.g. use numbers when possible)?Did I include keywords from the job description?Does my resume end with strength? (e.g. Skills, Activities section)

18

Appendix D: Transferring Resúmé into Web-based ApplicationsTake care when uploading your document into webpage application engines, as elements may not upload correctly. Common errors include lines breaking in the wrong places, bullets being translated into other symbols, bolded or italicized words being converted to plain text. To minimize these issues, here are some guidelines for creating a simple document resúmé: • Left justify all parts of your resúmé, including your name and contact information • Do not use tabs between words or sections • Limit characters to 60-65 per line, including punctuation marks • Use plain white resúmé paper • Use plain fonts (i.e. Times New Roman) and regular font sizes (11-14) • Do not italicize, underline or bold headings • Save document in a plain, rich text format

Always double check your uploaded documents before submitting your materials. You will most likely not have a second chance to apply.

Pima County Community College District is governed by an elected five-member board. For information on the Board of Governors, see: www.pima.edu/about-pima/board-of-governors.Pima Community College is an equal opportunity, affirmative action employer and educational institution committed to excellence through diversity. Upon request, reasonable accommodations will be made for individuals with disabilities. Every effort will be made to provide reasonable accommodations in a timely manner. For public and employee accommodation requests, as well as information related to the ADA complaint process, contact the College ADA Coordinator at (520) 206-4539 or 4905 E. Broadway Blvd., Tucson, AZ 85709. For PCC student accommodation requests, please contact the appropriate campus Access and Disability Resource office (520) 206-4500 (TTY 520-206-4530).