Resume Class & Study Hall

Presented by:

Val Robinson Kevin Ashcraft Kathy Porter

Objectives of the Class

• Define Chronological and Skills Based resumes and when to use each style.

• Identify your strengths, areas of expertise, and how to update your existing resume with your skills and accomplishments.

• Learn the newest techniques for building a resume that highlights the skills an employer needs.

Resume Check-In

Turn to your neighbor and answer these questions:

How long has it been since you have completed your

resume?

What are your concerns about redeveloping your

resume?

Benefits of this classResume = Work in progress = Keep it current = Learn to BRAG

Take stock of your strengths and positive qualities

Write down the new technologies and tools you learn

Remember to showcase the skills you have mastered

Note your expanded responsibilities and successes due to a promotion

List committees you participated on and the results you achieved

Update organizations you belong to and conferences you attended

Learn to update your resume with your accomplishments statements

Stay current with the keywords or buzz words used in your field

Keep a copy in your desk for “instant” updates

Delete older information as you add new information

Resume Defined

Old DefinitionA brief account of one's professional or work experience and qualifications, often submitted with an employment application.

Resume Re-Defined

New DefinitionA resume is a marketing tool that outlines your skills, education and experience as they relate to the job you are seeking.

The purpose of a resume is to get you in the door for an interview so that you can further sell yourself as a candidate for the desired position.

Chronological Resume

This format highlights employment history in reverse chronological order, with the most recent job first.

It is useful for someone who is on a career track and has a strong performance record.

Create skills statements that show a clear relationship between the skills you have and the skills requested by an employer.

Skills Based Resume

This format highlights your skills and how they qualify you for the position.

It is useful for someone who is switching to another industry.

It enables the writer to promote their strengths, tailor their resume to the job description, de-emphasizes work history and showcases transferrable skills by highlighting two to three skills areas that are most relevant to the career you are pursuing.

Career Focus

Your resume needs to have a focus based on:The skills you offer to the employer, not on what the employer can do for you.

Make sure you can answer:Type of employment you are seekingType of position you wantType of industry in which you want to work

Skills Focus

What are skill sets?Job tasks that you perform on your job. Develop your skill set inventory and work on developing skills that help you move up in the organization.

What are transferable skills?Skills you have acquired during any activity in your life that are transferable and applicable to what you want to do in your job.

Accomplishments

Accomplishment Statements clearly demonstrate what you did versus listing job duties & responsibilities.

Employers want to know how you can add value to their team or organization based on what you have done in the past.

Feature information that highlights your qualifications and supports your Career Focus.

Writing Accomplishments

Problem + Action = Results

Use Action VerbsOutline the ProblemDescribe the Action you tookInclude the Result of your action and quantify with numbers or percentages when possible.

Effectively demonstrated writing skills through the creation of a district business plan which reduced expenses by 10%.

Education & Additional Info EducationBegin with most advanced degree If you have post secondary experience, no need to list high school

Additional Information

Identify skills that are relevant to position Certifications and/or licensesComputer skillsLanguage fluencyMilitary experience

ReferencesTo Do:Omit “references available upon request”Add a separate sheet for your reference listUse same letterhead and design for your references

Always give your references a copy of the following:Job descriptionResume and Cover Letter sent

Resume Don’ts and Do’sDon’t Don’t

Use Templates Use Personal Pronouns

Use fancy fonts Exceed two pages

Include personal info Include hobbies

Go back over 10 years Lie or embellish

Do Do

Use bullets Spell check

Use action verbs Proofread

Show transferrable skills Have others review

Use accomplishments Update & review

Does your Resume have FAKTSA?F = FocusA = AppearanceK = KeywordsTS = Transferable SkillsA = Accomplishments

Questions?

Please use your workbook for additional examples for this class. Thank you for coming and we look forward to seeing you in the Review Class!