Resume & Skill-BuildingWorkshop #2

Champaign Housing AuthorityWomen of Opportunities

Discussion:What do you think is the

purpose of having a resume?

Purpose of a Resume

● To help you obtain a job!● To provide a summary of your skills, abilities

and accomplishments● Your resume acts as a marketing document

of yourself (paper or online)● To introduce you to potential employers● Promote what it is you have to offer and

entice them into wanting to know more● Primary tool in job search

Skills-Based Resume

What should we put on this?● this resume highlights the skills you have gained

through the experiences you have had in your life ● Ask yourself: What can I do? ● Here are five steps to get started● Basic Components: - Contact Information -References -Education -Employment History -Skills & Abilities -Activities, Honors, & Certificates

Step 1: Pick your Skills

● First things first:

○ Determine the job you want to target. The key skills required for the

job will help you to decide what to include on the largest chunk of the

resume: the “Summary of Skills.”

○ Pick three to four broad skill sets and that you can back up with

specific accomplishments or experiences.

■ Ex. Communication, leadership, and project management are

often-used skills, but you can get more specific, too.

Step 2: Craft your Bullets

● After you determine your skill categories, start drafting

accomplishment statements (in bullet form) that describe your

experience with each skill area.

o Don’t worry about discussing the companies you worked for

or the exact positions you held—focus more on your specific

achievements and results.

● Make sure to use words that are universally known, for ex. if you

worked in health care instead of using the word “patient” you

can use the word “client” or “customer”

Step 3: Include Short Work History

● After the skills section, draft a brief work history section.

● Skip the bullet points here altogether, and just include: the c

o company name, your job title

o employment dates

o and the city and state of the organization

o Include volunteer positions or internships in this section,

too—related work experience doesn’t just have to be paid

jobs.

Step 4: Add in Extras

● Lastly, add in any other headings that you think will sell or highlight your experience.o Feel free to get creative, but remember that

everything listed on your resume should have a professional value Some options you might consider: Education Professional affiliations

Testimonials from professional references Projects completed Professional development courses or continuing

education Community involvement

Step 5: Final Product

● Put it all together ● Check out these examples of skills-based

resumes to see how it looks:

Example of Skills-Based Resume

Resume

● Objectiveo why should you get the job?

● Skills/ Strengths o what are you good at?

● Experience/ Work Experience o what has shaped you?

● Educationo what do you know?

Example of Resume