Creating Effective Resumes

WHAT IS THE PURPOSE OF A RESUME?

To get the interviewer to read your resume and call you in for an interview

Demonstrates your fit for the job you are applying for

It is a summary of

• Job you are seeking• Your Education• Skills and Abilities• Experience• Accomplishments

Resume Headings

Contact InformationSummaryEducationExperienceSkills or KnowledgeCommunity Service/Extracurricular

activitiesVolunteer ExperienceInternships, Field Work, ClinicalsHonors/Awards

What style of resume should I choose?

Functional Resume Format

A functional resume emphasizes your knowledge, skills, and experience in terms of functions you have performed rather than job

title

Relevant Skill #1something I did using that skillsomething I did using that skill

Relevant Skill #2something I did using that skillsomething I did using that skill

FUNCTIONAL RESUME SAMPLE

Chronological Format

Lists work history in reverse chronological order starting with the most recent. Your work history supports your objective.

Job Title #1something I did on that jobsomething I did on that job

Job Title #2something I did on that jobsomething I did on that job

CHRONOLOGICAL SAMPLE

CHRONOLOGICAL SAMPLE

CHRONOLOGICAL FUNCTIONAL

Emphasizes consistent employment history from relevant work experience

Emphasizes skills obtained from school, jobs or other activities

Good for someone with a seamless work history, one career path and no gaps in their employment

De-emphasizes entry level, gaps, career changes

Not useful for those with no experience or unrelated jobs

Good for those without much related work experience, career changers, and gaps in employment

ONet

http://www.onetonline.org/

What should I focus on when creating a resume?

After you have a job objective, you need to find out what skills, knowledge, and experience are needed to do that kind of work.

You can find this information:

  In a classified ad or online job posting.

In the company's description for the job.

In an occupational reference book such as the Occupational Outlook Handbook or in O'Net

From someone already working in that field.

Summary of qualifications

Brief list of 4 – 6 key points that show you are qualified for the job

# of years or months of experienceTalents, knowledge, skillsPersonal work style or attitudeAn accomplishment or recognitionEducation, training, or certification

Make it relevant to the job you are seeking

Summary of Qualifications

PARALEGAL EXAMPLE

Strong analytical, writing, and research skills. Thorough in working with details, and able to extract relevant points in legal documentation.

 

Proficient in Microsoft Word, Excel, and WESTLAW.

Work well under pressure and enjoy challenging projects. Equally effective working independently or working in cooperation with others. 

 

EDUCATION Most recent education

first unless other education is related to job

Don’t include high school if you graduated more than 2 years ago

EDUCATIONName of school, city, stateMajor, name of degreeGPA if 3.0 or higherDates of attendance or graduation(not both)Relevant coursesHonors, Awards, Extracurricular activitiesInternships, projects

Education Sample

Palm Beach Community College, Lake WorthAS Degree in Accounting Technology expected

8/2009GPA 3.2, Treasurer of Student Government

Related Coursework: Financial Accounting Managerial AccountingCost Accounting Microcomputer OperationsBookkeeping I& II Computerized Bookkeeping

EXPERIENCE (for chronological resumes)

List jobs in reverse chronological order starting with the most recent.

Name of company, city, state

Date Started (mm/yy) to end date (mm/yy)

If still employed – indicate present

Job Title

Job Description (use action verbs)

Job Description (chronological format)

Describe your duties, responsibilities, and accomplishments in simple, powerful action statements that emphasize your uniqueness and contributions to the employer.

Start with an Action Verb Be specific! No two word statements

Do not use the words duties, responsibilities in this section of your resume

Suggestions for the job description

What skills or knowledge did you use to perform this job?

(dealing with angry customers, ability to reconcile bills with purchase orders, troubleshooting software problems)

What were some of your biggest achievements?

(developed a new filing system, saved money for employer, increased sales, managed office efficiently)

Suggestions for the job description

What comments ( written or verbal) have been made about your work?

(“He’s a quick learner!” “She’s always able to smooth things over with an angry customer.” She is accurate and fast and always balances to the penny)

What aspects of your personality were illustrated by your work performance?

(attention to detail, writing skills, creativity, problem solving)

Action Verbs• Use numbers to show the extent.

• Use “Powerhouse Buzzwords” to sell yourself to employers.

Achieved Adapted Advised Assisted BuiltControlled Convinced Coordinated CreatedDelivered Developed Directed EmployedEquipped Established ExpandedExperienced Guided Handled ImprovedInvestigate Led Managed OperatedOrganized Performed PersuadedProcessed Produced RepairedResearched Served Sold Taught Treated Wrote

Retail Sales Job

What would the person do in the job?

How can we change that to be marketable skills?

Sample Job Description

Retail Sales Position

Consistently exceeded daily sales quota by 15-20% Increased number of repeat customers by providing

excellent customer service.Reconciled the physical and computerized inventory

utilizing an Access database.Stimulated customer requests for assistance in

coordinating assembles by wearing merchandise with polished style

Maintained an accurate, consistently balanced cash register.

FUNCTIONAL RESUME

Identify at least 2 -3 skill categories relevant to the job you are seeking.

Examples of categories:

Customer Service

Sales and Marketing

Administrative Support

Accounting & Bookkeeping

Identify Skill CategoriesObjective: Bank TellerCustomer Service Cash Handling Administrative Support

Objective: ParalegalAdministrative SupportWriting and ResearchParalegal Experience

Use ONET and OOH

Writing Action Statements

For each category list accomplishments from your work history, education, extracurricular or community service to illustrate that skill.

Each accomplishment should be a one-liner describing what you did.

The one liner typically starts with an action word such as "Researched" or "Presented" and describes what you did. Be sure to mention specific results whenever possible.

Examples for Action Statements

 Paralegal Experience

As a Paralegal Intern for a local law firm - summarized depositions, medical records, and employment records. Devised profiles of estimated earnings, losses, and medical expenditures. Prepared Notice of Entry of Judgment forms.

 

 Writing & Research Skills

Drafted interrogatories, declarations, and memoranda of law in handicap discrimination case. Drafted pleadings, discovery documents, client and demand letters, memoranda of law, and motions with points and authorities, in paralegal course work. Performed research in handicap and sex discriminates cases: motion to compel, response to motion to strike, and application for preliminary relief in U. S. District Court.

   

Customer ServiceHandled difficult customers with tact

listening to their concerns while maintaining store policy.

Provided prompt, courteous and personalized service to over 100 customers in a four hour shift.

Increased sales in the Natural Foods Department by advising customers on bulk alternatives.

Work History for the Functional Resume

On a functional resume your work history is simply listed providing no details about the duties or tasks performed.

List your most recent job first, then your earlier jobs. Include any unpaid work, including an internship that shows you have the skills for the job.

EMPLOYMENT HISTORY

Randolo, Dobson, P. A., Palm Beach Gardens, FL   Paralegal Intern 1/2009 - 05/2009

Bank of America,  West Palm Beach, FL    Teller0 8/2007  - present

Macy’s Palm Beach Gardens, FL Sales Associate 5/2005 - 7/2007

AWARDS:

Add AWARDS section if applicable

Name of Award Who gave it to you

When received Shows you are leader

and contributor

SPECIAL ACTIVITIES:

Related ClubsOrganizations

• Dates of membership • Position held• Accomplishments • Contributions

PROFESSIONALDEVELOPMENT orOTHER TRAINING:

Related training and/or seminars Include skills learned Month/Year Title of Training/Program Who Sponsored Training

Cover Letter

First Paragraph

This is the "why I'm writing to you" paragraph which immediately tells the employer the position you want to be considered for. This is short - usually 2-3 sentences.

Points to cover: Why you are writing and which position you are

applying for. How you heard about the position is irrelevant

unless it is a mutual contact or recruiting program. Do not write, "I learned of this opportunity through the Career Services Office."

Show from your research why you are interested in this position or organization. The goal is to make a connection - do this Briefly and Specifically or leave it out; sweeping statements will not work.

Second Paragraph

This is the "why I'm qualified" paragraph. Highlight some of your most relevant experiences and qualities as they relate to the position for which you are applying. Choose 2 - 3 points you want to make about Specific experiences/accomplishments or about general qualities you have exhibited, and provide  Specific examples to support those points. This paragraph will change according to the job/employer for which you are applying. This is usually the longest paragraph of the letter. You may break this paragraph into two if it looks too lengthy or if your points work best in separate paragraphs.

Second Paragraph

The body of the paragraph should provide evidence to back up what you've just claimed. Cite specific jobs/internships/activities/projects and accomplishments associated with those experiences. Use your resume to come up with some specifics, but NEVER reiterate passages from your resume word for word. Discuss why what you did is to the employer- relate the facts to the job. Strong examples are important!

The final sentence is a summary of what you've discussed above. It's a good idea to mention the position title and company name to bring the reader back to the specific job in question. 

Final Paragraph

This is a short 2-4 sentences paragraph. You should refer to the enclosed resume, request an interview and let the reader know what will happen next (Contact them within specific period of time unless it is a recruiting program). It is vital that you thank the reader for his/her time and consideration.

Sincerely, Your Signature Your Name

Tips

Research the company and the specifics about the position so you can tailor your letter to the needs of the organization.

Avoid using too many sentences that start with "I" or writing in the passive voice (ex. "This experience enabled me to..." or "Through my internship, I was responsible for..."); instead, make yourself the subject of each sentence and use active descriptions (ex., "In this internship, I demonstrated sound judgment and problem-solving skills on a daily basis.").

Tips

Do not use contractions (I'd, didn't, it's).

Spelling, grammar, or punctuation mistakes are out of the question! Cover letters are a reflection of your writing skills, so make each cover letter an example of your best work.

Keep your letter short and simple. This is not the time to tell your whole life's story.

Get a Career Specialist to look it over if you are having difficulty.

COVER LETTER GUIDELINES

Introduction

The first paragraph states why you are writing to that particular company or organization and the position you are seeking. Express your enthusiasm and interest in this line of work and this company.

Sales Pitch

The second paragraph should expand on your skills and qualifications described in your resume skills. List job requirements and how you meet or exceed them.

COVER LETTERS

Close and Action Steps

The last paragraph indicates your interest in arranging an interview. Provide a phone number, where you can be reached.

SAMPLE COVER LETTER