Resume Writing

• Resume is overall your FIRST STEP towards employment.
• The average employer looks at a resume between 10-15 seconds. This is the time they decide to either KEEP IT or TOSS IT
• Why do you need a resume?

  (1) A Marketing Tool, (2) To obtain an Interview, not a job, (3) Requirement of many organizations
• Writing a resume is the FIRST MEETING between you and the employer.
• Sections of a Resume

  Header, Objective Statement, Education, Activities, Volunteer (Community) Experience, Experience
• The Header should include the Name, Permanent & Present Address, E-mail Address, and Telephone Number.
• The contact information should be on the TOP of the page.
• Objective Statement should communicate the type of position you are interested in.
• What is a Resume?

  • It's like an advertisement selling a product... YOU
  • Specifically states your SKILLS, EXPERIENCES, and ATTRIBUTES
  • It is the FIRST meeting between you and the employer
• Step 1 in your packet

  • Write a list of the BIGGEST ACADEMIC HONORS you’ve earned, starting with 9TH grade. These include things like honor-roll recognition, essay-writing awards, freshman awards, science competitions, and the like.
• Step 2 in your packet

  • List your EXTRA-CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES. This category includes clubs you've belonged to, class offices you've held, sports, band, yearbook, and all the other nonacademic activities you've done. Don't forget NON-SCHOOL-RELATED items such as volunteering at a nursing home and jobs you've worked. Include special INTERESTS like photography, hiking, writing, and so forth. If you speak more than one language, mention it. Detail your UNIQUENESS. You're trying to paint a portrait of yourself; create an action inventory.
• Resume-hidden Messages:

  • (Resume & You) Neat
  • (Resume & You) Well-Organized
  • (Resume) Error Free = (You) Attention to detail
  • (Resume) Professional Appearance = (You) Careful & Competent
• Education should include the: DATE or EXPECTED THE OF GRADUATION and GPA
• The GPA must include the:

  • Major or overall at least 3.0 (GPA: 4.0, Summa Cum Laude)
  • Round down to the nearest tenth (3.0 not 3.062)(If under a 2.5 do not add)
• Activities should include EVERYTHING you’re INVOLVED IN -- clubs, sports, programs, activities like band, art, drama, and journalism in school and out of school. You can put them in order of significance or most recent.
• Underneath each activity, write at least ONE BRIEF DESCRIPTION that tells what you did. Start with a strong ACTION VERB and follow it with specifics.
• Volunteer (Community) Experience should include EVENTS you have participated either in or out of school. Describe what you did. Start with strong verbs. Be as specific as you can.
• What is considered experience?

  • Full and part-time jobs
  • Self-employment
  • Volunteer work
  • Practicum, field, and cooperative education
• Information to include in Experience:

  • Job Title
  • Dates of employment
  • Company name
  • City & State
• Don't forget NON-TRADTIONAL work, such as babysitting or helping out with the family business. For each item, include the job title, name of organization, location, dates, and description of responsibilities.