English 12 :Writing a Great Resume:
A resume is not a statement of facts. It’s a declaration of intent.
- Rands in Repose
If I could give only one bit of advice for writing a resume, it would be that most employers read a resume for 15 seconds (or at least make a decision within 15 seconds). This is a resume's job--to advocate you as a strong candidate during those 15 seconds. It's not about how much information your resume has on it--it's about how well it conveys important information.
- Robert Peterson, author of Landingthejob.blogspot.com
Know: People are going to judge you based on your written communication. They will expect your resume to look a certain way and contain specific types of information. My goal is to help inform you about what is expected so that you can create a wonderful resume that will get you an interview and a chance to land the job.
Understand: A well written and designed resume can give you the edge to getting the job you want. When an employer posts a job opening many people usually reply. A significant number of applicants will get cut out the competition due to not having all of the requested materials or submitting materials (cover letter, resume) that are error ridden.
Do: We will be reading a few articles on resumes, answering a few questions, gathering personal data and creating resumes. I suggest that you save your resume on a thumb drive/zip drive/memory stick so that you can simply update it for each job you apply for. This can save you a lot of time in the long run.
Let's begin by looking at why a resume is important.
Here's an article that explains why it is important to have a well designed and updated resume, "A Glimpse and a Hook." I think it gives you a realistic look into the mind of a person who does a good bit of hiring. You will find that he contridicts some of what I have said. That is okay with me. I still think that I am giving you good advice that is worth following.
In order to help you focus on what he is saying, please filling the following information from the chart below:
A Glimpse and a Hook
From RandsinRepose.com
Let’s look at this section by section:
The First Pass:
List the four things he looks at and explain why he focuses on them –
1.
2.
3.
4.
Now, explain why he skips the following sections of a person’s resume –
Professional Objective –
Skills –
Summary of Qualifications –
The Second Pass:
Look at the “In-Depth Job History” section and summarize what creates warning flags.
Now, look at the “Schools and Degrees” segment. What is important to know?
Differentiate, Don’t Annoy:
How can you make your resume stand out from the others? (Hint: The answers will come from two different sections of the reading.)
Explain how formatting can help your resume stand out –
Explain how you should use buzzwords and your ability to talk about them at length –
What is the importance of buzz words and mumbo jumbo?
Why does he want you to tell him a story?
Finally, write a short paragraph about what he means by “a glimps and a hook”.
Now, gather your personal information together before you begin writing your resume. Robert Peterson suggests, "A good exercise is to list 10 things you definitely want someone to know about you within those 15 seconds. For example, this may include that you worked for company A, that you had leadership role B, that you stand out from other students because of C, and the like."
***Now, stop and make your own list of the 10 top things you want people to notice when they look at your resume. For the purpose of this assignment you can pretend that you have graduated from college with a Bachelor's degree and you have worked for two years. Make sure your information is realistic for you. (For example, it is unlikely that you would be promoted to CEO in your first year with the firm.) Then, as you are designing your resume, work these in so that they are easy to find in 15 seconds. ***
This is a time of transition in your life. You'll need to provide a prospective employer with information they can use to contact you now or later. Also, remember that many potential employers are web 2.0 savvy and they may look you up. They might run a Google search on your name or they may check out MySpace or Facebook to see who you REALLY are. You'll also want to create a professional email address that you check on a daily basis.
Here's what you need to gather first:
Name, address, telephone, e-mail address, web site address
All your contact information should go at the top of your resume.
• Avoid nicknames.
• Use a permanent address. Use your parents' address, a friend's address, or the address you plan to use after graduation.
• Use a permanent telephone number and include the area code. If you have an answering machine, record a neutral greeting.
• Add your e-mail address. Many employers will find it useful. (Note: Choose an e-mail address that sounds professional. I recommend using gmail.com.If you use an email address like hotchick@abc.com you will sound like a kid and may be treated as such.)
• Include your web site address only if the web page reflects your professional ambitions.
Here are links for articles that provide you with tips and hints on how to write a great resume:
The Secret “So What?” Method To Resume Writing Success
How to Write a Masterpiece of a Resume: Part 1 Write a Resume that Generates Results (This has an extensive, impressive set of sublinks)
Step by Step instructions on how to tackle writing a resume can be found at:
How to Construct a Killer Resume, From Start to Finish
Purdue University step-by-step instructions
Prudue University Resume' powerpoint presentation
A Prudue University link about how scannable/electronic resumes differ from traditional resumes.
Now that you have the format and information figured out, you might want to tweak it so that you use the perfect verbiage. Here's some help with that:
60 Resume Achievement Writing Ideas and Expressions
25 words that hurt your resume
Using Resume Keywords
Resume Design Recommendations are found in:
Give your résumé a face lift
The 7 deadly sins of résumé design
Want to see some samples? Look here:
You can view sample resumes from several types of career fields by looking them up on the Resume Resource website.
Or you can check out BlueSky Resumes - Get Creative to see how a simple, plain resume can be energized with formatting.
Innovative and a bit designer resumes are found in 36 Beautiful Resume Ideas That Work For really artsy, graphic art style check out The 20 most creative resumes I’ve seen in a long time. Pure inspiration
Landing the Job is a great blog that offers straight forward answer to aspects related to getting a career.
Let's get started writing your resume. There is an excellent worksheet and article on resume writing for teens at QuintCareers.com, Teen Resume Writing Worksheet.
Please upload a printable copy of the worksheet (just look for the link on the site) and complete the questions. You will need this when we type up our resumes in class.
Action Words:
• achieved
• acquired
• adapted
• addressed
• administered
• analyzed
• anticipated
• assembled
• assisted
• audited
• budgeted
• calculated
• centralized
• changed
• collaborated
• composed
• condensed
• conducted
• constructed
• contracted
• converted
• coordinated
• created
• cultivated
• demonstrated
• designed
• developed
• devised
• discovered
• doubled • drafted
• edited
• eliminated
• enforced
• established
• evaluated
• expanded
• explained
• forecasted
• formed
• founded
• generated
• guided
• hired
• implemented
• improved
• informed
• insured
• interpreted
• interviewed
• launched
• maintained
• managed
• marketed
• minimized
• motivated
• negotiated
• obtained
• operated
• organized • originated
• oversaw
• performed
• planned
• prevented
• produced
• programmed
• promoted
• provided
• publicized
• published
• recruited
• reorganized
• reported
• researched
• resolved
• reviewed
• selected
• separated
• set up
• simplified
• solved
• surveyed
• staffed
• supervise
• taught
• tested
• trained
• used
hi
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