Resume Writing

A resume should be a summary of your achievements, skills, and education - all leading to a satisfying career path. Think of it as a way of presenting or marketing yourself.

Your resume is your most important marketing tool. Its purpose is to get you the all-important interview. It should be designed to show what you can do. Think of a resume as a thirty to forty second commercial on yourself. Resumes also serve as a retrieval reference of your accomplishments. And, features on your resume serve as focal points during an interview. As you prepare your resume, remember these issues.

This is your first presentation of yourself to an employer, so appearance is important.
Unless you are looking for a position in a creative field, such as graphics, art or publishing, limit the flare of your resume.

Resume Outline
Resume Tips
Resume Words and Phrases
Verbal Resume
Sample Cover Letters
Sample Resumes

Resume Outline

While there are a number of ways to prepare a resume, we have seen this approach to be most "reader friendly", and therefore, the most productive. Click here for examples of resumes.

I. NAME AND CONTACT INFORMATION IDENTIFICATION
Your full name, full address and telephone number (with area code) should be stated at the top of the resume. If there is a business phone that can be used during the day, it is wise to list it.

II. OBJECTIVE
You should state a job objective goal, which covers or implies your accomplishments and experience. You might want to add a brief synopsis of your objectives. This should appear directly under the objective. Leaving off the objective, hoping not to limit your options, is a mistake. Omitting your objective forces the reviewer to have to spend time guessing at it.

Generally, the candidate can state a job title as the objective which covers or implies the individual's accumulated skills and experience.
Often it is appropriate to indicate the next logical progression in your career.
When this is too restrictive, try listing functions of a job that you would enjoy.
Then, it is advisable to add a brief one paragraph synopsis of the career responsibilities and accomplishments that will be more fully covered in the job history. This should appear directly under the objective.

III. WORK HISTORY/EXPERIENCE
The work history is a chronological work history (with dates). This is the most recommended resume format:

Dates of employment
Employer
Job Title
Brief statement of the job's responsibilities
Factual statement of accomplishments

In stating responsibilities and accomplishments, use numbers (dollars, company sizes, capacities, number of employees supervised, percentage changes, etc.). A statement without numbers can lose impact. Use plain language here to include the broad spectrum of readers.

IV. PERSONAL INFORMATION
Having established interest in the objective section, and having shown that you have experience working within a traceable group of employers, it is now time to describe the package that contains this talent, yourself. State the following information:

Education (list schools attended, degrees earned, major field and year the degree was awarded)
Grade point average can be included (if above a 3.0)
Postgraduate education should be listed in order
Memberships in professional organizations, registrations, licenses, certifications, computer skills, patents and published papers can be listed here

Resume Tips

If positions are numerous during a short period of time, summarizing may prove valuable: For example, from 1989 to 1994, advanced from Loan Officer to Manager, to Assistant Vice President.
Experience and accomplishments should only go back ten years, unless particularly noteworthy.
Use action verbs.
Use bullet points or symbols to accent items of importance.
Headlines can be highlighted for easier reading.
Black ink on white paper is the preferred color. It allows for clearer faxing and copying.
The type style should be easy to read (at least 12 pica).
Be specific with numbers, results, increases and reductions.

In most cases, this resume can be completed on NO MORE than two sheets of paper. It should be cleanly typed, free of spelling errors, and printed on plain white bond paper. Colored papers, multiple type styles and other frills only lead the reader to suspect that the "oversell" may be covering up a basic problem.

The goal of the resume is to establish a sufficient interest to warrant contact by phone to schedule a face-to-face meeting. Telling a factual story, in a logical and easy to follow fashion, will accomplish this mission.

Resume Words and Phrases

Action Words

Planned
Created
Originated
Initiated
Developed
Conceived
Implemented
Formulated

Leadership Words

Organized
Directed
Led
Supervised
Guided
Managed
Was responsible for
Presided over
Coordinated
Built
Gave direction to

Results Phrases

Led to
Contributed to
Demonstrated that
Saved
Reduced
Collected
Achieved
Provided for
Increased
Evaluated

Verbal Resume

Employers receive dozens, sometimes hundreds, of resumes. In addition to your printed resume, you need to develop a two-minute verbal commercial on yourself. To do this, use your work history and personality traits from your written resume.

A verbal resume helps you with telephone calling, networking, and interviewing. Using the following outline will help to prepare you for the "What do you do?" questions asked by employers and contacts in person or on the telephone. Be ready to discuss: Your marketable knowledge, skills, talents and achievements. Having a verbal infomercial about you peeks the person's interest to read your printed resume.

15-30 seconds - Describe yourself and your education.
15-30 seconds - Early work experience, key accomplishments.
45-60 seconds - More recent work experience, key achievements.
15-30 seconds - Current status. How you came to be here interviewing for a job.