Effective Resumes

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Effective Resumes

• Mrs. Heath
• Business Procedures
• Mill Creek High School

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An Effective Resume...

• Gets you that interview!
• Gets you that job!
• Gets you into that college!
• Gets you what YOU want!

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What is a Resume?

• A summary of your
• Skills
• Knowledge
• Education
• Activities
• Honors
• Goals

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Why Write a Resume?

• To introduce yourself to employers or colleges
• To prepare yourself for the interview
• To assist you in networking
• To meet employers or colleges expectations
• To demonstrate contributions you will make to an
  employer or college

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General Guidelines

• Length Limit to one typed page. Be brief and
  concise in each section. (Read in 20 seconds?)
• Font Easy to read, consistent throughout
• Font Size 10 point 14 point size
• Paper 8 1/2 x 11. 20 lb white or off-white.
  Matching envelope or large mailing envelope.
• Printer Laser or high quality ink-jet printer.
  
• Double space between sections, single space
  within sections

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Resume Styles

• Reverse Chronological most recent experience
  first
• Position-Oriented emphasizes positions held,
  relevant duties and skills involved with each
  position
• Functional emphasizes skills learned through
  related activities, rather than where or how long
  you worked
• Imaginative mini-portfolio demonstrates a
  combination of layout, graphics, text integration

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Resume No-Nos
No graphics or shading ! No folded or stapled
resumes ! No decorative or fancy typeface ! No
grammatical or spelling errors ! No italics,
script, underlined words !
Once you have written your resume, have as many
people as possible review it! It must be 100
error free!
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Personal Experience Review

• Evaluate all experience paid, non-paid,
  volunteer, co-curricular, sports
• Assess skills, abilities, values, interests
  hobbies, strengths weaknesses
• Identify what you enjoy doing and what you do
  well
• Identify special needs related to people and work
  environment, salary, geographic location

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Parts of a Resume

• Heading
• Career Objectives
• Education
• Work Experience
• Special Skills
• Extracurricular Activities
• Cover letter

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Heading

• Full Name - no nicknames!
• Current and permanent address
• Phone and FAX - including area code
• Email address(es) - choose an address that sounds
  professional
• Web address - only if the web page reflects your
  professional ambitions

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Career Objective

• One to three sentence summary of your area of
  expertise and career interest
• Complete sentences or descriptive phrases with
  minimal punctuation
• Relate your existing skills to the job you are
  seeking.
• Demonstrate what you can do for the company
  rather than what they can do for you

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Career Objective Examples

• Too general!
• A position allowing me to utilize my knowledge
  and expertise in varied areas

• Be specific!
• A position which allows me to apply my
  background in engineering and high performance
  computing to biological problems

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Three Styles of Objectives

• Position
• To obtain a position as a commercial artist
• Field
• Seeking an entry-level position in the field of
  pharmaceutical chemistry
• Skill
• Desire a position utilizing my writing, public
  speaking, and organizational skills

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Education

• List your most recent educational experience
  first
• Add GPA if higher than 3.0
• Relevant courses to the job
• Mention academic honors and outstanding
  achievements

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Work Experience

• Positions you have held (especially if they
  relate to the job you are seeking)
• Include paid and non-paid, volunteer
• Company name and location, job title, duties
  performed, dates
• Dates of employment in month/year format
• Make section easy to read with bullets

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Use Action Phrases
Think like a professional! Hospitality Intern

• Oversaw the planning, preparation and prompt
  delivery of food
• Assisted in training and retaining new and
  experienced employees
• Created a positive and healthy atmosphere in the
  restaurant

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Extracurricular Activities

• Activities and honors that demonstrate leadership
  qualities, initiative, good communication skills
  and perseverance
• Positions and dates held in the club or activity
• If extracurricular activities are more relevant
  than work experience, consider listing them as
  Related Experience
• Mention duration and advancements

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References

• In general, do not include names and addresses of
  your references on your resume
• State that references are available upon request
• Choose professional references rather than
  character references
• Employers and professors who know you and your
  work are the best references!

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Reference Sheet

• Include the names, addresses, phone numbers of
  references
• Always ask permission before you include any
  information on your reference sheet
• Consider giving your references a copy of your
  resume so they will be prepared to talk with
  employers

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Helpful Links

• Monster Action Phrases Power Verbs
• Take the Cover Letter Quiz
• Search for your dream career at Jobs.com
• Check out Hotjobs.com from Yahoo