Writing a Resume

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Writing a Resume

• PED 3900

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EIU Career Services

• Web site
• http//www.jobsrv.eiu.edu/
• Career Guide
• Resume Development
• Electronic Resumes

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Types of Resumes

• Paper
• Scannable
• Email

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Scannable

• The hardware and software used in scanning can
  "read" your resume when the print is distinct and
  background color is absent.
• For these reasons, you must use laser quality
  print for your scannable resume and white or near
  white resume paper. Blue, gray, or tan paper is
  not advised.
• The next step in succeeding with a scanning
  system is to change the linguistics of your
  resume.
• Scannable resumes are retrieved from an
  employers job bank by the use of a search.
• The search process uses nouns or phrases as
  keywords for the software to locate in the best
  resumes stored in the job bank.
• Most traditional resumes use verbs such as
  "implemented" or " directed" whereas scannable
  resumes use nouns such as "director" or
  "coordinator".
• Before you begin developing your scannable
  resume, read this guides section on keywords.

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Scannable

• Use a font in the 10-14 point range. Use common
  fonts like Helvetica, Times Roman or Palatino.
• No horizontal or vertical lines.
• No tables or columns.
• Avoid boldface, italicizing, script, shadowing,
  graphics, borders, and underlines.
• Place the name on the first line after your 1
  inch margin and begin the street address on line
  two.

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Scannable

• Use tabs or margin controls to establish layout.
• Use caps to highlight major headings such as
  OBJECTIVE and use the to highlight important
  lines.
• Develop a keywords section to follow your
  address.
• Dont fold or staple
• Dont use abbreviations or acronyms unless they
  are highly common in the industry.

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EMAIL RESUMES

• Email resumes are similar to scannable resumes in
  layout and content, but they have their
  differences.
• The most significant difference is that email
  resumes use the Internet for transmission as
  opposed to land based mail systems (snail mail).
• Email resumes are very efficient at avoiding the
  resume traps often found with snail mail.
• An email resume can be sent to the decision-maker
  if you know the persons email address thereby
  avoiding a pre-screener who limits the number of
  resumes reviewed by the decision maker.
• Further, an email resume can arrive at a
  decision-makers computer within minutes of a
  request for your resume.
• That is more effective than a few days to a week
  that a decision-maker could wait for a resume
  using snail mail!

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EMAIL RESUMES

• The draw back of email resumes is that the
  Internet has limitations in transmitting your
  resume.
• Like scanning systems that read scannable
  resumes, the Internet has difficulty transmitting
  many formatting codes, fonts, and graphics.
• Another limitation of email resumes is that the
  receiver may not have compatible software for
  opening up your email resume if it is sent as an
  attachment.
• These limitations are easily overcome and you can
  quickly begin sending email resumes to your
  targeted employers by following these simple
  pointers

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EMAIL RESUMES

• Before typing the content of your email resume,
  set the margins in your page format so that there
  are no more than 70 characters are on one line.
  This usually results in about a 2 inch right
  margin.
• Left justify your text and continue with a 12
  point sans serif font like Times Roman or
  Helvetica.
• Put your name on the first line and your address
  on the second and third lines. Phone numbers
  would be on the fourth line and email address on
  the fifth line.
• Use the space bar to create white space between
  text on a line. DO NOT use tabs to indent
  information.

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EMAIL RESUMES

• Always put a line or two after each job
  description.
• Make sure that the star which highlights a line
  of text is followed by 1 2 spaces before
  beginning text.
• Use keywords and nouns in the content of your
  resume.
• Avoid slashes like "design/develop."
• Dont put parentheses around the area code.
• Prepare a cover letter for email using similar
  rules as the email resume.
• Save both your cover letter and email resume as a
  text only file or in ASCII format.

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EIU Career Services

• Career Guide
• Resume Development
• Keywords

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KEYWORDS

• Keywords are the backbone of electronic resumes
  and job banks.
• Keywords are used by employers to conduct quick
  searches within resume databases.
• In a keyword search, the employer will input a
  list of knowledge, skills, abilities, personal
  traits, work experiences, and academic
  requirements that best describe the type of
  candidate they are seeking for a position.
• The search will electronically sort through the
  job bank and identify those resumes that match
  the keywords input by the employer.

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KEYWORDS

• At times, the employer may limit the number of
  resumes identified by the search.
• Employers use several techniques to limit the
  number of resumes produced from a keyword search.
  
• One method for limiting the output of a keyword
  search is to require a minimum number of matches
  between the resume and the keyword list.
• For example, an employer will tell the search to
  include resumes that match a minimum of 10 out of
  20 keywords.
• Another method employers use to limit the output
  of a keyword search is to require the search to
  rank order the resume according to the highest to
  lowest number of keyword matches.

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KEYWORDS

• Keywords are typically nouns, not verbs, and they
  are usually specific to each career field.
• Good sources for identifying keywords are the job
  descriptions contained in employer web sites.
• Look for degrees required, degrees preferred, two
  or three word phrases about job responsibilities,
  computer software or hardware proficiencies, job
  titles, and personal traits desired.
• Other sources of keywords are online trade
  journals and associations, employment ads, and
  the Occupational Outlook Handbook.
• For additional assistance locating keywords, see
  your career counselor.

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EIU Career Services

• Career Guide
• Resume Development
• Writing a Winning Resume

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Writing a Winning Resume

• A self summary of your personal, educational,
  employment experiences qualifications is know
  as a resume. 
• A resume should tell who you are, what you know,
  what you do well what you want to with the
  knowledge you have. 
• A resume is done to serve the purpose of getting
  an interview for you, serve as a reference for
  the employer during the interview, as a
  reminder of you after the interview is complete.

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Writing a Winning Resume

• A resume may only be reviewed in 30-35 seconds. 
• Since this is the case, resumes should be written
  in a concise and easy-to-read format. 
• Start each sentence with an action verb if
  possible. 
• Limit the use of the pronoun "I". 
• A typical resume should be no longer than 1
  page. 
• If you have extensive work experience, your
  resume may be 2 pages.

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Writing a Winning Resume

• Resumes demonstrate your ability to write
  organize your thoughts. 
• Do not rely on another person or resume
  preparation service to write your resume. 
• Neatness correct spelling are essential. 
• Employers prefer that resumes be free of
  spelling, typographical, grammar mistakes.

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Correct Format

• There is no one right way to construct a resume. 
  
• Hundreds of styles are available to choose from. 
  
• You need to decide which is right for you. 
• The information on the resume is presenting you.

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Types

• Chronological Resume
• Functional Resume
• Technical Resume

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Chronological Resume

• This resume places emphasis on the dates of
  employment. 
• The presented information is outlined in reverse
  chronological order with the most recent jobs
  degrees appearing first. 
• It is most efficient if your work history or
  educational experience relate tot he job you are
  seeking.

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Functional Resume

• In this resume, experience is grouped into skill
  categories which allow strengths to be
  emphasized. 
• This provides greater flexibility in representing
  skills gained through personal experience, but
  should include significant examples of
  professional skills.

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Technical Resume

• This type of resume is similar to standard
  business resumes. 
• The difference is that a profile of technical
  skills is included. 
• Less emphasis is placed on education experience
  that is not directly related to technical
  experience.

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Physical Education Department

• Sample resume

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YOUR NAME   Present Address Permanent
Address   Phone Phone Email   OBJECTIVE
To obtain a challenging internship in the field
of adult fitness/cardiac rehabilitation/sports
management which would utilize the knowledge and
skills I have gained through my
education.   EDUCTION Eastern Illinois
University, Charleston, IL Bachelor of Science in
Physical Education April 2003 Minor in
Community Health GPA 3.14/4.0   Richland
Community College, Decatur, IL Associates in
Science December 2000 CPR Certified RELEVANT
COURSE AREAS Kinesiology Human Physiology
Exercise Physiology Physical Fitness Appraisal
and Performance Assessment Designing Exercise
and Sport Training Programs Micrcomputers in
Physical Education American Red Cross
Instructor   QUALIFICATIONS ATP Lab Worker
Eastern Illinois University1999
present. perform body composition test,
sub-maximal aerobic tests, etc calculate test
results and explain tests results Offer
information on how people can achieve personal
fitness goals
 
EMPLOYMENT List 2 to 3 jobs (briefly) in reverse
chronology order. Include organization name and
location (city and state), dates (month and 4
digit year), job title and responsibilities   HONO
RS/ACTIVITIES Intramural sports Physical
Education Club, 2001-2003 Deans List Special
Olympic Volunteer, Spring 2001   REFERENCES Refere
nces Availed Upon Request, References
Credentials Furnished Upon Request. Career
Services, Eastern Illinois University,
Charleston, IL 61920. Telephone [phone]
or Fax [phone].
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Physical appearance

• Resumes should be prepared on a personal
  computer. 
• Use 8 1/2 x 11 inch high quality paper. 
• Most often white, off-white, ivory, or light gray
  is recommended. 
• Always balance the material on the page with at
  least 1 inch margins on all sides of the paper.
• Never include a photograph with the resume or a
  current date.
• Left justify your text and use a 12 point sans
  serif font like Times Roman or Helvetica.

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Information Section

• The Heading
• OBJECTIVE
• EDUCATION
• RELEVANT COURSE AREAS
• QUALIFICATIONS
• EMPLOYMENT
• HONORS/ACTIVITIES
• REFERENCES

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The Heading

• Usually the first piece of information the
  employers sees regarding you qualifications, is
  the heading section of your resume. 
• This should include your name, address
  (local/current), telephone number, and e-mail
  address. 
• There is no need to type resume at the top. 
• Always give your full name. 
• It can be typed in capital letters in bold.

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YOUR NAME   Present Address Permanent
Address   Phone Phone Email
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OBJECTIVE

• This is used to convey career goals. 
• If you are willing to relocate, include this at
  the end of your objective. 
• An alternative to an objective is a Personal
  Profile. 
• This usually consists of two or four sentences. 
• This emphasizes your strongest talents
  experiences.

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YOUR NAME   Present Address Permanent
Address   Phone Phone Email   OBJECTIVE
To obtain a challenging internship in the field
of adult fitness/cardiac rehabilitation/sports
management which would utilize the knowledge and
skills I have gained through my education.
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EDUCATION

• Begin with your most recent or anticipated degree
  to be completed and then continue back in time. 
• Include dates of attendance, school names
  location, date of graduation, degree, major,
  minor and areas of concentration. 
• Your G.P.A. is optional. 
• If you include it, it should be written as
  follows  Cumulative or Major G.P.A. 2.78/4.0. 
• If you financed you education, you should include
  this with approximate percentage financed.

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YOUR NAME   Present Address Permanent
Address   Phone Phone Email   OBJECTIVE
To obtain a challenging internship in the field
of adult fitness/cardiac rehabilitation/sports
management which would utilize the knowledge and
skills I have gained through my
education.   EDUCTION Eastern Illinois
University, Charleston, IL Bachelor of Science in
Physical Education April 2003 Minor in
Community Health GPA 3.14/4.0   Richland
Community College, Decatur, IL Associates in
Science December 2000   CPR certified
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RELEVANT COURSE AREAS
EDUCTION Eastern Illinois University, Charleston,
IL Bachelor of Science in Physical Education
April 2003 Minor in Community Health GPA
3.14/4.0   Richland Community College, Decatur,
IL Associates in Science December 2000   CPR
certified   RELEVANT COURSE AREAS Kinesiology
Human Physiology Exercise Physiology Physical
Fitness Appraisal and Performance Assessment
Designing Exercise and Sport Training Programs
Microcomputers in Physical Education American
Red Cross Instructor
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QUALIFICATIONS

• RELEVANT COURSE AREAS
• Kinesiology Human Physiology Exercise
  Physiology Physical Fitness Appraisal and
  Performance Assessment Designing Exercise and
  Sport Training Programs Micrcomputers in
  Physical Education American Red Cross
  Instructor
•  
• QUALIFICATIONS
• ATP Lab Worker Eastern Illinois University1999
  present.
• Perform body composition test, sub-maximal
  aerobic tests, etc
• Calculate test results and explain tests results
• Offer information on how people can achieve
  personal fitness goals

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EMPLOYMENT

• This area is of great importance. 
• Use the reverse chronological order just as you
  did with education. 
• Include part-time, summer, volunteer work,
  military experience, student teaching, graduate
  assistant positions. 
• Under this category, identify job title, name of
  employer, and employer's city and state. 
• Generally, pre-collegiate work experience is not
  included unless it is highly relevant or was
  continued through the college years.

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RELEVANT COURSE AREAS Kinesiology Human
Physiology Exercise Physiology Physical
Fitness Appraisal and Performance Assessment
Designing Exercise and Sport Training Programs
Micrcomputers in Physical Education American
Red Cross Instructor   QUALIFICATIONS ATP Lab
Worker Eastern Illinois University1999
present. perform body composition test,
sub-maximal aerobic tests, etc calculate test
results and explain tests results Offer
information on how people can achieve personal
fitness goals EMPLOYMENT EMPLOYMENT List 2 to 3
jobs (briefly) in reverse chronology order.
Include organization name and location (city and
state), dates (month and 4 digit year), job title
and responsibilities
 
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HONORS/ACTIVITIES
EMPLOYMENT List 2 to 3 jobs (briefly) in reverse
chronology order. Include organization name and
location (city and state), dates (month and 4
digit year), job title and responsibilities   HONO
RS/ACTIVITIES Intramural sports Physical
Education Club, 2001-2003 Deans List Special
Olympic Volunteer, Spring 2001
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REFERENCES

• You may include one of the following brief
  statements  References Availed Upon Request,
  References Credentials Furnished Upon Request. 
  
• Typically, a separate page of references, which
  lists names, titles, addresses, and phone number
  of three to five references, is made available to
  employers when requested.

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EMPLOYMENT List 2 to 3 jobs (briefly) in reverse
chronology order. Include organization name and
location (city and state), dates (month and 4
digit year), job title and responsibilities   HONO
RS/ACTIVITIES Intramural sports Physical
Education Club, 2001-2003 Deans List Special
Olympic Volunteer, Spring 2001   REFERENCES Refere
nces Availed Upon Request, References
Credentials Furnished Upon Request. Career
Services, Eastern Illinois University,
Charleston, IL 61920. Telephone [phone]
or Fax [phone].
41
YOUR NAME   Present Address Permanent
Address   Phone Phone Email   OBJECTIVE
To obtain a challenging internship in the field
of adult fitness/cardiac rehabilitation/sports
management which would utilize the knowledge and
skills I have gained through my
education.   EDUCTION Eastern Illinois
University, Charleston, IL Bachelor of Science in
Physical Education April 2003 Minor in
Community Health GPA 3.14/4.0   Richland
Community College, Decatur, IL Associates in
Science December 2000 CPR Certified RELEVANT
COURSE AREAS Kinesiology Human Physiology
Exercise Physiology Physical Fitness Appraisal
and Performance Assessment Designing Exercise
and Sport Training Programs Micrcomputers in
Physical Education American Red Cross
Instructor   QUALIFICATIONS ATP Lab Worker
Eastern Illinois University1999
present. perform body composition test,
sub-maximal aerobic tests, etc calculate test
results and explain tests results Offer
information on how people can achieve personal
fitness goals
 
EMPLOYMENT List 2 to 3 jobs (briefly) in reverse
chronology order. Include organization name and
location (city and state), dates (month and 4
digit year), job title and responsibilities   HONO
RS/ACTIVITIES Intramural sports Physical
Education Club, 2001-2003 Deans List Special
Olympic Volunteer, Spring 2001   REFERENCES Refere
nces Availed Upon Request, References
Credentials Furnished Upon Request. Career
Services, Eastern Illinois University,
Charleston, IL 61920. Telephone [phone]
or Fax [phone].
42
Assignment

• Develop a resume using the guidelines from EIU
  Career Services and the Physical Education sample
  resume.
• Save your resume as a text only file
• Email a copy of your resume to both instructors