Writing an Effective Resume

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Writing an Effective Resume

• Center for Career Development
• Borough of Manhattan Community College

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What is an Effective Resume?

• A one page detailed summary of your
  qualifications. These include skills, experience,
  and education related to a specific position or
  career field (sample attached).
• Critical details to be included contact
  information, clear objective, education, work
  experience, skills, activities and interests.
• Optional information.

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Sample Resume, Chronological Format

• Robert J. Martinez
• 333 Julliard Avenue, Apt. 44G
• Bronx, New York 10499
• [phone]
• E-mail address.com
• OBJECTIVE To obtain a position as a Teachers
  Aide with an opportunity for professional growth
  and development.
• EDUCATION Borough of Manhattan Community
  College, New York, New York
• Associate in Arts Degree, Expected June 2008
• Major Bilingual Childhood Education
• CERTIFICATES Borough of Manhattan Community
  College, New York, New York
• Assistant of Children with Special Needs
  Certificate, December 2004
• HONORS Deans List, Borough of Manhattan
  Community College, Spring 2006-present
• INTERNSHIP Park Elementary School, New York, New
  York
• Teachers Aide January 2006-Present

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Other Types of Resumes

• Functional- Usually lists work experience and
  skills sorted by skills area or job function.
• Combination-Usually leads with a functional list
  of job skills, followed by a chronological list
  of employers.

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Essential Information

• First Impression
• Make sure the resume looks original and not based
  on a template.
• The resume should be inviting to read, with clear
  sections, and free of any careless typos or
  spelling, grammar and syntax errors.
• The resume should preferably be written on
  Microsoft Word

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• Appearance
• The resume should be visually pleasing, with a
  polished presentation.
• Include design elements such as bullets, bolding
  lines to guide readers eyes through the resume.
• Margins should be even on all sides and design
  elements should be consistent throughout.
• Preferably, the resume should be one page in
  length.

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• Appearance
• Finalized resume needs to be printed on bond
  paper.
• Sections
• Should be clearly organized.
• Preferably structured in reverse chronological
  order, with most recent position listed first and
  dates.

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• Career Goal/Objective
• The career objective should be described toward
  the top of the resume.
• The resume should be targeted towards a specific
  career goal (position or industry) and not be a
  one-size-fits-all document.
• If the resume is for a career change, the current
  objective should be clearly stated, along with
  supporting details showing how past experience is
  relevant to the new goal.

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• Accomplishments
• Resume should include a solid listing detailing
  career accomplishments.
• Accomplishment statements should begin with
  strong, varied actions verbs.
• Writing Style
• Personal pronouns such as I, me and my should be
  avoided.
• Information should flow logically and be easy to
  understand.

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Last Minute Tips!

• Use your resume to obtain an interview first.
• Use action words
• Lead with your strengths.
• Use buzzwords.
• Accent the positive, not the negative.
• Never leave incomplete information on your resume
  (i.e. apartment number).
• Use a professional tone and wording on your
  resume as well as text size and font.
• Save your resume in a secure place such as on a
  disk or USB drive.
• Have a Career Advisor at the Center for Career
  Development review your resume before the Career
  Fair date (must). Print appropriate copies of
  finalized resume on bond paper. Good Luck!