Resume Writing 101

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Resume Writing 101
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Types of Resumes

• Chronological highlights solid work history and
  demonstrates progression of development
• Functional highlights skills and talents you
  have while downplaying your lack of work
  experience.
• Combination highlights most relevant skills,
  demonstrates skill development and recognizes
  limited relevant work experience

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Rules of Resume Writing

• Every resume has a purpose
• Everything on your resume supports that purpose
• The items that best support your purpose come
  first!

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Possible Resume Components

• Name, address, phone, email
• Objective
• Highlights of Qualifications
• Work Experience
• Education
• Professional Associations
• Awards/Achievements

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Name, Address, Phone, Email

• Include your full legal name
• Make sure that you use your mailing address
• Listen to your voice message-
• Does it sound professional?
• Is it brief?
• Is your Email address professional?
• imadiscodancer_at_email.com
• tarchaga_at_losmedanos.edu

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Objective Statement

• Avoid over-generalized statements
• A position allowing me to utilize my knowledge
  and expertise in different areas
• Avoid statements that focus only on what a
  company can do for you
• A position where I can gain experience in
  ____________.
• Make the statement as specific as possible
• A position which allows me to apply my background
  in _________ and ____________.

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Relevant Skills/Highlights of Qualifications

• Quantify and Qualify your experience
• Learn as much as you can about employer
  position

• Build your list of
• Work Experience
• Academics
• Clubs
• Volunteer Work
• Technical Skills
• Other

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About The Details

• Think of an activity you were involved in
  recently
• Brainstorm a list of everything that you did in
  that activity
• Think of the specifics How much, How often, How
  many and most importantly what was the
• RESULT/ACCOMPLISHMENT

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WORK HISTORY or EDUCATIONWhich goes first?

• Depends on which is more relevant to the position
  you are applying for
• Depends on how recent the work experience or
  training occurred
• Depends on name of organization or school you
  attended.

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WORK HISTORY

• Use most recent experience first
• AKA Reverse Chronology
• 2005- Present Some College Somewhere, CA
• 2003-2005 Small Business, Inc Hometown, CA
• 1999-2003 Big Burger A City, CA

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Work History (Cont)

• Use Present Tense with current employment
• 2005- Present Some
  College Somewhere, CA
• OFFICE ASSISTANT
• Provide administrative and advisory clerical
  support, schedule appointments, receive calls,
  prepare time sensitive documents, and work
  extensively on various computer programs.

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WORK HISTORY (Cont)

• Use Action Verbs with CONSISTENT ENDINGS
• 2001-2005 Catering Company
  Another Place, CA
• CATERING MANAGER
• Managed operations and delegated work at catering
  service and increased profit by 20 over the
  previous year.
• Delivered excellent customer service and
  coordinated food service for special events
  including weddings, receptions, holiday parties,
  and group lunches/dinners.

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EDUCATION

• List most recent first
• List degree/ Certifications obtained
• 2008 A Special School
  Somewhere, CA
• Professional Development Workshop
• 2007- Present California State Univ., East Bay
  Hayward, CA
• In progress- Bachelor of Arts- Human Development
• 2004-2006 Los Medanos College Pittsburg,
  CA
• Associates of Arts- Liberal Studies

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Special Awards/Recognition

• List most recent first
• Think about academic/work experience
• Deans List/ Honor Roll
• Clubs
• Employee of the month/year

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Professional Associations

• List if relevant to job you are applying for
• List only if you are currently active
• (dues have been paid)

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TemplatesTo Use or Not To Use?

• Resume Wizards are becoming increasingly popular
  with students and job seekers.
• They are a great tool for you to get started in
  framing your resume
• CAUTION Formats are not always geared for
  college students and can misguide students
  towards an inappropriate format.
• CAUTION Since so many are using this tool,
  employers are seeing too many of the same thing.

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Common Mistakes

• Spelling/Grammar/Punctuation Errors
• Spell check is your FREND BUT is not enough
• check for accuracy (dates, names, etc)
• Use of pronouns I, me, he/she
• Use of the same words repeatedly
• Use of the same resume for every employer- Mass
  mailing/contact

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More Mistakes

• Too Short OR Too Long
• It is OK to go beyond one page if information is
  relevant to what you are seeking
• Avoid repeating statements to lengthen your
  resume
• Choosing the wrong format
• Key Words-
• More than 80 percent of employers are now
  placing resumes directly into searchable
  databases

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E-Mailing Resume

• RULE 1- Follow instructions
• Use appropriate email address
• Subject Position you are applying for
• Cut/Paste your resume in body of email
• Clean up the formatting
• Remove bullets and replace with , or
• Do NOT use Bold, Italics or underline

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Think About This

• The average employer will give your resume
  approximately 10-20 seconds during initial review

• There is no such thing as the perfect resume
  only great works in progress
• There is no perfect formula only tradition and
  guidelines

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COVER LETTERS

• Rule 1 Always send a cover letter with your
  resume!
• Rule 2 Always customize your resume cover
  letter for each employer.
• One Size Does NOT Fit All!

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Need Help?

• Visit Career Center
• Resume Worksheets
• One on One sessions
• Resume Critique
• Services are FREE to LMC students and Alumni
• ROOM 524
• [phone] ext 3252