Why Do I Need A Resume?

The Key

The resume is a written presentation meant to impress a prospective employer with you skills, education, and experience so that you get an interview. It is certain that you will write more than one, in fact you may have several versions at one time.

THE TIME

An effective resume takes time to prepare. It should contain only relevant information and be brief and concise. There are a number of steps to accomplishing the desired finished product. Take the necessary time to do a thorough job and realize that there will typically be several rewrites each time you produce a resume.

The typical employer takes an average of thirty seconds to scan a resume. The ideal resume presents facts, strengths, highlights job responsiblities, illustrates credibility, and sells your potential value to the employer. The more clear and concise the information the better.

THE LAYOUT AND FINAL COPY

• One page 8 1/2 x 11, a good quality, white , buff or ivory paper is the best. Two pages are sometimes acceptable.
• Edited and critiqued carefully. Spell and punctuate correctly. If these are not your strong points, get help. A single typographical error could eliminate your chances for job consideration.
• Critiqued by a career counselor, advisor, current employer, or a mentor before making copies. This can save you avoidable errors and expense.
• When finished, the resume should appear neat and well balanced. Avoid the cramped look. Allow room for ample margins, indentions, and spacing between items.
• Clear, dark type is essential. Important titles should be highlighted, either by using caps, bold, script, or underlining.
• A simple border or other basic graphics can bring an additional "professional" touch to your resume if done with discretion. Avoid anything gimmicky or cute.
• Do not send an original resume to an employer. Go to a professional copying business to help with selecting a good quality paper and reproducing it perfectly. A great first impression is what will get you that interview!

THE DISTRIBUTION

Mailing or faxing your resume to dozens of employers (to no one in particular) is a waste of time, money, and energy. Select your mailing targets carefully.

1. Send your resume directly to the right person. Call the company directly or look up names in the business directories to obtain current information about the person who does the hiring.
2. Send a cover letter to introduce yourself. Make sure the letter is personalized to the company and the person to whom you are communicating. Any personal or extracurricular information that is important for obtaining the position can be included in the letter.
3. Call on the telephone to set up your appointment either as your first effort or as a follow-up to your previously mailed cover letter and resume.
4. Make sure that you fulfill the commitments arranged, i.e., be on time to appointments, return calls, and be responsible about communicating any changes in plans.

Helpful Hints

It is important to remember that there is no one right way to write a resume. The job seeker has many options in format, style and layout when preparing this document. A vital factor to keep in mind is to choose a resume format that will best represent you. In order to present yourself in the best light possible you must utilize all of your resources.

• Use employers, colleagues in the field, faculty, and career advisors as resources in resume preparation.
• Use single sentences beginning with action verbs to describe your skills.
• Demonstrate that you are qualified for the position for which you are applying.
• Focus attention on your strong points and accomplishments.
• Your resume never travels alone! Send it with a cover letter.

Common Resume Formats

The following pages present four commonly used resume formats: one geared toward the student with little or no work experience; the chronological; the functional; and the targeted. The sample resumes have descriptions, definitions, and comments which help illustrate the relative strengths and weaknesses of each format. There are other formats, and the resume you create may very well contain elements from more than one format. Feel free to be creative.

Tips for Students with Little or No Work Experience

It is essential to acknowledge the many informal ways that you have acquired skills. Many students think they have no work experience to put on their resume until they consider the transferable skills they may have gained through unpaid experiences such as:

• Working as a student intern or volunteer.
• Serving on student government committees.
• Holding a leadership position or office in a club or organization.
• Helping promote special events such as a fundraising concert or conference.
• Winning recognition for an outstanding achievement (academic or community).
• Personal or academic projects (photography, art, music, science, business...)
• Coaching or tutoring positions.

Tips for Students With Gaps in Employment

Many students will have gaps in their employment history due to time-out for education, travel or parenting. Focus on your skills rather than dates of employment. Cite only the years of employment rather than the days, months, and years.

If you are a parent who has reentered the work force, don't discount the valuable skills gained through your commintment to FAMILY MANAGEMENT. Organizational and management skills such as budgeting, time management, transportation and food menu planning and purchasing are merely a few skills that are easily transferable.

Avoid:

• Detailed descriptions of non-relevant jobs
• Overly precise dates (do not tempt the employer to do detailed arithmetic!)
• Personal information that is not relevant to the job (i.e. age, marital status, body type)

Remember:

• Focus attention on your strong points and accomplishments.
• Use phrases beginning with action verbs that describe your skills.
• Demonstrate how you are qualified for the position for which you are applying.
• Your resume never travels alone! Send it with a cover letter.