RESUME BUILDING

Introduction

What is the Purpose of a Resume?

• To get a job interview.


• Structure the interview process.


• Remind the interviewer of you after the Interview.


• Basis for justifying the hiring decision to others.

When it comes to creating a resume for you or for a specific job position, there are many issues to consider. How long should it be? How should things be worded? How formal should it be? This section will help answer some of these questions, and provide you with a list of guidelines so that your resume is appropriate for the field you want to get into.

What are the Absolute, Unbreakable Rules of Resume Writing?

There are only a few absolute rules in resume writing! Almost every rule you have ever heard can be broken, if you have a compelling reason.

These rules, however, are absolutes:

• No typing errors.


• No misspellings.


• Do not tell a lie or mistruth.


• Do not include any negative information.

Effective Resume

What is an effective resume?

In simple terms, it's a tool that gets you the job or, at the very least, an interview for the job. An effective resume succinctly describes your talents, experience, and expectations while giving an accurate window into your personality and ability.

A good resume is one that is chosen from a large pool, one that, at a glance, instantly illustrates your fit for the job.

Resume Style

Let's have a look at some of the more conventional styles that are being used today and figure out what's appropriate for you and the company you are applying to.

The three typical styles are:

• Chronological


• Functional


• Targeted

Chronological

The chronological resume is by far the most common.
This style of resume lists topics in reverse chronological order, from most recent to least recent. Employers are most accustomed to this style. Most prefer it, because it shows your experience and career path in a well-presented format.


A sample Chronological Resume. Click to enlarge.

Functional

The functional resume is best suited for those of you that have just graduated from college or are looking for an internship.
The functional resume is more beneficial to them, as it doesn't rely on chronological job experience but focuses on specific talents. This format also works well because it allows you to include skills that you attained from experiences carried over from non-paid employment.

With the functional resume you can layout the document concentrating on key areas such as:

• Objective


• Qualifications


• Professional/musical skills


• Employment history


• Technical skills or computer skills

Remember, employers are sometimes more accustomed to the chronological layout than the functional layout and may find the document difficult to decipher.
In most cases, they are busy and have to read through hundreds of resumes on any given day.


A sample Functional Resume.

Targeted

The targeted resume will specifically speak to the requirements of the job opening and chart how your specific experience for the role.
The targeted resume is the least utilized of all resume, as it has to be created for each position you are applying for.


A sample Targeted Resume.

Resume Formats

The Internet has drastically changed the way we search and apply for jobs. You, as the job applicant, have more options than a single sheet of white paper for the format of your resume.
Text-based scannable resumes have added more flexibility to resume building techniques, thus giving employers more information than ever to base their decision making on.

Here is a list of the most popular resume formats:

• Standard


• Scannable

Each format has its inherent benefits and it is a good idea to know exactly who it is you is applying to and what type of resume is going to suit their needs.
In many instances, a combination of all formats will be effective.

Let's take a closer look at each format.

Standard Resume

This is the formatted, well-laid-out, user-friendly paper resume. It serves the same purpose today that it has served for decades. In it, you:

• Clearly identify yourself


• State your objective


• List your key accomplishments


• List your relevant education


• List your experience

Employers want to see the parallels between your experience and its correlation with the requirements of the job.
To emphasize your strong points, use bold headings and bullet points. Allow ample space between headings, and at the edge of the page. Don't clutter the document. The employer wants to get vital information in less than a minute, and a cluttered document can be difficult to read.
Use strong action verbs and convincing language to convey your ability.
The standard resume is still the most popular resume used today.

Scannable Resume

The scannable resume is a plain text document. It includes none of the formatting that a standard resume did�no bolds, italics, columns, etc.
Companies use document scanning software to quickly scan your resume to determine if you are qualified for its job openings.
The scanning software looks for keywords and phrases that describe the skills and education required for the position.
Scannable resumes are most used by companies that receive a large number of unsolicited resumes on a daily basis.
The scannable resume is void of any formatting and leaves you with the challenge of communicating your unique abilities in a sequence of words and spaces.

Here are some guidelines that will help you assemble the document:

• Stick to the standard fonts only: Times, Helvetica, Arial, and Courier.


• Stay away from colors, graphics, or shading.


• Forget about bullet points or underlining.


• Align the document to the left.


• Keep your type at a point size between 10 and 14 points.


• Print it out on a blank piece of paper stock 8.5 x 11.

The content will be the strongest and only real asset you have when it comes to creating a scannable resume. Remember it will be automatically scanned for key words.
Ask yourself some simple questions before continuing. What are words are contained in the job specification and what in your estimation are the most likely keywords associated with the job?

Only send this type of resume, if asked.

Resume building tips

Content and Style tips

• Use short action phrases starting with past-tense action verbs.


• Do not use complete sentences.


• Avoid personal pronouns.


• Use facts, not opinions.


• Omit the date of preparation.


• Omit the mention of your desired salary or benefits.


• Do not include personal data that could be regarded negatively or be used in a discriminatory way (e.g. age, height, weight, gender, religion, ethnic origin, etc.)


• Never include a photograph.


• Keep your resume up to date.


• Check for correct grammar and consistent phrasing.


• Proofread carefully.


• Develop it with employer needs in mind.


• Be as concise as possible without selling yourself short. (You are not necessarily restricted to one page.)

Formatting Tips

• Use popular, non-decorative type faces.


• Use a readable font style and size.


• Use light-colored, standardized (8-1/2 x 11�), good quality paper.


• Keep graphics simple if used.


• Be sure you have some white space.


• Be sure your name stands out.


• Place name on second or subsequent pages.


• Do not staple resume pages together.


• Use laser quality printer.

Action Verbs

• accomplished


• achieved


• acquired


• adapted


• adjusted


• administered


• advised


• analyzed


• applied


• arranged


• assembled


• assisted


• assumed


• attained


• attended


• authored


• chaired


• communicated


• compared


• compiled


• composed


• conceived


• conducted


• constructed


• consulted


• contributed


• controlled


• coordinated


• counseled


• created


• defined


• delegated


• delivered


• demonstrated


• distinguished


• educated


• encouraged


• enforced


• enlisted


• established


• evaluated


• examined


• executed


• expanded


• expedited


• finalized


• formalized


• formulated


• fostered


• gathered


• generated


• guided


• handled


• hired


• implemented


• improved


• inaugurated


• increased


• individualized


• influenced


• initiated


• installed


• instituted


• instructed


• interpreted


• introduced


• invented


• investigated


• issued


• learned


• led


• made


• maintained


• managed


• modified


• motivated


• negotiated


• perceived


• performed


• planned


• prepared


• prescribed


• presented


• processed


• produced


• programmed


• promoted


• proposed


• provided


• qualified


• recommended


• reevaluated


• referred


• reorganized


• reported


• represented


• requested


• researched


• restored


• reviewed


• revised


• scheduled


• selected


• served


• simplified


• solved


• specialized


• stimulated


• strengthened


• studied


• submitted


• summarized


• supervised


• supported


• surveyed


• systematized


• trained


• translated


• taught


• updated


• utilized

  Suggested Headings

• Objective
• Job Objective
• Career Objective
• Professional Objective

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• Education


• Educational Background


• Educational Preparation


• Academic Background


• Academic Training

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• Special Training


• Certification


• Endorsements

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• Areas Of Knowledge


• Areas Of Experience


• Areas Of Expertise


• Educational Highlights


• Course Highlights


• Background Highlights


• Career Highlights


• Professional Skills

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• Experience Summary


• Experience Highlights


• Professional Background

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• Achievements


• Career Achievements


• Employment


• Other Work


• Additional Experience


• Part Time & Summer Work Experience


• Volunteer Activities


• Civic Activities


• Professional & Community Activities


• Community & Other Activities

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• College Activities


• Activities & Distinctions


• Special Honors


• College Distinctions


• Honors & Distinctions


• Honors/Awards

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• Memberships


• Professional Memberships


• Professional Affiliations


• Professional Organizations

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• Special Talents


• Special Skills


• Interests


• Language Competencies