Creating a RESUME

[Pages:13]Creating a

RESUME

Resume Writing Formatting Options & Examples

Adjective & Adverb List

Student Employment Services Appleton Campus ? Room E135

(920) 735-JOBS (5627) (920) 231-JOBS (5267)

fvtc.edu/ses ses@fvtc.edu

RESUME WRITING: Your Resume Goal, Purposes, and Needed Resources

Why are you writing a resume?

Are you: looking for your first job? looking for a job in the same or a similar field? looking for a job in a different field? applying for a specific position, or sending resumes of general inquiry? wanting to document all of your jobs, work-related experiences, and skills?

You need to have a clear picture of why you are writing your resume. If you aren't certain of what you want, your uncertainty will be reflected in your resume. You get ONE chance to make an impression, whether good or bad. Therefore, you want that impression to show focus and motivation. You will be much more successful in your job search if your goals are clear in your mind and on your resume.

What's the purpose of developing a resume? The resume is a tool to market yourself so that you get the interview! It's a formal, organized summary of your job and job-related experiences, education, and skills. This summary should celebrate you for the purpose of sparking employers' interest so that they will want to know more about you and call you for an interview.

As you are developing your resume, try to look at it from an employer's point of view. Ask yourself, "If I were an employer, would I want to interview me based on my resume?" By doing this, you will be more likely to include information in your resume that will take you to the interview level. Your resume probably won't lead to a job offer on its own, but you want it to open the door for dialogue and consideration by an interested employer.

So what do you need to create your resume? A lot! You'll need:

an accurate list of the jobs you've held and dates you've held them; your employers' names and addresses; titles of your positions and descriptions of your responsibilities, work achievements,

special projects, and results; your important and relevant educational and training data; copies of school transcripts, certificates, licenses; records of relevant conferences or seminars you've attended; performance reviews from the jobs you've held; letters of reference and appreciation from professional colleagues, clients, customers; a list of action verbs that you can refer to when writing the Work Experience section; samples of various resume types to assist you related to content and format.

With these assembled resources, you will be prepared for your resume writing task. You won't necessarily use all of this information, but reviewing it and noting it will help you make the many decisions that go into the creation of a resume.

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RESUME WRITING: Three Resume Formats to Consider

You have three resume formats to choose from. There are reasons to use and not use each of these three formats. So consider your options before making your final decision.

1. Chronological resume format ? This format is the traditional resume format and the most preferred format by human resource managers because it connects job responsibility to job experience most directly. It is an excellent format for job seekers who want to focus on their job histories. A chronological resume presents your education and work experience in a straightforward manner, typically in reverse chronological order from the most recent to the least recent.

In the samples that follow, Elena Gonzalez's and Sara K. Smith's resumes are examples of a chronological resume format.

2. Functional (skills-oriented) resume format ? This format allows you to emphasize your strengths and minimize your flawed or absent employment record. Recent graduates with little professional experience in their fields but with relevant academic work and training may want to consider this format. It relies on grouping key skills and accomplishments into different categories to demonstrate your qualifications and expertise for a particular job. You should know that some human resource managers prefer the chronological or combined format over the solely functional format because in a functional resume your skills and achievements are not matched with specific job titles.

In the samples that follow, Sean Jones' resume is an example of a functional resume format.

3. Combined (chronological and functional) resume format ? This format combines the chronological and functional (skills-oriented) formats. It is effective if you have at least some professional related experience in your field of interest and want to feature your skills related to your stated objective. Here your skills and accomplishments are in one section and work experience is in another, listed in reverse chronological order.

In the samples that follow, Ryan P. Williams' resume is an example of a combined resume format.

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Chronological Resume Format Example

Elena Gonzalez

1234 First Avenue, Appleton, WI 54911 (920)555-5555 gonzalez@

Objective Professional Skills Education and Training

Work Experience

Volunteer Experience Professional Associations

A full-time Claims Cost Management Specialist position with Humana processing claims, providing data analysis, and delivering exceptional customer service to increase business efficiency and customer satisfaction

Medical business accounting Employee training Claims processing Accounting software

Customer service Data reporting and analyzing PC Microsoft Office XP operations Written communication

Fox Valley Technical College Accounting Associate Degree Phi Theta Kappa Academic Honors Society

Appleton, WI 5/2010

Humana Medical Insurance Certificate

De Pere, WI 12/2009

Northeast Wisconsin Technical College Medical Business Specialist Certification

Green Bay, WI 5/2008

Medical Services Assistant

5/2009 - Present

Davis Eye Clinic

Green Bay, WI

Perform patient customer service for 4 physicians related to office,

testing, and surgical appointments

Maintain patient and insurance billing spreadsheet records

Develop new clinic patient data spreadsheet to replace outdated tracking

system

Retail Clerk

1/2007 ? 4/2009

Sporting Goods, Inc.

Appleton, WI

Provided customer service to the general public in-store and by phone

Managed cash sales, cashiering, and minor accounting duties

Wrote weekly sales reports

Worked within a sales team to schedule work and market sales on floor.

Performed on-floor training for all new clerks

Waitress

2/2005 ? 1/2007

Joy's Pizza and Family Restaurant

Kimberly, WI

Provided customer service related to ordering, servicing, and billing in an

80-customer restaurant with expansive take-out component

Created and wrote procedures for take-out customer service

Assisted in training of over 20 new waitresses

Performed cashiering duties

Accountant and Tax Consultant Appleton Community Church

2009 ? Present Appleton, WI

Wisconsin Institute of Certified Public Accountants National Institute of Accountants

2007 ? Present 2007 ? Present

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Chronological Resume Format Example

123 Pleasant Drive Appleton, WI 54915

Sara K. Smith

920-555-5555 Home 920-999-9999 Cell

Practical nurse with 6 years of CNA experience in multiple settings seeking a practical nursing position in a northeastern Wisconsin medical clinic that emphasizes passionate quality

patient care and team work

Education Fox Valley Technical College ? Appleton, WI Practical Nursing Technical Diploma Expected graduation: May 2012

Practical Nursing Clinical Experience 3/2012 ? 5/2012 Waupaca Area Medical Clinic

Waupaca, WI

Under supervision provided care for patients in family practice department Assisted physicians through patient interviewing, assessment, and treatment Entered patient related information on EPIC medical software system

1/2012 ? 3/2012 Riverside Medical Center Provided assistance to full-time staff in the Coronary Care Unit Participated in a 4-member team Maintained complete awareness of monitored patients Did care, assessment, charting, and monitoring of IV fluids and medications

Waupaca, WI

Relevant Work Experience

2/2010 ? Present Resident Assistant, Valley VNA

Neenah, WI

Assist elderly residents with personal care, meals, cleaning, and other personal needs

Function when needed as acting CNA manager for facility of 60 assisted living residents

Administer medications, injections, and process medication orders

2/2009 ? 1/2010 Direct Support Provider, Clarity Care

Oshkosh/Neenah, WI

Worked in 2 group homes and assisted residents with personal care and needs, including those

with brain injuries, autism, learning disabilities, and rehabilitation needs

Trained clients in appropriate behaviors and social skills in various community settings and took

them on outings

Administered medications

6/2006 ? 2/2009 CNA, Clearview Long Term Care and Rehabilitation

Juneau, WI

Assisted residents with activities of daily living (ADL), served meals, and helped with personal

needs

Assisted in transportation of residents to medical appointments, therapies, and personal

appointments

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Functional Resume Format Example

Sean M. Jones

222 E. Glory Rd., Appleton, WI 54911 (920) 999-2222

Employment Objective An automotive mechanic position involving testing and diagnosis of engine problems, parts replacement, and repair for an auto dealership focused on providing superior customer service

Education Fox Valley Technical College, Appleton, WI Automotive Technology Associate Degree ATCP Air Conditioning Certified

GPA: 3.50 Expected: May 2011

Professional Skills Technical Interpret manuals, computer programs, and procedures provided by manufacturers in the service and repair of highly technical vehicles Demonstrate technical abilities in the areas of electrical/electronic systems, automatic transmission/transaxle, manual drive train and axles, suspension and steering, brakes, heating and AC, and engine performance and repair Diagnostic Analyze vehicle problems by listening and testing to tell which vehicle parts need repair or replacement Achieved competency in the operation of the chassis dynamometer for diagnosis of problems Problem-solved FVTC drag car operational problems to achieve higher performance Safety Use the safety procedures and practices in all phases of service and repair of machinery, test equipment, chemicals, and solvents Computer and Communication Test and diagnose vehicle operation using appropriate computer software Produce quality written documents using Microsoft Word, Excel, and Access Customer Service Demonstrate positive and professional communication skills dealing with customers so that needs are met in a timely and courteous manner

Work Experience 2008 ? Present Dishwasher

Fox Banquets Rivertyme Catering

2009 ? Present

Fox Valley Technical College

Student Ambassador

2009 Summer Lube Technician

PDQ Express Lube

Appleton, WI Appleton, WI Appleton, WI

Awards and Volunteer Activities

2009

Amateur Sports Authority Scholarship

2009 ? Present

Beat the Heat Auto Club

Assist in organizing various auto club events every year as class representative

Work on the FVTC drag car that the school races In the summer and fall

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Combined Resume Format Example

Ryan P. Williams

345 Main Street Menasha, WI 54956

(920) 444-4444 rpwilliams@

Objective

An IT position involving network design, desktop assembly and upgrades, and resolution of user problems for a mid to large size business in the Fox Cities area focused on providing quality solutions in a strong team environment

Education

2009 - 2011 Fox Valley Technical College Appleton, WI Associate Degree, Network Specialist, December 2011 Associate Degree, Microcomputer Specialist, December 2011

Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society, member, G.P.A. ? 3.95

Technical Skills

Hardware Upgrade desktops and servers Assemble desktops and servers Resolve hardware conflicts

Operating Systems Install and repair Windows XP, Windows

9X, Windows 7 Install and administer Windows Server

2008 and 2010

Web Design

Knowledgeable in DOS and Linux

Design websites using HTML Knowledgeable in XML Design Web sites using CSS

Networking Design small networks Implement network cabling and routers

Application Installation and Use Microsoft Office Suite 97-2010 Visual Basic .NET

Troubleshoot user and group problems Configure and manage Active Directory Implement group policies

Visio 2010

Additional Skills

Ability to verbally communicate technical information so that others understand Effective active listener with excellent oral and written communication skills

Work Experience

2/1999 ? Present Ryan's Computers ? Owner Kaukauna, WI Troubleshoot hardware/software problems by phone and in person Upgrade and build computers to customer specifications Restore systems and solve software problems Troubleshoot and resolve hardware conflicts Design and implement home and small business networks

Provide personalized training and follow-up support

12/1994 ? 5/2007

Riverside Paper Corporation ? Mill Worker Appleton, WI

Handled materials and stock

Operated various converting machines

Participated as active member of Safety and Cost Improvement Committee

Organized and facilitated Peer Counselor Program

Military Experience

6/1989 ? 6/1992 United States Navy ? Crewmember USS Raleigh Norfolk, VA

Associations

Association of Information Technology Professionals, member Veterans of Foreign War, member American Legion, member

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Overview

Resume Checklist

Is your resume professional looking, error free, and a statement of honesty?

Does your resume demonstrate that you have kept your objective in mind?

Does the language positively market your qualifications and achievements?

From the perspective of the employer, is your resume an impressive, easy-to-read document that provides enough reasons to invite you for an interview?

Organization

Using the proper format: chronological, functional, or combined?

Your contact information complete and ALL at the top of the page?

Experience entries listed most recent first?

The most relevant or professionally impressive sections toward the top of the page?

Education entries listed either highest or most relevant first?

Content

Gives a complete and sharply focused picture of why you should be called for an interview?

Experience includes jobs usually from the past 10 years only?

Includes at a minimum: objective, skills

Uses bulleted verb phrases to describe your

or qualifications, education, and

accomplishments/duties, NOT hard-to-read

experience sections?

paragraphs?

Includes additional RELEVANT sections: honors, awards, volunteer experience, professional interests, and memberships?

Does NOT include lists of unrelated duties, references, work addresses, supervisor names, photos, and salary information?

Uses keywords and key phrases from your career field and action verbs to make your

experience and training jump from the page?

Appearance

Neatly printed on spotless, quality, bond, paper of ivory, light tan, or light gray?

One page? ? unless you have lots of relevant experience. 100% error free of spelling, capitalization, punctuation, and spacing errors? Centered (top, bottom, and side margins) on the page?

Appealing to the eye with enough white space to make it easy to read AND not a template? Resume sections highlighted by names using "normal" fonts? Consistent use of dates, dashes, font, character size, and style (bold, italic, underline)? Tabbed margins and bullets line up perfectly?

If you left any box unchecked, you need to continue to improve your resume before actively using it in your job search. Make an appointment with a FVTC Student Employment Services Employment Advisor to help you. This is a free service. Call the Appleton campus at (920) 735-5627 or the Oshkosh campus at (920) 231-5627.

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