1 Introduction Preparing your resume is like starring in your own commercial. Often, the first impression an employer has of you is based solely on your resume. While there is no one right design, there are some guidelines and commonly accepted practices you should follow. Following these rules will help present a professional impression to employers. 2 Resume Formatting: 2.1 Text Formatting: A professional font in a size 11 or 12 (12 is most preferable). Times New Roman is the classic serif font, while Arial or Calibri are two of the better choices for sans-serif. Font size for a header may be a size 14 or 16. 2.2 Page Margins: Resume should have one inch margins all the way around with 1.5 or 2 point line spacing. 2.3 Resume header: Header section includes all of your contact information including your name, address, email, and phone number. Name should be in a slightly larger size - either 14 or 16 point font. 2.4 Layout: Keep the design of the resume as simple as possible. Browse the available templates on the net and avoid using bold color templates. 2.5 Dos: 1. Keep it short and simple. The "heart" of your resume should be your education and experience. Additional categories may include honors, activities, computer experience, volunteer experiences, and scholarships or others. Prioritize information according to its relevancy. When deciding whether to include an item, ask yourself, "Is this relevant to the job I am seeking?" or "Does it enhance my qualifications as a candidate?" 2. Have a font size bigger for your name. Increase the font size of your name so that it can be read easily and clearly - even at arms length. 3. Specify your degree and any certifications. Near the top of your resume, state your specific degree, any certifications you hold. 4. Follow reverse chronological order. The most relevant and sophisticated experiences will likely be your most recent ones. List experiences in reverse date order in each section. 5. Be crystal clear in stating what you did. A description of your duties, responsibilities and experience is the most important to include. 6. Use action words. Refrain from using complete sentences on your resume.(action word = verb + ed). Start each sentence fragment on a new line. Avoid repeating the same action words over and over.
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Example action words: planned, implemented, coordinated, organized 7. Avoid indefinite language. Words like numerous, various, or etc. do not convey a professional image. Make your language concise and specific. 8. Avoid unnecessary information. Do not include hobbies on a professional resume 9. Focus on most recent happenings. Include the activities you have been involved in over the past four or five years. 10. Mention the right keywords. Most companies (even smaller ones) are already using digital databases to search for candidates. This means that the HR department will run search queries based on specific keywords. Guess what, if your resume doesnt have the keywords related to the job you are applying for, you will be out even before the game starts. These keywords will usually be nouns.
2.6 Donts: 1. Misspellings and grammatical errors are a big no-no. Our resume is a representation of your best work so it is expected to be perfect. Computer spell checks will catch many mistakes, but will not catch all of them. Typos that spell another word will slip by, as will grammatical errors. Ask someone else to review it for you so a "fresh set of eyes" can see it. 2. Not including keywords that match the job posting. Your resume should include the same keywords that appear in the job listing. If your resume doesn't have the right keywords, it most likely won't get noticed because you won't appear to be a fit for the job. 3. An outdated resume will leave a black mark. Your resume should be updated for every job you apply for. Be sure to update your skills section as well as your work history. Check to be sure that the computer, and the other, skills you list are current. 4. Including a whole story!. Don't tell your readers everything about each job. Focus on the highlights; keep your document to 1 - 2 pages. 5. Writing a resume summary which doesn't match the job. Avoid using an objective statement which doesn't correspond well with the focus of the target job. Many job seekers now leave an objective off their resume or use a profile instead. If you include either, make sure it underscores your interest in the type of work for which you are applying. 6. Including a career summary that doesn't match the job requirements. Don't use a mismatched summary of qualifications at the top of your resume. Your key assets in the summary should match many of the key job requirements. 7. Writing position descriptions that don't show what you achieved.
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Avoid job descriptions which simply list your duties or responsibilities. Instead write active statements which showcase relevant skills and accomplishments. Make sure the employer can easily see how you added value in your role. 8. Leading your paragraphs with boring stuff. Start with the hardest hitting statement which shows that you have key skills related to the job at hand. Otherwise your reader might just skim by that description. 9. Not quantifying accomplishments. Avoid empty self-congratulatory phrases by quantifying accomplishments or providing other concrete evidence to support your assertions. 10. Being too humble. Share any awards or recognition you have received in a matter-of-fact manner. 3 Resume Types: There are several basic types of resumes used to apply for job openings. Depending on your personal circumstances, choose a chronological, a functional, combination, or a targeted resume. 3.1 Chronological: The Experience section is the focus of this resume; each job is described in some detail, and there is no major section of skills or accomplishments at the beginning of the resume. This structure is primarily used when you are staying in the same profession, in the same type of work, particularly in very conservative fields. It is also used in certain fields such as law and academia. It is recommended that the chronological resume always have an Objective or Summary, to focus the reader. Advantages: Makes it easier to understand what you did in what job. May help the name of the employer stand out more, if this is impressive. The disadvantage is that it is much more difficult to highlight what you do best. This format is rarely appropriate for someone making a career change. Best Suited for: This layout is best suited for someone applying to a job within their career-path to show an increase of responsibility over time.
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3.1.1 Sample Chronological Resume
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3.2 Functional: The functional resume highlights your major skills and accomplishments from the very beginning. It helps the reader see clearly what you can do for them, rather than having to read through the job descriptions to find out. It helps target the resume into a new direction or field, by lifting up from all past jobs the key skills and qualifications to help prove you will be successful in this new direction or field. Actual company names and positions are in a subordinate position, with no description under each. There are many different types of formats for functional resumes. The functional resume is a must for career changers, but is very appropriate for generalists, for those with spotty or divergent careers, for those with a wide range of skills in their given profession, for students, for military officers, for homemakers returning to the job market, and for those who want to make slight shifts in their career direction. Advantages: It will help you most in reaching for a new goal or direction. The disadvantage is that it is hard for the employer to know exactly what you did in which job, which may be a problem for some conservative interviewers. Best Suited for: These are best suited for someone who may have negative experience in their work history .These resumes are mainly focused on skills rather than job history.
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3.2.1 Sample Functional Resume
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3.3 Combined: A combined resume includes elements of both the chronological and functional formats. It may be a shorter chronology of job descriptions preceded by a short Skills and Accomplishments section (or with a longer Summary including a skills list or a list of qualifications); or, it may be a standard functional resume with the accomplishments under headings of different jobs held. Advantages: It maximizes the advantages of both kinds of resumes, avoiding potential negative effects of either type. One disadvantage is that it tends to be a longer resume. Another is that it can be repetitious: Accomplishments and skills may have to be repeated in both the functional section and the chronological job descriptions. Best Suited for: As the name explains, it is a combination of chronological and functional. It is best suited for those who has developed a specific skill set from working in a variety of related fields.
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3.3.1 Sample Combinational Resume
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4 Tips for Effective Resume: There are three parameters which when applied in resume writing signifies a highly effective and impacted resume on the mind of the employer. 1) Impact 2) Presentation 3) Soft skills 4.1 Impact: The word resume is derived from a French word that means, literally, to summarize, so avoid making your resume a detailed life history! So, your resume will have a strong impact on someone if you keep your resume brief and to the point and by using the right words. The following factors determine a highly impacted resume: a) Action-Oriented b) Specifics c) Over usage d) Avoided words 4.1.1 Action-Oriented: Use action-oriented language when you are specifying your responsibilities, achievements, projects and experience. 4.1.1.1 Samples for Action-Oriented Conversations: 1) Website development and management Incorrect Way "Responsible for managing website for online shopping" Suggested Way "Designed, developed and maintained ecommerce website to support over 5000 daily transactions" 2) Achievement in Customer Service Experience Incorrect Way "Was honored for best customer services" Suggested Way "Provided customer service to over 5000 airline customers; received customer service award based customer feedback rating" 4.1.2 Specifics: Be specific in providing information on the work you did in the following sections:
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Skills Experience Education Projects Achievements Leadership 4.1.2.1 Samples for Specific Conversations:
1) Student analysis of Departmental activities Incorrect Way "Analyzed the department task and removed non-value added activities" Suggested Way "Analyzed department task map; identified and replaced non-value added tasks, increasing staff productivity by 53%" 2) Experience in a small business Incorrect Way "Led a team that achieved higher profits" Suggested Way "Led team of 10 to turnaround $1 Million revenue loss business unit to $3 Million profit in 10 months 4.1.3 Over usage: Do not overuse any word. In the sections like projects, experience, responsibilities you would be facing this overhead. Example: Using designed, implemented, developed words many times. As an alternative check for the synonyms for those words and appropriately use them.
4.1.4 Avoided Words: Your resume should not contain generally avoided buzzwords. 4.1.4.1 Samples Conversations for Avoided Buzzwords: 1) Specify your skills dont just say you have them Incorrect Way "I have good written communication skills" Suggested Way "Wrote jargon-free online help manuals and reduced customer support calls by 80%" 2) Avoid Using Typical Clinches in Resume Incorrect Way "Track record of simultaneous success" Suggested Way
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"Designed and implemented planning strategies for customer and sales marketing teams to attain sales growth of 50% over 3 year period, accounting for revenues of $4 Million" 4.2 Presentation: Resume should not only be well-written but should also follow some guidelines for good presentation. Your presentation of the resume should be pleasing to the eyes of the reader who reads it! The following factors determine a good presented resume: 1) Page Layout. 2) Section Layout. 3) Missing Sections. 4) Spell Check. 4.2.1 Page Layout: Make sure your resume has same one-inch margins all the way around. 4.2.2 Section Layout: Make sure all the sections in your resume are well-aligned. 4.2.3 Missing Sections: Include the relevant sections in your resume depending on the job you are applying for. Sections of the resume are: Objective Skills Education Experience Projects Achievements Interests 4.2.4 Spell Check: Make sure to check every single word in your resume manually though your spell check is on!
4.3 Soft Skills: Your resume should portray the five important skills and qualities. They are: a) Teamwork b) Communication skills c) Analytical skills d) Initiative skills e) Leadership qualities 4.3.1 Teamwork: All employers are keen to recruit graduates who are able to cooperate, solve problems and work in teams. As less hierarchical organizations have emerged with project teams, self-managed work teams and management teams, so the requirements to 'Get on well with people', and to 'Work with and through others' become increasingly important.
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Teamwork involves working confidently within a group, contributing your own ideas effectively, taking a share of the responsibility, being assertive - rather than passive or aggressive, accepting and learning from constructive criticism and giving positive, constructive feedback to others. 4.3.1.1 Samples for Teamwork Skills:
Web Portal Launch Experience at School Club Part of 10-person committee responsible for academic interactions and relationship building; drafted new set of amendments and guidelines to increase and improve academic interaction and launched web portal for academic feedback Coordination with internal teams for data collection and weekly status reporting Coordinated with internal teams to collect progress reports and data analysis for 5 projects; scheduled and convened weekly status project review meetings with 15 team members 4.3.2 Communication skills: Regardless of the size of the organization whether it's a large corporation, a small company, or even a home-based business you need good communication skills if you want to succeed. 4.3.2.1 Samples for Communication Skills:
Student delivered workshops to peers at college Organized and presented at quarterly workshops with over 200 attendees to help students gain insight into their strengths and weaknesses. Inventory Management Invented new process for tracking inventory throughout all steps in manufacturing and storage to reduce loss in sales due to inventory shortage; led to increased revenue by 10% 4.3.3 Analytical skills: Analytical skills are skills relating to the ability to look at and figure out problems. Someone who has analytical skills can take a problem and figure out the whole issue with no problem. 4.3.3.1 Samples for Analytical Skills: Process analysis and improvisation Analyzed 6 operational process of CUT Company, highlighted gaps and summarized improvement plan to increase productivity of employees Providing Agent training to improve customer services Conducted agent training on customer service processes decreasing call failure rate by 40% 4.3.4 Initiative skills: There are three types of people in this world: those who make things happen, those who watch things happen, and those who wonder what happened. "Initiative is doing the right thing without being told." Victor Hugo, French writer
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4.3.4.1 Samples for Initiative Skills: System testing Created test case documents; collaborated with team of 20 testers to conduct UAT (User Acceptance Testing) across 10 global locations Lab sessions preparations for experiments Conveyed Instruction to class of 85 students during lab sessions; prepared sensors and instruments for weekly experiment class 4.3.5 Leadership qualities: The ability to lead effectively is based on a number of key skills. These skills are highly sought after by employers as they involve dealing with people in such a way as to motivate, enthuse and build respect. 4.3.5.1 Samples for Leadership qualities: Market analysis and planning strategies with client team Suggested new product growth strategies to large marketing services company to meet $40 million new business target; conducted extensive competitive market analysis and scenario planning in close collaboration with 10-person client team Newspaper editorials Researched and published 5 blog post on various aspects of global warming issues.