Creating a Professional Résumé Mr. Cleon M. McLean Ontario High School 12 th grade English
What is a résumé?
A written summary of your education, experience, activities, and interestsA business document that allows potential employers to determine whether you have the basic qualifications for a position in a their companyThe initial/first step in the employment process
Résumé Content
Required information:
NAME
ADDRESS, PHONE #
OBJECTIVE
EDUCATION
EXPERIENCE
ACTIVITIES
SKILLS
REFERENCES
Optional information:
HONORS
AWARDS
SCHOLARSHIPS
INTERESTS
LETTERS OF RECOMMENDATIONS
NAME, ADDRESS, PHONE
Use the name or name by which you go
Use a “home” address
Make your name stand out more than your address and phone
Include your e-mail address
EDUCATIONName of your school (spell out completely; capitalize “O,” “H,” and “S”)Expected graduation date ( May, 2006)Grade Point Average ( GPA: 3.0)Elective classes taken (or any other classes or programs which you have taken)
EXPERIENCE
Identify ANY work experience you have had in the past (even if it’s summer jobs, babysitting, or collecting offerings in church)Emphasize POSITIVE qualities:– Accomplishments– Supervisory, training duties– Teamwork– Promotions– Work ethic---responsible,
respectful, caring, accountable, helpful, etc.
ACTIVITIES
ACTIVITIES ARE SOMETIMES MORE IMPORTANT THAN EXPERIENCE!– Membership is Basic
– Involvement is Significant
– Leadership is Excellent– Show Depth (how much
responsibilities you have had)
– Show Breath (how many responsibilities you have had)
TYPES OF ACTIVITIES
Sports (either OHS, private, or community)
Campus activities/clubs
Community activities, volunteerism
Political organizations
Ethnic/cultural membership
Religious groups
Teacher Assistant, Office Helper
INTERESTS
INTERESTS TELL EMPLOYERS ABOUT YOUR PERSONALITY AND STYLE– Team player or soloist
– Outdoors or Indoors
– Technical or artistic
– Community-minded or World-minded
– Newshound or Party Animal
OBJECTIVE
Indicate/show specific preferences, goalsDon’t limit yourself unnecessarilyLocation, location, location: Where would you like to work?Short term versus long term (Do you have both?)– Short term: summer job (?)– Long term: full time job
FORMAT AND APPEARANCE
Quality paper and sharp printBoldface and Capitalization to show emphasisItalics and Font Style to show differentiationWhite Space to make the résumé easy to read Balance the spacing, especially on left and rightKey information should JUMP at the readerCheck and re-check grammar and spelling!