HOW TO WRITE AN EFFECTIVE RÉSUMÉ Jenny Leonard Montana State Billings August 2004
Dec 24, 2015
HOW TO WRITE ANEFFECTIVE RÉSUMÉ
Jenny Leonard
Montana State Billings
August 2004
RÉSUMÉ MYTHS
Résumé must be limited to one page Résumé must be in chronological format Résumé must be a balanced look at your
strengths and weaknesses Résumé must contain an “Objective” You write your résumé once and never again
A RÉSUMÉ IS
are the product!
PURPOSE OF THE RÉSUMÉ
Land you an interview!!!! Don’t just inform – EXCITE!
Not a history Not a personal statement Not a self-expression
10 – 20 seconds is all you have
PLAN & PLAN SOME MORE
Focus on employer’s need – not yours What will make you the ideal candidate? What special abilities would you have? What would make an exceptional candidate
rather than a acceptable one? Ask yourself some questions and WRITE
DOWN THE ANSWERS!
PART I: ASSERTIONSor WHY I AM THE PERFECT PERSON FOR YOU
SUMMARY Short paragraph about why you are wonderful Use your field’s jargon For students, may be based on potential rather
than actual expertise May also be called
SUMMARY OF QUALIFICATIONS
Summary Section A short phrase describing your profession Followed by a statement of broad or specialized
expertise Followed by two or three statements about
Depth or breadth of skills Unique mix of skills Range of environments in which you have worked Special or well-documented accomplishments History of awards
One or two professional or appropriate personal characteristics
A sentence describing professional objective or interest
Summary Example
Web designer with five years experience in creating interactive websites. Skilled in use of Front Page, Dreamweaver, Flash, XML, HTML, and ASP. Energetic self-starter with excellent creative, organizational, and marketing skills. Proven ability to work with teams. Seeking a challenging position in web design that offers extensive contact with end-users.
PART II: SKILLS & ACCOMPLISHMENTSor PROVING I AM WONDERFUL SKILLS AND ACCOMPLISHMENTS
More details about what you have or have done May also be called
ACCOMPLISHMENTS SUMMARY OF ACCOMPLISHMENTS RECENT ACCOMPLISHMENTS AREAS OF ACCOMPLISHMENTS AND EXPERTISE AREAS OF EXPERTISE CAREER HIGHLIGHTS PROFESSIONAL HIGHLIGHTS OTHER SKILLS AND ACCOMPLISHMENTS
Skills and Accomplishments(continued)
Formats Chronological
Lawyers Accountants Academics
Functional Students Wide skill range Changing careers Returning to workplace
Skills and Accomplishments(continued)
Ways to present Bullet list Major headings with bullet list Chronological with bullet list
Skills and Accomplishments(continued)
Possible Headings Technology & Programming Technical Management
Subheadings Web Design and Support Help Desk Support Network Administration Applications Languages
Skills and Accomplishments(continued)
Experience Reverse chronological order
Summarize the old stuff! Format
Title – Firm – Location – Dates Firm – Title – Location – Dates
Location is ONLY city and state Dates are ONLY in years
Include ALL experience – paid AND unpaid! Do NOT call this section “Work History” or “Employment” May also call it “Professional Experience” or “Professional
History”
Skills and Accomplishments(continued)
Education Degrees first (if you are not finished use
“Expected 2004”) Licenses second Advanced or technical training Awards DO NOT INCLUDE HIGH SCHOOL! May also be called
Education and Licenses Education and Training
Skills and Accomplishments(continued)
Professional Affiliations Current, relevant, impressive Combine with civic affiliations and call it
Professional and Community Memberships
Publications ONLY if published May use websites you have designed or helped
design References
“References available upon request”
PART III: WRITING IT OUT
Use power words Hit the highlights Clear, concise, to the point Phrases – not complete sentences Verb tense – first or third person Verb tense – current is present, past is past Okay to use jargon Shorter is generally better
PART III: WRITING IT OUT (continued)
Sometimes it is easier to think
about your accomplishments
as if you were writing
about your best friend
and not yourself.
PART IV: MAKE IT LOOK GOOD Uniform use of formatting NAME: Bold and Caps (may be larger font) Name on Second page (unobtrusive, but seeable) HEADINGS: Bold Numbers
1 – 10 spell out 11+ write as number
Experience before Education Unless you are a student!
Phone number must be answered all the time – person OR machine
Email must be checked frequently
PART IV: MAKE IT LOOK GOOD(continued) Match your cover letter heading to your
résumé heading You are IT people – show off your technical
skills! Résumé not resume for example
Print on résumé paper White or ivory!
Preferably use Laser not Ink Jet Black ink – no color!
PART V: DO NOT!!!! UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES!
Put RESUME at the top! Use fluffy statements or ramble Give salary information Give full addresses for employers Give supervisor names for employers Give reasons for leaving Include a Personal section Include references
What Next?
Write your résumé Have someone you trust look over it