Resumes

LAVC Writing Center Resumes

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Definition

A resume is concise piece of SELF-ADVERTISING that is focused on a specific position or job title.

What’s the main goal of a resume?

To impress an employer so they will want to schedule an interview with you.

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Resume Basics

How long should a resume be?

One page for most individuals.

Sometimes it is two pages or more for professional occupations such as teaching, counseling or positions requiring a doctorate degree.

Basic Types of Resumes

Chronological (preferred)– In date order (most recent first)– Use when career has an upward path and/or there are no long unemployment

stretches

Functional (least preferred)– Focuses on skills you’ve attained– Lack of work experience– Use when career lacks an upwardly mobile path and/or there are gaps in

employment history

Chrono-Functional – Focuses on skills attained while providing a chronological listing of jobs– Use when you want to stress the skills obtained in various jobs rather than the

positions themselves or the employment progression

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Resume Format: Header

At the top of the page include your name, address, phone number, and email address

What should you avoid with the header?

Unprofessional email addresses:

[email protected]@hotmail.com

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Resume Format: Header

Loretta L Lierhost3330 Independence Blvd., #926

Parma Heights, OH 44144(818) 555-1234

[email protected]

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Resume Format: Objective vs. Position statement

Objective Statement: “Seeking a software engineer position with a progressive employer where I can contribute to the development of new technologies and work with bright, committed people.”

Position Statement: Senior Software Engineer with 10 years experience developing leading-edge technologies, managing multimillion dollar projects, and supervising over 75 employees.”

This may be honest but it is irrelevant to the employer, who does not care what you want and only cares what you have to offer. Objective statements focus on the needs of the job seeker rather than the needs of the potential employer. Instead of an objective, use a positioning statement that clearly and concisely explains what you have to offer:

Work Experience

Work Experience10/08 - Present Shapiro & Lemitz, Inc. Los Angeles, CALegal Administrative Assistant• Interview clients, open files, draft petitions and letter, and file petitions at courthouse; research legal issues and devise new angles to argue in court.• Perform general bookkeeping functions for six attorneys; implemented computerized bookkeeping system.• Verify accuracy of bills, place collection calls, and file paperwork needed for litigation when necessary; automated firm's billing system.• Compute employee withholdings and prepare paychecks; also prepare payroll and corporate tax returns.• Independently manage office when partners are out of town (often for weeks at a time).8

•Use concrete examples that can be measured: e.g.- instead of “has leadership abilities” be specific, use: “supervised eight employees.”

•The resume reader will usually equate your value with that of your employer. Describe only the parts of your job that helps to sell you and showcase your value.

Action Verbs

Using actions verbs creates a more positive impression. Below are some of themore creative action verbs used.

Achieved Administered Analyzed

Controlled Coordinated Created

Designed Developed Diagnosed

Directed Established Expanded

Implemented Improved Increased

Initiated Innovated Instructed

Modified Negotiated Organized

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Action Verbs

Using actions verbs creates a more positive impression. Below are some of themore creative action verbs used.

Pioneered Planned Promoted

Reduced expenses Referred

Requested Regulated Resolved (problems)

Scheduled ScreenedStrengthened

Summarized Supervised Tested

Totaled Trained Transformed

Translated Upgraded Validated

Won Worked Wrote

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What if you have limited work experience?

Consider marketable skills that you may have:

• Working on research paper • Internships and/or committees• Coaching and tutoring• Recognition or essays or projects• Assisting teachers, elders or children.• Serving on student government committee. • Club leaderships

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Education

Los Angeles Valley College • Associate of Arts: June 2010• Consistent Dean's List recognition GPA: 4.0

EducationUniversity of California Los Angeles • Bachelor of Arts: Anticipated Completion Date June 2012• Consistent Dean's List recognition GPA: 4.0

List the type of degree, the institution, and the date. If you have a college degree, do not include a high school diploma.

Certificates and Licenses

If you have any relevant certificates or licenses, be sure to list them. In this section list the name, location and date of the certificates you have that relates to the position.

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CertificatesNational Career Readiness CertificateLevel 1: GoldIssue Date: 3/8/11

Military Experience

Military Experience branch of service your highest rank type of discharge and date of separation. List any special assignments, duties, clearances, collateral

duties, and decorations that relate to the job that you are seeking.

Technical military training can be listed under the Education heading on your resume.

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Professional Skills

Professional Skills:Knowledge of HTML, MS Word, Excel, Typing speed:65 wpmLanguage: Advanced Spanish, Conversational Russian

Computer Skills:Languages:

References

Do not include references on the resume

It is expected that you will provide references when asked.

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Common Resume Errors

Overstating one’s qualifications Using the word “Resume” in the heading Listing references on the resume Using handwritten corrections Putting a date on the resume Using a nickname or initials Using abbreviations or acronyms (spell out) Using “I” instead of action verbs Using colored or printed paper Including hobbies Including personal information (religion, marital status, etc.) Including salary information Including reasons for leaving jobs Lying Having any typos!

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General Tips

Use 24-lb., 100% cotton, white or off-white paper Print in black ink Use 10-12 point font Use action verbs Use keywords from job description (especially important if

scanned. Also if scanned, follow scannable format guidelines Align lists exactly Keep current and applicable Proofread! Include a cover letter

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Scannable Resumes

Follow these steps to create your Scannable Resume: Remove all graphics; they confuse scanners. This includes art, shading, bullets, and to be safe,

horizontal and vertical lines/rules. You can use an asterisk, tilde, or hyphen to replace various symbols.

Be sure your name is on the first line of the resume and no other text is on that line. Although tabs and centered text may be readable on most systems, it is safest to move all text to the

left margin, remove tabs, and use the space bar to indent. Use common and easily recognizable fonts. Ideally use a sans-serif font (without the little "feet" on

characters) such as Arial or Helvetica, or a common serif font such as Times or Times New Roman. Keep all point sizes between 10 and 14 points. Use standard line spacing, i.e., avoid compressing lines of text. Remove bold, italic, script, and underlining. Use all caps sparingly to create visual emphasis. Keep "To" and "From" dates on one line, and use a single date on college degrees. Use hyphens (rather than parentheses) around telephone area codes: 303-456-3945.

From: http://www.careerperfect.com/content/resume-writing-help-scannable-resume-tips/

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EXERCISE

Begin filling out the resume worksheet in the packet.

Practice describing your job duties by using the list of action verbs

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