HOW TO WRITE A RESUME
Prepare for Your Job Search Student Success Centers University of Southern Maine at Portland/Gorham/LAC
Updated 06/25/10
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Adapted with Permission Rodney Mondor Student Success Coordinator University of Southern Maine
WHAT IS A RESUME . . . It is a summary of:
...who you are ...your employment history
...your strengths ...your skills and abilities ...why the employer should call you for an interview
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TYPES OF RESUMES Chronological • Organized by job titles with the most recent position listed first
Functional • Places the focus on professional skills and experience that you gained from your employment
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WRITING YOUR RESUME The KEY to a successful resume... skill identification and presentation!
There are many important aspects to a resume. Everyone has a different way of putting one together and in most cases, there is no "right way" or "wrong way." Student Success Center
MAJOR COMPONENTS • Contact Information • Objective Statement • Education • Experience
• Honors and Activities Student Success Center
CONTACT INFORMATION • Usually located at the top of the page. • Includes: • Name • Address and phone • Campus • Permanent
• Email • Any other means of contact
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FOR EXAMPLE Rose Mantle Current Address: University of Southern Maine 37 College Ave. Gorham, ME 04038 (207) 555-5555
Permanent Address: 123 City Drive Stowe, VT 12345 (555) 555-5555
[email protected]
Rose Mantle 123 City Drive Stowe, VT 12345 (555) 555-5555
[email protected] Student Success Center
OBJECTIVE STATEMENT • An “at a glance” statement of you and your career interests. • Be clear and specific. • “Seeking a nursing job in pediatric care.” • Make sure your objective matches the position you are applying for. • Not a required component, but suggested. Student Success Center
“Instant” Objective examples Practice filling in the parts in the (
):
To use my (qualifications, strengths, or skills) as a (position title). An opportunity to (professional goal) in a (type of organization, work environment, or field).
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EDUCATION • Name and location of school(s) • All college work if you transferred • Need not include high school
• Degree and date of graduation (actual or anticipated) • Major/Minor • Optional Items • GPA • Relevant courses outside of a typical major that may add to qualifications of job • Other formal training or skills if applicable (computer, language proficiency, licenses, etc.) • Specializations and special projects
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FOR EXAMPLE EDUCATION University of Southern Maine, Portland, ME Bachelor of Science: History / Minor: Economics Major GPA: 3.9 Overall GPA: 3.8 Honors and Awards: Dean’s List 2006-2010
May 2010
Related Coursework: History of the Wars, European Economics
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EXPERIENCE: (Purpose) • Provides information to help persuade prospective employers that your experiences make you qualified for the job and that you align with the company’s goals. • Helps your resume stand out from others in the pile. Student Success Center
EXPERIENCE (Content) Select your resume format. • Chronological • List employment in reverse order. • Include position held, employer, and dates. • Describe job duties, tasks, and skill levels. For example… Company 1 Sales Associate Description of job duties
September 2009 - Present
Company 2 Intern Description of job duties
December 2007 – September 2009
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EXPERIENCE (Content) Functional • Choose skill headings according to your job objective, and job description’s keywords. • Include accomplishments, responsibilities, and duties. For example… Customer Service List accomplishments, responsibilities, and duties Sales & Advertising List accomplishments, responsibilities, and duties
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EXPERIENCE cont. Developing your descriptions- Example: Before:
Planned activities
After:
As Recreation Therapist intern, planned activities and exercises weekly for children with physical challenges.
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HONORS and ACTIVITY SECTION A section that demonstrates your participation in relevant activities and any honors or awards you have received. May include: • Memberships in professional clubs and organizations • Volunteer activities/ Service learning projects • Study abroad • Outstanding Senior Award • Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society Student Success Center
LET’S GET STARTED • Think about the jobs you have held. • Consider any activities that used the same skills that may be used in the job you are applying for- such as volunteer positions, assistantships, etc. • What were your responsibilities? • What specific skills/abilities did you use? • Incorporate value into your statements, “how well you did.”
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Who would you hire? Receptionist A: •
Answered phone
•
Greeted plant visitors
•
Made appointments
• •
Sorted incoming mail Processed checks
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Receptionist Y: •
Received incoming calls on 3 business lines, determined nature of call, and effectively transferred caller to destination with 99% accuracy.
•
Maintained daily phone log.
•
Collected, sorted, and distributed mail and messages to staff members.
•
Greeted visitors to office and issued visitor passes.
•
Arranged future appointments for staff upon request.
HELPFUL RESUME TIPS • Keep your resume up to date.
• Try different formats. •Watch your objective sentence.
• Two pages is OK. • You have your cover letter to explain.
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OTHER CONSIDERATIONS •DESIGN: Aim for a professional package so that your resume and cover letter have consistent format (layout, font types and sizes, stationery). •ACCURACY: Proofread with a magnifying glass and have others review for you too. What’s wrong with this skill statement in someone’s resume? •Skill: have perfected my “atttention to detail”
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NEED MORE HELP? Visit one of USM’s Student Success Centers Gorham 119 Bailey (207) 780-5652
Lewiston/Auburn 119 LAC (207) 753-6536 Portland 119 Payson Smith (207) 780-4040
www.usm.maine.edu/success Student Success Center