RESUME GUIDE PROFESSIONAL DEVELOP MENT II HERZING UNIVERSITY O NLINE Written by Kelly Zugay, M.A.

Contents About .................................................................................................................................................. 2 Step 1: Get to Know Yourself ............................................................................................................... 2 Step 2: Get to Know Your Audience ..................................................................................................... 2 Step 3: Choose a Format ...................................................................................................................... 3 Step 4: Develop Each Section of Your Resume ..................................................................................... 4 Contact Information......................................................................................................................... 4 Professional Profile .......................................................................................................................... 4 Education ........................................................................................................................................ 4 Professional Experience ................................................................................................................... 5 Optional Information ....................................................................................................................... 5 Step 5: Polish Your Resume ................................................................................................................. 6 Presentation .................................................................................................................................... 6 Formatting....................................................................................................................................... 6 Content............................................................................................................................................ 6 Action Words ................................................................................................................................... 7 Chronological Resume Checklist .......................................................................................................... 8 Functional Resume Checklist ............................................................................................................... 9 Chronological Resume Sample ........................................................................................................... 10 Functional Resume Sample ................................................................................................................ 11

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About A resume is a document that is used to represent who you are as a professional. From your education to your professional work experience, a resume should effectively highlight your skills and expertise. A strong resume can help you to secure an interview and provide you with an opportunity to secure a position.

Step 1: Get to Know Yourself When designing a resume, it is important to have a clear understanding of who you are and who you hope to become as a working professional. Think about your strengths, weaknesses, likes, and dislikes. Reflect upon your professional experience, and write down any information you would like to highlight. • • • • •

What is your educational background like? What is your professional background like? Do you have any volunteer experience? Are you a member of a professional organization? What have you accomplished through your professional work?

Reflecting upon your professional experience will help to prepare you for resume writing.

Step 2: Get to Know Your Audience Take a moment to think of or search for a job that is of interest to you. Ask yourself: What is the employer seeking? How does my experience and education align with what the employer is seeking? Example: The employer is seeking… Leadership Experience Accounting Coursework Community Involvement

I have experience through… Serving as Project Manager in a Class Being an Accounting Major Volunteering for Feeding America

It is important to understand how each skill you have practiced or obtained throughout your professional or academic career can be “transferred” to the job you hope to obtain. These skills are known as transferrable skills. skills

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Step 3: Choose a Format Your field of study or desired field of employment will often determine the format and style of your resume. For example, a Graphic Design resume will differ from a Criminal Justice resume; a Graphic Design resume may be very creative in format and design, while a Criminal Justice resume may be traditional in format and design. Consult your Career Development Specialist if you are uncertain of where or how to begin. A resume can be written in a chronological or functional format: Chronological Resume A chronological resume is organized in reverse chronological order so that your most recent work experience is listed first. This type of resume is used to emphasize employment and is best suited for those whose job history demonstrates steady career growth within the same general field. Functional Resume A functional resume is organized by functional skill. This type of resume is used to highlight key qualifications which have been demonstrated through a variety of work. For those who are seeking a career change, or those who are returning to the job market after a long absence, a functional resume can help to organize a diverse job history. The length of your resume may be determined by your professional experience or career. OneOne-Page A recent college graduate or entry-level job seeker should utilize a one-page resume. A one page resume may also be appropriate for an applicant who is making a career change, in which much of his or her professional experience is not relevant to the prospective role. TwoTwo-Page An applicant who is above entry-level, but below executive-level, may utilize a two-page resume. A two-page resume may also be appropriate for an applicant who has abundant professional or extracurricular experience (that relate to the position for which they are applying). ThreeThree-Page An applicant who is at the senior or executive-level may require a resume that is three or more pages in length. Before creating a resume that is three or more pages in length, an applicant should be certain that the resume will be accepted by the organization. Remember: The goal of a resume should be to convey your experience in a concise and impactful way. Avoid repetitive or extraneous information.

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Step 4: Develop Each Section of Your Resume A resume can include a diverse array of information. A resume should include the following: Contact Information, a Professional Profile, Education, and Professional Experience. Contact Information

Contact information should be listed at the very top of your resume. Within this section, be sure to include: Your Name, Your Mailing Address, Your Telephone Number, and a Professional E-Mail Address. Example:

Sally Classmate 123 Hickory Lane ▪ Madison, Wisconsin 12345 555.555.5555 ▪ [email protected] Professional Profile

A professional profile is a brief statement of your experience and expertise. A professional profile should grab the attention of the reader and showcase your expertise as a professional. These 2-3 sentences should be centered on your educational and professional achievement. Example: Dynamic Medical Assistant with five years of experience within the healthcare field. Extensively trained in patient processes and laboratory procedures. Enthusiastic and motivated with a proven ability to provide compassionate patient care. Education

All higher education (post-high school) must be included within your resume. Within this section, be sure to include the following information for each institution: Institution Name, City and State, Full Degree Name, and Graduation Date (Degree Awarded or Degree Expected). Example: Herzing University Bachelor of Science in Business Administration

Madison, Wisconsin Degree Awarded May 2010

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Professional Experience

All professional experience should be included within your resume. For a chronological resume, be sure to include the following information: Company Name, City and State, Position Title, Dates of Employment, and 3-5 Job Duties. Example: ABC Financial Madison, Wisconsin Customer Service Representative May 2010—Present • Provide top-quality customer service to each client • Manage a diverse array of financial information, maintaining accuracy and confidentiality • Serve as a resource for each client; provide expertise regarding financial information For a functional resume, be sure to include all of the above, with the exception of job duties. Optional Information

A resume can also include additional information about your educational or professional experience. This information should be active (in the case of certifications, memberships, etc.), recent (conferences, trainings, etc.), and related to your field. You may choose to include: Academic Training Associations Community Involvement Computer Skills Extracurricular Activities Memberships Professional Activities Publications University Activities Volunteer Work

Additional Experience Certifications Community Service Conferences Key Competencies Notable Achievements Professional Development Research Volunteer Activities Workshops Attended

Experience Affiliations Coaching Experience Computer Applications Conventions Language Skills Presentations Professional Training Seminars Volunteer Experience Workshops Facilitated

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Step 5: Polish Your Resume Always keep in mind that your resume is an evolving document. As you progress in your academic and professional career, the content within your resume will change. Presentation

• • • • •

Print your resume on high-quality 8 ½” by 11” paper Do not print your resume on colored paper Your name should be typed in size 18-22 font All other text should be typed in size 10-14 font When submitting your resume in an envelope, submit it unfolded, in a large envelope

Formatting

• • • •

Provide a distinct heading for each section of your resume Utilize bulleting whenever possible to make the resume easy to read Use a common font style such as Calibri or Times New Roman Use past-tense for past employment and present-tense for present employment

Content

• • • • •

Using the position description, tailor your resume to the desired position Be specific when describing each job duty or achievement; use action words (see below) Be concise; eliminate any information that is not needed Be professional in your writing, and be descriptive Proofread your resume. Do not submit a resume that has errors in spelling or grammar

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Action Words

Addressed Arbitrated Arranged Authored Communicated Composed

Conceived Conceptualized Conducted Created Designed

Accounted for Administered Allocated Analyzed Appraised Balanced

Centralized Certified Chaired Changed Commissioned Committed

Achieved Accelerated Accomplished Attained Augmented

Contacted Convinced Corresponded Developed Directed Drafted

Communication Communication Edited Lectured Formulated Marketed Influenced Mediated Informed Moderated Interpreted Motivated Interviewed Negotiated

Networked Persuaded Presented Promoted Publicized Published

Reconciled Recruited Referred Reported Translated Wrote

Developed Directed Drafted Established Executed

Creative Fashioned Introduced Founded Invented Improvised Marketed Instituted Modernized Integrated Originated

Performed Pioneered Planned Redesigned Remodeled

Replaced Revitalized Shaped Spearheaded Started

Budgeted Calculated Controlled Developed Estimated Financed

Analytical & Financial Monitored Rated Planned Reconciled Procured Reformed Projected Related Purchased Relieved Raised Remedied

Researched Secured Sought Settled Staffed Strengthened

Submitted Substantiated Suggested Supplemented Sustained Tailored

Concluded Condensed Confirmed Consented Contracted Consolidated

Management & Leadership Correlated Evaluated Cultivated Executed Delegated Formulated Determined Founded Developed Fulfilled Employed Grew

Handled Headed Hired Managed Maintained Organized

Oversaw Planned Prioritized Produced Proposed Recommended

Proved Reduced Re-Established Resolved Restored

Stabilized Standardized Succeeded Transformed Validated

Decreased Doubled Effected Eliminated Enlarged

Drive, Motivation, and Results Established Lowered Costs Exceeded Maximized Expanded Measured Improved Obtained Increased Pioneered

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Chronological Resume Checklist Step 1: Contact Information ___ First and Last Name ___ Full Mailing Address ___ Telephone Number ___ Professional Email Address Step 2: Professional Profile ___ 2-3 Sentences Outlining Education & Experience ___ Use powerful language ___ Use industry-relevant language Step 3: Education ___ List each institution in reverse chronological order ___ Include the city and state in which each institution is located ___ Include “Degree Awarded” or “Degree Expected” and your graduation date Step 4: Professional Experience ___ List each organization in reverse chronological order ___ Include the city and state in which each organization is located ___ Include dates of employment, written in Month Year format ___ Below each organization, list 3-5 job duties Step 5: Professional Membership ___ List each professional membership, including dates of membership Step 6: Community Involvement ___ List recent volunteer work, including dates of involvement

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Functional Resume Checklist Step 1: Contact Information ___ First and Last Name ___ Full Mailing Address ___ Telephone Number ___ Professional Email Address Step 2: Professional Profile ___ 2-3 Sentences Outlining Education & Experience ___ Use powerful language ___ Use industry-relevant language Step 3: Areas of Expertise ___ List 2-3 key areas of skill or expertise ___ Below each skill, list 2-3 ways in which the skill has been demonstrated Step 4: Education ___ List each institution in reverse chronological order ___ Include the city and state in which each institution is located ___ Include “Degree Awarded” or “Degree Expected” and your graduation date Step 5: Professional Experience ___ List each organization in reverse chronological order ___ Include the city and state in which each organization is located ___ Include dates of employment, written in Month Year format Step 6: Professional Membership ___ List each professional membership, including dates of membership Step 7: Community Involvement ___ List all volunteer work, including dates of involvement

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Chronological Resume Sample

SALLY CLASSMATE 123 Hickory Lane ▪ Madison, Wisconsin 12345 555.555.5555 ▪ [email protected] PROFESSIONAL PROFILE Dynamic Certified Medical Assistant with over four years of experience in the healthcare field. Proven ability to provide outstanding patient and customer service. Committed to providing top-quality organizational support within a healthcare setting. EDUCATION Herzing University Bachelor of Science in Healthcare Management Associate of Science in Medical Assisting Services

Madison, Wisconsin Degree Awarded May 2013 Degree Awarded May 2011

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE Madison Clinic Madison, Wisconsin Certified Medical Assistant May 2011– Present • Provide top-quality patient care on a daily basis • Manage patient record filing system and ensure that each file is accurate and up-to-date • Prepare each patient for processes and procedures, following clinic safety protocol Madison Nursing Home Madison, Wisconsin Certified Nursing Assistant May 2009 – May 2011 • Provided top-quality patient care on a daily basis; conducted patient assessment and care planning • Assisted each patient with personal hygiene, grooming, and personal nutrition • Provided emotional support to each patient through caring and compassionate communication CERTIFICATIONS American Heart Association BLS for Healthcare Providers Heartsaver First Aid

Valid through May 2017 Valid through May 2017

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Functional Resume Sample

SALLY CLASSMATE 123 Hickory Lane ▪ Madison, Wisconsin 12345 555.555.5555 ▪ [email protected] PROFESSIONAL PROFILE Dynamic Certified Medical Assistant with expertise in providing top-quality patient and customer care. Proven ability to provide compassionate patient care and support. Committed to growth within the healthcare field; an asset to any organization. SKILLS & QUALIFICATIONS Patient Care • Compassionate and caring; able to offer support and guidance to each patient • Strong attention to detail; proficient in a diverse array of patient and laboratory procedures Administrative Support • Organized and efficient; able to effectively manage a multi-line telephone system • Able to manage all patient documentation and ensure that each file is up-to-date EDUCATION Herzing University Bachelor of Science in Healthcare Management Associate of Science in Medical Assisting Services PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE Madison Call Center Customer Service Representative Customer Care Associate CERTIFICATIONS American Heart Association BLS for Healthcare Providers Heartsaver First Aid

Madison, Wisconsin Degree Awarded May 2013 Degree Awarded May 2011

Madison, Wisconsin May 2011– Present May 2009 – May 2011

Valid through May 2017 Valid through May 2017

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