Clermont College

Resume Writing Guide

Career Services Center Mary Beth Bamber Manager Jones 105

(513) 732-5277

[email protected]

Table of Contents

Introduction to Resume Writing Personal Branding Transferrable Skills and Core Competencies Descriptors Action Verbs Resumes – The Basic Elements Resume Evaluation Checklist

Introduction to Resume Writing Writing resumes is not something that we do very often and few of us are experts. However, a great resume is important in the job search and it is worth the time to get it right. But don’t fear – it doesn’t have to be that difficult! This guide will help you write one that will get you noticed. So what is a resume anyway, and why do we need one? A resume is snapshot of you – who you are and what you have to offer a potential employer. The purpose of the resume is to create interest in you and get called for a job interview. Resumes are like fashion or music – current trends dictate what is expected on the resume and what will make you looked outdated. Following resume styles used years before can work against you. Because you want your resume to get noticed for the right reasons, it is important to know what employers are looking for now. So what are the current trends in resume writing and formats? Is it time for you to write your first one or to refresh an old one? This guide will give you the basics in formatting and writing a resume so yours looks up-to-date. A resume will not get you the job, but it does open the door. There are two main elements in writing a resume – format and content. The format should be clear, concise and organized. It is divided into sections, beginning with the heading. Each section should be formatted similarly to the rest so that it appears graphically pleasing and easy to read. There is not just one way to format the resume, so look at sample resumes for different options. By searching for sample resumes online, you can see many different formats that people have used. The content should be written in professional English and contain words used in a typical job descriptions in your field of interest. Take some time to consider your personal value, and what you have to offer an employer. This is your ―USP‖ (Unique Selling Point) or brand, which is a short description of your abilities and what you can contribute to an organization. When thinking about your brand or USP, consider these questions and take time to write down your answers. What are your values, interests and goals? What kind of a job interests you? What knowledge, skills and talents do you have? Now think about why an employer would select you over others and how that could benefit them. Once you have collected the necessary information, select a format and organize the information in these sections (sections go in order of importance to the job): o o o o o o

Identification – your personal information Profile Summary, Summary of Qualifications or similar Education Experience Achievement/Scholarships/Awards Skills

Branding Yourself In this touch job market, you need to make yourself stand out in the crowd. How do you do this? By having a good understanding of who you are and what you can offer an employer. This becomes your personal brand. It is evident on your resume, and can be explained to anyone in less than 2 minutes. The first step in developing your personal brand is to take account of your skills, talents, knowledge, and attributes. These questions will help you begin to collect the data you need for self-evaluation.

1. Write down your education, training, and certificates. 2. What skills do you have, such as software programs? 3. What transferrable skills do you have? (Look at the list attached) 4. What type of work and/or internship experience do you have? 5. What are the personal traits that make you unique? (Look at the list checklists attached)

The answers to these questions will give you an idea of what you have to offer an employer. Now try writing a statement about yourself. For a more in-depth analysis, try these questions.

1. Why would an employer hire me over others who have the same qualifications? 2. How will my unique blend of talent impact a future employer? 3. What in my past can I use to substantiate my personal brand?

Transferrable Skills and Core Competencies

Interpersonal: ___Relating well with customers and co-workers ___Listening to others’ opinions and concerns ___Responding to concerns ___Resolving disputes or conflicts ___Assisting others ___ Motivating individuals and/or groups ___Working as a team player ___Showing interest in others

Personal: ___Strong work ethic

___Enthusiastic

___Determined

___Empathic

___Positive finds a better way

___Flexible/adaptable

___Precise ___Methodical ___Creative ___Innovative ___Motivated by completing projects/tasks ___Resourceful ___Takes Initiative ___Improvement-oriented ___Analytical ___Initiative

Communication: ___Advising

___Presenting

___Articulating

___Public speaking

___Explaining

___Training

___Instructing

___Translating

___Persuading/selling

___Writing/editing

Leadership: ___Decision making

___Motivating others

___Delegating

___Planning

___Evaluating

___Problem solving

___Initiating

___Supervising

___Managing

___Team building

Organizational: ___Follow through ___Meeting deadlines ___Planning ___Prioritizing ___Setting goals ___Time management

Words that Describe You Check off the traits that you have, and then go back and choose your top five favorites.

___Accurate

___Dynamic

___Perceptive

___Achievement-oriented

___Effective

___Persuasive

___Adaptable

___Empathetic

___Persevering

___Adept

___Energetic

___Persistent

___Analytical

___Enthusiastic

___Pioneering

___Articulate

___Exceptional

___Practical

___Assertive

___Exhaustive

___Professional

___Attentive to details

___Experienced

___Protective

___Authoritative

___Expert

___Punctual

___Calm in chaos

___Firm

___Quick/work quickly

___Charismatic

___Flexible

___Reliable

___Competent

___Others-oriented

___Resourceful

___Consistent

___Independent worker

___Responsible

___Cooperative

___Innovative

___Responsive

___Courageous

___Intuitive

___Self-motivated

___Creative

___Knowledgeable

___Self-reliant

___Decisive

___Loyal

___Strong

___Deliberate

___Methodical

___Supportive

___Dependable

___Objective

___Tactful

___Diligent

___Open-minded

___Thorough

___Diplomatic

___Outgoing

___Versatile

___Discreet

___Outstanding

___Driving

___Patient

Action Verbs Accomplished Accelerated Accommodated Accomplished Achieved Acquired Acted Administered Adapted Adopted Added Addressed Advanced Advised Aided Allocated Altered Amended Appraised Approved Ascertained Assembled Assessed Assigned Assimilated Assisted Attained Audited Authored Balanced Bolstered Brought Budgeted Built Cataloged Centralized Chaired Charted Clarified Classified Coached Collaborated Collected Committed Communicated

Compared Compiled Completed Computed Conceived Conceptualized Conducted Consolidated Constructed Contributed Controlled Convinced Coordinated Counseled Created Customized Dealt Debugged Deciphered Delegated Demonstrated Designed Detected Developed Devised Diagnosed Directed Dispatched Displayed Drafted Economized Edited Educated Effected Elevated Elicited Enabled Encouraged Engineered Enhanced Enlisted Equipped Estimated Established Evaluated

Executed Expanded Expedited Facilitated Fashioned Figured Finalized Finished Forecasted Formulated Founded Fulfilled Generated Grew Guided Helped Hired Identified Illustrated Implemented Improved Increased Informed Initiated Innovated Inspected Inspired Instituted Instructed Integrated Interpreted Introduced Invented Investigated Involved Issued Launched Led Learned Linked Maintained

Managed Mapped Marketed Mediated Molded Monitored Motivated Negotiated Obtained Operated Organized Originated Overhauled Perceived Performed Persuaded Pinpointed Pioneered Planned Prepared Prescribed Presented Prioritized Processed Produced Programmed Projected Promoted Proved Provided

Purchased Pushed Reconciled Rectified Recruited Reduced Refined Reformed Reinforced Rejuvenated Remedied Remodeled Reorganized Repaired Reported Researched Resolved Restored Revamped Reviewed Revised Saved Satisfied Scheduled Screened Secured Selected Served Settled Shaped Sold

Solicited Solved Spearheaded Stimulated Streamlined Strengthened Structured Studied Summarized Supervised Supported Surveyed Sustained Synthesized Tabulated Tailored Taught Tested Trained Transformed Translated Transmitted Updated Upgraded Utilized Validated Visualized Volunteered Wrote

Resume Writing Guide The Basic Elements A resume consists of several sections, each of which delivers essential information. The table below explains what each section of your resume should tell your reader. Resume section

What it tells the reader

Top portion of resume (first third to half)

If your resume is worth reading further. This opening ―snapshot‖ should entice readers to read more.

Header/Personal Information

Your preferred name and how to contact you. The reader shouldn’t have to think about this (e.g., wonder what name you go by).

Profile or Summary

What you’re looking for and why you’re qualified. Announces your job target and quickly sums up why you’re a good candidate. Note that experts recommend this approach to replace what used to be called "Objective" on many resumes.

Skills

Whether you have the required skills. Helps the reader quickly match your skills to the position requirements.

Work Experience or Professional Experience or Employment History

What you’ve accomplished that’s relevant. Explains what you’ve achieved that could also benefit the reader’s company.

Education

Whether you meet the education requirements. Again, helps the reader quickly match you to the position requirements.

Continuing Education or Professional Development or Additional Training

What further training you’ve pursued. Matches you to job requirements and also illustrates initiative and commitment to learning.

Other Information

What other assets you offer. Provides additional information (professional memberships, awards, etc.) to support your candidacy.

provided by careerinfonet.org

US Department of Labor 2011

Write a First Draft Expect to write a draft first, not a finished resume. That way you can write freely now and edit later. Here are some tips for getting started: Begin by assembling the basic sections of your resume. At this point, don’t worry about the order or wording of each section. Just get information down. Use whatever writing tool works best for you. For example, you may prefer to write on a yellow legal pad before starting a document on your computer.

Instead of saying this

Say this

I suggested new rules for our filing system.

Established new rules for filing system

I was able to finish everything on time and

Completed project on time and under budget

under budget. To show employers what you’re capable of, don’t forget to include transferable skills and accomplishments. Make good use of keywords, integrating information you’ve gathered in your research .

Instead of saying this

Say this

Strong computer skills

Advanced-level skills in Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, Excel, and Access

Seeking challenging position where I can use

Position as project coordinator where strong

my potential and skills

organizational and time management skills are essential for success.

Finally, remember that your resume is a marketing tool and you are the product! Don’t be afraid to promote your unique brand.

Edit and Proofread Once you have a solid draft resume in place, the next stage is revision. Ideally, you'll have time to put the draft away for a day or so you can view it with fresh eyes. To assist you with this process, we’ve put together a quick checklist. It helps you answer questions like these about your resume: Does it clearly communicate who I am and what I offer? Is the language concise and keyword rich? Is it attractive and easy to scan?

Your resume overall My resume sells me, my accomplishments, and my brand so readers know exactly what I offer. The top half of my resume includes a summary or profile that sums up my strengths and experience. I have researched my job target, employer requirements, and my own qualifications, and my resume reflects all three. My resume contains all of the necessary elements and is in a format that’s appropriate to my goals. My resume is written in concise, resume-appropriate language.

Complete?

√

I have used specific keywords like ―Microsoft Access‖ rather than general terms like ―good computer skills.‖ There is plenty of white space so the resume is easy to scan and text is not overwhelming to readers. I have used headings and bullets to break up content and present information logically and effectively. The spacing between sections and under headings is consistent.

Proofread! We cannot emphasize enough that nothing will get your resume tossed into the “NO” pile faster than careless typos. So proofread your resume several times yourself, and have at least one other person proofread it as well.

Design for Easy Reading The content of your resume is by far the most important factor. But design is important, too, for a couple of reasons: Your resume must be easy to read, and good design makes that possible. Design calls attention to key sections of your resume, such as work experience and education. A well-designed resume reflects positively on your skills. Sloppy or careless design may give a negative impression, even if you’re well-qualified. There are several techniques you can use to create a highly readable, attractive resume. The table below lists some of the most important.

Technique White space Bullets Easy-to-scan headings Limited number of fonts Selective use of bold No underlining (except

Why It’s Important Lots of white space makes text easier to read. Text that’s too dense may discourage time-pressed readers from reading further. Bulleted text allows you to break down complex information into readable chunks, and also highlight key points. Your reader should be able to quickly locate key areas on your resume, such as education, without extensive searching. Use no more than two fonts styles—one for headings and the other for body text. More than that is distracting. Use bold carefully and consistently. For example, if you bold the name of one company you’ve worked for, do it in all cases. Reserve underlined text for web links. If you need to emphasize something, use bold or a different font size instead.

links) Consistent spacing Better-quality paper

Use the same amount of space before and after headings, between bullets, etc. This gives your resume a uniform look. For print resumes, use better-quality paper with a rag content of at least 25% and a watermark.

(print) Neutral color (print)

Use white, off-white or pale gray. These are conservative colors that won’t compete with the content of your resume.

Creating a plain-text resume Although most companies will be able to handle your resume in Word format, occasionally you may need to have a plain-text resume that's been stripped of formatting. To create one, follow these steps: 1. Copy your resume into a plain text editor like Notepad, which should be available as an accessory on your computer. Most of the formatting should be gone. 2. Change any remaining bullets to asterisks, and space once after the asterisk. 3. For your main section headings, such as Work Experience, change to all caps so the headings stand out. 4. Add spacing between sections as necessary for readability.

Resume Evaluation Checklist Personal Information: __ Is located at the top of the page __ Includes your full name __Includes your full address and your phone number __ Includes your email address Profile Statement: __ Is targeted toward a specific position or career field __ Provides a focus for the content of your resume and describes your best qualities Education: __Includes the full name of the college __Includes the city and state where the college is located (Batavia, Ohio) __Lists most recent degree accurately __Lists the date or anticipated date of graduation __Includes the complete title of majors, minors, licensures and certifications __Lists honors and awards (can be a separate section, if substantial) __Lists entries in reverse chronological order Experience: __Includes the full name of the company or organization __Includes the city and state where the company/organization is located __Lists the dates the position was held (month, year to month, year)

__Includes the title of the position held __Includes action skill statements emphasizing your relevant skills and accomplishments __Each action skill statement begins with an action verb __Action verbs are the appropriate tense – present tense for current positions, past tense for prior positions __Lists entries in reverse chronological order Activities and Memberships (College and/or Community): __ Includes the full name of the company or organization including city and state __ Lists the dates the position was held (month, year to month, year) __ Includes the title of the position held, if applicable __ Emphasizes leadership roles in pertinent memberships and affiliations Skills: __Lists relevant skill sets and level of proficiency __Includes only those programs in Microsoft Office that you know __Can include certifications such as CPR if they are relevant to the position Overall Appearance: __ Includes name and page number on all pages if more than one page in length __ Page margins, font size and type are appropriate __ Is free of typos, spelling mistakes, and grammatical errors __ Bullet points, bolding, italics, and/or other highlighting is used consistently __ Categories are arranged in a logical order, presenting relevant information first

Sources: o U.S. Dept. of Labor website, 2012 o Rutgers University Career Services website o Allbusiness.com o Careerrealism.com – sparktalk, 2011 o Newgradlife.blogspot.com, 2010 o Msn.com – careers, 2010