JobScribble

RESUMES 

(Download Free Resume Guide at bottom of the page!)

Resume Tips:

• Review resume writing books and/or if you are a college student or graduate, go to your campus Career Center for assistance
• Tailor your resume to the job you are applying for.  Your skills, personality traits and accomplishments should be relevant and complement the job you are seeking. 
• Before you begin, make a list of your skills, abilities, and accomplishments.  Concentrate on those related the job and employer's requirements. 
• Use the O'Net to look up jobs descriptions for your previous jobs and for the job you are applying for.  This will help you match and identify the skills, abilities, and qualities that are needed for the job you are seeking. 
• Labeling your resume with the word “RESUME” or “Resume of” is not necessary.
• Keep margins to one inch (top, bottom and sides).
• Use white or off-white 8 1/2 x 11, 20lb bond paper (look for paper labeled resume paper)
• Use matching envelopes
• High school information should not be included on your resume if you have attended college.  You may include high school information if you were enrolled in a related technical or vocational program.  
• Put your most relevant job skills, responsibilities and accomplishments first under each of your jobs.
• Use industry buzz words or lingo if you are applying for a job in the same industry. If you are getting out of an industry, stay away from terms that are particular to the industry you were in. For instance, if you are a real estate paralegal and are seeking a position in the same field then use terms such as HUD Settlement Statement, Deed of Trust, Warranty Deed, etc. If you are changing fields then avoid using those buzz words.
• Use short paragraphs or bullets for lists and job responsibilities.
• Be consistent with spacing, punctuation and capitalization throughout your resume.
• It is best not to abbreviate months, years, street, avenue, etc. For example, use 2005 instead of 05. If you abbreviate the state, use capital letter for both letters. For example, FL not Fl.
• Avoid using "my responsibilities were" or "my duties included".
• Use past tense verbs for jobs you held in the past (i.e., filed, copied, managed) and present tense verbs for your current job (i.e., file, copy, manage).
• Start out statements with action verbs to describe your accomplishments and job responsibilities.
• Avoid using Pronouns in your resume, such as "I" and "me" and articles, such as "a" and "the" that are not necessary.
• Be honest with everything on your resume.
• Photo should not be with your resume.
• Use 12 pitch font and use Times New Roman, Verdana or Arial fonts. 
• Print on one-side of the paper.
• Be consistent in the date formats and abbreviations throughout your resume.
• Long rows of capital letters should be avoided.
• Salary history should not be included (if requested, put it in your cover letter). 
• Use large matching envelope if mailing other information (letter of reference, application, etc.).
• Don't erase, white-out or cross out errors.
• One or two pages is a good resume length unless you have extensive experience (more than 10 years).
• Generally, you should only include work experience for the past 10 years on your resume.
• If you have other directly related experience that you want to include that is over ten years old, you may include it.
• References on resume or “References available upon request” should not be on your resume. They may be asked for after an interview and are usually contacted only if they are considering you for the job. Have a list of references available when they are requested.
• Send a typed cover letter with your resume.
• Your Objective should match the job you are applying for.
• Don’t include reasons why you left employer (this is covered in your job application and interview).
• Don’t include salaries for past jobs.
• Don’t include your supervisor’s name.
• Don’t include your age or marital status.
• Include GPA if 3.0 or higher.
• Proofread and have someone else proofread it.
• Visit your local college's Career Center and have a Career Counselor critique it.
• Produce good quality originals (excellent copies are acceptable.
• Include your related job duties and responsibilities and education.

Key Words:

Key word lists help you generate your list of relevant skills and qualities so you can include some of them in your resume and cover letter. For instance, the action verbs below may help you to start off your  job responsibility statement in your Experience section and/or in your Summary of Qualifications section of your resume. The Summary of Qualifications section is a great place to include relevant personality traits like hard working, strong work ethic, flexible, dependable, organized, efficient, etc.

There are many books regarding Resume Writing with extensive key word lists that you can use to help you compose your resume. These books will help you develop the best resume you can and the word lists may refresh your memory about your job duties, accomplishments and personality traits.

Remember to use present tense for your action verbs if you are describing your current job responsibilities, and use past tense for jobs you have done in the past.

Transferable Skills:

Transferable skills are skills you can transfer from one job to another which may be beneficial to the new job you are applying for. If you have no work experience in the field you are seeking to enter, think about transferable skills that you may have acquired at school or home (communication skills, negotiating, organizational, budgeting, analyzing, etc.).

It would be helpful to look up job descriptions or sample resumes for both the job you are applying for and jobs you have had. Completing this exercise will be very helpful to you. It will help you identify and match your skills, personality traits and capabilities with those required for job you are applying for, and it will be a big help to you when completing your job experience section of your resume. To find job descriptions use the O'Net to find jobs that your have held and for the job you want to go into. This tool will help you write your description under your Experience section. Don't forget to not only include your job duties and responsibilities, but give examples and provide the outcomes and results you achieved! Ask yourself "how did I do this task?" and "what was the purpose and accomplishment or outcome?".

Chronological Resume Format:

This is the most common format for a resume. It is appropriate to use if you are staying in the same field or have relevant work experience. Below is a step by step guide to help you complete each section. 

(Center Address Heading)

First Name, Middle Name (Optional), Last Name
Street Address or P.O. Box
City, State Zip Code
Home: (555) 555-5555
Cell: (333) 333-3333
yourname@yahoo.com

(It is a good idea to put your name on the top of the second and subsequent pages of your resume with page numbers. Don’t staple the resume.)

Objective section: This area should target the job you are applying for by using the exact job title. Objectives for resume are optional but are highly recommended. The employer does not want to try and figure out what it is you would like to do in their organization.  Include a two or three descriptive words about your related skills and personality traits along with how you will benefit the employer.

Example

OBJECTIVE:

Library Technician position utilizing my records management, customer service and organizational skills to deliver exceptional service to customers.

Summary of Qualifications and/or Computer Skills sections: These are two optional separate sections and can be included after your Objective section. Concentrate on skills that are related to the job you are applying for. Big hints are in the job advertisement. So if you possess those skills, list them in bulleted format. This is a great place to mention some of your personality traits like (organized, strong work ethic, team player, etc.). You can also list applicable special equipment you can use, typing speed, and foreign languages. There are a variety of ways to write your Summary of Qualifications, so check out some resume writing books to get more examples.

Example

SUMMARY OF QUALIFICATIONS:

Over five years experience working as a legal secretary. Consistently recognized by management as organized, hardworking, flexible and meeting goals and deadlines. Areas of expertise include:

• Real Estate Closings
• Probates and Adoptions
• Pleadings and Answers
• Law Library Management

COMPUTER SKILLS:

• Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, Access and PowerPoint)
• WordPerfect
• Dreamweaver 

Education section can be put after your Objective section or your Summary of Qualifications and Computer Skills sections. Education section should be above your Experience section if you are pursing or have a degree that is related to the job your are applying for. You can also put your Education section after your Objective if you have little work experience or you are a recent college graduate (or are about to graduate). The bottom line is that employers spend very little time looking at a resume so you want them to see the most relevant information first. If your education is not related to the job you are applying for, then put your Education section after your Experience section. If you have been in related employment for a number of years, then you will want to emphasize your work experience first so you education section can be put right after your Experience section.

In your Education section, put the most recent college you attended first unless you have a more relevant degree or certificate from another institution. Don’t include your high school education, if you have a higher degree or if you are attending a college or university. You may include your high school education is if you have not attended college and/or if you were in a related high school vocational training program.

Example

EDUCATION:

Special Activities: President,  Legal Secretary Association 2004-2006

Experience section:

• Include job, volunteer, military, internship experience
• Put your most recent job first and work backwards
• Include your job duties and accomplishments-especially those that are related to the job you are currently applying for
• Quantify when possible. For example, answered 10-line phone system, increased sales by 10 percent, etc.
• Use proper tense in this section. If you are no longer doing the job, use past tense (coordinated, managed, etc.)
• If you are currently doing the job, use present tense (coordinate, manage, etc.)
• Don’t use “I”or "my"
• Use action verbs to start your descriptions (coordinated, managed, supervised, etc.)
• Include all positions with a company along with dates in the various positions (start with your most recent job and work backwards)
• Don’t include reasons for leaving your employers on your resume
• Don't include supervisor's name

Example

EXPERIENCE:

2/2003-2/2005 Wallace Brothers Auto Supplies, Henderson, Florida

Auto Clerk

• Merchandised and organized products, including updating and maintaining shelf tags in order to prevent out-of-stocks
• Checked and removed out-of-date products and notified vendors daily to provide customers with quality products
• Maintained inventory and implemented new shelf-management log to report shortages and prevent lost sales
• Provided customer assistance and processed returns in a timely and efficient manner and ensured customer satisfaction; received employee of the month award for excellent customer service

Professional Organizations section: you may want to include activities you participated in especially if they are directly related to the job you are applying for. Include any clubs or organizations you belonged to with dates of membership, positions held, accomplishments and contributions. This section may be included under your Education section if you participated in any college-based activities.

Example

PROFESSIONAL ORGANIZATIONS:

Legal Secretaries Association, Treasurer 2003-2004, participated in membership drive team and increased membership by 20%; Member 2003-2005, chaired Career Day committee and arranged a speaking panel of seven law professionals.

Awards section: This section can also be included in order to show the employer that you are a high achiever and a leader. Include the name of the award, who gave it to you and when you received it. If related to your education, you may include this under your Education section (see above).

Example

AWARD:

Junior Achievement, taught leadership skills to youth during summer program and awarded Volunteer of the Year in 2004

Professional Development section: This is optional and may be included after your Education section or at the bottom of your resume. Include any related training or seminars. Include the name of the seminar/workshop or training and skills you learned and the date. Put your list your latest professional development first and work backwards.

Example

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT:

American Speaker Association, Public Speaking Techniques 2004

Cedar Hill Leadership Academy, Leadership Skills Seminar 2003

References don’t belong on your resume nor do you need a statement “References Available on Request” at the end of the resume. If requested by the employer, type a separate list with the name, title (if applicable), phone, and address. You should also type this list and take it with you to the interview. You may have it ready in case you are asked or you may offer it to the interviewer. Remember to ask permission to use people as references and tell them a little bit about the job or jobs you are applying for and how you think that fits your skills, education and accomplishments. Thank them for giving you a reference.

Researched and analyzed (explain your activities related to this project).

Functional Resume:

The Functional Resume can be used if you have large time gaps and you do not want to emphasize the gaps between jobs. Functional resumes can also be used if you have had several jobs with similar duties, or to emphasize specific skills, abilities and/or job tasks.

There are a variety of ways to type a Functional Resume. Use some of the same headings and areas described in the Chronological format above. The only difference is your Experience and Employment History sections. Check out your library or campus Career Center for resume writing books so you can choose the best format for you.

Heading (same as above)

Objective: (Same as above)

Summary of Qualifications: (Same as Above)

Computer Skills: (Same as above)

Education: (Same as above)

Type a job ability or skill and explain how you used that ability or skill. Remember that you may come from your past jobs or through other experiences (home, volunteer, classroom, etc). Remember to highlight your skills and abilities that are relevant for the job you are applying for.

(Repeat: Add three-five more relevant job ability or skill headings and explain)

Example

Administrative Skills:

• Typing correspondence, reports and forms for sales department.
• Processing customer orders and returns.
• Coordinating and managing employee and customer files.
• Organized and created a new customer computer database and records management system, which enabled the company to track sales and returns more efficiently.

Employment History:

Type Job Title, Company Name, City, State and dates employment

(No job description needed). Remember to pull a few of your related job skills, abilities and tasks that you obtained in your previous jobs and and categorize them under headings in the above.

Example

Employment History:

Secretary, Ajax Construction, Orlando, Florida 2/2005-3/2007
Administrative Assistant, Quick Print, Deland, Florida 1/2003-1/2005

Professional Organizations: (same as above)

Professional Development: (same as above)

Sample Resume and Guide:

Download FREE Resume Samples and Resume Guide with Sample Cover Letter from the U.S. Department of Labor. 

Resumes, Applications and Cover Letter Guide

See Resume Samples

Also, see resume writing books from Amazon!