CH20 - Writing the Résumé Flashcards
What are the three distinct purposes of a résumé in the job application process?
- To represent your professional information in writing
- To demonstrate the relationship between your professional information and the problem the potential employer hopes to solve
- To get you an interview by clearly demonstrating you meet the minimum qualifications
What is a résumé?
A document that summarizes your education, skills, talents, employment history, and experiences in a clear and concise format for potential employers.
Who is credited with writing one of the first known résumés?
Leonardo da Vinci
What is the primary focus of a chronological résumé?
Listing job experiences in reverse chronological order.
What key section does a functional résumé emphasize?
Skills & Achievements
What is a targeted résumé also known as?
Hybrid résumé
Fill in the blank: A chronological résumé is most suitable for candidates with a long/uninterrupted __________.
work history
What is the main benefit of a functional résumé?
It emphasizes specific professional capabilities over chronological work history.
What does a targeted résumé include?
- Relevant skills
- Employment experience with select bullets
What should a résumé’s contact information section include?
- Address
- Telephone number
- Professional email address
- Possibly a LinkedIn page
True or False: Experts recommend including an objective statement in your résumé.
False
What should you avoid including in your résumé if you are in college?
High school information, unless it was outstanding or unique.
What should the education section of a résumé list?
- Name of the school
- School’s location
- Graduation date or anticipated graduation date
- Degree earned
What is the recommended order for listing employment experience in a résumé?
Reverse chronological order
What should you emphasize in the skills/achievements section of a résumé?
Quantifiable achievements and results
What is one optional section you might include in a résumé?
Volunteer Work
What is the guideline for listing references on a résumé?
Do not list them; provide a separate sheet upon request.
What writing style is conventionally used in résumés?
Sentence fragments that begin with active verbs.
What should you do to ensure your résumé stands out?
Choose a format carefully to make it clear, accurate, and up to date.
Fill in the blank: Your résumé is a professional __________ in outline form.
autobiography
What are some elements employers expect in a résumé?
- Clear
- Accurate
- Up to date
What is the convention for writing in a résumé?
Write in sentence fragments that begin with active verbs
How should quantifiable skills be presented in a résumé?
Include detailed, quantifiable references to technologies, documents, procedures, languages, and demographic information
What are examples of filler words to avoid in a résumé?
- team player
- results-oriented
- duties include
- fast-paced
- self-motivated
What should you include to demonstrate results in your résumé?
Mention a positive impact of your skills or achievements
What are the components of the first formula for building a better bullet?
Verb + Details = Results
What is the structure of the second formula for building a better bullet?
Accomplished [X] as measured by [Y] by doing [Z]
What is the importance of keywords in a résumé?
Keywords may determine whether your résumé gets an interview or a rejection
What is the recommended maximum length for a résumé?
No longer than two pages
What is a key guideline for résumé design?
Design should enhance content and make it easy for the reader to find significant information
What is a common recommendation for résumé length based on work history?
One page per ten years of work history
What should you ensure your résumé includes to avoid rejection?
Basic elements such as contact info, a headline, education, employment experience, and skills/achievements
What is a targeted résumé?
A résumé that emphasizes both work history and skills
True or False: You should use ‘I’ and ‘me’ statements in a résumé.
False
What type of résumé emphasizes work history?
Chronological résumé
What type of résumé emphasizes skills?
Functional résumé
Fill in the blank: Avoid using _______ statements in your résumé.
I and me
What should be removed from a résumé to enhance clarity?
All filler words
What should be used strategically in résumé design?
Capitalization, bold, italics, and underline
What is the purpose of a résumé?
To represent professional information, demonstrate relevance to the employer’s needs, and secure an interview
What is the significance of the ‘so what’ factor in résumé writing?
It conveys how the applicant’s skills will benefit the potential employer
