Writing a resume

Question 1

resume is

Answer 1

• Describes your value proposition in relation to the employers needs
• Is a brief, concise document that presents you to the prospective employer
• communicates your personal brand in a compelling way
• markets your skills, accomplishments and experiences for employment
• motivates the employer to contact you. The resume will get you the interview; the interview is what will get you the job

Question 2

Types of Resumes

Answer 2

• A Chronological Resume starts by listing your work history in reverse chronological order; i.e., with the most recent position listed first.
• A Functional Resume focuses on your skills and experience, rather than on your chronological work history.
• A Combination Resume allows you to combine the best components of the two previous resume formats.

Question 3

Anatomy of resume

Answer 3

• Your resume should/could include the following information:
  1. Contact information*
  2. A profile statement or summary of qualifications (& objective)*
  3. Education*
  4. Work experience*
  5. Extracurricular activities
  6. Volunteer experience
  7. Technical and language skills/certifications
  8. Interests

Question 4

formatting

Answer 4

Basics:
* Two pages maximum
* Email friendly – send as a PDF
* Keep personal information out (age, sex, home address, religion, etc.)
* Beware of inconsistencies (inconsistent dates/punctuations/verb tenses/font styles and sizes, etc.)
* Use ATS-friendly fonts like Arial, Georgia, Tahoma, Times New Roman, and Verdana.
* Keep your font size between 10 and 12 pt except for your name and headings.
* Always double check your grammar and spelling

Question 5

Resume Language

Answer 5

The Basics:
1. Use action-oriented language: verbs, adverbs, and adjectives
2. Omit first-person pronouns (I, me, myself)
3. Use the language of the job description
4. Give specific examples that demonstrate your skills
- Ex: Lectured weekly to 30 student cohort led seminars and collaborated with top students on a research project

Question 6

skills vs duties

Answer 6

• Skills
  o Communicating, listening
  o Problem solving, customer service
  o Analysis, attention to detail
  o Accuracy, cash balancing, numeracy
  o Customer service, selling
  o Teamwork, leadership
• Duties
  o Answering phones
  o Helping customers
  o Entering data
  o Handling cash
  o Bussing tables
  o Member of a sports team

Question 7

Action-Oriented Language

Answer 7

• Start bullets with action verb to engage the reader
  o Ex: adapted, analyzed, assisted, approved, audited, facilitated
• Use adverbs to engage reader throughout
  o Ex: Accurately, consistently, independently, technically
• Enhance your adverbs + verbs with adjectives to engage the reader
  o Ex: accountable, advanced, expert, timely

Question 8

skill statement should be

Answer 8

Action + Skills + Result: Helped customers find clothes by problem solving and providing excellent customer service, as demonstrated by exceeding sales goals for three consecutive months

Question 9

Transferable Skills

Answer 9

A good resume will describe your transferable skills instead of merely describing what you did
Ex: Position: Server, Restaurant
Duties: Take orders, serve tables, deal with customers (Transferable) Skills:
- Developed ability to multitask in a fast-paced environment
- Demonstrated ability to solve problems on the spot
- Provided a friendly, outgoing approach with a commitment to customer service