Resume Tips

Your resume highlights your education and experiences. It is used to persuade an employer to grant you an interview. An employer will compare your resume with dozens of others. It's important that your resume provides the first impression that will land you the interview.

Three types of resumes: Chronological, Functional, Combination Chronological/Functional

• Chronological: Most common style and much preferred by employers. Presents education and work experience in a reverse chronological order from most recent jobs/education to least.
• Functional: Lists your experience in skill clusters. If you have had diverse experience that does not add up to a clear career path, you have minimal experience in the field for which you are applying, or you have large gaps in your employment history. If you have no work experience, this would be the most likely format to use.
• Combination: Uses elements of both styles.

Some things to think about before writing a resume

• Examples of when you demonstrated good oral and written communication skills.
• Your interpersonal skills (ie. Teamwork, initiative, flexibility, creativity) and examples of when you used those skills.
• A situation where you used problem-solving skills and what the outcome was. Situations where you used leadership ability.
• A description of one or more times when you did more than what was required of you.
• Your computer knowledge and experience.
• How you would answer the question “Why should I hire you?”
• The transferable skills you possess (those skills that could be useful to almost any job)

General Resume Guidelines

• Be specific and relevant - include only information having to do with the job you are seeking or your career goals
• Be honest - do not overstate your achievements or accomplishments
• Be concise - keep the length to one or two pages
• Proofread - ask someone to check for spelling and grammatical errors before you submit it
• Use a high-quality paper to create a professional look

What Do Employers Want?

• Accuracy and attention to details Reading, writing, and math skills Ability to be cooperative with people
• Communication and time management skills
• Adaptability and flexibility
• Ability to problem solve and set priorities
• Good grooming and personal hygiene

Resume Building Skills List

Possible Skill Categories
(Used primarily for Functional or Combination Resumes)

• Interpersonal and Teamwork Skills (trustworthiness (integrity), how well do you work with other people(teamwork))
• Customer Service & Sales Skills (working with the public, persuading, assisting/caring)
• Quantitative Skills (Accounting, CTE Courses, record keeping, categorizing, attention to detail, calculating, estimating, budgeting)
• Computer Skills (CTE Courses, using computers, programming, technology design, finger dexterity, installing, repairing, troubleshooting)
• Industrial Skills (Applied Technology Courses, manual dexterity, strength, stamina, installing, inspecting, repairing, operating vehicles, motor coordination, controlling machines, sound discrimination, shape discrimination)
• Leadership Skills (Classes you have taken or groups you belong to that involve leadership, teamwork, instructing, coordinating, decision making, directing/leading, coordinating, initiating ,managing resources, negotiating, using knowledge, safety of others)
• Communication Skills (DECA, Drama, Debate, English, OJT, writing, speaking, listening, reading)

Action words for your resume and letters

ADVERBS AND ADJECTIVES to accurately reflect you and the way you do things.