- Bryant/TEC
- Resume Help
Resume Tips
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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
Dependability
Creativity
Science Reasoning
Flexibility
Aesthetic Judgment
Reading
Persistence
Stress Tolerance
Writing
Integrity
Hazards Tolerance
Speaking
Efficiency
Discomfort Tolerance
Listening
Competitiveness
Repetition Tolerance
Concentrating
Social Perception
Following Procedures
Information Gathering
Independent Work
Categorizing
Evaluating
Team Work
Record Keeping
Advising
Working with the Public
Attention to Detail
Synthesizing
Assisting/Caring
Verifying Information
Analyzing
Performing
Installing
Planning
Instructing
Inspecting
Active Learning
Finger Dexterity
Repairing
Using Knowledge
Manual Dexterity
Troubleshooting
Safety of Others
Motor Coordination
Controlling Machines
Persuading
Stamina
Operating Vehicles
Negotiating
Strength
Using Computers
Confronting
Rapid Response
Programming
Initiating
Sound Discrimination
Technology Design
Coordinating
Shape Discrimination
Calculating
Directing/Leading
Color Vision
Estimating
Decision Making
Depth Perception
Budgeting
Managing Resources
Visualizing
Math Reasoning
Impact of Responsibility
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
Achieved
Directed
Instituted
Prompted
Adapted
Discovered
Instructed
Proposed
Administered
Displayed
Integrated
Proved
Advanced to
Edited
Introduced
Published
Analyzed
Eliminated
Invented
Reconciled
Applied
Employed
Investigated
Reduced
Approved
Engineered
Lectured
Regulated
Arranged
Enlarged
Led
Reinforced
Assembled
Established
Licensed
Reorganized
Assisted
Estimated
Located
Reported
Attained
Evaluated
Maintained
Researched
Bought
Examined
Managed
Reshaped
Budgeted
Executed
Manufactured
Resolved
Built
Exhibited
Marketed
Revamped
Chaired
Expanded
Maximized
Reviewed
Completed
Facilitated
Moderated
Revised
Composed
Financed
Motivated
Saved
Conceived
Forecast
Negotiated
Secured
Conducted
Formed
Obtained
Served
Contracted
Founded
Operated
Simplified
Controlled
Guided
Originated
Sold
Converted
Handled
Perceived
Sorted
Coordinated
Headed
Perfected
Strengthened
Correlated
Implemented
Performed
Structured
Created
Improved
Persuaded
Succeeded
Decided
Influenced
Placed
Supported
Designed
Inspected
Procured
Tutored
Developed
Installed
Progressed
Wrote
ADVERBS AND ADJECTIVES to accurately reflect you and the way you do things.
Accurate
Diverse
Improved
Readily
Adept
Driving
Innovative
Reliable
Artful
Dynamic
Instrumental
Respected
Astute
Easily
Leading
Responsible
Aware
Effectively
Lifelong
Sensitive
Broad
Efficient
Mastery
Significant
Calm
Exceptional
Natural
Sophisticated
Competent
Expert
New
Strongly
Concerned
Experienced
Open-Minded
Successful
Courteous
Firm
Organized
Tactful
Creative
Foresight
Original
Talented
Dedicated
Highly
Outgoing
Trained
Dependable
High-Level
Perceptive
Unique
Diplomatic
Honest
Punctual
Versatile
Discrete
Imaginative
Quick
Vigorous
(C H R O N O L O G I C A L R E S U M E E X A M P L E)
N A M E
Address City, State Zip Phone Number e-mail address
OBJECTIVE: To obtain part-time employment that will allow me to contribute to and gain experience from a Spokane company or organization
EDUCATION:
The Enrichment Cooperative High School, 910 N. Ash Street, Spokane, WA 99205. GPA Graduating June 2009
Special Courses: Leadership, Career Focus, Marketing Management, OJT
WORK
EXPERIENCE: Hallmark, Northtown Mall, Spokane WA 99207. Phone (509) 555-1234
Duties: Cashier, process orders, provide customer service, general cleaning
June 2006 – present
Ima Neighbor, 4555 N. Oak Street
Spokane, WA 99205. Phone (509) 555-1334
Duties: Babysitting children ages 5, 8, 10
January 2005 – present
VOLUNTEER
EXPERIENCE: Camp Fire USA, DartLo Camp, Spokane, WA 99218, Phone: (509) 555-1444
Assistant Counselor for youth age 3 and up during Spring break camp
April 1 – 5, 2006
Shriners Hospital, 5th Avenue, Spokane, WA 99205, Phone: (509) 555-1555
Recreational Therapy assistant. Provide help with activities to entertain the patients.
September 2004 – January 2006
Second Harvest Food Bank, 555 Sunshine Street, Spokane, WA 99205, Phone: (509) 555-4555
Sorting produce, packing boxes, load bags into vehicles for distribution. November 2004
SKILLS: Typing – 50 wpm, Familiar with Microsoft Excel, Word, Access & Power Point
Communication, leadership and organizational skills.
INTERESTS &
ACTIVITIES: Snowboarding/skiing, computers, football, basketball, soccer, reading.
Member JV Basketball team, team captain
Member National Honor Society
REFERENCES: Available upon request.
(F U N C T I O N A L R E S U M E E X A M P L E)
N A M E
Address City, State Zip Phone Number e-mail address
OBJECTIVE: To obtain part-time employment that will allow me to contribute to and gain experience from a Spokane company or organization
QUALIFICATIONS:
Exceptional versatility and adaptability.
Dedication and drive as a hard working individual.
Ability to manage multiple tasks in a pressured environment. Motivated to succeed.
Attention to detail.
LEADERSHIP SKILLS:
Participated in LINK crew, a group dedicated to help underclassmen feel welcome. Coordinated a food drive to help the homeless.
ASB member, a group representing the student body. Captain of varsity track team.
COMMUNICATION SKILLS:
Answered the student office phone and recorded messages as an OJT. Delivered morning television announcements to the student body. Member of the Debate team.
COMPUTER SKILLS:
Proficient in using the computer utilizing such programs as Microsoft Word, Excel, Access, PowerPoint, and Publisher.
Familiar with Digital Media programs such as Adobe Photoshop. Designed my own web page using Microsoft Front Page.
RELEVANT COURSES:
Business Computers, Leadership, Yearbook, Accounting
EDUCATION:
Th Enrichment Cooperative High School, 910 N. Ash Street, Spokane, WA 99205. GPA Graduating June 2009
REFERENCES: Available upon request.