Resume and CV writing

Topic: Résumé and CV writing

Purposes: to draw attention to different (i.e non-Korean)

ways of making résumés and CVs. To introduce an English
lexicon for résumé writing that can be helpful for students. To
practice recognizing and using both active and passive
voices in writing.

Procedures:

1. First, review the differences between CV and

résumé, and discuss.

Methods Week 8 - Melissa

 2. Next, go over the list of rules/tips/suggestions for
résumé writing.

This is by no means an exhaustive list but represents a

general consensus on CV and résumé writing:
1. First, take notes on your work experience - both paid
and unpaid, full time and part time. Write down your
responsibilities, job title and company information.
Include everything!
2. Take notes on your education. Include degree or
certificates, major or course emphasis, school names
and courses relevant to career objectives.
3. Take notes on other accomplishments. Include
membership in organizations, military service and any
other special accomplishments.
4. From the notes, choose which skills are transferable
(skills that are similar) to the job you are applying for -
these are the most important points for your resume.
5. Begin resume by writing your full name, address,
telephone number, and email at the top of the resume.
6. Write an objective. The objective is a short sentence
describing what type of work you hope to obtain.
7. Begin work experience with your most recent job.
Include the company specifics and your responsibilities
- focus on the skills you have identified as
transferable.
8. Continue to list all of your work experience job by job
progressing backwards in time. Remember to focus on
skills that are relevant to the job.
9. Summarize your education, including important facts
(degree type, specific courses studied) that are
applicable to the job you are applying for.
10.Include other relevant information such as languages
spoken, computer programming knowledge etc. under
the heading: Additional Skills
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 11.Finish with the phrase: REFERENCES Available upon
request
12. Your entire resume should ideally not be any longer
than one page. If you have had a number of years of
experience specific to the job you are applying for, two
pages are also acceptable. A CV, as mentioned can be
longer. Most standard teacher resumes/CVs do not
exceed two pages.
TIPS:
1. Be concise and short! Longer is not better.
2. Do NOT use the subject "I". And always use tenses in
the past - except for your present job. Example:
Conducted routine inspections of dirty classrooms.
3. Do not include personal information about your family,
friends, pets or nice things that people have said about
you.
4. Do use action words. Do use an active voice. Action
verbs give your resume strength and power. Strong
sentences are those in which a subject performs an
action (active voice) as opposed to an action being
performed on the subject (passive voice). For example,
“Planned and organized an event” creates a stronger
impression than “An event was planned and organized
by me”.
5. Use action verbs and active voice descriptions to
highlight your sense of initiative. Strong words like
proposed, sold, managed, and designed can make the
difference between the trash can and the treasure
chest. Be sure to describe each of your
accomplishments using a simple, powerful, action
statement and emphasize how you can benefit an
employer.
6. Do use quantitative facts and figures. Employers like
the numerical facts. Do use percentages, dollar
amounts, and numbers to best explain your
accomplishments. Be specific to get the point across
quickly.

Methods Week 8 - Melissa

Example:
• Incorrect: I sold advertising to 11 companies.
• Correct: Closed 11 accounts, billing in excess of $5M
annually.
_______________________________________________________________
3. Passive and active voice

The passive voice is used when focusing on the person or

thing affected by an action.

• The Passive is formed: Passive Subject+ To Be +Past

Participle
• It is often used in business and in other areas where the
object of the action is more important than those who
perform the action. For Example: We have produced
over 20 different models in the past two years.
Changes to: Over 20 different models have been
produced in the past two years.
• For your résumé writing, you will not want to use
the passive voice. You should try to use an active
voice which draws attention to the person doing
things.
A letter or résumé loaded with action verbs will imply that
you're a go-getter, someone who produces results. On the
other hand, a letter filled with passive verbs tells the reader
that you're the one who watches things happen and
occasionally they affect you. Which message do you think is a
more persuasive one to send a prospective employer?

The following chart includes sentences changed from the active

to the passive in the principal tenses. Finish the chart together
with a partner:

Active and passive voices. Student handout attached.

Active Passive Time Reference

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 They make Fords are made Present Simple
Fords in in Cologne.
Cologne.

Dinner was Present

cooked by Susan. Continuous

“Dubliners” was Past Simple

written by James
Joyce.

The house was Past Continuous

being painted by
me when he
arrived.

In the last two Present Perfect

years, 20 models
have been
produced by me.

. A new factory was Future Intention

going to be built with Going to
in Ulsan.

Next year the Future Simple

project will be
finished by me.

Methods Week 8 - Melissa

4. Resume language. Useful Vocabulary for the Resume
and Interview. Student handout attached.

These verbs are used to express responsibilities:

acted edited identifie raised

accompli dealt d recomme
shed decided impleme nded
adapted decreas nted recorded
administ ed improve recruited
ered defined d redesigne
advance delegat increase d
d ed d repaired
advised derived indexed replaced
allocated designat initiated restored
analyzed ed inspecte reversed
applied develop d reviewed
approve ed installed revised
d devised interpret saved
assisted directed ed screened
attained discover introduc selected
blended ed ed serviced
brought distribut invented set up
built ed investiga solved
carried docume ted sorted
out nted justified sparked
catalogu doubled led specified
ed encoura localized started
changed ged located stimulate
classified enginee made d
collabora red manage strengthe
ted enlarge d ned
compare d maintain summariz
d escalate ed ed
complete d mechani supervise
d establis zed d
compute hed merged supporte

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 d estimat moderat d
conceive ed ed systemati
d evaluat motivate zed
conducte ed d tested
d examine negotiat trained
construct d ed transacte
ed expande opened d
consulte d operated transcribe
d experie organize d
contract nced d transform
ed explore originate ed
controlle d d tripled
d facilitat overcam upgraded
cooperat ed e validated
ed finalized perceive
coordina formulat d
ted ed perform
correcte founded ed
d function pioneere
counsele ed d
d governe planned
created d prepared
grouped presente
guided d
handled

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To describe your skills the following adjectives are
useful

accurate honest diplomatic resourceful

active innovative discreet self
adaptable logical efficient disciplined
adept loyal energetic sense of
broad- mature enterprisi humor
minded methodical ng sensitive
competen motivated enthusiast sincere
t objective ic successful
conscienti outgoing experienc tactful
ous personable ed trustworth
creative pleasant fair y
dependab positive firm
le practical genuine
determine productive
d reliable

Methods Week 8 - Melissa

4. Discussion

What are some similarities and differences between

Korean and English résumés? Student handout attached.

5.Write your résumé. Student handouts attached.

Using the sample résumé as a guide, try to make a one-page
version of your own. Remember to include active words and an
active voice.

Methods Week 8 - Melissa

Savvy Teacher Sample Résumé
Current address
Location
Phone
Email

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Objective
Whatever it is you want! A new challenge at a new school? A part-time job as a
rock star? Write it here.
Experience
Month/year of start to whenever you finished. Where did you work at that time?
(name of school)
Department or faculty
• Facilitate student learning and conduct research in the area of politics and
western civilization
• Assist in the coordination and implementation of community service and
student affairs activities
New month and year and new place
New department or faculty
• Conducted research in community, neighborhood development and
economic policy
• Coordinated special outreach projects to promote the department’s
research interest
Jan 2000 to December 2000 [Saint Louis University, Saint Louis, USA
Resident Advisor, Department of Residence Life
• Developed and implemented programs to encourage student participation
• Supervised others in the maintenance and enforcement of university
policies
• Participated in leadership training and community building workshops
Education
Aug 2000 to Dec 2001 [Saint Louis University, Saint Louis, USA]
• Master of Arts in Public Administration (specialty – economic development,
organizational learning)
• Post Graduate Certificate in Education (completed seminars on teaching
and technology strategies)
Aug 2000 to Dec 2001 [Saint Louis University, Saint Louis, USA]
• Bachelors of Arts in Sociology and International Relations (graduated
summa cum laude)
Leadership
2002 to Director of Youth and Member of the Central
present Executive, UDP
2001 to President, International Students, Saint Louis
2001 University
2000 to Student Representative, VP for Student
2001 Development’s Board

Methods Week 8 - Melissa

References available upon request

Methods Week 8 - Melissa