Writing The

Effective Resume

The First Step Toward

Landing Your Next Job

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 Writing An Effective Resume
 What information should be in a resume?

 Characteristics of a successful resume.

 Functional or Chronological.

 Scannable resume.

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 What Information Should
Be In A Resume?
 Identify Yourself
Optional Sections
 Education
 Objective
 Continuing Education
 Special Skills and Abilities
 Work or Professional
Experience  Reference Statement

 Volunteer Experience
 Activities
 Computer Skills
 Professional Associations

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 Characteristics Of A
Successful Resume

 Focuses on skills. Uses action words to define the

responsibilities of your job-related experience.

 Easy to read and understand.

 Visually powerful and free of gimmicks.

 One page, or at most 2 pages long.

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 Characteristics Of A
Successful Resume

 Language is grammatically correct.

 Spelling has been checked.

 Formal Style

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 Resume Faux Pax

 Typos and Grammar Slips

• “Great attention to detail.”

• “Proven ability to track down and correct errors.”

• “Am a perfectionist and rarely if ever forget details.”

• Accomplishments: Completed 11 years of high school.”

• Don’t use “I” or “me”

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 Characteristics Of A
Successful Resume

 Must always be 100% truthful.

 Contains no inappropriate personal information.

 Produced on a computer.

 Data presented in chronological order (unless functional).

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 Functional Resumes

 Doesn’t go in chronological order.

 Based upon competencies or skills.
 Used for career changers or those with
unconventional work histories (or executives).
• Might say “Sales Experience” then list it.
• Typically brief with a simple list of positions
held, etc.
• De-emphasizes importance of specific jobs.
 Drawbacks to this system (not as popular).

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 Scannable Resume

 Watch bullet points (don’t always scan).

 How about a dash - ?
 Use labels or keywords.
 Less is more.
 Keep the design simple.
 Minimize use of abbreviations.

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 Basic Checklist

 No spelling or grammar errors.

 Neat, clean, and professional looking.

 Length should be 1-2 pages.

 Margins at sides and bottom.

 Layout makes reading easy. Use of white space is

effective.
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 Basic Checklist

 Important titles should be emphasized. Experiment

with fonts & styles; bold, italic, and underlines. No
more than 2 or 3 different sizes.

 Information is logically recorded.

 Use Action Verbs for accomplishments & results.

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 Basic Checklist

 Bullet points when possible for accomplishments.

 Quantify your results whenever you can.

 Format - chronological

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 Writing An Effective
Cover Letter

 How to write a cover letter.

• Rules
• Contents

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 How To Write A Cover
Letter - Rules

 Give enough information to interest the reader, don’t

overwhelm.

 Research the company. Address the letter to a

specific person.

 Answer an ad if you have 50% of the skills or

background that the ad requires.

 Mention the person who referred you if appropriate.

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 How To Write A Cover
Letter - Contents

 Your address, city, state, zip, and telephone number.

 Date

 Name, title, company, address, city, state, and zip of

person you’re writing to.

 Greeting, followed by a colon.

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 How To Write A Cover
Letter - Contents

 Paragraph 1:
• What you want.
• How you know about the organization.
• Mention enclosure of your resume.
 Paragraph 2:
• Concise overview of work history and skills
that will help you perform the job.
 Paragraph 3:
• State confidence in your ability.
• Give information on how you can be contacted.
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 How To Write A Cover
Letter - Contents

 Paragraph 4:
• Express appreciation

 Closing, signature, and typed name

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 Miscellaneous TipsUse
(1) action words in your descripti

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 Miscellaneous Tips (2)
 Act like a professional
• Avoid cutesy or inappropriate graphics, images, formats,
…
 One or two pages only
• You are a fresh graduate, don’t assume that the one-two
page rule doesn’t apply to you!
 Stick to the truth
• Don’t sprinkle buzzwords in that you really don’t
understand
• It speaks volumes about your character when you can’t
explain your own resume
 Focus on achievements and results
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• Laundry lists of duties are not impressive
 Miscellaneous Tips (3)
 Use easy-to-read language
• Winston Churchill - “Use short, old words.”
 Get the words and punctuation correct
• Errors and “broken English” are the kiss of death
 Follow the instructions
• If the company asks for specific information, then give it
to them
 Follow up
• If you said you would call, then call
 Maintain a consistent writing style
• Avoid “To apply …” then “Applying …”
 Avoid the use of “I” or “my
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 Good Example

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 Good Example

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 Bad Example

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 Bad Example

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 Questions &
Answers

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