R ésumé Writing

RRésumé Writingésumé WritingGetting a running startGetting a running start

Office of Career Connections

University of Louisiana at Monroe

It’s a rite of passage--It’s a rite of passage--So, like going to get your driver’s So, like going to get your driver’s

license, it may be a little scary.license, it may be a little scary.

First, realize that you probably have First, realize that you probably have more to offer than you know.more to offer than you know.

Here are 7 tips to get you started.Here are 7 tips to get you started.

Start with the basicsStart with the basics

Include an objective and/or summary of Include an objective and/or summary of skillsskills

Choose the right resume styleChoose the right resume style

Brainstorm your experience and skillsBrainstorm your experience and skills

List educational and volunteer experienceList educational and volunteer experience

Know the cardinal rules of resume writingKnow the cardinal rules of resume writing

Never, ever lieNever, ever lie

1. The basics: heading1. The basics: headingNameName

Address (permanent; may also Address (permanent; may also include school address)include school address)

Telephone numbersTelephone numbers

Email address (make it Email address (make it professional)professional)

2. Objective/Skills Summary2. Objective/Skills SummaryMake it concise: What job do you Make it concise: What job do you want, at what company (or what kind want, at what company (or what kind of company)?of company)?

In summarizing your skills, In summarizing your skills, remember to concentrate on what remember to concentrate on what the employer wants and needs in an the employer wants and needs in an employee—not what you want or employee—not what you want or need.need.

3. The right resume style3. The right resume style

Chronological (really reverse Chronological (really reverse chronological) is always good.chronological) is always good.

Functional is good if you need to Functional is good if you need to emphasize skills instead of emphasize skills instead of experience.experience.

Combination resumes are a good Combination resumes are a good compromise.compromise.

4. Brainstorming: experience and 4. Brainstorming: experience and skillsskills

You probably have more relevant You probably have more relevant skills than you realize.skills than you realize.

Think backward—from what the Think backward—from what the employer wants to what you have.employer wants to what you have.

Don’t sell yourself short. Little things Don’t sell yourself short. Little things can be BIG. (That babysitting job can be BIG. (That babysitting job contributed management skills, contributed management skills, creative skills, scheduling skills….)creative skills, scheduling skills….)

5. Academic and volunteer 5. Academic and volunteer experienceexperience

Employers care about what you’ve Employers care about what you’ve learned—think about the content of learned—think about the content of those courses.those courses.

Employers care about what you’ve Employers care about what you’ve done—whether you were paid or not.done—whether you were paid or not.

Employers like to see balance: work, Employers like to see balance: work, school, other activities.school, other activities.

6. Cardinal rules6. Cardinal rulesDo not use sentences!Do not use sentences!Do not use the word “I”!Do not use the word “I”!Use powerful Use powerful actionaction verbs (avoid “to verbs (avoid “to be” verbs: was, were, etc.)be” verbs: was, were, etc.)Use parallel structure in lists (begin Use parallel structure in lists (begin each item with same part of speech)each item with same part of speech)Make no mistakes in spelling, Make no mistakes in spelling, grammar, punctuation, etc. None!grammar, punctuation, etc. None!Proofread, proofread, proofread.Proofread, proofread, proofread.

7. No lying7. No lying

Never, ever lie. Never, ever lie.

Lies will come back to bite you!Lies will come back to bite you!

8. Resume first, then 8. Resume first, then cover lettercover letter

The idea of a cover letter/application The idea of a cover letter/application letter is to “interpret” the resume for letter is to “interpret” the resume for the reader. the reader. So write the resume first.So write the resume first.

Feel free to use our services.Feel free to use our services.

Sample resumes and cover letters Sample resumes and cover letters are on our website: are on our website: www.ulm.edu/careerconnections. . Look under “tips and resources.”Look under “tips and resources.”

Feel free to make an appointment Feel free to make an appointment with us to get one-on-one help (318-with us to get one-on-one help (318-342-5338).342-5338).