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Student Success Center
HOW TO WRITE A RESUME
Prepare for Your Job Search
Student Success Centers
University of Southern Maine
at Portland/Gorham/LAC
Adapted with Permission
Rodney Mondor
Student Success Coordinator
University of Southern MaineUpdated 06/25/10
Student Success Center
WHAT IS A RESUME . . .
It is a summary of:
...who you are
...your employment history
...your strengths
...your skills and abilities
...why the employer should call you for an interview
Student Success Center
TYPES OF RESUMES
Chronological• Organized by job titles with the most recent position
listed first
Functional• Places the focus on professional skills and experience
that you gained from your employment
Student Success Center
WRITING YOUR RESUME
The KEY to a successful resume...
skill identification and presentation!
There are many important aspects to a resume.
Everyone has a different way of putting one together and in most cases, there is no
"right way" or "wrong way."
Student Success Center
MAJOR COMPONENTS
• Contact Information
• Objective Statement
• Education
• Experience
• Honors and Activities
Student Success Center
CONTACT INFORMATION
• Usually located at the top of the page.
• Includes:• Name
• Address and phone
• Campus
• Permanent
• Any other means of contact
Student Success Center
FOR EXAMPLE
Rose MantleCurrent Address: Permanent Address:
University of Southern Maine 123 City Drive
37 College Ave. Stowe, VT 12345
Gorham, ME 04038 (555) 555-5555
(207) 555-5555 [email protected]
Rose Mantle
123 City Drive Stowe, VT 12345 (555) 555-5555
Student Success Center
OBJECTIVE STATEMENT
• An “at a glance” statement of you and your career interests.
• Be clear and specific.
• “Seeking a nursing job in pediatric care.”
• Make sure your objective matches the position you are applying for.
• Not a required component, but suggested.
Student Success Center
“Instant” Objective examples
Practice filling in the parts in the ( ) :
To use my (qualifications, strengths, or skills) as
a (position title).
An opportunity to (professional goal) in a (type
of organization, work environment, or field).
Student Success Center
EDUCATION
• Name and location of school(s)
• All college work if you transferred
• Need not include high school
• Degree and date of graduation (actual or anticipated)
• Major/Minor
• Optional Items
• GPA
• Relevant courses outside of a typical major that may add to qualifications of job
• Other formal training or skills if applicable (computer, language proficiency, licenses, etc.)
• Specializations and special projects
Student Success Center
FOR EXAMPLE
EDUCATION
University of Southern Maine, Portland, ME
Bachelor of Science: History / Minor: Economics May 2010
Major GPA: 3.9 Overall GPA: 3.8
Honors and Awards: Dean’s List 2006-2010
Related Coursework: History of the Wars, European Economics
Student Success Center
EXPERIENCE: (Purpose)
• Provides information to help
persuade prospective employers
that your experiences make you
qualified for the job and that you
align with the company’s goals.
• Helps your resume stand out
from others in the pile.
Student Success Center
EXPERIENCE (Content)
Select your resume format.
• Chronological
• List employment in reverse order.
• Include position held, employer, and dates.
• Describe job duties, tasks, and skill levels.
For example…Company 1 September 2009 - Present
Sales Associate
Description of job duties
Company 2 December 2007 – September 2009
Intern
Description of job duties
Student Success Center
EXPERIENCE (Content)
Functional• Choose skill headings according to your job
objective, and job description’s keywords.
• Include accomplishments, responsibilities, and duties.
For example…
Customer Service
List accomplishments, responsibilities, and duties
Sales & Advertising
List accomplishments, responsibilities, and duties
Student Success Center
EXPERIENCE cont.
Developing your descriptions- Example:
Before: Planned activities
After: As Recreation Therapist intern, planned activities and exercises weekly for children with physical challenges.
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HONORS and ACTIVITY SECTION
A section that demonstrates your participation in
relevant activities and any honors or awards you
have received. May include:
• Memberships in professional clubs and
organizations
• Volunteer activities/ Service learning projects
• Study abroad
• Outstanding Senior Award
• Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society
Student Success Center
LET’S GET STARTED
• Think about the jobs you have held.
• Consider any activities that used the same skills that may be used in the job you are applying for- such as volunteer positions, assistantships, etc.
• What were your responsibilities?
• What specific skills/abilities did you use?
• Incorporate value into your statements, “how well you did.”
Student Success Center
Receptionist Y:
• Received incoming calls on 3 business lines, determined nature of call, and effectively transferred caller to destination with 99% accuracy.
• Maintained daily phone log.
• Collected, sorted, and distributed mail and messages to staff members.
• Greeted visitors to office and issued visitor passes.
• Arranged future appointments for staff upon request.
Who would you hire?
Receptionist A:
• Answered phone
• Greeted plant visitors
• Made appointments
• Sorted incoming mail
• Processed checks
Student Success Center
HELPFUL RESUME TIPS
• Keep your resume up to date.
• Try different formats.
•Watch your objective sentence.
• Two pages is OK.
• You have your cover letter to explain.
Student Success Center
OTHER CONSIDERATIONS
•DESIGN: Aim for a professional package so that your
resume and cover letter have consistent format (layout,
font types and sizes, stationery).
•ACCURACY: Proofread with a magnifying glass and
have others review for you too. What’s wrong with
this skill statement in someone’s resume?
•Skill: have perfected my “atttention to detail”
Student Success Center
NEED MORE HELP?
Visit one of USM’s Student
Success Centers
Portland 119 Payson Smith
(207) 780-4040
Gorham
119 Bailey
(207) 780-5652
Lewiston/Auburn 119 LAC
(207) 753-6536
www.usm.maine.edu/success