HOW TO WRITE ANEFFECTIVE RÉSUMÉ

Jenny Leonard

Montana State Billings

August 2004

RÉSUMÉ MYTHS

Résumé must be limited to one page Résumé must be in chronological format Résumé must be a balanced look at your

strengths and weaknesses Résumé must contain an “Objective” You write your résumé once and never again

A RÉSUMÉ IS

are the product!

PURPOSE OF THE RÉSUMÉ

Land you an interview!!!! Don’t just inform – EXCITE!

Not a history Not a personal statement Not a self-expression

10 – 20 seconds is all you have

PLAN & PLAN SOME MORE

Focus on employer’s need – not yours What will make you the ideal candidate? What special abilities would you have? What would make an exceptional candidate

rather than a acceptable one? Ask yourself some questions and WRITE

DOWN THE ANSWERS!

PART I: ASSERTIONSor WHY I AM THE PERFECT PERSON FOR YOU

SUMMARY Short paragraph about why you are wonderful Use your field’s jargon For students, may be based on potential rather

than actual expertise May also be called

SUMMARY OF QUALIFICATIONS

Summary Section A short phrase describing your profession Followed by a statement of broad or specialized

expertise Followed by two or three statements about

Depth or breadth of skills Unique mix of skills Range of environments in which you have worked Special or well-documented accomplishments History of awards

One or two professional or appropriate personal characteristics

A sentence describing professional objective or interest

Summary Example

Web designer with five years experience in creating interactive websites. Skilled in use of Front Page, Dreamweaver, Flash, XML, HTML, and ASP. Energetic self-starter with excellent creative, organizational, and marketing skills. Proven ability to work with teams. Seeking a challenging position in web design that offers extensive contact with end-users.

PART II: SKILLS & ACCOMPLISHMENTSor PROVING I AM WONDERFUL SKILLS AND ACCOMPLISHMENTS

More details about what you have or have done May also be called

ACCOMPLISHMENTS SUMMARY OF ACCOMPLISHMENTS RECENT ACCOMPLISHMENTS AREAS OF ACCOMPLISHMENTS AND EXPERTISE AREAS OF EXPERTISE CAREER HIGHLIGHTS PROFESSIONAL HIGHLIGHTS OTHER SKILLS AND ACCOMPLISHMENTS

Skills and Accomplishments(continued)

Formats Chronological

Lawyers Accountants Academics

Functional Students Wide skill range Changing careers Returning to workplace

Skills and Accomplishments(continued)

Ways to present Bullet list Major headings with bullet list Chronological with bullet list

Skills and Accomplishments(continued)

Possible Headings Technology & Programming Technical Management

Subheadings Web Design and Support Help Desk Support Network Administration Applications Languages

Skills and Accomplishments(continued)

Experience Reverse chronological order

Summarize the old stuff! Format

Title – Firm – Location – Dates Firm – Title – Location – Dates

Location is ONLY city and state Dates are ONLY in years

Include ALL experience – paid AND unpaid! Do NOT call this section “Work History” or “Employment” May also call it “Professional Experience” or “Professional

History”

Skills and Accomplishments(continued)

Education Degrees first (if you are not finished use

“Expected 2004”) Licenses second Advanced or technical training Awards DO NOT INCLUDE HIGH SCHOOL! May also be called

Education and Licenses Education and Training

Skills and Accomplishments(continued)

Professional Affiliations Current, relevant, impressive Combine with civic affiliations and call it

Professional and Community Memberships

Publications ONLY if published May use websites you have designed or helped

design References

“References available upon request”

PART III: WRITING IT OUT

Use power words Hit the highlights Clear, concise, to the point Phrases – not complete sentences Verb tense – first or third person Verb tense – current is present, past is past Okay to use jargon Shorter is generally better

PART III: WRITING IT OUT (continued)

Sometimes it is easier to think

about your accomplishments

as if you were writing

about your best friend

and not yourself.

PART IV: MAKE IT LOOK GOOD Uniform use of formatting NAME: Bold and Caps (may be larger font) Name on Second page (unobtrusive, but seeable) HEADINGS: Bold Numbers

1 – 10 spell out 11+ write as number

Experience before Education Unless you are a student!

Phone number must be answered all the time – person OR machine

Email must be checked frequently

PART IV: MAKE IT LOOK GOOD(continued) Match your cover letter heading to your

résumé heading You are IT people – show off your technical

skills! Résumé not resume for example

Print on résumé paper White or ivory!

Preferably use Laser not Ink Jet Black ink – no color!

PART V: DO NOT!!!! UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES!

Put RESUME at the top! Use fluffy statements or ramble Give salary information Give full addresses for employers Give supervisor names for employers Give reasons for leaving Include a Personal section Include references

What Next?

Write your résumé Have someone you trust look over it