RESUME WRITING

Objectives

• Understand the purpose of a resume

• Discuss stages of resume writing: Preparation, Format, Content, and Evaluation

• Identify resume sections and their respective content

• Help you identify next steps and available resources

The Purpose of a Resume

• Provide a summary of experiences and qualifications; tell your career story

• Communicate your potential value

• Marketing tool to obtain an interview

• Helps prepare you for interviews

Effective Resume Writing

• Communicates specific and relevant competencies & accomplishments

• Well organized, concise and easy to read

• Indicates career direction & interests

Employers spend about 30 seconds

or less reviewing

your resume.

Preparation

• Research the career area

• Identify target audience

• Review job descriptions for the field

• Gain an understanding of what skills are needed to obtain employment in your area of interest

Content Possibilities• Contact Information*• Objective• Education*• Experience* • Activities• Honors• Awards• Skills

A resume should not include everything

and anything!

Employers are looking for a concise resume.

* Denotes typical categories on a resume

Contact InformationChris McCormick

c-mccormick@northwestern.edu

Campus Address Permanent Address192 Orrington Avenue 888 Santa Cruz RoadEvanston, IL 60201 Arcadia, CA 91007(847) 888-5041 (826) 888-0767

Chris S. McCormick

2133 Sheridan RoadEvanston, IL 60208

(847) 491-3366C-mccormick@email.com

Objective An “at a glance” picture of you and your career interests

A good objective statement answers questions:

– What position(s) are you applying for?– What are your main qualifications?– What is your professional identity?

Optional but helpful when applying for Co-op or Internship through MCD

Objective Examples

Weak: To find a job in business with opportunity for advancement

Strong: To secure a Co-op in the field of industrial engineering which utilizes interest in logistics and supply chain management.

Education

EDUCATION Northwestern University, Evanston ILBachelor of Science in Mechanical EngineeringAnticipated June 2012Current GPA: 3.3/4.0

Relevant Courses: List key courses

• Courses allow you to emphasize your skills and background • Course titles in engineering

Experience

• Emphasizes past and present employment and/or activities

• Identify transferable skills

• May also be called: Professional Experience, Relevant Experience, Leadership Experience, Work History, etc..

Blue Cross Blue Shield Association, Chicago, IllinoisIntern, June 2007 – August 2007 Analyzed statistical data from Contractor Performance Reports to compile a database providing benchmarking data for subscribing Medicare contractors Contributed to the development of current and new services related to the Medicare business

Bullet Point DescriptionWeak: Answered phones and wrote messages

Strong: Served as liaison between clients and 14 staff members by effectively communicating inquiries and

issues to the appropriate department

• Action verbs • Positive modifiers • Quantitative/qualitative indicators

• Answer journalistic questions• Achievement Focused• Terminology of your chosen field

Elements of Description

Activities and/or Honors

Focus on content that is relevant to position/employer

Emphasize skills acquired, leadership/team roles, achievements

Include: clubs, sports, volunteer, community activities

Site Leader, Community Development CorpsCoordinator, Used Winter Coat DriveVolunteer, Alternative Student Break

ACTIVITIES

HONORS

Al Neuharth Free Spirit Scholar, March 2005University Women Scholarship, May 2005Excellence in Leadership Scholarship, June 2005

Skills

• Computers

• Technical/Lab

• Languages

Hardware, software operating systems, languages

Equipment, standard process

Level of ability (fluent, proficient, conversant, reading/writing ability)

Skills should address qualifications you have training on and/or considerable experience utilizing, as well as relevance to the position/employer.

Do Not Include…

• SSN

• Pictures

• Ethnicity/Race

• Height/weight

• Reasons for leaving previous employer(s)

• Birth date

• Salary history

• References

• Religion

Final Draft – Do’s and Don’ts DO

• Tailor for each position

• Highlight section headings

• Use action verbs

• Quantify accomplishments

• Use technical language

• Proofread multiple times

DON’T

• Use acronyms

• Use a template

• Repeat information

• Exaggerate or lie

• Use fancy/unusual fonts

• Hurry/rush to send it out