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The ResumeAssignment 5
Purpose of this Unit To help students think about the rhetoric of
creating a professional identity.
To give students practical experience in the steps of applying for jobs: researching a company or organization, writing and tailoring resumes and cover letters, editing and proofreading application materials.
To encourage students to pay attention to detail
Rhetoric When you send in your job-application materials, you're
not just assembling separate documents to fulfill the requirements of an ad. Those documents are part of a larger rhetorical whole, and together they form an argument for the viability of your candidacy for a particular job.
Each of your documents should be crafted meticulously, paying close attention to the rhetorical choices you are making. Other elements—the organization of your documents, the inclusion or omission of certain kinds of information, the use of white space—are equally important in building a case for yourself.
Visual Rhetoric The purpose of dividing everything into subsections
rather than lumping all of your information together is to allow the white space to speak for you.
The white space assists your argument by separating your credentials into discrete, precise units that, in turn, contribute holistically to the rhetoric of the document. It helps those who are reading your resume to quickly take in all of the information and to put the pieces together to form a picture of your candidacy.
Section breaks perform another important rhetorical function: they show the search committee that you understand the landscape of your field and can distinguish among different kinds of achievements and credentials.
Visual Rhetoric Select a Standard Font.Lettering that is too decorative
will stand out as unprofessional. Instead, opt for a classic selection that scales well with the amount of text on the page. This doesn't necessarily mean you have to stick with Times New Roman, but opt for another streamlined, straightforward font -- and keep it consistent throughout the entire document.
Strike the Right Balance Between White Space and Text.No matter which type of résumé format you've selected, make sure the text is distributed fairly evenly over the entire page. If there's too much text, readers may be put off and confused. If there's too much empty space on the page, it may appear that you're a bit lacking in the experience department.
Formats Chronological.
--Lists positions in reverse chronological order
-Job responsibilities and skills are listed under each position held
-Calls attention to growth and progression into positions of increased responsibility
-Lists dates of employment at the top of each job description
-Presents job duties and experience under headings by job title and company
-Easy for employer to determine what work was performed at each company.
Chronological FormatEXPERIENCE
Legal Secretary, Smith Law Firm, Charlotte, NC
January 2007 - present
Interview clients, open files, draft petitions and letters, and file petitions at the courthouse
Perform legal research
Administrative Assistant, Wachovia, Charlotte, NC
December 2001 – November 2006
Performed various office duties including letter composition, word processing, filing, telephones, and other duties
Verified accuracy of bills received and submit payment
Utilized computer system programs for scheduling appointments and inventory
Functional Headings consist of functions or skills
Responsibilities and accomplishments are described under each applicable heading
Employment dates are given at the end of the resume, after employers have had a chance to read about skills and successes
Shortcomings in job history have less of an emphasis
Functional FormatSKILLS
Communication
Fluent in Spanish
Communicated verbally and in written form to students, parents, teachers and administrators
Interviewed clients to obtain pre-trial information
Computer
Microsoft Office: Word, PowerPoint and Excel
Implemented computerized bookkeeping system
Proficient in QuickBooks
EXPERIENCE
Legal Secretary, Smith Law Firm, Charlotte, NC, 1/06-present
Administrative Assistant, Wachovia, Charlotte, NC,12/99-11/05
Common Headings Contact Information
Objective
Education
Honors
Experience
Skills
Contact Information Your name should appear in a larger and/or
bolded font
Address (city, state, zip code)
Telephone Number
Objective 1 sentence
Type of position (part time, full time, summer internship)
What position would you like to find?
Emphasize how you will use your skills, not what you want to gain
Objective Do not be needy:
-To obtain a position that will allow me to advance my potential while seeking new challenges.
Show what you will contribute:
-Vice-president of aerospace engineering in an agency where extensive knowledge of thermodynamics and heat transfer are needed.
-Seeking a technical writing position where I can effectively contribute my expertise in written communication.
Action Statements Duties included teaching art lessons (Passive)
Prepared and displayed creative art activities (Active)
Responsible for clerical duties (Passive)
Managed department and recruited participants (Active)
Counseled ex-offenders on career, alcohol, and drug abuse (Active)
Accomplishment-Oriented
Successfully developed and implemented systems to streamline office procedures, increasing productivity.
Staffed and managed a 20-30 person department that recruited participants for marketing research studies. Cut costs by one-third in less than six months.
Provided customer service through resolution of problems, explanation of bank services and policies, and knowledge of financial planning, resulting in greater customer satisfaction.
Job DescriptionBarnett & Falls
Location: North Carolina-Charlotte
Job Title: Legal Secretary
Description: Legal secretary needed for small criminal defense law
firm. Communication and computer skills a must. Job includes
answering phone, scheduling, writing checks and updating accounts
with Quickbooks, letters, file creation and closing. Fluent in Spanish
preferred but will consider all. Prior experience in law firm a plus,
but not required.
What are the employers needs?
Job DescriptionBarnett & Falls
Location: North Carolina-Charlotte
Job Title: Legal Secretary
Description: Legal secretary needed for small criminal defense law firm. Communication and computer skills a must. Job includes answering phone, scheduling, writing checks and updating accounts with Quickbooks, letters, file creation and closing. Fluent in Spanish preferred but will consider all. Prior experience in law firm a plus, but not required.
What are the employers needs?
JILL EHLI235 West Thayer AvenueCharlotte, NC 28203(704) 354-7982 [email protected]
Objective: To secure a legal secretary position with the Barnett & Falls law firm where I can utilize my education, administrative and bi-lingual skills.
Summary of Qualifications: Excellent interpersonal and communication skills
Fluent in Spanish Proficient in Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint; QuickBooks Attention to detail, follow-through and time management
Education:Central Piedmont Community College, Charlotte, NCAssociate of Arts, Paralegal Technology, 2009Relevant Coursework: Legal Research and Writing I&II, Civil Litigation I&II, Spanish III&IV
Experience:Legal Secretary, January 2007 – presentSmith Law Firm, Charlotte, NC Performed general office duties including word processing, filing, telephones, and other duties as required Interviewed clients, open files, draft petitions and letters, and file petitions at courthouse. Researched legal issues. Six months devoted to major international case.
Receptionist, December 2001- November 2006Charlotte Family Medicine, Charlotte, NC Scheduled approximately 80 patient appointments daily Translated for Spanish speaking patients Prepared and filed invoices and compiled payments using computerized system. Decreased errors by 15%
Writing Style Find specific, dynamic verbs
Use present (or past) imperatives consistently
Include each verb only once
Make lists parallel in structure
Omit articles (a, an, the)
Use more lists than sentences
Resume Do’s Make it brief, using short phrases
Use action verbs
Include internship, practicum, summer, full-time, and part-time employment
Organize education and employment in reverse chronological order
Emphasize skills, strengths, and accomplishments
List major awards, achievements, and publications
Resume Don’ts Make the resume longer than 1 page
Use abbreviations
Use common introductory phrases such as “my duties included” or “I was responsible for”
Mention high school degrees and activities
Include personal information
Include present salary or salary desired
