The Resume Guide - · PDF file06.06.2017 · Community & Career Builder ... organization skills, ... The Resume Guide is here to serve as a guide to creating a winning resume

Created By: Christopher Watts, MBA for The Christopher Watts Initiative

The Resume Guide By: Christopher Watts, MBA

Community & Career Builder

A resume is a professional representation of a candidate and is the first impression an employer

will form of a candidate. From this, the employer will determine whether an interview is

necessary. In a resume, an employer looks for things that will describe the candidate:

organization skills, ability to articulate a point, professional experience, education,

accomplishments, credentials and competencies. Thus, an impeccable resume is your best tool

when exploring career opportunities. A resume should be created to best serve a career seeker.

A resume serves as an introduction to an employer. It is a personal advertisement promoting a

candidate for a position. A resume can also help create a favorable first impression. It can show

the employer a candidate’s qualifications and bridge the gap between qualifications and the

needs for the position. The ultimate goal of a resume is to create such an impression that an

employer will want to set up an interview.

It is important to note that there is no right or wrong way to format a resume; it depends on

personal preference and that of the employer. Don’t be surprised if you get conflicting

information when it comes to resume writing.

The Resume Guide is here to serve as a guide to creating a winning resume.

CORE SECTIONS

Heading

A resume should begin with the standard heading: name, address (including street suffix: Ave,

St, Blvd, etc.), city, state, zip code, phone number (area code first) and email address at a

minimum. Consider including links to a LinkedIn profile or website if it contains relevant

information that strengthens your candidacy such as endorsements, recommendations,

publications or a portfolio. If you have a Bachelor degree or higher as well as certain industry

credentials include the initials behind your name: BA, BS, MS, MBA, MS, MSW, LCPC, SHRP,

PHP and PMP to name a few. Additionally, use periods in your phone number and a zip code

extension (go to www.usps.com and click “Look Up a Zip Code”). Do not use a period in your

address. An Example:

Jane Doe, MBA

4600 S Michigan Ave Apt 1

Chicago, IL 60653 – 3896

123.456.7890

[email protected]

www.website.com


Profile (Also titled Objective or Summary)

I have reviewed many resumes that have a generic opening under an objective title such as

“Looking for a position at your company where I can grow.” There are a few things wrong with

this statement. First, you state the obvious-which is unnecessary. It is known that you are looking

for an employment opportunity if you are submitting your resume. Second, you are talking about

what you want and not what you bring to the table. Therefore, there is no point in stating these

obvious one-sided points.

The profile section should be a few 3 – 6 sentences about you that: sums up what you have done

and are looking to do and sheds light on your character. A few sentences may include:

Personable and enthusiastic candidate with a proven record of success in sales and customer

satisfaction roles that require personal interaction and rapport building to increase sales,

effective communications and listening to gather information and team collaboration to ensure

the on-time and accurate completion of projects. Possesses a strong people-first orientation with

a commitment to professional ethics. Employer recognized customer service and communication

skills. Praised for ability to give well-organized and accurate information.

Honorably discharged veteran who has demonstrated comfort and proficiency working in fast-

paced environments to complete assignments accurately and on-time. Comfortable collaborating

on functionally and ethnically diverse teams to complete assignments, exceed goals and elevate

standards. Possess good character, high energy and effective communication skills, which

ensure a positive work environment and strong team cohesion.

Bilingual English/Spanish candidate who possesses polished interpersonal and communication

skills to foster meaningful relationships with customers and staff. Possesses a strong people first

orientation with a commitment to professional ethics, treating people with respect and greeting

everyone with enthusiasm. Proven abilities in conflict resolution, time management and

motivation. Accustomed to working in a multicultural environment that emphasizes inclusion.

For a candidate with no experience, or when experience is primarily civic engagement

(volunteer), education or extracurricular activities:

Highly motivated candidate seeking an opportunity in a role where collaboration, accountability

and a positive attitude are a requirement. Interested in leveraging motivation, positive energy

and a commitment to success in support of achieving the objectives of an organization.

Civic minded, career oriented candidate who has demonstrated comfort collaborating on

functionally and ethnically diverse teams in my community and the classroom to complete

assignments, exceed goals and elevate standards. Ready to channel my orientations and

capabilities to add value to a team.

All profiles should be tweaked to uniquely represent you (which will be supported in the rest of

the resume). This will serve as your brand, similar to “Have it your way” makes you think of

Burger King, and should be well thought out.


Areas of Expertise (Also titled Qualifications or Skills)

The areas of expertise section, following the profile section, should list competencies you

possess and an employer is willing to pay to have at their company. Try to keep your areas of

expertise to three bullet points or two columns of three. Your areas of expertise should be

precise, match your background, relevant to the position and something an employer can

associate with your background and education. Areas of expertise will vary by the candidate and

type of business. Do not limit yourself in identifying and labeling your areas of expertise (see

Areas of Expertise List).

If you are a recent high school graduate and/or have no professional experience this section

should be titled “Character Attributes” and include personal traits (See Character Attributes

List).

If you are a candidate with strong experience in positions that require technical savviness then

include a section titled “Technical Proficiencies” and include processes, software and systems

that are key strengths (See Technical Proficiencies List).

Use bulleted 2 – 3 columns in this section. Use nouns if possible rather than verbs because stand-

alone nouns are stronger than verbs.

Section 4: Professional Experience, Not Work History or Employment History

The professional experience section will serve as the backbone of your resume and will support

the areas of expertise and profile sections. Going back no more than fifteen years (in some cases

you will need to), you will provide the name of the company you worked for, your job title, the

location (city, state), and dates of employment (MM/YYYY – MM/YYYY). This information

will cover one line horizontally (in some cases more) and be followed by 3-7 bullets describing

what you have done, accomplishments and awards received. Make sure you only include the

most important information and that you correctly articulate the description. A few examples

include:

Your Child First Home Day Care – Day Care Assistant – (10/2011 – 10/2015)

Address City, State Zip (123) 456-7890

• Monitored the behavior and wellbeing of children ages 2-12

• Communicated with children’s parents/guardians about daily activities, behaviors and

related issues

• Promoted and maintained a safe and healthy play environment for children

• Supported children’s emotional and social development, encouraging understanding of

others and positive self-concepts


Retail Store – Store Manager – (08/2009 – 11/2014)

Address City, State Zip (123) 456-7890

• Oversaw the day-to-day operations of a $3M location by initiating, coordinating and

enforcing all program, operational and personnel policies and procedures

• Completed projects related to continual improvement of revenue generation and customer

value delivery

o Turned-around store from a 20% decrease in gross revenues in 2009 to a 10%

increase in 2010

• Decreased shrinkage and theft by developing and implementing customer service

strategies and increasing staff awareness and attention to detail

o Decreased shrinkage from $165,000 to $85,000 over 3 years through staff

awareness and training

o Managed the performance of Cashiers, Stock Associates and Sales Associates

Community Organization– Program Manager – City, State – (05/2012 – 06/2016)

• Led recreation services and fitness activities through group programming to maintain the

highest practical level of physical, mental and psycho-social wellbeing, in accordance

with established performance standards

o Built, directed, managed and ensured implementation and effectiveness of

programs

o Researched and designed appropriate organization - wide performance and quality

training

• Increased the performance management and quality improvement capacity of the

organization to ensure that goals are effectively and efficiently met

o Maintained documentation that reflects services provided and progress toward

specific goals and objectives, using established formats, within established time

frames

• Developed and maintained scheduled recreation programming that reflects the assessed

progress towards specific goals and objectives

• Led group fitness instruction to youth and community members

o Planned routines, chose appropriate music and chose different movements for

each set of muscles, depending on participants’ capabilities and limitations

o Evaluated individuals’ abilities, needs, and physical conditions, and developed

suitable training programs to meet any special requirements

You may want to include the address, city, state, zip code and phone number of listed

professional experience if (1) there is room and (2) if you have a hard time remembering this

information (beats having to Google all the time). Also, if uploaded into an online application the

information can be extracted with you having to manually enter the data.


Education

The education section should consist of schools and programs completed and/or in progress that

will result in a degree, license or certificate. The year you finished school should not be included

on your resume. Completing some college should be included too. A few examples include:

University High School – Diploma – City, State

• Concentration: General Studies, College Preparatory, etc. (Whichever applies to you)

Career Colleges of Chicago – Certificate of Completion – City, State

• Concentration: Medical Assistant

Community College – Current Student – City, State – (01/2016 – Present)

• Part-time student seeking Associate degree in Management, Sociology (Whichever

applies to you)

Public University – Courses Completed – City, State

• Completed 70 semester hours of study towards a degree in Psychology

Private University – Bachelor of Business Administration – City, State

• Concentration: Human Resources

SUPPLEMENTAL SECTIONS (IF IT APPLIES)

Credentials

The credentials section of the resume should include industry recognized, industry issued and

government issued licensure and certifications. Only include credentials that are current and

valid (not expired or suspended). Do not include the credential number (for privacy and safety

reasons).

Permanent Employee Registration Card (IL Dept of Financial and Professional Regulation)

ServSafe Food Protection Manager Certification (National Restaurant Association)

First Aid CPR AED Certificate (American Heart Association)

Holistic Health Practitioner (American Association of Drugless Practitioners)

Child Endangerment Risk Assessment Protocol (IL Dept of Children and Family Services)


Civic Engagement (Also titled Volunteer Experience or Community Involvement)

The civic engagement section of your resume should include service projects and community

improvement activities. Being engaged in your community shows that you are invested in

creating the community and world in which you want to live, and the network you build through

service work can serve as important references when applying for future professional positions.

Civic engagement demonstrates that you value contributing to something larger than yourself,

have strong time management skills, that you’re a team player and that you are proactive in

expanding your competencies.

Apostolic Church of God – Volunteer – (03/2010 – Present)

6320 S Dorchester Ave Chicago, IL 60637 (773) 256-6942

• Bag and distribute food packages and warm meals to community residents

Vineyard Church – Volunteer – Chicago, IL – (08/2011 – 11/2015)

• Facilitated reading circles to students ages 3 – 5

• Provided operations support in the areas of set-up and customer services for special events and

workshops

Prologue YouthBuild – Team Leader – (09/2014 – 08/2015)

1135 North Cleaver St. Chicago, IL 60622 (773) 498-8315

• Collaborated on a functionally and ethnically diverse team of staff and volunteers committed to

community improvement

• Educated the community on the importance of recycling and being eco-friendly

• Engaged in neighborhood beautification by removing trash, picking-up litter and removing

graffiti from buildings

Wait, There Is More

Format and Organization: Create your resume in a MS Word document. Before you start

typing, click the “No Spacing” style on the Home ribbon, which will allow better maneuvering

and spacing. Try to keep your resume to one page by going to the Page Layout ribbon and

changing the Margins (do not go lower than .3). You can also change the font size on the Home

ribbon (do not go lower than 10 point font).

File Type and Title: After creating your resume as a MS Word document, also save the

document as a PDF. Title the document First Name Last Name Resume (Jane Doe Resume, John

Doe Resume).


Areas of Expertise

Activity Coordination

Administration

Business Support

Commercial Maintenance

Communications

Computers

Conflict Resolution

Cost Management

Counseling

Crisis Intervention

Customer Retention

Customer Service

Decision Making

Forklift Operation

Hand Tool Use

Inventory Control

Leadership

Machine Operation

Management

Marketing

Microsoft Office Suite

Organization

Outreach

Power Washing

Press Set-up

Problem Solving

Quality Control

Recruitment

Relations

Research

Sales

Social Work

Team Collaboration

Violence Prevention

Workforce Development

Youth Services

Character Attributes

Dependable

Reliable

Hard-worker

Trustworthy

Integrity

Honesty

Motivation

Enthusiasm

High Energy

Self-Starter

Creative

Diligence

Gentle

Humility

Confident

Generous

Flexible

Joyful

Loyal

Punctual

Resourceful

Virtue

Tolerance

Temperance

Technical Proficiencies

MS Office Suite

Google Docs

ADP

Ceridian

Peachtree

Salesforce

SAP

iOX

MS SharePoint

Swift/Objective C

Cisco

VOIP

Canvas

Blackboard

Questa

Sakai

Moodle

XML

PHP

Adobe Photoshop

Tandburg

Polyvision

Avid

Apple Motion

Nortel Meridian

Polycom

Raisers Edge


Job Action Verbs

Adhered to

Advised

Analyzed

Assembled

Audited

Authorized

Budgeted

Calculated

Coached

Collaborated

Collected

Compiled

Complied with

Conducted

Coordinated

Counseled

Decreased

Demonstrated

Determined

Dispensed

Edited

Evaluated

Examined

Executed

Facilitated

Handled

Imagined

Implemented

Improved

Increased

Instructed

Interpreted

Interviewed

Investigated

Loaded

Measured

Mentored

Monitored

Negotiated

Operated

Oversaw

Packaged

Planned

Prepared

Presented

Promoted

Proposed

Repaired

Restructured

Scheduled

Secured

Served

Sold

Stocked

Structured

Supervised

Supported





Documents

The Resume Guide - · PDF file06.06.2017 · Community & Career Builder ... organization skills, ... The Resume Guide is here to serve as a guide to creating a winning resume