Writing a Résumé STU Career Services Email: careerservices@stu.edu Phone: 305.628.6688 1
Table of Contents Definition and Purpose of a Résumé Getting Started: Skills Explanation & Identification Types of Résumés Résumé Components Résumé Do s and Don ts What can a good résumé do for you? References Academic Resume Sample Functional Resume Sample Chronological Resume Sample Curriculum Vitae Components Electronic Resume Sample 2
Definition and Purpose of a Résumé The résumé is intended to be a brief description of where and how you can contribute to an organization. It describes your skills, education and professional or preprofessional experience. A good résumé is about the job hunter A good résumé focuses on the future A good résumé focuses on achievements or accomplishments A good résumé documents and prioritizes skills the job hunter enjoys using 3
Skills Explanation & Identification The simplest way to start your résumé is to identify your strengths/skills. Use your best skills in marketing yourself to employers. Transferable skills: These are I can skills and should be applicable to many different careers. Work content skills are I know skills and are specific to a certain kind of career. Adaptive skills are I am skills and can be claimed by every job seeker. 4
Types of Résumés Academic Résumé: This style of résumé concentrates on academic accomplishments and credentials. Often used by new graduates with little or no related experience or no previous work experience. Chronological Résumé: Easiest to prepare and the most popular. If you have had a strong continuing work history directly related to the career direction you now wish to pursue, the chronological résumé is for you. 5
Types of Résumés (Continued) Functional Résumé : This format is appropriate when you have had a variety of jobs or assignments not directly related to your career targets, but which include relevant functions or responsibilities. Also a job seeker interested in a career change may want to use this format. Curriculum Vitae (VITA or C.V.): Designed to be used by professionals in Education, a curriculum vitae is a complete and thorough documentation of all academic experiences. This type of résumé will generally be more than one page. 6
Résumé Components 1. Identification Data or Personal Data 2. Profile or Summary of Qualifications 3. Education 4. Experience 5. Activities/Skills/Interests Sections 6. References (on a separate page) 7. Résumé Critique 7
Résumé Components (Continued) 1. Identification Data or Personal Data: The first item on a résumé is your name, followed by your address and telephone number with area code as well as your e-mail address. 2. Profile or Summary of Qualifications: Your profile or summary of qualifications should highlight your top skills, experience and language proficiency. 3. Education: The education section is placed in the top portion of the résumé for those who are currently enrolled in an undergraduate or graduate school program. 8
Résumé Components (Continued) 4. Experience: Identify the organizations where you have been employed and the organization function if it is not clear by its name; the division or department; the city and state. Next, describe your responsibilities by providing a functional description of what you did and your achievements. 5. Activities/Skills/Interests Sections: This offers the opportunity to highlight skills, leadership experience and other abilities demonstrated through vocational activities. Be selective and include those that demonstrate an active role and commitment, such as related seminars, workshops or presentations. Also include your willingness to relocate, your interest in traveling, as well as licenses and hobbies. Fluency in foreign languages or computer familiarity should be in this section too. 9
Résumé Components (Continued) 6. References: Do not include specific names and addresses of references on your résumé. Have them ready on a separate piece of paper, so that you can give them to the interviewee if he/she requests them. 7. Résumé Critique: Once you have a good first draft of your résumé, it is necessary to have a professional review your résumé to ensure a flawless résumé to which employers will respond. 10
Academic Résumé Sample Andrea Wentworth 500 Huntington Ave. Boston, MA 02115-5998 awentworth@xx.com Home: 617-555-1212 Education: WENTWORTH INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY, Boston, MA B.S. Computer Engineering Technology, May 2006 A.A.S. Electronic Engineering Technology, 2003 4.0 GPA, Dean s List every semester COURSE WORK Operational Amplifiers Logic Circuits Digital Applications Engineering Graphics Computer Science I with C Microcontrollers and Embedded Computers Integrated Circuits with Applications Electronic Devices Technical Competencies: Hardware: Signal generator, oscilloscope, digital multimeter, breadboard, DC/AC Voltage supply, logic gates Software: AutoCAD, C++, PSpice, Agilent VEE Pro, Microsoft Office (PowerPoint, Word, Excel) Enforce Computer Lab policies 11
Academic Résumé Sample (Continued) Experience: Wentworth Institute of Technology/Office of Wellness Education Office Assistant, February 2004 Present Help promote events around campus Organize paperwork around office and set up office environment Update database with new information Wentworth Institute of Technology/Computer Center Lab Monitor, September 2004 Present Provide hardware and software assistance to lab users Replenish supplies as needed Leadership Skills: Wentworth Institute of Technology Resident Assistant, August 2004- Present Ensure the safety and well being of 45 residents Organize programs for freshmen and sophomore students to help them adapt to their new environment Mediate roommate conflicts/school issues and provide a safe resource for residents Enforce housing regulations throughout the building Wentworth Institute of Technology President of Society of Women Engineers, August 2004 Present Organize events for society to help enhance engineering experience and knowledge Set up community service opportunities with other organizations around Boston area Hold bimonthly meetings to keep members updated and get feedback Educate females about engineering opportunities through lectures Source: Job Choices Diversity Edition, NACE, 49th edition, 2006 12
Chronological Resume Sample 13
Functional Resume Sample 14
Curriculum Vitae Definition Curriculum Vitae Definition: A detailed, lengthy and structured listing of education, publications, projects, awards and work history. A curriculum vitae for a mid-career candidate may be as long as twenty pages. Employer Rating: Rather than a resume, a curriculum vitae (often called a "C.V." or "Vita") is required for certain positions: educators and scientists most commonly. Works Best For: Job seekers with extensive academic and professional credentials applying for positions in education or research. Check with an advisor or others in your field if you are unsure whether a C.V. or a resume is expected. Samples at: http://jobstar.org/tools/resume/tempchr.php 15
Electronic Resume Sample Andrea Wentworth 500 Huntington Ave. Boston, MA 02115-5998 awentworth@xx.com Home: 617-555-1212 Education: WENTWORTH INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY, Boston, MA B.S. Computer Engineering Technology, May 2006 A.A.S. Electronic Engineering Technology, 2003 4.0 GPA, Dean s List every semester COURSE WORK Operational Amplifiers Computer Science I with C Logic Circuits Microcontrollers and Embedded Computers Digital Applications Integrated Circuits with Applications Engineering Graphics Electronic Devices Technical Competencies: Hardware: Signal generator, oscilloscope, digital multimeter, breadboard, DC/AC Voltage supply, logic gates Software: AutoCAD, C++, PSpice, Agilent VEE Pro, Microsoft Office (PowerPoint, Word, Excel) Enforce Computer Lab policies 16
Electronic Resume Sample (Continued) Experience: Wentworth Institute of Technology/Office of Wellness Education Office Assistant, February 2004 Present Help promote events around campus Organize paperwork around office and set up office environment Update database with new information Wentworth Institute of Technology/Computer Center Lab Monitor, September 2004 Present Provide hardware and software assistance to lab users Replenish supplies as needed Leadership Skills: Wentworth Institute of Technology Resident Assistant, August 2004- Present Ensure the safety and well being of 45 residents Organize programs for freshmen and sophomore students to help them adapt to their new environment Mediate roommate conflicts/school issues and provide a safe resource for residents Enforce housing regulations throughout the building Wentworth Institute of Technology President of Society of Women Engineers, August 2004 Present Organize events for society to help enhance engineering experience and knowledge Set up community service opportunities with other organizations around Boston area Hold bimonthly meetings to keep members updated and get feedback Educate females about engineering opportunities through lectures Source: Job Choices Diversity Edition, NACE, 49th edition, 2006 17
Résumé Do s and Don ts DO write in the third person DON T write in the first person (don t use me, my, I, myself, etc.) DO be consistent in style and use of language (grammar, verb tense) DON T mix résumé styles or change verb tenses within sections 18
Résumé Do s and Don ts DO list your full name at the top of the page DON T use cute or little used nicknames DO include your permanent address as well as your current address DON T include work address or phone number if you don t want to be contacted at your present job 19
Résumé Do s and Don ts DO use language that excites and attracts (use strong action verbs) DON T use dull, passive language DO make your objective statement brief (no more than one sentence) DON T be so general that it provides no focus or so specific that it rules you out 20
Résumé Do s and Don ts DO list education, employment, and activities in reverse chronological order DON T bombard the reader with dates DO write accomplishments using quantifiable information DON T simply write out your job description 21
Résumé Do s and Don ts DO use bullets for lists (easy to read, eye-catching) DON T use periods at the end of bulleted statements DO list skills such as language fluency and computer knowledge DON T include hobbies, personal information, or salary history 22
Résumé Do s and Don ts DO include a separate page containing at least three references and their contact information. DON T state References available upon request ; interviewers will ask for your list DO be creative, yet honest DON T LIE!!! DO fill up each page of your résumé DON T use partial pages of data 23
Résumé Do s and Don ts DO proofread carefully for spelling and grammatical errors DON T allow your résumé to be seen with typographical mistakes DO print your résumé on high quality, light colored bond paper DON T use colored or textured paper 24
What can a good résumé do for you? Help you obtain employment Help you receive promotions and salary increases Help you receive entrance into graduate programs and professional associations Help you receive honors and awards 25
Career Services Contact Information Located in the Student Center Staff: Cristina C. López, Associate Director of Career Services Office Hours: Monday Friday 9:00am-5:00pm Tel: 305.628.6577 Fax: 305.628.6768 Website: www.stu.edu/career Email: careerservices@stu.edu cclopez@stu.edu 26