RESUME GUIDE. Written by Kelly Zugay, M.A.

Transcription

1 RESUME GUIDE PROFESSIONAL DEVELOP MENT II HERZING UNIVERSITY O NLINE Written by Kelly Zugay, M.A.

2 Contents About... 2 Step 1: Get to Know Yourself... 2 Step 2: Get to Know Your Audience... 2 Step 3: Choose a Format... 3 Step 4: Develop Each Section of Your Resume... 4 Contact Information... 4 Professional Profile... 4 Education... 4 Professional Experience... 5 Optional Information... 5 Step 5: Polish Your Resume... 6 Presentation... 6 Formatting... 6 Content... 6 Action Words... 7 Chronological Resume Checklist... 8 Functional Resume Checklist... 9 Chronological Resume Sample Functional Resume Sample... 11

3 About A resume is a document that is used to represent who you are as a professional. From your education to your professional work experience, a resume should effectively highlight your skills and expertise. A strong resume can help you to secure an interview and provide you with an opportunity to secure a position. Step 1: Get to Know Yourself When designing a resume, it is important to have a clear understanding of who you are and who you hope to become as a working professional. Think about your strengths, weaknesses, likes, and dislikes. Reflect upon your professional experience, and write down any information you would like to highlight. What is your educational background like? What is your professional background like? Do you have any volunteer experience? Are you a member of a professional organization? What have you accomplished through your professional work? Reflecting upon your professional experience will help to prepare you for resume writing. Step 2: Get to Know Your Audience Take a moment to think of or search for a job that is of interest to you. Ask yourself: What is the employer seeking? How does my experience and education align with what the employer is seeking? Example: The employer is seeking Leadership Experience Accounting Coursework Community Involvement I have experience through Serving as Project Manager in a Class Being an Accounting Major Volunteering for Feeding America It is important to understand how each skill you have practiced or obtained throughout your professional or academic career can be transferred to the job you hope to obtain. These skills are known as transferrable skills.

4 Step 3: Choose a Format Your field of study or desired field of employment will often determine the format and style of your resume. For example, a Graphic Design resume will differ from a Criminal Justice resume; a Graphic Design resume may be very creative in format and design, while a Criminal Justice resume may be traditional in format and design. Consult your Career Development Specialist if you are uncertain of where or how to begin. A resume can be written in a chronological or functional format: Chronological Resume A chronological resume is organized in reverse chronological order so that your most recent work experience is listed first. This type of resume is used to emphasize employment and is best suited for those whose job history demonstrates steady career growth within the same general field. Functional Resume A functional resume is organized by functional skill. This type of resume is used to highlight key qualifications which have been demonstrated through a variety of work. For those who are seeking a career change, or those who are returning to the job market after a long absence, a functional resume can help to organize a diverse job history. The length of your resume may be determined by your professional experience or career. One-Page A recent college graduate or entry-level job seeker should utilize a one-page resume. A one page resume may also be appropriate for an applicant who is making a career change, in which much of his or her professional experience is not relevant to the prospective role. Two-Page An applicant who is above entry-level, but below executive-level, may utilize a two-page resume. A two-page resume may also be appropriate for an applicant who has abundant professional or extracurricular experience (that relate to the position for which they are applying). Three-Page An applicant who is at the senior or executive-level may require a resume that is three or more pages in length. Before creating a resume that is three or more pages in length, an applicant should be certain that the resume will be accepted by the organization. Remember: The goal of a resume should be to convey your experience in a concise and impactful way. Avoid repetitive or extraneous information.

5 Step 4: Develop Each Section of Your Resume A resume can include a diverse array of information. A resume should include the following: Contact Information, a Professional Profile, Education, and Professional Experience. Contact Information Contact information should be listed at the very top of your resume. Within this section, be sure to include: Your Name, Your Mailing Address, Your Telephone Number, and a Professional Address. Example: Sally Classmate 123 Hickory Lane sallyclassmate@ .com Professional Profile A professional profile is a brief statement of your experience and expertise. A professional profile should grab the attention of the reader and showcase your expertise as a professional. These 2-3 sentences should be centered on your educational and professional achievement. Example: Dynamic Medical Assistant with five years of experience within the healthcare field. Extensively trained in patient processes and laboratory procedures. Enthusiastic and motivated with a proven ability to provide compassionate patient care. Education All higher education (post-high school) must be included within your resume. Within this section, be sure to include the following information for each institution: Institution Name, City and State, Full Degree Name, and Graduation Date (Degree Awarded or Degree Expected). Example: Herzing University Bachelor of Science in Business Administration Degree Awarded May 2010

6 Professional Experience All professional experience should be included within your resume. For a chronological resume, be sure to include the following information: Company Name, City and State, Position Title, Dates of Employment, and 3-5 Job Duties. Example: ABC Financial Customer Service Representative May 2010 Present Provide top-quality customer service to each client Manage a diverse array of financial information, maintaining accuracy and confidentiality Serve as a resource for each client; provide expertise regarding financial information For a functional resume, be sure to include all of the above, with the exception of job duties. Optional Information A resume can also include additional information about your educational or professional experience. This information should be active (in the case of certifications, memberships, etc.), recent (conferences, trainings, etc.), and related to your field. You may choose to include: Academic Training Additional Experience Experience Affiliations Associations Certifications Coaching Experience Community Involvement Community Service Computer Applications Computer Skills Conferences Conventions Extracurricular Activities Key Competencies Language Skills Memberships Notable Achievements Presentations Professional Activities Professional Development Professional Training Publications Research Seminars University Activities Volunteer Activities Volunteer Experience Volunteer Work Workshops Attended Workshops Facilitated

7 Step 5: Polish Your Resume Always keep in mind that your resume is an evolving document. As you progress in your academic and professional career, the content within your resume will change. Presentation Print your resume on high-quality 8 ½ by 11 paper Do not print your resume on colored paper Your name should be typed in size font All other text should be typed in size font When submitting your resume in an envelope, submit it unfolded, in a large envelope Formatting Provide a distinct heading for each section of your resume Utilize bulleting whenever possible to make the resume easy to read Use a common font style such as Calibri or Times New Roman Use past-tense for past employment and present-tense for present employment Content Using the position description, tailor your resume to the desired position Be specific when describing each job duty or achievement; use action words (see below) Be concise; eliminate any information that is not needed Be professional in your writing, and be descriptive Proofread your resume. Do not submit a resume that has errors in spelling or grammar

8 Action Words Communication Addressed Contacted Edited Lectured Networked Reconciled Arbitrated Convinced Formulated Marketed Persuaded Recruited Arranged Corresponded Influenced Mediated Presented Referred Authored Developed Informed Moderated Promoted Reported Communicated Directed Interpreted Motivated Publicized Translated Composed Drafted Interviewed Negotiated Published Wrote Creative Conceived Developed Fashioned Introduced Performed Replaced Conceptualized Directed Founded Invented Pioneered Revitalized Conducted Drafted Improvised Marketed Planned Shaped Created Established Instituted Modernized Redesigned Spearheaded Designed Executed Integrated Originated Remodeled Started Analytical & Financial Accounted for Budgeted Monitored Rated Researched Submitted Administered Calculated Planned Reconciled Secured Substantiated Allocated Controlled Procured Reformed Sought Suggested Analyzed Developed Projected Related Settled Supplemented Appraised Estimated Purchased Relieved Staffed Sustained Balanced Financed Raised Remedied Strengthened Tailored Management & Leadership Centralized Concluded Correlated Evaluated Handled Oversaw Certified Condensed Cultivated Executed Headed Planned Chaired Confirmed Delegated Formulated Hired Prioritized Changed Consented Determined Founded Managed Produced Commissioned Contracted Developed Fulfilled Maintained Proposed Committed Consolidated Employed Grew Organized Recommended Drive, Motivation, and Results Achieved Decreased Established Lowered Costs Proved Stabilized Accelerated Doubled Exceeded Maximized Reduced Standardized Accomplished Effected Expanded Measured Re-Established Succeeded Attained Eliminated Improved Obtained Resolved Transformed Augmented Enlarged Increased Pioneered Restored Validated

9 Chronological Resume Checklist Step 1: Contact Information First and Last Name Full Mailing Address Telephone Number Professional Address Step 2: Professional Profile 2-3 Sentences Outlining Education & Experience Use powerful language Use industry-relevant language Step 3: Education List each institution in reverse chronological order Include the city and state in which each institution is located Include Degree Awarded or Degree Expected and your graduation date Step 4: Professional Experience List each organization in reverse chronological order Include the city and state in which each organization is located Include dates of employment, written in Month Year format Below each organization, list 3-5 job duties Step 5: Professional Membership List each professional membership, including dates of membership Step 6: Community Involvement List recent volunteer work, including dates of involvement

10 Functional Resume Checklist Step 1: Contact Information First and Last Name Full Mailing Address Telephone Number Professional Address Step 2: Professional Profile 2-3 Sentences Outlining Education & Experience Use powerful language Use industry-relevant language Step 3: Areas of Expertise List 2-3 key areas of skill or expertise Below each skill, list 2-3 ways in which the skill has been demonstrated Step 4: Education List each institution in reverse chronological order Include the city and state in which each institution is located Include Degree Awarded or Degree Expected and your graduation date Step 5: Professional Experience List each organization in reverse chronological order Include the city and state in which each organization is located Include dates of employment, written in Month Year format Step 6: Professional Membership List each professional membership, including dates of membership Step 7: Community Involvement List all volunteer work, including dates of involvement

11 Chronological Resume Sample SALLY CLASSMATE 123 Hickory Lane PROFESSIONAL PROFILE Dynamic Certified Medical Assistant with over four years of experience in the healthcare field. Proven ability to provide outstanding patient and customer service. Committed to providing top-quality organizational support within a healthcare setting. EDUCATION Herzing University Bachelor of Science in Healthcare Management Degree Awarded May 2013 Associate of Science in Medical Assisting Services Degree Awarded May 2011 PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE Madison Clinic Certified Medical Assistant May 2011 Present Provide top-quality patient care on a daily basis Manage patient record filing system and ensure that each file is accurate and up-to-date Prepare each patient for processes and procedures, following clinic safety protocol Madison Nursing Home Certified Nursing Assistant May 2009 May 2011 Provided top-quality patient care on a daily basis; conducted patient assessment and care planning Assisted each patient with personal hygiene, grooming, and personal nutrition Provided emotional support to each patient through caring and compassionate communication CERTIFICATIONS American Heart Association BLS for Healthcare Providers Valid through May 2017 Heartsaver First Aid Valid through May 2017

12 Functional Resume Sample SALLY CLASSMATE 123 Hickory Lane PROFESSIONAL PROFILE Dynamic Certified Medical Assistant with expertise in providing top-quality patient and customer care. Proven ability to provide compassionate patient care and support. Committed to growth within the healthcare field; an asset to any organization. SKILLS & QUALIFICATIONS Patient Care Compassionate and caring; able to offer support and guidance to each patient Strong attention to detail; proficient in a diverse array of patient and laboratory procedures Administrative Support Organized and efficient; able to effectively manage a multi-line telephone system Able to manage all patient documentation and ensure that each file is up-to-date EDUCATION Herzing University Bachelor of Science in Healthcare Management Degree Awarded May 2013 Associate of Science in Medical Assisting Services Degree Awarded May 2011 PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE Madison Call Center Customer Service Representative May 2011 Present Customer Care Associate May 2009 May 2011 CERTIFICATIONS American Heart Association BLS for Healthcare Providers Valid through May 2017 Heartsaver First Aid Valid through May 2017