In preparing the final draft of your resume, it isn't necessary to use every item that follows. You can select those which apply to you particularly. For example, you may know a foreign language - a valuable asset in your field of endeavor, while someone else might consider it of no importance in his field of endeavor. Or, conversely, you might not want to say anything about your clerical ability, thinking that there is no need for it in your field. The instructions given here are intended to provide all possible entries for your personal resume.
The modem analytical resume is a combination of the better or more outstanding qualities of the three preceding types of resumes. It includes all the advantages of what used to be known as the Harvard Resume; that is, it analyzes, step by step, the more essential aspects of your business profile.
Also, it presents the material in more logical sequence than in the functional resume and highlights the importance of each job held in each company.
In the modem analytical resume you are given the opportunity to emphasize the qualifications for the job you are aiming at, as well as to highlight your particular skills and abilities. In addition, the modem analytical resume allows you to concentrate on the kinds of work you did and the jobs you held in the past.
For example, an engineer can arrange his modem analytical resume according to jobs worked on, presenting each as a project in problem-and-solution form. This type of resume also permits the applicant to indicate and comment on the growth achieved with each job experience. It presents ascending steps and the progress made, as reflected in the different jobs held or duties performed. Because the modem analytical resume is so very comprehensive, it offers the applicant an opportunity to submit supplemental information in a letter accompanying the resume. Needless to say, personality, character and potential ability are revealed in these, and very often they play a major role in the best outcome for the applicant,
Apart from the advantages indicated above, the modem analytical resume is particularly suited for a college graduate who has become a corporate lawyer, president of a company, marketing executive or any other post that can be classified as in the top management level.
So comprehensive is the modem analytical resume in the opportunity it offers for occupational and self-revelation, that it also provides scope for answering questions that the interviewer may ask.
In preparing your modem analytical resume, try to be as complete as possible in the information you present. It will serve you best if you do this.
Occupational Inventory for a Modern Analytical Resume
NAME AND ADDRESS
Place your name and address on one side and your telephone number on the other.
SUMMARY OF EXPERIENCE
In 50 to 100 words summarize all the experience you have gained in the different positions you have held up to the present. This summary will provide the reader with an almost immediate idea as to whether you are the person to fill the job.
OCCUPATIONAL OBJECTIVE
In a sentence or two, name your field of specialization, or fields related to it, and the position you prefer. For example, an occupational objective might be ''to be associated with a growing, internationally oriented firm in the field of marketing or investment."
EXPERIENCE HIGHLIGHTS
Your previous experience may be the determining factor as to whether or not you are hired. Give the name and location of the company (or companies) you were with, the title of your position there, the length of your employment. Describe your duties, pointing out those aspects of the work that might fit in with the job you now seek. If you are looking for a job in public relations or personnel, for example, you might explain your former jobs. If you are applying for a position as export manager, explain your sales experience and how it has helped you in the ability to deal with customers, to talk on the telephone, to write letters and to use the general principles of sales psychology.
EDUCATION
Give the details of your education and training, from high school on-the name and location of each school, the dates of your attendance and the dates of your graduation. Include the name of your curriculum or program, and the titles of any courses that had special relevance to the work you now seek.
EARLY BACKGROUND
Employers generally want this information because it rounds out the picture of the whole person. Here you can tell something of your history as a child: the environmental and educational fectors, including after-school activities or occupations that helped to form the adult you now are.
PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS AND LICENSES YOU HOLD
Information about memberships in professional societies should be presented here. State any special functions, duties, titles or administrative posts you have held or hold, and whether you are an active, honorary, professional or nonprofessional member. If you work in a field that requires licensing from local, state or federal authorities, state those you have,
PERSONAL RECOGNITION
State the titles, publishers and dates of printing of all articles, papers, theses or books you have written. Employers like to have what is called "literary visibility" about their employees. Provide similar information in the scientific, technical or political fields.
CLUBS AND FRATERNITIES
This should include the names of all political, social, church, civic and community organizations in which you participate actively. This information also tells the employer or personnel recruiter something about you apart from your work history.
KNOWLEDGE OF FOREIGN LANGUAGE(S)
Many companies, with their interests abroad through exports, foreign investments and overseas branches, have an increasing demand for employees who speak another language fluently. List the language(s) you can speak fluently, but do not assume that any high school or college courses in a language can be regarded as giving you fluency. You either know a language fluently or you do not. Personnel people will almost certainly have you take a test in the foreign language. Failure in this test can be held against you. Therefore, honesty is the best policy when you state how well you read, write and speak another language.
Outside Activities
One young lady, interviewed for a secretarial position, was puzzled when asked if she collected coins or stamps. What could the question possibly have to do with her skills and competence as a secretary?
Actually, it might reveal more about her interests and background than a series of more routine questions. An interest in stamps shows that a person enjoys handling small details. An active pursuit of such a hobby can sharpen a person's sensitivity to fine distinctions and subtleties of arrangement.
Obviously we don't all want to be philatelists or numismatists. But it's important not to overlook the value of hobbies and extracurricular activities in selling yourself to a potential employer. The books and magazines you read, the games you enjoy and the things you collect can all be positive comments on your character and personality. An employer who knows that you participate in extra curricular activities, welfare-organization work or community projects knows that you are willing to work to accomplish things even when it is not required of you or when there is no financial reward.
If you have been chairman of a committee, president of your class or captain of an athletic team, you have had practice in leadership that will make you a better candidate for an executive position. If you were advertising manager of your school paper or year book, the experience may prove valuable when you look for a job in public relations.
EMPLOYMENT INFORMATION
The following should be included under Employment Information:
- When you are available for employment
- If you are working now
- When it will be most convenient for you to be interviewed
- Whether or not you are willing to relocate within the United States
- Whether or not you are willing to make a complete change and relocate in a foreign country
- If you are willing or not to travel, and for what part of your time
- If you have traveled-where and when
This entry should include information on the following:
Date of birth Citizenship Birthplace Whether single or married Number of children Height Physical limitations Weight State of health willing to relocate
SALARY
Specify your salary range. (On a separate piece of paper, list your salary history to submit on request.)
REFERENCES
An employer is almost certain to ask you for references as a check on your character and ability. You should have ready the names, addresses and telephone numbers of three to five people who know you well. The best references are from people who know your work-recommendations from friends or acquaintances on a purely social basis do not carry much weight. Of course, it is only polite to get advance permission from people you wish to use as references.
