Resumes
You have 20 seconds! ON YOUR MARK ... GET SET ... GO!
Twenty seconds. That's how long it will take for a hiring manager to look over your credentials-your cover letter and resume-and place them in the "Yes" or "No" pile. That's pressure! It is crucial that you spend adequate time and give sufficient thought to preparing this "picture" of yourself. Many times, your resume is the first impression employers have of you and what you could do for the company. This traditional job search tool is necessary for just about any type of employment you are seeking.
The Resume's Purpose
The purpose of your resume is to get you an interview. Your resume is a powerful screening tool. It must be well written and, if possible, targeted toward the company that interests you. Employers want to hire people who show a real interest in their companies. If your resume is not particularly suited to their company, they will think you are not particularly suited to work for them.
You need to look as good on paper as you do in person. Your resume needs to do three things: Draw the reader's attention, highlight your strengths, and get you the interview.
Your resume should accurately describe who you are, where you have been, and where you want to go. There are many types of resumes and thousands of examples to look at in your public library, college placement office, or local bookstore. In the following exercises you will learn about three popular resume types and how to decide which will work best for you.
Your resume is the place to answer these questions:
- What position are you seeking?
- What skills, abilities, and knowledge do you possess?
- What is your work history?
- Have you shown any leadership or responsibility skills?
- Do you participate in any extra-curricular activities or volunteer services?
- What education or training do you have?
- Are there people who will recommend you?
When preparing your resume, you should follow some of these general guidelines:
- Keep it short (one page if possible), clear and concise.
- Target your resume toward the company and job that interests you.
- Express yourself positively and with personality.
- Stress accomplishments in any positions you have held or activities in which you have participated.
- Use strong action words in your accomplishment statements.
- Omit personal information such as race, age, marital status, or religion.
- List any extra-curricular activities or volunteer work that applies to your specific job objective or that accounts for some of your "work history."
- Make it attractive and easy to read by using bold lettering, italics, and different type fonts. (Two fonts are enough.)
- List any certification, training, or education relating to the position.
- Keep your job objective statement consistent with the position you are applying for (or don't use one at all!).
- Have at least three other people proofread your resume.
- Have your resume professionally printed or, if you do it yourself, use a high quality word processing program and printer.
- Use quality resume paper of a neutral color.
Resumes are typically in one of three types of styles: functional, chronological, or a combination of both.
FUNCTIONAL
The FUNCTIONAL Resume puts emphasis on the occupational duties and responsibilities you held over the course of your job history. This style can be used if you have gaps in your job history, or do not wish to emphasize the order in which you progressed in your duties. The functional resume draws attention to specific responsibilities and accomplishments you have achieved by grouping similar responsibilities under headings such as Planning Skills, Organizing Skills, or Interpersonal Skills. The companies you have worked for are listed in a separate section of the resume to keep the main emphasis on your skills-not on when, or for whom, you accomplished them.
CHRONOLOGICAL
The CHRONOLOGICAL Resume, the most common style, organizes your education and employment history by date (usually listing the most recent job you held first, and the rest in descending order). This style matches your strengths and accomplishments with the actual company you worked for and the dates you worked there. The chronological resume provides a clear picture of your work history and the positions you have held. This type of resume is suitable for the job seeker who has very few gaps in their work history or for those who have worked for notable companies. The companies you have worked for and your dates of employment are the first things an employer sees. If you have had stable employment, perhaps the chronological resume is the style for you.
COMBINATION
The COMBINATION Resume is a mixture of the functional and the chronological styles. It is often used when the applicant wants to emphasize both steady employment and specific accomplishments. In cases where you not only held a lot of responsibility but you also worked consistently, this style can emphasize both strengths.
In the following pages you will see examples of each style of resume along with three practice pages to see which resume style is best for you.. Keep in mind that the best resume is brief, clear, and concise. But most of all, it presents the best possible picture of you. Most employers prefer the chronological resume. It allows the reader a clear picture of the applicant's work history and past responsibilities, and there is no guessing about when and for whom the responsibilities were accomplished. The following resumes are just guidelines. Check out books in the library for examples of different occupational resumes and ways of arranging and composing your skills and abilities to best represent your strengths and talents.
Follow-Up
Remember, resumes alone do not result in job offers; rather, they serve as a tool to get interviews. It's a nice reminder to leave your resume when you conclude an informational interview. If you have to mail your resume to a prospective employer, make sure it is accompanied by a targeted cover letter. Cover letters are discussed in further detail in the next chapter.
The only way to stay ahead of the competition is to keep your name in front of the employer. Anytime you send a document to an employer, follow up with a phone call or a letter. Employers may receive hundreds of resumes every day. With a quick phone call or a follow-up note, you ensure that you keep your name in the forefront of their minds when they have a position to fill.
You should plan to follow up with a phone call about a week after sending your credentials. In your phone conversation or note, reiterate your enthusiasm for the position (if there is a particular position) and reinforce how you possess the skills that would help them get the job done. Ask them where they are in the hiring process. Tell them you are looking forward to their response and would be happy to send any additional material, such as references, that they may need.
Keeping Track
"Did you send a resume to the company your neighbor told you about? ... Or was that The Apple Company? ,.. Should you have heard from The Marriott by now? ... How long has it been?"
These are common questions when you're trying to cover a lot of territory at once in your job search. Keeping track of your contacts and your appointments takes organization!
To maximize your job search efforts, you need to use every job search tool available. Traditional job search tools help you:
- Create a resume that promotes your skills, abilities, and interests.
- Identify the qualifications you possess and communicate your strengths to an employer.
- Market any extra-curricular activities in which you have participated that exhibit your ability to be a team player and juggle several responsibilities at once.
- Investigate job leads.
