Resume Writing
Lesson Four
Resume Writing
1. What do you, a mechanic, and a doctor have in common? Think for a moment, what could it be? The answer is simple. The mechanic and the doctor both use tools in the pursuit of their trade. Granted, their tools are somewhat different but they are tools that must be used to get the job done. If you want to get the job done, or get a job to get it done, then you must use your tools. As a high school student or graduate, if you have not already learned a trade, then the tools you have at your disposal are your brain and the ability to write an acceptable resume. Do you see the big picture yet? All of you use whatever tools you have at your disposal to get the job done…get it?
2. Resume writing can be as tedious and difficult as you make it, so much so, that there are professional services that charge large sums of money to write a resume. Regardless of what you read, or where you go, resume writing boils down to these basic facts:
a. You should have one
b. They all consist of a cover page followed by your employment information
c. Whenever possible they should only be two pages excluding the cover sheet
3. You should also know that not all resumes are sufficient for every job announcement. That means you have to tweak each one to fit the requirements mentioned in the job criteria you are applying for. The easiest way to submit resumes is to have one complete resume that you use as a living working document which you change and submit based on the requirements each new job calls for. You should also keep in mind there are different styles or types of resumes that must be used for specific jobs. As an example Company A may only require a cover sheet and two pages of job information and work history. But let’s say Company B is a company that either is, or will, contract with the federal or state government. In that case you may be able to write a resume as long as five pages, not including the cover letter. Is that a good thing? Sure because you get to include more relevant information that shows the breadth, depth, and level of your experience. So when it’s all said and done you may have as many as ten different resumes that you can add to, take away from, and change as you see fit to submit for whatever job you want. It’s a good thing we have computers right?
4. Just so you don’t feel overwhelmed, I am going to include a copy of a bullet style resume that a young person such as yourself may need. But before we get to that you need to have some idea of what constitutes each style of resume and what they’re used for. So here they are:
a. Chronological resume: An outline of your work experience and periods of employment (in reverse chronological order—most recent information first) that shows steady employment.
b. Functional resume: Emphasizes your qualifications (skills, knowledge, abilities, and achievements) as opposed to specific dates and places of employment, and allows you to group them into functional areas such as training, sales, procurement, and accounting.
c. Combination resume: Combines the best of the chronological and functional resumes because you can group relevant skills and abilities into functional areas and then provide your work history, dates and places of employment, and education. This format allows you to cover a wider variety of subjects and qualifications, thereby showing skills that are transferable from one career to another.
d. Targeted resume: As the name implies, this format focuses on your skills, knowledge, abilities, achievements, experience, and education that relate to the targeted position. It features a series of bullet statements regarding your capabilities and achievements related to the targeted job. Experience is listed to support statements, but it does not need to be emphasized. Education is listed after achievements. This format is probably the easiest to write, but keep in mind it must be completely re-accomplished for each position you are seeking.
e. Federal resume: An outline for the Federal Government and private industry to apply for Federal job searches. This resume is commonly five pages by the time all your information is included so it does not follow the “keep it to two pages max” rule.
5. Now, let’s take a look at that sample resume I’ve included for you to use. Remember the important parts of the resume need to be adapted to fit your particular needs. It’s never a good idea to lie on your resume or use someone else’s accomplishments. Employers frown on that and many will fire you immediately after discovering that you’ve mislead them. So make sure that you update this sample copy with your personal information, the first document listed below is the cover letter followed by the example of the resume:
John Q. Public
705 Anywhere Ct Small Town, TX 88510
E-Mail: xxxx@yahoo.com Home: (915) 123-4567 Cell: (915) 897-798X
Attention: Mr. A. Job
Human Resources Management
Any Company Incorporated
Any City, USA, Zip Code
I was informed of a position at the New Homes and Gardens Delicatessen located in Small Town, Texas. Please find enclosed a copy of my Administrative Services resume.
As you will note from my resume, I do have basic office and computer skills and offer the following to your organization:
- Leadership and personal integrity based on team building and cohesiveness learned from participation in (whatever applies; such as athletics, band, cheer leading, girl scouts, etc.). Sound decision making skills and the ability to utilize common sense and logic.
- Experience in (whatever applies; basic records and files management, appointment scheduling, preparing meals/snacks according to recipe, etc.).
- Able to clearly and competently organize and express ideas whether oral or written. Utilizes Microsoft Word and the internet to research and comply with basic office responsibilities.
- Current (add required state) Driver’s License.
I look forward to the opportunity to interview with, or be considered as a future applicant.
Sincerely,
John Q. Public
John Q. Public
705 Anywhere Ct Small Town, TX 88510
E-Mail: xxxx@yahoo.com Home: (915) 123-4567 Cell: (915) 897-798X ___
OBJECTIVE:
I’m looking for an opportunity to work with a solid team of individuals in a learning environment where training, team building, integrity, and leadership are core values.
EDUCATION:
Example College Freshman (3.0 GPA)
Address of College
City, State, Zip Code
Small Town High School Graduate (3.0 GPA)
603 Dorian Avenue
Small Town, Texas 88510
City, State, Zip Code
SPECIAL QUALIFICATIONS:
Motivated, hard-working, results driven individual able to type 30-words per minute. Possesses basic office skills to include records management, computer assisted research, and appointment scheduling.
PROFESSIONAL WORK EXPERIENCE:
Example College (Freshman Student) City, State
18 August 2008 to 1 May 2009 Example College (Freshman) Student
- Maintained scholarship requirements of 3.0 grade point average in International Business Studies
- As a Freshman garnered starting center position for the Example College Men’s Basketball Team
- Maintained all required classes and extracurricular studies in accordance with 4-year scholarship
Any Company Incorporated, New Homes and Gardens Delicatessen, Small Town, TX Bakery
11 June 2008 to 6 August 2008 Delicatessen Food Service Specialist _
- Prepares product orders according to customers specific instructions and daily requirements
- Ensured freshness and rotation of all bakery products to include display shelves and refrigerators
- Monitored and ensured cleanliness of area and performed sanitation duties as required without direction
- Worked with customers to correct ordering errors and ensure customer visits were a pleasant experience
American Red Cross Volunteer, Small Town TX, Vet’s Admin Off.
11 June 2003 to 6 Aug 2003__________________Office Worker_
- Volunteered 15 hours a week as at the Veterans Administration Office
- Answered phones and routed calls to applicable personnel
- Prepared files and scheduled veterans appointments with office staff
- Prepared veterans files and transcripts for education counselors
- Managed file integrity and arranged said files for future appointments and or final disposition
ACCOMPLISHMENTS/AWARDS:
- Jul 2008: Awarded full 4-year Basketball Scholarship by Example College, Anywhere USA
- Mar 2008: McDonald’s All-American High School Basketball Team Selectee
- Jan 2008: Three year Varsity Basketball Team Leader and Player
- Sep 2007: Fourth Place High Jump for 4-5A Track and Field State Championships
- Mar 2006: Honorable Mention for All-District 4-5A SMT Basketball Team
- Sep 2005: Selected for the Who’s Who Among American High School students list
- May 2004: President’s Award for Educational Achievements
- May 2001: President’s Award for Educational Excellence
- Oct 2000: Excellent Eagle Award for Outstanding Student Accomplishments
EMPLOYMENT HISTORY AND TRAINING SUPPLEMENT
08/08-05/09: College Student Example College, Anywhere USA
06/08-08/08: Bakery Clerk Any Company Incorporated, Small Town, TX
06/03-08/03: Office Worker Veterans Administration, Small Town, TX
Note: Any employment gaps are due to relative age of applicant and school age requirements
6. Because of size and space constraints associated with this web site, the size of the pitch was reduced from 12 to 10 pitch. However, when you complete your resume, remember to use 12 pitch and most preferrably Times New Roman font. Also keep in mind that as a person just starting out in life you may not have worked very many jobs, so you will have employment gaps. These are periods of time that for whatever reason you have not worked. This is not a major problem as long as you can explain why, you weren’t working. As we said before, if you’re a high school age person entering into the job market for the first time, an employer with any amount of intelligence will know this; so it should not be a problem. If asked, just don’t forget to explain why those gaps exist.
Conclusion: Okay, we’ve concluded another lesson. I hope it was short enough to keep you interested but contained enough of the good stuff to make a difference. As your job experience grows and your accomplishments begin to stack up, don’t forget to add these things to your resume; they’re important. Trust me when I tell you the more you write them the easier it will get. Let us know how we’re doing by leaving a comment or complaint here on the site. Note: Paragraphs 4a-e taken from AFH 33-337, 1 Aug 2004, Page 248.
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