Resume Writing

Resume Packet Online

Purpose of the Resume
Dos and Don'ts
Resume Headings
Sample Chronological Format
Using Action Words
Positive Action Verbs
Resume Production
Sample Resumes
Preparing a Resume: A Step by Step Approach
The Scannable Resume

Purpose of the Resume

From the Employer's Perspective

• The resume is a screening tool to rule out applicants who do not meet the qualifications or present themselves professionally in writing.
• Resumes which clearly articulate the candidate's experience, skills and accomplishments may be considered further.
• Appearance of the resume and the content are equally important in today's job market.
• The resume is used a as marketing tool to sell your experience and qualifications to potential employers.

From the Candidate's Perspective

• The resume is a creative, personal statement of your education and experiences of your past, as well as your career direction for the future.
• It should highlight your unique qualifications and experience.
• It should not be a long biography of everything you have ever done; rather it should summarize and show the relevant accomplishments and skills which match the employer's current hiring needs.

Dos and Don'ts

Do:

• Make it brief, using short phrases
• Use action verbs such as created, initiated, organized (see page 6)
• Include summer and part-time employment
• Emphasize skills, strengths and accomplishments
• List major awards, achievements and publications
• Organize education and employment in reverse chronological order
• Give attention to the attractiveness and clarity of the resume
• Have your resume critiqued for style, impact and spelling
• Consider the tone of your resume
• Use the language/jargon of your chosen field
• Relate the information given to your career objective

Don't

• Make the resume longer than 1-2 pages
• Use negative words
• Include present salary or salary desired
• Mention high school degrees and activities
• Use abbreviations
• Use common introductory phrases such as "My duties included" or "I was responsible for"
• Sell yourself short
• Include personal information (e.g., height, weight, birth date, marital status, children or religion)

Resume Headings

Sample Chronological Format

FULL NAME
Address
Telephone
E-Mail

CAREER OBJECTIVE

Brief description of the type of position you wish to be considered for.

EDUCATION

Name of college, location, degree received, major, date of graduation.
Bachelor of Science, Psychology, Bridgewater State College, May 2000.
Minor: Communications/Public Relations
List GPA if it is above 3.0. Include academic honors, language proficiency, financing education, etc. (e.g., cum laude, dean's list).

HONORS

Psychology National Honor Society
Who’s Who Among College Students
Psychology National Honor Society
Received the Ellen Shea Award for Academic Excellence

RELEVANT EXPERIENCE

This section should include practicum/student teaching or internship experience. It should also include summer, part-time and full-time employment related to your field. All experiences should be described with action verbs to communicate your accomplishments (See Using Action Verbs).

Title of position - Name of organization, location (City/Town, State)
Description of position using action verbs. Date (month, year - month, year).

Communications Intern - Phoenix Communications, Boston, MA
Assisted PR Director in planning and producing the first employee newsletter. Wrote articles, edited copy and solicited advertisers to underwrite the cost. Organized a network fair for new interns to meet professionals in the field. Conducted a need assessment survey for parents with children and presented findings to Board of Directors. Attended team building workshops and weekly staff meetings. (Sept. 1999-December 2000).

ADDITIONAL EXPERIENCE

This section would cover work which is not related to your field. If you do not have room, it may be left off the resume. You might include part-time positions and summer jobs without detailed descriptions.

ACTIVITIES

List activities in college and in the community, especially those that denote leadership. They should be listed in reverse chronological order. You may include volunteer activities. This heading may be called Leadership, Community Activities, Volunteer, etc.

COMPUTER SKILLS

List software your are proficient in. Include experience with the Internet and the World Wide Web.

Using Action Words

Action words can be used to introduce good resume phrases. Here are some suggestions for selecting words and phrases.

1. Use action words in short, clearly written phrases.
2. Use the minimum number of words necessary to convey accurately what you wish to say.
3. Select words that will mean something to the person who will read your resume. Use the jargon of your chosen field where appropriate.
4. Avoid introductory phrases such as “my duties included” or “I was in charge of”.
5. List accomplishments whenever possible rather than just describe duties.
6. Always keep the needs of your employer in mind. Put them ahead of you own desires and concerns.

Action Statements With Accomplishment-Oriented Results:

This chart demonstrates using action words to create an accomplishment-oriented word picture. Basic duties and responsibilities are described in the first column. The second column changes these passive phrases into active statements. The third column includes accomplishment-oriented results. Adding results lengthens paragraphs. Selectively choose those that best market you for your chosen position.

Positive Action Verbs

Resume Production

Software:  We recommend that you use Microsoft Word which is available on campus in the computer labs and in the Career Services Office.  This will make it easier to read, edit and upload your resume using the campus network.

Fonts:  Use Conservative fonts such as Times Roman, Revival, Arial. Avoid decorative fonts commonly used for printing brochures and newsletters. Use 12 point for text. Headings and name may be a bit larger. Smaller point sizes (11 or 10) may be sued to fit more information on a one-page resume.  Be careful that the page is not too crowded or difficult to read. Use bold, underline, ALL CAPS or italics for emphasis with headings, position titles. Do not overuse them.

Paper Stock:  Use quality bond resume paper. Paper can be purchase at Office Max, Staples or your local office supply store.

Paper Color:  Match your cover letter, reference page and envelopes with the resume. Use white, off white, creams, or light colors. Conservative is best. Avoid dark color paper.

Reproducing the Resume:  Take your original white laser printed copy to the Campus Center Print Shop or a local printing store to have the resume reproduced onto resume paper. A list of local stores is available from the Career Services Office. Use your own resume paper to print your document on the laser printers at the Career Services Office or any of the on-campus computer labs.

Sample Resume

Mary Jones
22 South Street
Bridgewater, MA 02324
(508) 555-1212
mjones@aol.com

CAREER OBJECTIVE
        A teaching position for grades Pre-K through 3 in an integrated classroom A teaching position for grades Pre-K through 3 in an integrated classroom.

EDUCATION
        Bridgewater State College, Bridgewater, MA
        Bachelor of Science degree, Cum Laude, anticipated January 2001
        Dual major in Early Childhood Education and Psychology, Minor in Mathematics
        G.P.A. in major: 3.77 Cumulative G.P.A.: 3.4 Achieved Dean's List status seven semesters

CERTIFICATION
        Massachusetts Early Childhood Education, anticipated July 2001

VOLUNTEER
        First grade classroom, Harrington Elementary School, Chelmsford, MA (September - December 1999)  
        Multicultural, multilingual, urban classroom, Head Start, Lowell, MA (June 1998, March 2000)
        Chelmsford High School Preschool, Chelmsford, MA (September 1996 - June 1998)

CO-CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES
       Circle K International, Community Service Organization - President (2000), Service Committee
       Chairperson (1999), Member (1998 - present)
       Orientation Leader
       Peer Educator- McAdoc: Media Campaign Addressing Drugs on Campus (Fall 1999 -Spring 2000)
       Tutor, Bridgewater State College Math Lab (Fall 1998)
       Bridgewater State College Leadership Institute (Spring 1998)

CHRISTINA MICHAELS
cmichaels@mediaone.net

EDUCATION         Bridgewater State College, Bridgewater, MA
                                 Bachelor of Science Degree in Accounting and Finance, May 2001
                                Concentration in Finance
                                 Major GPA 3.6; Dean's list student

RELATED              BankBoston, Stoughton, MA                                        August 99-present
EXPERIENCE       Service Associate
                                • Process customer counter transactions
                                • Respond to product and service inquiries
                                • Handle cash transactions up to $2,500
                                • Meet/exceed quarterly sales referral goals
                                • Cross-sell products including overdraft protection, debit cards, and CD's
                                • Take initiative to open accounts during peak periods for new and
                                   returning customers
                                • Up-sell product lines to better serve individual customer needs
                                • Provide assistance as needed to customers and employees experiencing
                                   language barriers

                                Short & Company, Stoughton, MA                           January 99-August 99
                                CPA Assistant
                                           • Prepared tax returns for corporations, partnerships, trusts, and individuals
                                • Completed audit work, including the preparation of various confirmations
                                   and the implementation of audit procedures
                                • Discussed issues with clients when necessary
                                • Handled the monthly maintenance of various clients' books, including the
                                   input of cash receipts, cash disbursements, and various journal entries
                                • Compiled financial statements

ADDITIONAL        Filene's, Braintree, MA                                                 May 98-January 99
EXPERIENCE        Sales Associate/Department Clerk
                                 • Opened and closed registers and balanced drawers
                                 • Created and organized merchandise displays
                                 • Provided quality customer service consistently
                                 • Received several customer appreciation awards

LANGUAGES        Fluent in English and Spanish

COMPUTER          Microsoft Excel, Word, Access, Outlook, Publisher, PowerPoint, Adobe
SKILLS                   Pagemaker, Internet and Email

REFERENCES      References furnished upon request

Brian Ohlson
24 Crescent Street
Halifax, MA 01758
(508) 456-7890
bohlson@bridgew.edu


EDUCATION

Bridgewater State College, Bridgewater, MA
Bachelor of Science Degree in Psychology, anticipated May 2001
Minor in Sociology
GPA in major: 3.7 Overall GPA: 3.4

RELATED COURSEWORK

Psychology of Organizations, Experimental Psychology, Behavior Modification, Psychology of Personality, Abnormal Psychology, Child Psychology, Psychology of Learning, Social Psychology, Psychology of Criminal Behavior, Sociology of Corrections, Social Theory, Social Problems, Family Violence, Juvenile Delinquency

Senior Residential Counselor, Baird Center, Marlboro, MA
Work closely with twenty four behaviorally and emotionally disturbed adolescent males. Manage a cabin of six clients and prepare quarterly treatment conference reports for each. Design special behavior contracts and programs for all clients assigned to cabin. Organize and run recreational clubs and activities. Conduct weekly advocacy with clients and assist in developing long and short term goals with clients. (February 1998 - present)

Case Manager, Community Care, Wareham, MA
Managed the cases of twelve at-risk students and their families. Coordinated outreach and referral services for clients. Maintained records and statistics for each. Assisted community-based agencies and educational institutions in all activities involved with students. Developed social and survival skills goals with students to assist in the progression of their treatment. (May 1997 - July 1998)

Intern, Plymouth Juvenile Court, Plymouth, MA
Provided individual and group counseling for juvenile offenders in detention. Reveiwed case files and incident reports. Assisted supervisor with the representation of juveniles in court. Documented progress reports and notes for assigned clients. (Jan 2000 - May 2000)

Literacy Volunteer, Hanover Public Library, Hanover, MA
Tutor, Silver Lake Regional High School, Kingston, MA

Preparing a Resume: A Step by Step Approach

1. Determine Resume Focus
   What types of jobs are you looking for?
   Assess your skills, accomplishments and capabilities that relate to your focus.
   
2. List Out Experience
   Summer jobs, full and part time employment, volunteer, student teaching, internships, skills, honors, awards. Put your brainstormed list on to paper.
   
3. Decide On Format
   
   • Chronological - Most applicable for recent graduates. Lists positions in reverse chronological order. Job responsibilities and skills are listed under each position held. Calls attention to growth and progression into positions of increased responsibility. Lists dates of employment at the top of each job description. Presents job duties and experience under headings by job title and company. Easy for employer to determine what work was performed at each company.
     
   • Functional - Most applicable for candidates who are out of work, history of being unemployed, job hoppers, career changers, or had a reduction in responsibility. Headings consist of functions or skills, then responsibilities and accomplishments are described under each applicable heading. Employment dates are given at the end of the resume, after employers had a chance to read about skills and successes. Shortcomings in job history have less of an emphasis.
     
4. Plan Your Layout
   Look at a variety of other resumes to determine a layout you like. Make it easy to read. Use margins, white space, lines, bold or italics for emphasis without overusing. Remember: appearance counts!
   
5. Use Action Verbs and Statements (see Using Action Words and Positive Action Verbs)
   
6. Select Key Words and Phrases
   Communicate your knowledge of the field.
   
7. Prepare Your First Draft
   Develop a template and fill in the blanks. Check out the templates in Microsoft Word.
   
8. Edit and Proofread
   Ask professionals in your field and Career Services counselors to help you fine-tune your initial drafts.
   
9. Production (see Resume Production)

The Scannable Resume

Many of the large employers are incorporating high technology into their recruiting efforts by conducting computerized resume searches. The use of scanners and special computer programs are now allowing employers to read resumes into the computer, search by key word, categorize by job possibilities, rank applicants, generate letters of rejection or interview offers, and store information for future openings. The following are some guidelines on creating a resume that can be easily scanned and accessed.

FORMAT
Use white or light colored paper, 8 1/2 x 11, one-sided.
Print from a laser or high quality printer, avoid dot matrix.
Use standard font type and size, 10-14 point, (see Resume Production) Use lots of white space.
Bold and/or all capitals for headings, avoid underline and italics.
Avoid unusual formats: boxes, shading, graphics, hollow bullets & adjusted spacing.

CONTENT
Keywords are essential. Use words from your discipline that are field specific, use only well known acronyms and always spell out. Ex: Elder Care, Sales Promotion, Financial Modeling, Employee Benefits, WordPerfect.
Degrees, names of colleges, trade groups, professional licenses, certifications, and honors count as keywords.
State a specific objective - your first keyword.
Create a keyword summary, highlight the assets you can offer the employer.
List accomplishments and results over duties and responsibilities.
Use common headings.

TIPS
Have two versions of your resume, one computer scannable, one readable.
If you are sending resume by modem or via the Internet, send it ASCII or computer language format and always follow up with a hard copy by mail.
Resume can be more than one page to fit all relevant keywords and experience.
Place your name at the top with standard address form under it.
Don’t fold or staple.