Developing Your Resume

1. Developing Your Resume Purdue University Writing Lab

2. Standards Review the course standards. Which standards relate to that of building a resume? Explain.

3. Objectives • Apply previous career research and personality assessment to the development of a professional resume’. • Practice effective communication in a professional setting.

4. Resume WritingDefinition/Use • A job-hunting tool designed to provide an employer with pertinent screening and qualifying information • Basically, a sales pitch • Friends: Rachel’s resume • https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o5PhUErm8I4 • What can we learn from Rachel?

5. Prep Step 1: Know what you have to offer SAMPLE FUNCTIONAL SKILLS Advising people Handling complaints Planning agendas Analyzing data Anticipate needs of others Interviewing people Promoting events Budgeting expenses Investigating problems Recruiting people Compiling statistics Listening to others Coordinating events Managing projects Running meetings Corresponding with others Mediating between people Selling products & services Creating new ideas Motivating others Speaking in public Delegating responsibility Negotiating contracts Supervising others Organizing people & tasks Teaching classes Editing publications Persuading others Working under pressure • Think functional skills & personal qualities Try it now! List three of your functional skills.

6. Prep Step 1: Know what you have to offer SAMPLE PERSONAL QUALITIES Assertive Expressive Persistent Attention to detail Firm Perform well under stress Authentic Flexible Poised Candid Generous Resourceful Committed to growth Hard working Respectful Cooperative Honest Sense of Humor Curious Loyal Sincere Dynamic Motivated Spontaneous Empathic Optimistic Tolerant Enthusiastic Patient Versatile • Think functional skills & personal qualities Try it now! List three of your personal qualities.

7. Prep Step 1: Know what you have to offer • Think functional skills & personal qualities • Build your list of… • work experience • academics • volunteer work • classes • course projects • activities • clubs • languages • technical skills • and so on… Try it now! List at least five activities / experiences.

8. The Objective Statement Purdue University Writing Lab

9. What is an objective statement? • A short section (usually 1-3 lines), often in the form of a sentence fragment, immediately below your contact information • An “at a glance” picture of you and your career interests or goals

10. Why write one? • Emphasize key qualifications, skills and/or goals • Help your readers find what they need to know quickly • Make a good first impression

11. Q: Is this a good objective statement? • Well-written but raises too many questions • For example: What kind of internship? What knowledge? What kinds of expertise? Which areas? An internship allowing me to utilize my knowledge and expertise in different areas

12. A good objective statement answers questions • What position(s) are you applying for? • What are your main qualifications? • What are your career goals? • What is your professional identity?

13. The importance of tailoring • Sometimes one size does NOT fit all • Each person and employer is unique in certain ways • Aim for a custom fit when possible, but how?

14. Questions about you • What are your main qualifications, strengths, skills, and areas of expertise? • What position(s)--or type of position--are you seeking? • What are some of your professional goals? • What type of organization or work setting are you most interested in?

15. “Instant” objective statements • For practice, fill in the parts in brackets • To utilize my [qualifications, strengths, or skills] as a [position title] • A position as a [position title] for [company name] allowing me to develop my [qualifications, strengths, or skills] • An opportunity to [professional goal] in a [type of organization, work environment, or field] • [position title] with emphasis in [areas of expertise]

16. Mrs. Cook’s example... To assist vascular physicians in performing a variety of invasive, cardiac, electrophysiology and vascular procedures; maintain patient safety, provide compassionate care, and continue and skill development. Often it is beneficial to review the mission statement of an institution before resume’ and cover letting writing.

17. The Contact Information Section Heading Purdue University Writing Lab

18. What is a contact information section? • Easy answer… • A section that • provides information to help prospective employers contact you • presents a first impression • Is usually located at the top of the page

19. What may you include? • Name, of course! • Address and phone • Email • DO NOT ABBREVIATE ANYTHING ON A RESUME’

20. Q: Is this a good sample? Your Name Here 1234 Street name, #1 West Lafayette, IN 47907 765-555-5555

21. Campus Address 1234 Street name, #1 West Lafayette, IN 47907 765-555-5555 yourname@university.edu Permanent Address 4321 Streetname Anytown, IN 12345 555-555-1234 http://univ.edu/~login Q: Is this sample better? Your Name Here

22. Moving beyond the typewriter • Use design strategies • Picking fonts and layouts • Most are now sent and received via email. • ALWAYS HAVE MULTIPLE PAPER COPIES TO TAKE TO INTERVIEW! • ON RESUME PAPER!!! • Cover letter??

23. Proofread with a magnifying glass • Triple-check for accuracy!!! • One typo could cost you an interview!!!

24. The Education Section Purdue University Writing Lab

25. What is an education section? • A SECTION THAT EMPHASIZES YOUR EDUCATIONAL BACKGROUND AND FORMAL TRAINING

26. Purposes: to inform and persuade • Give information about your schooling and training • Persuade employers your educational background is relevant to the job, providing evidence of your qualifications • Help your resume stand out from others in the stack

27. Where should you place this section? • Above or below your experience section? • It depends… • Which is stronger, your education or your work experience section? • How much relevant work experience do you have? • Place strongest, most relevant section closest to top of the page

28. The “bare bones” education section • Schools you have attended, • Location of school(s) • Date of graduation, actual or anticipated ( college)

29. Are we done yet? Education B.A. in English Purdue University West Lafayette, Indiana Anticipated Graduation: December 2004 GPA: 3.4/4.0

30. What else may be included? • Extra information about your degree (major, minor or selective GPAs, funding sources, honors, etc.)—usually listed or included in parentheses • Specializations and special projects—usually listed or described briefly • Other relevant skills and training (relevant coursework, computer skills, language proficiency, certifications, licenses, etc.)—may be subsections or separate sections

31. Mrs. Cook’s example… 91-Papa Radiology Specialist Course, Graduated Commandant’s List, September 2004 Academy of Health Sciences, Fort Sam Houston, Texas Bachelor of Social Work, Graduated Magna Cum Laude, May 2002 Freed-Hardeman University, Henderson, Tennessee “Study Abroad” program in Europe, Fall 2002 and 9 credit hours in Master’s of School Counseling

32. Organizing content for readers • LIST IN CHRONOLOGICAL ORDER FROM THE MOST RECENT BACKWARDS

33. The Experience Section Purdue University Writing Lab

34. What is an experience section? • A SECTION THAT EMPHASIZES YOUR PAST AND PRESENT EMPLOYMENT AND/OR YOUR PARTICIPATION IN RELEVANT ACTIVITIES • If currently working use verbs in present tense. If past job, use past tense. • Note: Begin each fragment with the verb.

35. Resume Categories – Experience • Remember – Experience can be: • Paid part-time/full-time positions • Internships • Volunteer work • Club/campus group involvement • Significant course projects

36. Organizing content for readers • LIST IN CHRONOLOGICAL ORDER FROM THE MOST RECENT BACKWARDS

37. Informing to persuade • Provide information to help persuade prospective employers that your experiences make you qualified for the job • Help your resume stand out from others in the stack • Construct your professional identity

38. What goes into this section? • Company or organization and location (city, state) • Position title • Dates of employment or involvement

39. Getting started… List your past and present experiences. Include: • jobs • volunteer positions • appointments • assistantships • internships • etc.

40. A formula for success • Use appropriate headings • Included required content • Organize your section strategically • Develop your descriptions • Make your descriptions parallel • See through professional eyes • Tailor for your audience • DO NOT GIVE MORE THAN THREE!!! • (Your full list of past jobs will be seen on application).

41. Mrs. Cook’s example… Interventional Radiology Technologist, August 2007-Present Jackson Madison County General Hospital, Jackson, Tennessee Directly assist interventional radiologists in special procedures: arteriograms, venograms, embolizations, biopsies, lasers, various catheter placements, filter placements, lumbar punctures, vertebroplasties, feeding tubes, and gallbladder/PTC drains. Proficient with PACS and RIS. Utilize the latest GE and Philips fluoroscopy equipment, lasers, Trevo and Penumbra stroke devices, Jetstream, and various balloons and stents. Accustom to sterile technique. Assist in managing workflow and training. Work on-call hours. Anticipate needs of patients.

42. The Honors and Activities Section Purdue University Writing Lab

43. What is an honors and activities section? • A SECTION THAT EMPHASIZES YOUR PARTICIPATION IN RELEVANT ACTIVITIES AND ANY HONORS YOU HAVE RECEIVED

44. Why bother? • PROVIDE ADDITIONAL EVIDENCE OF YOUR QUALIFICATIONS • GIVE EMPLOYERS A SENSE OF WHO YOU ARE OUTSIDE OF SCHOOL AND WORK

45. Exploring content possibilities • Extracurricular activities, • Leadership opportunities (president of club, team captain, etc) • Awards, grants, prizes, and special honors • Memberships in professional clubs and organization (HOSA) • Volunteer activities

46. Big or little? Major or minor? • How relevant are your honors and activities? • Which honors and activities would most interest prospective employers? • How much space do you have? • May be short list at bottom

47. Two approaches Minimal approach Photography Club, University of Illinois, January 1999-Present Elaborated approach President, Photography Club, University of Illinois, January 1999-Present • Organized campus contest • Increased membership with promotional efforts

48. Special Skills and Abilities • A SECTION FOR YOU TO “SHINE” AND SHOW THE EMPLOYER WHAT “EXTRAS” YOU CAN PROVIDE THE COMPANY WITH.

49. Writing the ResumeSkills Section • Languages - classify as fluent or conversant Be HONEST about language skills….. • Computer skills - be specific to list software, WPM, etc. • Certifications, Licenses- ARRT, CPR • Other skills that are advantageous: public speaking, event planning, writing…

50. Plan of attack • Brainstorm • Research institution, mission statements, specific job requirements • Decide what to include based on relevance, interest-value, and space considerations • Match organization and design with rest of resume • Seek critical feedback