1. Resume Writing Workshop The Basics Made Easy Southern States University Department of Career Services

2. Workshop Outline Purpose First things first… What Makes A Strong Resume? Top 5 Writing Tips Key Words for Search Engines Types of Resumes Hands-On Practice

3. Purpose of Workshop • The purpose of the workshop: • Writing a good powerful resume • What makes a strong resume? • Who actually is reading the resume? • What type of resume should you use? • Online Resumes vs. Printed

4. First things first… • What is a resume – really… • It is a document that is constantly changing and evolving • It is the most important document in the search for a job or internship • It is the first impression of you that an employer will have

5. What Makes A Strong Resume? • This is the big question. • It is the information that best shows you and your capabilities. • Beyond that… • It shows an employer that you are the perfect fit for their company • That your skills are an asset to them • That you are the best candidatefor the position.

6. Top 5 Resume Tips • Your resume is a stake in your future • Not your past. • It is not a confessional. • Stick to what's relevant and marketable. • Don't write a list of job descriptions.  • Write achievements! • Promote only skills. • The ones relative to the position • Be honest. • Don't lie

7. Key Words • In today's job market, your resume is apt to go through at least one keyword search. • In order to pass that search, you need to have the right list of keywords for your resume. • Resume Database Secrets • Job boards and companies use resume database systems to store and manage the many resumes they get. • The keywords in a resume give important info about you • Area Examples • Management skills • Industry know-how • Education and training

8. Hands-On Exercise #1 List of Keywords for Your Resume • On a sheet of paper list 10 or so terms that describe your qualifications for the job you want. • These terms can be both technical and nontechnical. • Examples: • Training • Leadership • Development • Management

9. Types of Resumes • You can quickly capture an employer’s eye with the right resume format. • Depending on your job objective and work history, the best resume format will be different • The Formats Are • Functional • Chronological • Combination

10. Functional Resume • The functional resume presents your work achievements under skill headings • The dates, names of employers, and job titles in your work history are listed very briefly in a separate section, usually at the bottom of your resume. • The functional format is best when : • You are making an extreme career change. • You need to focus on experience or skills from a very early time in your work history.

11. Chronological Resume • The chronological resume. • Your dates, places of employment, and job titles are listed as headings under which your achievements are written. • Is most effective: • For staying in the same field or industry. • It shows lateral or vertical career growth • An increase in job responsibility • There are no gaps in your employment history

12. Combination Resume • The combination resume offers the best of the chronological and functional resume formats. • It presents your work history in the body of the resume. • Is best: • For making a career change and want to highlight your transferable skills. • To advance in the field or industry in which you are currently working.

13. The Sections • Career Objective • A very concise five sentence statement that tells the employer what position you are after, what your career goals are. • Work Experience and Achievements • Input the dates, job titles, employer names, cities, and states of your work history in the resume template. • Education • This is where you list the degrees and the institutions where you received them

14. Hands-On Exercise #2 • Using the resume that you have brought you are going to do one or more of the following: • Review which of the resume formats you think would better suit your needs • Modify your Career Objective Statement • Using your key word list, go through your Employment History and see if you can improve it • If you need help come up and ask for a critique or email to me at rhanon@ssu.edu