Resumes

1. Resumes Information provided by Student Engagement & Employment Fennell– “The Square,” Room C104 IAHS – Monday, Library |STARRT – Tuesday, Room A113 Brant Elgin – Thursday, Library

2. FACT: Employers scan a resume in under 30 seconds to determine whether an applicant will bring value to their organization. So, your resume has to be OUTSTANDING! * From Cornell University Career Services Website, http://www.career.cornell.edu/resumesAndCoverLetters/employers.html

3. This Presentation Will Answer The Following Questions: • What is the purpose of a resume? • What do employers look for in a resume? • How should a resume be formatted? • How should each section be written? • How should a Reference Page be written?

4. What is a Resume? A formal document highlighting your best qualities, personal achievements, skills, abilities, knowledge, experience, and education.

5. Purpose of a Resume To get you an Interview NOT A Job Offer

6. Make a Great First Impression • Your resume is the first opportunity an employer gets to see YOU! • It must be NEAT and EASY TO READ! • VISUAL APPEAL and BALANCE are key! • It must be PERFECT!

7. First Things an Employer Looks For • Neatness • Easy to Read • Consistency with borders, tabs, spacing, bolding, etc.

8. Next An Employer Looks For • Spelling • Grammar • Punctuation • Content

9. Formatting The following must remain consistent: • Tabs and Spacing • Bolding and Capitals • Fonts and Font Sizes • Borders and White Space

10. Formatting Continued… • Use a modern and easy to read font • Ex. Arial, Size 10 or 11 • Resumes are generally 2 pages long • Excluding reference page • Use bullets to bring attention to important statements • Write in full sentences

11. Use Action Verbs to Begin Sentences • Do not say: “I was responsible for filing expense reports for the owner.” • Instead say: “FILED expense reports for the owner.” • Drop the filler words at the beginning of sentences

12. Use a Variety of Action Verbs • Do not say: “End date of program, April 21st, 2011.” • Instead say: “GRADUATING on April 21st, 2011 and available for employment on April 22nd, 2011.”

13. Action Verbs MANAGEMENT SKILLS Administered Analyzed Assigned Attained Chaired Consolidated Contracted Coordinated Delegated Developed Directed Evaluated Executed Improved Increased Organized Oversaw Planned Prioritized Produced Recommended Reviewed Scheduled Strengthened Supervised COMMUNICATION SKILLS Addressed Arbitrated Arranged Authored Collaborated Convinced Corresponded Developed Directed Drafted Edited Enlisted Formulated Influenced Interpreted Lectured Mediated Moderated Negotiated Persuaded Promoted Publicized Reconciled Recruited Spoke Translated Wrote  RESEARCH SKILLS Clarified Collected Critiqued Diagnosed Evaluated Examined Extracted Identified Inspected Interpreted Interviewed Investigated Organized Reviewed Summarized Surveyed Systematized TECHNICAL SKILLS Assembled Built Calculated Computed Configured Designed Devised Engineered Fabricated Installed Maintained Operated Overhauled Programmed Remodelled Repaired Retrieved Solved Trouble-shot Upgraded TEACHING SKILLS Adapted Advised Clarified Coached Communicated Coordinated Demystified Developed Enabled Encouraged Evaluated Explained Facilitated Guided Informed Instructed Persuaded Set goals Stimulated Trained

14. More Action Verbs … CLERICAL/DETAIL SKILLS Approved Arranged Catalogued Classified Collected Compiled Executed Generated Implemented Inspected Monitored Operated Organized Prepared Processed Purchased Recorded Retrieved Screened Specified Systematized Tabulated Validated HELPING SKILLS Assessed Assisted Clarified Coached Counselled Demonstrated Diagnosed Educated Expedited Facilitated Guided Motivated Referred Rehabilitated Represented   FINANCIAL SKILLS Administered Allocated Analyzed Appraised Audited Balanced Budgeted Calculated Computed Developed Forecasted Managed Marketed Planned Projected Researched CREATIVE SKILLS Acted Conceptualized Created Customized Designed Developed Directed Established Fashioned Founded Illustrated Initiated Instituted Integrated Introduced Invented Originated Performed Planned Revitalized Shaped MORE VERBS FOR CONSIDERATION Achieved Expanded Improved Pioneered Reduced Losses Resolved Problems Restored Spearheaded Transformed

15. Sentence Examples Using Action Verbs • Assisted the accountant with the preparation of month end statements using MS Excel. • Organized and filed job site drawings for the project manager allowing for easy access. • Provided courteous customer service to all new and regular clients and handled all cash and credit transactions.

16. Target your ResumeTo Each Job To accomplish this, use words from the job posting or terminology from the field you are attempting to enter

17. Page 1 of Your Resume • Should include the most important information about you and what you bring to the job • Suggested Headings: • Contact Information • Objective • Personal Profile • Qualifications • Education • Skills

18. Page 2 of Your Resume • Should include everything else about you and what you bring to the job • Suggested Headings: • Placement Experience • Related Experience • Employment Experience • Additional Training • Achievements and Awards • Volunteer Involvement • Other Activities and Interests • References Available upon Request

19. Lets Start with the Top of Page 1 • Start with a personal letterhead at the extreme top of your resume. • Should include: • First and Last Name • Street Address, City, Province, Postal Code • One Telephone Number • One Email Address • Use this identical letterhead on your Cover Letter and Reference Page

20. Your Name Your Street Address, Your Town, Province, Postal Code Your Telephone: 905 560 - 0000 Your E-mail: frank.advice@mohawkcollege.ca

21. Penny Nichols 222 Dollar Road East, R.R.#2 Smallchange, ON L6R 7T8 Telephone: 905 666-6666 Email: sharonsure@hotmail.com

22. Objective Section • Directly below the letterhead • Should be specific to the job • Clearly identifies the specific job title or type of work you are looking for • It explains why you are sending your resume

23. Sample Objective Section Objective Pursuing a full time position as a Marketing Assistant where I can apply my excellent academic training, sales experience, creative skills, and analytical abilities.

24. Personal Profile Section • Below the Objective Section • A short introduction which highlights, emphasizes, and explains your related skills and latest achievements and best skills • Should be 3-5 Sentences written in paragraph form • Customize to suit each job

25. Sample Personal Profile Section Personal Profile A reliable and highly motivated student expecting to graduate from the Business Administration Program at Mohawk College in April 2011. Excellent skills in analyzing and developing tables using MS Excel. Bilingual in French and English. Willing to relocate. Dependable vehicle with clear driver’s abstract.

26. Qualifications Section • Below your Personal Profile Section • Using a point-form list, simply re-state the employer Qualifications or Requirements or “Must haves” to do this job • You are indicating to the employer, that you have the exact qualifications they are looking for to perform this job

27. Sample Qualifications Section Qualifications • Graduating with a Civil Engineering Diploma from Mohawk College in April 2011. • Experience in using Timber-Line software. • Exceptional communication skills. • Proficient in MS Office and AutoCAD. • Willing to relocate. • Bilingual in English and Italian.

28. Education Section • Below Qualifications Section • You are selling and promoting your Diploma, and formal Education, which is your strongest asset

29. Sample Education Section Education MOHAWK COLLEGE - Hamilton, Ontario Name of Diploma ProgramMonth Year to Month Year • Expect to graduate with Honours in April 2011. • Available for employment on April 21, 2011. • Maintaining a grade average of 90%. • Studies included: ( list the courses offered ) AutoCAD, Business Law, Industrial Waste Water, Statistics, Wireless Networking, Control Systems, CNC Applications

30. Computer Skills Section • Below Education Section • Most jobs require some form of computer skills • List your skills in point form • Include all applications and software you have used in the past • NEVER SAY: “various skills” or “many skills”

31. Sample Computer Skills Section • Microsoft Access • AccPac • Excel • Visual Basic 5.0 and 6.0 • Logic Lab • Timberline • dBase • AutoCAD • Minitab 12 • CNC Software • Website Research Computer Skills

32. Summary of Headings for Page 1 • Contact Information • Objective • Personal Profile • Qualifications • Education • Skills

33. Top of Page 2 • At the extreme top of page 2 include YOUR NAME and PAGE 2 • Example: Frank Advice Page 2 • Not the same as the letterhead on page 1

34. Work Placement Experience Section • Below page 2 header • Can also name this section: • Co-op Placement Experience • Practicum Experience • This quickly indicates that you have related on-the-job experience in the field you are attempting to enter

35. Sample Work Placement Experience Section Work Placement Experience COMPANY NAME - City, Province Your Job Title or Department Name June 2010 – April 2011 • Explain and highlight what you did in one sentence. Use a bullet to bring attention to it. Start with an action word. • Worked with Auto Sketch Program to design a schematic of the nickel being produced from the furnace. • Organized and prioritized multiple tasks in the engineering department. • Gathered test information for the system manual. • Analyzed test data to troubleshoot system problems.

36. Related Work Experience Section • Below Work Placement Experience Section • This section also indicates that you have related on-the-job experience in the field you are attempting to enter

37. Sample Related Work Experience Section Related Work Experience COMPANY NAME - City, Province Your Job Title or Department Name Month Year to Month Year • Use Related Work if you have worked in your program area, with the most recent job first. • Use bullets to bring attention to your experience. • Explain each duty you performed. • Start with action words like: coordinated, supervised, handled, assisted, analyzed, revised, improved. • Write a short sentence explaining what you did. • Use buzz words to show you know the field. • Describe your job to someone who knows nothing about it.

38. Employment Experience Section • This includes all jobs you have performed • Your past Unrelated work experience has taught you many skills • Skills that ALL JOBS require such as: Communication, Organization, Prioritizing, Planning, Time Management, Multi-tasking, Customer Service, being Reliable and Dependable

39. Sample Employment Experience Section COMPANY NAME - City, Province Your Job Title or Department NameMonth Year to Month Year • Begin with the most recent job first. • Use bullets to indicate each duty that you preformed. • Explain your duties using descriptive words. • Start explanation with action words like: coordinated, supervised, handled, assisted, analyzed, revised, improved. • Write sentences explaining each job that you did. • Describe your job to someone who knows nothing about it.

40. Other Sections to Include Additional Training Or Specialized Training Using CPS in the classroom Mohawk College March 2010 • Gained extensive knowledge of the Classroom Performance System through Continuing Education.

41. Other Sections to Include Special Awards or Certificates Samsung Scholar Award • Recipient of Sam Juno Award for high academic standing - January 2010 Volunteer Involvement Kayaking Instructor - Big Star Lodge – Haliburton, ON • Lead class in the proper techniques of boat handling - August 2010. Other Activities and Interests • Member of Aerobics Club and NOKANDO Karate Club. • Participate in swimming and jogging to keep active and fit.

42. At the Extreme Bottom of Page 2 References Available Upon Request Or References Enclosed

43. Summary of Headings for Page 2 • Your Name, Page 2 • Practicum or Work Placement Experience • Related Work Experience • Employment Experience • Specialized Training • Volunteer Involvement • Special Awards • Other Activities and Interests • References Available Upon Request or References Enclosed

44. Reference Page

45. Reference Page • The reference page is a separate, stand alone document • Use identical header as resume at the top • Ask each person for permission to use their name • Make sure each person will give you a good reference • Spell each person’s name properly

46. Reference Page Continued… • Street Address is not important, but City and Province should be provided • Provide the daytime telephone number • Use the full page to show your references • Always carry your reference page with you to interviews

47. Sample References Page Matt Dorr 1234 Green Road Stoney Creek, ON L7N 2P7 Telephone: 905-575-6666 Email: mattdorr@mohawkcollege.ca References Charlene McKnight, Manager Good Knights Roadhouse Kitchener, ON Telephone 519 777 - 3822

48. Produce a Great Looking Resume • Proooof read your résumé for glarrringerrrrors • Read it aloud to yourself to assure it flows smoothly • Have someone else check it • Use good quality bond paper • Use an 8 1/2” by 11” envelope • Hand deliver whenever you can • Follow up to be assured it was received by the right person

49. Resume Do Nots • Do not use a Template to establish your resume • Do not use the words: “etc.” “various” or “many” …….. when referring to your duties or skills • Do not date, sign or fold • Do not use Italicsor (Brackets) or abbrev. (abbreviations) • Do not mention race, religion, age, or SIN

50. You are beginning a new career in SALES! You must sell yourself to a perspective employer Put modesty aside. Boast, brag, flaunt your skills, abilities, achievements, accomplishments, training, experience, and excellent education Don’t be shy!