Crafting the Perfect Resume: Key Elements and Tips for Success

1. ResumesPgs. 12-25

2. What is a resume? • A word portrait of who you are as a potential employee • A statement of facts that highlight your: • Accomplishments • Skills • Education/Training

3. What is the purpose of a resume? • To gain a potential employer’s interest • To obtain an interview

4. Resume=Commercial • Commercial to an employer • The average resume gets skimmed for about 30 seconds at most

5. Types of Resumes • Print Resume • Portable Document Format (PDF) Resume • Scannable Resume • Text (ASCH) Resume • Web (HTML) Resume Hire Me Please!

6. Tips • Focus on the employer’s needs • Show how you can make a contribution • Always describe your skills honestly • Do not crowd your resume • Use action verbs • Do not list your GPA unless 3.0 or higher

7. More Tips • Never discuss salary • Use correct tense • Have someone else proofread it • Do not use abbreviations or contractions! • One page • Use 1 font (courier, times, arial) and 11 or 12 font

8. E-Resumes • Use keywords that match the job posting • Follow the employer’s specific guidelines • Do a test run: send to family or friends to read

9. E-mail Submission • Use your name as part of file name • Subject line should include: name & position • Send yourself a blind carbon copy • Use a profession e-mail address • Never submit your resume without explanation

10. Action Verbs • Best way to describe your experiences! • Some good action verbs to use: -Accelerated -Identified -Began -Maintained -Calculated -Negotiated -Economized -Observed -Facilitated -Performed -Gained -Worked

11. Skills • Need to identify your own personal strengths and capabilities -Accounting -Layout -Bookkeeping -Maintaining -Calculating -Negotiating -Data processing -Organizing -Editing -Reading -Instructing -Selling

12. Adjectives • Describe yourself using descriptive adjectives: -Active -Fair -Broad-minded -Imaginative -Concise -Knowledgeable -Dedicated -Logical -Economical -Mature -Fair -Perceptive

13. Sections of a Resume • These sections are included in a resume: • Heading • Objective • Strengths Summary • Education • Work Experience

14. Heading • Create a heading that will be the same on both the cover letter AND resume • Include: • Name • Mailing address • Telephone Number Mykaila Z. Hayes5225 Windyridge Dr. Portage, MI 49002 ◦ 269.929.2833 ◦ micky1996@gmail.com

15. Objective • Should be specific • Reflect the employer’s perspective • Be concise “To attain an entry-level position in a financial environment, in order to utilize my skills and knowledge of accounting to further expand my understanding of the field.”

16. Education • List most recent education first • School name • City and state • Date of completion • Specific program of study • Employability Essentials for Success pg. 68-75 • Related Classes • “Course Studied”

17. Work Experience • Most recent job first • List: • Title • Name of employer • City and state • Dates of employment • Accomplishments-driven vs duties-driven

18. Volunteer Experience/Community Service • Most recent first • List • Type of experience • Name of organization • City/state • Time period or number of hours volunteered • Responsibilities and experience gained

19. Activities/Awards/Special Skills • List skills acquired through your coursework • i.e. Proficient in Microsoft Word 2010 • List: • Clubs • Organizations • Special Awards • Certificates

20. References • Do not list any references on your resume • “References available on request” • Use three-five references • Include past and present employers • Get permission before you use anyone as a reference

21. Examples • Click to open up student examples • Example 1Example 7 • Example 2Example 8 • Example 3Example 9 • Example 4 • Example 5 • Example 6