A resumé is one of the most important tools in your job search. Its purpose is to market your experience, skills, and abilities to entice an employer to know more about you and contact you for an interview. In other words, it is used to get you an interview, not to get you a job. It is usually the first impression you make on the person making hiring decisions, so make it a good one!

Contents

A good resumé presents:

• Who you are

• What kind of position you want

• Your skills, abilities, and accomplishments

• Listing of education and training

• Listing of previous work experience

Always include a cover letter with every resumé you send.
 

Resumé Basics

References

• References are usually left off resumés unless you are instructed to include them for a job fair.

• Have references available on another typed sheet of paper for the interview. List at least three people (not relatives) who have recognized your skills, accomplishments, or personal qualities.

• "References furnished upon request" is no longer necessary on the bottom of resumés. It may be eliminated, especially if space is needed for pertinent information.

Formats

• There are different resumé formats, including chronological, functional, and electronic.

• No one resumé format or style is appropriate for all job seekers.

• Select the style or format that best markets and sells your skills and qualifications to the most employers.

Career Objectives

1. Level of position for which you are applying.

   • For high school students this primarily will be "entry-level positions."
     Example:  Obtain an entry-level position...
      

2. Type of business, industry, or career area sought.

   • Keep this generic, such as manufacturing, construction, health or human services, sales, etc.
     Example:  Obtain an entry-level position in the hospitality industry...
      

3. Statement of the major strengths you have to offer this employer.

   • Include examples of volunteer activities, club activities, or work experience that reflect these strengths in the resumé.

Examples of career objectives for high school students include:

• Obtain an entry-level position in a business or industry using my strengths in clerical procedures and customer contacts.

• Obtain an entry-level position in an industrial or manufacturing environment using my strengths in mechanical abilities and warehouse duties.

• Obtain an entry-level position in a health or human services facility using my strengths with individual care and personal attention to the needs of others.

Examples of career objectives for experienced workers include:

·        Qualified worker with knowledge and experience in customer service, account management and technical skills seeks mid-level position in the pharmaceutical industry.

·        Experienced worker skilled in data entry and administrative procedures seeks part-time position in small office environment.

Summary Statements

Another way to get an employer’s attention when reviewing your resumé is to include a summary statement. A summary statement follows or may replace the career objective, and it can be used with any resumé format. It is an overview of what you have to offer, consisting of three to four sentences, and is strongly recommended.

A summary statement should contain: 

• Years of experience (can also include education/training experience)

• Types of environment worked in

• Areas of specialty (education or training can be substituted for lack of experience)

• Brief description of your most relevant business characteristics (e.g., self-management skills)

Sample summary statements include: 

• Two years experience in clerical support and data entry with customer service division of a midsize employer.

• Dependable and conscientious with the ability to get the job done with minimal supervision.

• Committed to cooperative teamwork. 

• Experience working with the public.

 A different format would be to simply list your qualifications: 

• Enjoy detailed work and exhibit initiative, creativity and resourcefulness.

• Able to utilize organizational and problem solving skills.

• Reliable, efficient and capable of completing a variety of tasks.

• Good team-player, work well with all kinds of people.

Wording

When designing your resumé, choose your words carefully. Use words employers like to hear (read). This includes keywords and action verbs.

Keywords are nouns that are common to a particular occupation or industry. They relate to tasks, skills, and abilities required for a specific job. Using them in your cover letter and resumé indicates to the reader that you are "in the know" regarding the job for which you are applying. They are necessary for electronic resumés, which are scanned by computer before a person ever sees them. However, you should incorporate them into any resumé to convey that you "speak the language" of the job you're seeking. For example, someone seeking employment as an accountant might include keywords such as accounts payable, accounts receivable, tax preparation, or CPA (depending on the specific job requirements).

Action verbs convey a sense of energy, which employers seek in their employees. Always begin each statement of work experience with an appropriate action verb.

Action Verbs That Describe Your Functional Skills*

Skill Verbs That Describe Your Functional Skills*

Adaptive Skill Words That Describe Your Personal Traits*