You are on page 1of 27

THE NEW RESUME

PREVIOUS RESUMES
Before the job market became so competitive, the trend in resumes was to list as many job duties and responsibilities as possible. This was supposed to impress the reader. But instead, the reader did not bother to read all of this material and most of the times, it tended to be repetitious and boring!

EXAMPLE - FORMER STYLE IN RESUMES:

Accounts Payable Assistant, ABC Company, March 2000 to May 2002


Ran quarterly reports to assist the Controller with quarterly financial statement preparation. Placed items on spreadsheet for analysis. Called customers on phone to solicit payment of past due accounts. Recorded payments on data report on a daily basis. Paid bills.

NEW STYLE
NOW NEED RESULT-BASED RESUME EXAMPLE: Accounts Payable Assistant, ABC Company, March 2000 to May 2002 Process payables and receivables Create spreadsheets for daily analysis RESULT: Decreased collections 20%

WHAT HAPPENS?
HERE, the reader not only gets an idea of what you did as part of your routine duties, but he gets a sample of how you improved company profits.

OLD STYLE
Customer Service Assistant, Best Buy, April 2001 to present. Ran Cash register. Processed returns. Contacted vendors about problems with CDs. Assisted customers with purchases of electronic equipment. Placed incoming merchandise on shelves. Conducted monthly inventory of all items in department. Promoted holiday sales.

NEW STYLE
Customer Service Assistant, Best Buy, April 2001 to present - Setout merchandise, ran cash register, made daily deposits. ACCOMPLISHMENTS: Kept clean and neat department & solved customer problems and concerns.

SAMPLE
RESUME

BARBARA PRICKETT
PO Box 170951 Spartanburg, SC 29301
wakeupbarb@hotmail.com (864) 576-3501

OBJECTIVE:

Seeking a challenging telecommuting position using word processing, transcribing, data entry and office management skills.

SKILLS:

Exceptional computer software and hardware knowledge. Successful business owner providing a variety of computer services to clients for over six years. Current author under the pen name of Barbara Watson. Over four years systems analyses experience with local county and chamber of commerce. Computer skills including Microsoft Word, Excel and Internet.

EXPERIENCE: 1994-2002 Author, Wake Up Barbara! And Help Me Find This Snake! Wrote articles for website http//wakeupbarbara.com. 1998-1994 Business Owner of BP Data Systems. Provided computer services including writing software user manuals, maintaining databases, creating brochures and newsletters and training clients staff. EDUCATION: Bachelor of Science Degree, Concentration in Computer Science, The University of South Carolina, Spartanburg, 1989. Extensive civic, writing and computer-related projects. These projects required skills in planning, organization, administration, forecastin g, directing others and impacted large groups of people. Coordinated the shipment of over 16,000 used eyeglasses to Third World Countries. Three years of experience maintaining a database of contributions & mailing lists for local Habitat for Humanity. Coordinated volunteers for organization. Administered an on-line script-writing workshop. Edited submissions to fiction, nonfiction, script-writing and novel writing workshops. Chaired blood drives for over six years with results exceeding quotas each year. Awarded Special Mission Recognition by local church. Transcribed over 100 letters for a deaf and blind woman; compiled and published a book of her memories.

ACTIVITIES, AWARDS & PUBLISHED WORKS:

REFERENCES: List and samples of portfolio will be provided upon request.

WHAT IS A COVER LETTER ANYWAY?


A cover letter is a business document that is used to explain:
Which job you are applying for Why are you applying to XYZ Company What are your special skills as they relate to those requirements listed in the job description OR if no description is given, what do you bring to this company? Thank the reader for time spent in review

SAMPLE

COVER LETTER

May 10, 2004

Ms. Paula West, Director Monterey Botanical Gardens 9821 Westfield Court Monterey, CA 90766

Dear Ms. West: Kevin Lessing recently gave me your name because he is aware of my search for an entry-level botanist position. I currently work at Lessing Nursery and have been assisting Mr. Lessing in research and development of orchid hybrids. The enclosed resume explains my work at Lessing Nursery and summarizes my relevant coursework at Harrison College. I will receive my B.S. in botany from Harrison next month, and I hope to find an entrylevel position as a botanist following graduation. I would appreciate knowing of any openings at Monterey Botanical Gardens. I would also welcome any advice you have to offer on securing a job in your field.

I appreciate you guidance and look forward to the possibility of working with you. Should you need to reach me you may do so at 864-236-5326 or email msmith@gw.uscs.edu. Yours truly,

Martin T. Smith

AVOID THESE MISTAKES!


No dates for employment Objective missing Incorrect spelling (automatic trash can) Placing references on resume rather than listing separately Missing community, volunteer and club memberships Not listing key courses taken in major

MORE MISTAKES
No contact information Too duty oriented like job description Unprofessional email addresses Poorly formatted Resumes over 2 pages Long dense paragraphs no bullet points Lying and misleading the employer Gaps in employment

Career Center Help


Needed to list your job objective in the most profession way Assist you in pulling out and developing skills information Provide initial feedback for resume

Cover Letter and Plan of Action


JOB STRATEGIES Cover letter explored. Student draft cover letter for review. List of companies developed for pro-active and reactive recruiting. Resumes and cover letters sent to companies. Interviews, hire offers extended, offers accepted.

EMAIL
What do you need to know about emailing your resume? Be alert to providing a resume that can be scanned. ASCII plain text file without any special formatting read by any computer
Open your resume in your program File menu chose Save as & then Plain Text Close the document

ETIQUETTE

BODY LANGUAGE
The handshake is the only universal gesture in business. Keeping hands in plain sight conveys trust and open attitude. Placing hands in pockets means you are trying to hide something. Cupping a handshake with your left hand is insulting.

EYE CONTACT
Americans believe eye contact shows honesty. It also shows confidence. However, keep in mind direct eye contact has different meanings across cultures.

INTRODUCTIONS
Before making introductions, know how to introduce a peer, a supervisor and or a speaker. When introducing a co-worker to your supervisor, begin by saying Dr. Avery, may I introduce William Sumerel then say, William, this is our Vice Chancellor for USC Upstate, Dr. Reginald Avery.

NETWORKING
Nametags should be placed on the right lapel. Drinks should be carried in the left hand. Approach a person who is alone or a small group of three or more. A group of two may be engaged in a personal conversation. Always excuse yourself before leaving.

GRATUITIES
Food Server 15 20 % Room Service if not included in bill Hotel Porter, Ship Porter, Concierge Maid to be paid at the end of your stay Valet who brings your car Doorman who hails a cab % should be minimum if poor service

DINING OUT
Begin eating when last person at your table has been served. Forks, bread and butter plates are to your left. Knives, spoons and glasses are to your right. Desert plates - parallel above your plate Use utensils from left to right.

EATING TIPS
Tear bread Cut tomatoes Leave dropped food alone Unfold napkin when serving begins Pass items left first then back to right Thank servers no more than twice

QUESTIONS

You might also like