Resumes
In today’s job market, the resume is
an important tool for anyone looking for work. Everyone, from
the new entrant into the workforce to the experienced professional,
will benefit from a well-written resume. Many employers require
a resume be sent as the first method of contact. It can be used
to capture an employer’s attention, even when no job is advertised.
Just as a job search is a sales campaign, your resume is your
sales brochure. More than a summary of your skills, experience,
and education, it is an advertisement of your best. Your resume
should make you stand out from the competition.
The use of electronic technology to manage the overwhelming
number of resumes employers receive is increasing rapidly. Today
many companies and employment agencies are using scanners to enter
resumes into a computer. These resume scanning systems use varying
degrees of artificial intelligence to screen the resume for desired
skills.
Take the time to organize your job search information,
including education, employment, and references. Focus on your
skills and accomplishments and look for ways to sell your qualifications.
A prospective employer does not just want to know where you worked,
but also wants to know what you can do.
Resume Formats
Chronological
The emphasis is on a chronological listing
of employment and employment-related experiences. The chronological
resume is a good format for those with a consistent employment
history, no gaps in employment, and whose past employment experiences
are related to their current employment goals. It effectively
showcases a steady work record with increasing upward responsibilities.
This may not be the best for new graduates, individuals with job
gaps, or persons changing careers.
Functional
The functional resume highlights skills, experience and accomplishments
without identifying specific dates, names and places. This format
is organized by functions or skills, advertising the specific
qualifications needed for the occupation. This resume works well
for people changing careers. It is also effective for those reentering
the workforce, first-time job seekers and when highlighting experiences
that occurred in the distant past. There is no chronological listing
of employment. Consequently, many employers do not like this format;
it creates suspicion that the person may be trying to hide something.
Combination
The combination resume brings together the best of both the chronological
and functional resumes. It features a functional section that
highlights skills, accomplishments and experiences. It also includes
a chronological listing of employment, education and employment-related
experiences. This is a very effective format for many job seekers.
The best chronological resume is enhanced with a section highlighting
skills, accomplishments and experience. The best functional resume
is strengthened with a chronological listing of employment experiences.
Points to Consider
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Consider the scannability of your resume. |
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Keep your resume brief (1 to 2 pages). |
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Use only 8 1/2” x 11” paper. |
| • |
Use white or off-white quality paper. |
| • |
Emphasize your skills and accomplishments. |
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Do not use abbreviations. |
| • |
Arrange the resume so it is pleasing to the
eye. |
| • |
Avoid fancy fonts, exotic colored paper, photographs
and graphics. |
Resume Variations
Keyword
The keyword resume is a variation that adds a listing of skills
to the beginning of any standard resume format. Placing critical
occupational skills as keywords at the beginning adds impact to
the resume and helps to capture the reader’s attention. This
variation is effective for all career fields and levels of skill.
It is a very effective strategy for creating scannable resumes.
Targeted
More of a strategy than a style, the targeted resume directs skills
and experience to the specific needs of an employer. All resumes
at least need to target a specific occupation. This approach targets
it further to the employer and the job. It is a very powerful
resume method that can set you apart from the competition and
capture an employer’s interest. For executive positions and
specialized technical jobs, this strategy is almost a necessity.
However, this requires writing a separate resume for each employment
opportunity.
Resume Layout
The resume created by the job
seeker needs to be unique. There is no one layout that fits everyone.
However, there are some standard resume categories.
Personal Data
Your name, complete mailing address, and telephone number(s) with
area code are all the personal data required. List this information
in a “block” format instead of placing the information
on one line.
Employment or Career Objective
Include an objective if you have a specific career goal in mind,
or you know the title of the job for which you are applying. If
you omit the objective on the resume, be sure to communicate it
elsewhere, such as in the cover letter.
Summary or Highlights of
Qualification
Generally employers will spend less than 10 seconds screening
your resume the first time. Their goal is to eliminate as many
candidates as possible and concentrate on the best. Therefore,
highlighting your qualifications early in the resume is an effective
way to improve your chances for consideration.
Body of Resume
The resume format you choose will determine the sequence of information.
For a chronological resume, employment history comes next. In
a functional resume, the summary sections would follow. The combination
format would include both summary sections and chronological listings.
Education
Unless you are a recent graduate, your education should be placed
toward the end of the resume. If you are a recent graduate, then
it may be listed earlier in the body. List only education that
is significant to your job search. There is no need to list high
school education if you have a college degree. If you have a GED,
list yourself as a high school graduate.
Other Activities
List only those activities that relate to your occupational goal
and show skill or experience. It is best not to mention specific
religious or political organizations unless they directly relate
to your goal. Military experience may be listed as a separate
section or as part of the work history.
References
References do not belong on the resume. They should be listed
on a separate sheet. Send the references with the resume only
when specifically requested by the employer. There is no need
to state “References available upon request.” It is
assumed that you will provide them.
