Résumés
Fo
In today’s job market, the résumé is current employment goals. It effectively
an important tool for anyone looking for showcases a steady work record with
work. Everyone, from the new entrant increasing upward responsibilities. This
into the workforce to the experienced may not be the best for new graduates,
professional, will benefit from a well-writ- individuals with job gaps, or persons
ten résumé. Many employers require a changing careers.
résumé be sent as the first method of
contact. It can be used to capture an Functional - The functional résumé
employer’s attention, even when no job highlights skills, experience and accom-
plishments without identifying specific
is advertised. Just as a job search is a
sales campaign, your résumé is your dates, names and places. This format is Make
sales brochure. More than a summary of organized by functions or skills, advertis- it
your skills, experience, and education, ing the specific qualifications needed for Scannable...
it is an advertisement of your best. Your the occupation. This résumé works well
résumé should make you stand out from for people changing careers. It is also
Most résumés are
the competition. effective for those re-entering the work-
scanned and filed in
force, first-time job seekers and when
electronic databases. Be
The use of electronic technology to highlighting experiences that occurred in
sure to:
manage the overwhelming number of the distant past. There is no chronologi-
résumés employers receive is increas- cal listing of employment. Consequently,
ing rapidly. Today many companies and many employers do not like this format; •Put your name at the
employment agencies are using scanners it creates suspicion that the person may top of each page
to enter résumés into a computer. These be trying to hide something.
résumé scanning systems use varying
•Keep it brief (1 to 2
degrees of artificial intelligence to screen Combination - The combination pages)
the résumé for desired skills. résumé brings together the best of both
•Use only 8 1/2” x 11”
the chronological and functional résu-
Take the time to organize your job més. It features a functional section that paper
search information, including education, highlights skills, accomplishments and •Use keywords common
employment, and references. Focus on experiences. It also includes a chronolog-
ical listing of employment, education and in your chosen field
your skills and accomplishments and
look for ways to sell your qualifications. employment-related experiences. This emphasizing your skills
A prospective employer does not just is a very effective format for many job
•Avoid using
want to know where you worked, but seekers. The best chronological résumé
also wants to know what you can do. is enhanced with a section highlighting abbreviations
skills, accomplishments and experience. •Avoid fancy or large
Résumé Formats The best functional résumé is strength-
ened with a chronological listing of
fonts, photos, graphics
employment experiences. or colored paper
Chronological - The emphasis on
this type of résumé is on a chronological Résumé Variations •Follow the simple
listing of employment and employment- instructions and post it
related experiences. The chronological Keyword - The keyword résumé is a
résumé is a good format for those with a at jobs.utah.gov
variation that adds a listing of skills to
consistent employment history, no gaps
the beginning of any standard résumé
in employment, and whose past employ-
format. Placing critical occupational
ment experiences are related to their
Visit us at http://jobs.utah.gov
skills as keywords at the beginning adds impact to the Summary or Highlights of Qualification -
résumé and helps to capture the reader’s attention. This Generally employers will spend less than 10 seconds
variation is effective for all career fields and levels of skills. screening your résumé the first time. Their goal is to
It is a very effective strategy for creating scannable résu- eliminate as many candidates as possible and concentrate
més. on the best. Therefore, highlighting your qualifications
early in the résumé is an effective way to improve your
Targeted - More of a strategy than a style, the tar- chances for consideration.
geted résumé directs skills and experience to the specific
needs of an employer. All résumés at least need to target Body of Résumé - The résumé format you choose will
a specific occupation. This approach targets it further determine the sequence of information. For a chronological
to the employer and the job. It is a very powerful résumé, employment history comes next. In a functional
résumé method that can set you apart résumé, the summary sections would follow. The combina-
from the competition and capture an LUKE tion format would include both summary sections
675 Fa BROW
employer’s interest. For executive irfax L N and chronological listings.
Anahe a
im, CA ne
positions and specialized technical (202)
314-56 94321 Sample
62
jobs, this strategy is almost a neces- OBJE
CTIV
Combination Résumé Education - Unless you
E:
sity. However, this requires writing QUAL
Entry
with an level p
o are a recent graduate, your
IFICA opportsition in an
TION unity fo au
•Awar S: r full-tto body shop
a separate résumé for each employ- •Abilitded “Carrier ime w
ork in or hard education should be placed toward
•Know y to manag of the Mo the futu ware store
,
•Abilit ledge of elec budgets nth” from N
e re.
ment opportunity. y to dia tr
gnose onics
ewspap
er Agen
the end of the résumé. If you are a
EXPE mechan cy Corp
RIEN ical pro oration
Paper
CE: blems recent graduate, then it may be list-
•Accu Route/Cust
ra
requ tely deliver omer Serv
Résumé Layout •Kept ired each day ed 200 newice
accura . spaper
ed earlier in the body. List only edu-
-comp te accounts s daily
in half
•Provid -collec uted and co receivable
tions an llected record
s:
the usu
al time cation that is significant to your job
re-del ed excellen d reports monthly to
The résumé created by the •Balan ivering pap t customer always sub tals for each
ced fa er se m search. There is no need to list high
mily ch s within 30 rvice by so itted in a ti customer
eckboo m lvin mel
k and inutes when g customer y manner
job seeker needs to be unique. Janito
•Perfo rial/Groun
rmed b dskeep
helped n
pay bil ecessary. complaints, school education if you have a college
ls. and
-trained asic janitori er
There is no one layout that fits new al du
•Hand -arranged fo employees ties without degree. If you have a GED, list yourself
•Volun led mac r subst on nec superv
hiner itutes essa isio
everyone. However, there are •Utilizeteered to w y such as m to cover dury duties n:
in som d mec
h
ork ov
er
e case anical skillstime.
owers, ring il
snow b lness or
as a high school graduate.
s was lowers, rush h
some standard résumé cat- WOR able to to troublesh etc. our
K HIS fix pro oo
TORY blem w t and diagn
egories.
1995
Dec. 9 - Present
Summ 4 - Present
: ithout
expert
ose pro
b
help. lems with m
achiner
Other Activities - List only those
Full-tim y;
er 199 Carrier e student
EDUC
4
Groun
dskeep Cedar
activities that relate to your occupational
ATIO er Newsp High Schoo
Personal Data - Your Senior,
Courses
N AND
Cedar TRAIN
ING: Cedar aper Agencyl
Recreat
goal and show skill or experience. It is
in accoHigh Schoo C
ion Cen orp.
unting l
name, complete mail- , word
process
ing, m
ter
best not to mention specific religious or
athemat
ics, eng
ing address, and telephone lish an
d journ
alism
political organizations unless they directly
number(s) with area code are all the personal relate to your goal. Military experience may
data required. List this information in a “block” format be listed as a separate section or as a part of
instead of placing the information on one line. the work history.
Employment or Career Objective - Include an References - References should be listed on sheet of
objective if you have a specific career goal in mind, or you paper separately from your résumé. Send the references
know the title of the job for which you are applying. If you with the résumé only when requested. There is no need to
omit the objective on the résumé, be sure to communicate state “References available upon request.”
it elsewhere, such as in the cover letter.
OUR MISSION
We provide employment and support services for our customers to
improve their economic opportunities
“A proud member of America’s Workforce Network”
Equal Opportunity Employer/Program • Auxiliary aids and services are available upon request to individuals with disabilities by calling
(801) 526-9240. Individuals with speech and/or hearing impairments may call Relay Utah by dialing 711. Spanish Relay Utah: 1-888-346-3162
DWS 07-29-0205 • Job Search Series