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Document Sample
Simmons College
Resume Writing Career Education
Center
A resume is a summary of your experience and background that highlights your strengths and accomplishments. A
resume is intended to pique an employer’s interest enough to invite you for an interview. It should include all your
relevant experiences, training, education, and certifications.Your task is to present yourself on paper in a way that
addresses an employer’s needs.
COMPONENTS OF A RESUME FORMAT
HEADING Organize the information you have
This section provides information on how to contact you. Your name, address, gathered for your resume in a format
and phone number with area code, should be at the top of the page. If you have that will most effectively market your
two addresses (local and permanent), center your name and, depending on the skills and experience. The two main
layout you choose, place the addresses and phone numbers on either side of the options are a functional or chronologi-
top of the page (see samples). An e-mail address should also be included. cal resume. Some individuals use a
combination of these styles by
EDUCATION
beginning their resume with
List your current school first. Indicate your degree/concentration and
graduation date. Include academic standing and honors. Note your GPA if it is highlights of their qualifications.
3.2 or better. List any other schools or colleges attended in reverse CHRONOLOGICAL
chronological order, including dates of attendance and any other information The categories of information we
that applies. Don’t include your high school unless you went to a prestigious have discussed fit easily into the
secondary school. popular traditional chronological
EXPERIENCE format. This most commonly used
Employers look at this section to see performance potential, progressions, format presents your employment
transferable skills, technical knowledge, and degrees of responsibility. List history in an easy-to-organize, reverse
work experience in reverse chronological order and include full-time, chronological order. A chronological
part-time, and volunteer work. Begin each with the name of the organization, format highlights career progressions,
then add the department where you worked, your job title, the location company names, dates of employ-
(city/town, state), and dates of employment (month, year). Include well ment, and job titles, making vital
written job descriptions (see page two). information accessible at a glance.
SPECIAL SKILLS, CERTIFICATIONS, AND/OR LICENSURES Therefore, it is an ideal way to show
List special skills, languages, certificates, or professional licenses. You may off a steady, consistent work history,
include a section on computer skills, even if you are self taught. an impressive employer, internships
INTERESTS directly related to your career goal, or
Mention career-related interests first. Hobbies, travel, and leisure activities promotion within a field.
show another aspect of your personality, and can be used as an “icebreaker” in FUNCTIONAL
the interview. This alternative format organizes your
AFFILIATIONS AND/OR EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES experience by skill groups or areas of
Include membership in student organizations, professional affiliations, community expertise, rather than by job titles,
activities, sports, and other groups. Be sure to note all leadership roles. e.g., “Administrative Skills,” “Public
REFERENCES Relations,” or “Research.” Qualify
At the conclusion of your resume, you may state: References will be available on each of the skill groups you highlight
request. This line can be eliminated for space. Compile references and get permis- with concrete descriptions of how you
sion from anyone you intend to use. You may prepare the list on the same kind of used that skill, drawing from any of
paper as your resume, and have it available when asked about references in an your varied experiences.
interview or on an employment application.
continued
FORMAT continued from page one students individually and in groups
on a weekly basis.
Your employment history may then be capsulized with company names, posi-
ELIMINATE NON-ESSENTIAL PHRASES
tions held, and dates of employment only. This strategy highlights accom- Phrases like “responsibilities includ-
plishments rather than job titles. It can effectively draw out transferable pro- ed” or “worked with” add little or no
fessional skills for candidates who appear to have held jobs unrelated to their meaning to your statement.
current goals. A functional approach may also avoid redundancy for those
EXAMPLE
who have had similar responsibilities at different jobs or want to de-empha-
Initial Statement: My duties
size frequent job changes. included planning student activities
for my residence hall.
PRESENTATION AND LAYOUT Improved Statement: Planned and
coordinated social functions for 60
Usually an employer reviews a resume for less than one minute. Therefore, an
resident students.
attractive presentation is a must.
USE QUANTITATIVE AND
QUALITATIVE INFORMATION
Limit yourself to one page if points should appear first.
Crystallize the picture for the
possible. Although two-page resumes Your resume must be letter perfect.
employer and emphasize the scope of
are acceptable, it may be a Proofread for errors in grammar, your responsibilities by including
disadvantage. Avoid using resume punctuation, and spelling. Also have information on “how big” and “how
templates as they are frustrating and someone else proofread your resume much.”
inflexible. Often, it is more efficient since it is often difficult to spot your EXAMPLE
to type the information into your own errors, and because the computer Initial Statement: Brought in many
own, individualized format. spellchecker does not catch all mis- new clients to the agency.
Improved Statement: Increased serv-
Techniques such as underlining, takes. The Career Education Center
ice population by 25% over three
italicizing, CAPITALIZING, provides a resume critique service. months.
boldface type, s p a c i n g, Duplicate your resume on a good
When writing job descriptions
font sizing, and indentation quality bond paper. Choose a color remember three things:
emphasize key items like headings that does not detract from your Responsibilities, Skills gained AND
and job titles. Use your white space professionalism; white or ivory are Achievements.
wisely. Generously balanced margins recommended. We recommend
and adequate white space in the body drafting your resume on a word Most resume writers include respon-
sibilities that show their daily activi-
of the resume adds to its processor and generating an original
ties, but neglect to demonstrate trans-
overall attractiveness and gives the from a laser printer. The Career ferrable professional skills by
employer space for notes and Resource Library offers a laser describing what they learned from
comments. Major categories that printer for printing onto bond paper. these responsibilities.
present your strongest selling EXAMPLES
Responsibilities Statement:
WRITING JOB • START WITH SKILL WORDS Maintained financial records which
DESCRIPTIONS Complete sentences are not needed included more than $2,000 in daily
on a resume. Skip the personal transactions.
Effective writing is essential to a
pronouns and begin your phrases Skills Statement:
good resume. Employers are
with verbs that directly identify Developed financial management
interested in your potential as an skills through processing of daily
employee. Therefore, it is important your skill.
transactions.
to create an image of yourself as an Achievements Statement:
EXAMPLE
active, vital participant in the Received award of excellence for
Initial Statement: I worked with
workplace. Here are some tips: design and implementation of an
students as a reading tutor.
Improved Statement: Tutored innovative financial record keeping
system.
SKILL WORDS - KEYS TO AN EFFECTIVE RESUME
RESUME CHECKLIST
Skill verbs should always be used when writing job descriptions.
In order to have a polished,
Rather than listing your responsibilities after such phrases as “duties
included” and “responsible for,” using verbs enhances your skills and professional resume, use this
presents you as an active, contributing member of any organization. checklist before copying your final
Use verbs in past tense unless you are describing your current posi- draft.
tion. To find additional verbs, you may also consult a thesaurus
and/or dictionary. The resume is one page in length.
The resume has been carefully
ACCOMPLISHED achieved acted as liaison addressed and thoroughly checked for
ADMINISTERED advised advocated allocated analyzed appointed spelling and punctuation errors.
Don’t rely solely on your
ARBITRATED arranged assembled audited authored balanced
computer’s spellchecker.
broadened BUILT calculated catalogued charted collected com- Job descriptions are
plied compiled COMPLETED computed conducted consolidated grammatically correct.
constructed consulted contracted contributed controlled There are no personal
coordinated corresponded counseled created delegated deliv- pronouns (I/me).
Job descriptions begin with active
ered DEMONSTRATED designed detected determined developed
verbs, not passive phrases such as
devised DIAGNOSED directed disapproved discovered dispatched “responsibilities included” or
dispensed displayed DISTRIBUTED documented drafted edited “duties consisted of.”
eliminated estimated evaluated examined EXECUTED expanded Abbreviations of states are correct
expedited forecasted formulated founded governed GUARAN- e.g., MA – not MA., Ma. or Mass.
The format is neat and appealing
TEED guided handled headed identified implemented improved
to the eye.
increased informed initiated installed instituted instructed inter- The format is easily readable.
preted INTERVIEWED invented inventoried invested All major components of a resume
investigated launched lectured logged maintained MANAGED are included.
marketed maximized mediated minimized moderated modified Job titles are listed for each job
description.
monitored motivated NAVIGATED negotiated notified obtained
Dates (month and year) and place
offered opened operated ORDERED organized originated of employment (city, state) are
overhauled oversaw performed planned prepared prescribed included for each work
presented presided processes procured PRODUCED programmed experience.
promoted provided PUBLICIZED published purchased Phone numbers are correct.
Phone numbers are listed with
recommended recorded recruited rectified referred regulated
area codes.
REPAIRED replaced represented researched restored revamped A friend has proofread resume.
reviewed rewired routed SCHEDULED selected served serviced Resume is copied on 8 fi” x 11”
sold solved strengthened studied supervised supplied bond paper in white or another
SYSTEMATIZED tallied terminated tested traced trained neutral color.
transformed translated TRIMMED updated utilized wrote
Simmons College
The Simmons College Career Education Center Career Education Center
is available to students and alumnae/i throughout their careers. Our services include, but 300 The Fenway, Boston, MA 02115
are not limited to, workshops on resume writing, interviewing skills, and Phone: 617-521-2488
networking, self-assessment tools, job search strategies, on-campus recruiting, Fax: 617-521-3172
career fairs, and private consultations. Email: careers@simmons.edu
www.simmons.edu/resources/career
July 2000
LEEZA LEADER LEEZA LEADER
leader@simmons.edu
78 Pilgrim Road, Boston, MA 02115, 617 555-5555, leader@simmons.edu
78 Pilgrim Road One Emmanuel Parkway
Boston, MA 02115 Rome, NY 33333
555-555-5555 333-333-3333
HIGHLIGHTS
Education More than one year marketing experience, including planning and running focus groups, and developing
comprehensive marketing strategies.
Simmons College, Boston, MA, May 2000 Skilled in technology, including analyzing and refining Web sites, and preparing and giving PowerPoint
Bachelor of Arts in English presentations.
Managed marketing study of buying trends of adolescent girls.
Honors: Member of the Honors Academy, GPA: 3.25
Received Outstanding Senior Award for Fictional Writing EDUCATION
Simmons College, Boston, MA
Experience Bachelor of Arts, May 2000
GPA 3.38
Fenway Project After School Program Boston, MA Majors: Management and Marketing Minor: Retail
Teacher Aide September 2000 - present HONORS
Supervise and organize structured recreational activities for up to 30 children (ages 7 to 13). Selected for Success Connection, a mentoring program for future leaders.
Conduct individualized tutoring sessions in writing and reading. Entrepreneur of the Year.
Design lesson plans. Woman's Philanthropy Association scholarship.
Effectively intervene during incidents of physical or verbal disputes. PROJECT
Developed business plan for bakery, including market research and an industry analysis.
Amy's Apple Pie Place Rome, NY Presented findings using PowerPoint.
Salesperson Summers 1998 - 2000 STUDY ABROAD, Cordoba, Spain
Provided excellent customer service at a popular town bakery. Studied Spanish language and literature.
Efficiently handled orders during peak periods. Selected as class correspondent to document the experience with photographs and a travel log
Accepted telephone requests and verified that products met customer specification. shown via the Internet.
Trained new employees in product knowledge, customer service, and store operations.
Tallied daily sales receipts and prepared bank deposits for manager. EXPERIENCE
Syrus Industries, Boston, MA Market Research Intern Spring 1999-2000
Rome General Hospital Rome, NY Conducted comprehensive analysis of Web sites and recommended changes to corporate site.
Volunteer January - June 1997 Analyzed market research software packages and selected program for company use.
Participated in a community service program for high school students. Spearheaded study of girls aged 9-12: research included journals, questionnaires, photography,
Provided support to nursing staff. and analysis of results.
Delivered gifts and offered assistance to patients. Facilitated and attended focus groups.
Earned a certificate for exceptional community service. Reviewed, analyzed and condensed data into useful formats and PowerPoint presentations.
Skills Casa Myrna Vasquez, Boston, MA Student Consultant Fall 1999
Served as marketing consultant to a Boston women's shelter.
Computer: proficient in Microsoft Word, Access, and Excel Researched funding sources for free goods and services.
Language: conversational French Produced industry analysis and an actionable marketing plan.
Achievements Dix Program, Boston, MA Student Consultant Spring 1998
Member of student consulting team with goal of increasing enrollment.
Elected representative to the Student Government Association Researched corporate tuition reimbursement plans and other sources of
Managed a research team studying reading comprehension of eighth grade students in the non-traditional learners interested in continuing in higher education.
Massachusetts school system Utilized SPSS software to develop questionnaires and analyze data.
Received the City of Rome scholarship for outstanding high school graduates
The Boston Food Bank, Boston, MA Office Assistant Fall 1996
Student Activities Drafted correspondence and processed and updated records.
Assisted with the organization and staffing of fundraisers.
Simmons Centennial Committee, student representative
Student fundraiser for Alumnae Relations SKILLS AND INTERESTS
Lotus 1-2-3, PowerPoint, SPSS, SNAP, MSWord, Windows 95, and MacOS.
Backpacked through Europe and lived in Japan.
Working knowledge of Spanish.
References will be furnished on request
