myths_realities

Resumes x 4

Note the plural: resumes. These days you cannot have just one all-purpose resume. An effective resume focuses on the specific job for which you are applying. So for each job tailor your resume by selecting details that display your particular skills and achievements in direct relation to that job description. When you are applying for positions in different companies or for different jobs, you will need to alter your resume to fit each one. Because readers are likely to take only a short time to look at your resume, they need to see the information relevant for them easily and quickly. They won't search for your strong points. Keep the following guidelines in mind:

Basic Resume Guidelines

0 Provide a visually appealing format

0 Reduce information to prevent overload and clutter

0 Use parallel headings and bullets for emphasis and clarity.

0 Limit to one page if requested.

0 Make it unique. Find a way (see below) to highlight your special abilities
in relation to the specific job you're applying for.

Action Verbs for Your Resume
One of the best ways to set your resume off is to make it one of the best written. When it comes to this special genre called resume writing, a defining is the use of specific, muscular verbs to begin each description of your skills and accomplishments. The use of these verbs also builds your persona as a strong, active employee:

Strong Verbs
acted adapted administered advised analyzed assessed began built calculated cataloged compiled completed conducted coordinated created decided defined demonstrated designed developed directed distributed edited established evaluated examined	extended forecast generated governed guided handled headed hired implemented improved increased initiated installed integrated led maintained managed marketed modified negotiated obtained operated ordered organized oversaw performed	persuaded planned prepared presented processed produced programmed promoted provided raised recommended recruited reorganized represented revised scheduled selected sent spoke spearheaded supervised surveyed trained transmitted updated wrote

Resume Sections
Be sure to vary the order of your resume's sections according to the job you are seeking. Ditto for the names of those sections: Vary what you called the section ("Experience" vs. "Job Experience") depending upon the job you are applying for and your personal information. For example, a section entitled "Experience" would allow you to bring in non-work activities such as volunteer experience. Also keep in mind that many company specific job boards require you to use the section names provided to you.

Name
Use your full name, not a nickname or initials, unless you have a good reason not to.

Address
If you need to include two addresses to insure someone can make contact with you, do so. Include dates, if necessary, and all possible contact information: phones, email, and fax numbers if you have them. If you have a web page, make sure that it looks professional and fits the standards expected in your field. Do not include a present work address. Doing so can be potentially embarrassing for you, your present and potential employers--as well as possibly cost you a job you are otherwise qualified for.

Email Address
The popularity of this form of communication requires some special attention to it. Now is a good time to take advantage of the many free email services available today and set up an account dedicated to your job search. Also, find an email service that will allow you to use your name in a recognizable way without a puzzle of numbers or other characters attached to it. You want plain and professional. This is also the time to ditch clever, descriptive handles such as: "SweetLover127" or "MatrixFan0101."

Madeline Denise Kane
College Address 521 Cary Quadrangle Savannah, GA 31409 (912) 555-1211 cell: (912) 398-0000 mdkane@gmail.com (Until May 15, 2008)	Permanent Address 1523 Elmwood Parkway Nobleton, IN 46623 tel: (765) 555-8789 cell: (765) 427-1111 mdkane@gmail.com (After May 15, 2008)

Career Objective
The statement of a career objective is not required on all resumes. If one is required, be sure that you label it "Career Objective" if you can and place it immediately below your name and address section. Limit the objective to one to three lines that describes the position you are applying for and summarizing your qualifications for that position. Again, this is a section of your resume that should change according to the job you are applying for. Whether you choose to write the objective in sentence or phrase format, follow these guidelines:

Guidelines for Statement of Career Objective

0 Word the objective according to the job you are applying for with this resume.
0 Mention only the experience, skills and education that address the requirements of this particular position.
0 Include the exact job title as found in the job listing.
0 Do not say what you want ("to learn" or "to gain experience"). Emphasize what you can do for the company.
0 Be specific:

Too General: A position using my skills and experience in communication.
More Specific: A position as assistant editor allowing me to use my skills and four years experience as a researcher,
copyeditor and feature writer.

Education
As someone preparing to receive the bachelors degree, this is an important section for you. But don't limit this section to your bachelors work. For any degree or certification that you have, include:

Name of institution attended
Name of degree and graduation date (month/year format)
Major, minor, or specialization
Optional: grade point average. Format: your GPA, followed by a slash, then highest point on scale. Example: GPA: 3.7/4.0
Use the format that best fits your resume and provides the emphasis you need:

Options for Education Section
University of Maryland University College Bachelor of Arts, May 2008 Major: Communications GPA: 3.7/4.0	Bachelor of Arts in Communications, May 2006, University of Maryland University College, GPA: 3.7/4.0

Depending on the position you are apply for, you may want to list some upper-level courses you've taken that are particularly relevant, or you might list special courses that are different from those everyone in your major must take, especially capstone seminars, senior theses, or honors courses in which you completed special projects. If appropriate, indicate computer programming languages you know and application software you can use.

Experience or Work Experience
Time to toot your own horn. Don't be dishonest, but don't be shy. You have to be willing to sell yourself in that you convey the image of a dynamic, engaged, proactive worker who can handle responsibility and carries out tasks in a professional way. This is also the time to use the list of strong verbs:

Research Intern
Savannah Magazine, Savannah, GA, Summer 2007

Gathered all necessary information on cultural events
Researched performers & celebrities
Fact-checked stories for accuracy

Skills
A skills section can be especially useful for younger job applicants whose list of experiences is just beginning. This section allows you to list legitimately acquired skills that were acquired in a variety of ways in addition to the jobs you've held: club projects, volunteer activities, offices held, part-time jobs that otherwise would not be included on a list of professional experiences:

Management

Chaired a committee to prepare and institute new election procedures for Student Government
Evaluated employees' (work study students) for monthly reports to administration

Communication

Wrote weekly advertisements for school-related entertainment events
Represented Communication majors in negotiations with university administrators
Spoke to potential funding groups at charity events

Programming

Designed a program to record and average student grades
Designed and implemented an accounting program to record and track Student Government's annual $90,000 budget

Resume Styles
The two basic approaches to constructing the sections of your resume are by date (Reverse Chronological Resume) or by skills (Functional or Skills Resume). Generally, the older and more experienced you are, the more that the Reverse Chronological style would best present you. And the reserve logic applies for those just beginning their careers: they might be better served by the Functional or Skills style.

Reverse Chronological Resume
This organization highlights your current job and responsibilities, so if you use this style make sure your current position is directly relevant to the one you are applying for. Beginning with your current or most recent job, list your employers and their addresses (city and state only). Each employer should be followed by the dates of employment and a bullet list of your duties, responsibilities, skills and accomplishments. Each item on the bullet list should begin with a strong, descriptive verb. See examples attached.

Functional (Skills) Resume
This resume style emphasizes all of the skills and abilities you've gained through jobs, life experiences, and organizational activities. The Skills Resume allows you to pick and choose skills and relate each one to the job description you are applying to. Arrange the skills from the most to the least relevant. This approach is particularly appropriate when the skills you've acquired are more impressive than the jobs you've had. See examples attached.

Assignment
After reviewing the attached models, please post your resume to this thread.