Creating a Professional Résumé

Mr. Cleon M. McLean

Ontario High School

12th grade English

Your résumé should be your positive history on paper

What is a résumé?

A written summary of your education, experience, activities, and interestsA business document that allows potential employers to determine whether you have the basic qualifications for a position in a their companyThe initial/first step in the employment process

Résumé Content

Required information:

NAME

ADDRESS, PHONE #

OBJECTIVE

EDUCATION

EXPERIENCE

ACTIVITIES

SKILLS

REFERENCES

Optional information:

HONORS

AWARDS

SCHOLARSHIPS

INTERESTS

LETTERS OF RECOMMENDATIONS

NAME, ADDRESS, PHONE

Use the name or name by which you go

Use a “home” address

Make your name stand out more than your address and phone

Include your e-mail address

EDUCATIONName of your school (spell out completely; capitalize “O,” “H,” and “S”)Expected graduation date ( May, 2006)Grade Point Average ( GPA: 3.0)Elective classes taken (or any other classes or programs which you have taken)

EXPERIENCE

Identify ANY work experience you have had in the past (even if it’s summer jobs, babysitting, or collecting offerings in church)Emphasize POSITIVE qualities:– Accomplishments– Supervisory, training duties– Teamwork– Promotions– Work ethic---responsible,

respectful, caring, accountable, helpful, etc.

ACTIVITIES

ACTIVITIES ARE SOMETIMES MORE IMPORTANT THAN EXPERIENCE!– Membership is Basic

– Involvement is Significant

– Leadership is Excellent– Show Depth (how much

responsibilities you have had)

– Show Breath (how many responsibilities you have had)

TYPES OF ACTIVITIES

Sports (either OHS, private, or community)

Campus activities/clubs

Community activities, volunteerism

Political organizations

Ethnic/cultural membership

Religious groups

Teacher Assistant, Office Helper

INTERESTS

INTERESTS TELL EMPLOYERS ABOUT YOUR PERSONALITY AND STYLE– Team player or soloist

– Outdoors or Indoors

– Technical or artistic

– Community-minded or World-minded

– Newshound or Party Animal

OBJECTIVE

Indicate/show specific preferences, goalsDon’t limit yourself unnecessarilyLocation, location, location: Where would you like to work?Short term versus long term (Do you have both?)– Short term: summer job (?)– Long term: full time job

FORMAT AND APPEARANCE

Quality paper and sharp printBoldface and Capitalization to show emphasisItalics and Font Style to show differentiationWhite Space to make the résumé easy to read Balance the spacing, especially on left and rightKey information should JUMP at the readerCheck and re-check grammar and spelling!

Your résumé is meant to get your foot in the door…it does not mean you will be hired for the job.