RÉSUMÉ GUIDEPREPARE FOR YOUR CAREER

PENSACOLA CHRISTIAN COLLEGECAREER SERVICES

RESEARCH YOUR JOBWhat exactly should you include on your résumé? A job description will tell you. Review job postings on indeed.com, LinkedIn, and other leading sources for the job you would like to apply for. In these job postings, employers will include a job description with the qualifications and responsibilities needed. Use the selected job posting to help you determine what to highlight and include in your résumé.

COMPOSE YOUR RÉSUMÉCONTACT INFORMATION

This section may be at the side or top of your résumé. It should include the following:

· Include a LinkedIn account url.

· Include logos for LinkedIn, email, phone, and Google Maps location. (Do not include your address if the job/internship you are applying for is out of state. This may discourage the employer from contacting you.)

· Use a professional email address.

· Do not include your student email or PCC room phone number.

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A résumé is a sales pitch to prove that you are the most qualified applicant for the job. There are several methods and styles for composing a résumé, but only one key to writing an exceptionally successful one: relevancy!

Every résumé should include contact information, a summary statement, educational accomplishments, and relevant experience. An exceptional résumé tailors each of these elements to highlight the relevant value that you can provide to your future employer. Your résumé should tell how you will provide value to an organization and why you are more qualified for a job than other applicants.

BUILDING AN EXCEPTIONAL RÉSUMÉ

SUMMARY STATEMENTThe summary statement is a professionally summarized introduction that highlights the qualities and skills you have to offer the employer. Think of this as an elevator speech. Compose a short professional summary that clearly points out how you can contribute to the organization’s success by highlighting your value through both hard and soft skills.This professional summary should be located near the top.To compose your summary:

· Research keywords related to the job (or organization) you are applying for and include those words. (For example: If it is an office administration position, be sure to include “Microsoft Office, PowerPoint, and Excel” and your words per minute.)

· Highlight your relevant experience and achievements that will contribute to the organization. (Include relevant hard and soft skills.)

· Tailor your wording to match and exceed the employer’s needs. (Use the job description and requirements as your guide.)

Example: Creative graphic designer with five years of experience in Adobe Photoshop, InDesign, Illustrator, XD, and Dreamweaver. Excellent communication, interpersonal, time management, and problem-solving skills. Focused on enhancing brand image of XYZ Organization by rebranding designs of the company logo and website to attract more customers.

EDUCATIONAL ACCOMPLISHMENTSTo format the education section, begin with the name of your school, its location, and your degree title. Do not list your high school education since this information is professionally understood since you are in college. Be sure to include the month and year of your anticipated graduation.

Include your GPA if it is 3.5 or higher. Bold or italicize this information or format it in a way to draw the employer’s eye. Also, include any scholarships or achievements earned that communicate to the employer that you are exceptional.

If you are lacking information for the following experience section of your résumé, the educational section is a great opportunity to list a few courses with a brief description of what you specifically accomplished that is relevant to the job’s requirements.

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RELEVANT EXPERIENCEThe experience section is the place to list and expound upon all relevant work experience from the past 3 to 5 years. Label each position you held, name the company you worked for with its location, include the dates of employment, and list your responsibilities. Highlight relevant accomplishments during your time there.

Quantify your accomplishments and be as specific as possible. If your experience is not directly related to the job that you are applying for, find creative ways to point out qualities/skills that do relate. Did you develop skills in customer service, interpersonal communication, leadership, or organization? These are frequent qualities that employers need. Take the following questions and apply them to the areas you have experience in: How did you develop a skill? How much did you communicate with your team/customers? To what extent? What kind of skills were you required to have? Why? Prove that you have developed those skills that you are offering to the employer.

· Follow the layout for a chronological résumé with the exception of putting your educational information before your work experience.

· Avoid the appearance of job hopping.

· Use a uniform past verb tense to start each sentence.

· Avoid short phrases that create white space.

· Give energy by using several lively, vivid verbs.

· Sprinkle relevant keywords throughout your work experience. (Again, use the job description as your guide.)

· Highlight promotions and outstanding performance.

RELEVANT SKILLS/CERTIFICATIONSThis section may be titled differently, but list your skills that an employer would find useful (such as certifications, words per minute, Adobe Creative Cloud skills, Microsoft proficiency, languages, first aid certification, etc.) Do not include personal interests and hobbies in this section unless it is directly related to the job/internship you are applying for.

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FOLLOW THESE GUIDELINES · Keep to one page.

· Submit your résumé ahead of time, by email, when going to an interview.

· Use quality, legible fonts with traditional colors.

· Print your résumé on quality paper and present it professionally to the employer.

· Print multiple copies.

· Avoid short phrases that create too much white space.

· Check grammar usage.

· Avoid using the same verb multiple times.

· Keep parallel grammatical structure for lists with appropriate ending punctuation.

· Be attentive to detail.

· Sprinkle relevant keywords throughout your work experience.

CLOSING REMARKS Because your résumé should be tailored to each position you apply for, expect to have various versions of it. As you learn and grow, keep it updated with new information.

For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end. (Jer. 29:11).

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