Resume WritingPresented by Konnect 4

Manpower

OverviewUnderstand the purpose of the resume.Learn the different parts of a resume and how

to build an effective resume.Recognize your transferable skills and how use

to them to overcome common obstacles.Use Web 2.0 to enhance your resume.Learn how resumes are viewed by employers,

and how you can get yours in front of the right people.

Avoid costly mistakes and red flags.

Past, Present, and Futureof the Resume• Standard resume is 1-2 page document

showcasing professional, employment, and academic history.

• Past: 1-2 page word processor document mailed or faxed to prospective employers.

• Present: Pervasiveness of Internet brought online job boards and other Web 2.0 tools.

• Future: Capabilities of the Internet will continue to change the way resumes are created, displayed, and transmitted.

The Resume of the Past

1-2 page black and white document

Emailed, mailed or faxed to employers

Emphasized job duties

Written from perspective of what benefits the employee

The Resume of the Future

Web 2.0 document Features: presentations,

videos, photos, and audio

Created, updated, and distributed online

URL distribution: visualcv.com/ajankans

Links to blog, social networks, and company sites

Create a Successful ResumeBe targeted. Create separate resumes for different positions.Be specific and unique when describing your

personal brand and experience.Double check for errors and omissions.Always write from perspective of the

employer: What’s in it for them?Cover letters aren’t always necessary, but

are good for interviews and hiring managers. If you include one, be specific about how your

qualifications are good match for that position.

Anatomy of a ResumeContact InformationTitleObjective Statement or

SummaryProfessional

ExperienceEducationAdditional Optional

Categories Keywords Accomplishments

Contact Information

Name should stand out. Ideal: In capital letters and larger font than rest of document.

Address Format: Street address, city, state, zip code.

Home or Mobile Phone 10 digits with area code: 800.363.0307

Email Address must be professional.

TitleTargeted title goes below contact information. Example: If you’re applying for a position as a forklift operator,

your title should say Forklift Operator.

Add an industry-related keyword to your title. Example: If applying for engineering position at solar panel

manufacturing company, “Design Engineer, Solar Technology.”

© 2009 LaunchPad Careers, Inc.

Objective StatementTraditionally used to keep job seekers

focused on their job search.Trend is moving away from objective

statements towards title statements and summary paragraphs.

If you include an objective statement, omit the title, and focus your objective on a specific position.

SummarySummary is a concise statement that

summarizes your experience, areas of expertise, professional and technical skills, and special distinctions.

Tips for writing winning summary statements: Emphasize personal brand by summarizing value added

skills, experience, and accomplishments. List 2-3 specific skills that relate to the position. Be specific about your strengths and accomplishments. Show how you saved money, reduced costs, or increased

sales.

Professional Experience

List employers, job titles, and dates of employment in reverse chronological order.

Format: Company, Job Title, Responsibilities and Accomplishments, and Dates.

Include brief description of responsibilities and scope of job. Keep it within 1-3 sentences.

Use bulleted format to list job responsibilities.Begin each point with a strong action verb.

EducationEducation section covers academic credentials

and any education that would apply to job you seek.

Typically placed below relevant work experience.

Format: Name of institution, city and state; degree awarded with major and minor; date degree was awarded.

List degrees in reverse chronological order, with highest degree first.

Do not include incomplete degree unless you include an expected graduation date.

Optional Categories List additional information at bottom of your

resume. Only include items relevant to specific position.

Awards and Honors Format: Award title, date, awarding organization.

Professional Development Certifications, licenses, and memberships.

Volunteer Experience Emphasizes key skills not shown in work experience.

Work Samples and Publications Can help you build portfolio and enhance your personal brand.

Keywords and TagsKeywords are search terms recruiters and

hiring managers use to filter resumes. Using the right keywords increases the chances of your

resume getting seen.

Information employers look for in resume database search: keywords, titles, companies, education, location, compensation.

Keywords often originate from job description.Identify critical keywords. Use them

prominently and frequently.

Tag, You’re It!Solar Project Construction Manager

Solar Project Construction Manager responsible for management of multi-disciplined construction

projects including Electrical, Roofing, Civil and Mechanical trades.

Responsibilities: Solar construction projects from Pre-Construction Phase to Construction Phase to

Project Close-Out Phase. Tasks include managing multiple contractors, time schedules, and budget. Assists in the development of cost estimates. Tasked with maintaining communications with customers and contractors. Requirements:  The right candidate will have at least 6+ yrs exp. as project manager working on solar

energy projects. Bachelors in Construction Management or Engineering or 6 yrs. direct project

management experience required. Experience managing new construction and major modifications on commercial/ industrial

facilities. Work on commercial solar panel installations is a plus. Must be knowledgeable in state and city codes and regulations required by local

building departments and safety OSHA requirements associated with construction. Excellent written and verbal communication skills along with superb time management

and project scheduling skills using MS Project or other scheduling software.

Resume Formats

1) Chronological

2) Functional3) Technical

Chronological ResumeChronological resume format provides your work history dating back from the present.

•Briefly describes accomplishments and successes that support your summary statement.• Stresses responsibilities, skills, and

accomplishments.• The format calls attention to your recent job

history and relevant experience.

Who Should Use Chronological?Most job seekers will be using the chronological

format.You are staying within specific occupation or

industry.You have steady work history with few gaps.Your career shows steady growth and development.You have relevant work experience to the position

you are applying for.You are applying to a traditional field (accounting,

law, finance) or organization.

Functional ResumeFunctional resume format stresses qualifications over specific employers and dates.

• Organizes information around specific skill sets and supports skills with accomplishments and experience.

• Directs attention to functional skills, strengths, and qualifications.

• Allows you to customize content to match job position. Not confined by chronological format.

Who Should Use Functional?Contract or 1099 workers.You have a weak employment history.You have unexplainable gaps in your employment

history.You are making significant career or job change.You want to emphasize skills and abilities not used in

recent experience.You have held numerous positions in a short time

frame.You have been employed in highly technical

positions.

Technical ResumeTechnical resume format is designed to emphasize your technical skills and strengths.

• Lists computer, software, or specialized machinery knowledge early on.

• Emphasizes hard skills over soft skills.• Focuses on Skills and Professional Experience

sections.• Technical/Chronological vs. Technical/Functional

Most technical resumes follow chronological format but include summary of skills at beginning of resume.

Use functional format if you’re a technical worker who’s mainly been hired for project-based or contract work.

3 Steps to Building aBetter Resume

1) Start with resume hub: an all-inclusive resume. List all experience. Never send out this resume.

2) Create spoke resumes: offshoots of your resume hub.

• Target resume to match specific job categories.

3) Do your research. Customize and tailor your spoke resumes to job

positions using keywords.

Writing Your ResumePage length and designFinal resume document formats: Word .doc

or .pdfFree word processors

Google Docs: docs.google.com OpenOffice.org

Free resume templatesCreate online Web 2.0 resumes

Recommended sites: VisualCV.com and Gigtide.com

Recent GraduatesCollege or High School Grads without Work Experience• Overcoming Objections

“Recent graduates feel entitled in the work place.” “Recent graduates lack professionalism and strong work ethic.”

• Advantages Bring new ideas: Business thrives on innovation, so highlight your

ability to apply new information and ideas to your work. Hard working: Younger employees take spirited approach toward

work, staying up late or working on weekends to complete tasks. Affordable: Show value you offer the employer, and what they

stand to gain by hiring you over someone more established.

Career ChangersJob Seekers Who Are Changing CareersOvercoming objections

“Has no experience.” Know and articulate transferable skills.

“Why does this person want to leave their current field?”

Advantages Bring new and fresh perspective to the position. Value added by bringing skills from other profession.

Other helpful tips Do your research and change your resume accordingly. Emphasize accomplishments in your previous career and

stress your transferable skills.

How Hiring Managers and Recruiters View Resumes

Location: If address indicates you live too far away—SKIPPED.

Stability: Depending on position, if you appear to be a job hopper—SKIPPED.

Education: If the job requires a degree, and you don’t have one—SKIPPED.

Companies: Previous employers with recognizable names or brands stand out. Make sure company names and subsidiaries are listed prominently.

Submitting a ResumeEmailing your resume Most effective and common means of submitting resume to

employers and contacts. Use standard file formats: Word .doc and .pdf Be direct and clear in your subject line. Include title of position, word “resume,” and keywords in email.

Electronic screeners Crack the code by using keywords highlighted in job

description. Use keywords throughout your resume. Prioritize keywords so that those most relevant to position are

at the top.

Posting Your Resume OnlineJob boards Keep resume current and updated. Avoid posting confidential resume.

Social networks Make sure information on resume and public profiles are

consistent and professional. Consider creating a Web 2.0 resume that can be linked to

your profile or sent out with a URL link.

Blogs and Websites Control your professional presence online and be conscious

of the image you are presenting to potential employers.

Social NetworksGreat forums to promote

your personal brand.Join LinkedIn, add, and

update work experience. Keep profile information

and resume consistent across multiple sites.

Provide link to Web 2.0 resume.

© 2009 LaunchPad Careers, Inc.

Online Profile Development

Apply same rules as posting resume online.

Use targeted approach emphasizing your personal brand.

List job titles.Use keywords

frequently and prominently.

© 2009 LaunchPad Careers, Inc.

Blogs and WebsitesOn your blog or

website, have a section about your personal brand.

Increase exposure by linking your Web 2.0 resume.

Use Search Engine Optimization (SEO) to drive traffic to your profile and resume.

Guidelines for a Well-Written ResumeUse strong and concise language to

communicate your skills and accomplishments.

Do not use personal pronouns: “I,” “me,” “my,” “our.”

Use professional language. Remove slang or localized terminology.

Shorten long and complex sentences. Leave out extraneous information.

Check grammar and spelling.Beware of red flags.Avoid other common mistakes.

Resume Checklist Do you have a “hub” resume cataloging all of

your marketable skills and experience? Is your resume targeted to a specific job

position? Do you address the needs of the employer over

your needs? Does your resume sell your personal brand? Do

you demonstrate where you can add value? Does your resume include sufficient contact

information including full name, address, phone number (cell phone number is ideal), and email?

Checklist Continued Does the experience you listed support the

claims you made in your summary and objective?

Does your resume include 10-20 keyword “tags” and strong action words?

Does your resume focus on results, tasks, and accomplishments?

Are your strengths highlighted early, prominently, and frequently?

Is the language professional, concise, and specific?

Beware of Red FlagsGrammatical and spelling errors.Too wordy or too much information.Irrelevant experience.False claims and over-embellishment.Inconsistent work history or unexplained

career gaps.Email address is too provocative.