Technical Resume 2007 - Memphis Presentation 1.pdf · Career & Employment Services Purpose of a Resume THE PURPOSE OF YOUR RESUME IS TO GET YOU THE INTERVIEW. It is a good idea to

Designing a Technical ResumeDesigning a Technical Resume

Career and Employment ServicesCareer and Employment Services400 Wilder Tower 678400 Wilder Tower 678--22392239http://http://saweb.memphis.edu/cessaweb.memphis.edu/ces

Career & Employment Services

Purpose of a ResumePurpose of a Resume

THE PURPOSE OF YOUR RESUME IS TO THE PURPOSE OF YOUR RESUME IS TO GET YOU THE INTERVIEW.GET YOU THE INTERVIEW.It is a good idea to reflect on what you have done It is a good idea to reflect on what you have done in your life, academic or otherwise.in your life, academic or otherwise.Before you begin writing your resume, clarify how Before you begin writing your resume, clarify how you intend to use it. you intend to use it. You need to know your audience, and create a You need to know your audience, and create a resume that will be of interest to your audience.resume that will be of interest to your audience.


Technical ResumesTechnical Resumes

Technical resumes are similar to business Technical resumes are similar to business resumes but include specific details about resumes but include specific details about your technical skills.your technical skills.Technical resumes use technical language.Technical resumes use technical language.Technical resumes are more focused than Technical resumes are more focused than standard resumes.standard resumes.If an item doesnIf an item doesn’’t support your candidacy, t support your candidacy, leave it off the resume.leave it off the resume.


Writing a Winning ResumeWriting a Winning Resume

Tailoring a resume to the position and company is Tailoring a resume to the position and company is extremely important. extremely important. Doing so may mean having to create more than Doing so may mean having to create more than one resume, and will require prioritizing oneone resume, and will require prioritizing one’’s s qualifications to those required for a position.qualifications to those required for a position.You can convey that you have researched an You can convey that you have researched an employer by adapting your resume to the company employer by adapting your resume to the company culture.culture.


Writing a Technical ResumeWriting a Technical Resume

Technical recruiters, headhunters, human Technical recruiters, headhunters, human resources professionals, and leaders in highresources professionals, and leaders in high--tech firms especially look for key items:tech firms especially look for key items:–– Qualifying Technical Skills,Qualifying Technical Skills,–– Evidence of Intelligence,Evidence of Intelligence,–– Neatness and Consistency, andNeatness and Consistency, and–– Technical Resumes are often project based.Technical Resumes are often project based.

Resume FormatsResume Formats

There are three different formats that are most There are three different formats that are most commonly used for resumes:commonly used for resumes:–– ChronologicalChronological–– FunctionalFunctional–– CombinationCombination

Most employers indicate a preference for resumes Most employers indicate a preference for resumes with a chronological listing of experience and with a chronological listing of experience and activities. activities. However, combination and functional resumes However, combination and functional resumes may be appropriate for some students.may be appropriate for some students.

Combination FormatCombination Format

Combination Resumes Combination Resumes contain aspects of both the contain aspects of both the chronological and functional chronological and functional styles. styles. The writer may begin with a The writer may begin with a summary of skills and then summary of skills and then provide a listing of provide a listing of experience in reverse experience in reverse chronological order, as well chronological order, as well as functional categories.as functional categories.Most technical resumes are Most technical resumes are combination resumes.combination resumes.

Design TechniquesDesign TechniquesMost resumes are one page in length. Most resumes are one page in length. Many technical resumes are two pages in length Many technical resumes are two pages in length since they contain detailed descriptions of projects since they contain detailed descriptions of projects and skills.and skills.If you use a twoIf you use a two--page format, be sure that your page format, be sure that your name and the words name and the words ““page 2page 2”” appear on the appear on the second page. second page. Plan on doing three or four drafts of your resume Plan on doing three or four drafts of your resume to see what looks best. to see what looks best. Plan the amount of white space and type carefully.Plan the amount of white space and type carefully.

Design TechniquesDesign Techniques

An employers eye will pick up four to six An employers eye will pick up four to six key points during a 60key points during a 60--second scan of your second scan of your resume. resume. You can move the readerYou can move the reader’’s eye to certain s eye to certain points by the use of wellpoints by the use of well--chosen design chosen design techniques.techniques.


Upper Case LettersUpper Case Letters: For headings and : For headings and titles that are important. titles that are important. –– Use sparingly as overuse tends to diminish its Use sparingly as overuse tends to diminish its

effectiveness.effectiveness.

UnderliningUnderlining: Can be used in the body of : Can be used in the body of the resume to emphasize a dramatic result the resume to emphasize a dramatic result or accomplishment. or accomplishment. –– Use it sparingly since it causes the readerUse it sparingly since it causes the reader’’s s

attention to jump around.attention to jump around.


IndentingIndenting: Indenting can help organize the details : Indenting can help organize the details included on your resume. included on your resume. –– The use of two levels of indenting is recommended. The use of two levels of indenting is recommended.

Use no more than three levels at the most.Use no more than three levels at the most.

BulletsBullets: Bullets are points of punctuation set in : Bullets are points of punctuation set in front of each item in a list. front of each item in a list. –– Bullets are a great way to list your accomplishments Bullets are a great way to list your accomplishments

and responsibilities on the job. and responsibilities on the job. –– Career and Employment Services strongly recommends Career and Employment Services strongly recommends

the use of this design technique.the use of this design technique.

Design TechniquesDesign TechniquesYou should invest in You should invest in goodgood quality resume paperquality resume paperin white or ivory for your resume, reference sheet, in white or ivory for your resume, reference sheet, and cover letters. and cover letters. –– Use a paper that is approximately 24Use a paper that is approximately 24--pound weight.pound weight.–– Matching envelopes are often available.Matching envelopes are often available.

Use Use fonts between 10 and 16 pointsfonts between 10 and 16 points when when designing your resume. designing your resume. –– Choose a font that is easy to read and looks attractive Choose a font that is easy to read and looks attractive

on the page.on the page.»» Times New Roman and Ariel are examples.Times New Roman and Ariel are examples.


Remember that your Remember that your most important most important information should information should be at the top of your be at the top of your resumeresume..Never put anything Never put anything negative or weak near negative or weak near the top of your the top of your resume.resume.

Personal Identification DataPersonal Identification Data

Personal Identification Information is the first Personal Identification Information is the first information listed at the top of the page. information listed at the top of the page. –– It includes your full name, address, phone number, and It includes your full name, address, phone number, and

ee--mail address.mail address.The email address included on your resume should The email address included on your resume should be professional. be professional. –– [email protected]@aol.com is preferable to is preferable to

[email protected]@aol.com. .



If you only have a cell phone and use the listing, If you only have a cell phone and use the listing, make sure to answer it professionally and have a make sure to answer it professionally and have a professional message for your voice mail.professional message for your voice mail.You should NOT include personal information.You should NOT include personal information.–– date of birth, marital status, height, weight, information date of birth, marital status, height, weight, information

about children, information about health, nor should about children, information about health, nor should you attach a photograph.you attach a photograph.

Review your profiles on search engines and Review your profiles on search engines and personal networking sites. What do they say about personal networking sites. What do they say about you?you?


Barton Frederick Jefferson [email protected]

Temporary Address: Permanent Address:433 East Parkway 6608 Dearborn RoadMemphis, Tennessee 38107 Chicago, Illinois 63031(901) 555-1212 (312) 698-3366

________________________________________________

(Resume starts here; reader starts here.)


R. CHANDLER GREEN1271 Baybrook Lane, #8Bartlett, Tennessee 38135

Phone: 901/555-5555 E-Mail: [email protected]_____________________________________________________

(Resume starts here; reader starts here.)

Resume HeadingsResume Headings

Career ObjectiveCareer Objective: An objective gives your : An objective gives your resume focus. resume focus. –– It also gives credibility and direction to your resume It also gives credibility and direction to your resume

and suggests commitment on your part. and suggests commitment on your part. –– It should give the employer some insight into the type It should give the employer some insight into the type

of job you are seeking and the skills and qualifications of job you are seeking and the skills and qualifications that you have to offer.that you have to offer.

ExampleExample: Seeking bench or field electronics : Seeking bench or field electronics technician position using strong diagnostic and technician position using strong diagnostic and troubleshooting skills.troubleshooting skills.


Profile StatementProfile Statement

If you are not applying for an entry level job and If you are not applying for an entry level job and have quite a bit of work experience, you will want have quite a bit of work experience, you will want to consider writing a PROFILE statement in place to consider writing a PROFILE statement in place of the Career Objective.of the Career Objective.Example:Example:

PROFILEPROFILE: Proven ability to manage Phase I and : Proven ability to manage Phase I and Phase III clinical trials, including all relations with Phase III clinical trials, including all relations with physicians, study coordinators, administrators, and physicians, study coordinators, administrators, and others. Knowledge of FDA regulations. Skilled on others. Knowledge of FDA regulations. Skilled on Mac and PC platforms (office and analytical Mac and PC platforms (office and analytical programs, including programs, including MedTestMedTest and and TrialTrakerTrialTraker).).


Current students Current students should place their should place their EducationEducation section section immediately after their immediately after their objective. objective. If you are an If you are an experienced candidate, experienced candidate, you may wish to move you may wish to move your education section your education section to the bottom of your to the bottom of your resume.resume.

Resume HeadingsResume HeadingsEducation Section:Education Section:–– Begin with your highest degree and work Begin with your highest degree and work

backwards.backwards.–– Always list the full name of Degree and Major Always list the full name of Degree and Major

(no abbreviations).(no abbreviations).–– Always list the full of name of the institution Always list the full of name of the institution

that granted the degree, as well as the city and that granted the degree, as well as the city and state in which it is located (no abbreviations).state in which it is located (no abbreviations).

–– Always list the date of graduation.Always list the date of graduation.

Resume HeadingsResume HeadingsEducation Section:Education Section:

–– CES recommends listing a GPA if it is 3.0 or higher. CES recommends listing a GPA if it is 3.0 or higher. –– If however, it is a deterrent, we donIf however, it is a deterrent, we don’’t recommend t recommend

including it. including it. –– You may choose to list your Major GPA rather than You may choose to list your Major GPA rather than

your Cumulative GPA. your Cumulative GPA. –– Be sure to specify what GPA you are listing. Be sure to specify what GPA you are listing.


Example of Education Section:

Bachelor of Science in Civil EngineeringHerff College of EngineeringThe University of Memphis, Memphis, TennesseeExpected, August 2006Cumulative GPA: 3.5, Major GPA: 4.0


–– A section titled A section titled Relevant Coursework Relevant Coursework that follows or is part of your education that follows or is part of your education section can highlight certain courses that section can highlight certain courses that demonstrate your knowledge of the field. demonstrate your knowledge of the field.

»» This section may be especially helpful if you lack This section may be especially helpful if you lack experience or are trying to show knowledge that is experience or are trying to show knowledge that is transferable from one discipline to another.transferable from one discipline to another.


HonorsHonors: Listed near the top of the resume. Include : Listed near the top of the resume. Include any honors, scholarships, and awards. any honors, scholarships, and awards. –– Avoid listing those from high school.Avoid listing those from high school.

Examples:Examples:–– Nominated for Outstanding Student Leader AwardNominated for Outstanding Student Leader Award–– DeanDean’’s List, six semesterss List, six semesters–– Phi Kappa Phi Honor SocietyPhi Kappa Phi Honor Society–– Received Emerging Leaders ScholarshipReceived Emerging Leaders Scholarship


Resume HeadingsResume HeadingsTechnical SkillsTechnical Skills–– Your resume must indicate directly that you Your resume must indicate directly that you

have the necessary technical skills to perform in have the necessary technical skills to perform in the position you are seeking.the position you are seeking.

–– Include a specific section that details these Include a specific section that details these skills.skills.

–– On a technical resume, this goes beyond the On a technical resume, this goes beyond the ““computer skillscomputer skills”” section of a business resume. section of a business resume.

–– Include applications, programming languages, Include applications, programming languages, operating systems, laboratory and mechanical operating systems, laboratory and mechanical equipment, and specific research and laboratory equipment, and specific research and laboratory methods and techniques.methods and techniques.



ProjectsProjects–– Technical Resumes are often project based and Technical Resumes are often project based and

should include projects that you have should include projects that you have completed.completed.

–– Projects listed should be related to the job at Projects listed should be related to the job at hand and demonstrate that you can apply the hand and demonstrate that you can apply the technical skills mentioned in the previous technical skills mentioned in the previous section.section.

–– Include both classroom and job related projects Include both classroom and job related projects in your project section.in your project section.



ProjectsProjectsExampleExample–– Release Engineer Release Engineer for a major internal for a major internal

application consisting of 150+ binaries and application consisting of 150+ binaries and libraries. Built scripts to automate testing, libraries. Built scripts to automate testing, configuration and RCS. Designed and released configuration and RCS. Designed and released TCL/SQL interface. Developed software to TCL/SQL interface. Developed software to interface with semiconductor equipment.interface with semiconductor equipment.


ExperienceExperience: Experience comes in many forms: : Experience comes in many forms: experiential education (internships, coexperiential education (internships, co--ops), ops), volunteer work, as well as employment.volunteer work, as well as employment.The experience section should begin with the most The experience section should begin with the most recent position held, and then list work experience recent position held, and then list work experience in reverse chronological order.in reverse chronological order.



Always list the job title, name of company, Always list the job title, name of company, and city and state of each place of work.and city and state of each place of work.Concentrate on the positive and use action Concentrate on the positive and use action words.words.Strive to show growth; highlight Strive to show growth; highlight accomplishments accomplishments Quantify results whenever possible.Quantify results whenever possible.


Resume HeadingsResume HeadingsOn a technical resume, you will put less emphasis On a technical resume, you will put less emphasis on any experience that is not directly related to the on any experience that is not directly related to the technical skills cluster you are presenting. technical skills cluster you are presenting. Any career you may have had before gaining the Any career you may have had before gaining the targeted technical expertise will be mentioned targeted technical expertise will be mentioned only briefly.only briefly.If an item doesnIf an item doesn’’t support your candidacy, leave it t support your candidacy, leave it out.out.If you have no experience in your field, briefly list If you have no experience in your field, briefly list unrelated experience; focus on transferable skills. unrelated experience; focus on transferable skills.



When listing your work experience, keep When listing your work experience, keep your descriptions meaningful, specific, and your descriptions meaningful, specific, and concise.concise.Emphasize your accomplishments. Emphasize your accomplishments. Make it easy for a potential employer to Make it easy for a potential employer to quickly learn key facts about you.quickly learn key facts about you.DonDon’’t just list the jobs you have held; detail t just list the jobs you have held; detail the results of your involvement.the results of your involvement.

Resume HeadingsResume HeadingsExampleExample::

UNIX System AdministratorUNIX System AdministratorUniversity of Massachusetts; Amherst, Massachusetts; MarchUniversity of Massachusetts; Amherst, Massachusetts; March2003 to May 20052003 to May 2005•• Managed all aspects of 4060 Unix Workstations (Mostly Managed all aspects of 4060 Unix Workstations (Mostly

Sun, but also HP, SGI, DEC). Sun, but also HP, SGI, DEC). •• Upgraded hardware, performed backups, tightened Upgraded hardware, performed backups, tightened

departmental security. departmental security. •• Managed FTP site, Web site. Managed FTP site, Web site. •• Supervised student programmer/analysts.Supervised student programmer/analysts.


ActivitiesActivities: Include participation in : Include participation in collegiate sports, clubs, school collegiate sports, clubs, school organizations, as well as community organizations, as well as community activities. activities. Be sure to include any leadership positions Be sure to include any leadership positions that you have held.that you have held.–– Vice President, IEEEVice President, IEEE–– President, Student Government AssociationPresident, Student Government Association


Tips For Reflecting Leadership Tips For Reflecting Leadership ExperiencesExperiences

Employers do not look for a long list of Employers do not look for a long list of activities, but those where you have actively activities, but those where you have actively participated.participated.Interpret your experiences to reveal a closer Interpret your experiences to reveal a closer match of your skills, abilities, and attributes match of your skills, abilities, and attributes to the requirements of a particular job or to the requirements of a particular job or career field.career field.



As you begin interviewing whether for an As you begin interviewing whether for an internship or full time job, be able to convey what internship or full time job, be able to convey what you learned as well as what you did in an activity. you learned as well as what you did in an activity. Even if your role in an organization was limited to Even if your role in an organization was limited to an observer, you probably gained some critical an observer, you probably gained some critical information pertinent to your field. information pertinent to your field.



Take credit for contributionsTake credit for contributions.. What value What value did you bring to an organization? did you bring to an organization? If you held a leadership position, be If you held a leadership position, be prepared to discuss what role you played. prepared to discuss what role you played. Did you increase membership, complete a Did you increase membership, complete a project that had never been done before, project that had never been done before, boost sales for a fundraising event? boost sales for a fundraising event? Mention anything that will make you stand Mention anything that will make you stand out.out.

Resume HeadingsResume HeadingsAdditional HeadingsAdditional Headings: Consider including : Consider including additional categories on your resume when they additional categories on your resume when they are relevant to the position you are applying for. are relevant to the position you are applying for. Such categories may include Language Skills, Such categories may include Language Skills, Military Experience, Certifications, Professional Military Experience, Certifications, Professional Organizations, and Research.Organizations, and Research.

ReferencesReferencesList three to six professional references on a List three to six professional references on a separate reference sheet. Never list separate reference sheet. Never list references on your resume.references on your resume.References could include faculty, former References could include faculty, former employers, academic advisors, and employers, academic advisors, and internship supervisors. Never list personal internship supervisors. Never list personal friends or acquaintances.friends or acquaintances.Choose individuals who are going to sell Choose individuals who are going to sell you to an employer.you to an employer.

ReferencesReferencesBe sure to contact people you list as Be sure to contact people you list as references to obtain their consent. With references to obtain their consent. With advanced notice, they can be welladvanced notice, they can be well--prepared prepared to speak about your qualifications.to speak about your qualifications.Offer to send your references a copy of your Offer to send your references a copy of your resume so that they have all of your resume so that they have all of your information at their disposal.information at their disposal.Send thank you letters to those who serve as Send thank you letters to those who serve as references.references.

Documents

Technical Resume 2007 - Memphis Presentation 1.pdf · Career & Employment Services Purpose of a Resume THE PURPOSE OF YOUR RESUME IS TO GET YOU THE INTERVIEW. It is a good idea to