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Resume Writing
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• A summary of your qualifications
• An advertisement or form of persuasive writing that intends to evoke interest and action in an online job search world
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Purpose of a Resume
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• It’s most important function is to get an employer to grant you an interview
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Target Your Resume
• Tailor your resume to the specific position you are applying for
• Match the employer’s needs
• Create several editions for different positions
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Job Description
Barnett & Falls Location: North Carolina-Charlotte Job Title: Legal SecretaryDescription: Legal secretary needed for small criminal
defense law firm. Communication and computer skills a must. Job includes answering phone, scheduling, writing checks and updating accounts with Quickbooks, letters, file creation and closing. Fluent in Spanish preferred but will consider all. Prior experience in law firm a plus, but not required.
What are the employers needs?
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Job Description
Barnett & Falls Location: North Carolina-Charlotte Job Title: Legal SecretaryDescription: Legal secretary needed for small criminal
defense law firm. Communication and computer skills a must. Job includes answering phone, scheduling, writing checks and updating accounts with Quickbooks, letters, file creation and closing. Fluent in Spanish preferred but will consider all. Prior experience in law firm a plus, but not required.
What are the employers needs?
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JILL EHLIJILL EHLI235 West Thayer Avenue235 West Thayer AvenueCharlotte, NC 28203Charlotte, NC 28203(704) 354-7982 (704) 354-7982 [email protected]@yahoo.com
Objective:Objective: To secure aTo secure a legal legal secretary position with the Barnett & Falls law firm where I can utilize my education, secretary position with the Barnett & Falls law firm where I can utilize my education, administrative and administrative and bi-lingualbi-lingual skills. skills.
Summary of Qualifications:Summary of Qualifications:
Excellent interpersonal and Excellent interpersonal and communication skillscommunication skills Fluent in SpanishFluent in Spanish
Proficient in Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPointProficient in Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint; ; QuickBooksQuickBooks
Attention to detail, follow-through and time managementAttention to detail, follow-through and time management
Education:Education:Central Piedmont Community College, Charlotte, NCCentral Piedmont Community College, Charlotte, NCAssociate of Arts, Paralegal Technology, 2009Associate of Arts, Paralegal Technology, 2009Relevant Coursework: Legal Research and Writing I&II, Civil Litigation I&II, Relevant Coursework: Legal Research and Writing I&II, Civil Litigation I&II, Spanish III&IVSpanish III&IV
Experience:Experience:Legal SecretaryLegal Secretary, , January 2007 – presentJanuary 2007 – presentSmith Law Firm, Smith Law Firm, Charlotte, NCCharlotte, NC Performed general office duties including Performed general office duties including word processingword processing, filing,, filing, telephones telephones, and other duties as required , and other duties as required Interviewed clients, open files, draft petitions and letters, and file petitions at courthouse. Interviewed clients, open files, draft petitions and letters, and file petitions at courthouse. Researched legal issues. Six months devoted to major international case. Researched legal issues. Six months devoted to major international case.
Receptionist, Receptionist, December 2001- November 2006December 2001- November 2006Charlotte Family Medicine, Charlotte, NCCharlotte Family Medicine, Charlotte, NC Scheduled approximately 80 patient appointments dailyScheduled approximately 80 patient appointments daily Translated for Translated for SpanishSpanish speaking patients speaking patients Prepared and filed invoices and compiled payments using computerized systemPrepared and filed invoices and compiled payments using computerized system. Decreased errors by 15%. Decreased errors by 15%
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Basic Categories for a Resume
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Contact Information
• Your Name is in a larger/bold font
• Appropriate voicemail?
• Appropriate email address?
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Objective
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Objective Examples
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Education
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Education
A.A.S. Paralegal Technology May 2009
Central Piedmont Community College Charlotte, NC
• Relevant Coursework: Legal Research/Writing I&II, Civil Litigation I & II, Spanish IV
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Experience• Include: position, employer, location,
dates of employment and accomplishments
• Focus on accomplishments that set you apart from other candidates
• Use a bulleted style for reading ease
• Do not limit yourself to paid experiences. Include: co-op, clinicals, volunteer work, leadership roles
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Experience Formats
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Chronological Format
EXPERIENCE
• Legal Secretary, Smith Law Firm, Charlotte, NCJanuary 2007 - present– Interview clients, open files, draft petitions and letters, and file
petitions at the courthouse– Perform legal research
• Administrative Assistant, Wachovia, Charlotte, NCDecember 2001 – November 2006– Performed various office duties including letter composition, word
processing, filing, telephones, and other duties– Verified accuracy of bills received and submit payment– Utilized computer system programs for scheduling appointments
and inventory
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Functional Format
SKILLS
• Communication– Fluent in Spanish– Communicated verbally and in written form to students,
parents, teachers and administrators– Interviewed clients to obtain pre-trial information
• Computer– Microsoft Office: Word, PowerPoint and Excel– Implemented computerized bookkeeping system– Proficient in QuickBooks
EXPERIENCE• Legal Secretary, Smith Law Firm, Charlotte, NC, 1/06-present• Administrative Assistant, Wachovia, Charlotte, NC,12/99-
11/05 © CPCC Career Services 2010
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Which format is best for you?Chronological• Emphasizes career
progression• Easy for employers to
understand• Often easier to write• Emphasizes continual
employment• Most
common/traditional format
Functional• Focus is on skills not recently
used and those skills specific to job
• Showcases transferrable skills
• Changing careers
• Entering job market for first time
• Have unconnected work experiences
• Have gaps in employment history
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References
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Irrelevant/Controversial Information
• Age or birth date• Picture• Marital status• Salary received from
present or past employers
• Health
• Social Security number
• Complete addresses of previous employers
• Religious or political affiliations
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Resume Language• Resumes do not use complete
sentences
• Resumes avoid using personal pronouns
• Descriptive statements should be concise and clear
• Avoid acronyms
• Use action verbs and numbers© CPCC Career Services 2010
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Format
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For Help with Formatting
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Resume Referral
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VISIT CAREER SERVICES
704-330-6551
www.cpcc.edu/career