Cover Letter Tips
You need an effective cover letter. Your resume can be impressive. But if your cover letter isn't impressive, it's entirely possible that your resume will never get read. First impressions are lasting impressions. The cover letter you attach to your resume and send to an IT company or public sector firm must make the very best impression possible. If you do it right, your resume will be read and you might get an interview. Do it wrong and your resume won't be looked at all. That's how important a cover letter is. Most people spend about thirty seconds reading a cover letter, so it has to make your case clearly and effectively.
1. Emphasize the skills required. Your cover letter should make very clear that you have the skills and the experience for the position you are applying for. State this in the first paragraph.
2. Make no mistake about it The most important caveat in a cover letter? Absolutely no errors! Your cover letter must be perfection itself. A typo, a poor printing job, a misspelling - mistakes will make a poor impression because they imply that you don't care. Never hand write a cover letter. Never!
3. Use a word processor. Prepare your cover letter on a computer using MicroSoft Word. Don't have a computer? Borrow a friend's or go to a business center and rent one for an hour or two!
4. Avoid fancy fonts. You are not creating a flyer or a poster. So use a business font such as Arial. No colors. Black on white reproduces easily. Use a plain white paper. No deckled finishes or colors either. Print your cover letter and resume on a laser printer. DeskJet printer ink smudges.
5. Keep it short. Your cover letter should be one page in length and perfectly centered. The cover letter and resume are never folded. They are placed in an envelope large enough to accommodate them unfolded.
Showing posts with label Resume. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Resume. Show all posts
Thursday, February 7, 2008
Cover Letter Look
Cover letter Look
Your resume should always have a good COVER LETTER attached, as a personal communication between you and the individual who receives the resume.
Many job hunters are intimidated by the task of writing a cover letter, but it's not that hard if you think of it as just a friendly, simple communication from one person (who's looking for a good job) to another (who's looking for a good employee). It is in the interests of both parties to make a good connection!
1. Be sure to address your cover letter --by name and title -- to the person who could actually hire you. When it's impossible to learn their name, use their functional title, such as "Dear Manager." You may have to guess ("Dear Selection Committee") but never say "To whom it may concern" or "Dear Sir or Madam"!
2. Show that you know a little about the company, and that you are aware of their current problems, interests, or priorities.
3. Express your enthusiasm and interest in this line of work and this company. If you have a good idea that might help the employer resolve a problem currently facing their industry, offer to come in and discuss it.
4. Project warmth and friendliness, while still being professional. Avoid any generic phrases such as "Enclosed please find." This is a letter to a real live person!
5. Make a personal link to a specific individual in that company, if at all possible -- also called "name dropping." For example, "My neighbor, Phil Lyons, works in your research-and-development department, and from what he tells me about the company and its current directions, I think I could be a good fit for your team."
6. Set yourself apart from the crowd. Identify at least one thing about you that's unique -- say a special talent for getting along with everybody at work, or some unusual skill that goes beyond the essential requirements of the position -- something that distinguishes you AND is relevant to the job. (Then, if several others are equally qualified for the job, your uniqueness may be the reason to choose YOU.)
7. Be specific about what you are asking for and what you are offering. Make it clear which position you're applying for and just what experience or skill you have that relates to that position.
8. Take the initiative about the next step whenever possible, and be specific. "I'll call your office early next week to see if we could meet soon and discuss this job opening," for example. OR -- if you're exploring for UN-announced jobs that my come up -- "I'll call your office next week to see if we could meet soon, to discuss your company's needs for help in the near future."
9. Keep it brief -- a few short paragraphs, all on one page.
Your resume should always have a good COVER LETTER attached, as a personal communication between you and the individual who receives the resume.
Many job hunters are intimidated by the task of writing a cover letter, but it's not that hard if you think of it as just a friendly, simple communication from one person (who's looking for a good job) to another (who's looking for a good employee). It is in the interests of both parties to make a good connection!
1. Be sure to address your cover letter --by name and title -- to the person who could actually hire you. When it's impossible to learn their name, use their functional title, such as "Dear Manager." You may have to guess ("Dear Selection Committee") but never say "To whom it may concern" or "Dear Sir or Madam"!
2. Show that you know a little about the company, and that you are aware of their current problems, interests, or priorities.
3. Express your enthusiasm and interest in this line of work and this company. If you have a good idea that might help the employer resolve a problem currently facing their industry, offer to come in and discuss it.
4. Project warmth and friendliness, while still being professional. Avoid any generic phrases such as "Enclosed please find." This is a letter to a real live person!
5. Make a personal link to a specific individual in that company, if at all possible -- also called "name dropping." For example, "My neighbor, Phil Lyons, works in your research-and-development department, and from what he tells me about the company and its current directions, I think I could be a good fit for your team."
6. Set yourself apart from the crowd. Identify at least one thing about you that's unique -- say a special talent for getting along with everybody at work, or some unusual skill that goes beyond the essential requirements of the position -- something that distinguishes you AND is relevant to the job. (Then, if several others are equally qualified for the job, your uniqueness may be the reason to choose YOU.)
7. Be specific about what you are asking for and what you are offering. Make it clear which position you're applying for and just what experience or skill you have that relates to that position.
8. Take the initiative about the next step whenever possible, and be specific. "I'll call your office early next week to see if we could meet soon and discuss this job opening," for example. OR -- if you're exploring for UN-announced jobs that my come up -- "I'll call your office next week to see if we could meet soon, to discuss your company's needs for help in the near future."
9. Keep it brief -- a few short paragraphs, all on one page.
Cover Letter Details
Cover Letter
The best thing you can do to help ensure that your resume gets read is to include a personalized custom-written Cover Letter with your resume. The cover letter gives you an opportunity to stand out from the dozens or maybe hundreds of other people who are applying for the same position as you are.
Sir/Madam,
I am a B.E/ B.Tech/ MCA/ M.E/ M.Tech in XXXXXXXX-(specify your branch) with an aggregate of 85%. I will be much pleased (include the core of Cover Letter here). Here by i do paste/ attach a copy of my resume for your kind reference.
Core part of a Cover Letter.
*
To work in a globally competitive environment on challenging assignments that shall yield the twin benefits of the job satisfaction and a steady-paced professional growth.
*
To work efficiently and effectively as well as grow with a prestigious organization in field of production, maintenance, and designing. So as to achieve self realization and accomplishment of organizational goals.
*
Seeking a challenging and satisfying career in Web Application Development environment.
*
To work in a creative and challenging environment using cutting edge technologies where i could constantly learn and successfully deliver solutions to problems.
*
To develop my career as a Software Engineer where I will be a valuable team member, contributing quality ideas and work for an organization where there is an ample scope for individual as well as organization growth in Software Design and Development.
*
To be an excellent software professional and move into higher technology areas which provide an environment to improve my technical and analytical abilities.
*
To be in a position in a result oriented company that seeks an ambitious and career conscious person where acquired skills and education will be utilized towards continuous growth and advancement.
The best thing you can do to help ensure that your resume gets read is to include a personalized custom-written Cover Letter with your resume. The cover letter gives you an opportunity to stand out from the dozens or maybe hundreds of other people who are applying for the same position as you are.
Sir/Madam,
I am a B.E/ B.Tech/ MCA/ M.E/ M.Tech in XXXXXXXX-(specify your branch) with an aggregate of 85%. I will be much pleased (include the core of Cover Letter here). Here by i do paste/ attach a copy of my resume for your kind reference.
Core part of a Cover Letter.
*
To work in a globally competitive environment on challenging assignments that shall yield the twin benefits of the job satisfaction and a steady-paced professional growth.
*
To work efficiently and effectively as well as grow with a prestigious organization in field of production, maintenance, and designing. So as to achieve self realization and accomplishment of organizational goals.
*
Seeking a challenging and satisfying career in Web Application Development environment.
*
To work in a creative and challenging environment using cutting edge technologies where i could constantly learn and successfully deliver solutions to problems.
*
To develop my career as a Software Engineer where I will be a valuable team member, contributing quality ideas and work for an organization where there is an ample scope for individual as well as organization growth in Software Design and Development.
*
To be an excellent software professional and move into higher technology areas which provide an environment to improve my technical and analytical abilities.
*
To be in a position in a result oriented company that seeks an ambitious and career conscious person where acquired skills and education will be utilized towards continuous growth and advancement.
Common mistakes in Resume
Common Mistakes:
Mistake: Incorrect Contact Information
Correct: I once worked with a student whose resume seemed incredibly strong, but he wasn't getting any bites from employers. So one day, I jokingly asked him if the phone number he'd listed on his resume was correct. It wasn't. Once he changed it, he started getting the calls he'd been expecting. Moral of the story: Double-check even the most minute, taken-for-granted details -- sooner rather than later.
Mistake: Listing a personal web site that contains inappropriate content.
Correct: See listing your personal web site URL on your resume.
Mistake: Using really small fonts
Correct: Employers are typically reading many resumes, and are taking less than half a minute to read one. Really small fonts are hard to read and don't photocopy as well. (That applies to your address block as well.) What's too small? Generally don't go smaller than a 10 point, but notice that all font styles aren't sized equally. For example, a 10 point Arial font is smaller than a 10 point Antique Olive.
Mistake: Really wide margins with content squeezed in the middle.
Correct: Your margins should be at least one half inch. You really don't need more than one inch. Lots of students ask if their resumes have "enough white space." An employer isn't reading white space. Employers are reading your content, and you want it to be easy to see.
Mistake: Long wordy descriptions in your objective and elsewhere.
Correct: You don't need complete sentences in your resume. Concise, understandable phrases are sufficient. Look at the examples in resume formats and samples. Ask for a Career Services advisor's assistance in editing your resume through walk-in advising.
Mistake: Typos.
Correct: You have one chance to make a first impression. In many cases, your resume, or your resume plus a cover letter, are the only things an employer has to base an impression of you. The resume is a critical document for presenting yourself. The view is that if you would make a mistake on your resume, you'll probably make a lot more mistakes on the job. It's easy to miss your own typos. Use spellcheck, but remember it won't catch every error. Frightening example: If you leave the first "l" out of "public relations," spellcheck is not going to let you know. Get the idea? Ask friends to proofread.
Mistake: Using too complicated a format; getting too creative.
Correct: The employer typically spends about 15 to 30 seconds reading your resume. Keep the layout simple and clean (like the examples in resume formats and samples). Avoid too many layers of indentation. Stick with one font size for the document; only make your name larger. Don't mix font types.
Mistake: Using a unique, creative layout or style to stand out from the crowd.
Correct: The best way to stand out from the crowd is with high quality content and a clearly written, neat, error-free document. Employers are looking for content, not fancy or dangerously creative layout. Don't stand out for the wrong reason.
Mistake: Incorrect Contact Information
Correct: I once worked with a student whose resume seemed incredibly strong, but he wasn't getting any bites from employers. So one day, I jokingly asked him if the phone number he'd listed on his resume was correct. It wasn't. Once he changed it, he started getting the calls he'd been expecting. Moral of the story: Double-check even the most minute, taken-for-granted details -- sooner rather than later.
Mistake: Listing a personal web site that contains inappropriate content.
Correct: See listing your personal web site URL on your resume.
Mistake: Using really small fonts
Correct: Employers are typically reading many resumes, and are taking less than half a minute to read one. Really small fonts are hard to read and don't photocopy as well. (That applies to your address block as well.) What's too small? Generally don't go smaller than a 10 point, but notice that all font styles aren't sized equally. For example, a 10 point Arial font is smaller than a 10 point Antique Olive.
Mistake: Really wide margins with content squeezed in the middle.
Correct: Your margins should be at least one half inch. You really don't need more than one inch. Lots of students ask if their resumes have "enough white space." An employer isn't reading white space. Employers are reading your content, and you want it to be easy to see.
Mistake: Long wordy descriptions in your objective and elsewhere.
Correct: You don't need complete sentences in your resume. Concise, understandable phrases are sufficient. Look at the examples in resume formats and samples. Ask for a Career Services advisor's assistance in editing your resume through walk-in advising.
Mistake: Typos.
Correct: You have one chance to make a first impression. In many cases, your resume, or your resume plus a cover letter, are the only things an employer has to base an impression of you. The resume is a critical document for presenting yourself. The view is that if you would make a mistake on your resume, you'll probably make a lot more mistakes on the job. It's easy to miss your own typos. Use spellcheck, but remember it won't catch every error. Frightening example: If you leave the first "l" out of "public relations," spellcheck is not going to let you know. Get the idea? Ask friends to proofread.
Mistake: Using too complicated a format; getting too creative.
Correct: The employer typically spends about 15 to 30 seconds reading your resume. Keep the layout simple and clean (like the examples in resume formats and samples). Avoid too many layers of indentation. Stick with one font size for the document; only make your name larger. Don't mix font types.
Mistake: Using a unique, creative layout or style to stand out from the crowd.
Correct: The best way to stand out from the crowd is with high quality content and a clearly written, neat, error-free document. Employers are looking for content, not fancy or dangerously creative layout. Don't stand out for the wrong reason.
12 Special Resume Tips
Tips For Effective Resume Preparation
1. Overall appearance...
makes an immediately favorable impression
is inviting to read
is easy to read
looks professional
2. Contact information...
is clearly presented at the top.
includes address information; permanent and temporary
includes telephone number(s) where you can be reached day and night
3. Objective (optional; use if yours is specific)...
includes type and level of position sought
includes type and size of organization sought
emphasizes strongest qualifications and skills pertinent to desired job
4. Organization...
highlights strongest qualifications or credentials
uses headings to help establish common ground with employer
is brief - usually one page unless you have 5-10 years experience
5. Content...
demonstrates ability to do the job and speaks to employer's needs
supports and substantiates objective
stresses transferable professional skills, accomplishments, and results
contains only that personal data relevant to the job
omits racial, religious, or political affiliations
6. Education section includes...
most recent degree
list of other degrees or relevant training
name and location of university, college, or training institution
major, minor, and/or area(s) of concentration or interest
relevant coursework, skills, or knowledge
GPA, honors, and awards
percentage of educational expenses earned
7. Extracurricular activities section (optional) includes...
list of most impressive offices held, including title and organization
leadership roles and transferable skills
pertinent professional memberships
8. Experience section...
Each relevant paid, volunteer, extracurricular, intern, or co-op experience
dates position held
description of transferable skills, accomplishments, and effectiveness
specific examples of successes and results supporting your objective
examples that quantify results or successes
9. Language...
is expressed in succinct manner
uses action verbs to begin phrases
has short action-oriented phrases instead of complete sentences
is free from grammatical, spelling, and punctuation errors
is in active rather than passive voice
uses vocabulary of the field for which you are applying
10. Layout and space utilization...
is crisp and clean
separates sections and incorporates enough blank space for easy reading
centers text with adequate margins
11. Highlighting and emphasis...
uses bold type, underlining, different type styles and sizes
is well balanced
12. Printing and reproduction...
paper is high quality; heavy weight bond
paper is off-white, ivory, light tan, light gray, or other conventional color
reproduction is clear, clean and professional
print is letter quality, never photocopied
1. Overall appearance...
makes an immediately favorable impression
is inviting to read
is easy to read
looks professional
2. Contact information...
is clearly presented at the top.
includes address information; permanent and temporary
includes telephone number(s) where you can be reached day and night
3. Objective (optional; use if yours is specific)...
includes type and level of position sought
includes type and size of organization sought
emphasizes strongest qualifications and skills pertinent to desired job
4. Organization...
highlights strongest qualifications or credentials
uses headings to help establish common ground with employer
is brief - usually one page unless you have 5-10 years experience
5. Content...
demonstrates ability to do the job and speaks to employer's needs
supports and substantiates objective
stresses transferable professional skills, accomplishments, and results
contains only that personal data relevant to the job
omits racial, religious, or political affiliations
6. Education section includes...
most recent degree
list of other degrees or relevant training
name and location of university, college, or training institution
major, minor, and/or area(s) of concentration or interest
relevant coursework, skills, or knowledge
GPA, honors, and awards
percentage of educational expenses earned
7. Extracurricular activities section (optional) includes...
list of most impressive offices held, including title and organization
leadership roles and transferable skills
pertinent professional memberships
8. Experience section...
Each relevant paid, volunteer, extracurricular, intern, or co-op experience
dates position held
description of transferable skills, accomplishments, and effectiveness
specific examples of successes and results supporting your objective
examples that quantify results or successes
9. Language...
is expressed in succinct manner
uses action verbs to begin phrases
has short action-oriented phrases instead of complete sentences
is free from grammatical, spelling, and punctuation errors
is in active rather than passive voice
uses vocabulary of the field for which you are applying
10. Layout and space utilization...
is crisp and clean
separates sections and incorporates enough blank space for easy reading
centers text with adequate margins
11. Highlighting and emphasis...
uses bold type, underlining, different type styles and sizes
is well balanced
12. Printing and reproduction...
paper is high quality; heavy weight bond
paper is off-white, ivory, light tan, light gray, or other conventional color
reproduction is clear, clean and professional
print is letter quality, never photocopied
Basic 7 steps for preparing Resume
Step 1 Summarize your Qualifications.
Summarize your qualifications by writing a summary paragraph that highlights your professional background as it relates to the needs of the company. Hiring managers need to see immediately that you have the skills and experience they need. If an employer has to figure out what you can do for him, the odds are you won't get an interview.
Over 15 years of diverse and challenging experience, combined with powerful presentation skills, a disciplined approach to the task at hand and the innate ability to anticipate potential obstacles are attributes that contribute to a strong record of excellence and acknowledgement for "getting the job done."
An accomplished senior executive with outstanding credentials and a proven record of results……Constantly progressed in an organization that demands a broad business perspective to achieve accelerated growth in sales and profits.
Fourteen years experience with a major international organization on a career path which supported increased levels of responsibility in the areas of management, communication and training.
Over 12 years of technical sales and marketing experience including: electronic component sales knowledge of Unix, Pascal, Sun work station, Fortran new software business start-up and market presentation international marketing penetration.
The Objective
There is much debate regarding the inclusion/exclusion of a job objective-use your judgment. It is usually placed right under the heading. The job objective is a targeted, brief description of the specific kind of job you are seeking: legal administrator, bookkeeper, medical transcriber, diesel mechanic, etc. Avoid vagueness here, if you can't be specific leave it off the resume. It should be specific to the point of repeating what the advertisement/announcement stated. Since you may need a different resume for each opening you locate, you may also need to change the job objective. You can always discuss your objective in the cover letter.
Do not assume that any job objective is better than no job objective. If your objective is vague or unfocused, you will appear unable to decide what you want to do with the next part of your life. Target it to the specific kind of job you are seeking, e.g., secretary, bookkeeper, sales representative, medical transcriber, backhoe operator, etc.
Example: Position teaching science and/or math at the secondary school level. Position within a financial institution requiring strong analytical and organizational skills. The profile is an alternative to an objective statement. It gives you the opportunity to present your strengths at the very beginning of the résumé.
Example: Profile Marketing...Finance...Management
Eager to contribute to the growth of a progressive company with quality products or services. Qualified by business education, customer service and administrative experience. Professional appearance and advanced interpersonal communication. Highly motivated, strong work ethic; available as needed for training, travel, overtime, etc. Financed 80% of college tuition and expenses; additional 20% through scholarships. In writing the major areas of your résumé, it is important to emphasize your abilities and accomplishments more than past duties. You may also want to indicate how well you performed. This will help infuse personal qualities such as character and personality into your résumé.
Step 2 Education
This category is particularly important if you have not had a great deal of work experience. Remember, your most recent educational experience should be listed first.
Include your degree (A.S., B.S., B.A., etc.), major, institution(s) attended, date of graduation, minors or concentrations, and any special workshops, seminars, related coursework or senior projects. A G.P.A. of higher than a 3.0 (either overall G.P.A. or G.P.A. in major) should also be noted here.
Step 3 Work Experience
If you are a student, recent college graduate or have limited paid work experience, but have been involved in volunteer, internship, practicum or student teaching work experiences, be sure to point this out to the employer. This is what your skills are and what you can do on the job. Be sure to include all significant work experience in reverse chronological order.
Note to teacher candidates: Be sure to include your student teaching experience on your résumé.
You should include:
1.
The title of your position
2.
The name of the organization
3.
The location of work (town, state)
4.
The dates of jobs held
You should describe your work responsibilities with an emphasis on achievements using action words to communicate your skills. List the most important and related responsibilities first. Identify the most relevant work experiences and describe them fully. Be brief with the irrelevant experiences or omit them. It is sometimes useful to divide your work experience into two categories: Relevant Experience and Other Experience. You may want to add that work was performed to earn a certain percent of college expenses.
Example: Earned 75% of college expenses through the following part-time jobs
Step 4 Additional Information
This category is useful for displaying information that doesn't fit in any other category. Although Interests, Computer Knowledge, and Activities can be separate categories, especially if they are very strong, they can be listed here as well. Languages spoken, or any extra, relevant bit of information can be placed here as well.
Interests
This is sometimes used to evaluate your suitability to a geographic area or to understand your "personality type". Include this section if you have available space. Include social or civic activities, health and fitness or sports activities, or hobbies which indicate how you spend your leisure time. Computer Knowledge: If using computers is a necessary skill for the job you are seeking, be sure to highlight your knowledge in this section.
Example:
Databases: Oracle 8.x, SQL Server, Sybase
Client/Server: Power Builder 3.x/4.x/5.x/6.x/7.x, Visual Basic Oracle Skills: SQL, PL/SQL, Replication, Database Administration, Oracle Web toolkit
Web skills: HTML, XML, Sybase EA Server, Power Dynamo, Power Site, Jaguar Component Transaction Server, Oracle Application Server Data modeling: Erwin Object modeling: Rational Rose, BPWin
Hardware: Sun Workstations Operating Systems: Windows NT, UNIX Programming Languages: Java, C, C++, Perl
Activities, Honors, and Leadership are also important categories to include. If the activities involved work responsibility, note it in some detail. The employer is interested in the skills you have developed whether through volunteer or paid experiences. If you were elected to offices or committees, mention it. Recognition and demonstration of leadership roles are valuable.
Step 5 References
Be sure to ask individuals if they would be willing to be a reference for you prior to mentioning their names to prospective employers. Names of individuals are not usually listed on the résumé (unless there is space available at the end), but you should prepare a typed list of three references to provide at the interview. This list should include name, title, employer, address, business and home telephone number. You may also state at the bottom of your résumé "References furnished upon request."
Step 6 Power Words
Employers today want to know concrete things about you, and what you can produce. Most résumés today are filled with empty generalizations, failing to be distinguished in any way from the crowd of respondents. By beginning sentences with Action or Power Words, you are showing employers you are capable of tactical strategic thinking and have proven results. Here are some Power Words to get you started:
*
accelerated
*
accomplished
*
achieved
*
adapted
*
administered
*
analyzed
*
approved
*
conceived
*
conducted
*
completed
*
controlled
*
coordinated
*
created
*
delegated
*
demonstrated
*
designed
*
developed
*
directed
*
earned
*
effected
*
eliminated
*
established
*
evaluated
*
expanded
*
expedited
*
facilitated
*
found
*
generated
*
implemented
*
improved
*
increased
*
influenced
*
initiated
*
inspected
*
instructed
*
interpreted
*
launched
*
led
*
lectured
*
maintained
*
managed
*
mastered
*
motivated
*
operated
*
ordered
*
originated
*
organized
*
participated
*
performed
*
pinpointed
*
planned
*
prepared
*
produced
*
programmed
*
proposed
*
proved
*
provided
*
proficient in
*
purchased
*
recommended
*
reduced
*
reinforced
*
reorganized
*
revamped
*
reviewed
*
revised
*
scheduled
*
simplified
*
set up
*
solved
*
streamlined
*
structured
*
supervised
*
supported
*
surpassed
*
taught
*
trained
*
translated
*
used
*
utilized
*
won
*
wrote
Step 7 The Cover Letter
Never send a résumé without a cover letter. The purpose of a cover letter is to express your interest in an organization and to request an interview. The opening paragraph must get the reader's attention and interest in your employment potential. This paragraph should also refer to the specific position sought and areas in your background that make you an attractive candidate for it.
The development section (usually one or two paragraphs) highlights specific aspects of your education, training, and experience that relate to the position or organization to which you are applying. It also refers the reader to your enclosed résumé for further details.
The concluding paragraph should request action by the reader. You should request an opportunity to meet with the person to discuss your qualifications and employment potential in greater detail. Include information on how you can be contacted by providing both day and evening phone numbers.
Important: If you are expecting a prospective employer to contact you at home and you have an answering machine, this may be a good time to review your outgoing message. This is the employers first contact with you. Be sure your outgoing message is respectable
Summarize your qualifications by writing a summary paragraph that highlights your professional background as it relates to the needs of the company. Hiring managers need to see immediately that you have the skills and experience they need. If an employer has to figure out what you can do for him, the odds are you won't get an interview.
Over 15 years of diverse and challenging experience, combined with powerful presentation skills, a disciplined approach to the task at hand and the innate ability to anticipate potential obstacles are attributes that contribute to a strong record of excellence and acknowledgement for "getting the job done."
An accomplished senior executive with outstanding credentials and a proven record of results……Constantly progressed in an organization that demands a broad business perspective to achieve accelerated growth in sales and profits.
Fourteen years experience with a major international organization on a career path which supported increased levels of responsibility in the areas of management, communication and training.
Over 12 years of technical sales and marketing experience including: electronic component sales knowledge of Unix, Pascal, Sun work station, Fortran new software business start-up and market presentation international marketing penetration.
The Objective
There is much debate regarding the inclusion/exclusion of a job objective-use your judgment. It is usually placed right under the heading. The job objective is a targeted, brief description of the specific kind of job you are seeking: legal administrator, bookkeeper, medical transcriber, diesel mechanic, etc. Avoid vagueness here, if you can't be specific leave it off the resume. It should be specific to the point of repeating what the advertisement/announcement stated. Since you may need a different resume for each opening you locate, you may also need to change the job objective. You can always discuss your objective in the cover letter.
Do not assume that any job objective is better than no job objective. If your objective is vague or unfocused, you will appear unable to decide what you want to do with the next part of your life. Target it to the specific kind of job you are seeking, e.g., secretary, bookkeeper, sales representative, medical transcriber, backhoe operator, etc.
Example: Position teaching science and/or math at the secondary school level. Position within a financial institution requiring strong analytical and organizational skills. The profile is an alternative to an objective statement. It gives you the opportunity to present your strengths at the very beginning of the résumé.
Example: Profile Marketing...Finance...Management
Eager to contribute to the growth of a progressive company with quality products or services. Qualified by business education, customer service and administrative experience. Professional appearance and advanced interpersonal communication. Highly motivated, strong work ethic; available as needed for training, travel, overtime, etc. Financed 80% of college tuition and expenses; additional 20% through scholarships. In writing the major areas of your résumé, it is important to emphasize your abilities and accomplishments more than past duties. You may also want to indicate how well you performed. This will help infuse personal qualities such as character and personality into your résumé.
Step 2 Education
This category is particularly important if you have not had a great deal of work experience. Remember, your most recent educational experience should be listed first.
Include your degree (A.S., B.S., B.A., etc.), major, institution(s) attended, date of graduation, minors or concentrations, and any special workshops, seminars, related coursework or senior projects. A G.P.A. of higher than a 3.0 (either overall G.P.A. or G.P.A. in major) should also be noted here.
Step 3 Work Experience
If you are a student, recent college graduate or have limited paid work experience, but have been involved in volunteer, internship, practicum or student teaching work experiences, be sure to point this out to the employer. This is what your skills are and what you can do on the job. Be sure to include all significant work experience in reverse chronological order.
Note to teacher candidates: Be sure to include your student teaching experience on your résumé.
You should include:
1.
The title of your position
2.
The name of the organization
3.
The location of work (town, state)
4.
The dates of jobs held
You should describe your work responsibilities with an emphasis on achievements using action words to communicate your skills. List the most important and related responsibilities first. Identify the most relevant work experiences and describe them fully. Be brief with the irrelevant experiences or omit them. It is sometimes useful to divide your work experience into two categories: Relevant Experience and Other Experience. You may want to add that work was performed to earn a certain percent of college expenses.
Example: Earned 75% of college expenses through the following part-time jobs
Step 4 Additional Information
This category is useful for displaying information that doesn't fit in any other category. Although Interests, Computer Knowledge, and Activities can be separate categories, especially if they are very strong, they can be listed here as well. Languages spoken, or any extra, relevant bit of information can be placed here as well.
Interests
This is sometimes used to evaluate your suitability to a geographic area or to understand your "personality type". Include this section if you have available space. Include social or civic activities, health and fitness or sports activities, or hobbies which indicate how you spend your leisure time. Computer Knowledge: If using computers is a necessary skill for the job you are seeking, be sure to highlight your knowledge in this section.
Example:
Databases: Oracle 8.x, SQL Server, Sybase
Client/Server: Power Builder 3.x/4.x/5.x/6.x/7.x, Visual Basic Oracle Skills: SQL, PL/SQL, Replication, Database Administration, Oracle Web toolkit
Web skills: HTML, XML, Sybase EA Server, Power Dynamo, Power Site, Jaguar Component Transaction Server, Oracle Application Server Data modeling: Erwin Object modeling: Rational Rose, BPWin
Hardware: Sun Workstations Operating Systems: Windows NT, UNIX Programming Languages: Java, C, C++, Perl
Activities, Honors, and Leadership are also important categories to include. If the activities involved work responsibility, note it in some detail. The employer is interested in the skills you have developed whether through volunteer or paid experiences. If you were elected to offices or committees, mention it. Recognition and demonstration of leadership roles are valuable.
Step 5 References
Be sure to ask individuals if they would be willing to be a reference for you prior to mentioning their names to prospective employers. Names of individuals are not usually listed on the résumé (unless there is space available at the end), but you should prepare a typed list of three references to provide at the interview. This list should include name, title, employer, address, business and home telephone number. You may also state at the bottom of your résumé "References furnished upon request."
Step 6 Power Words
Employers today want to know concrete things about you, and what you can produce. Most résumés today are filled with empty generalizations, failing to be distinguished in any way from the crowd of respondents. By beginning sentences with Action or Power Words, you are showing employers you are capable of tactical strategic thinking and have proven results. Here are some Power Words to get you started:
*
accelerated
*
accomplished
*
achieved
*
adapted
*
administered
*
analyzed
*
approved
*
conceived
*
conducted
*
completed
*
controlled
*
coordinated
*
created
*
delegated
*
demonstrated
*
designed
*
developed
*
directed
*
earned
*
effected
*
eliminated
*
established
*
evaluated
*
expanded
*
expedited
*
facilitated
*
found
*
generated
*
implemented
*
improved
*
increased
*
influenced
*
initiated
*
inspected
*
instructed
*
interpreted
*
launched
*
led
*
lectured
*
maintained
*
managed
*
mastered
*
motivated
*
operated
*
ordered
*
originated
*
organized
*
participated
*
performed
*
pinpointed
*
planned
*
prepared
*
produced
*
programmed
*
proposed
*
proved
*
provided
*
proficient in
*
purchased
*
recommended
*
reduced
*
reinforced
*
reorganized
*
revamped
*
reviewed
*
revised
*
scheduled
*
simplified
*
set up
*
solved
*
streamlined
*
structured
*
supervised
*
supported
*
surpassed
*
taught
*
trained
*
translated
*
used
*
utilized
*
won
*
wrote
Step 7 The Cover Letter
Never send a résumé without a cover letter. The purpose of a cover letter is to express your interest in an organization and to request an interview. The opening paragraph must get the reader's attention and interest in your employment potential. This paragraph should also refer to the specific position sought and areas in your background that make you an attractive candidate for it.
The development section (usually one or two paragraphs) highlights specific aspects of your education, training, and experience that relate to the position or organization to which you are applying. It also refers the reader to your enclosed résumé for further details.
The concluding paragraph should request action by the reader. You should request an opportunity to meet with the person to discuss your qualifications and employment potential in greater detail. Include information on how you can be contacted by providing both day and evening phone numbers.
Important: If you are expecting a prospective employer to contact you at home and you have an answering machine, this may be a good time to review your outgoing message. This is the employers first contact with you. Be sure your outgoing message is respectable
Types of Resume
Types Of Resumes
The chronological and functional resumes, or some combination of these two formats, are the standard types of resumes used by job seekers in today's employment market. To select the type which best supports your needs, review the following information. Many professional recruiters discount functional resumes and consider them as a "red flag", since many applicants use them to disguise a lack of experience or unstable work history.
Chronological Resume (Preferred)
In this type of resume, job history is organized chronologically with the most recent information first. Job titles and organizations are emphasized and duties and accomplishments are described in detail. A chronological
resume is easy to read, since it highlights names of employers and job titles, and emphasizes career growth. It is best suited to those whose career goals are clear and whose job objectives are aligned with their work history.
A chronological resume is advantageous when:
1. your recent employers and/or job titles are impressive;
2. you are staying in the same career field;
3. your job history shows progress;
4. you are working in a field where traditional job search methods are
utilized (e.g., education, government).
A chronological resume is disadvantageous when:
1. you are changing careers;
2. you have changed employers frequently;
3. you want to de-emphasize age;
4. you have been absent from the job market.
Functional Resume
Stay away from a function resume if at all possible. In a functional resume, skills and accomplishments developed through work, academic, and community experiences are highlighted. Your skills and potential can be stressed and lack of experience or possible gaps in work history de-emphasized. However, it is important to realize employers often view functional resumes more critically for these very same reasons.
The functional resume is advantageous when:
1. you want to emphasize capabilities not used in recent work experience;
2. you want to emphasize personal qualities relevant to the job such
as industriousness, cooperative attitude, related interests, and aptitudes;
3. you want to focus on capabilities rather than lengthy employment history;
4. you are changing careers/re-entering the job market;
5. your career growth in the past has not been continuous and progressive;
6. you have a variety of unrelated work experiences;
7. your work has been free-lance, consulting, or temporary in nature.
The functional resume is disadvantageous when:
1. you have little work experience;
2. you want to emphasize promotions and career growth;
3. you are working in highly traditional fields, such as teaching,
accounting, and politics, where employers should be highlighted.
Combination Resume
This format combines the best elements of the chronological and functional types. It presents patterns of accomplishments and skills in a section headed "Areas of Effectiveness" or "Qualifications Summary." But it also includes a brief work history and education summary. This format is advantageous for those who wish to change to a job in a related car
The chronological and functional resumes, or some combination of these two formats, are the standard types of resumes used by job seekers in today's employment market. To select the type which best supports your needs, review the following information. Many professional recruiters discount functional resumes and consider them as a "red flag", since many applicants use them to disguise a lack of experience or unstable work history.
Chronological Resume (Preferred)
In this type of resume, job history is organized chronologically with the most recent information first. Job titles and organizations are emphasized and duties and accomplishments are described in detail. A chronological
resume is easy to read, since it highlights names of employers and job titles, and emphasizes career growth. It is best suited to those whose career goals are clear and whose job objectives are aligned with their work history.
A chronological resume is advantageous when:
1. your recent employers and/or job titles are impressive;
2. you are staying in the same career field;
3. your job history shows progress;
4. you are working in a field where traditional job search methods are
utilized (e.g., education, government).
A chronological resume is disadvantageous when:
1. you are changing careers;
2. you have changed employers frequently;
3. you want to de-emphasize age;
4. you have been absent from the job market.
Functional Resume
Stay away from a function resume if at all possible. In a functional resume, skills and accomplishments developed through work, academic, and community experiences are highlighted. Your skills and potential can be stressed and lack of experience or possible gaps in work history de-emphasized. However, it is important to realize employers often view functional resumes more critically for these very same reasons.
The functional resume is advantageous when:
1. you want to emphasize capabilities not used in recent work experience;
2. you want to emphasize personal qualities relevant to the job such
as industriousness, cooperative attitude, related interests, and aptitudes;
3. you want to focus on capabilities rather than lengthy employment history;
4. you are changing careers/re-entering the job market;
5. your career growth in the past has not been continuous and progressive;
6. you have a variety of unrelated work experiences;
7. your work has been free-lance, consulting, or temporary in nature.
The functional resume is disadvantageous when:
1. you have little work experience;
2. you want to emphasize promotions and career growth;
3. you are working in highly traditional fields, such as teaching,
accounting, and politics, where employers should be highlighted.
Combination Resume
This format combines the best elements of the chronological and functional types. It presents patterns of accomplishments and skills in a section headed "Areas of Effectiveness" or "Qualifications Summary." But it also includes a brief work history and education summary. This format is advantageous for those who wish to change to a job in a related car
Golden Rules for Resume
Resume Preparation
In preparing to write your resume, remember that you can only count on an employer to spend twenty seconds scanning your resume before deciding whether to review it further or put it aside. The key is to design the format in such a way that it leads the employer's eye to words that speak to his/her needs. Obviously then, effective resumes are developed by individuals who have thoroughly researched the organizations they want to work for, have identified the specific job they want, and have figured out what they have to offer.
In addition, well designed resumes have these characteristics in common:
1. Visual appeal, easy to read layout, and high quality reproduction;
2. Highlights strengths and links them to employer's needs; minimizes or
excludes irrelevant experience;
3. Presents the most important information first;
4. Entirely free from any errors: spelling, typographical, punctuation, or grammatical;
5. Succinct and organized; does not exceed two pages.
point out that the categories of information you include on your resume should provide answers to these questions:
1. Contact section: Who are you and how can you be reached?
2. Objective statement: What do you want to do?
3. Education section: What have you learned?
4. Experience/Employment section: What can you do? What have you done?
5. Professional activities and accomplishments: How have you been recognized?
6. Miscellaneous: What else do they want to know about you?
Sequence the categories according to what is most important to the employer and your career objective. A recent college graduate with limited experience should usually put the education section first since it is the most significant qualification. Education should also be listed first when, as in the case of teaching, law, medicine, or engineering, education is a qualifying requirement. In a situation where an applicant wants to
emphasize significant work or extracurricular experience or when an employer seeks to fill jobs in fields such as sales, public relations, or merchandising, the experience or work history category may be listed first.
1. Contact Information
Begin your resume with your name by capitalizing or using bold type. Include street address, city, state, and zip code. Include phone number(s) where you can be reached weekdays, 9am-5pm. Designate your home phone with an "H," and work number with "W," or a "Messages" number.
2. Career/Job Objective
This is recommended only for recent graduates or entry level personnel. Experience and professional job seekers rarely include it. This component of the resume can be very challenging to write. The purpose of the objective statement is to inform the reader of your career goals and qualifications. The statement should be written specifically enough to let the reader know that you have a focus to your job search. If you are considering a variety of objectives, you may want to relay the relevant objective in an accompanying cover letter.
3. Educational Highlights
This section is most effective when you have experiences from your education that are impressive and/or directly relate to your objective. Adding this section is useful when you have developed skills and specific knowledge through your education rather than work experience. This section can be used to highlight coursework, research, or special knowledge that complements your objective. This information is useful in a resume of entry level candidates and recent graduates.
An alternative to highlighting courses is to list the skills and knowledge acquired through important courses and research.
Examples: Developed model investment portfolio for Fortune 500 company. Analyzed revenue and expense history using state-of-the-art computer simulation programs. Designed promotional campaign for new service a targeted market.
Summary information about your undergraduate and graduate education should be included in your resume. List the name and location of the school, time period or date of degree, the degree received, and academic honors, e.g. Phi Beta Kappa, significant scholarships or fellowships. You may also list any continuing education and significant professional training but do not list every course or seminar you have attended. In general, the more recently you have attended college, the more education related information you may want to provide as you will most likely have relatively less work experience.
Start with your most recent degree or the program in which you are currently enrolled. List other degrees or relevant education in reverse chronological order.
Highlight your degree by using bold type, capital letters or underlining.
If the degree is relevant to your job objective, begin with degree and emphasis, followed by university, location of university, and date of graduation or anticipated date of graduation. Example: M.P.A., Masters of Public Administration, Annamalai University, Annamalai nagar, TN, India, May 1995.
If degree/program is not directly related to current job objective, begin with the university, followed by the location, degree and emphasis, and graduation date.
If you are within two semesters of graduation, do not use "expected" or "anticipated" with month/year of graduation.
If you are an entry level candidate or recent graduate and have a high GPA, include it on your resume. You may want to highlight your GPA on a new line, or in an educational highlights section. Note: Some employers believe no GPA on a resume indicates an poor GPA. Employers hiring experienced professionals generally care only that you have the degree.
If your education relates to your objective and is within the past three years, it should be the first section. If not, education should follow the work experience section of your resume.
4. Employment and or Experience Summary
A brief summary of qualifications can condense an extensive background by emphasizing experiences and accomplishments in brief phrases. The qualifications summary is accomplishment-oriented and provides an overview of your work experience. A summary is most appropriated for someone with substantial experience, for someone who is changing careers and wants to demonstrate transferable skills, or for someone with an eclectic background.
In general, you should list, in successive order for each position you have held, your employer, position title, dates (year to year), a brief description of your position, and accomplishments. You need to devote little space to explain commonly known responsibilities for positions such as city manager, police chief or public works director. You will probably devote more space for positions such as assistant city manager, city engineer, and similar jobs. You should also indicate the size of the budget and number of employees for whom you were responsible. Give brief, illustrative examples of your responsibilities and accomplishments. This is where you have the opportunity to tailor (while being accurate and truthful) your resume to what the employer is seeking. At least for your current position, indicate your base salary, not the top of your range.
Begin with your current/most recent position and work backward, chronologically. Devote more space to recent employment.
If your job titles relate to your current job objective, start each position description with job titles. If not, begin with the organization.
Follow job title and organizational information with the organization's city and state.
Use the first and last month and year to describe dates of employment.
Describe the last three to five positions in detail. Summarize earlier positions unless relevant to your objective.
Do not show every position change with each employer. Only list the most recent and describe promotions.
Do not repeat skills that are common to several positions.
Within each listed position, stress the major accomplishments and responsibilities that demonstrate your competency. It is not necessary to include all responsibilities, as they will be assumed by employers.
Tailor your position descriptions to future job/career objectives.
One-page resumes are preferred for entry-level positions.
Two-Three page resumes are preferred for experienced persons.
5.Professional Activities and Accomplishments
This part of your resume offers you the opportunity to provide insight into your career development. You should be selective and complete, listing such items as memberships in professional associations and offices held, professional registrations, honors received, and major articles or publications you have written. Do not list every article or every speech you may have given or every conference you have attended. Emphasize quality - this section of the resume should help you to demonstrate you are current and active in your profession.
In preparing to write your resume, remember that you can only count on an employer to spend twenty seconds scanning your resume before deciding whether to review it further or put it aside. The key is to design the format in such a way that it leads the employer's eye to words that speak to his/her needs. Obviously then, effective resumes are developed by individuals who have thoroughly researched the organizations they want to work for, have identified the specific job they want, and have figured out what they have to offer.
In addition, well designed resumes have these characteristics in common:
1. Visual appeal, easy to read layout, and high quality reproduction;
2. Highlights strengths and links them to employer's needs; minimizes or
excludes irrelevant experience;
3. Presents the most important information first;
4. Entirely free from any errors: spelling, typographical, punctuation, or grammatical;
5. Succinct and organized; does not exceed two pages.
point out that the categories of information you include on your resume should provide answers to these questions:
1. Contact section: Who are you and how can you be reached?
2. Objective statement: What do you want to do?
3. Education section: What have you learned?
4. Experience/Employment section: What can you do? What have you done?
5. Professional activities and accomplishments: How have you been recognized?
6. Miscellaneous: What else do they want to know about you?
Sequence the categories according to what is most important to the employer and your career objective. A recent college graduate with limited experience should usually put the education section first since it is the most significant qualification. Education should also be listed first when, as in the case of teaching, law, medicine, or engineering, education is a qualifying requirement. In a situation where an applicant wants to
emphasize significant work or extracurricular experience or when an employer seeks to fill jobs in fields such as sales, public relations, or merchandising, the experience or work history category may be listed first.
1. Contact Information
Begin your resume with your name by capitalizing or using bold type. Include street address, city, state, and zip code. Include phone number(s) where you can be reached weekdays, 9am-5pm. Designate your home phone with an "H," and work number with "W," or a "Messages" number.
2. Career/Job Objective
This is recommended only for recent graduates or entry level personnel. Experience and professional job seekers rarely include it. This component of the resume can be very challenging to write. The purpose of the objective statement is to inform the reader of your career goals and qualifications. The statement should be written specifically enough to let the reader know that you have a focus to your job search. If you are considering a variety of objectives, you may want to relay the relevant objective in an accompanying cover letter.
3. Educational Highlights
This section is most effective when you have experiences from your education that are impressive and/or directly relate to your objective. Adding this section is useful when you have developed skills and specific knowledge through your education rather than work experience. This section can be used to highlight coursework, research, or special knowledge that complements your objective. This information is useful in a resume of entry level candidates and recent graduates.
An alternative to highlighting courses is to list the skills and knowledge acquired through important courses and research.
Examples: Developed model investment portfolio for Fortune 500 company. Analyzed revenue and expense history using state-of-the-art computer simulation programs. Designed promotional campaign for new service a targeted market.
Summary information about your undergraduate and graduate education should be included in your resume. List the name and location of the school, time period or date of degree, the degree received, and academic honors, e.g. Phi Beta Kappa, significant scholarships or fellowships. You may also list any continuing education and significant professional training but do not list every course or seminar you have attended. In general, the more recently you have attended college, the more education related information you may want to provide as you will most likely have relatively less work experience.
Start with your most recent degree or the program in which you are currently enrolled. List other degrees or relevant education in reverse chronological order.
Highlight your degree by using bold type, capital letters or underlining.
If the degree is relevant to your job objective, begin with degree and emphasis, followed by university, location of university, and date of graduation or anticipated date of graduation. Example: M.P.A., Masters of Public Administration, Annamalai University, Annamalai nagar, TN, India, May 1995.
If degree/program is not directly related to current job objective, begin with the university, followed by the location, degree and emphasis, and graduation date.
If you are within two semesters of graduation, do not use "expected" or "anticipated" with month/year of graduation.
If you are an entry level candidate or recent graduate and have a high GPA, include it on your resume. You may want to highlight your GPA on a new line, or in an educational highlights section. Note: Some employers believe no GPA on a resume indicates an poor GPA. Employers hiring experienced professionals generally care only that you have the degree.
If your education relates to your objective and is within the past three years, it should be the first section. If not, education should follow the work experience section of your resume.
4. Employment and or Experience Summary
A brief summary of qualifications can condense an extensive background by emphasizing experiences and accomplishments in brief phrases. The qualifications summary is accomplishment-oriented and provides an overview of your work experience. A summary is most appropriated for someone with substantial experience, for someone who is changing careers and wants to demonstrate transferable skills, or for someone with an eclectic background.
In general, you should list, in successive order for each position you have held, your employer, position title, dates (year to year), a brief description of your position, and accomplishments. You need to devote little space to explain commonly known responsibilities for positions such as city manager, police chief or public works director. You will probably devote more space for positions such as assistant city manager, city engineer, and similar jobs. You should also indicate the size of the budget and number of employees for whom you were responsible. Give brief, illustrative examples of your responsibilities and accomplishments. This is where you have the opportunity to tailor (while being accurate and truthful) your resume to what the employer is seeking. At least for your current position, indicate your base salary, not the top of your range.
Begin with your current/most recent position and work backward, chronologically. Devote more space to recent employment.
If your job titles relate to your current job objective, start each position description with job titles. If not, begin with the organization.
Follow job title and organizational information with the organization's city and state.
Use the first and last month and year to describe dates of employment.
Describe the last three to five positions in detail. Summarize earlier positions unless relevant to your objective.
Do not show every position change with each employer. Only list the most recent and describe promotions.
Do not repeat skills that are common to several positions.
Within each listed position, stress the major accomplishments and responsibilities that demonstrate your competency. It is not necessary to include all responsibilities, as they will be assumed by employers.
Tailor your position descriptions to future job/career objectives.
One-page resumes are preferred for entry-level positions.
Two-Three page resumes are preferred for experienced persons.
5.Professional Activities and Accomplishments
This part of your resume offers you the opportunity to provide insight into your career development. You should be selective and complete, listing such items as memberships in professional associations and offices held, professional registrations, honors received, and major articles or publications you have written. Do not list every article or every speech you may have given or every conference you have attended. Emphasize quality - this section of the resume should help you to demonstrate you are current and active in your profession.
Resume Prepratration Tips
Resume Preparation
In preparing to write your resume, remember that you can only count on an employer to spend twenty seconds scanning your resume before deciding whether to review it further or put it aside. The key is to design the format in such a way that it leads the employer's eye to words that speak to his/her needs. Obviously then, effective resumes are developed by individuals who have thoroughly researched the organizations they want to work for, have identified the specific job they want, and have figured out what they have to offer.
In addition, well designed resumes have these characteristics in common:
1. Visual appeal, easy to read layout, and high quality reproduction;
2. Highlights strengths and links them to employer's needs; minimizes or
excludes irrelevant experience;
3. Presents the most important information first;
4. Entirely free from any errors: spelling, typographical, punctuation, or grammatical;
5. Succinct and organized; does not exceed two pages.
point out that the categories of information you include on your resume should provide answers to these questions:
1. Contact section: Who are you and how can you be reached?
2. Objective statement: What do you want to do?
3. Education section: What have you learned?
4. Experience/Employment section: What can you do? What have you done?
5. Professional activities and accomplishments: How have you been recognized?
6. Miscellaneous: What else do they want to know about you?
Sequence the categories according to what is most important to the employer and your career objective. A recent college graduate with limited experience should usually put the education section first since it is the most significant qualification. Education should also be listed first when, as in the case of teaching, law, medicine, or engineering, education is a qualifying requirement. In a situation where an applicant wants to
emphasize significant work or extracurricular experience or when an employer seeks to fill jobs in fields such as sales, public relations, or merchandising, the experience or work history category may be listed first.
1. Contact Information
Begin your resume with your name by capitalizing or using bold type. Include street address, city, state, and zip code. Include phone number(s) where you can be reached weekdays, 9am-5pm. Designate your home phone with an "H," and work number with "W," or a "Messages" number.
2. Career/Job Objective
This is recommended only for recent graduates or entry level personnel. Experience and professional job seekers rarely include it. This component of the resume can be very challenging to write. The purpose of the objective statement is to inform the reader of your career goals and qualifications. The statement should be written specifically enough to let the reader know that you have a focus to your job search. If you are considering a variety of objectives, you may want to relay the relevant objective in an accompanying cover letter.
3. Educational Highlights
This section is most effective when you have experiences from your education that are impressive and/or directly relate to your objective. Adding this section is useful when you have developed skills and specific knowledge through your education rather than work experience. This section can be used to highlight coursework, research, or special knowledge that complements your objective. This information is useful in a resume of entry level candidates and recent graduates.
An alternative to highlighting courses is to list the skills and knowledge acquired through important courses and research.
Examples: Developed model investment portfolio for Fortune 500 company. Analyzed revenue and expense history using state-of-the-art computer simulation programs. Designed promotional campaign for new service a targeted market.
Summary information about your undergraduate and graduate education should be included in your resume. List the name and location of the school, time period or date of degree, the degree received, and academic honors, e.g. Phi Beta Kappa, significant scholarships or fellowships. You may also list any continuing education and significant professional training but do not list every course or seminar you have attended. In general, the more recently you have attended college, the more education related information you may want to provide as you will most likely have relatively less work experience.
Start with your most recent degree or the program in which you are currently enrolled. List other degrees or relevant education in reverse chronological order.
Highlight your degree by using bold type, capital letters or underlining.
If the degree is relevant to your job objective, begin with degree and emphasis, followed by university, location of university, and date of graduation or anticipated date of graduation. Example: M.P.A., Masters of Public Administration, Annamalai University, Annamalai nagar, TN, India, May 1995.
If degree/program is not directly related to current job objective, begin with the university, followed by the location, degree and emphasis, and graduation date.
If you are within two semesters of graduation, do not use "expected" or "anticipated" with month/year of graduation.
If you are an entry level candidate or recent graduate and have a high GPA, include it on your resume. You may want to highlight your GPA on a new line, or in an educational highlights section. Note: Some employers believe no GPA on a resume indicates an poor GPA. Employers hiring experienced professionals generally care only that you have the degree.
If your education relates to your objective and is within the past three years, it should be the first section. If not, education should follow the work experience section of your resume.
4. Employment and or Experience Summary
A brief summary of qualifications can condense an extensive background by emphasizing experiences and accomplishments in brief phrases. The qualifications summary is accomplishment-oriented and provides an overview of your work experience. A summary is most appropriated for someone with substantial experience, for someone who is changing careers and wants to demonstrate transferable skills, or for someone with an eclectic background.
In general, you should list, in successive order for each position you have held, your employer, position title, dates (year to year), a brief description of your position, and accomplishments. You need to devote little space to explain commonly known responsibilities for positions such as city manager, police chief or public works director. You will probably devote more space for positions such as assistant city manager, city engineer, and similar jobs. You should also indicate the size of the budget and number of employees for whom you were responsible. Give brief, illustrative examples of your responsibilities and accomplishments. This is where you have the opportunity to tailor (while being accurate and truthful) your resume to what the employer is seeking. At least for your current position, indicate your base salary, not the top of your range.
Begin with your current/most recent position and work backward, chronologically. Devote more space to recent employment.
If your job titles relate to your current job objective, start each position description with job titles. If not, begin with the organization.
Follow job title and organizational information with the organization's city and state.
Use the first and last month and year to describe dates of employment.
Describe the last three to five positions in detail. Summarize earlier positions unless relevant to your objective.
Do not show every position change with each employer. Only list the most recent and describe promotions.
Do not repeat skills that are common to several positions.
Within each listed position, stress the major accomplishments and responsibilities that demonstrate your competency. It is not necessary to include all responsibilities, as they will be assumed by employers.
Tailor your position descriptions to future job/career objectives.
One-page resumes are preferred for entry-level positions.
Two-Three page resumes are preferred for experienced persons.
5.Professional Activities and Accomplishments
This part of your resume offers you the opportunity to provide insight into your career development. You should be selective and complete, listing such items as memberships in professional associations and offices held, professional registrations, honors received, and major articles or publications you have written. Do not list every article or every speech you may have given or every conference you have attended. Emphasize quality - this section of the resume should help you to demonstrate you are current and active in your profession.
In preparing to write your resume, remember that you can only count on an employer to spend twenty seconds scanning your resume before deciding whether to review it further or put it aside. The key is to design the format in such a way that it leads the employer's eye to words that speak to his/her needs. Obviously then, effective resumes are developed by individuals who have thoroughly researched the organizations they want to work for, have identified the specific job they want, and have figured out what they have to offer.
In addition, well designed resumes have these characteristics in common:
1. Visual appeal, easy to read layout, and high quality reproduction;
2. Highlights strengths and links them to employer's needs; minimizes or
excludes irrelevant experience;
3. Presents the most important information first;
4. Entirely free from any errors: spelling, typographical, punctuation, or grammatical;
5. Succinct and organized; does not exceed two pages.
point out that the categories of information you include on your resume should provide answers to these questions:
1. Contact section: Who are you and how can you be reached?
2. Objective statement: What do you want to do?
3. Education section: What have you learned?
4. Experience/Employment section: What can you do? What have you done?
5. Professional activities and accomplishments: How have you been recognized?
6. Miscellaneous: What else do they want to know about you?
Sequence the categories according to what is most important to the employer and your career objective. A recent college graduate with limited experience should usually put the education section first since it is the most significant qualification. Education should also be listed first when, as in the case of teaching, law, medicine, or engineering, education is a qualifying requirement. In a situation where an applicant wants to
emphasize significant work or extracurricular experience or when an employer seeks to fill jobs in fields such as sales, public relations, or merchandising, the experience or work history category may be listed first.
1. Contact Information
Begin your resume with your name by capitalizing or using bold type. Include street address, city, state, and zip code. Include phone number(s) where you can be reached weekdays, 9am-5pm. Designate your home phone with an "H," and work number with "W," or a "Messages" number.
2. Career/Job Objective
This is recommended only for recent graduates or entry level personnel. Experience and professional job seekers rarely include it. This component of the resume can be very challenging to write. The purpose of the objective statement is to inform the reader of your career goals and qualifications. The statement should be written specifically enough to let the reader know that you have a focus to your job search. If you are considering a variety of objectives, you may want to relay the relevant objective in an accompanying cover letter.
3. Educational Highlights
This section is most effective when you have experiences from your education that are impressive and/or directly relate to your objective. Adding this section is useful when you have developed skills and specific knowledge through your education rather than work experience. This section can be used to highlight coursework, research, or special knowledge that complements your objective. This information is useful in a resume of entry level candidates and recent graduates.
An alternative to highlighting courses is to list the skills and knowledge acquired through important courses and research.
Examples: Developed model investment portfolio for Fortune 500 company. Analyzed revenue and expense history using state-of-the-art computer simulation programs. Designed promotional campaign for new service a targeted market.
Summary information about your undergraduate and graduate education should be included in your resume. List the name and location of the school, time period or date of degree, the degree received, and academic honors, e.g. Phi Beta Kappa, significant scholarships or fellowships. You may also list any continuing education and significant professional training but do not list every course or seminar you have attended. In general, the more recently you have attended college, the more education related information you may want to provide as you will most likely have relatively less work experience.
Start with your most recent degree or the program in which you are currently enrolled. List other degrees or relevant education in reverse chronological order.
Highlight your degree by using bold type, capital letters or underlining.
If the degree is relevant to your job objective, begin with degree and emphasis, followed by university, location of university, and date of graduation or anticipated date of graduation. Example: M.P.A., Masters of Public Administration, Annamalai University, Annamalai nagar, TN, India, May 1995.
If degree/program is not directly related to current job objective, begin with the university, followed by the location, degree and emphasis, and graduation date.
If you are within two semesters of graduation, do not use "expected" or "anticipated" with month/year of graduation.
If you are an entry level candidate or recent graduate and have a high GPA, include it on your resume. You may want to highlight your GPA on a new line, or in an educational highlights section. Note: Some employers believe no GPA on a resume indicates an poor GPA. Employers hiring experienced professionals generally care only that you have the degree.
If your education relates to your objective and is within the past three years, it should be the first section. If not, education should follow the work experience section of your resume.
4. Employment and or Experience Summary
A brief summary of qualifications can condense an extensive background by emphasizing experiences and accomplishments in brief phrases. The qualifications summary is accomplishment-oriented and provides an overview of your work experience. A summary is most appropriated for someone with substantial experience, for someone who is changing careers and wants to demonstrate transferable skills, or for someone with an eclectic background.
In general, you should list, in successive order for each position you have held, your employer, position title, dates (year to year), a brief description of your position, and accomplishments. You need to devote little space to explain commonly known responsibilities for positions such as city manager, police chief or public works director. You will probably devote more space for positions such as assistant city manager, city engineer, and similar jobs. You should also indicate the size of the budget and number of employees for whom you were responsible. Give brief, illustrative examples of your responsibilities and accomplishments. This is where you have the opportunity to tailor (while being accurate and truthful) your resume to what the employer is seeking. At least for your current position, indicate your base salary, not the top of your range.
Begin with your current/most recent position and work backward, chronologically. Devote more space to recent employment.
If your job titles relate to your current job objective, start each position description with job titles. If not, begin with the organization.
Follow job title and organizational information with the organization's city and state.
Use the first and last month and year to describe dates of employment.
Describe the last three to five positions in detail. Summarize earlier positions unless relevant to your objective.
Do not show every position change with each employer. Only list the most recent and describe promotions.
Do not repeat skills that are common to several positions.
Within each listed position, stress the major accomplishments and responsibilities that demonstrate your competency. It is not necessary to include all responsibilities, as they will be assumed by employers.
Tailor your position descriptions to future job/career objectives.
One-page resumes are preferred for entry-level positions.
Two-Three page resumes are preferred for experienced persons.
5.Professional Activities and Accomplishments
This part of your resume offers you the opportunity to provide insight into your career development. You should be selective and complete, listing such items as memberships in professional associations and offices held, professional registrations, honors received, and major articles or publications you have written. Do not list every article or every speech you may have given or every conference you have attended. Emphasize quality - this section of the resume should help you to demonstrate you are current and active in your profession.
Basic Rules
Resume Basics
If you are a new entrant in the job market, you need to perfect your resume before applying for your 1st job
Since you are fresh out of college, use your education as your strong point. Aggregate %, CGPA, accolades, club participation, etc. will be your focus.
"Do I really need a resume? What should I write in my resume?"
These are questions which worry every college graduate looking for his/her first job. Welcome to the real world! Yes you really need to make your resume and how you present yourself in that resume will go a long way towards getting you your first job.
It's a myth that resumes of entry-level graduates are unimportant because they lack the 'pull' of experience. Nothing could be further from the truth. Not only is a well-made resume important for every job seeker, it is more critical for entry level graduates. A resume is a mirror of your professional identity. A well-defined resume impresses a recruiter. A sloppy resume immediately proclaims the candidate to be sloppy.
Here are some do's and don'ts on what makes a great resume for graduates seeking entry-level positions in industry.
OBJECTIVE
One of the most frequently heard complaints made by recruiters about entry-level resumes is that they lack a specific objective. Resumes of fresh graduates have fuzzy, general objectives or no objective at all. Mentioning a specific objective is by far the most important feature of an entry- level resume. Without goal clarity you are bound to drown in the sea of mediocrity.
The only thing worse than the absence of an objective is a vague objective. Something like "My objective is to work with a dynamic company which will fully utilise my talents…" is a complete no-no! This objective is worthless because it gives the potential employer no idea about your goals or your direction.
Your objective should be clear, well-defined and short-not more than 10-12 words.. It should be aimed towards getting a particular position in a specific industry. Thus your objective should talk about the following:
1. Position wanted
2. Functional area
3. Industry wanted
Examples of good objectives:
Example 1: "Junior management position wanted in PROGRAMMING/ engineering field in IT industry.'
Example 2: GET in position in the manufacturing field.
Example 3: Entry level programmer in a software development company.
Example 4: Marketing position in the FMCG segment of a Multinational Company.
Example 5: Multimedia software development position. Open to Relocation.
Example 6: "A position as a Production supervisor with a petro-chemical company."
SUMMARY
Summary is the second most important factor that is conspicuous by its absence in resumes of entry-level graduates. It is a good idea to include a summary of your resume after having mentioned your objective. This sums up your resume in a nutshell and gives you an opportunity to highlight your strengths. It invites the recruiter to read your detailed resume. The summary should consist of 4-5 specific points-either bulleted or in one paragraph.
Sample Summary 1:
* B.E (Computer Science) from IIT-Delhi, in 2000.
* Course in Computers Database programmes Oracle 8I & VB6 from PENTASOFT in 2005.
* Consistently good academic record.
* Good analytical and communication skills.
* Have worked on a curriculum project "XXX XXXXX XXXX"
Sample Summary 2:
"Masters in Computer Application with specialisation in J2EE/Web Technologies. Great operational, communication and computer skills. Good academic record throughout. Among the top three students out of a batch of 120 students. Undergone Industrial training in a top petrochemical Company.
EDUCATIONAL QUALIFICATIONS
Most fresher resume doesn't suffer from space constraint . However it is a good idea to include only those educational and professionals qualifications which are relevant. Put your qualifications in a reverse chronological order. i.e. the recent ones first followed by earlier ones. Entry level resume should also mention the names of their school and college, years in which they passed their board examinations. However, include your marks only you have shown a good academic performance.
WORK EXPERIENCE
An entry- level resume cannot compete with resumes of experienced workers in the area of work experience. But don't forget to list internships, voluntary work and summer training that you have undertaken. How you present these is very important. Make sure you clearly define your duty and responsibilities during this training.
E.g.: "Worked as a summer trainee in India's largest Oil Refinery. I was working for the system control department. Wrote quality reports as well as ISO features for the company." Any projects done for your school or your college should also be mentioned.
DESIGN
Follow a simple design, which gives maximum information in the minimum number of pages. Use an easy to read and commonly used font like 'Times New Roman' or 'Verdana.' Limit your font size to 10-11. Do not underline heavily.
WORD USAGE
Simple language, lucid expression with good grammar is the thumb rule. Watch your tenses carefully. Use short and simple sentences. And never-ever make the mistake of using long words just to impress the recruiter. Flowery words are for speeches, keep them away from your resume.
OUCH! THE TRUTH HURTS
There are many things we would rather not write in our resumes. And while writing a resume the strong temptation to stretch the truth (or simply lie through our teeth) can be quite overpowering. But just stomp on the temptation. Most companies opt for a reference check during recruitment. Your resume is considered a legal document and fudging up small details may cause you great embarrassment in your career.
All right! so you've made yor resume. But this is not the time to sit back and relax. There are some important post-resume do's left.
CHECK, AND RE-CHECK!
The most important post resume step: Read and re-read your resume for any mistakes. Check the facts, the grammar, the spellings. After you have checked it, get you parents, friends, teachers to check it for you. One small mistake may cost you your job.
And finally...mom is right you know! Do not procrastinate over anything, specially making your resume. Most fresh graduates prefer to leave the unappealing task of resume making till the last minute i.e the day before their first interview. However, remember that making great resumes take time and effort. And the rewards will last you a lifetime
If you are a new entrant in the job market, you need to perfect your resume before applying for your 1st job
Since you are fresh out of college, use your education as your strong point. Aggregate %, CGPA, accolades, club participation, etc. will be your focus.
"Do I really need a resume? What should I write in my resume?"
These are questions which worry every college graduate looking for his/her first job. Welcome to the real world! Yes you really need to make your resume and how you present yourself in that resume will go a long way towards getting you your first job.
It's a myth that resumes of entry-level graduates are unimportant because they lack the 'pull' of experience. Nothing could be further from the truth. Not only is a well-made resume important for every job seeker, it is more critical for entry level graduates. A resume is a mirror of your professional identity. A well-defined resume impresses a recruiter. A sloppy resume immediately proclaims the candidate to be sloppy.
Here are some do's and don'ts on what makes a great resume for graduates seeking entry-level positions in industry.
OBJECTIVE
One of the most frequently heard complaints made by recruiters about entry-level resumes is that they lack a specific objective. Resumes of fresh graduates have fuzzy, general objectives or no objective at all. Mentioning a specific objective is by far the most important feature of an entry- level resume. Without goal clarity you are bound to drown in the sea of mediocrity.
The only thing worse than the absence of an objective is a vague objective. Something like "My objective is to work with a dynamic company which will fully utilise my talents…" is a complete no-no! This objective is worthless because it gives the potential employer no idea about your goals or your direction.
Your objective should be clear, well-defined and short-not more than 10-12 words.. It should be aimed towards getting a particular position in a specific industry. Thus your objective should talk about the following:
1. Position wanted
2. Functional area
3. Industry wanted
Examples of good objectives:
Example 1: "Junior management position wanted in PROGRAMMING/ engineering field in IT industry.'
Example 2: GET in position in the manufacturing field.
Example 3: Entry level programmer in a software development company.
Example 4: Marketing position in the FMCG segment of a Multinational Company.
Example 5: Multimedia software development position. Open to Relocation.
Example 6: "A position as a Production supervisor with a petro-chemical company."
SUMMARY
Summary is the second most important factor that is conspicuous by its absence in resumes of entry-level graduates. It is a good idea to include a summary of your resume after having mentioned your objective. This sums up your resume in a nutshell and gives you an opportunity to highlight your strengths. It invites the recruiter to read your detailed resume. The summary should consist of 4-5 specific points-either bulleted or in one paragraph.
Sample Summary 1:
* B.E (Computer Science) from IIT-Delhi, in 2000.
* Course in Computers Database programmes Oracle 8I & VB6 from PENTASOFT in 2005.
* Consistently good academic record.
* Good analytical and communication skills.
* Have worked on a curriculum project "XXX XXXXX XXXX"
Sample Summary 2:
"Masters in Computer Application with specialisation in J2EE/Web Technologies. Great operational, communication and computer skills. Good academic record throughout. Among the top three students out of a batch of 120 students. Undergone Industrial training in a top petrochemical Company.
EDUCATIONAL QUALIFICATIONS
Most fresher resume doesn't suffer from space constraint . However it is a good idea to include only those educational and professionals qualifications which are relevant. Put your qualifications in a reverse chronological order. i.e. the recent ones first followed by earlier ones. Entry level resume should also mention the names of their school and college, years in which they passed their board examinations. However, include your marks only you have shown a good academic performance.
WORK EXPERIENCE
An entry- level resume cannot compete with resumes of experienced workers in the area of work experience. But don't forget to list internships, voluntary work and summer training that you have undertaken. How you present these is very important. Make sure you clearly define your duty and responsibilities during this training.
E.g.: "Worked as a summer trainee in India's largest Oil Refinery. I was working for the system control department. Wrote quality reports as well as ISO features for the company." Any projects done for your school or your college should also be mentioned.
DESIGN
Follow a simple design, which gives maximum information in the minimum number of pages. Use an easy to read and commonly used font like 'Times New Roman' or 'Verdana.' Limit your font size to 10-11. Do not underline heavily.
WORD USAGE
Simple language, lucid expression with good grammar is the thumb rule. Watch your tenses carefully. Use short and simple sentences. And never-ever make the mistake of using long words just to impress the recruiter. Flowery words are for speeches, keep them away from your resume.
OUCH! THE TRUTH HURTS
There are many things we would rather not write in our resumes. And while writing a resume the strong temptation to stretch the truth (or simply lie through our teeth) can be quite overpowering. But just stomp on the temptation. Most companies opt for a reference check during recruitment. Your resume is considered a legal document and fudging up small details may cause you great embarrassment in your career.
All right! so you've made yor resume. But this is not the time to sit back and relax. There are some important post-resume do's left.
CHECK, AND RE-CHECK!
The most important post resume step: Read and re-read your resume for any mistakes. Check the facts, the grammar, the spellings. After you have checked it, get you parents, friends, teachers to check it for you. One small mistake may cost you your job.
And finally...mom is right you know! Do not procrastinate over anything, specially making your resume. Most fresh graduates prefer to leave the unappealing task of resume making till the last minute i.e the day before their first interview. However, remember that making great resumes take time and effort. And the rewards will last you a lifetime
Standard Rules
Basic Standards :
Your resume is the first interface you have with your employer. Make the most of this opportunity............. The employment market is changing all the time and so have resumes, evolving from a one-size-fits-all standard. Here are our tips to convert your resume into a catching one.
Follow These Basic Standards....
*
Don't overcrowd your resume; allow for plenty of white space.
*
Keep your resume to one page whenever possible.
*
Keep the number of fonts you use to a minimum -- two at the most.
*
Use a font that is easy to read. Times Roman works well.
*
Do not justify the lines of type on your resume. Allow the right side of the page to "rag."
*
Do not overuse capitalization, italics, underlines, or other emphasizing features.
*
Make sure your name, address, and a phone number appear on your resume and all correspondence, preferably at the top of the page.
*
Print your resume on white or cream paper using a good-quality printer.
*
Second- and third-generation photocopies must be avoided
*
Print on one side of the paper only.
Avoid Mistakes:
SPELLING MISTAKES:
To avoid spelling mistakes:
*
Don't use words with which you aren't familiar.
*
Use a dictionary as you write.
*
Perform a spell check on your finished resume.
*
Carefully read every word in your resume.
*
Have a friend or two proof read your resume for you.
PUNCTUATION MISTAKES:
Things to look for:
*
Periods at the end of all full sentences.
*
Be consistent in your use of punctuation.
*
Always put periods and commas within quotation marks.
*
Avoid using exclamation points.
GRAMMATICAL MISTAKES:
Grammar hang-ups to watch for:
*
Do not switch tenses within your resume.
*
The duties you currently perform should be in present tense (i.e., write reports)
*
Duties you may have performed at past jobs should be in past tense (i.e., wrote reports).
*
Capitalize all proper nouns.
*
When expressing numbers, write out all numbers between one and nine (i.e., one, five, seven), but
*
use numerals for all numbers 10 and above (i.e., 10, 25, 108).
*
If you begin a sentence with a numeral, spell out that numeral (e.g. Eleven service awards won while employed.).
*
Make sure your date formats are consistent (i.e.11/22/01 or Nov. 22, 2001, or 11.22.01. Choose one and stick with it.).
*
Choose Your Words Carefully:
*
Phrase yourself well:
*
Be on the lookout for the following easily confused words:
*
accept (to receive), except (to exclude)
*
all right (correct), alright (this is not a word)
*
affect (to bring about change), effect (result)
*
personal (private), personnel (staff members)
*
role (a character assigned or a function), roll (to revolve).
*
Use action words (i.e., wrote reports, increased revenues, directed staff).
REFERENCES:
In most instances it is not necessary to include names and address of references on the resume. If you include a reference, make it sure that the referenced person knows very well about you. It is also advisable to add the persons as references, whom the employer can contact easily. If possible add the phone number and e-mail ID of the reference. Never add a person as a reference, about whom you know nothing
STICK TO THE POINT
Employers have a busy schedule, so don't expect them to read through a long resume. Ideally, resumes should be of one page, or of two pages only if absolutely necessary, to describe relevant work experience.
WORDS COUNT
Use of language is extremely important; you need to sell yourself to an employer quickly and efficiently. Address your potential employer's needs with a clearly written, compelling resume. Avoid large paragraphs (five or six lines). If you provide small, digestible pieces of information, your resume will be read. Use action verbs. Verbs such as "developed", "managed", and "designed" emphasise your accomplishments. Don't use declarative sentences like "I developed the ..." or "I assisted in ...", leave out the "I". Avoid passive constructions, such as "was responsible for managing". Just say, "managed": that sounds stronger and more active.
MAKE THE MOST OF YOUR EXPERIENCE
Employers need to know what you have accomplished to have an idea of what you can do for them. Don't be vague. Telling someone that you "improved the company's efficiency" doesn't say much. But if you say that you "cut overhead costs by 20 per cent and saved the company Rs 20 lakh during the last fiscal year", you are more specific.
HONESTY IS A GOOD POLICY
Employers will feel more comfortable hiring you if they can verify your accomplishments. There is a difference between making the most of your experience and exaggerating or falsifying it. A falsified resume can cost you the job later.
DOUBLE-CHECK FOR MISTAKES
Check your resume for correct grammar and spelling - evidence of good communication skills and attention to detail. Nothing can ruin your chances of getting a job faster than submitting a resume filled with preventable mistakes. Make your resume easy on the eye. Use normal margins (1" on the top and bottom, 1.25" on the sides) and don't cram your text on the page. Allow for some space between the different sections. Avoid unusual or exotic fonts. Preferred fonts: Arial and Times Roman & Verdana
Your resume is the first interface you have with your employer. Make the most of this opportunity............. The employment market is changing all the time and so have resumes, evolving from a one-size-fits-all standard. Here are our tips to convert your resume into a catching one.
Follow These Basic Standards....
*
Don't overcrowd your resume; allow for plenty of white space.
*
Keep your resume to one page whenever possible.
*
Keep the number of fonts you use to a minimum -- two at the most.
*
Use a font that is easy to read. Times Roman works well.
*
Do not justify the lines of type on your resume. Allow the right side of the page to "rag."
*
Do not overuse capitalization, italics, underlines, or other emphasizing features.
*
Make sure your name, address, and a phone number appear on your resume and all correspondence, preferably at the top of the page.
*
Print your resume on white or cream paper using a good-quality printer.
*
Second- and third-generation photocopies must be avoided
*
Print on one side of the paper only.
Avoid Mistakes:
SPELLING MISTAKES:
To avoid spelling mistakes:
*
Don't use words with which you aren't familiar.
*
Use a dictionary as you write.
*
Perform a spell check on your finished resume.
*
Carefully read every word in your resume.
*
Have a friend or two proof read your resume for you.
PUNCTUATION MISTAKES:
Things to look for:
*
Periods at the end of all full sentences.
*
Be consistent in your use of punctuation.
*
Always put periods and commas within quotation marks.
*
Avoid using exclamation points.
GRAMMATICAL MISTAKES:
Grammar hang-ups to watch for:
*
Do not switch tenses within your resume.
*
The duties you currently perform should be in present tense (i.e., write reports)
*
Duties you may have performed at past jobs should be in past tense (i.e., wrote reports).
*
Capitalize all proper nouns.
*
When expressing numbers, write out all numbers between one and nine (i.e., one, five, seven), but
*
use numerals for all numbers 10 and above (i.e., 10, 25, 108).
*
If you begin a sentence with a numeral, spell out that numeral (e.g. Eleven service awards won while employed.).
*
Make sure your date formats are consistent (i.e.11/22/01 or Nov. 22, 2001, or 11.22.01. Choose one and stick with it.).
*
Choose Your Words Carefully:
*
Phrase yourself well:
*
Be on the lookout for the following easily confused words:
*
accept (to receive), except (to exclude)
*
all right (correct), alright (this is not a word)
*
affect (to bring about change), effect (result)
*
personal (private), personnel (staff members)
*
role (a character assigned or a function), roll (to revolve).
*
Use action words (i.e., wrote reports, increased revenues, directed staff).
REFERENCES:
In most instances it is not necessary to include names and address of references on the resume. If you include a reference, make it sure that the referenced person knows very well about you. It is also advisable to add the persons as references, whom the employer can contact easily. If possible add the phone number and e-mail ID of the reference. Never add a person as a reference, about whom you know nothing
STICK TO THE POINT
Employers have a busy schedule, so don't expect them to read through a long resume. Ideally, resumes should be of one page, or of two pages only if absolutely necessary, to describe relevant work experience.
WORDS COUNT
Use of language is extremely important; you need to sell yourself to an employer quickly and efficiently. Address your potential employer's needs with a clearly written, compelling resume. Avoid large paragraphs (five or six lines). If you provide small, digestible pieces of information, your resume will be read. Use action verbs. Verbs such as "developed", "managed", and "designed" emphasise your accomplishments. Don't use declarative sentences like "I developed the ..." or "I assisted in ...", leave out the "I". Avoid passive constructions, such as "was responsible for managing". Just say, "managed": that sounds stronger and more active.
MAKE THE MOST OF YOUR EXPERIENCE
Employers need to know what you have accomplished to have an idea of what you can do for them. Don't be vague. Telling someone that you "improved the company's efficiency" doesn't say much. But if you say that you "cut overhead costs by 20 per cent and saved the company Rs 20 lakh during the last fiscal year", you are more specific.
HONESTY IS A GOOD POLICY
Employers will feel more comfortable hiring you if they can verify your accomplishments. There is a difference between making the most of your experience and exaggerating or falsifying it. A falsified resume can cost you the job later.
DOUBLE-CHECK FOR MISTAKES
Check your resume for correct grammar and spelling - evidence of good communication skills and attention to detail. Nothing can ruin your chances of getting a job faster than submitting a resume filled with preventable mistakes. Make your resume easy on the eye. Use normal margins (1" on the top and bottom, 1.25" on the sides) and don't cram your text on the page. Allow for some space between the different sections. Avoid unusual or exotic fonts. Preferred fonts: Arial and Times Roman & Verdana
Resume Guidelines
Resume Guidelines
On the Internet usually the CV’s are send via e-mail to respective companies, but it is still important that you carry a copy along with you during your preliminary interview.
1. Use good quality paper for your CV’s. After all you are describing your years of hard-earned education and experience. Always value yourself.
2. Never send a badly duplicated photocopy of your CV. Even if you have to send a photocopy ideally use a good copier and executive bond paper or other similar quality.
3. Always remember to put your telephone no. If possible give an alternate number of your pager/mobile or email no
4. The section you should describe most is your work experience. Ideally give your job responsibilities point wise with sub headings. This would help to describe the matter briefly as well as to the point.
5. Ideally restrict your CV to not more than three pages. After all you should have some matter to talk about during your interview.
6. Check for spelling errors and grammatical mistake before you take a final copy of your CV as even a small error could cause an embarrassing situation for you.
7. Remember to mention any awards / promotion or other recognition earned by you in your previous work experience.
8. If you are a fresher than stress more on your education section and also mention other additional qualification in detail. Give a brief description about projects and extra curricular activities undertaken by you.
9. Include sections like languages known, hobbies and interests, extra curricular activities, your positive points in brief.
10. Remember to include the exact time spent in each company supported by dates. Also give dates of completing each degree.
11. Some companies do ask for photographs so carry at least two-passport size photograph just in case you are asked to submit them.
12. Select a simple font with appropriate font size to give clarity and legibility to your precious CV.
On the Internet usually the CV’s are send via e-mail to respective companies, but it is still important that you carry a copy along with you during your preliminary interview.
1. Use good quality paper for your CV’s. After all you are describing your years of hard-earned education and experience. Always value yourself.
2. Never send a badly duplicated photocopy of your CV. Even if you have to send a photocopy ideally use a good copier and executive bond paper or other similar quality.
3. Always remember to put your telephone no. If possible give an alternate number of your pager/mobile or email no
4. The section you should describe most is your work experience. Ideally give your job responsibilities point wise with sub headings. This would help to describe the matter briefly as well as to the point.
5. Ideally restrict your CV to not more than three pages. After all you should have some matter to talk about during your interview.
6. Check for spelling errors and grammatical mistake before you take a final copy of your CV as even a small error could cause an embarrassing situation for you.
7. Remember to mention any awards / promotion or other recognition earned by you in your previous work experience.
8. If you are a fresher than stress more on your education section and also mention other additional qualification in detail. Give a brief description about projects and extra curricular activities undertaken by you.
9. Include sections like languages known, hobbies and interests, extra curricular activities, your positive points in brief.
10. Remember to include the exact time spent in each company supported by dates. Also give dates of completing each degree.
11. Some companies do ask for photographs so carry at least two-passport size photograph just in case you are asked to submit them.
12. Select a simple font with appropriate font size to give clarity and legibility to your precious CV.
Monday, February 4, 2008
Why Resume
Why Resume ?
A resume is a self-marketing tool. It is designed with one purpose in mind - to "sell" your skills, knowledge, and experience to an employer so that he/she will invite you for an interview. An effective resume speaks to the employer's needs and requirements and demonstrates a match between what you have to offer and those requirements. It stimulates interest in you by summarizing information: unique qualities, well developed skills, relevant work or academic experiences, or accomplishments that clearly differentiates you from the competition.
Employers want to know about you, not your position. Spend more time describing your duties, responsibilities and accomplishments than describing the size and nature of your organization, although it is important for the employer to know that you have had experience in a similar organization. Your resume should be factual, impressive, readable, and tailored to the position you are seeking. It should describe your experience and achievements to stimulate a positive response. Your resume is an important item in getting you the position desire.
A resume is a self-marketing tool. It is designed with one purpose in mind - to "sell" your skills, knowledge, and experience to an employer so that he/she will invite you for an interview. An effective resume speaks to the employer's needs and requirements and demonstrates a match between what you have to offer and those requirements. It stimulates interest in you by summarizing information: unique qualities, well developed skills, relevant work or academic experiences, or accomplishments that clearly differentiates you from the competition.
Employers want to know about you, not your position. Spend more time describing your duties, responsibilities and accomplishments than describing the size and nature of your organization, although it is important for the employer to know that you have had experience in a similar organization. Your resume should be factual, impressive, readable, and tailored to the position you are seeking. It should describe your experience and achievements to stimulate a positive response. Your resume is an important item in getting you the position desire.
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