WHO HAVE WRITTEN A RESUME BEFORE?
WHAT IS A RESUME?
Marketing Tool.
Highlights skills, knowledge, and expertise.
Concise, easy to read document.
Used to get an interview.
Summary of:
Qualifications.
Education.
Experience.
Skills.
WHAT DOES A RESUME CONSISTS OF?
Generally, the resume is divided into four main parts, namely :
Personal info
It describes the type of person you are, in relation to personal details and
preferences, work/industries and interest areas in free time
Education
Qualifications obtained, usually listed in reversed chronological order
Experience
History of work experience gained, by categorizing into firms or companies under
employed by author usually in reversed chronological order, i.e. starting from
present, to past experiences
Achievements / Skills / Networks established
Other learnt skills and lifetime achievements in academia, industry, voluntary
and charitable work put in.
Referees, people of reputation (familiar over number of years) who can vouch
for the person and achievements of the author
TYPICAL FORMAT OF A RESUME
SAMPLE
Resume of a professional engineer
SAMPLE FORMATS OF CVS
PROCESS OF WRITING
Numerous editing may be required
before the final version is
considered satisfactory
WHAT IS CV? WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE WITH
RESUME?
CV (Curriculum Vitae) is used in academic and research-oriented job searches.
CV is of flexible length.
CV is a record of your academic accomplishments and credentials.
Resume is used in business, non-profit, government and other types of job searches.
Resume should be 1 page, 2 pages max.
Resume is not all-embracing.
Resume should be targeted to a particular job in a particular field.
CV SAMPLES
Notice the photograph placed at the top right or left hand corner which is an option.
PREPARATORY TASKS BEFORE DRAFTING AN
EFFECTIVE RESUME
Do an inventory of your education & skills.
Consider the type of work environment.
Set a career target.
Thoroughly research the job market.
Choose the most appropriate Resume format.
Organize carefully and write forcefully to produce your
Resume.
BASIC INFO TO BE IN A RESUME
Contact Information Honors
Objective Classes/Projects
Education Relevant Courses
Work Experience Research/Publications
Activities Skills and Abilities
Professional Affiliations Availability
Computer Skills
References
PURPOSE AND INTENT OF RESUME
Other than contact details, i.e. name, current and permanent address, phone
numbers, and E-mail., it is important to state the objective.
A targeted statement that clearly states the type of job you are seeking.
Possibly the hardest part of the résumé.
Tell the employer what you want to do.
You do not have to state a job title but the objective should be specific.
Alternatively, you do not have to include an objective.
Should be expressed in as few words as possible.
OBJECTIVE OF CAREER DEVELOPMENT PATHWAY
Specifically the objective statement should consist of
the followings:
What do I want to do?
Where would I like to be in 5 or 10 years ahead?
With whom I would like to be attached to or in which industry?
Responsibility level i.e. managerial or technical?
Special conditions?
EXAMPLES OF OBJECTIVE STATEMENTS
Objective: To obtain a position as head teacher of autistic children in a
public school where my skills as a creative, innovative educator
can be utilized.
Objective: To obtain an entry-level management position with a
company in Putrajaya, Malaysia.
Objective: Seeking a position in Customer Service which utilizes my
extensive experience and success in satisfying clients.
Objective: To secure a database management position with a
progressive company.
Objective: An entry level position in the Import-Export field.
Objective: To obtain a management trainee position with Target.
WHAT WOULD YOUR OBJECTIVE STATEMENT
BE?
EDUCATION & QUALIFICATION LEVELS
List colleges or universities where you have
received or will receive a Degree.
Degree(s) earned, including majors,
minors, and emphasis.
Dates and recognition of degrees.
GPA above 3.0 (those below 3.0 may not
wish to highlight it)
Major, Minor, Special Training,
Certifications, Licenses.
EXAMPLES IN LISTING EDUCATION RECEIVED
M.Education Georgia Southern University, Statesboro, GA
Bachelor of Business Administration, Major: Marketing, Emphasis: Sales and
Sales Management, May 2003, GPA 3.8
PhD.Education Georgia Southern University, Statesboro, GA
Bachelor of Business Administration in Finance, May 2002 Bachelor of
Business Administration in Information Systems, May 2005, GPA 3.8
Dip.Education Georgia Southern University, Statesboro, GA
Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science May 2004, GPA 3.8
B.Eng(Hons), East Georgia University, Swainsboro, GA
Associate Degree of Science in Nursing, May 2002, GPA 4.0
WORK EXPERIENCES / EMPLOYMENT HISTORY
List the following items in terms of past and present
work experiences:
Organization name.
City & state.
Position held.
Dates of employment.
Responsibilities.
Significant achievements.
Demonstrated abilities.
EXAMPLE OF LISTING WORKPLACE EXPERIENCES
D & D Advertising, Atlanta, GA Georgia Southern University, Statesboro,
Advertising Co-op, January 2004 May 2005 GA
Designed advertising campaign for 2003 Recreational Sports Department
Atlanta Concert Series
Aerobic Instructor, June 2003 Present
Developed newspaper promotions, mass
mailings, posters, and billboards Instruct a step aerobics class to
members of the RAC
Campaigns Design the aerobic routine of the class
Monitor the progress of participants
Belk Department Store, Statesboro, GA Motivate participants to exercise
Sales Associate, August 2004 - present
Created merchandise displays
Provided excellent customer service
Assisted department manager with training
new sales personnel
WHAT WOULD THE EMPLOYER LOOK FOR IN
WORK EXPERIENCE FOR FRESH GRADUATES?
IDENTIFYING THE PREVIOUS JOB POSITIONS
HELD EXAMPLES
Internships
Cooperative Education
Volunteer work
Part-time jobs
Summer jobs
Research
Leadership Experience
STATING ACTUAL WORK PERFORMED PRIOR
Use action verbs, preferably in a positive and leading
manner:
Successfully completed, managed, led a project team,
conducted testing successfully, initiated, coordinated, etc.
Use present tense if still doing the job.
Use past tense for previous jobs.
Be concise and simple.
HIGHLIGHT ACHIEVEMENTS / SKILLS LEARNT
Skills
Communication, Teamwork, Leadership, Sales, Computer
Honors
Activities
Professional Groups, Clubs, Greek Organizations, Sports
Publications
Relevant Courses
Research
HIGHLIGHTS ACTIVITIES IN CAMPUS
Intramural flag football, basketball, and softball, August 2004-Present
Student Officials Organization, Member, August 2003-Present
Lambda Lambda Lambda Sorority, 2002-Present
Student Association Treasurer, 2005-Present
Engineering Club Chairperson, 2003-2004
Educational Program Coordinator, 2002-2003
Association for Information Technology Professionals, 2002-Present
University Red Cross, Volunteer, 2002-Present
Habitat for Humanity, Volunteer, 2002Present
KNOWING THIS, ITS GOOD TO PLAN HOW
WOULD YOU FILL IN YOUR RESUME NOW
STATE HONORS, SCHOLARSHIPS, BURSARIES
RECEIVED
Generally, a scholarship recipient is favored because it
indicates applicant is a resourceful, financial-
independent, dedicated and hardworking individual.
Examples:
Kuok Foundation Scholarship recipient, 2003- present
IEM Scholarship Recipient 2002 - present
Government PTPTN loan scheme, 2002 - present
-Present
RELEVANT COURSES, TRAINING UNDERTAKEN
Accounting Business
Courses Income Tax Information Systems
Auditing Principles of Corporate Finance
International Tax Operations Management
Management Accounting
Accounting
Leadership Skills
Critical and Lateral Thinking Skills
Computer Programming
CLASS PROJECTS COMPLETED
Southern University Marketing Plan for Daily Grind Cafe
Analyzed current human resource plan.
Developed new production output for a factory plant.
Identified the strengths of the mobile phone competition.
Feasibility Studies of Developing Integrated Engineering
Design Strategies
Multi-disciplinary Roles in Design and Construction of a
Monorail Link in an International Airport
LISTING OF REFEREES
List on separate page.
3 5 references.
List their name, title, employer, address, phone number and E-mail if
available.
They should be able to describe your potential, achievements, and
performance.
Who to ask:
Professors
Academic Advisors
Supervisors
Friends
Neighbors
Relatives
HOW DO YOU IDENTIFY YOUR REFEREES?
LAST CHECKS OF DRAFT RESUME
No spelling or grammar errors.
Neat, clean, and professional looking.
Length should be 1-2 pages.
Margins at sides and bottom.
Layout makes reading easy., i.e. use blank paper space effectively.
Important titles should be emphasized. Experiment with fonts & styles; bold, italic, and
underlines. No more than 2 or 3 different sizes.
Information is logically recorded.
Use Action Verbs for accomplishments & results.
Bullet points where possible to highlight accomplishments.
Quantify your results whenever you can.
Format either chronological or functional order.
CONTENTS NATURE OF RESUME
Must always be 100% truthful.
Contains no inappropriate personal information.
Preferably word-processed, visually appealing
Contains much less complex formatting.
Data presented in chronological (or functional) order.
Appeals to both human and electronic reviewers.
Can deliver by mail, hand, fax, and can be scanned for emailing.
Shows the needed qualification for the job.
Candidate is work-friendly and can works well with others.
USEFUL TIPS TO JOB APPLICANTS
Do not just rely on your resume alone to get an interview.
An accompanying cover letter has to be included in posting job application.
After 2 to 3 days, you can follow-up by phone to make sure your application
(including your resume) was received.
Let the employer know that you are interested in the job.
Research the company to know its background and suitability to join.
Address the cover letter to a specific person (usually indicated in the ads).
Answer an ad if you have 50% of the skills or background that the ad requires.
Mention the person who referred you, if appropriate.
GUIDE IN DRAFTING COVER LETTER TO
ACCOMPANY RESUME
Your address, city, state, zip, and Paragraph 2:
telephone number. Concise overview of work
Date history and skills that will help
you perform the job.
Name, title, company, address, city,
state, and postcode of person you are Paragraph 3:
writing to. State confidence in your ability.
Give information on how you
Greeting, followed by a colon. can be contacted.
Paragraph 1: Paragraph 4:
What you want. Express appreciation.
How you know about the organization. Closing, signature, and typed
Mention enclosure of your resume. name.
COVER LETTER FORM
Note the explanation for
each part of the letter
to give the overall
format and content
necessary for an
effective cover letter to
accompany an
attached resume.
SAMPLE
Cover letter to go with an
attached resume in a
job application
CONCLUSIONS
Writing a good and effective
will go a long way in securing
the right job for you as a future
professional engineer.
Most of the details presented
in this lecture can be sourced
from relevant websites, such
as:
http://www.ajb.dni.us
http://www.careermosaic.com
http://www.virtualjobfair.com
http://www.eresumes.com
http://www.golden.net/:arche
us/reswri.htm
GENERAL FORMATTING TO BE AWARE OF
FURTHER FORMATTING ON FONTS USED
ADDITIONAL POINTS TO NOTE IN RESUME
