Elmhurst College
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Elmhurst College |
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Build Your Own . . .Professional Résumé
Workshop by Ellen Bartkowiak
from Career Services, Elmhurst College
The Quick Pick Résumé
What is a résumé, and what's it for?
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DEFINITION |
PURPOSE |
| - Job search instrument - Summary of your goals and qualifications - Snapshot of education, experience, and skills |
- Quick introduction of yourself to
potential employers - Highlights relevant experience, skills, and interests - Piques employers' interest in you |
What goes into it?
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IDENTIFICATION |
OBJECTIVE |
| - Display prominently at top - Use current information where you can be reached Name Address Phone |
- Tailor to fit employer need - Highlight compatibility between you and employer Goals Work setting Opportunities Skills and interests |
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EDUCATION |
RELATED COURSES |
| - In reverse chronological order - No high schools or lower College(s) Degrees, Major/Minor Graduation Dates GPA |
- In order of relevance to employer or
position Elective studies Fits employer needs Indicate specialization |
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EXPERIENCE |
QUALIFICATIONS |
| - In reverse chronological order - Include work, internships, and volunteer experiences Organization and location Position held Dates of activity Actions and results |
- Brief summary of skills and qualities
relevant to the job you want - In order of importance to employer - Describe effects/results |
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ACTIVITIES |
REFERENCES |
| - In order of relevance to employer - Include things that demonstrate that you lead a balanced life Professional memberships Accomplishments/honors Interests |
- Make available upon request Prepare a separate list Bring to the interview |
Build Your Own . . . Résumé
What is a résumé?
Your résumé is a concise summary of your goals and qualifications as you begin the job search. Since it is often your very first introduction to prospective employers, it will create a lasting first impression. You want the impression to be favorable enough to get a direct interview, and you don't want the impression to land your résumé - and any job opportunity - in the trash heap.
Do I really need a résumé?
Absolutely! Your résumé will put valuable information about your qualifications and objectives in the hands of those whom you most want to have it - prospective employers. They need this snapshot of your education, experience, and skills in order to know whether you can fit the needs of their organization.
How do I write a résumé?
As you work through each section below, thoughtfully examine whether you have experiences that will contribute to a good first impression in that area. You probably won't have something in every category, especially if you're just leaving college with limited work experience. But you probably do have more experiences and skills than might be apparent at first glance. Take the time to reflect on your interests, abilities, and experiences at each step. Know yourself. And know what you do when you do what you do! Use the worksheets on the next page to describe your skills and activities with greater description and in clearer detail.
OK, thanks for the pep talk. Now, what do I need in my résumé?
Several elements are listed below. Some are essential (è ); others are optional (ð ), and should be used only if they will contribute to a favorable impression on your prospective employer.
è IDENTIFICATION (essential): Who are you, and how can an employer reach you?
Put your current name, address, and phone number at the top of the page. Include e-mail only if you regularly check your mail.
ð OBJECTIVE (optional): What do you hope to achieve in your job search?
Be careful here. If you have a clear idea of what you want, an objective may help an employer match your assets with their needs. But an objective that's too narrow could limit your options. If your objectives are vague and poorly defined, leave them out.
è EDUCATION (essential): What level of formal education have you attained?
This is particularly important as a college student entering the world of work. Include the name and town of your college(s), your degree(s), major and minor areas of study, and graduation date(s). You may also include a favorable GPA.
ð RELATED COURSES (optional): What did you study in college?
This might be helpful if courses apply specifically to the work you would do for this employer or indicate specialization.
è EXPERIENCE (essential): What have you done that has prepared you for the job for which you are applying?
If you have an impressive work history or internship experience, display it. Otherwise, focus on the skills you learned and practiced in these settings. Include work, internships, and volunteerism. Start with current or the most recent experience, and list them in reverse chronological order. Describe "what you did when you did what you did." Use action words to describe tasks and results. Employers love to see results!
ð QUALIFICATIONS (optional): What other qualities should an employer know about you?
This section could also include skills, personal qualities, or work habits, especially ones that are relevant to the position for which you are applying. Give short, results-oriented statements to support them. Include any licenses or professional qualifications here.
ð ACTIVITIES (optional): What else do you do that might be relevant to this position?
Title this section anything applicable: e.g., "Accomplishments" or "Honors." Include the name of the organization, location, and date as appropriate, in reverse chronological order. Use this section to demonstrate a balanced life or special interests.
ð REFERENCES (optional): Who will vouch for you and the information you have provided?
We recommend you save these for a separate piece of paper, and submit them with your résumé or provide them when requested.
How do I build my own résumé?
Start by listing everything you can think of. Think about who will be receiving your résumé, and what that person wants in an employee. Then select the best and most important pieces of data from your draft, and arrange them in a way that highlights your most favorable assets. Format it in a simple, tasteful, easy to read layout. Proofread it, review its content for accuracy, and proofread it again. Get reactions from friends, advisors, or counselors. If it gets the reaction you want, print it on attractive, high quality paper, and have your copies ready for distribution. If it doesn't get the desired effect, revise and edit it until it does. When you're satisfied with the résumé, go on to build your own Reference List.
Work Sheet:
ELEMENTS OF YOUR RÉSUMÉ
FULL NAME
Current Address
City, State, ZIP
Current Phone Number
ð E-mail address (optional)
ð OBJECTIVE (optional): What do you hope to achieve in your job search?
è EDUCATION (essential): What level of formal education have you attained?
ð RELATED COURSES (optional): What did you study in college?
è EXPERIENCE (essential): What have you done that has prepared you for the position you want?
ð QUALIFICATIONS (optional): What other qualities should an employer know about you?
ð ACTIVITIES (optional): What else do you do that might be relevant to this position?
SKILLS IDENTIFICATION WORKSHEET
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COMMUNICATION SKILLS Explaining Listening Persuading Speaking Teaching Writing |
ORGANIZATIONAL SKILLS Prioritizing Planning Forecasting Managing time Budgeting |
INTERPERSONAL SKILLS Advising Cooperating Confronting Greeting Group facilitating Interviewing Negotiating |
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CREATIVE SKILLS Inventing Designing Dramatizing Entertaining Innovating Displaying |
LEADERSHIP SKILLS Administering Coordinating Deciding Delegating Initiating Managing Supervising |
PROBLEM-SOLVING SKILLS Investigating Researching Observing Locating Asking Trouble shooting |
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MAINTENANCE SKILLS Compiling Handling details Keeping records Setting up Updating Serving Carrying out requests |
INTELLECTUAL SKILLS Abstracting Conceptualizing Analyzing Classifying Questioning |
JUDGMENT SKILLS Appraising Editing Evaluating Reviewing Examining Inspecting Hiring and firing |
(Adapted from Quick Job Hunting Map - The Beginning Version, by Richard N. Bolles and Victoria B. Zenoff)
ACTION WORDS
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Developed Instituted Analyzed Suggested Revised Administered Determined Acquired Assisted Supplied Examined Contacted Placed Achieved Screened Cultivated Identified Devised Transcribed Simplified Augmented |
Initiated Performed Sold Compiled Created Enhanced Increased Purchased Negotiated Documented Headed Packaged Taught Assembled Obtained Tested Lobbied Inventoried Ordered Led Closed |
Coordinated Implemented Operated Guided Adapted Built Eliminated Expanded Evaluated Provided Simplified Represented Coached Constructed Dispatched Referred Advertised Consolidated Presented Interpreted Accomplished |
Restored Recommended Explained Generated Approved Modified Organized Executed Directed Persuaded Invented Recognized Distributed Estimated Inspected Appraised Interviewed Solved Completed Rescued Logged |
Controlled Diagnosed Reviewed Adjusted Supervised Replaced Reduced Managed Corresponded Produced Engineered Programmed Researched Conducted Audited Reorganized Hired Edited Streamlined Copyrighted Patented |
Advised Designed Made Produced Instructed Wrote Established Proposed Trained Promoted Interpreted Collected Discovered Installed Selected Elicited Motivated Balanced Debugged Steered Lectured |
Authored Maintained Monitored Founded Planned Reported Conceived Calculated Processed Improved Arranged Scheduled Counseled Repaired Budgeted Formulated Cataloged Translated Reduced Posted Manufactured |
Example Resumes:
Other
online examples of resumes
John R. Doe
190 Prospect Ave.
Elmhurst, IL 60126
(630) 617-0000
Objective
To obtain a position in the field of business in which my leadership and innovating skills would greatly contribute to the company.
Education
Elmhurst College Elmhurst, Illinois
Bachelor of Science Anticipated May 2000
Major: International Business Minor: Business Administration
Current GPA: 3.4/4.0
Qualifications
Experience
- Designed program for children in the community
- Supervised staff and seventy participants
- Recruited staff for program
Activities
- Vienna, Austria
- Budapest, Hungary
- Prague, Czech Republic
Jane Doe
2255 S. Lake View Drive
McHenry, IL 60348
847.555.6767
| OBJECTIVE |
Management Trainee position which will utilize my strengths in organization and communication
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| EDUCATION |
ELMHURST COLLEGE, Elmhurst, Illinois Bachelor of Science (December, 1998) Major: Psychology Minor: Sociology Major GPA: 3.4/4.0 Cumulative GPA: 3.2/4.0
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| QUALIFICATIONS |
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| WORK EXPERIENCE |
IBM CORPORATION, Oak Brook, Illinois Research Assistant (6/95 - present)
NEW RIVER LAPIDARY, Sacramento, California Buyer and Seller (8/93 - 6/95)
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| MEMBERSHIPS/ ACTIVITIES |
Geology Club Western Federation Gem and Mineral Society, Davis Chapter National Association of Psychologists in America
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| REFERENCES | Provided upon request |