Tips for Writing a Resume  

Writing Resumes
(Information taken from The High School Senior Magazine March 1996, pg. 9)

The kind of resume you type will depend to some extent upon the kind of job you are applying for. An explanation and sample of each follows:

The Functional or Skills Resume
This type of resume concentrates on the skills you have rather than the places you have worked or the length of time you were employed. People who have limited employment experience may benefit from using this format. It gives those individuals the opportunity to showcase their other outstanding attributes and assets.

The Chronological Resume
Time frames are the key to this type of resume (ie,: when you were employed, when you volunteered, when you attended school, etc.) The chronological resume is the most commonly used type of resume. Employers are used to seeing this format. It is easy for them to read because they are familiar with the layout. Start with the most recent dates and work your way back.

The Combination Resume
This resume combines the best features of the functional and the chronological resumes.  It allows you to be descriptive with your work experience and accurately show your chronological history. This is usually the easiest resume to write. However, it is not quite as structured as the prior two resume formats.

Tips to Follow When Writing Your Resume:

Your Name and Address: When you type your name, use a middle initial, especially if your name is fairly common. Never abbreviate anything in your address--or anywhere else in your resume. 9-digit zip codes always look more professional (check with your post office if you don't know yours).

Phone Numbers: List an alternative phone number if you have one. Two phone numbers gives a potential employer a better chance of getting in touch with you. Make sure your message takers are reliable, accurate and personable.

Job Objectives: Be as specific as possible. If you can't be specific, leave the Job Objective out. A job objective should show the employer that you can do something for his company.

School Achievements: Good grades are almost a sure ticket to an interview. Not so good grades are almost a sure ticket to the bottom of the pile. If your GPA is below 3.0, don't list it. GPA is not always a reliable indication of how well you work.

Work Experience: Use action words to begin each job description (words like: organized, selected, designated, designed, provided, and other action words). Point out any work experience or skills you have which have anything to do with your job target. Always list most recent work experiences first, and work your way back. When it comes to your resume, HIGHLIGHT THE BEST and FORGET THE REST.

Personal: Promote yourself! Your resume is your personal marketing tool. Potential employers want to believe that you are as good as you say you are, so tell them. It is important that you examine carefully your own personality--EVERYONE HAS QUALITIES THAT CAN BE VALUABLE TO SOME POTENTIAL EMPLOYER. Also, every individual has a wide variety of unique interests. The enthusiasm associated with your interests can easily be translated into additional marketable qualities that woul be highly appealing.

Keep Your Resume Visually Attractive: Your resume should be visually appealing and easy to read. Make sure you proofread it and then have someone else (like your English teacher) proofread it. Correct spelling is VERY important. Once your potential employer receives it, you have no more chances to edit it!

Keep descriptions short and to the point.

Try to keep your resume down to one page if possible; never more than two pages.

White space is appealing to the eye. It makes the resume look short and sweet. When a potential employer has a stack of resumes to go over, his or her eyes will go to the easy ones first.

Underlining also makes your resume easy to read. But use it wisely and don't over do it. Underlining should draw your eyes to section headings.

Bullets, like underlining, can draw your eyes to important areas. Don't use too many.

Typeface should be a "serif" type not a "sans serif" type. "Serif" lettering has a small line or rounded end on the points of the letters (like Times Roman and the font you see on this page). "Sans Serif" lettering does not (an example would be Arial or Helvetica).

Try to produce your resume on a laser printer. Paper should be off-white, bright white, or ivory. Purple may be your favorite color, but will make your resume look trivial and childish. It is a good idea to purchase a few sheets of good quality paper for resumes. The weight should be medium--not tissue, and not cardboard or index weight. Your cover letter should be on matching paper. When a potential employer receives your information, it will look like you put a a special package together just for him or her (great first impressions start here).

A Sample "Functional or Skills Resume"

(435) 555-1234
(435) 555-6789

JOB TARGET         Computer Data Input, using Dataprompt or similar programs

SCHOOL ACHIEVEMENTS

• Honor Student, American High School, Township Maine; 3.5 GPA
• Student Leader, President, American High School Computer Club; Captain, American High School Girls' Track Team; Student Council.

• Organized daily attendance data base, American High School Attendance Office, using PC and Dataprompt. Typing speed, 60 words per minute. (2 years)
• Selected as Student Liaison for community center food drive to benefit local soup kitchens.
• Designated Editor-in-Chief of American High School Booster Booklet, a local, school-based publication highlighting American High School sports teams and local businesses. (2 years)

• Have excellent leadership skills. Enjoy taking initiative on new projects. Work well with others.

A Sample "Chronological Resume"

(435) 555-0987
(435) 555-6543

CAREER OBJECTIVE:         Retail Clothing Sales Associate

WORK EXPERIENCE:

• June 1995 to Present

T-Shirt and Jeans Company; Village, Utah
Sales Associate - Provide one-on-one service to customers. Design window displays. Awarded "Employee of the Month" honor, August 1995 and November 1995.
• September 1994 to June 1995

West Village General Hospital; West Village, Utah
Volunteer - Provided patient and general hospital information to visitors. Administered preliminary admission procedures to incoming patients.
• June 1994 to September 1994

Spivey's Department Store; West Village, Utah
Sales Associate - Specialized in sale of young adult clothing. Reported weekly inventory figures directly to department head.

Village Senior High School; Village, Utah
Currently a junior. GPA 3.4. Active in student government. Member National Honor Society. Treasurer, Village Senior High School "Gazette."

A Sample Combination Resume

(435) 555-2468
(435) 555-1357

Job Objective: Interior and Exterior House Painter

• Stripped, sanded, conditioned, and painted ornate interior wood work of historical landmarks.
• Conditioned, re-stained and repainted exterior of brick, stucco, and wood residential homes.
• Resurfaced interior walls, ceilings, and floors with faux-marble and granite finishes.
• Stripped, sanded, conditioned and painted hardwood front doors of luxury homes in executive neighborhood.

• Modern Heritage Painters and Contractors; Oroutgh, Utah, September 1995 - present.
• ABC Painting Contractors; Raleigh, Utah, June 1995 - August 1995.
• Executive Painting and Contracting Company; North Borough, Utah, June 1994 - August 1994.

• North Borough Vocational/Technical School, currently a senior, GPA 3.6, studying Mass Quantity Painting and Preservation and Restoration Techniques.
• Certificate of Apprenticeship, Western Florida Historical Landmark Restoration Guild, December 1995.

A Sample Cover Letter

(to be sent with your resume for a job application)
Address your letter to the specific person you want to talk to (the person who would actually supervise you), highlight your job qualifications, and state the position you are seeking, as well as how you heard about it)

20 November 1997

Mr. Clarence Brown, Supervisor
Norton Electronics
6543 Sunrise Ave.
Anytown, US 04538

Dear Mr. Brown:

I am interested in the position of electronic assembler which you advertised recently in the Anytown Oracle.

The enclosed resume outlines my experience and skills in electronics and printed circuit board assembly. I am familiar with Norton Electronics and the quality products you produce.

I would like to meet with you to discuss how my skills would benefit Norton Elecronics.  I may be reached at 987-1234.

Sincerely,

Rhonda Ramirez
203 Main Street
Anytown, Utah 12345-6789

Enclosure

123 Main Street
Yourtown, Utah
20 November 1997

John Johnsons
Technical Supervisor
HOWDO Corporation
Ogden, Utah 84401

Dear Mr. Johnson:

Because of your company's long-standing, excellent reputation in the technology industry, I was very pleased to see that you have called the Stevens-Henager College notifying the Graduate Placement office of your potential career opportunities. HOWDO Corporation has always been my primary employment choice, and I am extremely interested in the position as a Computer Programmer in your Systems Department.

In December, I will receive my Associates Degree in Computer Science from the Stevens-Henager College of Business in Ogden. The curriculum at Stevens-Henager, which combines a thorough understanding of the fundamentals of computer processes with laboratory experience, has prepared me for the responsibilities of the position. My work experience at American Express has further enhanced my academic training, which, therefore, makes me well qualified for the position.

Enclosed is a copy of my resume. I will contact your office Thursday, November 30, 1997, to arrange a mutually convenient time for an interview.

Sincerely,

Steven Johnson

Enclosures

A Sample Follow-Up Letter

(to be sent following a job interview)

123 Main Street
Yourtown, Utah 12345-6789
2 December 1997

Mr. Harvey Smith
Personnel Director
HOWDO Corporation
201 Lawrence Avenue
Ogden, Utah 84401

Dear Mr. Smith:

Thank you very much for the opportunity to interview with you on the 1st of December. Not only did I learn more about your company, but the discussion verified how interested I am in HOWDO Corporation.

Mr. Smith, in reflecting over our interview, I realized that I failed to mention one of my stronger qualifications for the position. You had indicated that the position requires extensive knowledge of the English language. As it has become so second nature to me, I did not think to tell you that I have worked as a teachers aide helping in the English and Language Departments throughout my high school years. This experience has provided me with a sound understanding of the theory and application of English.

I, again, thank you for the opportunity of interviewing with your company and look forward to hearing from you soon. If there is any further information that I may provide about my background, please do not hesitate to contact me.

Sincerely,

Paul Jones

To see examples of Achievement Lists (which are included with scholarship and college applications, CLICK HERE.

Another valuable source for more information on resumes and cover letters is this site: JobSmart--Resume & Cover Letters
 

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