Resume Assignment

Greetings Students! 

I know it may feel as if I have abandoned you, and I guess I have, but you have "brains in your head and feet in your shoes and can go any direction you choose..."  :)  You really don't have that much left in front of you in terms of your senior year; however, you do still have a few projects.  One being your resume.  Here is the information you will need in creating your resume.  Your resume will be due Friday, April 22 - NO EXCEPTIONS!  It must be typed. 

I will grade it and have it back to you right after spring break.  Then, your portfolio will be due Friday, May 6th, 2011 - NO EXCEPTIONS. 

How to Create a Successful Resume: 

First, begin with a template and/or format that is appealing.  You do not want an overly busy, distracting resume, but instead, a concise, appealing resume.  Make sure you have some white space on the page and DO NOT HAVE MORE THAN ONE PAGE. 

Once you have chosen a template/format, create an objective.  Once you have chosen your objective, you should have an easier time putting together your resume, as you have a focus/purpose.  Your objective is the first category on your resume, other than your contact information.  You will want to make your contact information visible and easily “useable” so that the potential hirer does not have to search to get a hold of you.  Also, think about what your contact information looks like.  If your email address is sexybobcat@hotmail.com, you may want to change it to something that represents you better as a professional, such as dveloz@hotmail.com. 

A sample objective would be: 

Objective:  To bring my strong dedication, responsibility and motivation to a company I believe in and support, as a customer service representative. 

This allows you a “first impression.”  You are able to tell the employer something about your personality that may set you apart from others.  NEVER start your objective with “I” – “I want to” or “I wish to.”  Instead, you need to change your thought process and start with “To…”  Here are some starter examples: 

• To enhance my professional skills in a dynamic and stable workplace.
• To solve problems in a effective/creative manner in a challenging position.
• Seeking a job with an opportunity for professional challenges in the field of ABC.
• To build a long-term career in ‘your profession’ with opportunities for career growth.
• To keep up with the cutting edge of technologies.
• To gain employment with a company or institution that offers me a consistently positive atmosphere to learn and implement new technologies for the betterment of the organization.
• To use my educational skills in the best possible way for achieving the company’s goals.
• To join a company that offers me a stable and positive atmosphere and inspires me to enhance my skills in the XYZ industry.
• To join an organization that offers me a constructive workplace for communicating and interacting with customers and people.
• To obtain an IT position at a top-tier organization and utilize the EDUCATIONAL qualifications I’ve obtained in ABC University.
• To bring my strong dedication, responsibility, and motivation and to utilize my accounting qualifications obtained through ABC University.

Next, you will cover education.  Education will be your next headline.  Obviously, you probably won’t have much in the education department.  Most likely you will have “Pahrump Valley High School” and “Expected Diploma June 2011.”  If your GPA is honorable and/or your class rank, you will want to include that information as well, as it will “set you apart” from other applicants. 

Next will be the category “Work Experience” if you have it.  If you do not have work experience, then you are not required to have it as a field.  If you do have work experience it needs to be in reverse chronological order.  Put the most recent work experience and go back…

Lastly, put “Honors/Certificates” where you will cover any honors and/or certificates that are relevant and that will reveal your character.  Again, this is your first impression to a potential employer.  This is your chance to let them get a “glimpse of you” that will set you apart from other candidates/applicants.  DO NOT OVERWHELM the section with honors that do not matter for the particular job you are applying for.  And, be reasonable with “time covered.”  For example, you would not list second grade honors. 

Skills/Knowledge is next.  Use this section to list specific skills that you have, again, that would set you apart.  List any specific software knowledge, training, etc.  Maybe you have taken 2-3 years of autoshop and you are applying for a job at Pepboys as an oil changer…that would be good information. 

Lastly, “Achievements.”  This category, again, allows you to set yourself apart with any activities that you have accomplished.  You can include community service projects that you have completed in this category.  Things you have started and finished that would be deemed “accomplishments.”  Be sure in this category that you really emphasize the “verbs” of what you have done.  For example, volunteered, instead of “helped.”  Volunteered sends a much stronger message. 

Remember: 

·         Be truthful. State your abilities accurately.

·         Target your audience. Highlight skills and activities relevant to the job.

·         Keep it brief. Limit your resume to one page.

·         Write and rewrite. Plan to write several versions of your resume before it feels right.

·         Be professional. Print your resume on high-grade paper using a quality printer.

·         Be accurate. Proofread your resume (and have a friend do the same) for any errors.

·         Follow up. Call or send a letter to the employer to restate your interest in the position.

This assignment is due on April 22, 2011 - NO EXCEPTIONS. 

Your resume must be typed. 

Good luck!  Please feel free to send me any questions/concerns you may have.  :)