RESUME WRITING The Basics Topics General resume writing

RESUME WRITING The Basics

Topics � General resume writing rules �Section-by-section � Limited information conundrum

General Rules � � Standard length= 1 page �Exceptions: extensive, career related information Be clear, concise Tailor to your major / career / job applying to Can have different types of resumes for different types of jobs: � Career-related jobs � “I-just-need-money” jobs � Internships

General Rules � � ‘References’ line un-necessary unless do not have enough info No ‘I’ anywhere in resume � No-no’s: “To secure a position where I can utilize…; I demonstrated my leadership qualities by; I resolved customer complaints…”

Font & Size � Use the same font & size throughout your document� between � 10 and 12 size Suggested fonts: �Garamond �Georgia �Arial �Times New Roman

Contact Info � � Name should be bigger than rest of text �Size 14 or so �Bold the name Actors’ resumes- name should be very big Un-necessary to write ‘email’ De-activate hyperlink garcia@yorkmail. cuny. edu put cursor at end of link and hit backspace one time to undo hyperlink line

Example: Contact Info CARLOS SINGH 42 Book Road ▪ Long Island City, NY 10016 csing@homtail. com C. (347) 930. 4112 ▪ H. (718) 262. 2000

General Rules � � No high school data unless very pertinent or you’re low on information �Ex. : attended aviation h. s. , did some flight hours, and pursuing Aviation Management degree Highlight text with bold, underscore, italics, bullets �No arrows / asterisks �Square bullets clever, modern

Catering: the Job Description Identify strongest qualities that company is looking for � Include only the top qualities that company is looking for in objective � Highlight qualities throughout your resume � The job description = the answer key to the test.

The Job Description “We are looking for someone who is able to follow instructions, detail oriented, and results driven. Also, able to…. ” Objective To secure a position with your company by utilizing my unmatched ability to understand adhere to details and instructions, while delivering concrete results. Skills Goal oriented Meticulous Able to follow instructions Efficient communicator Multilingual: Creole, Spanish, Chinese

The Objective’: What you will give, not get �Bad objective: To secure a position that will allow me to gain experience and grow professionally. �Good objective: To secure a position that will allow me to apply my organizational skills, my work ethic, and my academic training, to benefit your company.

Objective, Expanded � The purpose of the objective: �To catch attention of prospective employer �To demonstrate that you have perused the job description / researched the company �To incite employer to read resume

In lieu of ‘objective’, use a summary: • Pros: More thorough description of your strengths than an ‘objective’ • Cons: Does not mention specific position, as an ‘objective’ does

An objective by any other name is still a…rose (type of summary) � Profile (Professional Profile) � Qualifications Summary � Skills Summary � (Et cetera) (“A rose by any other name is still a rose” [Hamlet, by Shakespeare])

Qualifications- Example � A competent individual with experience in office / medical settings and procedures; Able to communicate professionally, multi-task, and handle detailed duties without losing the bigger picture. Hands-on knowledge of popular office equipment and software; Punctual and dedicated employee.

General Rules � ‘Education’: right after ‘Objective’ while pursuing any degree �B. A. /B. S. �Masters �Ph. D. �Post � doctorate After any of these degrees, can send ‘Education’ anywhere on page

Education � � � Spell out CUNY the 1 st time it appears Name of degree spelled out Month & year of estimated graduation � Example: ______________________ ___ EDUCATION The City University of New York (CUNY), York College Jamaica, NY Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, June 2012 Concentration in Human Resources Major GPA: 3. 14

Education, Expanded EDUCATION The City University of New York (CUNY), York College Jamaica, NY Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, anticipated June 2014 Major: Human Resources GPA: 3. 0 CUNY, La. Guardia Community College Long Island City, NY Associates Degree in Business Administration, December 2011 GPA: 3. 0

General Rules � ‘Experience’ listed in chronological order: �Most recent experience listed first at the top � Use professional vocabulary � “Responded to inbound / outbound calls “ VS “Answered phones” � Customize answers to the job description

Experience, Expanded: � � Borough, State Queens: list the neighborhood � Jamaica, NY � Woodside, NY no periods needed- N. Y. Manhattan: appears as New York, NY _____________________ � EXPERIENCE V. I. T. A (Volunteer Income Tax Assistance) January 2012– Present Assistant Manager, Human Resources Metropolitan Museum of Art Visitor Services Representative Jamaica, NY April 2010 – Present New York, NY

Experience, Expanded: � � Not more than 4 bullets per job description Can combine sentences to make a small paragraph per bullet. Ex. : Recognized for strong work ethic and made responsible for providing detailed information to staff; Processed identification documents for a 7, 200 person workforce. � � No asterisks, no arrows Small bullets Square bullets clever Quantify: numbers impress � “Responded to an estimated 200 inbound calls per week. ”

Experience, Expanded � � List internships- under ‘Internships’ section or ‘Experience’. List exactly as you would a job � Example: Health Promotion Center, York College Jamaica, NY Student Health Advisor Internship January 2011 – May 2011 � Recorded body-mass indexes & blood pressure to assess general health � Provided solid advice on how to maintain a healthy lifestyle based on test results & personal goals � Handled 200 outbound calls weekly to various departments; Assisted students with computer-related issues

Quantifying… � � Especially good for results-oriented resumes Sales positions Mention %’s (percentages) Measureable results/targets � “Increased customer base by 7% per year with unique marketing strategies. ” � “Eased workload of staff by creating a database system to handle 200 additional data files. ” � “Coached 50 tennis amateurs per season. ” � “Distributed diabetes information to approximately 100 community residents. ”

Distinctions can also go in ‘Education’ section HONORS &AWARDS � Dean’s List, 2012 � Member, AICPA � Secretary, Accounting & Finance Club, York College � Recipient, $2, 200 TMCF scholarship � Can be bolded, underscored, italicized (don’t overdo)

The ‘Limited’ Conundrum: 2. anything that puzzles (noun) � � � When you are strapped for information, insert / amplify these sections: Related coursework section Skills Activities (as relevant as possible to job / major) High school information (as relevant as possible to job / major)

How These Sections Should Appear: RELATED COURSEWORK Principles of Accounting Finance & Management Theory Accounting I&II SKILLS Organization Interpersonal Microsoft Word Efficiency & Accuracy Detail-oriented Bilingual, Spanish

Types of Activities � On-campus / Off-campus: � Clubs/Associations � Sports teams � Leading study groups � Tutoring � Walk-a-thons � Competitions � Initiatives/Projects: fund raising (QUANTIFY) � Religious instructor � Treasurer for church � Organize exercise group � Assist elderly neighbor, et cetera

How This Section Should Appear: ACTIVITIES For this section, do not list details of your responsibilities unless you need to fill Space. (Accounting example: no details; Health Promotion: includes details) Accounting Club- York College, Secretary 2012 Pandora’s Box Official College Newspaper, York College Spring Jamaica, NY Health Promotion Center Health Day, York College April 2011 ▪ Individually responsible for organizing and manning several information tables on major illnesses. Interfaced with large sector of student population.

Limited C… � If you do not have any of these activities to include… �Get involved in something this week/weekend.

Where to go from here… York. cuny. edu/student-development/careerservices � � Youtubes: � Resume Writing 101 � Optimal. Resume: create a resume Downloads: � Resume Check-off � Sample resumes � Cover letters, interviewing, career prep Access your Cardinal Careers Account: � Upload your resume for professional review � Resume Books: be viewable to employers 3 M 01: � Hard copies: � Consult with a career counselor

YOU ARE A SUCCESS. “A diploma alone is not a career strategy. ” Career Services, York College 718. 262. 2282 3 M 01 (Division of Student Development)