Resumes

What is a Resume?
A resume is a personal summary of your
professional history and qualifications.

It includes information about:

• Your career goals
• Education
• Work experience
• Activities
• Honors
• Any special skills you might have.
Key Components
• Heading
• Objective
• Education
• Skills
• Experience
• References- in resume or as an addendum
Additional Components
• Personal Skills and Assets
• Honors, awards and activities
• Community service
• Foreign language proficiency
• Computer skills & applications
• Volunteer experiences
• Prospective Colleges & Universities (if applicable)
Formatting & Appearance
• Make your name stand out with a bold, larger
font size
• Use standard fonts such as Times New Roman,
Arial, or Courier
• Type Size: 10 - 12 Point
• White, beige, or light gray quality bond paper
• Use a laser printer for best finish
• Limit entry level resume to one typed page
Heading
Includes contact information:
▫ Top of the page
▫ Name: large and bold- so it stands out!
▫ Address: street, town, state & zip code
▫ Telephone number(s): with professional message
▫ Email address: professional looking
([email protected] is not appropriate)
check e-mail on a daily basis
Sample Headings
Mike Jones
1 Meadow Way
Altamonte Springs, FL 32116
(407) 555-1234
[email protected]

Susan Williams
[email protected]
Current Address Permanent Address
325 Maple St 55 Sycamore Drive
Orlando, FL 32837 Miami, FL 36829
(407) 555-3357 (305) 555-4429

CHRIS SMITH
83 Prospect Road  Orlando, FL 32837  (407) 555-8975  [email protected]
 CHRIS SMITH
83 Prospect Road  Orlando, FL 32837
(407) 555-8975  [email protected]
 9

Objective
• What is an objective?
▫ A one sentence summary of position desired.
 Short
 Specific
 Tailored to the position
• What does an objective do?
▫ Clarifies the purpose of your resume
▫ Presents a clear statement of your goals
Sample Objectives
• Part-time position at spa or salon

• Receptionist at a veterinarian’s office

• Customer service representative at a call center

• Hostess at a upscale restaurant

• A part-time job or summer internship at a

communications firm

• Part-time retail sales position in a clothing store

Personal Skills and Assets
A couple of sentences or bullets that describe
what you are like as a person and how you do
things, including personality traits, attitudes,
work habits, etc.
• This is a useful section, especially if you do not
have much work experience.
• Think of the skills you use in school that
employers want!!!
▫ Punctuality, Time Management, Teamwork
 CHRIS SMITH
83 Prospect Road  Orlando, FL 32837
(407) 555-8975  [email protected]
_____________________________________________________

OBJECTIVE
Part time position as a clerk in a dental office
Sample Personal Skills and Assets
Hard Working Team Player Effective at time
Responsible Works well with management

Dependable people Able to multitask

Goal Oriented Enthusiastic Confident

Self-Starter Punctual Honest

Motivated Friendly

Willing to Learn Flexible

Quick Learner

Try it now! List three of your personal qualities.

Sample Personal Skills and Assets Section

PERSONAL SKILLS AND ASSETS

I am a hard working young lady who is willing to learn
more. I am responsible, motivated, educated and punctual.
I am friendly person who enjoys helping others.

SKILLS SUMMARY
• Detail oriented and well organized
• Excellent verbal and written communication
• Strong customer service focus
• Outgoing with a positive attitude
• Professional demeanor
Education
• Name and location of the school
• Major, minor and area of concentration
• Graduation or anticipated graduation date
• GPA – if 3.2 or higher
• Relevant Coursework- See next slide for
more information
 CHRIS SMITH
83 Prospect Road  Orlando, FL 32837
(407) 555-8975  [email protected]
_____________________________________________________

OBJECTIVE
Part time position as a clerk in a dental office

PERSONAL SKILLS AND ASSETS

I am a hard working young lady who is willing to
learn more. I am responsible, motivated, educated and
punctual. I am friendly person who enjoys helping
others.
Education- Relevant Courses

• List relevant courses Spanish (4 semesters)

that: Computer Science
▫ Help you stand out from Marketing
the crowd Economics
▫ Have provided you with • Do not include courses that are
specific skills or part of a required curriculum-
Ex. English
knowledge
• Include courses that are at an
advanced level if they are
relevant to the position- eg.
Biology, Calculus
Samples of Education Section
EDUCATION
Winter Park High School Winter Park, FL
Aug 2005–present
• Graduating May 2009
• GPA 3.0
• Relevant Courses: Business Systems Technology; Marketing
• Received an award for being a best student

EDUCATION Colonial High School Orlando, FL

High school student
• Graduate 2009
• Composite Act score of 15
• GPA of 3.1
• Relevant Courses: Biology, Human Anatomy and Physiology, Calculus
 CHRIS SMITH
83 Prospect Road  Orlando, FL 32837
(407) 555-8975  [email protected]
___________________________________________________________

OBJECTIVE
Part time position as a clerk in a dental office

PERSONAL SKILLS AND ASSETS

I am a hard working young lady who is willing to learn more. I
am responsible, motivated, educated and punctual. I am friendly
person who enjoys helping others.

EDUCATION
Winter Park High School Winter Park, FL
Aug 2005–
present
• Graduating May 2009
• GPA 3.0
• Relevant Courses: Business Systems Technology,
Marketing, Biology
• Received an award for being a best student
 20

Experience
• Remember – Experience can be:
▫ Paid part-time/full-time positions
▫ Internships
▫ Volunteer work/ Community Service
▫ Club/campus group involvement
▫ Summer Jobs
 21

Experience
• Guidelines for duties, responsibilities &
accomplishments
▫ Include most relevant skills & qualities
▫ Most relevant information comes first
▫ Use strong action verbs- see handout
▫ Provide evidence of skills & qualities by
 Quantifying information
 Acknowledging accomplishments & evaluations
Sample Experience Section
WORK EXPERIENCE
2005-present Pizza Paradiso Orlando, FL
Waitress
• Provided excellent guest service
• Dealt with complaints
• Took orders and served guests in timely manner
• Handled cash

WORK EXPERIENCE
VALLEY STATE BANK, Huntington, IN
Bank Teller, Summers 2005 & 2006
• Provided friendly, professional customer service
• Issued money orders, travelers checks, loan
payments and deposits/withdrawals
 CHRIS SMITH
83 Prospect Road  Orlando, FL 32837
(407) 555-8975  [email protected]
___________________________________________________________

OBJECTIVE
Part time position as a clerk in a dental office

PERSONAL SKILLS AND ASSETS

I am a hard working young lady who is willing to learn more. I am responsible,
motivated, educated and punctual. I am friendly person who enjoys helping others.

EDUCATION
Winter Park High School Winter Park, FL
Aug 2005–present
• Graduating May 2009
• GPA 3.0
• Relevant Courses: Business Systems Technology,
Marketing, Biology
• Received an award for being a best student

WORK EXPERIENCE
Valley State Bank, Huntington, IN
Bank Teller, Summers 2005 & 2006
• Provided friendly, professional customer service
• Issued money orders, travelers checks, loan payments and
deposits/withdrawals
Specialized Skills
• Include skills that make you
unique, such as computer
skills, foreign language
skills, or military service.

• Be specific in describing
your special skills; name
computer programs you
know, how long you studied
a foreign language, or your
dates of military service.
Sample Skills Section
COMPUTER SKILLS
Experienced with Macintosh, IBM PC, Windows XP,
Microsoft Word, Microsoft PowerPoint, Microsoft Excel, and
Microsoft Publisher

LANGUAGES
Bilingual Spanish and English
 CHRIS SMITH
83 Prospect Road  Orlando, FL 32837
(407) 555-8975  [email protected]
___________________________________________________________

OBJECTIVE
Part time position as a clerk in a dental office

PERSONAL SKILLS AND ASSETS

I am a hard working young lady who is willing to learn more. I am responsible, motivated,
educated and punctual. I am friendly person who enjoys helping others.

EDUCATION
Winter Park High School Winter Park, FL
Aug 2005–present
• Graduating May 2009
• GPA 3.0
• Relevant Courses: Business Systems Technology,
Marketing, Biology
• Received an award for being a best student

WORK EXPERIENCE
Valley State Bank, Huntington, IN
Bank Teller, Summers 2005 & 2006
• Provided friendly, professional customer service
• Issued money orders, travelers checks, loan payments and
deposits/withdrawals
COMPUTER SKILLS
Experienced with Macintosh, IBM PC, Windows XP, Microsoft Word, Microsoft PowerPoint,
Microsoft Excel, and Microsoft Publisher

LANGUAGES
Bilingual Spanish and English
References
• If your resume is strong, it is enough to state that
references are available upon request or to include
as an addendum
• Choose references that are knowledgeable about
your skills, abilities, and work ethics. Former
employers, teachers, and counselors would be good
references, your friends and relatives would not.
• Always obtain permission from references in
advance and provide them with current resume
Sample References
REFERENCES
Kristin Wilkin, English Teacher, Winter Park High School, 407-623-2476

Bob Jones, Supervisor, Valley State Bank, 407-889-2345

REFERENCES Bob Jones

Kristin Wilkin Supervisor
English Teacher Valley State Bank
Winter Park High School 407-889-2345
407-623-1476
 CHRIS SMITH
83 Prospect Road  Orlando, FL 32837
(407) 555-8975  [email protected]
___________________________________________________________

OBJECTIVE
Part time position as a clerk in a dental office

PERSONAL SKILLS AND ASSETS

I am a hard working young lady who is willing to learn more. I am responsible, motivated, educated
and punctual. I am friendly person who enjoys helping others.

EDUCATION
Winter Park High School Winter Park, FL
Aug 2005–present
• Graduating May 2009
• GPA 3.0
• Relevant Courses: Business Systems Technology,
Marketing, Biology
• Received an award for being a best student

WORK EXPERIENCE
Valley State Bank, Huntington, IN
Bank Teller, Summers 2005 & 2006
• Provided friendly, professional customer service
• Issued money orders, travelers checks, loan payments and deposits/withdrawals
COMPUTER SKILLS
Experienced with Macintosh, IBM PC, Windows XP, Microsoft Word, Microsoft PowerPoint, Microsoft
Excel, and Microsoft Publisher

LANGUAGES
Bilingual Spanish and English
REFERENCES
Kristin Wilkin, English Teacher, Winter Park High School, 407-623-2476

Bob Jones, Supervisor, Valley State Bank, 407-889-2345

 30

Remember

Always submit a cover letter with your resume

A resume does not get you a job…

A resume does get you an interview.

And, putting time and consideration

into your resume is one of the
best ways to prepare for your interviews!

Proofread! Proofread! Proofread!

10 RESUME NO-NO’S

• DON’T name the file “Resume.” The file

name should have your name in it, so it’s easy
for the person who downloads it to find. An
example file name is “WillyAvery_Resume.” Also
be sure to always send resumes over email as
PDF files, not from their original format. You
want to preserve the font and formatting by only
sending to others as PDF files.
• DON’T have long paragraphs. Remember to
start each section with a bulleted list starting with
a strong action verb. Key information can get lost
in dense paragraphs.
• DON’T use the word “I.” Your resume is all
about you, so you don’t have to ever say “I…”
because that’s obvious. You want to be as pithy as
possible, so don’t use unnecessary words.
• DON’T forget to check for misspellings and
grammatical errors. Your resume is a direct
reflection of your attention to detail. It’s
absolutely unacceptable to have a single typo.
Don’t give anyone a reason to automatically
discount your application.
• DON’T include any personal data. You’ll
include your name, address, email (make sure
it’s professional), and phone number in the
resume header – but that’s it. Do not include any
information about your age, height, weight, race,
sex, sexual orientation, religion, political beliefs,
or marital status.
• DON’T include a photograph. A resume is
just to list your qualifications and professional
experience, not to draw attention to your
personal appearance. Unless you’re applying for
a modeling or acting job, you should never
include a photograph in your resume.
• DON’T have time gaps. Make sure that all
periods of time are accounted for. You don’t
want the person considering you to notice that
you didn’t list anything for an 8-month period
and then wonder what you were doing (or not
doing) during that time.
• DON’T lie about your qualifications or
skills. If you say you’re fluent in Spanish, be
prepared for someone to speak to you in Spanish
during your interview. If you list that you
exceeded sales goals, then be prepared to discuss
how you achieved that and what led to your
success, specifically.
• DON’T include references. When you apply
for a job, it’s assumed that you’ll be providing
references. You’ll provide them on a separate
document or via email when they’re requested of
you. Don’t list the people’s name, titles, and
phone numbers on your resume.
• DON’T discuss reasons you left prior
positions. While you need to be prepared to
answer that question in an interview, it’s not
appropriate content for your resume. Keep the
focus on your strengths and talents, not on
justifying past decision