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by Olivia Crosby
Occupational Outlook Quarterly l Summer 1999
Modified by FAQS.ORG
Résumés: Marketing your skills
A résumé is a brief summary of your experience, education, and skills. It is a marketing piece, usually one or two
pages long, designed to make an employer want to interview you. Good résumés match the jobseeker’s abilities to the job’s
requirements. The best résumés highlight an applicant’s strengths and accomplishments.
There are four main steps to creating a résumé: Compiling information about yourself and the occupations that
interest you, choosing a résumé format, adding style, and proofreading the final document. You may also want to prepare your résumé for
computer scanning, e- mailing, and Internet posting, especially if you are pursuing a computer- intensive field.
Gathering and organizing the facts
Start working on your résumé by collecting and reviewing information about yourself: Previous positions, job
duties, volunteer work, skills, accomplishments, education, and activities. These are the raw materials of your résumé. This is also a
good time to review your career goals and to think about which past jobs you have liked, and why.
After compiling this information, research the occupations that interest you. Determine what duties they entail, what
credentials they require, and what skills they use. Your résumé will use your autobiographical information to show that you meet an
occupation’s requirements. You will probably need to write a different résumé for each occupation that interests you. Each résumé
will emphasize what is relevant to one occupation. Remember: Even if you do not have many specialized and technical skills, most
occupations also require abilities like reliability, teamwork, and communication. These are particularly important for entry- level
workers.
The next step is to organize the personal information you have assembled. Most résumé writers use the following
components.
Contact information. This includes your name; permanent and college campus addresses, if
they are different; phone number; and e- mail address, if you have one. Place your full legal name at the top of your résumé and your
contact information underneath it. This information should be easy to see; reviewers who can’t find your phone number can’t call you
for an interview. Also, make sure the outgoing message on your answering machine sounds professional. If you list an e- mail address,
remember to check your inbox regularly.
Objective statement. Placed immediately below your contact information, the objective
statement tells the reviewer what kind of position you want— for example, “Seeking a position as an administrative assistant.” Some
objectives include more detail, such as “Seeking an administrative position using my organizational, word processing, and customer
service skills.”
Objective statements are optional and are most often used by recent graduates and career changers. “I like to see
an objective on a résumé because it shows focus,” says Jannette Beamon of Dell Computers’ Central Staffing Division in Round Rock,
Texas.
But writing objectives can be tricky. A vague statement, such as “Seeking a position that uses my skills and
experience,” is meaningless. And an overly specific objective can backfire, eliminating you from jobs you want that are slightly
different from your objective. If you decide to include an objective statement, make sure it fits the job you are applying for.
“Tailoring is expected,” says Beamon. “A statement should show that you know the type of work the company does and the type of
position it needs to fill.”
Qualifications summary. The qualifications summary, which evolved from the objective, is
an overview designed to quickly answer the employer’s question “Why should I hire you?” It lists a few of your best qualifications
and belongs below your contact information or objective statement.
A qualifications summary, like an objective, is optional. It can be particularly effective for applicants with
extensive or varied experience because it prevents the important facts from being lost among the details. Most résumé writers choose
either an objective or a summary, but some use both.
Education. List all relevant training, certifications, and education on your résumé.
Start with the most recent and work backward. For each school you have attended, list the school’s name and location; diploma,
certificate, or degree earned, along with year of completion; field of study; and honors received. If you have not yet completed one of
your degrees, use the word expected before your graduation date. If you do not know when you will graduate, add in progress after the name
of the unfinished degree.
The education section is especially important for recent graduates. Include your overall grade point average, average
within major, or class standing, if it helps your case. The general guideline is to include averages of 3.0 and above, but the minimum
useful average is still widely debated. Graduates should also consider listing relevant courses under a separate heading. Listing four to
eight courses related to a particular occupation shows a connection between education and work. College graduates need not list their high
school credentials.
Experience. Résumés should include your job history: The name and location of the
organizations you have worked for, years you worked there, title of your job, a few of the duties you performed, and results you achieved.
Also, describe relevant volunteer activities, internships, and school projects, especially if you have little paid experience.
When describing your job duties, emphasize results instead of responsibilities and performance rather than qualities.
It is not enough, for example, to claim you are organized; you must use your experience to prove it.
Job descriptions often specify the scope of a position’s duties— such as the number of phone lines answered,
forms processed, or people supervised. If you worked on a project with other people, tell the reviewer your accomplishments came from a
team effort. Also, mention any promotions or increases in responsibility you received.
Use specific accomplishments to give your experience impact. Note any improvements you made, any time or money you
saved, and any problems you solved— for example, were you praised for handling difficult customers? Were you always on time or available
for overtime? Did you save time by reorganizing a filing system? Did you start a new program? Mention quantifiable results you
accomplished, such as a 10- percent increase in sales, a 90- percent accuracy rate, a 25- percent increase in student participation, or an
A grade.
Activities and associations. Activities can be an excellent source of additional
experience. “A lot of students in high school or college don’t have much concrete work experience,” says Alicia Mallaney, a recruiter
for a management consulting firm in McLean, Virginia. “They should list their involvement in school or extracurricular activities—
employers look for those kinds of things because they show initiative.”
Activities might include participation in organizations, associations, student government, clubs, or community
activities, especially those related to the position you are applying for or that demonstrate hard work and leadership skills.
Special skills. If you have specific computer, foreign language, typing, or other
technical skills, consider highlighting them by giving them their own category— even if they don’t relate directly to the occupation
you’re pursuing. “At Dell, most of our applicants list programming and computer application skills in their own section,” says Beamon.
“But now, most occupations, even outside the computer industry, require computer skills. People in every industry are listing those
skills separately.”
Awards and honors. Include formal recognition you have received. Do not omit
professional or academic awards. These are often listed with an applicant’s experience or education, but some list them at the end of
their resume.
References. Usually, résumés do not include names of references, but some reviewers
suggest breaking this rule if the names are recognizable in the occupation or industry. Most résumé writers end with the statement
“References available upon request.” Others assume reference availability is understood and use that space for more important
information. Regardless of whether you mention it on the résumé, you will need to create a separate reference sheet to provide when
requested and to carry with you to interviews.
A reference sheet lists the name, title, office address, and phone number of three to five people who know your
abilities. Before offering them as references, of course, make sure these people have agreed to recommend you. At the top of the sheet,
type your name and contact information, repeating the format you used in your résumé.
Other personal information. Your résumé should include any other information that is
important to your occupation, such as a completed portfolio or a willingness to travel. Your résumé is your own, and you should customize
it to fit your needs. However, some information does not belong on a résumé. Do not disclose your health, disability, marital status,
age, or ethnicity. This information is illegal for most employers to request.
Tips:
- Good résumés show how your qualifications fit the requirements of the jobs you apply for.
- Most occupations require abilities like reliability, teamwork, and communication.
- Good résumé objectives focus on the employer’s needs.
- Nonwork activities add experience to your résumé.
- Tailor your résumé for each occupation or job of interest.
- Use action phrases— not complete sentences.
- Highlight specific achievements.
- Include quantifiable results where possible.
- Identify increases in responsibility.
- Mention special work related skills.
- Identify coursework relating to the employer’s needs.
Applications: Fitting yourself to the form
Many jobs require jobseekers to complete an application instead of submitting a résumé. But an application is a résumé
in disguise: Its purpose is to show your qualifications. Assembling the following information about yourself in advance will make it easier
to complete applications:
- Identification. Be prepared to give your name, address, phone number, and social security number. You may
also need to bring proof of identification when you pick up and drop off the application.
- Employment history. List the month and year you started and ended each job; your supervisor’s name,
address, and phone number; your job title, location, salary, and major duties; and your reason for leaving.
- Education and certification. Know the name and city of the schools you attended and the year you received
your degrees and the name, level, and award and renewal dates of certification.
- Special skills. List any special skills you have that are closely related to the job, such as computer
applications, typing speed, or equipment operation.
- References. Provide the names, phone numbers, and addresses of three or four people who have agreed to
recommend you.
When you pick up an application, don’t miss an opportunity to make a good first impression. Dress as you would for
the job. Politely request two copies of the form, or make your own copies of the original before you start filling it out. Read the entire
application before you begin. Then, use one copy as a rough draft and the other as the final product. Use a typewriter or write neatly with
black ink.
Answer every question on the application. Write “not applicable” or “none” if a question does not apply to
you. Some reviewers suggest answering “will discuss in interview” if asked for information that might disqualify you.
Make a copy of your completed application. If you go back for an interview, take this record with you. Having a
completed form will also make it easier to fill out the next one.
Although forms do not offer the same flexibility as a résumé, you can still find ways to highlight your best
qualifications. For example, you can use strong action verbs to describe your duties. If you do not have paid experience, you can give job
titles to your volunteer work or list relevant academic experience, substituting student for job titles.
Computer applications. If you are filling out an application for a computer database, you will want to
use keywords and simple formatting— no boldface or bullets. Put the most important information first. Include as much information as you
can for each question without becoming wordy or repetitive. The more relevant details you provide, the better your chances of using a
keyword that matches an employer’s requirements. Before submitting the form, copy and paste your answers into a word- processing program
so you can check the spelling.
Choosing a format
There are three main résumé formats— chronological, functional, and combination. Each is defined by the way it
organizes your experience. Choose the one that shows your experience to its best advantage.
Chronological.
This résumé type is the most common. It organizes your experience around the jobs you have held. This format is an excellent choice for
people with steady work histories or previous jobs that relate closely to their career objective.
To create a chronological résumé, list each position you have held, starting with the most recent and working
backward. For each position, give the title of your job, name of the organization you worked for, and years you worked there. Next, relate
the duties and accomplishments of that job. When describing your jobs, use action stamore space, find some way to divide the information
itements, not sentences. Instead of writing “I managed a fundraising campaign,” write, “Managed a fundraising campaign.” Use strong
verbs to begin each statement.
Be specific, but not overly detailed, in describing what you did. Employers say three to five statements are usually
sufficient for each job. And no job should have more than four consecutive lines of information under it; large blocks of text are
difficult to read. If you must use nto categories.
Your most important positions should occupy the most space on your résumé. If you’ve had jobs that do not relate
to the position you want, consider dividing your experience into two categories: Relevant experience and other experience. Describe the
relevant jobs thoroughly, and briefly mention the others. If you have had many jobs, you probably do not need to mention the oldest or
least important ones. Just be careful not to create damaging gaps in your work history. For a sample chronological résumé, click
here.
Because the chronological format emphasizes dates and job titles, it is often a poor format for career changers,
people with inconsistent work histories, or new entrants to the work force. For these applicants, the functional résumé is a better
choice.
Functional.
The functional résumé organizes your experience around skills rather than job titles. “I often recommend the functional format to
students who have not had positions that relate directly to the job they want,” says Bryan Kempton, Program Director of the Career Center
at the University of Maryland, College Park. “By organizing their experiences around skills, they can connect less relevant jobs to the
career qualifications they need. For instance, a job waiting tables can be combined with other examples to show organizational or customer
service skills.”
To create a functional résumé, identify three or four skills required for your target job. For each skill, identify
three to five concrete examples to demonstrate that ability. Again, use action phrases— not complete sentences— when writing your list.
Arrange your skill headings in order of importance. If you have a specific vacancy announcement, match the
arrangement of your headings to that of its listed requirements. The closer the match between your skill headings and the reviewer’s
expectations, the more qualified you seem.
The last part of the functional résumé is a brief work history. Write only job titles, company names, and
employment years. If you have gaps in your work history, you could use the cover letter to explain them, or you could fill them by adding
volunteer work, community activities, or family responsibilities to your job list. For a sample functional résumé, click
here.
Combination. This format combines the best of the chronological format with the best of
the functional format. Combination résumés are as varied as the histories they summarize. One variation begins with a chronological
format but then subdivides each job description into skill categories. Another variation uses a functional format but, for each example of
a skill, identifies the organization where the example occurred.
Tips:
- Chronological résumés organize your experience around the jobs you have held.
- Functional résumés emphasize skills rather than employment history.
- Sprinkle your résumé with language found in the position description.
- Use a laser printer and keep the font size at 10 points or above.
- Avoid mistakes by having several people proofread for you
Adding style
You will create a good impression if your résumé is attractive and easy to read. An inviting style draws attention
to your qualifications. If you take pity on the reviewer’s eyes, chances are better that he or she will spend more time reviewing your résumé—
and will remember it better.
To make your résumé easier to read and copy, print it on white or lightly colored paper. Loud, garish colors may
attract attention, but they risk creating an unprofessional impression. Also, use a laser printer and keep the font size at 10 point or
above. The reviewer shouldn’t have to struggle to read your words.
Design. Good résumé writers use design elements strategically. Boldface, large type,
capital letters, centering, or horizontal lines can be used to make headings stand out on the page. Bullets or italics can draw attention
to key accomplishments. One inch margins around the page and blank lines between sections will make all the information easier to see.
Any graphics you use should be consistent with your occupation’s standards. Graphics appropriate for one occupation
might be inappropriate for another. As Tom Harris, a manager at a marketing firm in Minneapolis, explains, “Small design elements are
nice— a border or a name and address printed in letterhead style. But large graphics are distracting. They make me wonder if the person
would rather be a graphic artist instead of an account manager.”
To give your résumé a consistent flow, maintain the same style from beginning to end. Every section should have the
same design elements. For example, if your education heading is bold and centered, every heading should be bold and cen tered. In the same
way, chose one typeface, such as Arial, Courier, or Times New Roman, and use it throughout. When you have finished, hold your résumé at
arm’s length and examine it. Make sure the type is easy to read and that the material lays out evenly on the page. You may need to
experiment with different styles before deciding which you like best.
Length. A long résumé is difficult for a reviewer to digest and retain; and, given the
volume of résumés many reviewers receive, long résumés are often ignored. Although rules about length are more flexible than they once
were, general guidelines still exist. Most students and recent graduates use a onepage résumé, other workers use one or two pages, and
the very experienced use two or three pages. If your résumé doesn’t match this pattern, it probably contains unnecessary words or
irrelevant information. Eliminate anything that does not help prove you’re qualified for the job.
Proofreading
Take time to prepare the best résumé you can. You might not be the most qualified candidate for every job, but your
résumé might be better than the competition. The most common mistakes are simple typographical and spelling errors. Computer spelling
checkers do not catch correctly spelled words used incorrectly—“ of” for “on,” for example, or “their” for “there.” You
want your résumé to stand out, but not for the wrong reasons. Avoid mistakes by having several people proofread for you.
Before you send out a résumé, review the vacancy announcement and fine- tune your résumé to meet employers’
specific criteria. Sprinkle your résumé with language found in the position description, paying special attention to your objective and
qualifications summary if you have them.
Finally, consider how your résumé will look when it arrives on a reviewer’s desk. Hastily stuffed, illegibly
addressed, and sloppily sealed envelopes do nothing to enhance your image as a neat, would- be professional. If you are faxing your résumé,
set the fax machine to fine printing mode, and always fax an original. Your résumé may have to withstand several trips through a copy
machine, so you want it to transmit as clearly as possible.
Going digital
Résumés can be formatted for e- mailing, posting to Internet sites, or scanning. These digital résumés include
the same information other résumés do, and they come in the same varieties— chronological, functional, or combination. But digital résumés
use simpler, technologically friendly formatting, and they emphasize keywords. This section describes two types of digital résumés: Plain
text résumés that can be e- mailed to employers or posted to databases and scannable paper résumés that can be read by computer optics.
To learn how to turn your résumé into a Web page, visit Internet sites, such as those listed at the end of this article.
Plain text
résumés. Résumés that are e- mailed or posted to Internet databases are designed for computer use. These résumés must be
written using the American Standard Code for Information Interchange (ASCII), also known as plain text. Plain text contains no special
formatting codes, so every computer can understand it.
To create a plain text résumé, open your existing résumé document with a word processing program, and save it as
a text or ASCII file. This will eliminate formatting codes. You can use the computer’s built- in text editor application, such as Notepad
for Windows or Simpletext for Macintosh, to edit the résumé.
The success of your résumé depends, in part, on the number of keywords it contains— the number of times its words
match the words requested by a manager. You can add keywords to your résumé by scrutinizing job announcements and, where appropriate,
copying their exact words when describing your skills. Fill your résumé with important nouns the computer will recognize, such as
professional organizations and industry jargon. Each abbreviation you use should be followed by the phrase it stands for, with the
exception of B. S. and B. A. for Bachelor of Science and Bachelor of Arts.
List every keyword that applies to you; do not expect the computer to infer. For example, don’t simply write
“word processing: Microsoft Office.” Instead, write “word processing: Microsoft Office, WordPerfect, Microsoft Word, Excel, and
PowerPoint.” Rules about length are relaxed for digital résumés. Some career counselors even suggest adding a keyword paragraph to the
top of your résumé, but others do not believe such paragraphs are useful.
Writers of plain text résumés should not use any characters or formatting not found on a standard keyboard.
Boldface, italics, and underlining are unavailable, as are tabs, bullets, and multiple font sizes. But alternative attention- getting
devices are still useful; asterisks and plus signs can replace bullets, rows of dashes can separate sections, and all capital letters can
emphasize headings.
The word wrap function is also disabled when writing in ASCII. Words will not automatically move from one line to the
next. Instead, you must hit the enter key at the end of every line. A line should hold only 65 characters, or it may not fit on the
reviewer’s screen. To be certain your line lengths are correct, count characters and use a standard- width typeface, such as Courier.
Times New Roman is not a standard- width typeface, so 65 of its characters will not always translate to 65 of the reviewer’s characters.
For a sample plain text résumé, click here.
Before e- mailing your résumé to an employer, e- mail it to yourself and a friend to see how it transmits. That
way, you may be able to uncover some formatting errors. When an employer asks for an e- mailed résumé, never attach a word- processed
document unless specifically requested to do so. Employers may not be able to open a word- processed document. Even if they can, they may
not want to risk receiving a computer virus. Always send your cover letter and résumé as text in a single message. If you are responding
to an advertisement or job posting, use that posting as the subject line of your message.
You can also post your plain text résumé to Internet databases and apply instantly to thousands of companies. When
you do this, the posted résumé becomes public information. Take precautions, such as omitting your home address and the address of your
current employer. The Internet can be part of a complete job search effort, but it should not be your sole job searching technique. Most
companies still do not use Internet recruiting.
Scannable résumés. Many large companies, and a growing number of small ones, use
computers to sort the hundreds of résumés they receive. These companies scan paper résumés into a computer database. When managers need
to fill a position, they program the computer with keywords that describe the qualifications they want in a candidate. The computer then
searches its database for résumés that include those keywords. The résumés with the most matches are forwarded to the managers.
This new technology is good news for jobseekers. Now when these companies put your résumé on file, your
qualifications are ready and waiting to be electronically retrieved, not languishing in a desk drawer. Before you submit your résumé to a
company, call the company to find out if it scans. If it does, you will need to make sure your résumé’s design is computer friendly
Stylistic touches that are easy on a human’s eyes may not be so easy on a computer scanner. Résumés that will be
scanned should be devoid of any graphics or formatting that a computer might misinterpret. The following steps will increase a scanner’s
ability to read your résumé:
- Use nontextured white or offwhite paper with black letters.
- Choose a well- known font such as Helvetica, Arial, or Courier.
- Pick a font size of 10 to 14 points, and do not condense spacing between letters.
- Do not underline or italicize text, and do not use asterisks or parentheses. Modern systems can understand bold, but
older systems might not. You can still distinguish headings by using capital letters.
- Avoid boxes, graphics, columns, and horizontal or vertical lines.
- Put your name on its own line at the top of each page. Also, give telephone numbers their own lines.
- Do not staple or fold your résumé.
Tips:
- Résumés can be formatted for scanning, e-mailing, or posting to Internet sites.
- Digital résumés use simple, technologically friendly formatting.
- Digital résumés emphasize keywords.
- Plain text resumes should not exceed 65 characters per line.
- E-mail a plain text résumé to yourself and to a friend to test the way it transmits.
Cover letters:
Introducing yourself
Every résumé you send, fax, or e- mail needs its own cover letter. Sending a résumé without a cover letter is
like starting an interview without shaking hands. The best cover letters spark the employer’s interest and create an impression of
competence.
Cover letters are an opportunity to convey your focus and energy. “If you don’t have a lot of experience, use the
cover letter to show you have enthusiasm,” says Sharon Swann, manager of administrative services for a management consulting firm in
Menlo Park, California. “Writing a strong cover letter and then calling to follow up shows the employer you have drive and interest.”
Although you should feel free to consult ref erences and models, use your own words when writing a cover letter; don’t mimic another
person’s writing style.
Parts of the cover letter
Cover letters should be written in standard business format with your and the reviewer’s addresses at the top and
your signature above your typed name at the bottom. (E- mailed cover letters do not include mailing addresses.) All letters should be
single spaced, flush left, with each paragraph followed by a blank line. Use professional, polite words. Revealing your personality is
fine, as long as your style conforms to business protocol. For a sample cover letter, click
here.
Most cover letters are two or three paragraphs long. Every cover letter should fit on one page and contain the
following four parts: Salutation, opening, body, and conclusion.
Salutation. Whenever possible, send your letter to a specific person rather than to an
office. Consider how differently you respond to a letter addressed to you, as opposed to one addressed to “Occupant.” If you do not
know whom to write, call the company and ask who is hiring for the position. Check that the name you use is spelled correctly and the title
is accurate. Pay close attention to the Mr. or Ms. before gender- neutral names. Finally, use a colon after the name, not a comma.
Opening. The first few sentences of your cover letter should tell the reviewer which job
you are applying for and the connection you have to the company. If someone the reviewer knows suggested you apply, mention that
recommendation. If you are responding to an advertisement, refer to it and the source that published it.
Your knowledge of the company might give you another opportunity to connect yourself to the job. You could briefly
describe your experience with its products, cite a recent company success, or refer to an article written about the company. But don’t go
overboard; save specifics for the interview.
Body. The next portion of your cover letter is a brief explanation of your
qualifications. Don’t simply repeat your résumé; summarize your most relevant qualifications or provide additional details about a
noteworthy accomplishment. Address the employer’s requirements directly, and don’t be afraid to use special formatting to your
advantage. “One of the best cover letters I’ve ever received,” says Tom Harris, a manager at a Minneapolis marketing firm,
“included a chart with my requirements on the left and the applicant’s matching qualifications on the right.”
You can also use the body of your cover letter to address gaps in your work history or other problems evident on your
résumé. But do not volunteer negative information unless you must. Always maintain a positive, confident tone.
Closing. In your final paragraph, thank the reviewer, request an interview, and repeat
your home phone number. The closing is your chance to show commitment to the job. If you tell the reviewer you plan to call, make sure you
do it. “It really impresses me when someone takes the step to call and follow up,” says Vin Vu, former Director of Sales and Marketing
for a company in Spokane, Washington. “You have to be aggressive and continue to keep your name in the interviewer’s mind.”
Tips:
- Every résumé you send, fax, or e-mail needs its own cover letter.
- Every cover letter should fit on one page.
- Send your letter to a specific person rather than to an office whenever possible.
- The first few sentences tell which job you are applying for.
- Briefly explain your qualifications without simply repeating your résumé.
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