Writing Effective Resumes

SURESH SRINIVASAN

MyBskool.com

suresh@mybskool.com

09962959381

Writing Effective Resumes – Secrets Exposed

Writing Effective Resumes

Writing Effective Resumes

Writing Effective Resumes

Writing Effective Resumes

Writing Effective Resumes

Writing An Effective Resume

What information should be in a resume?

Characteristics of a successful resume.

Functional or Chronological.

Scannable resume.

What Information Should Be In A Resume?

Identify Yourself Education Continuing Education Work or Professional

Experience Volunteer Experience Activities Computer Skills Professional Associations

Optional Sections Objective Special Skills and Abilities Reference Statement

Characteristics Of A Successful Resume

Focuses on skills. Uses action words to define the responsibilities of your job-related experience.

Easy to read and understand.

Visually powerful and free of gimmicks.

One page, or at most 2 pages long.

Characteristics Of ASuccessful Resume

Language is grammatically correct.

Spelling has been checked.

Formal Style

Resume Faux Pax

Typos and Grammar Slips

“Great attention to detail.”

“Proven ability to track down and correct erors.”

“Am a perfectionist and rarely if ever forget etails.”

Accomplishments: Completed 11 years of high school.”

Don’t use “I” or “me”

Characteristics Of A Successful Resume Must always be 100% truthful.

Contains no inappropriate personal information.

Produced on a computer.

Data presented in chronological order (unless functional).

Functional Resumes Doesn’t go in chronological order. Based upon competencies or skills. Used for career changers or those with

unconventional work histories (or executives). Might say “Sales Experience” then list it. Typically brief with a simple list of positions

held, etc. De-emphasizes importance of specific jobs.

Drawbacks to this system (not as popular).

Scannable Resume

Watch bullet points (don’t always scan).How about a dash - ?Use labels or keywords.Less is more.Keep the design simple.Minimize use of abbreviations.

Basic Checklist

No spelling or grammar errors.

Neat, clean, and professional looking.

Length should be 1-2 pages.

Margins at sides and bottom.

Layout makes reading easy. Use of white space is effective.

Basic Checklist

Important titles should be emphasized. Experiment

with fonts & styles; bold, italic, and underlines. No

more than 2 or 3 different sizes.

Information is logically recorded.

Use Action Verbs for accomplishments & results.

Basic Checklist

Bullet points when possible for accomplishments.

Quantify your results whenever you can.

Format - chronological

Writing An Effective Cover Letter

How to write a cover letter.RulesContents

How To Write A CoverLetter - Rules

Give enough information to interest the reader, don’t

overwhelm.

Research the company. Address the letter to a

specific person.

Answer an ad if you have 50% of the skills or background that the ad requires.

Mention the person who referred you if appropriate.

How To Write A CoverLetter - Contents

Your address, city, state, Pin code, and telephone or mobile number.

Date

Name, title, company, address, city, state of

person you’re writing to.

Greeting, followed by a colon.

How To Write A CoverLetter - Contents

Paragraph 1: What you want. How you know about the organization. Mention enclosure of your resume.

Paragraph 2: Concise overview of work history and skills

that will help you perform the job. Paragraph 3:

State confidence in your ability. Give information on how you can be contacted.

How To Write A CoverLetter - Contents

Paragraph 4: Express appreciation

Closing, signature, and typed name

Successful Interviewing Skills

Surviving and Excelling in a Behavioral Based Interview

First Impressions Count …

Do You Make The Best Impression You Can?On-TimeDressPhysical ContactEye ContactSmileFidgeting

Characteristics of Successful Interview

Preparation

Presentation

Content

PreparationResearch the Job and companyReview the Job RequirementsKnow your ResumeKnow Where You Are GoingBe Prepared to Give Behavioral Based

ExamplesAnticipate QuestionsBe Prepared to Sell Yourself!

PreparationVisualize Yourself In the InterviewKnow this:

There is no question you cannot answerYou are well suited to the positionYou will be an asset to the department

Bring:Extra copies of resumePaper and penA list of potential questionsBreath mints

Interview Presentation Be Prepared and Responsive For

QuestionsTake Time to Organize Your ThoughtsMake Effective Eye Contact and SmileExpress Confidence in Your AbilitiesConsider Each Interview An Adventure!Be Attentive to Body Language

No gumWatch those pens

Leave The Baggage At The Door

Shut the Door to Personal Trouble

Don’t Slam Organization

Interview ContentListen Carefully to the QuestionUnderstand Behavioral Based InterviewingRehearse Your AnswersSell Yourself!Silence is Golden, Know When to Stop

AnsweringTie Your Background to the PositionFocus on Your AccomplishmentsTurn Weaknesses Into Strengths

Behavioral Based InterviewingPrepare your STAR’S

Situation or TaskAction TakenResult of Your Action

Behavioral Based QuestionsCan You Tell Me About A Time…Think SpecificDon’t Say “Usually, Always, Or Never”Say “I”Be Prepared to Answer the Negative

QuestionWas The Result Positive? Measurable?Don’t Forget To SmileBe Concise

Sample Questions

Tell Me About A Time…You Persuaded Someone To Do SomethingYou Solved a Small Problem Before It Turned Into

Something LargeYou Interacted With Someone And Wished You’d

Interacted DifferentlyYou Worked Well in a TeamYou Worked in a Team Where Not Everyone Was

Putting Forth The Same Amount Of Effort

Technical Skills Are Important

Attention To Detail

Computer Skills

Analytical Skills

Technical Skills Specific to Your Degree

Soft Skills Are JustAs Important

AdaptabilityTeamworkInitiative InnovationIntegrity

Interview Follow-Up

Common Interview MistakesComing UnpreparedNot Smiling or Showing EnthusiasmNegativity

The Thank You NoteReferences

Opening New Doors

Customize and focus the resume for the job

Different resumes for different types of jobs

USAJobs.com allows for 5 separate resumes

Tailor a resume to match the job

Resume Writing - Competencies

Describe and illustrate core competencies

Know the agency’s list of competencies

Use titles or headings that match the job

Highlight all transferrable skill sets

Side by Side Comparison

Read the “Entire” “Entire” job notice

Review questionnaires or screening surveys

Recognize “KEY”“KEY” words and competencies

Identify the job qualifications

Consider any “Implied” “Implied” characteristics

Cross reference your skills

Consider other experiences ……outside of workoutside of work

List major accomplishments ……not just job dutiesnot just job duties

““Tailor”Tailor” your resume to match

““Quantify”Quantify” results and use numbers often

Job Announcement Your Resume

The next 30 Seconds

If you met the boss in the elevator… what will they remember about you in

3030 seconds seconds?

Brevity should be the focus… be concise and succinctbe concise and succinct

Pay attention to “KEY” “KEY” words and filter your resume like a book editor

The next job depends on 30 30 secondsseconds …make a good first impression!…make a good first impression!

Your Work Experience – Draft 1

Experience is your “MAIN INGREDIENT” “MAIN INGREDIENT” …make it appetizing

A first draft should be a “LIFE STORY”“LIFE STORY”

Write it out first, REFLECT ON IT LATERREFLECT ON IT LATER

Organize your thoughts… a “UNIQUE” “UNIQUE” picture of capabilities

Plan on multiple drafts… PRACTICE MAKES PERFECT!PRACTICE MAKES PERFECT!

Quantify results as often as possible (How MANYHow MANY, , How BIG How BIG or or How MUCHHow MUCH)

Writing Accomplishments

Specific, measureable, and realistic…

S.S.M.M.A.A.R.R.T.T. Goal Principle

Accomplishments accentuate job skills and demonstrate qualifications

Set yourself apart from the others… describe job challenges and show describe job challenges and show your successesyour successes

Use numbers to highlight actions

Think in terms of “Saving time”… “Saving Money”… “Making Money”… or “Meeting Goals”

Ten Ingredients to a Better Resume

1) Follow the “Resume Recipe” Rule

2) Use a bulleted style to make your resume “reader-friendly”

3) Match your resume to the job opportunity

4) Use strong, action verbs to describe your experiences

5) List most recent/relevant experience first, in order of priority

6) Make sure there are NONO spelling or grammar errors

7) Know the mission of the organization(s) for which you apply

8) Revise it regularly … you are acquiring new skills everyday

9) Be neat, concise, and remember to check verb tenses

10) Let someone else read it…get constructive feedback

Resources and References

Resume tips: http://www.jobstar.org USAJobs: http://www.usajobs.com Resume Tutor: http://www1.umn.edu/ohr/ecep/resume Resume writing for Federal employment:

http://www.resume-place.com Office of Personnel Management: http://www.opm.gov Occupational Outlook Handbook:

http://stats.bls.gov/opub/ooq/ooqhome.htm America’s InfoNet: http://www.acinet.org/acinet e-Resume Writing: http://www.ersumewriting.com Master Resume Writer’s Secrets Revealed:

http://www.liglobal.com/b_c/career/res.shtml Quintessential Careers:

http://www.quintcareers.com/printable/improving_resume.html

We Can Help!

QUESTIONSTHANKSSURESH SRINIVASANsuresh@mybskool.com

09962959381