Effective Resume Writing 1
(Monday)
Context:
When you apply for a job, your potential employer will want to know why they should hire you. Your resume and cover letter are your only opportunity to make a first impression. You will want that first impression to be a positive one.
What it is: A résumé (resume), which can also be called a curriculum vitae (CV), is a document created and used by a person to present their background, skills, and accomplishments to a potential employer.
Why it’s important: A hiring manager will receive from 30 to sometimes hundreds of resumes for any given job. You’ll want to ensure that your resume not only effectively communicates your academic and practical skills, but also highlights who you are as a person. A resume should help the employer understand your value and potential to fulfill the job requirements and contribute positively to the company's success.
So it is important to 1) be realistic and honest about your abilities and experience, and 2) include information about yourself that match the job description.
Primer Questions
Do you have a hobby or skill that you’ve learned and developed outside of school?
Have you ever worked for a family friend’s or relative’s business?
What subject(s) do you excel in at school?
What is your passion?
Write down your answers and observations in your journal.
One of the first things you should do -
Before writing your resume, take an inventory of all your experience, hard skills, and durable skills (mindset, attitudes, qualities, and traits) and write them down. Keep that information handy when creating your resume.
Resume formats reflect your experience.
There are several different formats have been used over the years. Why are there different formats?
Resume formats differ based on how you want to present your current skills levels, work experience, and abilities. Whether you are a beginner or have some experience in a particular field or industry can determine which format is best for you.
For this lesson, we’ll just focus on creating a traditional resume, as well as a resume for those just starting out.
Note that a basic resume should include the following:
Your name and contact information.
A short statement about your experience. If you don’t have a lot of experience, write a sentence about what type of job or position you would like.
List any previous work experience, starting with the most recent first.
And finally, add any educational information and academic and durable skills you possess.
You can download this sample as a PDF. This resume example is from resumegenius.com
If this is your first resume…
.You’ll notice that after listing your name and contact information, you should write your objective.
Your objective should be in line with the job you are applying for.
If you have some work experience you can mention it as well. But if you don’t, just write what you would like to accomplish in the company you are applying to.
For example, if you are applying for a cashier position at Target, you could write:
“Objective: Use the experience of working in my aunt’s Candle shop over the summer to join the customer service team at Target as a cashier, and floor salesperson.”
Or if you wanted to be a barista at Starbucks:
“Objective: To use my outgoing and friendly disposition along with my passion for all things coffee, to be a team player and barista at Starbucks.”
Download this example as a PDF. This resume example is from resumegenius.com
For those with little to no job experience your education may be the core of your resume. Finally list whatever work or relevant experience you have, and finally, list your hard and soft skills (durable skills).
Note that when entering your educational information, you can include your GPA if you wish. But just as importantly, list any specific courses that may apply to the job you’re applying to.
If you don’t have work experience, list any relevant experience you may have. This may include internships or volunteer work for example. Additionally, some seemingly minor job experiences can actually hold significant value when included in your resume. More information on that below.
Make sure to list all your hard skills, i.e. you know how to use Microsoft Word and Excel. List any other tool or skill that may apply. Are you really good with Instagram, Facebook, Tik Tok or other social media platform? Are you a photographer, or artist? Are you really good with AI tools like ChatGPT or MidJourney?
Finally do not forget to mention your durable skills. If you’ve taken durable skills courses, lessons, or workshops, list them. Or if you’ve earned a durable skills competency or mastery certification, include that as well. It will let the hiring manager know you are work ready.
Keep in mind: When you’re starting out, it’s usually good to include any work experience you have. Even if it’s volunteer work, mowing lawns, or babysitting.
Those types of jobs can tell an employer a lot about you. As a babysitter, you must have gained the trust of the child’s parents, and proven you are responsible and trustworthy.
If you are willing to mow lawns for work, you must be a hard-working individual who has a good work ethic and is willing to tackle any task.
Volunteer work usually indicates that you are willing to put effort into something you believe in. Even if you aren’t paid. So you are dedicated.
Keep in mind: More than ever, employers are looking for job candidates that have developed durable skills.
Durable skills are qualities, traits, and mindsets like dependability, flexibility, initiative, determination, a growth mindset, and persistence. Skills like being able to communicate, collaborate, innovate, and manage time.
For today’s employers, just having good grades does not mean that you will be able to handle your job without any hand-holding. Good grades don’t guarantee that you’ll be teachable, on time, or confident enough to handle challenges in the workplace.
Make sure you truly have developed and possess the durable skills you list on your resume. Employers can’t be fooled. They’ll know within the first week if you have the durable skills you listed on your resume.
Identifying your skills
Make sure to spend time identifying your skills, traits, and qualities. Here are some tips:
Consider asking people who know you well, such as friends, teachers, or family members, to identify your top two qualities, traits, or characteristics. If they mention qualities such as optimism, organization, or kindness, include them on your resume. If they highlight traits such as helpfulness or caring, you could consider including emotionally intelligent as one of your durable skills. However, it's important to ensure that more than one person identifies these qualities to ensure they are dominant and worth listing on your resume.
If you’re on a school or community sports team, then you may be able to list traits like collaboration, resilience, leadership, patience, or communication.
If you’re in a club at school, you may be able to list some of the same durable skills mentioned for playing on a team.
If you have a hobby that involves painting, photography, or playing music, you might add creativity as one of your durable skills.
You get the idea.
Thought of the day.
“Your resume communicates why you’re qualified, who you are, and what makes you different.”