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RESUME WRITING QUICK REFERENCE
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- WHO GETS THE JOB is not always the one who can do the job best
BUT who knows best how to get the job! Hence, each detail of this process
should have your meticulous attention since people are often screened OUT
on the basis of a poor letter and/or resume.
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- PEOPLE DON'T READ RESUMES, they skim them. So think of your resume
more as a piece of advertising than a comprehensive data sheet. Use margins
and good spacing, which make it easily skimmed.
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- INCLUDE YOUR E-MAIL ADDRESS on your resume and check it every day
during the employment search!
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- PLACE DATES AT THE END of a paragraph when describing experiences.
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- USE ACTION VERBS. Don't use the verb "to be." Instead of "I did...I
was...I am..." use verbs like "Initiated, created, developed, supervised,
managed, instructed, counseled, negotiated, maintained...etc."
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- EMPHASIZE SKILLS, especially those which transfer from one situation
to another. The fact that you coordinated a student organization leads
one to suspect that you could coordinate other things as well.
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- DON'T USE NEGATIVE WORDS. Don't apologize for lack of experience
or weaknesses. This is not the place to hang out your dirty laundry. Be
positive, capitalize on strengths, and leave out tone negative or neutral
words.
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- RESUMES SHOULD BE ONE OR TWO PAGES. Never more. Anything
longer is an autobiography not a resume. Don't overwhelm employers with
information.
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- EXPOUND ON YOUR RELEVANT EXPERIENCES, condense jobs or experiences
that are not directly related. This means that you SLANT your resume to
the type of job you are seeking. Hence, you will need more than one resume
if you're applying for different types of jobs. For example: If you are
applying for a Child Care Counselor job, devote more space to your experience
as a camp counselor. But if you're applying for a position as a Manager
Trainee, condense that and emphasize your organizational and supervisory
abilities.
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- EXPECT A PHONE CALL if they are interested. Most employers call
to set up an interview. Seldom will they write. Hence, make sure they have
your phone number or a number where a message can be left. If you have a
message machine, be sure your reply is professional and remind your
roommates that potential employers may be calling.
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- Copyright CPC Annual. Reprinted with permission
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