Creating a Winning Resume
FLOW Women’s Conference Presentation
Mike Fellows
fellows.mike1@gmail.com
April 2011
Why is a Resume important?
Your resume is your passport to new opportunities
Have updated and ready at all times
Write something powerful that highlights
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Strong skills
Key qualifications
Capabilities
Immediate contributions you will make
Believe in yourself & your abilities
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Remain self-assured & competitive
Ensure your accomplishments are heralded
This is your opportunity to sell yourself
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What does your resume look
like now?
Does it include:
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Every (relevant) job since you started
working?
Does your resume include a generic “feel
good” objective/qualification summary
statement?
Specific “keywords”?
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Anatomy of a Resume
Heading
Experience
Summary/Profile
Certifications
Technical Skills
Education
Professional
Development
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Clearances
Publications
Presentations
Professional
Affiliations
Awards &
Recognition
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Resume Formats
The top third of the resume is valuable
real estate!
It answers “Why should you hire me?”
Use this space to sell your credentials
and IMPLY your objective
Show how you can make immediate
contributions
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Resume Format
Maximum of 2 pages
Clean, clear 12 pt font
White space
Clean margins and alignment
Header with name & page number on
page 2
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Accomplishments
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Ability to deliver quality work under
deadlines
Project planning and documentation
experience
Project ownership and responsibility
Ability to work as part of a diverse team
Your “fit” with the corporate culture
Answer the “So what?” question
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Think about your
accomplishments
Did you save money or time? How?
Did you design new systems? How?
Did you meet budget? Come in under
budget? How?
Did you recognize potential problems? What
was it and how did you resolve it?
Did you write or re-write any procedures?
Which one? Why?
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Accomplishments, con’t.
Did you start a new program or project? Why?
How?
Did you increase sales? Generate new business?
How?
Did you assume new responsibilities? HOW?
Result?
Did you train or mentor anyone? Who, Why, How?
Have you participated in Networking Groups,
Professional Development, and Professional
Associations? Which ones? Leadership positions?
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Accomplishment statement:
Which one is better?
Before: Responsible for
troubleshooting and maintaining
workstations and systems.
After: Improved systems uptime from
91% to 99.9% for 350 corporate and
remote users through expert, crossplatform (Windows NT/UNIX)
troubleshooting & maintenance
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Accomplishments, con’t.
Before:
Responsible for improvements
in software architecture and processes
After:
Advocated development of
new approaches to re-configurable
architectures, allowing leveraging
of COTS software resulting in 50%
cost savings and 4-6 month earlier
deliveries
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Accomplishments…
Before:
Responsible for system testing and
requirements verification via simulation tools
After:
Fostered greater use of
distributed simulation tools to maximize
end-to-end analysis coverage for risk
reduction of costly system testing in
field and laboratories
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Transferable Skills, con’t.
Human Relations/Interpersonal Skills
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Listening
Motivating
Counseling
Representing Others
Organization, Management and
Leadership
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Coordinating tasks and managing groups
Promoting change
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Managing conflict
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Additional Information
Other tips
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DON’T include: (Tailor your data)
Elaborate fonts, pictures, wild colors
Irrelevant information, too much
information or not enough information
Misspellings, typos or poor grammar
Outdated info
PPT or PDF versions
Unrelated experience or
accomplishments
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DON’T include (Con’t):
References
Names of past supervisors
Compensation information
Personal information
Unprofessional email addresses or
personal websites
Reasons for leaving
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Let’s review….Can you answer
“Yes!” to these statements?
I provide a combination of job responsibilities
and accomplishments for each position
My resume is targeted to my current goals
I’ve incorporated “buzzwords” that apply to
my qualifications
My resume contains specific examples of how
managers benefited from my work
I have included measurable outcomes of my
work with action verbs
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Resume Quiz..…
I have not included any personal information
such as age or marital status on my resume
There are no pronouns on my resume
My resume has been carefully proofread and
I have shared it with trusted colleagues to
make sure it is error-free
I have checked the formatting to be sure that
the electronic version is “clean” (macros)
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Don’t forget the Transferable
Skills!
Transferable skills: abilities, aptitudes &
qualities that can be applied anywhere!
Communication
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Speaking effectively
Writing concisely
Facilitating discussion
Providing feedback
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Negotiating
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Research and Planning
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Identifying problems and solutions
Gathering information
Setting goals and defining needs
Analyzing
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Helpful Resources
Use the Internet for help when needed
Websites (Google Search for…)
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Free Resume Builder
Strong Resume Verbs
Free Resume Examples in Word
Sample Resumes
http://jobs.aol.com/articles/category/resume-examples
http://www.career.vt.edu/jobsearc/resumes/formats.htm#Chronolo
gical
Colleagues, Friends, Family
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Proofreading, courtesy reviews
Mock interview with tough questions
Find a Mentor
 Someone you admire, respect, desire to be like
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Wrap Up
Behavioral Interview Questions
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Give me an example of a time when you set a goal and were able to meet it.
Give me a specific example of a time when you had to conform to a policy
with which you did not agree.
Tell me about a time when you had to go above and beyond to get a job
done.
What is your typical way of dealing with conflict? Give me an example.
Give me an example of a time when something you tried to accomplish and
failed.
Give me an example of when you showed initiative and took the lead.
Tell me about a situation in which you had to deal with a very upset
customer.
Give me an example of a time when you motivated others.
Tell me about a time when you delegated a project effectively.
Describe a time when you anticipated potential problems and developed
preventive measures.
Tell me about a time when you were forced to make an unpopular decision.
Describe a time when you set your sights too high (or too low).
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Jacob A. Kelly
600 Jackson St., Apt. C · Blacksburg, VA 24060 · (540) 555-2121 · Email: jakelly@vt.edu
4156 Hawthorne Circle, Reston, VA 12345 (703) 654-3210
OBJECTIVE
EDUCATION
Sales management trainee position; goal to lead and train a sales staff
B.A., Communication Studies, Public Relations Option, Marketing Minor, December 2002
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and (Virginia Tech),
Semester at Sea, Spring 2001
GPA: In-major: 3.3./4.0
Overall: 2.6/4.0
Earned 50% of educational expenses
SKILLS
Marketing / Sales / Promotion
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Grossed $15,000 in three months with summer painting business
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Raised $600.00 in advertising space for fraternity folder project
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Raised $400.00 for fraternity sponsored car show
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Cold canvassed community for potential clients
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Created informational brochure for apartment leasing company
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Developed advertising campaign for class project
Management / Training / Organizational Ability
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Managed daily activities of own painting business including renting/purchasing equipment and
supplies, hiring assistants, budgeting, payroll
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Arranged client contracts for painting business
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Assisted in organizing talent show and benefit auction for Semester at Sea
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Coordinated sales presentation strategy for fraternity car show and trained others in sales techniques
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Trained new restaurant employees
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Aided in refurbishing and renovating a restaurant
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Performed restaurant duties ranging from busboy to night manager
Communications / Language / Creative Projects
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Created multimedia presentation using slides, music, and narration to brief incoming Virginia Tech
students during orientation
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Developed sales presentations and assisted with advertising campaigns including radio spots,
newspaper ads, billboards, posters, brochures
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Designed and distributed flyers for painting business
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Traveled around the world with Semester at Sea and used conversational Spanish skills
WORK
EXPERIENCE
Self-Employed, (Partnership) Painters, , Summer 2001
Waiter, Leonard's of , DC, Summers 1999, 2000, 2001
ACTIVITIES
Pi Sigma Epsilon - National professional fraternity in marketing, sales management and selling
Theater Arts, Virginia Tech
Several roles in: "The Bride," "The Monster and Steven," "If Men Played Cards as Women."
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CHRISTOPHER P. GIMBLE
Address: (through May 15, 2003)
Permanent address:
(540) 555-0000
Email: cpgim@vt.edu
49303 Rolling Road
(765) 345-7654
OBJECTIVE
Internship or summer job in the area of criminal justice and law; particular interest in juvenile delinquency
EDUCATION
Bachelor of Arts, Sociology; Minor: Human Development, expected August 2004
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and (Virginia Tech),
GPA: 3.1 Earning 40% of college expenses through summer and part-time work
Content features:
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Relevant college activities detailed like employment.
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Experience includes volunteer work.
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Other, less relevant employment separated and not detailed.
 Relevant Courses listed.
Related Courses
Deviant Behavior
The Family in the Ecosystem
Sociology of Law
Adolescence and Early Childhood
Families Under Stress
Sociology of Corrections
RELATED EMPLOYMENT AND COLLEGE ACTIVITIES
Resident Assistant, Residential and Dining Programs, Virginia Tech
, September 2001 – present
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Develop programs for, advise, and manage 60 residents
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Enforce residence hall policies
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Serve as a liaison between residents and student affairs administration
Panel Member, Tech
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, September 2002 – present
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Serve as a student representative on the University Judicial Panel
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Consider alleged violations of the honor system to determine guilt or innocence
Hotline Assistant, (Volunteer),
, January 2001 – present
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Assist, advise, and refer individuals on issues related to personal needs
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Trained six volunteers in counseling techniques and procedures
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Coordinate personnel scheduling
OTHER WORK EXPERIENCE
Waiter, Backstreets, September 2001 – present (during college)
Sales Clerk, Homeline Department Store, Summer 2002
Laborer, Walt Construction, Summers 2000 & 2001
AWARDS & HONORS
Harold T. Smith Scholarship
Dean's List (two semesters)
National finalist, Hallmark Award Art Competition
Governor's State Scholarship
Thomas Vandeveer
OBJECTIVE
1105 New
540-555-4321
vandeveer@mail.com
Challenging business financial analyst position specializing in economics
SUMMARY OF QUALIFICATIONS
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Two years' experience in economic & financial management analysis
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Web-based coordination of business & e-commerce strategy
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Statistical, spatial, and econometric modeling and analysis
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Database management
EDUCATION
M.S. Applied Economics, May 2000 GPA: 3.8/4.0
Thesis: “Framework for Economic Impact Assessment of IPM-CRSP: a GIS application”
B.A. Economics, Minor: Chemistry, July 1997 GPA: 3.0/4.0
Specialization: Macroeconomics & Finance
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and (Virginia Tech),
COMPUTER SKILLS
Platforms: Windows 3.1/95/98/NT/2000
Software: GIS (ArcView, ArcIMS, ARC/INFO, BusinessMAP Pro, ATLAS GIS, ACT 1.25), Lotus 1-2-3, MS Office Pro 97/2000, WordPerfect
2000, MINITAB, Mathematica, STATA, SAS, SAS JMP, DREAM, Adobe PageMaker, PhotoShop, and Acrobat.
Programming: Pascal, Flash, JavaScript, HTML, DHTML, and XHTML
RELEVANT EXPERIENCE
Freelance Web Consultant, , May 2000 – present
AGECON.COM | AFRICOMP.COM | IFAF.NET | GUAYLA.COM
Generate business leads and design complete web solutions for clients.
Formulate e-strategic guidance and conceptual consulting.
Provide interface design; content research, development, and synthesis.
Perform the evaluation, planning, development, deployment and ongoing use of web-based mechanisms and information.
Build and maintain economic and spatial database.
Research Assistant, , January 1998 – July 2000
Office of Institutional Research and Development, Virginia Polytechnic Institute &
Designed a framework for assessing economic impact of USAID-funded Integrated Pest Management (IPM) program.
Performed economic (Benefit-Cost Analysis) and statistical analysis of IPM programs using database-based computer program called
DREAM.
Traveled to both sites and collected primary and secondary data and information.
Examined the transferability of IPM technologies and their adoption beyond the primary sites using spatial modeling within a framework of
geographic information system (GIS) technology.
Researcher, , December 1996 – August 1997
Agricultural & Applied Economics Department, Virginia Polytechnic Institute &
Examined the effects of communication and transport infrastructures on economic development; reviewed literature and collected relevant
data and information.
Performed empirical examination using econometric methods on SAS JM.
AWARDS AND ACTIVITIES
Outstanding Leadership & Service Award, African Students Association, February 1998
Certificate of Achievement, U.S. Committee for UNICEF, fall 1996
President 1996-97, Secretary 1995-96, Virginia Tech African Students Association
Captain and Manager 1996-present, San George Intramural Soccer Team