Resume Writing
12th Grade
Senior English 12A
www.careercruising.com
Primary Purpose of a Resume?
To secure an interview!
A resume must represent a client’s
potential to produce quality work for
the organization.
A Good Resume Should
Grab the reader’s attention
Be neat, clean and professional
looking
Focus on your accomplishments
Be effortless to read
Have correct spelling, grammar, and
consistency
A Good Resume Shouldn’t
Be cluttered – don’t include your life’s
history
Be too wordy – simple & to the point
is best
Be too long - 1 page only!
Exceptions: For certain fields multiple pages are
expected to cite specific certification area. If you go to
2 pages, you must go 1/3 the way down the second page.
Types of Resumes
Reverse Chronological Resume
Functional Resume
Combination Resume
Electronic Resume
Modified version of any listed above
Must contain “plain” text only (no bold, special
fonts or underlines)
Knowledge & use of key words are CRITICAL
Rough Draft / Revised Copy
Joe Smith
12990 Fairlane Rd.
Indian River, MI 49641
(231) 973-8652
Joe Smith
12990 Fairlane Rd.
Indian River, MI 48641
(231) 973-8652
Objective:
To work hard is my goal. Any type of building or outside work is great for me. I
enjoy building, staying busy, and working outside. I am working my way up to get
my builder’s license.
Education:
I’ve attended Indian River High School for about 3 years now.
Before I moved to Indian River I attended Manistee High School for ¼ of a year.
I went to middle school and elementary in Scottville, Michigan. I plan to attend a
couple years of community college working my way into MSU.
To find employment in the building industry or a related field which will
allow me to practice and improve my existing skills, as well as learn new ones.
Education:
Indian River High School Indian River, Michigan
Currently in Eleventh Grade. General Education. Technical Prep.
Emmet County Career Technical Center Indian River, Michigan
Enrolled in Cabinet-Making for the 2003/04 school year.
Basic Skills:
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Objective:
Hard worker
Problem solving
Good attendance
Capable physically
Follow instructions
Reliable/Loyal
People skills
Responsible
Intelligent
And of course sense of humor
Open-minded
Experience:
Home construction / maintenance
Assisted friends and family with various projects including: Roofing, Fencing,
Decks, Concrete, Drywall, Painting, Carpet / Flooring, Electrical, Heating / Cooling,
and Landscaping
I have also had a lawn maintenance job working for friends and friends of the
family.
I have done many internships in construction and architecture / design. I have also
taken five different shop classes involving many different machines and tools. So I
have a lot of basic and some detailed knowledge of machines, tools, and equipment.
I have numerous experiences working with people and problem solving so I am also
very good in those areas.
Education Goal: After high school, I plan to attend a Community College for
two years and then transfer to Michigan State University to earn a degree in
Construction Trades.
Experience:
Home Construction/Maintenance
Assisted friends and family with various projects including roofing, fencing, deck
construction, concrete, drywall, painting, carpet/flooring, electrical,
heating/cooling, and landscaping.
Lawn Maintenance
Various lawn maintenance jobs for friends and family, including mowing,
trimming, weeding and pruning.
Technology Classes
Materials Processing, Technical Drawing, Computer I
Additional Skills:
Hard worker
People skills
Open-minded
Reliable
Sense of humor
Good attendance
Intelligent
Problem solving
Loyal
Follow instructions
Quick Learner
Capable physically
Responsible
Rough Draft / Revised Copy
Objective:
To work hard is my goal. Any type of building or outside
work is great for me. I enjoy building, staying busy, and
working outside. I am working my way up to get my
builder’s license.
Rough Draft / Revised Copy
Objective:
To work hard is my goal. Any type of building or outside
work is great for me. I enjoy building, staying busy, and
working outside. I am working my way up to get my
builder’s license.
To find employment in the building industry or a related
field
Rough Draft / Revised Copy
Education:
I’ve attended Indian River High School for about 3 years now.
Before I moved to Indian River I attended Manistee High School
for ¼ of a year. I went to middle school and elementary in
Scottville, Michigan. I plan to attend a couple years of community
college working my way into MSU.
Rough Draft / Revised Copy
Education:
I’ve attended Indian River High School for about 3 years now.
Before I moved to Indian River I attended Manistee High School
for ¼ of a year. I went to middle school and elementary in
Scottville, Michigan. I plan to attend a couple years of community
college working my way into MSU.
Lowell High School
* Senior, graduate May 2014
* GPA:
* College Preparatory Program
Kent County Career Technical Center
* Automotive Pathway
* Diesel and Automotive Repair
Lowell, MI
Grand Rapids, MI
Rough Draft / Revised Copy
Experience:
Home construction / maintenance
Assisted friends and family with various projects including: Roofing,
Fencing, Decks, Concrete, Drywall, Painting, Carpet / Flooring,
Electrical, Heating / Cooling, and Landscaping
I have also had a lawn maintenance job working for friends and
friends of the family.
I have done many internships in construction and architecture /
design. I have also taken five different shop classes involving
many different machines and tools. So I have a lot of basic and
some detailed knowledge of machines, tools, and equipment.
I have numerous experiences working with people and problem
solving so I am also very good in those areas.
I had a paper delivery job a few years ago, it doesn’t help much with
construction related areas, but it does show I am a hard worker,
reliable, and responsible.
Rough Draft / Revised Copy
Experience:
Home Construction/Maintenance
Assisted friends and family with various projects including
roofing, fencing, deck construction, concrete, drywall, painting,
carpet/flooring, electrical, heating/cooling, and landscaping.
Lawn Maintenance
Various lawn maintenance jobs for friends and family, including
mowing, trimming, weeding and pruning.
Technology Classes
Materials Processing, Technical Drawing, Computer I
Launch Microsoft Word
FILE/New Document
Select OTHER DOCUMENTS
Contemporary
Elegant
Professional
File/Save As/ ”Carla’s Resume”
Resume Elements
Heading
Objective
Education
Experience
Skills & Abilities
References
Heading
Tells employers where they can reach
you
Should stand out
Should be complete
Use discretion with email address!
Only list email address if you check it
regularly and often
Heading
Replace sample info with your own…
Kim Keglovitz
123 My Street
Lowell, MI 49331
(616) 897-1234
kkeglovitz@lowellschools.com
Objective
(or Summary Statement)
Identify the type of job you are looking
for, without eliminating any
opportunities.
In one short sentence tell the kind of
work you’re looking for
“Seeking full-time position…”
If no experience, say
“Seeking an entry-level position in…”
Objective Examples
Seeking an entry-level position in retail sales.
Seeking a cashier position which will utilize my knowledge and
experience.
Seeking a challenging, service-oriented retail position in a
professional environment.
To be employed where I can use my written and verbal
communication skills to contribute to the growth of a
company and serve to others.
To obtain a hands-on construction position.
Seeking a part-time position in healthcare or a related
industry.
Experience
This is section often creates the greatest
challenge for students. If you haven’t had
a real job, that doesn’t mean you don’t
have experience!
Consider leadership positions in school,
volunteer experience, even work in your
home or church!
Experience Examples
West Texas Science Fair
PROJECT LEADER
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Spring 2000
Coordinated project to build model steel bridge
Made project schedule and assigned tasks to group members
Wrote final report and gave final presentation
McDonald’s Restaurant
FOOD SERVICE WORKER
September 2002-Present
Provide excellent customer service, operate cash registers, maintain a
sanitary work area, prepare food and refill lobby items as necessary.
Check Career Cruising for descriptions!
Action Words
Administered
Analyzed
Controlled
Coordinated
Created
Designed
Developed
Diagnosed
Directed
Established
Expanded
Implemented
Improved
Increased
Productivity
Initiated
Innovated
Instructed
Modified
Negotiated
Organized
Planned
Presented
Promoted
Reduced
Expenses
Researched
Scheduled
Supervised
Trained
Education
Show that you’re capable of learning!
Include any college or technical
school classes. (High School or higher)
Include any related workshops or
seminars.
Add GPA (if higher than 3.0),
education track, or Career Pathway to
“beef it up”.
Education Examples
Lowell High School Lowell, Michigan
Currently in eleventh grade. Following Health Sciences pathway.
Kent Career/Technical Center Grand Rapids, Michigan
Currently enrolled in Health Careers program
Lowell High School Lowell, Michigan
Currently in 11th Grade. College Prep curriculum. GPA 3.79
AP Chemistry, Forensic Science, Advanced Biology
Additional Skills
Knowing what you are good at is an
essential part of writing a good resume.
If you don’t have experience, skills are
essential!
Make sure to weave some skills into your
“Experience” section.
Group in categories if appropriate.
Do NOT list more than one line of items.
Skills ID’d in CareerCruising
Application Software
ACT
Adobe Illustrator
Adobe Photoshop
CorelDraw
Dreamweaver
Front Page
Goldmine
Home Site
Lotus Notes
Lotus Smartsuite
Microsoft Office
Outlook
Paint Shop
Quarkxpress
Visual Interdev
Skills ID’d in CareerCruising
Operating Systems
Linux Operating System
Macintosh Operating System
Unix Operating System
Windows Operating System
Skills ID’d in CareerCruising
Web Development
ASP
CGI Programming
Cold Fusion
CSS
DHTML
Flash
HTML
Shockwave
Internet
Information Server
Javascript
JSP
Microsoft SQL
Server
Oracle
XML
Skills ID’d in CareerCruising
- Personal Attributes
Able to Multitask
Analytical
Committed
Creative
Detail-oriented
Ethical
Goal Oriented
Good Communicator
High Energy
Independent
Organized
People person
Problem-solver
Self-motivated
Team Player
Skills & Abilities
Three types of skills:
Adaptive – skills that allow you to
adapt to new situations.
Transferable – skills important in a
wide variety of jobs.
Job-related – specific to daily
activities in a job.
Adaptive Skills
Good attendance
Honesty
Arrive on time
Follow
instructions
Meet deadlines
Get along with
supervisor
Get along with
co-workers
Hardworking,
productive
Able to
coordinate
Friendly
Ambitious
Good-natured
Assertive
Optimistic
Helpful
Capable
Humble
Cheerful
Imaginative
Competent
Independent
Complete
assignments
Industrious
Conscientious
Informal
Creative
Intelligent
Dependable
Intuitive
Discreet
Learn quickly
Eager
Loyal
Discreet
Learn
quickly
Eager
Loyal
Efficient
Mature
Energetic
Methodical
Enthusiastic
Modest
Expressive
Motivated
Flexible
Natural
Formal
Sincere
Original
Solve Problems
Patient
Spontaneous
Persistent
Steady
Physically strong
Tactful
Practice new skills
Take pride in work
Reliable
Tenacious
Resourceful
Thrifty
Responsible
Self-confident
Versatile
Sense of humor
Well-organized
Open-minded
Transferable Skills
Dealing w. Things
Dealing w. Data
Use my hands
Assemble or make
things
Build, observe,
inspect things
Construct/repair
buildings
Operate tools &
machinery
Drive/operate
vehicles
Repair things
Use complex
equipment
Analyze data or facts
Investigate
Audit records
Keep financial
records
Budget
Locate answers or
information
Calculate/
compute
Manage money
Classify Data
Compare, inspect, or
record facts
Count, observe,
compile
Research
Detail-oriented
Evaluate
Working w.People
Administer
Patient
Care for
Persuade
Confront
Pleasant
Counsel people
Sensitive
Demonstrate
Social
Diplomatic
Supervise
Help Others
Tactful
Insightful
Tolerant
Kind
Listen
Negotiate
Outgoing
Understanding
Transferable Skills
Using Words/Ideas
Leadership
Articulate
Inventive
Communicate
verbally
Logical
Correspond with
others
Remember
information
Research
Create new ideas
Design
Speak in public
Edit
Write clearly
Arrange social
functions
Motivate people
Competitive
Negotiate
agreements
Decisive
Plan
Delegate
Run Meetings
Direct Others
Self-controlled
Explain things to
others
Self-motivated
Get Results
Solve problems
Mediate
Take risks
Creative/Artistic
Artistic
Music Appreciation
Dance, body movement
Perform, act
Draw, sketch, render
Play instruments
Expressive
Present artistic ideas
Job-related Skills
Describe skills which are required to do a
particular job.
Great Idea: Refer to Career Cruising
job descriptions for skills for a particular
career!
Activities
If you don’t have much experience, and you
haven’t applied your skills in a practical
way, but have been active in other areas,
now is the time to show you have not been
sitting around watching life go by.
List all activities you have been involved in,
with any career-related activities at the
top of the list!
References
It is not necessary to include the names of your
references on a resume. There are better things
to do with the space.
Some people like to put “references available upon
request” at the bottom.
You must prepare a reference page and contact
the people you list in advance! Have it ready at all
times, but do not attach to the resume.
Make sure you include each person’s name,
address, phone number and details of why they are
on your list.
Proofread!!!
Proofread your resume carefully!
Don’t rely on “spell checker“ to catch
errors.
Have at least 3 other people proof
your resume as well.
Revise/modify as needed for each
use.