Tyrone Sessom
Definition:
rés·u·mé n. A summary, esp. a
brief record of one’s personal
history and experience submitted
for a job.
The Resume:
A Reflection of You
• How do you want to present
yourself?
• What experiences and skills
do you want to highlight?
• What accomplishments do
you want to showcase?
The Resume:
Important Things to Consider
• It is a promotional piece
designed to sell YOU!
• It is intended to get you the
interview, NOT the job.
• Not a comprehensive detailed
history of career, but a summary
of experiences, qualifications
and skills.
The Resume:
Basics to Remember
• Keep it to one page
• Use standard 8 ½ x 11 paper
• White and ivory are generally the acceptable
colors of paper to use
• Use a laser quality printer
• Stick with a font such as Times New Roman
or Arial
• Proofread, Proofread and Proofread again!
The Resume:
Where do I begin?
• Make a list with the categories below:
HEADING
JOB OBJECTIVE
EDUCATION
EXPERIENCE
ACTIVIES AND INTERESTS
then…
Brainstorming:
What to consider…
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Jobs
Responsibilities
Leadership Experience
Honors and Awards
Scholarships
College Classes
Class Projects
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Special Skills
Campus Involvement
Community Involvement
Computer Knowledge
Promotions
Career-Related Experience
Goals You Want to Achieve
IT ALL COUNTS!
The Resume:
Putting it all together
• Determine what information is the most
important.
• Use clear and forceful wording
• Stress achievements
• Quantify whenever possible
• Decide on a format
The Resume:
Which type do I choose?
 Distinguish Yourself 
Pick a format that will grab the reader’s attention
and that best highlights your accomplishments.
REVERSE CHRONOLOGICAL
or
FUNCTIONAL/CHRONOLOGICAL
The choice is yours…
The Resume:
Reverse Chronological
• Most common format used
• Experiences listed in order of most recent to
the furthest in time
• List names, dates and places of employment
• Education and work experience grouped
separately
• Good for showing progression in a career
• Highlights related job experience
The Resume:
Functional/Chronological
• Focuses on the transferable skills that you
have gained through your education,
leadership, and work experiences
• Experiences grouped under heading such as:
Communication Skills, Leadership Abilities,
and Research and Writing Skill, etc.
• Education and work experience are listed
from most recent to the furthest date
The Resume:
Before you start, remember…
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Have a focused objective
Education is your biggest selling point
Stay away from italics
Use action verbs that show a variety of
skills
• Pay attention to verb tenses
• Be consistent