THE RESUME- YOUR MARKETING TOOL A resume is a marketing tool that summarizes one’s employment history and qualifications for a targeted audience (employers). The product being marketed is you. It should be factual, accurate and honest and result- oriented. It is a documentation of your past and it is geared towards your future. Emphasis is on skills and accomplishments rather than on attitude and personality traits. The goal is to enable you to get into face-to-face interaction with the person who has authority to hire you. A RESUME IS NOT A WORK OF FICTION. WHILE IT SHOULD EMPHASIZE THE POSITIVE, IT SHOULD NOT EMPHASIZE WHAT DOES NOT EXIST. i. WHAT ARE THE MAIN ELEMENTS OF THE RESUME ● OBJECTIVE ● EDUCATION ● EXPERIENCE ● ACTIVITIES ● REFERENCES a. Objective - A statement of your employment goal. If you are applying for a specific opening, make that your job objective. Your objective has to be clear and concise. It must be specific enough to help the employer realize that you know what you want and it must be general enough to cover a variety of jobs you are prepared to handle and would be willing to accept. The key to writing a successful objective is focus. Focus sharply on what type of position you are specifically seeking. Restrict your objectives by using any or all of the following three areas: ● Job Type (such as Accountant, Counsellor, etc.) ● Industry (such as Banking, Hospitality, etc.) ● Geographical area (Kingston, Montego Bay, etc.) There are: ● ● ● Job objectives Career objectives General objectives a. Job Objectives Examples ● Accountant position in the public accounting field in the Montego Bay Area. ● A building inspector position involving all phases of both residential and commercial construction. ● A position in the areas of systems analysis and implementation of Management Information Systems which will utilize a demonstrated ability to improve systems performance. ● An Accounting/finance position where analytic and computer skills will be used for managing major accounts and acquiring new corporate clientele. b. General Objectives- Avoid objectives that are too general. Example A rewarding position with opportunities for growth and enhancement. c. Career Objectives Example To enhance rapidly to the level of senior electrical engineer by starting with a job that provides experiences on which a sound foundation can be built. ii. TYPES OF RESUME FORMAT RESUME CONTENT NAME ADDRESS (Contact Information) OBJECTIVE SUMMARY EDUCATION EXPERIENCE: ACTIVITIES: SPECIAL SKILLS: REFERENCES: iii. TELEPHONE NO. (Contact Information) Summary of qualifications State complete information on your education, highlighting special skills. Emphasize special training relevant to your objective above. Give detailed information on your experience, emphasizing skills, abilities and achievements. Use active voice in describing your experience. Make short concise statements. Use action words. Club Affiliation. Skills not mentioned in any other section. As requested. CHRONOLOGICAL RESUME A chronological resume is the most popular resume format but it is by no means the most appropriate. In its pure form it primarily summarizes work history, lists dates and names of employers first and your duties and responsibilities second, beginning with your most recent job and work backwards in reverse chronological order. For each job put the most important information first. It should be used by individuals who have progressive record of work experience and who wish to advance within an occupational field. iv. SAMPLE 124 OLD HOPE ROAD MARCIA BROWN KINGSTON 987-927-5460 OBJECTIVE: A marketing position in an international company involving travelling locally and overseas. EXPERIENCE: Jamaica Biscuit Company Ltd. Worked as part of a team to develop marketing plans for a new market niche. 1998 -present. IBM World Trade Corp. Conducted workshops for new recruits to the sales department. Prepared manuals to provide information on stress management and interpersonal communication. 1990-1998. EDUCATION: M.A., Marketing Management, University of the West Indies, Mona, 1998. B.A., Psychology, University of the West Indies, Mona, 1989. REFERENCES: Available on request. v. FUNCTIONAL RESUME Functional resumes emphasize patterns of skills and accomplishments rather than job titles, employers and inclusive employment dates. It should be used by individuals making a career change, first entering the work force or re-entering the job market after a lengthy absence. This format should be used by regular ‘job-changers’ and persons with time gaps in their employment history. To be used when your past work experience does not clearly support your objective. vi. SAMPLE 124 OLD HOPE ROAD MARCIA BROWN KINGSTON 876-927-5460 OBJECTIVE: A marketing position in an international company involving travelling locally and overseas. EDUCATION: M.A., Marketing Management, University of the West Indies, Mona, 1990. B.A., Psychology, University of the West Indies, Mona, 1989. AREAS OF EFFECTIVENESS: Administration Supervised sales force of over 100 persons. Coordinated marketing plan for new products. Communication Conducted over 20 workshops on interpersonal skills, stress management and sales techniques. PERSONAL: Enjoy challenges and working with people. REFERENCES: Available on request. vii. COMBINATION RESUME This type combines the best elements of chronological and functional resumes. It stresses patterns of accomplishments and skills as well as includes work history. This is perfect for individuals with work experience who wish to change to a job in a related career field. viii. SAMPLE MARCIA BROWN KINGSTON 987-927-5460 124 OLD HOPE ROAD OBJECTIVE: A marketing position in an international company involving travelling locally and overseas. AREAS OF EFFECTIVENESS: ADMINISTRATION: Supervised sales force of 100 persons. Coordinated marketing plan for new products. COMMUNICATION: Conducted over 20 workshops on interpersonal skills, stress management and sales techniques. WORK HISTORY: Marketing Supervisor, Jamaica Biscuit Company Ltd. 1998 –present Supervisory Trainer, IBM World Trade Corp, Kingston 1990-1998 EDUCATION: M.A., Marketing Management, University of the West Indies, Mona, 1998. B.A., Psychology, University of the West Indies, Mona, 1989. PERSONAL: Enjoy challenges working with people. REFERENCES: Available on request. ix. USE THIS CHECKLIST TO ENSURE THAT YOUR RESUME IS COMPLETE 1. One to two pages only, unless you have significant previous experience. 2. Word processor generated, with full spell check and proofing. 3. Times Roman or other Serif font, 10 point to 12 point size. 4. No more than two fonts or two sizes. 5. Margins no less than .75” and no more than 1.5” 6. Quality bond paper, 8*11 inches. 7. Contact information clearly stated; temporary and permanent addresses both listed if appropriate, email addresses, fax number and telephone numbers. 8. Clear, focused objective. 9. Summary or your top three or four skills listed as bullet points. 10. Degree listed first, college second. 11. Graduation date listed, even if you have not yet graduated. 12. Experience section listing most notable accomplishments. 13. Descriptive or actual job titles. 14. Industry buzzwords and key words included. 15. Activities section listing your most notable extracurricular activities. 16. No personal data or potentially discriminatory data. 17. Spell check and grammar check your resume-twice; then have at least one other person double check it for you. 18. Try to avoid using “bold printing” and “underlining”. 19. Action verbs utilized. ADAPTED FROM PROGIS, HEART TRUST/NTA.
