Creating Excellent
Resumes
Career Services
Contact
Hours & Location
Katie T. Anderson
kanderso@ivytech.edu
812-330-6018
Appointment Manager
Advising Center
Anytime, as arranged
Services
Activities/Resources
Advising and Referrals
Interest Assessment
Experiential Learning: internships & co-ops
Resume & Cover Letter Writing
Interview Preparation
JobZone
Job Search Presentations
College Transfer
Career Expo, April 3rd 2014
Career Services Online
FACT
No matter what degree or
what experience you have,
you still must be perceived
as competent, professional
What is a resume?
Webster’s definition: a summing up; a
summary, statement of job applicants
education and previous experience
Career definition: an electronic or paper
presentation describing why you should
receive an interview for a job opening
Document of introduction to an employer
An Excellent Resume
Will…
Two Characteristics of People
who create excellent resumes
Over time, they have put extensive effort
into creating the resume
They seek constructive critiques from
qualified people (career services, advisors,
professors, recruiters, communication
experts, family, professional references)
What makes a resume
excellent?
Accurate
Emphasis on Education, Accomplishment
Organized
Easy to Scan
Concise
Truthful
Job Appropriate
Types of Resumes
Types of Resumes
Chronological
Education
Listing of Jobs
Most relevant, recent history first
Traditional
Types of Resumes
Functional (Skills)
Cluster experiences under major skill areas
Limited paid work experience
Changing careers
Not worked for a while
Presents strengths
More challenging to write
Types of Resumes
Combination Resume (Creative)
Uses elements of both chronological and
functional resumes
Used to improve the clarity or
presentation of a resume
Content
Headings
Anita Jenkins
102 Carmichael Avenue
Bloomington, IN 47401
(812) 332-7077
bjenkins@ivytech.edu
Headings
Annie Schaffer
1224 Seventeenth Street
Bloomington, IN 47401
(812) 744-4568
annieschaf@gmail.com
Headings
Dan James 103 Adler Rd Bloomington, IN 47401, 330-1010 djames@gmail
Professional Objective
Professional Objective
Tell the employer what you want to do for them
Information should be focused on meeting their
needs and solving their problems
Identify two or three: job type, employer /
industry, skills and responsibilities you want to
perform in this position.
Professional Objective
THIS……….
NOT THIS…
Seeking a challenging A draftsman position
position in design
in which I can use my
technology utilizing
people skills and
knowledge in AutoCAD, abilities to advance in
Solid Works, Pro E,
a small to mid-sized
CAD / CAM
company with room
for growth.
Education
 Ivy Tech Community College Bloomington, IN
Pursuing an A.A.S. in Design Technology
Bio-Mechanical / Quality Focus
GPA: 3.7/4.0 Deans List December 2012
December 2014
 Ivy Tech Community College, Bloomington, IN
May 2014
Associate of Science Degree in Design Technology
Transfer into Purdue College of Technology
August 2014
Bachelor of Science Degree in Mechanical Engineering Technology
 Ivy Tech Community College, Bloomington, Indiana
AS Degree in Engineering Technology
Chancellors List, December 2012; GPA 3.5/4.0
May 2014
Education
Not Impressive
August 2013 - currently enrolled at Ivy
Tech in the Design Technology
program. I have a 2.8 grade average
and go nights.
Certifications
 AutoCAD Certification; 12-13 Attained
certified user credential upon completion
of Advanced CAD, Design 220 course
Solid Works
CAD / CAM
CNC Programming
ISO / QS International Standards
Related Course Work
Technical Graphics
Advanced CAD / Solid Modeling
Logic, Design, and Programming
Statics
Kinematics of Machinery
Systems Analysis and Design
Parametric Solid Modeling
CNC Programming
Skills
The purpose:
Provide a summary of the skills you offer to
the employer --- that relate to the kind of
job you want to do for them.
Example of Skills
Computer Systems: All MS products,
AutoCAD, Solid Works, Pro Engineering,
SketchIT, Adobe Creative Suite, 3DS Max
Product development and testing,
estimation, RF circuit design
Example of Skills
Experience with Engineering Terminology,
DFM, test method and process validations
(IQ, OQ, and PPQ)
Experience with Design of Experiments
and product / process Failure Mode and
Effects Analysis (FMEA)
Summary of Qualifications
Summarize for the employer why you are
qualified to do the job you say you want
Specify the reasons why the employer
should hire you
Example
Summary of Qualifications
Familiar with design operating systems
Knowledgeable in Microsoft Office,
Exchange Administrator
Experienced in graphic illustration
Experienced in installing and configuring
drafting workstations
Experience
Experience
 “Work” or “Professional” Experience are
categories indicating paid positions
 “Experience” or “Related Experience” are
categories indicating either paid or unpaid
positions
Experience
Include job title, employer name, city and
state, dates of employment.
Description of skills used, learned.
Highlight accomplishments of your work.
Emphasize the job title by listing it first –
Some prefer to list employer name first
Experience
 Emphasize skills versus duties
 It is important to present experience as
an action-oriented contributor
 Prioritize
Example of Experience
Descriptions
Assistant Manager, Fastenal
Bloomington, IN January 2010 to present
Interfaced (action verb) extensively
(descriptor) with contractors (object)
troubleshooting problems and generating
solutions (end-result).
Example of Experience
Descriptions
Front Line Server, McDonald’s
Corporation, Bloomington, IN (1/11-1/14)
Took orders promptly and accurately
(action verb) from customers (object)
including counter and drive up (descriptor)
keeping orders flowing and providing
excellent customer satisfaction (end-result).
Example of Experience
Descriptions
MIS Coordinator, HOPE Foundation
Bloomington, In (5/13 - present)
Provided (action verb) information management support
(object) for all plant users (descriptor) contributing to
the highest rate of employee computer use over a twoyear period (end-result)
 McDermott Construction 2012 to present
Confer with customer to review schematics and answer
questions pertaining to construction development
Example of Experience
Descriptions
Programmer Associate, ProsLink
Technical Company, Inc., Bloomington,
IN (1/2010 to present)
Monitored and controlled (action verb)
computer processing (object) including
output queues, printing, and output
distribution (descriptor) keeping
operations on schedule (end-result).
Activities
Provide an overview of the professional,
extracurricular, and community activities that
compliment your ability to perform the job
Can be a main section or subsection
Prioritize
Emphasize what you did
Other headings may be Interests, Community
Involvement, Civic Engagement, Service,
Experiential Learning, Professional
Organizations, Presentations, Publications
A Word About Length
As long as it takes to do the job
Information on resume should be
Relevant, concise, complete, accurate,
without errors
Organized, easy to scan
Don’t “squeeze” it on
No “fluff”
Generally 1 page for entry level
References
References
Professional references are people with
whom you have some formal relationship
such as a professor or boss
Generally 3-6 references are preferred
Essential - discuss your job search with
your references.
List an individual only if he or she has
agreed to be a positive reference
Reference Examples
 Dean Kirk Barnes
Technology and Applied Sciences Chair
Ivy Tech Community College
200 Daniels Way
Bloomington, Indiana 47404
812-330-6050; kbarnes@ivytech.edu
 Jane Smith, EE, Engineering Tech Supervisor
Bloomington Limestone Company
109 S. College Ave
Bloomington, Indiana 47401
812-337-2626; jsmith@bloomlimestone.com