Writing a Great Resume
Created by:
George Mason University
School of Management Career Services
Presentation Overview
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Prep Steps
What to Include
Types of Resumes
Resume Categories
Writing the Details
Putting It All Together
Next Steps…
Prep Step 1:
Know the purpose of a resume
A resume does not get you a job…
A resume does get you an interview.
And, putting time and consideration
into your resume is one of the
best ways to prepare for your interviews!
Prep Step 1: Know what you have to offer
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Think functional skills & personal qualities
SAMPLE FUNCTIONAL SKILLS
Advise people
Analyze data
Audit financial records
Budget expenses
Compile statistics
Coordinate events
Correspond with others
Create new ideas
Delegate responsibility
Design data systems
Edit publications
Handle complaints
Interpret languages
Interview people
Investigate problems
Listen to others
Manage projects
Mediate between people
Motivate others
Negotiate contracts
Organize people & tasks
Persuade others
Plan agendas
Program computers
Promote events
Recruit people
Review programs
Run meetings
Sell products & services
Speak in public
Supervise others
Teach classes
Write for publication
Try it now! List three of your functional skills.
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Think functional skills & personal qualities
SAMPLE PERSONAL QUALITIES
Assertive
Attention to detail
Authentic
Candid
Committed to growth
Cooperative
Curious
Dynamic
Empathic
Enthusiastic
Expressive
Firm
Flexible
Generous
Hard working
Honest
Loyal
Open-minded
Optimistic
Patient
Persistent
Perform well under stress
Poised
Resourceful
Respectful
Sense of Humor
Sincere
Spontaneous
Tolerant
Versatile
Try it now! List three of your personal qualities.
Prep Step 1: Know what you have to offer
Build your list of…
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work experience
academics
volunteer work
classes
course projects
Try it now! List at least five activities / experiences.
Prep Step 2: Know your audience
 Learn as much as you can about the position, field &
employer
 Career Library
 Professional Associations
 Employer Websites
 Occupational Outlook Handbook- www.bls.gov/oco
 Career Network (user id: student, password: jack$$pot)
 PatriotJobWeb Contacts
With a Little Prep…
 Your resume can then:
 Focus on skills & qualities you want to use most
 Present your strengths based on the employers
needs
Need help defining your strengths?
Don’t know what career fields to target?
Come visit us in Career Services!
Three Types of Resumes
 Chronological
 Functional
 Hybrid
The Chronological Resume
 When would you use this type?
 You have a significant amount of continuous
experience, OR
 Your experiences have been progressively more
responsible.
 What is the general outline of this type?
 List experience in reverse chronological order
 Most important information at the top
The
Chronological
Resume
The Functional Resume
 When would you use this type?
 When you don’t have a lot of experience in the
specific area of work for which you are applying
 What is the general outline of this type?
 Group your skills and qualities into 3 or 4
functional areas
 Strengthen your skills and qualities by listing
where you acquired them
The Functional
Resume
The Hybrid Resume
 When would you use this type?
 Your most related experience is not your most recent,
OR
 You have related experience and want to add special
emphasis to your skills and qualities
 What is the general outline of this type?
 Resume is organized by skill categories
 Under each category, experiences are in chronological
order
The Hybrid
Resume
Resume Categories – Heading
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Name – Biggest thing on the resume
Full Address – May need current & permanent
Phone number with area code
Email – (Make it professional!)
Website – If you have a personal one to share
Resume Categories - Objective
 What does an objective do?
 Clarifies the purpose of your resume
 Presents a clear statement of your goals
 When should I use an objective?
 Always have one in mind! – What is your purpose?
 Include it on the resume when it is very targeted
 specific type of position
 specific skills you offer
Resume Categories – Objective (2)
 Some objective writing tips…
 Keep it clear & simple
 Be specific
 Focus on what you will offer, rather than what
you are looking for
 Remember: Everything on the resume should
support this purpose/objective
Resume Categories – Education
 Be sure to include:
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Names of Schools
Degrees Earned
Major / Minor
Date Attended or
Graduation Date
 Could also include
 GPA
(general rule, include if
3.0 or above)
 Honors / Awards
 Selected Courses
Resume Categories – Experience
 Remember – Experience can be:
 Paid part-time/full-time positions
 Internships
 Volunteer work
 Club/campus group involvement
 Significant course projects
Resume Categories – Experience (2)
 Required Information
 Name of Employer / Organization
 Location – City & State
 Position Title
 Dates
 Accomplishments & Major Responsibilities
This piece can be the most challenging.
Let’s take a few moments to explore it…
Writing the Details…
Storming & Forming Exercise
1.
Choose a position or activity that is easy to talk
about
2. Brainstorm a list of everything that you did in that
position / activity
3. Start your accomplishments with action verbs
4. Include more relevant skills and accomplishments
and put them first
Writing the Details…
Storming & Forming Exercise (2)
4. For each item on your brainstorm list, search for
specifics
– How much? How often?
– How many people? How much $?
– What were the results?
5. Condense your brainstorm to 3-5 concrete tasks &
accomplishments using action verbs
Resume Categories - Other
 Summary of
Qualifications
 Relevant Courses
 Work Experience
 Honors & Awards
 Management Experience
 Computer Skills
 Research Experience
 Professional
 Leadership Experience
Associations/Memberships
 Languages
 Community Service
 Other Experience
 Course Projects
Putting It All Together…
Things to Remember
 Keep your language concise and clear
 Provide concrete evidence (#, %, $)
 Ask does it support my purpose?
 Avoid stating salary requirements
 Avoid offering any negative information
Putting It All Together…
Formatting
 Attract & hold your reader’s attention
 Combinations of capital lettering, underlining, bold face
type, and indentations can jazz up your paper
(italics/underlining are problematic for resume
scanning)
 Well placed white space can help the reader’s eye move
across the paper
 Whatever format you choose, be sure to be consistent
Putting It All Together…
Final Details
 Check for grammatical, spelling & typing errors
 Critique! Critique! Critique!
 Laser print on resume paper
Next Steps…
School of Management Career Services
Enterprise Hall, Room 008
(703) 993-1880; som.gmu.edu/career
mycareer@gmu.edu
Make an appointment or
come to walk-in hours
for additional help or questions.
Walk-In Hours for SOM Career Services:
Monday & Friday 2:00pm-4:00pm
Thursday
10:00am – 12:00pm
University Career Services
SUB 1, Rm 348 (703) 993-2370
Same Day appointments, 1:30 – 4:00 pm
http://careers.gmu.edu