University of Texas of the Permian Basin YOUR GUIDE TO PREPARING A CHRONOLOGICAL RESUME What is a resume? •A resume is a sales flier documenting your educational background, work history, major qualifications and personal history When should resumes be used? • In response to advertisements for jobs • As a supplement to job applications • Presented to interviewer before a job interview • Electronic job bulletin boards Quantitative Statements What Are They? Why Use Them in a Resume? Business Majors: • “Met sales quotas for my region 18 consecutive quarters.” • “Implemented internal control procedures which streamlined our employee work schedule and saved our company $250 weekly.” • Worked company receivables accounts resulting in a $5400 increase in weekly cash flow.” • Designed receiving report logs for the warehouse which resulted in a 10% decrease in purchase order reconciliation discrepancies.” Education Majors: • “Implemented 2 week ‘good citizenship’ program within my classes, which resulted in a 30% decrease in administrative referrals” • “Used cooperative learning techniques to improve my 5th graders TAKS reading scores 28% over the previous year.” Action Verbs • • • • • • • • MANAGING: accomplished, analyzed, attained, conducted, consolidated, contacted, coordinated, developed, directed, scheduled, strengthened, evaluated, consolidated, attained, exceeded, oversaw TECHNICAL: assembled, built, calculated, computed, configured, designed, determined devised, eliminated, fabricated, refined, solved, upgraded, installed, maintained, retrieved, operated CLERICAL: approved, arranged, catalogued, classified, collected, compared, compiled, completed, distributed, enlarged, implemented, inspected, monitored, operated, organized, prepared COMMUNICATING: addressed, arranged, convinced, corresponded, developed, directed, drafted, edited, enlisted, influenced, interpreted, negotiated, participated, persuaded, presented, promoted, proposed RESEARCHING: collected, consulted, evaluated, examined, experimented, identified, inspected, interpreted, interviewed, investigated, obtained, organized, reviewed, searched, summarized TEACHING: advised, clarified, coached, communicated, coordinated, corrected, developed, enabled, encouraged, explained, guided, informed, initiated, instructed, persuaded, set goals, trained HELPING: assisted, clarified, coached, counseled, demonstrated, educated, guided, motivated, referred, supported CREATING: acted, conceived created, customized, designed, developed, established, fashioned, illustrated, improved, initiated, introduced, invented, originated, performed, planned, redesigned BIOGRAPHICAL INFORMATION Name Address Phone (include cell/work/home) Email address MAJOR QUALIFICATIONS: This is a summary of everything that qualifies you for the position that you’re seeking: including, but not limited to education, special skills, specific work experience and certifications related to the job. OBJECTIVE STATEMENT: A brief statement summarizing the type of position that you are seeking. WORK HISTORY: Company A, Location Job Title Dates of Employment Duties: Begin with action verbs, be quantitative whenever it’s to your advantage ________________________ ________________________ Company B, Location Job Title Dates of Employment Duties: Begin with action verbs, be quantitative whenever it’s to your advantage ________________________ ________________________ ACADEMIC BACKGROUND: University A, Location Degree, Subject area PERSONAL: List things that might establish commonality with the interviewer along with professional organizations, hobbies, professional interests. Be cognizant of how these interests might be viewed in lieu of the position you’re applying for. REFERENCES Either list or put “available upon request” Marcia Hernandez 5050 Tanglewood Lane Odessa, Texas 79762 432-368-9876 (home) 432-552-6359 (cell) Marcia_H@yahoo.com Major Qualifications: Five years accounting experience in an oil and gas environment. Working knowledge of Word, Excel, Power Point and Access. Bi-lingual English/Spanish. Certified Public Accountant. Member of COPAS. Objective Statement: To utilize my experience and academic background in a middle management position within the oil and gas accounting field. Work History: Chevron-Texaco Oil Company, 300 N. Marienfeld, Midland, Texas 76904 Title: Joint Interest Accountant Dates: May 1999 to present Duties: •Performed physical inventory of 18 pipe yards. Reconciled inventories to the general ledger resulting in an $8M write off of obsolete materials and a $80k reduction in ad valorem taxes. •Improved internal controls of joint-interest partners’ receivables accounts resulting in the collection of $150k in partner receivables. •Renegotiated storage fees for pipe and wellhead storage facilities resulting in a $18k reduction of carrying costs for inventory accounts Academic Background: University of Texas of the Permian Basin, Odessa, Texas B.B.A., Accountancy and Information Systems, May, 1999 Personal: Enjoy investing, golf, tennis, softball and mountain biking Teacher Resumes Sylvestor Rose 5039 Tanglewood Lane #1345 Odessa, Texas 79762 Home (432)363-9975 Cell (432)598-9862 Objective: I am seeking a secondary teaching position in the field of education. Self directed, enthusiastic educator with a compassionate commitment to student development and learning. I possess outstanding communication skills and the ability to relate relevance of classroom objectives to the real world. I consider myself a “classic” team member who is capable of contributing to site based committees and collaborate at all levels of administration. Experience in: *Cooperative Learning *TEKS Objectives *Design & Development *Classroom Management *Motivation *Multicultural Awareness *Student Assessment *Lesson Plans *Special Populations Educational Certifications Bachelor of Arts, Major: English; University of Texas of the Permian Basin, Odessa, Texas English secondary 6-12 certification (Texas Education Agency) Computer Skills: MS Word, Excel, Power Point Internet (research) Teaching Experience Permian High School, Odessa, Texas January 2006-May 2006 Student Teacher Collaborated with cooperating teacher to design curriculum and lesson plans, assessments of students and communication with students, parents and diagnosticians. Performed basic administrative duties such as recording attendance, tutoring and organizing student portfolios as needed. * Used computer technology to integrate curriculum, supplementing class lectures with word processing and researching skills. * Created a “writing contest” to increase writing proficiency amongst students and encourage expression of ideas. Held special sessions to develop effective writing and editing techniques and inspire creativity. * Established and maintained positive relationships with students, parents, faculty and administrators. Professional Training and Workshops Cooperative Learning Workshop, UTPB (2004) Technology Integration Workshop, Region 18 ESC (2005) Things not to include on a resume: No’ No’s continued • • • • • • • • • • Unnecessary things about your life Ex: age, race, political affiliation, information about family members Information that will not advance you in your work goals Ex: That lifeguard position that you held when you were 16. A headshot In some industries, being asked for and including a headshot is common place, but unless you’re an actor, Miss America or a model, it should be left out. Salary expectations Giving a number that’s too high or too low can cost you the job. If they specifically ask for it, give them a range. Even then, that information should be reserved for the cover letter. If you have that option, save that conversation for a later time. Lies No matter how miniscule the chance that you’ll get caught, you should always represent yourself as accurately as possible. • • • • • • • • Things that were once labeled “confidential” Ex: Confidential information that you once shared with an ex-employer should never be shared on a resume. It shows poor judgment. If you were fired from a previous job and what you were fired for Leave out information about a situation that positions you negatively. If you’re asked to explain why you left a job, put your best foot forward and bite the bullet. Overly verbose statements Don’t oversell and express yourself in vague, insignificant terms. Ex: “Spearheaded high profile projects through supervision of others, leading by example.” TMI A resume with too much information will not get read. Recruiters and hiring managers are very busy people. It’s a burden to the reader and readers of resumes don’t want to be burdened. COVER LETTERS • A cover letter is an introduction to the employer. • Cover letters should include: 1) A statement identifying the job you are applying for and where you heard about the job. 2) A brief recapitulation of your qualifications. 3) A closing statement indicating how to contact you. April 26, 2004 Texas Department of Human Services 1209 Bonham Odessa, Texas 799856 Hiring Manager: I would like to be considered as a candidate for the position of Caseworker I as noted in the Odessa American. I am currently employed as a social worker aide at Health South Rehabilitation facility in Midland, Texas. I have over three years experience assisting our caseworker specialist in documenting behavior, preparing interdisciplinary case histories and assisting clients with behavior modification. Academically, I am a May 04 candidate for a B.A. in Sociology with a Criminology minor. I have completed courses in social deviance, human growth & behavior, psychology theories, personality theories, sociological theories and psychological statistics. I feel that my psychological experience as a social worker aide along with my academic background would allow me to excel as a Caseworker I. If you feel my background would meet your current needs, please feel free to contact me at 689-9961. Yours truly, Carla Kiser Don’t forget the thank you note!!!! • • According to a survey of 650 hiring managers by CareerBuilder.com, forgetting to follow up with a thank-you note can be a kiss of death. 15 percent said they would not hire a candidate who did not follow up with a thanks, and 32 percent said they’d think less of the person who did not write. What do thank-you notes look like? • Three paragraphs only. 1) Thank them 2) Sell them again with a reminder of your qualifications 3) Reaffirm you interest in the job. • Be specific! Tailor your note to the job and relationship you’ve developed with the person filling the position. • Fill in the blanks. The thank-you note allows you the opportunity to add any details or skills you forgot in the interview, and you can also attempt to ease any reservations you heard from them. 3420 Big Tree Lane DeLand, FL 32720 386-555-0345 Mr. Gary Barnett Aerial Communications, Inc. 3407 W. MLK Jr. Blvd. Tampa, FL 33607 Dear Mr. Barnett, Thank you for taking the time to visit with me today about your Sales Representative position. I certainly appreciate your time and attention in answering all my questions. As I noted in our interview, I have a B.B.A. in marketing along with three years marketing experience with a communications based agency. I have met my sales quota for my current employer for 11 of the 12 calendar quarters and increased our market share for my assigned territory by 23% over the last two years. I took to heart your advice about “getting connected to your clients” and hope to use some of your sales strategies during my tenure with your company. As I stated during the interview, I am extremely excited about the prospect of working for your company and hope to hear from you in the very near future. Sincerely, Rebecca Leddyfern THE END