Resume Preparation Tips

Introduction | Basic Components of a Resume |
Sample Chronological Resume | Sample Functional/Combination Resume |
Sample Chronological Resume/Alternate Style |
Sample List of References |
Read More About Resumes |

Introduction

• A resume could be one of the most important documents that you ever compose. When you apply for a job, the resume must speak for you by carefully summarizing your experience, education, and background.
  
• It is important to supply truthful, correct information. Potential employers often check with your previous employer to verify that the information you have included is accurate. Stretching the truth too much — or worse yet, lying — could cost you the position to which you are applying.
  
• A cover letter should always accompany any resume that you send to a prospective employer.

• A resume must include certain basic information so that a potential employer can assess your qualifications in comparison to those of other job applicants.
  
• It is best to keep the resume one page long unless you have an extensive amount of experience that can be directly applied to the position that you seek. Employers normally want to be able to quickly scan one page that sums up your experience and background.
  
• The basic information that most resumes include is:
  » Name and current address
  » Telephone number
  » Career objective (optional)
  » Educational background
  » Summary of Qualifications (work experience, skills)
  » Military service (if applicable)
  » Awards and honors (if applicable)
  » Interests (Optional)
  
• Your name, current address, and a telephone number where you can be reached should always be the most prominent piece of information at the top of the page. This information is usually centered and your name should appear in capital letters. If you do not have a telephone, give the telephone number of a friend or relative who is willing to take messages for you – most interviews are arranged by telephone. If you have a FAX number or an E-mail address, it would be appropriate to place those after your telephone number.
  
• A career objective indicates the type of position that you would like within a company and may sometimes include an ultimate career goal.
  
• Your educational background should include information about the college or colleges that you have attended, with graduation dates (or projected graduation date), degree title, the type of program or subject major completed, and your grade point average (if above 3.0). Completely write out your degree and technology.
  
• Your summary of qualifications should include your work experience and any skills that would enhance your marketability. List the jobs that you have held in reverse chronological order. You may also include any applicable internships that you have completed. For each position listed, you should include the dates worked, the city and state where the employer is located, your job title, and a concise description of the type of work you did in the job. When describing the type of work performed, it helps if you stress any of the following items that apply to the jobs that you have had: responsibilities, the number of people that you have supervised and/or trained, special skills or training needed for the job, and specific types of equipment or software used (if pertinent to the type of position you are now seeking). If you have held many jobs over the years, list the jobs that have requirements similar to those of the job to which you are applying. Any specialized knowledge, such as a language or some sort of expertise that might be applied to a position, should be listed. Computer experience should include the title and version of software.
  
• If you have received any significant awards or honors, list them in a separate section. Academic or civic awards, or military medals and awards are appropriate to list.
  
• When listing outside interests, try to list things that show a well-rounded set of interests. Be aware of the type of person who would be reading your resume and do not list any controversial hobbies or interests. A mixture of cultural, physical, and leisure interests will be more impressive than several interests of the same type.
  
• You may also wish to include memberships on your resume. Memberships in career-related associations should be included. Civic associations may also be listed. Be careful not to list any controversial memberships (such as religious or political organizations).
  
• Finish off the resume with a statement that indicates that references will be furnished upon request. The references themselves should be typed on a separate sheet of paper and centered from top to bottom on the page (see Example 4). References are normally from former employers and supervisors or from college instructors. Usually 3 to 5 names are listed along with their job titles, full addresses and telephone numbers. Always ask permission before listing someone as a reference. This will give your references a chance to prepare should they be asked to speak about your qualifications for a position. It is not appropriate to list a relative as a reference.
  
• A potential employer will normally ask for your references at the end of the interview if they are truly interested in hiring you.
  

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New England Institute of Technology, Warwick, Rhode Island
Associate in Science Degree in Electronics Technology, 1999
G.P.A. 3.98

Electronics
Skilled in the construction and troubleshooting of electronic circuits, AC and DC theory, basic and advanced analog devices, digital devices and microprocessors. Fiber optic technology including hands-on use of OTDR, splicing and terminating. Soldered and tuned a discrete AM/FM radio.

Computer
Windows 3.X, Windows 95 & 97, Microsoft Office 97, Works, and WordPerfect.

Mechanical
Small repairs on cars and other motors, very mechanically inclined.

Construction
Roofing, painting, sheetrock, repair work, and remodeling. Ability to work with a variety of tools.

Wal-Mart, North Attleboro, Massachusetts
POS ordering and inventory on computer and handheld terminal, stocking, set up displays for visual appeal, ensure excellent customer service.
1992-present

Available upon request.

Mary Alves
Electronics Instructor
New England Institute of Technology
2500 Post Road
Warwick, RI 02886
(401) 739-5000 Ext. 4999

Edward Jones
Owner
Eddie's Service Station
777 Elm Street
Warwick, RI 02886
(401) 555-2222

Steven Smith
Service Manager
Auto Express Center
444 Sycamore Street
Providence, RI 02906
(401) 555-1111

Susan Stevens
General Manager
Food Land Supermarket
888 Smith Street
Providence, RI 02903
(401) 555-3333

Career Planning HF5383 .C64 1993
Corbin, B. & Wright, S. (1993). The Edge resume & job search strategy. Carmel, IN: UN Communications, Inc.

Probably one of the most innovative resume books around, this book stresses extraordinary design and layout. Using interesting layouts, design, papers, and typefaces, the 30 sample resumes in this book clearly focus on unique presentations of standard resume information.

Ref. HF5383 .F77 1993
Fournier, M. & Spin, J. (1993). Encyclopedia of job-winning resumes. Ridgefield, CT: Round Lake Publishing Co.

The strength of this book is not in the information about how to write a resume (there is little of that) but in the number of examples it provides and how they are organized. Four hundred resume samples are included that are grouped by the following job categories: administration, computer science and engineering, health care, sales and marketing, management, and education. Special sections are also included for students with limited experience, special careers, and writing a cover letter.

Career Planning HF5383 .L48 1993
Lewis, A. & Grappo, G. J. (1993). How to write better resumes. (4th ed.). Hauppage, NY: Barron's Educational Series, Inc.

This book provides workbook-like pages that can be photocopied as a basic information-gathering tool to begin a resume. In addition, an extensive list of "Action Words" are provided to help make a resume more dynamic. Nearly 150 resume samples are included that illustrate different treatments for boldfacing, underlining, spacing, and arrangement of information. Tips on writing cover letters and answering interview questions are also included.

Career Planning HF5383 .N62 2001
Noble, D. F. (2001). Gallery of best resumes. (2nd ed.). Indianapolis, IN: JIST.

This book contains a large number of sample resumes chosen to illustrate a variety of styles, layouts, typefaces, and special paper. The book can be used to get a feel for the impact of different styles. Tips on resume writing strategies, design, layout, writing style, and cover letters are included.

Career Planning HF5383 .N622 1996
Noble, D. F. (1996). Gallery of best resumes for two-year degree graduates. Indianapolis, IN: JIST.

Written for people who have two-year degrees and job experience, this book contains 229 sample resumes for a wide variety of occupational categories, including computer technology, design, engineering and technology, health care, maintenance, and management. The book begins with 64 tips on resume writing strategies, design, layout, and writing style. Tips on writing cover letters and some sample cover letters are also included.

Career Planning HF5383 .P348 1995
Parker, Y. (1995). Blue collar and beyond: resumes for skilled trades and services. Berkeley, CA: Ten Speed Press.

Why a book about writing resumes for blue collar workers? The author states, because "blue-collar workers have been largely left out of existing books on resume writing." This book includes resumes in the following categories: automotive and heavy equipment, construction and maintenance, customer service, office, trades, and manufacturing/electronics. This is very useful, providing sample wording for the wide variety of technical and trade experience that NEIT students possess.

Career Planning HF5383 .P354 1996
Parker, Y. (1996). The resume catalog: 200 damn good examples. Berkeley, CA: Ten Speed Press.

Presented in 13 broad job categories, these sample resumes illustrate a wide variety of solutions for resume writing. Concise comments pointing out a resume's features are included on many samples. One section of the book points out how to address problems in resumes such as lack of experience, gaps in work history, incomplete education, age, foreign education, and too many jobs.

Career Planning HF5383 .R934 1997
Ryan, R. (1997). Winning resumes. New York: John Wiley and Sons.

Along with a variety of sample resumes, Ryan provides 53 mistakes to avoid when preparing a resume. The author points out which mistakes are apt to make a potential employer reject a resume. Step-by-step worksheets with lists of suggested terms to use are also included.

Career Planning HF5383 .S634 1999
Smith, R. (1999). Electronic resumes and online networking. Franklin Lakes, NJ: Career Press.

This book provides valuable tips on how to search for a job online using newsgroups, LISTSERVs, virtual job boards, subject directories, online newspaper classifieds, and corporate web sites. The section on preparing resumes for an online job search covers the basics of resume preparation and detailed instructions on adding appropriate keywords, setting a resume up in electronic format, scannable resumes, and personal web pages. The appendices include lists of websites for job hunting, tips on selecting keywords, and indexing characteristics of search engines.

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