BYU-I Resume Help
http://www.byui.edu/careerservices/students/career_preparation/resumes.htm
Electronic Resume Guide
Understanding Electronic Resumes:
First, recognize that electronic resumes are not mere clones of their paper cousins. Paper resumes have evolved to create a visual impact for the person reading the resume. They draw the reader's eye to specific areas where the reviewer uses their personal background to review your resume.
Electronic resumes are a whole new ball game. First of all, nobody can read your resume if it does not "bubble up" through their search criteria. Think of it this way, if you ask a search engine to find George Washington you will get thousands of potential web links. How often will you go beyond the first 10 sites, the first 20 sites, etc? Rarely will anybody go much further than 40 or 50 sites. Rather, they will tighten up on the search parameters. For example, you might select "George Washington" and "Trenton". This tighter search produces a more manageable few hundred sites.
Potential employers think the same way, and they do not have time to filter through thousands of resumes. To cut down on the resumes that "bubble up" they search for key words. For example, a cost accounting position might look for items such as Cost Benefit Analysis, Cost Justifications, Lease Purchase, Break Even Analysis, Management Accounting, Economic Analysis, Fully Distributed Costing, etc. Your first steps therefore, are to identify what key words the employers are interested in for the job you want Developing Your "Profile":
The first step in creating your electronic resume is to determine the specific skills required for the jobs you are interested in.
Fortunately, a lot of this work has already been done for you by the government and is available for your review through Americas Job Bank. This is a cooperative service that links all 50 State Job Services, data from the Federal Government, and most relevant to this guide, extensive research done by the Department of Labor around job requirements, employment trends, salary information, etc. The web site for America's Job Bank is http://www.aib.dill.us From Americas Job Bank, you have the ability to review all of the job services listings, identify training resources, and research career information. You can go directly to Americas Career lnfonet at http://www.acinet.org/acinet/ From this website select the wages and trends option. This will bring up a list of job families where you select the family that you are interested in. This will then bring up a list of job titles for your selection and you will also be asked to specify the state you want to review. This will take you to extensive job related data including:
Knowledge / Skills / Abilities, Tasks / Activities, Education, Training, Occupational Reports including wages, job outlooks, and other trend data. Finally you can also link to associated information sites for the job you are looking for from other Internet sources.
Additionally, most major search engines will guide you to other career information sources. After reviewing this information, you will develop a "feel" for the types of skills and accomplishments employers will be interested in. Do not skimp in this preliminary research. Your goal is to make your resume score higher than all of the other thousands of resumes being reviewed. Remember, your resume will never even be read if it doesn't score high on the key word searches. After you have developed your list of key requirements review them with professionals in both the field you are interested in and with Human Resources experts. The results of your research investment will help give you the competitive advantage you need in getting the job you want.
Problems to Avoid:
As noted above, paper resumes evolved with the goal of drawing a human reviewer to highlighted information. To do this, we use different text sizes, bold characters, underlines, italics, distinctive fonts, fancy bullets (), etc.
However, all of these items can make your resume less useful in the electronic world. For example, underlined text can be taken as a HTML web link, the reviewer may not have your font, the bold characters and special bullets can fool OCRs if your resume is sent to somebody else, etc. Additionally, you need to be aware of other electronic limitations. For example HTML does not support tabs, and this might alter how you line up your resume.
You are far better off if you will stick to basic characters and common fonts. For example, you can assume that almost every machine will have Arial, Times New Roman, etc. Similarly, most companies can read standard word-processing packages such as MS Word, Word Perfect, etc. However, they may not have the proprietary software that some resume packages provide - remember the resume is useless if they cannot open it. By the way, you can also out think yourself when the printed resume morphs into its electronic cousin through the magic of Optical Character Readers. Marbled resume paper makes a great statement when read in person. However, all those color variations are an OCR's worst nightmare. Your carefully prepared resume may be reduced to gibberish.
What Else is Different with Electronic Resumes:
The following comments are extracted from an interview with Jeff Taylor, the creator of the Monster Board. "Remember you are not working on a piece of paper". "We've learned by talking with hundreds of recruiters that key words help them complete a search in minutes that results in a dozen or more people who are a great fit". "Use a lot of words - you will not be punished for length in the same way you would be on paper." "This is a new medium with new rules. You are trying to have your resume stand out in a database - the more keywords the more hits you will score on employer searches. "
Other reviewers of electronic resumes support these statements and offer some additional considerations. "The Internet is a mighty big place - avoid regional buzz words". "Do not justify the text, allow your right side of the page to rag back and forth - otherwise you may end up with unintended verbiage when an OCR gets done". "Anybody can pull your electronic resume including your current employer".
Is Anything the Same as a Paper Resume?
Fortunately, you do not need to throw out all of the rules you learned about resume writing. With the adjustments mentioned above, the following still apply.
• Resumes should be accomplishment oriented. Build around your achievements and highlight your home runs.
• Organization still matters. Group your resume into logical headings such as job history, skill sets, etc.
• Long paragraphs are still forbidden. Remember, somebody eventually has to read your resume after it bubbles up, and they are likely to be used to regular sentences, paragraphs, etc.
• Details are important - fluff is not. Keep the resume related to the job and list specific examples of your achievements.
• Leave out irrelevant data such as personal interests, hobbies, family details, race, etc. You are looking for a job, not a social partner.
• Avoid using stock resumes from "resume" guidebooks. You are a one of a kind, and your resume should show it.
• Keep it positive - even though you are using key words, your resume still needs to display more feeling than a mere listing of key words and statistics.
• Avoid alphabet soup. There are now so many acronyms that you are not really sure how yours will be interpreted.
• Highlight your education, credentials, awards, certifications, etc. These are likely to be part of the key words the employer is searching for.
Other Last Minute Tips:
Prayer and inspiration are important to your job search. Electronic communications makes it possible to perform a much wider job search than was formerly possible. However, you should still search out the Lord's mind and will concerning your own specific situations. It is important to remember that you are entitled to this inspiration.
In Genesis 3:17-19 we are told" ... Cursed is the ground for thy sake; in sorrow shalt thou eat of it all the days of thy life; Thorns also and thistles shall it bring forth to thee; and thou shalt eat the herb of the field; In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread…” The commandment that we work for our living is often overlooked. However, using one of the electronic scriptural searches will rapidly reveal that being a good laborer is actually mentioned more often than murder and adultery combined. We would not have so much written in the scriptures if work wasn't central to our eternal progression.
Fortunately, we are also told in 1 Nephi 1:7 that "I Nephi said unto my father: I will go and do the things which the Lord hath commanded, for I know that the Lord giveth no commandments unto the children of men, save he shall prepare a way for them that they may accomplish the thing which he commandeth them."
Therefore, do not forget to involve the Lord in your job search. He has given you a commandment to work to support your family, and I bear you my testimony that he will not abandon you in your job search. Use the tools that we have been given and rely on his inspiration and you will be rewarded in your employment search.
Writing a Resume from Scratch
The purpose of a resume is to get interviews and nothing else! Resumes DO NOT get you the job. They should not be an interview in writing.
Resumes should be short and simple. They should outline your accomplishments, not job duties. Research has shown that the first cut on a resume is based on an average reading of 1.8 – 15 seconds. The format and content of every single resume is a slave to this reality. Face it, if your resume does not do its job in the first 15 seconds, it does not matter what is in it, you will not get an interview. This worksheet is designed to compile all the information needed to put in your resume. Try to keep your resume to one page, but do not crowd.
Your Resume Personal Information
Name: ____________________
Address: ____________________ , _______________________ , _____ __________
Phone: _____ -_____-_______ Email: ________________________________
Profile / Summary- list 9 or 12 attributes or skills that qualify you for the job you are applying for. (See back for examples)
· · ·
· · ·
· · ·
· · ·
Career History- list past employments with most recent first and working your way back. Use action verbs to start every accomplishment (see back for examples). Show the effect before the cause. Only go back 15yrs of relevant experience.
Job Title: ____________________ Dates: _______________
Employer: ____________________, City: _____________________, State: ______
·Accomplishment 1: ________________________________________________________________________________
·Accomplishment 2: ________________________________________________________________________________
·Accomplishment 3: ________________________________________________________________________________
Job Title: ____________________ Dates: _______________
Employer: ____________________, City: _____________________, State: ______
·Accomplishment 1: ________________________________________________________________________________
·Accomplishment 2: ________________________________________________________________________________
·Accomplishment 3: ________________________________________________________________________________
Job Title: ____________________ Dates: _______________
Employer: ____________________, City: _____________________, State: ______
·Accomplishment 1: ________________________________________________________________________________
·Accomplishment 2: ________________________________________________________________________________
·Accomplishment 3: ________________________________________________________________________________
Education / Certification- list your education and certification. Put the highest degree first, and work down. Dates are not necessary. (Education(s) first, then certifications)
__________ , ____________________
Degree Major
____________________ , ____________________
Institution Location (City, State)
_________________________________________
(Any special awards or activities listed here with bullets)
__________ , ____________________
Degree Major
____________________ , ____________________
Institution Location (City, State)
_________________________________________
(Any special awards or activities listed here with bullets)
Note: Leave GED’s / HSDiploma’s off
completely unless-
1. It is all the education you have, AND
2. It is needed to balance the page so it
is visually appealing.
DO NOT INCLUDE GED’s / HS DIPLOMA’s UNLESS BOTH THESE APPLY!!!
Occupational Key Words
Account Management
Childcare
Microsoft Word
Accounts
Receivable Claims
Adjudication
Nursing
Acquisitions
Commercial Leasing
Oscillator
Bachelor’s Degree
Copy Editing
Palletizing
Democratic Resourceful Determined Bank Card
Counselor
Bank Reconciliation Crisis
Management
Payroll
Batch Processing
Cross-Cultural Training Personal
Computer
Benchmarking Debugging Process
Metallurgy
Blue Print Reading
Decision Making
Proposal Writing
Brochures
Demographics
Psychology
Budget
Dental
Management
Public Relations
Bulletins
Die Casting
Purchasing
CAD
Dietitian
Radio
Calibrator
Drywall
Raw Materials
Carpentry
Ecology
Receptionist
Cash Flow
Electronics Reporter
Cell
Culture
Media
Employee
Assistance Reporter
Cement
Engineer Research
Equipment Vendor
Sales
Financial Planning
Secretarial
Food Preparation
Software Modeling
Gas Pipeline
Spanish
Goal Setting
Spread Sheets
Graphic Design
Statistical Process
Guest Services
Control
Harnessing Stick
Welding
Hiring / Firing
Strategic Planning
Hotel
Student
Personnel
ISO 9001
Supervisor
Journalism
Taxonomy
Journeyman
Teacher
Layout Design
Technical Writing
Logic Analyzer
Time Management
Magnetic Theory
Transportation
Manager
Travel
Mapping
Wave Solder
Marketing
WordPerfect
Master’s Degree
Workflow
Microprocessor
Writer
Example Attributes
Diligent
Patent
Innovating
Persisten
Tactful
Loyal
Successful
Versatile
Enthusiastic
Out-Going
Expressive
Adaptable
Democratic
Resourceful
Determined
Creative
Open
Objective
Warm
Orderly
Tolerant
Frank
Cooperative
Dynamic
Self-Starter
PRecise
Sophisticated
Effective
honest
Reliable
Perceptive
Assertive
Sensitive
Asture
Easy Going
Calm
Flexible
Competent
Punctual
Receptive
Diplomatic
Self-confident
Tenacious
Discrete
Talented
Empathetic
Tidy Candid
Firm Sincere
Initiator
Efficient
Example Action Verbs
Achieved
Administered
Affected
Analyzed
Applied
Appraised
Approved
Arranged
Assessed
Attained
Awarded
Built
Calculated
Cataloged
Clarified
Coached
Compared
Composed
Conceived
Conducted
Constructed
Contracted
Controlled
Convinced
Correlated
Created
Decided
Defined
Delegated
Designed
Detailed
Developed
Directed
Distributed
Earned
Effected
Encouraged
Enforced
Enlarged
Equipped
Established
Estimated
Evaluated
Examined
Excelled
Executed
Expanded
Experimented
Facilitated
Formed
Formulated
Founded
Generated
Governed
Grouped
Guided
Handled
Illustrated
Implemented
Improved
Increased
Influenced
Initiated
Inspired
Installed
Instituted
Integrated
Interviewed
Introduced
Invented
Investigated
Launched
Maintained
Mastered
Recorded
Recruited
Rectified
Researched
Reviewed
Revised
Scheduled
Searched
Secured
Selected
Simplified
Sold
Solved
Stimulated
Structured
Succeeded
Summarized
Supported
Tailored
Taught
Transformed
Translated
United
Unified
Validated
Verified
