This document provides an outline for creating an effective resume with sections for contact information, a summary statement, accomplishments, skills, employment history, education, affiliations, and tips to avoid common resume mistakes. The summary section should be no more than 4 lines highlighting the most relevant strengths and competencies. The accomplishments section focuses on quantifiable achievements that benefited previous employers. Transferable skills that match the job posting should be included. Employment history, education, and affiliations are also outlined.

1. Resume Guide
Name
Address
Telephone Number (List only one ~ do not label (i.e. home, cell)
Email Address
LinkedIn Address
Summary: An effective introductory Summary statement at the opening of your resume is
a critical component of effectively branding yourself to a prospective employer. This is the first
part of your resume that a potential employer will read, and the goal is to communicate clearly
what your expertise is and why you are qualified. Often an “Objective” statement tends to
focus more your own interests as the job seeker, while a “Summary” statement communicates
what you can bring to the table in the targeted role for the organization. Why should they hire
you, essentially? This is communicated by highlighting the most relevant strengths, skills & core
competencies that are unique to you as a candidate, versus a trait or skill that’s an industry or
professional standard (i.e. “multi-tasker” or “team-player”). The Summary statement should be
no more than 4 lines and speak only to your professional background, and not address any
outstanding circumstances (employment gaps, change of career, personal experiences, etc.).
Accomplishments: Let's start by understanding what kinds of accomplishments or
achievements are important to employers and hiring managers. In her book, Resume Magic,
Susan Britton Whitcomb explains that every jobseeker has "buying motivators" - these are the
contributions that you have made in your career that would encourage a hiring company to
"buy" you or in other words hire you. Simply put - every company listens to the same radio
station WIFI - What's In It For Me. Think of areas in which you have helped make your company
successful and create career-defining accomplishments. Don't be fooled - quantifiable
accomplishments are NOT only for sales executives. Your stories can be created around other
accomplishments.
Here are a few other examples of buying motivators:
Made money for the company
Helped the company save money or reduce costs
Implemented processes that save time or increase work productivity
Improved company's competitive advantage in the marketplace
Enhanced corporate image or building company's reputation in its industry
1 This outline is a compilation of ideas from many sources and programs. Thanks to all who
have contributed their valuable time and efforts to assist others.

2. Resume Guide
Skills: Transferable Skills: Simply put, transferable skills refer to the generally applicable
skills you've gained in your life to date. They include (but are not limited to) skills you may have
learned at a previous job, in academic settings, or even during leisure activities. Most job
postings list the skills required of successful applicants. Use this information to your advantage.
Tailor your resume letter to match by highlighting those activities and experiences where you
gained your most valuable skills. Limit your skills to those top ten skills listed on the employer’s
job posting supported by an additional set of skills (no more than 5) that will set you apart from
other applicants.
Employment History: The chronological resume is preferred by the widest variety of
employers, as well as by recruiters and many of the Internet job boards. Recruiters and hiring
managers tend to like this resume format because it's easy to read and clearly demonstrates your
job history and career advancement/growth. Include the company name, title, location
(city/state) and dates of employment. Provide information on skills and achievements for this
period. Show where skills (Skills Area) and achievements (Achievements Area) and how they
applied to this position. If you were at a company for several years and held different positions
list those positions separately under the original company heading along with skills and
achievements. Remember Volunteer opportunities are considered Work… List these as part of
your Employment History.
Examples:
(Contingency/Contract Worker)
ABC Inc, (company where you worked) Temps are Us (name of contractual employer) St
Louis, MO
Title: (Don’t use the title “Contractor” unless that is what your actual title was, use the title you
were hired to fill (i.e. Program Analysis, Administrative Professional, etc.))
(Volunteer)
ABC Inc, St Louis, MO
Title: (Use your actual Volunteer Title, i.e. Support Staff, Facilitator, etc.) (followed by
“Volunteer”, in quotes.
Education: Education/Training. Include all the pertinent information regarding education,
degrees, training, and certifications. Spell out names of degrees. Include the educational
institution's name and location. If currently enrolled in an educational program, list expected
graduation month and year. Graduates should list graduation year if within the last 10 years.
Affiliations: List all affiliations current and past if appropriate for this position
2 This outline is a compilation of ideas from many sources and programs. Thanks to all who
have contributed their valuable time and efforts to assist others.

3. Resume Guide
10 Resume Mistakes (Quint-Careers.com)
1. Resume Lacks Focus
2. Resume is duties-driven versus accomplishments driven
3. Resume items are listed in an order that doesn't consider the reader's interest
4. Resume exposes the job-seeker to age discrimination by going too far back into the job-
seeker's job history
5. Resume buries important skills, especially computer skills, at the bottom
6. Resume is not bulleted
7. Resume uses a cookie-cutter design based on an overused resume template
8. Resume has misspelled words or grammatical mistakes
9. References are listed directly on your resume
10. Resume's appearance becomes skewed when sent as an e-mail attachment and/or resume
is not available in other electronic formats (send PDF format if at all possible)
3 This outline is a compilation of ideas from many sources and programs. Thanks to all who
have contributed their valuable time and efforts to assist others.