How to determine the wording of your resume

1. Writing Your Résumé
ART 287

2. Your Résumé
• Itemizes the reasons why a prospective
employer should hire you
• Establishes your professional knowledge
• Provides overview of your background
• Sets forth your goals and highlights
your accomplishments

3. Your Résumé
• Organization is very important
• Decide on format:
Chronological
Functional
Combination

4. Chronological Résumé
• Most widely used format.
• Lists work experience as history in reverse-date
form, followed by job titles and responsibilities
• Pros: easy for employers to see experience;
good for accomplished designers with
strong work history.
• Cons: focuses on what you’ve done, rather than
what you can do. Not necessarily best for
designers just beginning their careers.

5. Chronological
Résumé

6. Functional Résumé
• Describes skills and talents, organized according
to areas of specialization.
• Not as popular as chronological résumé.
• Pros: good for those who have employment
“gaps” or little “real world” experience. Can
effectively show your skills in job-related areas.
• Cons: more difficult to write; more difficult for
prospective employers to determine your
contributions to previous employers.

7. Functional
Résumé

8. Combination Résumé
• Organizes employment history based on skills
utilized in the job
• Not as popular as chronological résumé.
• Pros: good for those who have diverse job
experiences, or those seeking new career paths.
• Cons: more difficult to write and organize;
more difficult for prospective employers to
determine your contributions to previous
employers.

9. Combination
Résumé

10. Your Résumé
• Once you’ve decided on the format,
be sure to include the following
parts of the résumé.
• Focus first on carefully crafting the
language of the résumé. After the writing
is refined, then design the layout.

11. 1) Contact Information
Be sure to include:
• Name, address
• Phone numbers (home and cell)
• Email and web site
• Important for the potential employer to
reach you, and for you to respond fast.

12. 2) Objective or Summary
• Grab their attention! Mission statement
sets the tone for what is to come
• Bullet your accomplishments, highlight
your objectives
• Tell what you can do or what you are
looking for in a job.
• When a prospect finishes reading this, you
want them to run to the phone to call for
an interview!

13. 3) Employment History
Include, in reverse chronological order:
• Employer, position, dates.
• More importantly, emphasize skill
and experience.
• Why will you be valuable to an employer?
• Use action verbs to describe your skills and
accomplishments.

14. 3) Employment History
What kinds of jobs to include?
• Positions most relevant to job sought.
• If limited history in your field, demonstrate
steady employment record.
• Include freelance assignments

15. 3) Education
Include, in reverse chronological order:
• School, City, State, Degree, Major, Year
of Graduation. Consistent arrangement is
very important. Set schools apart so each is
easily seen.
• If still in school but near graduation, include
“A.A.S. (expected May, 2010)”
• Include any seminars or specialty training.

16. 4) Honors & Certifications
• What special skills set you apart from
everyone else?
• Design awards?
• Academic awards?
• Give details if reader won’t know meaning
of award.

17. 5) Professional Affiliations
• Belong to any professional organizations?
• Students can join Advertising Federation,
the American Institute of Graphic Arts.
Check online for membership requirements
and fees.

18. 6) Additional Information
• Hobbies, interests, clubs.
• Employers like to see well-rounded
individuals with other interests.
• Non-work activities can demonstrate
leadership skills.

19. 6) References
• References furnished on request
• Have a separate sheet ready (matching your
résumé) that includes three references
(names with reliable, accurate contact info).
• Always secure permission to use someone
as a reference, and make sure they will
available and will give you a good
reference!

20. Do:
• Use a direct, active writing style
• Pick a format and be consistent!
• Write shorter phrases, not complete
sentences
• Spell check and have a friend proofread
• Highlight accomplishments with action words
• Tell the truth
• Keep the company (audience) in mind: what
do they want/need?

21. Don’t:
• Use “I, my, me”
• Give personal data (age, race, health, marital status).
It is against the law!
• Include controversial interests or affiliations
• Cite high school unless you have no other schooling
• Use abbreviations, too big or wrong words
• Include your photo, salary or vacation requirements
• Volunteer negative information about yourself