Learning Objective: Examine the elements to constructing superior resumes Having an efficient and strong resume will greatly improve your chances of landing that dream job and starting your career on the right foot. Creating the perfect resume takes practice and skill. You want to make sure that your resume stands out above the rest without overdoing it. How does one make sure that his or her resume is top notch and bullet proof? This seminar will give you the scoop on creating the standout resume that will get you your next interview. We will discuss tips such as determining what your resume’s purpose is, supporting your strengths, using appropriate keywords, the benefits of proofreading and bullet points, and proper font usage. At the end of this seminar, participants will be able to: a. Identify the purpose of a solidly effective resume. b. Discern between good and bad resumes. c. Analyze the resume factors that recruiters identify to disregard some resumes. d. Identify the attributes of resumes that get on the interview schedule.

2. X-treme Resumes:
Constructing a Stellar Resume

3.  Resume Purpose
 Role of Resume in the Application Process
 6 Steps to Writing an Effective Resume
 Things to Avoid
 Sample Resumes
 Summary
Agenda

4. Resume Purpose
Whether you’re a current federal
employee or new to the Federal
Government, your resume is the
primary way for you to
communicate your education,
skills and experience.
Your resume is your best
marketing tool!

5. Role of Resume in the Application Process
 The Federal Government does have a standard job application. Your
Resume is your application
 Hiring agencies use the job announcement to describe the job and list the
required qualifications and responsibilities
 After applying, the hiring agency uses the information in your Resume to
verify if you have the required qualifications stated in the job announcement
 Once the hiring agency has identified the qualified candidates, other
assessments such as interviews or testing may be used to determine the
best qualified applications

6. 1. Understand the Job
2. Consider your Qualifications
3. Select a Resume Format
4. Create the Basic Outline/Write Job and Personal Information
5. Write your Experience
6. Write your Education
Steps for Writing an Effective Resume

7.  Know the job you are applying for
 Gather job information
Duties
Requirements
Qualifications
Conditions of employment
 Pay Attention to Keywords
Describe your chosen career field
Step 1: Understand the Job
READ, READ, READ!!!
Read the ENTIRE Job
Opportunity
Announcement before
you begin to apply!

8.  Resources
 Former Job Descriptions
 Annual Appraisals
 Course Feedback
 Awards and Recognitions
 Customer Feedback
 Survey Results
 Get Creative
 Roles in Social Organizations
 Volunteer experiences
 Projects
 Academic challenges/successes
 Travel experiences
Step 2: Consider your Qualifications
Evaluated two primary ways:
• Your previous experience (paid and unpaid)
• Your level of education
• Training

9.  Chronological Resume (Preferred method)
 Most recent experience listed first
 Each previous job follows
 Bullet or Paragraph
 Summary statement is optional
 Disadvantage: Highlight gaps in employment
history or frequent job change
 Functional Resume
 Organized by skills and accomplishments
 Best for new to the workforce
 Bullet or Paragraph
 Disadvantage: Potentially hide important
qualifying information
Step 3: Select a Resume Format

10. Step 4: Create the Basic Outline
Personal Information
-Full name
-Mailing Address
-Email and Phone
-Citizenship*
-Military Status*
Work Experience
-Job Title, Duties, and Accomplishments
-Supervisor’s name and phone
-Starting and ending dates
-Hours per week
-Salary/Grade Level/Rank*
Skills and Volunteer Work
-Related knowledge, skills, and
attributes
-Certifications
-Typing Speed*
Education
-Degrees, Major/Minor
-Graduation/Anticipated Graduation Date
-GPA
*Optional/Recommended

11.  Best Practice
 Use Outline with headings
 Use plain language-avoid using acronyms
 Focus on quality
 Use presence and past tense
 Use Action Verbs
 Check spelling and grammar
 Outline the major work activities
 Fill in task and skills associated with each work activity
 2-3 tasks associated with each skill
 Integrate accomplishments to show results
 Who was impacted as a result?
 How significant was the impact?
 Cost savings?
Step 5: Write your Experience
Advised Administered Streamlined
Coordinated Created
Analyzed Organized Presented
Directed Enhanced
Trained Utilized Conducted
Formulated Managed

12. Education and Training
Bachelor of Science in Business Graduated June
2006
Austin Peay State University, Clarksville, Tennessee
Major, Business, GPA: 3.8
Relevant Coursework: Business Finance, Business
Law, Accounting
Things to consider
 How important is education in your target job?
 What is the major and/or highest level of education required?
 Are you a new graduate or do you have many years of work experience?
 Is your education or experience closely related to the target job?
Job Seekers with minimal education beyond high school
Job Seekers with some college completed
Job Seekers who are college graduates
Step 6: Write your Education
Education and Training
Human Resources Management
Basic Staffing Course, University of Alabama
Spring 2006
Classification Course, University of Maryland
Fall 2004
Education and Training
University of Alabama 2005-2006
Completed 50 credit hours toward Associate of Arts in
Business Anticipated Graduation June 2019
GPA: 3.53
Coursework includes: Business Finance, Statistics,
Management

13.  Optional
Value-added if written effectively
Highlight strengths
 Tips
Be concise-Stress important points
Personalize for each job
Keep it simple
Address to Hiring Official
Step 7: Cover Letter (Optional)

14. Remember Do
 Study the Job Opportunity Announcements
 What are the requirements (specialized experience and/or
education)?
 Use similar terms and address every required qualification
 Be Concise - Can the hiring manager see your main
credentials within 10 to 15 seconds?
 Tailor your resume to the job announcement
 Provide greater detail for experience that is relevant to the job
for which you are applying

15. What to Avoid
 Apply for a position that you do NOT qualify for
 Use of first person; unnecessary
 Use meaningless “buzzwords”
 Watch those personal email addresses (i.e.babymomma@yahoo.com)
 Submit a very lengthy resume (5 page max. recommended)
 Include a photograph of yourself
Note: If your resume includes a photograph or other inappropriate material or content, it will not be
used to make eligibility and qualification determinations and you may not be considered for the
position applying for

16. Put it Together
Department of the Army Program Analyst, GS-0343-11
123 Martin Road January 2010-September 2015
Redstone Arsenal, Alabama 35898 40 Hours/Week
May Contact Supervisor: Denzel Washington, (256) 555-1234 $57,900/Year
Heading
Applicant Wonder Woman
123 Universe Street
Themyscira Island 12345
(256) 555-9110
wonderwomanDC@yahoo.com
Personal
Information
• Analyzed program accomplishments of the End Ares Program. Assisted in drafting the evaluation briefing and presented
recommendations to senior personnel.
• Developed an office tracking system for managing audit report requirements. The new system included; workforce
management, file management, and communication methods.
• Maintained program evaluation and outcome data for over 20 projects operating within the organization. Wrote technical
reports of findings to illustrate data graphically and to provide recommendations to leadership.
Work Experience
Education and Training
Bachelor of Science in Business Graduated June 2006
Austin Peay State University, Clarksville, Tennessee
Major, Business, GPA: 3.8
Relevant Coursework: Business Finance, Business Law, Accounting
Education

17. Applicant Wonder Woman
123 Universe Street
Themyscira Island 12345
(256) 555-9110
cutebunny@yahoo.com
Experience
Department of the Army Program Analyst, Government
2010-present 40 Hours/Week
• Analyzes the EAP. I assisted in drafting the evaluation briefing and presented recommendations to senior personnel.
• I sometimes develop an office tracking system for managing audit report requirements. The new system includes;
workforce management, file management, and communication methods.
• Maintains program evaluation and outcome data for over 20 projects operating within the organization. Wrote technical
reports of findings to illustrate data graphically and to provide recommendations to leadership.
Edacation
University of Maryland Bachelors of Human Resources Management
Maryland, USA Anticipated Graduation 05/2009 (10 semester hours complete)
Skills
• Certified Baking Instructor
• Proficient in Microsoft Office
• Types 15 WPM
Awards
• Baker of the Year May 1989

18.  Your Resume is your best marketing tool
 Address every required qualification
 Avoid acronyms and terms that are not easily understood
 Be concise
 Remember quality over quantity
 Review your Resume before you apply
 Use the Resume builder on USAJOBS
Summary