How to Write an Effective Resume

1. THE EFFECTIVE APPLICATION
LETTER & RESUME
By: Jocelyn I. Bartolata, Ed.D
College of Arts and Letters
Bicol University

2. Guide Question
How do you see yourselves two years
after graduation?

3. Building a Network of Contacts
Broaden your circle of friends
Get to know your professors
Meet executives
Make contacts through internship
Work with community organizations

4. Self-Analysis
Education – what has it prepared you to do?
Special Skills learned, via electives may be?
Quality-grades, honors, recognitions?
Personal Qualities – teamwork? Leadership?
Communication? People-orientation?
Work Experience – part-time? Why? A show of
determination, & varied interest.
Special Qualifications – interest in sports?
memberships in clubs, involvement in civic orgs?

5. THE RESUME
- a summary of background facts in list
form.
Selecting the Background Facts
Arranging the Facts into Groups
Constructing the Headings
Presenting the Information
Including other Vital Information
Making the form attractive

6. Selecting the Background Facts
Review the background facts about
yourself – education, personal
qualities, work experience, special
qualifications
Select facts; include those covered
in the application letter
Include significant supporting
details

7. Arranging the Facts into Groups
The most conventional is the four-part
grouping of Education, Experience,
Personal Qualifications & References
(authorities disagree; use your
discretion)
Derive additional groups like:
Achievements, Qualifications to
highlight other information

8. Constructing the Headings
Construct the main head –the one
that covers the entire document.
Ex. the descriptive word RESUME
and the subject’s name; or name
only. Ex.
JOCELYN I. BARTOLATA

9. Constructing the Headings
You can also use the talking head—
use words that describe the
purpose of the document, person’s
name & prospective employer. Ex.
JOCELYN I. BARTOLATA’S
QUALIFICATIONS FOR A TEACHING
JOB WITH BICOL UNIVERSITY

10. Constructing the Headings
You can also use topic or talking heads
for the groups of information. Topic
heads merely identify; talking heads
make an evaluative comment. Ex.
Education vs. Specialized Education in
Teaching Language & Literature
Experience vs. Versatile Experiences in
Teaching College & High School
Students

11. Including Contact Information
Display address and telephone number
prominently in the resume
Display fax and e-mail address
Most common location is at the top,
under the main head; the end is also
emphatic. Ex.
Jocelyn I. Bartolata
Phase 1, Teachers’ Village
Washington Drive, Legazpi City
Tel: 8206650, Cell: 09152924479, E-mail: freyaloise@yahoo.com

12. Including a Statement of Objective
 A statement of objective is appropriate; it
helps the recruiter see quickly where the
applicant might fit into the company.
 It should describe the work you seek
 Use such headings as: Career Objective, Job
Objective or Objective
 Ex. Objective: To teach language and
literature to college students in a university
that provides opportunity for growth and
advancement

13. Presenting the Information
 Work experience – dates, places, firms and
duties
Ex. Frontline Registrar for Systems
Technology Institute, Legazpi City, 1993-1994,
in-charge of product marketing, registration
processing and client service.
 Show achievements
Ex. Developed marketing strategies &
successfully conducted career orientation
seminars that brought about 50% increase in
enrolment for SY 1992-1993.

14. Presenting the Information
 For Education include institutions, dates,
degrees and areas of study. Ex.
Specialized Education
2004 – Doctor of Education major in
Educational Management, Bicol University
1997 – 1997-Master of Arts in Education
(Outstanding Graduate), Bicol University
Graduate School
1992-Bachelor of Arts in English (Cumlaude),
BU College of Arts and Sciences

15. Presenting the Information
 What personal information to include is a
matter for your best judgment
 The trend appears to be toward eliminating
such information
 Omit race, religion and sex; perhaps age and
marital status – prohibition against hiring
based on such information.
 Personal information might include
memberships, civic involvement, social
activities, hobbies.

16. Presenting the Information
 You may or may not include references; make
a choice based on your knowledge of the
situation.
 Consider using a separate sheet for
references; but, under references write: Will
be furnished on request
 Select references that cover your background;
3-5 references (only with their permission)
 Include accurate mailing addresses and job
titles; also useful are telephone numbers.

17. Handling Special Groupings
 Achievements and Qualifications may be used as
special groupings to present highlights of information
such as unusual performance in education,experience &
personal qualities.
 Ex. Qualifications
Highly trained: Doctor of Education in Educational
Management
Experienced: eight years of academic work
covering instruction, research,
extension and production functions.
Self- Motivated: proven record of successful
completion of independent work on
major projects.

18. Making the Form Attractive
 Design it as a book designer would. Use
balance and space for eye appeal.
 Use fewer than four font styles on a page.
 Types for headings must be at least 14 points;
for body 10-14 points
 Color: traditional is white (conservative is
usually best), substance 20; reasonable
variations can be appropriate.

19. THANK YOU!
GOOD LUCK IN YOUR JOB
SEARCH AND WELCOME TO THE
CRAZY WORLD OF WORK!