2. A resume is a written document that contains a summary of
work experience, including positions held at each employer, and
educational background.
Resume
Preparing a resume
The combination resume borrows the best features of other
resume formats. It uses the flexibility of a functional format.
It borrows the ordered work experience of a chronological
format.
It allows you to present your best skills early in the document.
3. Change Your Thinking
The old way to prepare a resume is to look at your work
history and then select the skills, experiences and achievements
that stem from it.
Times are changing and the job market is more competitive
than ever. Because of this, it's important to prove your worth to
employers.
Not every task or skill in your work history is relevant. Know
your skills and know the value of each.
4. Identify your job target. Know what you want to do. At least
know the type of job you'd like to have. Once you do, you'll be
able to create a resume that has direction and purpose.
Identify Your Job Target
In the current economic climate, jobs are fewer and the
competition's fierce. Many of us are eager to accept any job that
comes along.
If you find yourself in this position, you may want to create a
resume for each type of job you're qualified to do.
In each resume, highlight the skills that are relevant to the job
type.
5. Gather Your Facts
Before you begin writing, gather your facts. Later you'll need to
provide the details of your work history.
The process is easier if you have these details handy before you
begin.
6. Process of writing an effective resume
Heading
The heading is the first section of your resume. It includes your
name, address, telephone number and email address.
Employers will need this in order to contact you
Name
This piece of information may seem obvious. Because your
name may be the first item a reader sees, don't use a nickname.
7. If your name is difficult to pronounce, make it easier for
employers to contact you by adding a nickname, as long as the
nickname sounds professional.
If your name is unisex, you can ease the minds of would-be
callers by using Mr. or Ms. in the heading.
Don't abbreviate street names in your address. Spell out the
words Street, Avenue.
Spell out your state name as well, unless you're running short
on space.
If you must abbreviate the state, use the two-letter postal
abbreviation.
Always include your zip code.
Address
8. Telephone Number
Employers are most likely to contact you by telephone or by
email. Provide your telephone number and area code.
Answer your calls professionally during your job search.
Email Address
Include an email address in your heading.
One should have an email address dedicated to job search.
Choose an email address that sounds professional as you set up
your account.
9. Targeted Job Title
To make your resume effective and compelling, give a targeted
job title just after the heading.
The job title tells readers what will come. It gives the document
purpose and direction.
Professional Profile
The professional profile describes you. It tells what you have
to offer.
It sums up your most relevant skills, experiences and qualities.
10. Skills
The skills section of your resume is a list of skills that might help
your job search.
They prove your ability to perform the targeted job.
These are not the same skills included in your professional
profile.
Example:
Core Competencies
Key Competencies
Core Skills
11. Personal Information (optional)
List only interests or hobbies that support your target.
Keep it brief.
Don't list anything that's dangerous or risky.
Layout
Combination resumes are as flexible as you want them to be.
Move sections within the body of the resume to make them more
visible.
This will help you emphasize what's important.
12. Finishing Touches
Your resume isn't complete until it's polished.
Limit your resume to one or two pages.
If your resume does run into two pages, staple the pages in the
upper left hand corner.
Be sure you leave plenty of white space.
13. 12 Common Mistakes In Résumé Writing
Font is too small — Make sure that your document is legible. A
recommended font size is 11 or 12.
Spelling mistakes — Use the spell-check tool, but remember that
the best proof reader is another set of eyes.
Be sure that there are no spelling errors, poor word choice, or
misuse of language.
These mistakes are not acceptable as it might appear that you are
negligent with your work.
14. Repetitive words — Do not use the same verb to describe your
work experience.
Use a variety of action verbs to prove your transferable and
diverse skills.
Utilizing different action verbs can highlight the wide range of
skills and knowledge that you possess.
Leaving out dates — Include dates on your résumé.
Leaving them out might seem like you are trying to hide certain
information.
15. Inconsistent layout of résumé — Present your résumé in a
consistent layout.
Set your margins evenly (right and left sides 1" margins; top and
bottom).
Have an even amount of space between each heading. Be
consistent with your verbiage.
For example:
If you are describing your current job, use all verbs in the present
tense.
16. Using someone else's words — It can be obvious that what is
written is not in your own words when you do not speak like you
write.
It is important to prepare your résumé in your own words.
Just having one version — Résumés need to be "fluid."
The critical part is to tailor your résumé content to the job for
which you are applying.
You may have several different versions depending on the jobs
you are targeting.
17. No cover letter — A cover letter should be sent out with every
résumé.
The cover letter is your sales document. It will augment your
résumé.
Unprofessional email address — Use an email address that is
professional.
Your professionalism has to come through in your résumé.
Cluttered information — Filter out information that might seem
irrelevant to the position.
Be wise in choosing certain facts to be included on your final
résumé.
18. Including personal information — Personal information, like
age, gender, and head shot should not be included on your résumé
(unless you are a performing art student).
Using abbreviations or contractions — Remember your résumé
is a formal document, be sure to omit abbreviations or contractions
in your words or sentences.
20. The purpose of this discussion is to provide basic, comprehensive
information to assist you in developing effective presentations.
The use of visual aids, coupled with good public speaking
skills, work hand-in-hand to create effective presentations.
Your speaking style and stage presence are personal talents that
you can refine with much practice and experience.
Much emphasis is given to visual aids which are essential to all
successful presentations.
21. The visual presentation must emphasize the relevant information
among the rest of the data.
This is of particular importance since presentations are often
realized on print media, which allow for no or only little interaction.
Visual presentation aims for communicating and sharing
information in a dataset visually to others (e.g., experts for detailed
analysis).
22. •developer/designer knows what is important
•user not actively involved
•highly specialized
•little interaction
•user: inform
Main characteristics
•main purpose: communication
•The information to be communicated is clear/defined upfront
