Difference between revisions of "Resume Writing"

From Cross the Hurdles
(Created page with "'''Resume writing strategies''' ==A General Resume Outline== *Name *Local/Permanent Address *Professional Objective *Education *Related Experience *Additional Experience *Ho...")
 
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*Name
 
*Name
 
*Local/Permanent Address
 
*Local/Permanent Address
*Professional Objective
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*Professional Goal
 
*Education
 
*Education
 
*Related Experience
 
*Related Experience
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==Types of Resumes==
 
==Types of Resumes==
  
'''Chronological Resume''' The most commonly-used resume form that lists in reverse chronological order the person's work history.
+
'''Chronological Resume''' The most commonly-used resume form the lists in reverse chronological order the person's work history.
  
'''Achievement Resume''' This resume emphasizes achievements with less emphasis on experience.
+
'''Achievement Resume''' This resume stresses on the achievements with less emphasis on experience.
  
'''Functional Resume''' This format covers experience over a long period of time that can be grouped into skill areas, which highlights expertise rather than time frames.
+
'''Functional Resume''' This kind of resume covers experience over a long period of time that can be grouped into skill areas, which throws light on expertise rather than time frames.
Recent Graduate Resume. This resume is for recent graduates with little or no work experience, emphasizing training and education.
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 +
'''Recent Graduate Resume''' This resume is for the newly passed out graduates with little or no work experience, emphasizing training and education.
  
 
==When Writing a Resume==
 
==When Writing a Resume==
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*Have a specific objective
 
*Have a specific objective
 
*Preferably one page, never more than two pages
 
*Preferably one page, never more than two pages
*Tailored to a specific job or a specific employer
+
*Moves around a specific job or a specific employer
 
*Don't focus on your medical history
 
*Don't focus on your medical history
*Advertise your skills and not your disability  
+
*Highlight your skills and not your disability  
  
 
==Resume Writing Tips==
 
==Resume Writing Tips==
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===Things to Do===
 
===Things to Do===
  
*Lead with your most qualifying experience
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*Move ahead with your most qualifying experience
 
*Consider a consolidated experience category
 
*Consider a consolidated experience category
*Emphasize accomplishments
+
*Lay stress on accomplishments
 
*Be generous with white space
 
*Be generous with white space
 
*Use bullets, bold type, capital letters, and underlining
 
*Use bullets, bold type, capital letters, and underlining
 
*Check continuity of history
 
*Check continuity of history
*Have at least two other people review it
+
*Two other people should review it
 
*Send your references a copy of your resume
 
*Send your references a copy of your resume
 
*Use good paper
 
*Use good paper
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===Things Not to Do===
 
===Things Not to Do===
  
*Don't exaggerate or mislead
+
*Don't exaggerate, over emphasize or try to mislead
 
*Don't state a salary
 
*Don't state a salary
 
*Don't include names of references
 
*Don't include names of references
 
*Don't include a photograph
 
*Don't include a photograph
 
*Don't include religion, race, national origin, or political affiliation
 
*Don't include religion, race, national origin, or political affiliation
*Don't overstate your qualifications
+
*Don't exaggerate your qualifications
 
*Don't include a reason for leaving your last job
 
*Don't include a reason for leaving your last job
 
*Don't use unusual abbreviations or acronyms
 
*Don't use unusual abbreviations or acronyms
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Should I Disclose or Not
 
Should I Disclose or Not
  
*On the Resume: Often, your disability is reflected in your work history, education, *and life experience. Stress your adaptability.
+
*On the Resume: Often, your disability is reflected in your work history, education, and life experience.  
*Cover Letter: Don't start the letter with details about a disability. Follow a format mentioning strengths and limitations.
+
*Stress your adaptability.
 +
*Cover Letter: You should not start the letter with details about a disability. Mention both strengths and limitations.
 +
 
 +
Read more about [[Disability Disclosure]]
  
 
==Including a Cover Letter==
 
==Including a Cover Letter==
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A cover letter accompanies any resume mailed to a prospective employer.
 
A cover letter accompanies any resume mailed to a prospective employer.
  
*The Heading: Your return address and date
+
*The Heading: Your address and date
 
*The Inside Address: The employer's name; company name; and company address
 
*The Inside Address: The employer's name; company name; and company address
 
*Salutation or Greeting: Address the letter to a particular person by name. Avoid "Dear Sir/ Madam" or "To Whom It May Concern."
 
*Salutation or Greeting: Address the letter to a particular person by name. Avoid "Dear Sir/ Madam" or "To Whom It May Concern."
*The Body of the Letter: The body of the letter should include three paragraphs.  
+
*The Body of the Letter: The body of the letter must have at least three paragraphs.  
 
*Opening Paragraph: State what motivates you to write to this employer, the position for which you are applying, and how you heard about the position or the company.
 
*Opening Paragraph: State what motivates you to write to this employer, the position for which you are applying, and how you heard about the position or the company.
*Middle Paragraph: Include a description of your education and work experience. Indicate how these relate to the position.  
+
*Middle Paragraph: Describe your education and work experience. Show how these are related to the position.  
*Closing Paragraph: Inform the employer that you are available for a personal interview or to answer questions about your resume. Thank the employer for the company's consideration.  
+
*Closing Paragraph: Tell the employer that you are available for a personal interview or to answer questions about your resume. Thank the employer for the company's consideration.  
  
 
===Cover Letter Writing Tips===
 
===Cover Letter Writing Tips===
 
====Things to Do====
 
====Things to Do====
 
*Make each letter an original
 
*Make each letter an original
*Follow instructions in recruitment ads
+
*Follow instructions that are given in recruitment ads
 
*Keep the letter to one page
 
*Keep the letter to one page
*Include your telephone number in the closing
+
*Include your telephone number in the closing paragraph  
paragraph  
 
  
 
====Things Not to Do====
 
====Things Not to Do====

Revision as of 03:50, 22 August 2013

Resume writing strategies

A General Resume Outline

  • Name
  • Local/Permanent Address
  • Professional Goal
  • Education
  • Related Experience
  • Additional Experience
  • Honors
  • Activities
  • Skills
  • Personal (optional)
  • References

Types of Resumes

Chronological Resume The most commonly-used resume form the lists in reverse chronological order the person's work history.

Achievement Resume This resume stresses on the achievements with less emphasis on experience.

Functional Resume This kind of resume covers experience over a long period of time that can be grouped into skill areas, which throws light on expertise rather than time frames.

Recent Graduate Resume This resume is for the newly passed out graduates with little or no work experience, emphasizing training and education.

When Writing a Resume

  • Stick to the basics
  • Keep it short
  • Reveal only what the employer needs to know
  • Have a specific objective
  • Preferably one page, never more than two pages
  • Moves around a specific job or a specific employer
  • Don't focus on your medical history
  • Highlight your skills and not your disability

Resume Writing Tips

Things to Do

  • Move ahead with your most qualifying experience
  • Consider a consolidated experience category
  • Lay stress on accomplishments
  • Be generous with white space
  • Use bullets, bold type, capital letters, and underlining
  • Check continuity of history
  • Two other people should review it
  • Send your references a copy of your resume
  • Use good paper
  • Avoid anything negative, this may include disclosure of disability

Things Not to Do

  • Don't exaggerate, over emphasize or try to mislead
  • Don't state a salary
  • Don't include names of references
  • Don't include a photograph
  • Don't include religion, race, national origin, or political affiliation
  • Don't exaggerate your qualifications
  • Don't include a reason for leaving your last job
  • Don't use unusual abbreviations or acronyms

Resume Writing Considerations

Should I Disclose or Not

  • On the Resume: Often, your disability is reflected in your work history, education, and life experience.
  • Stress your adaptability.
  • Cover Letter: You should not start the letter with details about a disability. Mention both strengths and limitations.

Read more about Disability Disclosure

Including a Cover Letter

A General Cover Letter Outline

A cover letter accompanies any resume mailed to a prospective employer.

  • The Heading: Your address and date
  • The Inside Address: The employer's name; company name; and company address
  • Salutation or Greeting: Address the letter to a particular person by name. Avoid "Dear Sir/ Madam" or "To Whom It May Concern."
  • The Body of the Letter: The body of the letter must have at least three paragraphs.
  • Opening Paragraph: State what motivates you to write to this employer, the position for which you are applying, and how you heard about the position or the company.
  • Middle Paragraph: Describe your education and work experience. Show how these are related to the position.
  • Closing Paragraph: Tell the employer that you are available for a personal interview or to answer questions about your resume. Thank the employer for the company's consideration.

Cover Letter Writing Tips

Things to Do

  • Make each letter an original
  • Follow instructions that are given in recruitment ads
  • Keep the letter to one page
  • Include your telephone number in the closing paragraph

Things Not to Do

  • Don't put your name in the heading
  • Don't tell all in the letter
  • Don't forget to follow up