Introduction

A resume is only one part of the job hunting process. The purpose of a resume is NOT to get you a job, but to get you a job interview! The rest is up to you. For additional help as you embark on your job search, visit the link below:

Click HERE to visit our Career Planning and Job Hunting Tutorial!

What does a resume do?

A resume summarizes your qualifications and employment history. Although there is no set format, it should contain the following information:

• Name, address, and telephone number
• Employment objective. State the type of work or specific job you are seeking.
• A summary of your skills and qualifications.
• Experience, paid or volunteer. Include the following for each job: Job title, name and address of employer and dates of employment. Describe your job duties and achievements.
• Education, including school name and address, dates of attendance, curriculum and highest grade completed or degree awarded.
• Additional training received, knowledge of machinery, honors received, awards, or memberships in organizations, affiliations, publications, or licenses.
• Note on your resume that "references are available upon request."

Resume Types

Although there is no set format for a resume, the two most common types of resume are called...

• Reverse Chronological Resume
• Functional Resume

To see templates for these two types of resumes, click on the link below:

Susan Ireland.com: The Resume Guide
http://www.susanireland.com/resumesamples.htm

Your resume should...

Be written in short concise sentences that begin with action words. A list of action words can be found at the following web page:

Job Web Action Words
http://www.jobweb.com/Resumes_Interviews/resume_guide/action.html

Avoid first and third-person pronouns (such as I, we, he, or she) and articles (such as the, a, or an)

Be relevent! Don't bother including skills and qualifications that aren't immediately relevent to the position you are applying for.

Occupational Outlook Handbook
httpL//stats.bls.gov/oco/ocoiab.htm

Be error-free! Have your resume proofread several times by someone you trust.

Have a cover letter! A cover letter should capture the employer's attention, follow a business letter format, and should generally include the following information:
* The name and address of the specific person to whom the letter is addressed
* The reason for your interest in the company or position
* Your main qualifications for the position (in brief)
* A request for an interview
* Your phone number
* Information about how to write cover letters can be found here:

SUNY Buffalo's Career Planning & Placement: Cover Letters
http://www.ub-careers.buffalo.edu/career/oco/cpp/student/resume/coverlet.shtml

Your resume should NEVER include...

Reasons why you left a previous job

Personal information such as age, ethnicity, maritial status, physical appearance or health issues

Names of supervisors

Salary needs

Leisure activities

LIES!

Related Sites

Purdue University Introductory Guide
http://owl.english.purdue.edu/workshops/hypertext/ResumeW/what.html

Articles from Career Journal
http://www.careerjournal.com/jobhunting/resumes/index.html

JobStar
http://jobstar.org/tools/resume/index.htm

Test your skills with a Practice Resume.

E-resumes - posting your resume on the Internet

Many sites offer to let you post your resume online for free. While posting your resume is possible, consider the drawbacks.

• It may not be the most fruitful method of reaching employers. Remember, employers begin with people they know.
• It is limited to the ASCII format which is not very attractive.
• You lose confidentially with your name, address and phone number available to anyone on the Internet. Your current employer may find out you are job hunting.
• Read the documentation carefully and check for costs before posting.

For more on electronic resumes see:

Riley Guide to Preparing Your Resume for the Internet and Posting it Online
http://www.rileyguide.com/eresume.html

Some sites to post your resume at include:

WNYJobs.com http://www.wnyjobs.com
Monster.com http://www.monster.com
Hot Jobs http://www.hotjobs.com