Growing your First Post-College Resume

Works Cited:

• Curtis and Simons: "The Resume.com Guide to Writing Unbeatable Resumes"

• Marquette University: "Writing an Academic Resume"

http://www.marquette.edu/grad/future_req10.shtml

• Motlow State Community College: Paige Hendrickson, "Resume and Interview Workshop"

Example Resumes created by: Calleb Capshaw, Writing Tutor

Inspired by Finding Nemo

Fall 2015

Prezi Created by: Calleb Capshaw, Writing Tutor

Fall 2015

Writing Your Resume

You're Ready to Go:

Before you send:

• Print all of your documents on a high quality resume paper

• Make sure they are consistent

• Don't fold your resume! Get a large, high quality envelope

Writing Your Resume

References*:

References are people that will be contacted if a reference of your character is needed.

• You should have about three references available.

• It is important that you have both professional and personal references.

• Be polite!!!

• Ensure that the people on your reference page know that they may be contacted as a reference.

*Motlow State Community College

Writing Your Resume

Key Words to Use Throughout Your Resume*:

Use words that are descriptive and specific rather than vague or general.

Example of Personal Descriptor Words (Use to describe an accomplishment in a clear way):

• Skilled
• Stable
• Strong
• Tactful
• Thorough
• Tolerant
• Trained
• Versatile

• Personable
• Persistent
• Poised
• Practical
• Productive
• Punctual
• Realistic
• Reliable
• Resourceful
• Responsible

• Adaptable
• Aggressive
• Assertive
• Astute
• Bilingual
• Capable
• Competent
• Creative
• Dedicated
• Dependable

• Detail-oriented
• Diplomatic
• Effective
• Efficient
• Energetic
• Enthusiastic
• Flexible
• Honest
• Imaginative
• Independent

• Innovative
• Loyal
• Mature
• Methodical
• Motivated
• Objective
• Observant
• Optimistic
• Patient
• Perceptive

Example of Qualitative Words and Phrases:

• In-depth knowledge of

• Consistently
• Effective

• Experienced
• Extensive

• Familiarity with
• Proficient in

• Significantly
• Successfully

• Varied Background
• Wide Scope

*Motlow State Community College

Writing Your Resume

Key Words to Use Throughout Your Resume*:

Use words that are descriptive and specific rather than vague or general.

Example of Action Words (Use to describe your skills, achievements, and accomplishments):

• Reorganized
• Researched
• Reviewed
• Revised
• Scheduled
• Set up
• Solved
• Supervised
• Supported
• Taught
• Trained
• Wrote

• Analyzed
• Approved
• Arranged
• Assembled
• Assisted
• Communicated
• Completed
• Composed
• Created
• Demonstrated
• Designed
• Developed
• Diagnosed

• Managed
• Motivated
• Negotiated
• Organized
• Participated
• Performed
• Persuaded
• Planned
• Presented
• Proposed
• Provided
• Recommended
• Reduced

• Distributed
• Established
• Evaluated
• Expanded
• Facilitated
• Implemented
• Improved
• Increased
• Initiated
• Investigated
• Led
• Lectured
• Maintained

*Motlow State Community College

Writing Your Resumes

Pitfalls to Avoid*:

• Don't include Social Security Number, Date of Birth, Race, Marital Status, Family Data, Personal Information, etc.

• Don't explain anything negative or unsuccessful

• Don't forget to proofread for spelling errors, typos, and incorrect information

• Avoid excessive use of bullet points!

Growing your First Post-College Resume

*Motlow State Community College

What is a Post-College Resume

Types of Resumes

and what is its purpose?

Writing Your Resume

• The Chronological Resume

A post-college resume is a specialized type of resume used after you have graduated from a two- or four-year college. Congratulations!!!

This specialized resume can be used to outline your professional (if applicable) and academic credentials when applying for your first job or applying for scholarship opportunities after graduation.

A post-college resume should (in most cases) include the following*:

Types of Categories to Include*:

• The Functional Resume

• Objective or Goal

• The Combination Resume

• Education

• Honors and Achievements
• Relevant Employment History

• Contact Information
• Objective
• Educational Background
• Extracurricular Involvement

• Employment, Work History, Work Experience, etc.

(if applicable)

*Marquette University: "Writing an Academic Resume"

• Skills, Accomplishments, Achievements

• Awards, Scholarships, and Grants

Formatting Suggestions:

• Hobbies, Interests, Extracurricular Activities

• Reserve bullet points to the listing of your duties in your employment section. (if applicable)

• Keep your section headings and formatting choices consistent:

• If you have two listings under your employment section, keep the fonts, italics, and other formatting choices consistent

• References

The Chronological Resume*

The chronological resume is the most common

format that students use. A chronological resume, as

*Motlow State Community College

the name would suggest, lists the majority of the content

within your resume in reverse chronological order

The Combination Resume*

Disadvantages

Advantages

A combination resume includes the best

• It calls attention to a stable and strong educational background and/or extracurricular participation.

traits from both of the two previous resume

• Can be easy to include too many subjects within the contents of your resume

• It demonstrates advancement in an academic environment.

The Functional Resume*

Solution:

Carefully decide which information is relevant

formats. This format allows the student to show

• It serves as a comparison tool for scholarship committees when viewing multiple applicants.

A functional resume allows a student to highlight

how their academics, extracurricular activities,

specific skills, qualities, and accomplishments. This

and skills correlate with each other.

type of resume will showcase specific skills you have.

Example of Chronological Resumes

Disadvantages

Advantages

• Combines the defining strengths of chronological and functional resumes

• Similar to the chronological format, it can be easy to include too many subjects within the contents of your resume

Solution:

Carefully decide which information is relevant

* Curtis and Simons, "Writing Unbeatable Resumes"

Disadvantages

Advantages

• Allows for a broader range of academic content

• Future-Oriented. It emphasize specific skills the student has to offer.

• Rarely applicable to the average student.

Solution:

Consider using either the functional or combination format.

• Highlights accomplishments that are not associatied with an academic degree; such as extracurricular activities.

• Only emphasizes one or two skills.

Solution:

Consider using either the functional or combination format.

Example of Combination Resumes

Example of Functional Resumes

* Curtis and Simons, "Writing Unbeatable Resumes"

Writing Your Resume

Formatting | Things To Keep in Mind*

Writing Your Resume

Resume paper and envelopes should be high quality and be typed/printed, not hand-written.

Formatting | Content Rules*

Your name (and contact information) should be at the top with your name in a much larger font than everything else.

Do not staple your resume if it is more than one page.

Keep your resume to one page, if possible; however, two pages is acceptable, especially with longer academic experiences and involvement.

*Motlow State Community College

Writing Your Resume

Formatting | Fonts*

Popular Fonts:

• Bookman, Calibri, and Times New Roman

Popular Font Sizes:

• 10 or 12

*Motlow State Community College