Resume Planning

The two Most Important Aspects that have to be taken into consideration when preparing your resume are:

1. Content Appeal
1. Resume Words List
2. Visual Appeal

Content Appeal

Content appeal refers to what the resume says. This includes basic information about you as well as what you have done.

Name, Address, Phone Number, E-mail Address

• Use your legal name or the name that is on your school records, checkbook, social security card, etc.
• In most cases use your local address.
• You may include a permanent address.
• Include your phone number - an employer MUST be able to reach you.NOTE: Your voice-mail message must be professional and business-like
• Include your e-mail address if you'd like employers to contact you that way too.

Education

For many students their education is a critical component of their marketability. We recommend it as the next major item on your resume.

• List your college and its location.
• Show the degree you're working on, expected completion date, and major.
• Include your cumulative GPA if it is a 3.0 or higher. Your CSOM and your major GPA may also be shown.
• Coursework may be listed especially if there are particular courses you want to emphasize. Use discretion in the number of courses you list.
• Academic honors, scholarships, papers, etc. may be listed in this section.
• You may list the school from which you transferred into CSOM.

Experience

Work experience, paid or volunteer, comes next. All experience is important. Do not discount any experience that you have had.

• List work experience in reverse chronological order (current position first).
• Current position should be in present tense; former positions in past tense.
• Use strong, results-oriented terms when you write your descriptions (see our list of terms)
• List your achievements
• Write about the skills and duties that relate to the position you are applying for first. Remember, a prospective employer will only call you in for an interview if he/she thinks you are good and have the skills for the job.
• Think of your skills as transferable skills. In other words, skills learned no one job can be used in another job (ie - ability to work under pressure, ability to work on multiple projects simultaneously, strong interpersonal and communication skills, customer service skills, etc.)
• You need to prove that you can contribute to the organization by adding value. Statements that are specific and show your past successes will increase your chances of being selected for an interview.
• Accomplishment Statements - Use them! Think in terms of the value you bring to the potential employer. All of the following examples have one thing in common - they all affect the "bottom line" of the company.
• Increased Productivity and Quality...
• Improved Service...
• Improved Communications and Information Flow...
• Streamlined Operations...
• Developed new Administrative Procedure that...
• Implemented a new Program in...
• Reduced the cost of...
• Increased sales in...
• Refer to the Resume Word List and Action Verbs to help you write your Experience section narratives.
• Before writing this section, ask yourself these three questions:
• What major skills have I developed through work experiences
• What skills are needed to succeed in the jobs I am looking at?
• What work experiences have i had that match those skills?
• Using these questions will help you orient and write the experience section of your resume to the kind of jobs you are pursuing. After making this list, develop the specific examples and information in each category and write it into your resume

Other Categories

These categories show both the development of transferable skills and knowledge abilities. Many companies are especially interested in finding out about your extracurricular activities because they show skill development. Make sure you talk about them in interviews!"Other" categories that you may want to consider having in your resume may include:

• Computer skills
• Activities
• Languages
• Activities
• Honors
• Associates
• Travel
• Relevant
• Specialized
• Skills

If your experience in a particular category is substantial, you may want to format that section as you would the Experience Section, with a description of what you did. Otherwise, a listing is usually efficient.NOTE: Recruiters view extracurricular activities as important indicators and evidence of your skill development. Get involved in these activities and add them to your resume.

Visual Appeal

It is important that your resume looks professional in every way - format, printing and paper.

Format

There are four types of resumes. Click here to view the four types and see which one is right for you.

Paragraph Style or Bullet Style?

Format is really your preference. The most effective format is the one that best highlights why you are qualified for the particular job at hand. Here are the pros and cons of each style:

Paragraph Style

Pro: You can put more information on a page.

Con: It is more difficult for the reader to identify individual tasks and accomplishments.

Bullet Style

Pro: Allows you to show individual items better, point by point.

Con: You lose space since each bullet starts on a new line.
NOTE: You don't have to use one or the other. a combination of the two can be very effective, but be sure you carefully construct it to prevent a cluttered look.

Print

Computer word processed resumes are the norm Laser printed resumes are the norm The combination of a good word processing package and a laser printer can result in an excellent looking resume that is easy to produce and revise, yet reasonable in cost.NOTE: Always use laser printers for your final, good copy for copying onto resume quality paper.

Paper

Select quality paper for your resume copies. Choose paper that is heavier than laser paper. Get advise from your printing company. White, off-whie, or light gray are the standard paper colors. Avoid using paper with any pictures or destinct watermark images. Get matching stationary for cover letters and matching envelopes.

Resume Words List

NOTE: Your resume should always be in the process of development. Make changes as your experiences develop and as you target specific positions.