Harty p.275: Resumes and Other Written Materials for a Job Search

-there is no one right way to write a resume

-managers look for a variety of skills including written and oral communication skills, computer skills, interpersonal skills, self reliance, and time management

John L. Munschauer- "Writing Resumes and Letters in the Language of Employers"

WHY USE A RESUME?

-Don't confuse customers by flaunting things that aren't relevant to their needs

GIVING YOUR MESSAGE

-Even if you are going to approach the employer in person, practice writing a letter

-Focus on the interviewer's needs, not your wants

The Importance of Knowing What the Job Is All About

-using prose can help you put into words the things you want to convey to the interviewer

LETTERS OF APPLICATION

- Resumes should be well organized, neat, professional-looking and free of grammatical errors

-Paragraphs should outline who you are and what you want, why you wrote to the employer and areas of mutual interest, special talents, and should suggest a course of action

Hard Work and Attention to Detail Make a Good Letter

-Editing and rewriting is very important

Don't Delegate the Job of Letter Writing

-Write your own letter, and use an outline

-The value of a resume is often in the practice more than the document itself

RESUME PREPARATION

-Using single spacing can draw less attention to less-than-impressive items

-Organize your qualifications into relevant groups and be sure to have a good reason for including a qualification or work experience

-Explain why you included less relevant work experience and how it contributes to your resume

Use words that fit the job in question and downplay terms that might lead the employer to think in terms other than the job

The Functional Resume

Design headlines to highlight and organize your work experience

The functional resume allows you to develop a different message for each job you apply for

“Career interest” can sound better than “job objective”- your resume should clearly show what kind of job you are looking for

If you can keep the resume to one page, do it; if not, make it two and keep white space and organization

Get your resume critiqued before you use it- get them to look at the format, then the information