WRITING A RESUME THAT WILL GET YOU A JOB

When you apply to any job, you will be competing against dozens of other applicants hoping to get that job. This is why it is important for you to do everything possible to stand out from the rest of the applicants. An impressive resume just might be the competitive advantage you need to get that job.

Chronological Resume

Now that you have some work experience you should be able to write an advanced resume or a chronological resume. A chronological resume is a resume that focuses on your work experience and offers details about your different employment duties. The length should still be only one page.

Step One: Job Objective

Your career objective is a focused statement of your employment goals. Make sure your objective accurately reflects the position you are seeking. You can write an objective that describes the position you are applying for or the skills that you have to offer the agency.

Position - "Seeking a position as a marketing assistant . . ."

Skills - "Seeking a summer position utilizing my public relations and research skills.”

Here are samples of excellent job objectives:

To secure a full-time position as an Office Assistant.

A full-time position in the field of Banking and Finance.

To obtain a position in which I can learn, improve my skills, and become a valuable employee.

To obtain a position that allows me to utilize my customer service, sales and computer skills.

Interested in bank management training program with emphasis on finance.

Obtain an entry level certified nurse assistant position in a pediatric medical practice.

Seeking a clerical position using my exceptional organizational, computer, and customer service skills.

To obtain a sales position that requires outstanding customer relations experience.

To gain experience in the banking industry as a teller, where I can utilize my customer service skills.

Entry-level sales position with an established women’s retail clothing store.

A Sales representative position within a consumer electronic store.

Step Two: Work History Include all paid and unpaid job positions, starting and ending dates, the name and location of the company or organization. You should also list of duties you performed at the worksite. The easiest method to use when working on this section is to brainstorm. Try visualizing a typical day on the job, thinking of all the things you did and write everything you can remember.

Examples:

Store Clerk Operated cash register Assisted customers Stocked shelves Cleaned store area Pricing of clothing and products Inventory

Office Position Managed filing system Data entry Accepted payments Copying and Filing Answered and directed incoming phone calls Faxing

As you select your duties, be sure your statements are action-oriented:

Compare the following work duties and see if you notice the difference:

Inventory or Assisted with the inventory of weekly store shipments.

Data entry or Completed daily data entry assignments.

Copying or Performed various clerical duties such as copying, filing and answering phone.

Answer phone or Answered and directed incoming phone calls to business.

Step Three: Education Be sure to include dates you attended, any diplomas, degrees and certificates earned in High School or College. You can also add any youth program or job trainings.

Step Four: Skills and Abilities Use this section to outline all of the skills you have acquired through your work experience or vocational training. These are skills that you might have learned in school or a training and are not listed in your work experience.

Examples of skills:

10-key calculator Microsoft Office Microsoft Excel Phone etiquette

Fluent in Spanish Graphic Design Microsoft PowerPoint customer service

Word processing Type 50 wpm Internet Explorer Fax machine

Child supervision Microsoft Word Communication skills Maintenance

Examples of personal qualities or strengths:

Committed Punctual Dependable Good people skills

Willing to work hard Team player Organized Creative

Get along well with others Confident Flexible Professional

Fast learner Responsible Excellent Initiative Reliable

Step Five: References You can include if you have enough space at the end of the resume. Otherwise, you can type on a separate sheet with the statement “Available upon request” at the bottom.