Write a Resume

Write a resume.

A resume is a 1-page summary of your education and work experience. It is read by possible employers who want to learn about you and your job experience. You should always bring a copy of your resume to a job interview. It is also customary to send a resume along with a letter of application to a job. A resume helps employers to decide whether or not you would be the right person for a position they are seeking to fill.

A resume has 5 parts: Each section (except for your personal contact information) has a heading that is aligned on the left hand side of the page. See model attached.

Section 1: Personal Contact Information

The purpose of this section is to let businesses know how they can contact you. This information is centered at the top of the page. See example below.

Your Name

Number and Street

Town, State Zip Code

Phone

E-mail address

Practice writing your personal contact information below:

1. Center the information by selecting the center tab on the toolbar.

2. Place each entry on a separate line as above

3. Capitalize your name, the name of your street and your town.

When you have completed your entry, double-space and align your text to the left for your next heading using the align left tab on the toolbar.

Section 2: Education

This section lists the name of your school, your year of graduation and your GPA. Sets of information are separated by a comma. See example below.

Education

Town High School, Class of 2014, (3.5 GPA)

Now practice how to write the education section:

First, type the heading. Highlight the text and put it in boldface.

______

On the next line, type the full name of your high school in Title Case, state your expected graduation date as Class of and the year you will finish school. Include your numerical grade point average (GPA) in parentheses.

______

Now type it all again.

______

Check your work.

_____ Did you put the heading in bold letters? Did you capitalize the first letter of the word?

_____ Did you type the full name of your high school in title case? Did you state the year you expect to graduate?

_____ Did you separate information using commas? (,)

_____Did you put your GPA (grade point average) in parentheses ( )

Section 3: Job History

This section lists the jobs you have had. List your current or most recent jobs first. Include your job title, the name of the company you worked for, the address, and the dates you worked there. Sets of information are separated by a comma.

Job duties or tasks are briefly described using bullet points. Each entry should have two bullet points. See example below.

Job History

Laundry Assistant, Best Western Murray Hill Inn, 535 Central Avenue, New Providence, NJ (2012-present)

· Folded towels and linens in laundry room.

· Sorted and stacked towels and linens.

Server, Monthly Munchies Student-Run Café, 35 Pioneer Drive, New Providence, NJ (2011-present)

· Prepared and baked cookies and desserts.

· Operated cash register in café.

· Served coffee and beverages to customers.

Practice writing your experience below:

First create the Heading Job History. Align the text at left. Type the words Job History. Highlight the text and make it bold.

______

What was your most recent job? Where did you work? What is the address? How long did you work there? Separate the information using commas (,). Put the dates you worked there in parentheses (2012-current).

______

Now describe your job tasks using bullet points. Each bullet point should be a sentence starting with an action word such as prepared, ordered, received. Use the verb list attached to find action words to describe your duties on the job. Put a period at the end of the sentence

· ______.

· ______

What was the next most recent job you’ve had? Where did you work? What is the address? How long did you work there? Separate the information using commas (,). Put the time you worked there in parentheses (2012-current).

______

Now describe your job tasks using bullet points. Each bullet point should start with an action word such as prepared, ordered, received. Use the verb list attached to find action words to describe your duties on the job.

· ______.

· ______

Check your work.

_____Do you have all the required information?

_____Do you have the heading Job History? Is it in bold type?

_____Do you list the name and address of the place where you worked? Do you include the dates you worked there from starting year to ending year in parentheses ( )?

_____Do you have at least 2 bullet points describing your job duties? Does each bullet point start with an action word? Did you put a period at the end of each bulleted sentence?

Type it all again.

Job History

Company, number and street, town, (year-year)

· Described job duty.

Company, number and street, town, (year-year)

· Described job duty.

Section 4: Skills

This section lists job-related skills and special abilities you have. This is your chance to describe skills you have that might not be listed in your job history. These can be work skills such as typing or operating office equipment. You can also list special talents such as cooking or playing a musical instrument. If you play an instrument, how long have you studied? You should list at least 3 skills or abilities. See example below.

Skills

· Typing (90 wpm)

· Baking

· Flute (7 years)

Now you practice Align your text at left. Type the heading Skills. Highlight the text and put it in boldface.

______

Next, using bullet points, list your skills and abilities. Use title case (capitalize the first letter of each word in the entry).

· ______

Now type it all again:

Check your work:

_____ Did you type the heading, Skills? Did you highlight and bold the text?

_____ Did you use bullet points to list each skill?

_____ Do you have 3 bullet points?

_____ Do you use title case (capitalize the first letter of each word in the entry?

Section 5: Interests

This section lists interests and hobbies you have. This can include clubs you have been involved in, special talents you have such as music or theater, and sports. See example below. List how many years you have been involved in each activity using parentheses ( ).

Interests

· Varsity Tennis Team (4 years)

· New Providence High School Marching Band (4 years)

· Volunteer Library Assistant, New Providence High School (2 years)

Now you practice:

Align your text at left. Type the word Interests. Highlight and bold the text.

______

Using bullet points, list any hobbies you have or extracurricular activities you participate in such as drama club, marching band, or sports. List how many years you have been involved in each activity.

· ______

Type it all again.

Interests

· Skill (? years)