CHAPTER 12

Résumés
N o other single document will have as much impact on the direction of your career than your
resume. Your resume, while it won't get you the job, will almost always be the only way to
secure the interview that will get you the job. Unfortunately, most students won't give their
resume the time and effort it requires to be the outstanding one that will open doors to
opportunity. Before you begin to write your resume, you must think and search your memory.
An exceptional resume will require hours of work, but will always be worth the effort.

For businesses, the resume initially serves as a screening device. Remember that potential
employers are. looking for a reason not to grant you an interview. Your resume should overcome
reservations employers might have about interviewing you. Once the interview has been set up,
the resume guides the interview process. Realize that you provide some control over questions
asked in the interview by virtue of the information you include on your resume and how you
present it. After the interview, your resume helps justify the hiring decision. An outstanding
resume will represent you well to those who didn't have the opportunity to meet you during the
interview.

Experts differ in their opinions regarding the format and length of the resume, but agree on most
major areas, such as skills listings, education, and work experience. We will attempt to inform
you of the most widely held viewpoints and provide a cohesive picture of basic resume
requirements. All experts agree that before you can begin writing the resume, you must target
your job objective and know the product you're selling: yourself.

JOB OBJECTIVE

Many resume writers make the mistake of writing a general resume meant to target a variety of
jobs. Not only does failure to target a specific job indicate sloppy thinking and laziness, but it
also confuses the reader: just what is it that you're looking for? Remember, most initial scannings
of the resume last approximately 5 to 30 seconds. If your resume doesn't immediately convey the
necessary information, there is always another that will reveal the ideal candidate.
Targeting your job objective means deciding exactly which position you're interested in, and
qualified for, and determining what attributes a potential employer seeks. This means that you
will probably develop two or three versions of your resume, subtly changing the focus in each
one. For example, a recent graduate with a bachelor's degree in management might be qualified
to work in sales, personnel, or administration. Each separate resume will focus on training and
experience in each discipline.

The job objective category isn't mandatory, but many people always include one on their
resumes. In fact, it can be helpful to the reader who is seeking a candidate for a very specific
position. The job objective category can be deceptively simple. Yet, a well-written, useful job
objective takes time to compose. The job objective that you often see on resumes creates any
number of problems. Most job objectives sound something like this: "Seeking an entry-level job
in accounting." First of all, this statement does absolutely nothing to set you apart from the
thousands of other applicants also seeking an entry-level position in accounting. Secondly, the
statement implies that the position is merely a stepping-stone in your career. Remember, to the
person who is hiring, every job is important. Thirdly, statements such as these focus on the
applicant's desires rather than those of the company (and, therefore, the person doing the hiring).

To write a useful, effective job objective, focus on the reader's needs instead of your own.
Although this category gives the appearance of stating your own career desires (and, of course,
ultimately should), you must word it to appeal to the reader. For this reason, much of its focus
should be on what you can offer the company in a particular position, not what you hope to gain
from the position. The following is an example of an effective job objective:

"Seeking a management position in a retail setting that will allow me to increase profits
while motivating employees to greater achievements."

Writing the job objective requires much thought, but spending the time necessary to create a
meaningful one will pay off in the long run. Position your job objective category immediately
after your name and address on your resume.

PROFILE

Although experts differ slightly in their wording, all agree that because the resume is organized
in order of its strongest selling point, it should begin with a profile or list of qualifications. This
profile should focus on qualifications that directly pertain to the job for which you are applying.
Therefore, while the rest of the resume might remain essentially the same, the profile should
differ with each separate type of job. With a profile category on your resume, you allow the
reader to assess your skills without having to cull through the entire document to determine if
you're a candidate for the position.
 The profile, or list of qualifications, should pinpoint what you can do for this company in
this position. Of course, all of your assertions must be backed up with specifics. In other words,
it's not enough to say "Excellent management skills" without backing this statement up with
concrete evidence. You don't need to go into great detail (in fact, you shouldn't), but realize that
anyone who can type can write that statement on his or her resume; it doesn't prove anything.
Follow up with something like "Increased productivity and morale, and lowered absenteeism."
Most experts agree that the profile should be anywhere from 3 to 10 lines long. The general
consensus is that 10 lines is bordering on too long. The ideal would probably be 5 to 7 lines.
In order to write a list of qualifications that will best highlight your skills, you need to
brainstorm. Think about all the jobs you've held, including those that at first glance may seem
insignificant. Next, review your coursework and other academic experiences. Look at all your
honors and awards. Think about your activities, both in and out of school. Any unusual travel, as
well as community service, should be reviewed. Think about special qualifications, such as
language specialization and computer skills. As you review these experiences, allow yourself to
simply freewrite. Don't think about grammar, spelling, and punctuation at this point. Once you've
finished, look at what you've written, and choose skills provided by any and all of these
experiences that will transfer to the job for which you are applying. From this list, write an
effective profile. The following is an example of a profile:

PROFILE
Financial Operations: Financial and statistical-based analysis. Skilled in Lotus, dBase,
WordPerfect, and MS Word. Background in project planning and market research. Skilled in
working with wide range of individuals. Fluent in Spanish.

While the profile may be the most time-consuming and difficult part of the resume to assess and
write, it's an essential part of a resume that will stand head and shoulders above the rest.

EDUCATION

Conventional wisdom has held that the strongest selling point of recent college graduates is the
degree, and it should therefore be placed prominently at the top of the resume. For the most part,
this is still true, but be forewarned that your college education will win you favor for just so
long. Most experts agree that after about two years in the workforce, you will be expected to
have accomplished a number of impressive feats that will take prominence on a resume.

The education category will be arranged in reverse chronological order, no matter what type of
resume you use (chronological, functional, combined, or electronic). Therefore, begin with your
highest degree first, and work your way down. If you received both a graduate and
undergraduate degree simultaneously, still list the higher degree first. The listing should include
degree type (B.A., B.B.A., B.S., M.A., M.S., Ph.D., etc.); there is no need to spell out the degree
type unless it's not readily understood by most people. Next, be sure to include your major; you
would consider leaving this off only if it would be a detriment to the job for which you are
applying. Follow with the year you received your degree or your expected date of graduation.
Next, you should provide the institution name, followed by the location. Some people prefer to
omit the city and state, and this is acceptable, particularly if you are applying for jobs within the
general area. The following is an example of an education listing:

B.B. A., Finance, 2001

Old Dominion University, Norfolk, Virginia

Occasionally, a person may want to highlight the university if it's a particularly prestigious one.
This can be done by listing the institution first or by bolding:

Harvard University, Massachusetts M.B.A.,2002

or

M.B.A.,2002

Harvard University, Massachusetts

Some people are tempted to provide information about high school. This temptation should
usually be avoided. However, there are exceptions: if you attended a prestigious private or public
school, you might consider displaying that fact in your education category. Also, do so if you're
applying for a job overseas, where listing high school information is the norm. If you wish to
convey the fact that you were salutatorian or valedictorian, don't do so here; you can put that
information in an "Honors" category. You don't want to leave the reader with the impression that
you hit your peak in high school.

If you attended more than one school, most experts recommend not taking up space by listing all
schools. List only the school you received your degree from, even if you have an associate's
degree from a two-year college.

Include your G.P.A. if you so desire. However, it should be included only if it's higher than 3.0
(one resume expert notes that even 3.5 isn't all that impressive anymore). If your G.P.A. isn't
noteworthy, think about revealing your G.P.A. in your major, or in your last two years. If you do
so, be sure to label it correctly. Some companies will value work experience or financial
independence over G.P.A.; with these companies, an average G.P.A. can sometimes be offset by
professional work experience or evidence that you paid for all, or a majority of, your education.
At any rate, you should drop your G.P.A. from your resume after five years.

You may include in your education section any projects, courses, or theses pertinent to your
college career and to the job for which you are applying. This is particularly helpful if you're
weak in job experience.
WORK EXPERIENCE

Again, before you begin writing your work experience on your resume, you need to do extensive
brainstorming. Don't limit yourself to thinking only about long-term, paid work experience. Also
think about volunteer experience, non-paid work, internships, self-employment, odd jobs, and
temporary positions. All of these experiences taught you something, and many of these skills can
be translated to the job market.

Once you've thought about all your work experience, you need to focus on what you
accomplished on the job. Freewrite about your job duties, accomplishments, and results, keeping
in mind that potential employers are much more interested in what you accomplished than in
what you did day-to-day on the job. What did you bring to the job that no one else did? Thinking
and writing about these accomplishments will take time. You should know, though, that
employers will want to know more about the experience that taught you relevant skills, even if
that experience was short-lived, than they will about the job you held for five years as fry-cook,
if that experience taught you little.

Each listing under work experience should contain certain information: company name, job title,
dates, accomplishments, and job duties. If the company you worked for is well known, such as
IBM, there is no need to provide a description of the company's products or services. If,
however, the company is not readily recognizable, think about giving a brief description. When
you provide your job title, make sure that it's accurate. Again, highlight information that you
want the reader to immediately notice, such as company name or job title. Generally, cities,
states, and dates will not be bolded since this information is not key. Be sure to be consistent
throughout your resume, however. If you bold one company name, you must bold all company
names. Be sure that you keep the same order, font size and type, and spacing for each item in this
section.

Normally, you will order your job listings in reverse chronological order, beginning with your
current or most recent job and working backward. However, there are ways to highlight certain
jobs to make them stand out to the reader. A job that is directly relevant to your job search might
go under a separate category entitled "Professional Experience," "Related Experience," or, more
specifically, "Sales Experience." You also need to group together those jobs that you returned to
every year, say in the summers. Simply write the date as, for example, "Summers 1998-1999."
This saves space and implies loyalty and dependability. Remember to include temporary jobs,
such as holiday work.

If you've held a variety of jobs that really didn't do much more for you than get you through
school, you should list these jobs in a simple phrase, such as "Also worked as wait person,
cashier, and groundskeeper, 1998-2000." This will let the reader know that you've been gainfully
employed, but you don't waste space and the reader's time providing descriptions.
FIGURE 12.1 Suggested Action Verbs
achieve contract expand market provide simplify

act contribute expedite master purchase sort

administer cooperate facilitate merge raise solve
advise coordinate file minimize realize staff
allocate correlate finalize moderate receive start
analyze correspond finance monitor recognize stimulate
approve create forecast motivate recommend streamline
assess customize form negotiate reconcile strengthen
assign decide formulate observe record structure
attain decrease gain obtain recruit succeed
audit delegate gather offer redesign summarize
authorize deliver generate open reduce supervise
balance demonstrate handle operate reevaluate supply
budget designate head order refer support
build design hire organize regulate surpass
calculate determine identify originate relate survey
carry out develop illustrate overcome reorganize tabulate
clarify devise implement oversee research test
classify direct improve participate resolve trace
coach display increase perfect restore train
collaborate distribute initiate perform retrieve transact
collect document inspect place reverse transfer
communicate draft install plan review transform
compile earn institute predict revise treat
compose eliminate instruct prepare save troubleshoot
compute employ integrate present schedule unify
conceive enable justify prevent secure update
conceptualize enact keep process select upgrade
condense enhance launch produce sell utilize
conduct ensure lead program separate validate
consolidate establish locate project serve verify
construct evaluate log promote set up win
consult examine maintain propose shift work
contact execute manage prove ship write

As you type up your work experience on your resume, remember to be consistent; use graphic
devices, such as bolding, bullets, different font sizes and styles, and indentation to focus your
reader's attention and aid in scanning; target accomplishments and results. Think about using
action verbs such as developed, increased, lowered, prepared, analyzed, maintained, repaired,
established, organized, performed, assessed, achieved, earned, created, conceived, wrote,
provided, and promoted, just to name a few. A more complete list appears in Figure 12.1. These
verbs denote action and imply results. Words like best, highest, most, only, and first will impress
a reader. Also, use phrases like resulting in, or which resulted in; utilizing these phrases will
force you to think about results. Remember, it's not enough to provide mere job duties; show the
reader your potential, and be specific. The following is an example of an effective job listing:

Waldenbooks, Cincinnati, Ohio, 1998-2000

Assistant Manager

• Managed 15 employees. Opened, closed, inspected work on each shift.

• Created additional sections of employee handbook, increased employee morale. Sold 15%
over projected sales first year, 22% second year.

• Won Employee of the Year in region, 1999.

• Conceived and created successful "Spring Fashion Show of Books," 1998 and 1999, which
continues today, resulting in a consistent 33% increase over projected sales for April.

You'll notice that each sentence begins with an action verb. Because this person no longer works
for this company, the verbs are in past tense. For your current job, use present tense.

Remember, you may have spent 85 percent of your time performing mundane tasks, but you'll
want to focus on that 15 percent that was spent in accomplishing the unusual. Don't worry that
your resume targets that 15 percent; that's the indication of potential that employers are looking
for!

ACTIVITIES, HONORS, AND ORGANIZATIONS

This section can encompass all three categories suggested, or it can be broken down into two and
even three separate sections if you have a lot of information. Generally, you want to keep your
lists fairly brief, so if you have more than about six items on any list, think about reorganizing
them into separate lists. Conversely, it's never a good idea to include only one item on any list
under these categories; one item tends to point out to the reader that you were not very active.
Instead, leave the item off entirely, or combine it with other items under one category.

There is a rhyme and reason to the list(s) under this category. You'll want to list the items in
order of importance. Be sure to list them in order of importance to the reader. You must see the
resume from the reader's point of view in order to list the items correctly.

The "Activities" section includes involvement in volunteer organizations, such as Big Brothers
or Big Sisters; it can also list more personal types of activities, such as marathon running. While
some experts contend that personal information should be kept out of the resume, most agree
that- tidbits of your personal life will often spark interest during the interview. Talking about
something that truly interests you during the interview can relax you and make the interview go
more smoothly. It will also provide you with a point of reference in your follow-up letter that
will immediately let the reader know that yours is not a form letter.

Honors include such things as awards, scholarships and fellowships, as well as valedictory and
salutatory awards. Again, they should be presented in order of importance. It's helpful to include
dates.

Organizations listed on the resume should be relevant to the job for which you are applying. List
academic organizations and professional associations if you are still an active member. If you're
no longer an active member of a particular organization, omit this information unless you held
office. If you feel that an organization doesn't add much to your resume, leave it off. Although
you might want to include your social fraternity or sorority, this is not a good idea because your
reader may belong to a rival organization, in which case this item on your list could
automatically disqualify you. The only time you should list a social fraternity or sorority is if you
know you're sending the resume to a brother or sister, and then you should display it
prominently.

You should also omit any organization or activity that refers to your political or religious
affiliation or your race. Remember, if you list these activities, you're providing the reader with
information that he or she cannot legally ask you about in an interview or on an application.

REFERENCES

The "References" category has undergone a complete about-face in the past several years. While
in years past, references on a resume were mandatory, today, most employers do not want to see
a list of references unless requested at a later date. The threat of litigation has caused employers
to be very cautious about giving and requesting references.

If you choose to list your references, do so on a separate sheet of paper, and keep it with you in
the event that it's requested. Three to five references are ideal. (Of course, always be sure that
you have asked your references' permission to list them. Also, it's a good idea to ask each
reference what he or she would say about you.) Include names, position titles, business
addresses, and phone numbers.

If you don't want to list your references but would like to refer to them, you might put
"References available upon request" at the bottom of your resume. However, because employers
know this to be true, this statement isn't usually necessary.

As you collect your references, keep in mind that personal references should be kept to a
minimum, if used at all. After all, a friend you've known half your life will always give you a
glowing recommendation, and employers know this. Instead, concentrate on references such as
former and present supervisors and teachers; these references will lend more credibility than will
personal references. Also, be sure that your references aren't all male or all female; balance is the
key.

OTHER CATEGORIES

The wonderful thing about the resume is its flexibility. There is no one format that you must use,
and there are no set categories, other than education and work experience, that must appear on
your resume. You should gather your information, group it by subject, and then decide what
categories would best describe your background. Here is a list of suggested categories. Feel free
to make up your own.

Computer Skills Military Experience

Special Skills Scholarships
Languages Research
Travel Community Service
Conferences Volunteer Experience
Foreign Study Personal
Affiliations
PERSONAL
It has become passe to use the personal section to indicate marital status, height, weight, age, and
health status. Again, you're providing information that interviewers cannot legally ask you about,
so why include it? Instead, you might use a personal category to inform the reader that you're
bonded, that you're a U.S. citizen if that may be a legitimate question, or that you're willing to
relocate if the company is regional or national. You might also wish to include activities here if
you haven't under an "Activities" category. If none of these suggestions applies to your particular
situation, the experts suggest you simply leave it off your resume.
FORMAT
The format of the resume is very flexible. However, there are some guidelines to consider as you
create a winning resume.
Length
A one-page resume is highly recommended for recent college graduates. Many recruiters won't
even look at resumes from inexperienced applicants that are longer than a page. Think of the
one-page length limitation as the first test you must pass to get to the interview.
After you've been in the work force for a few years, you may lengthen your resume to two pages.
However, unless you've been asked to submit a curriculum vitae, your resume should never
exceed two pages.
Layout
Use one-inch margins on all four sides of the resume. At the top margin, center your name. If
you use a nickname, you should include it either in parentheses or in quotation marks as in the
following examples.
Patricia "Patty" McCormick
or
Bruce (Bruno) Hallman
Be sure that your name is in a larger font size than the rest of the resume, but don't go overboard.
A 14 to 16 size font is generally large enough.
If you have two addresses, such as, a school address and a permanent address, include both on
the resume. Don't make interested readers search you out because they often won't. If you use
two addresses, put one on either side of the resume under your name. Otherwise, space under
your name, and center your address line by line. See Figures 12.2 through 12.6 for examples.
You should choose how you want to space your resume. Remember not to cram information
together; use plenty of white space to aid in readability. However, it's possible to use too much
white space, especially at the top, bottom, and sides of the resume. If your resume has large gaps
or isn't evenly balanced on the page, you need to re-format it after you finish typing.
There are many different acceptable ways to lay out the resume, but most readers and resume
experts agree that the column layout is the most readable. Align your category titles along the
left margin, keeping the column no more than an inch to an inch-and-a-half across. The right-
hand column will be wider and will contain the information falling under each category.
Sometimes resume writers will line up dates, such as for employment, underneath the category
titles. This format scans very easily and seems to be the one most commonly used. Notice that
Figure 12.2 shows the column format.
Another format has the category titles centered down the page with pertinent information listed
across the page or in two columns. This is also a very popular format;

however, it is harder to scan. You might try both formats and then decide which best highlights
your information. Figure 12.3 is an example of the across-the-page layout.
One important rule to remember is be consistent! In other words, if you triple space after one job
listing, you must triple space after the next. If you indent two spaces on one line, you must do the
same on the next item's line. Look at the resumes provided in this chapter for spacing and other
formatting ideas.
Graphics
You must produce your resume on a computer or word processor. A typewriter simply will not
provide you with the graphical options that a computer will, and your resume will reflect that.
Use holding, bullets, underlining, different font sizes, and other graphics to enhance your
resume. The key word here is enhance. You certainly don't want to confuse the reader with too
much diversity. Any stylistic devices you use on your resume should of course be aesthetically
pleasing, but your top priority is to create a resume that will scan quickly and clearly. Too many
different types of graphics will slow down the reader and reduce your chances of a positive
response. Keep to one font style, and make sure that what you choose is traditional. Font styles
that are appropriate for business graduates are Times New Roman, Helvetica, Bookman, and
New Century Schoolbook. Any font style similar to these would be appropriate.
Font size, with the exception of your name and perhaps category titles, should remain between
10 and 12 point. Smaller type is hard to read, and larger type looks as though the writer is trying
to fill space.
If you choose to use bullets, do so sparingly. Again, the bullets are there primarily to aid the
reader, not to add beauty. Bullet only the first line of an item, not every line, or confusion
abounds. See Figure 12.2 for effective use of bullets.
Bold the information that you consider most important, such as company names, position titles,
G.P.A., or school, but don't bold dates or entire job descriptions. The same holds true for
underlining.
WORDING
One very important rule to keep in mind is that complete sentences are rarely used in resumes.
Instead, you should use strong verb phrases. See Figure 12.1 for a list of useful verbs.
Try to choose verbs that best describe the action. Don't use the same two verbs over and over
again, or the resume will sound monotonous. Work to begin each sentence with a good, strong
action verb; avoid helping and auxiliary verbs such as be and have.
Use past tense with all jobs except your current one; instead, use present tense. Remember that
you are the subject of the resume, so all sentences should be written as if the word / were
attached to them.
RESUME PAPER
Don't work for days and weeks on your resume only to send it through the mail on ordinary
printer paper and printed with a dot matrix printer! Have your resume printed on top-quality
resume paper with a laser printer. Most copy shops will offer you resume paper in a variety of
colors. However, as business graduates, you should choose an off-white, cream, or light gray.
Choose a paper that's fairly heavy; studies have shown that paper weight is directly linked to the
reader's first impression of the resume. Finally, be sure that the paper is the correct 8-1/2 X 11
inch size.
PROOFREADING
We include a section on proofreading because it's an essential part of the resume-writing process
that many people neglect. It won't matter how much effort went into writing your resume if it has
misspelled words and typographical errors. Your resume must be perfect, or it runs the distinct
risk of finding its way into the "round" file. One survey of college recruiters taken in 1991
indicated that 30 percent would stop reading the resume after finding one typographical error,
and the percentage went up to 60 percent after two errors. Would you*want to cut off that many
job opportunities because of an easily correctable problem?
When you finish typing your resume, run a computer spell check to find misspelled words.
However, that's not all you must do. You should then check to see that all your words are used
correctly. A spell check will not catch words that are used incorrectly. For example, if you meant
to write "plain" but instead wrote "plane," the computer won't know the difference, but a reader
will.
Next, make sure all dates, addresses, phone numbers, and company names are correct. Check
also for consistency in spacing, indentation, bolding, and other graphic devices. Readers also
notice format.
After you've completed your proofreading, repeat the process. Have someone else look at your
resume. Sometimes a fresh eye will find mistakes that you have overlooked.
FUNCTIONAL RESUMES
In this chapter, we have been discussing the chronological resume (see Figure 12.2-12.5), which
is the one most acceptable for recent college graduates. However, there is another type of resume
currently in use that you need to be aware of, especially if you think of changing jobs a few years
down the road.
The functional resume focuses on accomplishments and results on the job rather than on a linear
job description. In pure functional resumes, dates of employment are omitted entirely. Instead,
the writer details his or her accomplishments. This type of resume is most often used by people
who wish to change jobs after several years in the job market. It's rarely used by recent college
graduates. See Figure 12.7 for an example of a functional resume.
Perhaps more acceptable than the functional resume is the combined resume. This resume also
focuses on accomplishments and results, but it provides a work history with employer
information and pertinent dates. The combined resume uses the best attributes of both the
chronological and functional resumes to provide the reader with the best possible resume. Refer
to Figure 12.6 for an example of a combined resume.
 WILLIAM F. HUMPHREY, JR.

QUALIFICATIONS Strong background in academic and applied marketing. Significant

experience in leadership and entrepreneurship. Effective oral presentation and seminar skills.

EDUCATION Master of International Management December 1994

American Graduate School of International Management
Thunderbird Campus, Glendale, Arizona
• Focused on marketing and international studies.
• Studied the European Union and the Single Market.
• Developed written and conversational French skills.

Bachelor of Business Administration, Marketing

Texas Tech University December 1993
Lubbock, Texas

EXPERIENCE
Business Administration (B.A.) Advisory Council 1991-1993
President, Texas Tech University
• Supervised all B.A. organization presidents.
• Presented leadership/community service seminars to student leaders.
• Guest lectured for B.A. at University Day for incoming students.

Business Administration Ambassadors 1992-1993

Founder, Texas Tech University
• Created the student organization to improve student recruiting.
• Served as a liaison between the faculty and student body.
• Held an advisory role after founding the organization.

College Relations/Recruiting 1992-1993

Graduate Assistant, Thunderbird
• Processed and responded to student inquiries.
• Performed graphic and text design projects.

Texas London Business Program 1992

Participant, London, England
• Studied international marketing, European Union, and British culture.
• Focused on the formation of the Single Market of the European Union.

Texas London Alumni/Recruitment Organization 1993

President, Texas Tech University
• Coordinated the recruitment of students for the London Program.
• Directed the marketing and promotion of the project.
• Presented information seminars to prospective students.

AWARDS Presidential Endowed Scholarship, Texas Tech University.

International Scholarship, Thunderbird.
Academic Citizenship Award,Texas Tech University.
1993

COMPUTER Microsoft Word, Works, Excel, WordPerfect, Harvard Graphics, and Datatel.

15010 N. 59th Ave. Undergraduate G.P.A.: 3.7

Glendale, Arizona Graduate G.P.A.-. N/A
85306 (513)547-1935 G.M.A.T. Score: 580

FIGURE 12.2 Sample Resume

 DON R. SALISBURY
1001 University Avenue, No. 15
Lubbock, Texas 79401
Phone:(806)555-9315

SKILLS & KNOWLEDGE

Comprehensive experience with MS-DOS, Microsoft Windows, Apple Macintosh, and VAX/VMS
environments. Additionally, have completed software development tasks on above platforms using
languages such as C, FORTRAN, COBOL, Pascal, BASIC, Visual BASIC, and JCL. Prqficient with
Lotus 1-2-3, WordPerfect, Microsoft Excel and Word, and a perpetual amount of other software packages
on the Apple Macintosh and PC environments. Have special knowledge of MS-DOS PC to Apple
Macintosh communications, networking, and cross platform connectivity. Network skills include
experience with Novell NetWare, AppleShare, and TOPS.

EDUCATION
B.B.A., Management Information Systems, December, 2000 Texas Tech University. Lubbock,Texas MIS
G.P.A.: 4.0

WORK EXPERIENCE
Precept Computer System Design & Consulting, Lubbock, TX, Founder/Senior
3/99-present. Consultant. Provide computer services for students, small/medium-sized businesses, and
home computer buyers. Skills include software development, networking, system design and assessment,
and training.
Texas A&M Research and Extension Center, Lubbock,TX, Research
5/98-present. Assistant/Software Programmer. Work 20-25 hours per week developing software and
hardware for use in outdoor field experimentation, agricultural modeling, and data collection and
manipulation.
Audio Synthesis DJ Service, Dallas/Lubbock.TX
9/95-5/98. Founder/DJ/Equipment Technician. During high school and college, worked mostly on
weekends providing music DJ services for local schools and organizations. Designed and constructed
stereo and lighting equipment used for DJ service.

ACTIVITIES & HONORS

DPMA, Dean's List, President's List, Clifford Jones Scholarship (three years).

PERSONAL
Enjoy programming, music, science, sports, and coaching youth soccer.

FIGURE 12.3 Sample Resume

 THOMAS DIXON
5301-A Louisville Avenue
Lubbock,TX 79413
(806)555-9129

COMPUTER SKILLS Fourteen years experience with personal computers. Familiar with and quick to
learn operating systems, languages, system utilities, databases, word
processors, spreadsheets, communication software. Experience installing
software, peripherals, memory. Tutored COBOL to classmates.

EDUCATION
7/98 to Present Texas Tech University. Lubbock,TX
B.B.A., Management Information Systems, May 2001
Cumulative G.P.A.: 3.7
President's List: Fall 1999
Dean's List: Spring 1999 through Spring 2000

Systems: DEC VAX (DCL), IBM PC (MS-DOS, Windows).

Languages: C, COBOL, SQL, Quick BASIC, Assembly Language.

WORK EXPERIENCE
12/97 to 8/99 Lockheed Support Systems. Reese AFB, Lubbock,TX. Position: Aircraft Hydraulic
Component Repairman. Troubleshot, inspected, repaired and tested brake, landing
gear, and flight control hydraulic components before aircraft installation. Updated
aircrafts' maintenance records in computer system.

9/92 to 12/97 U.S. Air Force. Reese AFB, Lubbock,TX. Position: Aircraft Pneudraulic Systems
Mechanic. Troubleshot, removed, and installed aircraft hydraulic components.
Troubleshot, repaired, and tested components in-shop. Honorable Discharge.

Prior to 9/92 Busboy, 9/90 to 12/92.

Construction, 6/86 to 12/90.
Paperboy, 1983 to 1986.

INTERESTS
Financial: Own and manage residential rental property, invest in mutual funds, maintain
personal tax plan

Athletic: Weightlifting, bicycling, swimming.

FIGURE 12.4 Sample Chronological Resume

 GREG W. KESTERSON

Permanent Address: School Address:

9406 Edgewood Drive Texas Tech University
Spring, TX 77379 Murdough - Room 508
(713)555-6941 Lubbock.TX 79406
(806) 742-6833

OBJECTIVE
To obtain a summer internship position where 1 can develop the skills being learned in the MIS curriculum to the benefit of
the employer and me.

AVAILABLE FOR EMPLOYMENT

May 16- August 31,2001
EDUCATION
Texas Tech University Fall Semester '99:
Major: Management Information Systems Attended Foreign Study Program
Junior - 73 Semester Hours University of London, England
GPA: 3.5 "Study Abroad" Scholarship

RECOGNITION

President's List '99 Alpha Lamba Delta Honor Fraternity

Dean's List'97,'98 Phi Eta Sigma Honor Society
Member of ToastMasters Golden Key Honor Society-Spring '99
Vice President of London Alums Data Processing Management Assoc.

WORK EXPERIENCE

Summer, 1998
• United Way of Texas Gulf Coast - Headquarters office. Company Store. Supervisor of summer/temp, employees.
Expanded use of software to increase office efficiency.

Summer, 1997
• COMPAQ - Houston, Texas. Assigned as Quality Control Inspector in the computer production area. Developed a
database file update program.
• United Way of Texas Gulf Coast - Assignment in the Headquarters office, in the Company Store, using computerized
order processing and inventory controls. Helped implement new inventory method that increased efficiency by 32%.

FIGURE 12.5 Sample Chronological Resume

 EMILIO BASALDUA

School Address: Permanent Address:

2102 40th Street 1234 Swanson
Lubbock,TX 79408 Santa Fe, New Mexico
(806) 769-0013 (505) 768-1235

SKILLS:

Extensive supervision training, including counseling, managing, and hiring personnel.

Experienced in fields of accounting and drafting, as well as with computers. Willing to work
long hours to benefit a growing company.

EDUCATION:

Enrolled in the 150 Program (Combined BBA and MS)

B.B. A., Accounting - Candidate
M.S., Accounting - Candidate
Texas Tech University, Lubbock, Texas
• Graduation Date: May 1995
• 3.6 G.P.A.

EMPLOYMENT EXPERIENCE:

James Teague & Co., C.P. A.s, PC. July 1993 -present
Lubbock, Texas Junior Accountant

Builder's Square June 1993 - July 1993

Lubbock, Texas Cashier

The Tax Stop January 1993-April 1993

Lubbock, Texas Tax Preparer

Veterans Outpatient Clinic June 1992 - December 1993

Lubbock, Texas File Clerk

H & R Block January 1992-April 1992

Clovis, New Mexico Tax Assistant

Military Service October 1984 - April 1992

U.S. Air Force Mainframe Computer Operator

Pyramid Stone Co. May 1983 - October 1984

San Antonio, Texas Draftsman

FIGURE 12.6 Sample Combined Resume

 EMILIO BASALDUA Page 2
Resume

MILITARY SERVICE:
U.S. Air Force Staff Sergeant

Military Training
• Noncommissioned Officers Leadership School
• OJT Trainer/Supervisor course
• Mainframe Computer Data Base Management course
• Speery System 1100 Mainframe Computer course
• Supervisor Safety training course

Military Supervision
• Plan work assignments and priorities
• Plan and supervise on-the-job training
• Maintain training records
• Counsel personnel and resolve individual problems
• Assign personnel to work crews

Military Achievements
• Air Force Achievement Medal — April 1992, May 1987
• Noncommissioned Officer of the Month — October 1991, May 1991, October 1990, March
1990, September 1989
• Below-the-Zone (early promotion) —April 1987
• Airman of the Year nominee — 1986
• Airman of the Quarter — 3rd quarter 1986

ACTIVITIES AND HONORS:

• 1992 Scholarship Recipient, American Women's Society of Certified Public Accountants
• Golden Key National Honor Society, member •Fall 1992, Dean's List
• 1992 Volunteer Income Tax Assistance, participant
• 1991 Special Olympics Program, hugger
• 1992 U.S. Air Force Squadron Income Tax Assistance, participant

PERSONAL:
• Born in Corpus Christi, Texas.
• Lived in Germany for two years.
• Interests include running, racquetball, golf, playing guitar.

FIGURE 12.6 continued

 ELEANOR J. HITCHCOCK

8790 Destiny Road

Houston, TX 77042
(713)345-7897

SUMMARY
Licensed as an attorney in the state of Texas on November 2,1993. More than seven years of
corporate and law firm experience. Known for strong writing ability and thoroughness in
handling work. Advised clients; maintained warm, cordial relationships with clients, even after
the work was completed. Experienced in WordPerfect and Windows.

ACCOMPLISHMENTS

Real Estate and Oil & Gas

• Negotiated and drafted agreements and contracts, including but not limited to oil and gas
leases, surface leases, powers of attorney, and Affidavits of Heirship.

• Handled numerous bank real estate loans and loan extensions, as well as real estate sales and
mobile home sales.

• Handled the sales and acquisitions of oil and gas properties by negotiating and preparing the
Purchase and Sale Agreements, Assignments and Bills of Sale, and any other necessary legal
documents.

• Coordinated both within and without the corporationn on these conveyances with such entities
as the Tax Department, on tax-free exchanges; the Accounting Department, on the financial
ramifications; the Environmental, Safety, & Health group, on the environmental state of the
properties; and with such government agencies as the Texas Railroad Commission and the
Bureau of Land Management.

• Supervised brokers in lease acquisitions.

• Corresponded with the oil and gas industry, landowners, and royalty owners.

Office Practice

• Drafted wills covering customary and unusual circumstances, meeting all client specifications.

• Probated estates, filed inventory with court, and advised clients of multi-state requirements.

FIGURE 12.7 Sample Functional Resume

 Eleanor J. Hitchcock___________________________________________________Page: 2

• Resolved property damage claims with various landowners to mutual satisfaction of company
and landowners.

• Reviewed land files and examined state regulations to ascertain corporation's interest, options,
and obligations.

• Foreclosed on properties for bank.

• Researched and wrote legal briefs in such areas as commercial law, civil rights, workers'
compensation, personal injury, and deceptive trade practices.

• Handled divorces and drafted division of property and child custody agreements.
• Dissolved corporations and incorporated corporations.

EDUCATION

• University of Texas at Austin School of Law ID. Degree, May 1993

• Rice University, Houston, Texas B.A. Degree, May 1990

Majors: Mathematical Science, English

PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATIONS

 Member, State Bar of Texas, 1993-present

 Member, American Association of Petroleum Landmen, 1995-present
 Member, Houston Association of Petroleum Landmen, 1997-present

ACTIVITIES

Volunteer tutor at Landis Elementary School, Houston,Texas, 1995-1996

United Way Coordinator for Chevron's Central Land Division, 1995
U.S. Savings Bond Coordinator for Chevron's Central Land Division, 1995
Rice University President's Club Committee, 1994-1995

FIGURE 12.7 continued

ELECTRONIC RESUMES
Although hard-copy, or visual or presentation, resumes will likely never go out of style, the
advent of computer technology and the Internet has dramatically changed the form and content
of the resume. Most large companies and many medium-sized organizations routinely search
their own databases for scanned resumes and the Internet for online resumes. Not only do these
resumes make the employee search much easier, but they also indicate potential employees'
computer comfort level. As these resume techniques become more commonplace, it becomes
increasingly more important that job seekers possess the skills needed to create successful
electronic resumes.
The online resume has gained in popularity for the same reason that the Internet, in general, has
become so popular: price, speed, and availability. Several new online resume forms have sprung
up within the recent past. However, two that seem destined to persevere are the scannable
resume and the e-mail resume.

Scannable Resumes
The scannable resume is a hard-copy version of your presentation resume that's formatted to
easily scan into a company's database. Even smaller companies that don't have their own
scanning equipment use resume services that do, so the importance of knowing how to create a
scannable resume shouldn't be underestimated.
Because the hard copy of your scannable resume itself is sent to a potential employer, it's
essential to follow a few guidelines to ensure that your resume can scan easily and accurately.

• Send originals because copies or faxes may scan inaccurately.

• Don't fold or staple the resume.
• Use a sans-serif font, such as Arial, so that letters don't touch each other.
• Avoid bolding, underlining, italics, bullets, shading, and graphics.
• Avoid horizontal and vertical lines.
• Use a laser printer, if possible.

By using these tips, you will ensure that your resume will scan accurately.
In terms of content, traditional resumes rely on action verbs to convey skills and achievements.
However, since the scannable resume will be searched via a database, it's best to create what are
called keyword summaries that utilize nouns and noun phrases to describe your skills. You
should spend adequate time brainstorming your keyword summary so that your resume will
receive numerous "hits." Conversely, you don't want to include so many diverse keywords, or
create so many different versions of your resume, that your resume "pops up" no matter what is
input into the database.This will send the wrong message to a potential employer: either you've
spent little time tailoring your resume, or you're not very truthful.
Use your keyword summary to highlight areas of professional and technical expertise, jargon
related to your industry, projects, and any other relevant background information.
 William F. Humphrey.Jr.
1501 ON. 59th Avenue
Glendale.Arizona 85306

KEYWORD SUMMARY
Marketing. Entrepreneurship. International Management. International Marketing. Leadership.
Sales Representative. Knowledge of Single Market of the European Union. Seminar skills. Oral
presentation skills. Conversational French.

EDUCATION
Master of International Management
American Graduate School of International Management
Thunderbird Campus, Glendale.AZ December 2000

Bachelor Business Administration, Marketing December 1999

Texas Tech University
Lubbock, TX
GPA 3.7

WORK EXPERIENCE
Business Administration Advisory Council 1997-1999
President,Texas Tech University
Supervised all B.A. organization presidents. Presented leadership and community service
seminars to student leaders. Guest lecturer for B.A. at University Day for incoming students.

Business Administration Ambassadors 1998-1999

Founder,Texas Tech University
Created the student organization to improve student recruiting. Served as a liaison between the
faculty and student body. Held an advisory role after founding the organization.

College Relations Recruiting 1998-1999

Graduate Assistant,Thunderbird
Processed and responded to student inquiries. Performed graphic and text design projects.

Texas London Business Program 1998

Participant, London, England
Studied international marketing, European Union, and British culture.
Focused on the formation of the Single Market of the European Union.

Texas London Alumni Recruitment Organization 1999

President,Texas Tech University
Coordinated the recruitment of students for the London Program. Directed the marketing and
promotion of the project. Presented information seminars to prospective students.

Grade Appeals Committee, Business Administration 1997-1999

Voting Member,Texas Tech University
Served as a voting member of the judicial body for grade appeals.

FIGURE 12.8 Example of Scannale Resume

 AWARDS
Presidential Endowed Scholarship.TexasTech University
International Scholarship,Thunderbird
Academic Citizenship Award.Texas Tech University
Who's Who,Texas Tech University

COMPUTER
MicrosoftWord.Works, Excel.WordPerfect, Harvard Graphics, Datatel.

FIGURE 12.8 continued

Here is a keyword summary example for a recent graduate in Management.

MANAGEMENT

Leadership. Management. Management Training. Human Relations Skills. Personnel

Management. Budget Management. Hiring and Training. Written and Oral Communication
Skills. Teamwork Skills. Retail. Supervision. Sales. Self-motivated.

You can tailor your keyword summary to a particular job, but keep your summary consistent.
Figure 12.8 shows the resume in Figure 12.2 written as a scannable resume.

E-Mail Resumes

While scannable resumes are hard copies sent through the mail to be scanned into databases, e-
mail resumes are sent online. Some companies give you the option of completing an e-form, or
specified fields that you fill in, but most request an e-mail resume. Although more expedient than
scannable resumes, e-mail resumes do require some knowledge of computers to ensure that they
can be searched by the largest number of companies.

E-mail resumes can be sent as an attachment or pasted directly into an e-mail message. However,
with the recent rash of viruses infecting entire databases, more and more companies are rejecting
e-mail that is accompanied by attachments, so it's best to send your resume as text-only. In fact,
many companies give explicit guidelines about how to submit online resumes; be sure to follow
their directions carefully.

E-mail resumes can be sent in RTF (Rich Text Format) and ASCII (American Standard Code for
Information Interchange). RTF will support graphics, tabs, special characters, and fonts, so if
physical appearance is important, use RTF if no version is specified. However, a quick glance at
just a few online company guidelines will show that ASCII is the preferred submission format.
The drawback to ASCII is that it's a plain-text format, but the advantage is that it's universally
recognized. Both RTF and ASCII can be found in word-processing programs in the "Save As"
feature in the "File" menu.

In terms of content, e-mail resumes are much like scannable ones: they utilize a keyword
summary consisting of easily retrievable words and phrases to describe your background.

SUMMARY

The resume is vital in gaining the reader's attention and securing an interview. Some entries will
especially interest the reader; "Education" and "Job Experience" are sections that most
employers look for. You can personalize your resume with entries that focus on additional skills,
study and research, personal facts, and activities. Regardless of whether you use a chronological,
functional, or combined format, include a variety of strong verbs and phrases (not complete
sentences). For electronic resumes, use descriptive nouns and noun phrases to describe your
skills.

In formatting your resume, use spacing and graphics wisely. White space draws attention to key
facts and helps your page look balanced. Graphics, when used sparingly, make the resume easy
to scan and help guide the reader to important points.
Finally, pay attention to "small" details. Light-colored, superior-quality paper is ideal for
resumes. Most importantly, proofread the resume. All the energy you spend on your resume will
be in vain if you don't catch (and correct) errors in spelling, spacing, content, and consistency.
This is one document that must be perfect!