Unit 1: Introduction to the Resume
In this unit, we discuss the function and purpose of a professional resume. We explore three traditional resume formats: a conventional resume, a functional or skills-based resume, and a chronological resume. We also look at examples of CVs to help you present your credentials to potential employers in the academic world or other positions that require a different type of resume called a curriculum vitae (CV). You will notice that the type of resume you choose depends largely on what you want to market about yourself and who your audience is.
Completing this unit should take you approximately 2 hours.
Upon successful completion of this unit, you will be able to:
- explain the purpose of a professional resume;
- describe the format and function of a chronological resume;
- describe the format and function of a functional resume; and
- distinguish between a resume and a curriculum vitae (CV).
1.1: The Purpose of a Resume
Whether you are employed or seeking employment, a resume is a critical document that should reflect where you have been and where you want to go. An effective resume is "an objective summary of your skills and achievements, secondly a subtly clever argument that you are worth hiring, and finally a reflection of your individuality".
A recurring theme in this course is that your resume is not a historical document but a marketing tool. Picture yourself as a product and the potential employer as the consumer. What type of "packaging" works best to get you into an interview? The resources in this section and throughout the course will help you conduct a successful job search.
Read this chapter to learn about several types of resumes and see samples of each. Pay attention to the difference between a curriculum vitae (CV) and a conventional resume. You will also benefit from a list of common action words you can use to describe your job experience. One tip in this article that may not get the attention it deserves is about proofreading your resume. Does it have a consistent, appropriate format? Are there errors or typos? Read your resume and cover letter for content because the spell-check function on your computer does not guarantee accuracy! Spell check does not identify context errors.
This article explains a resume's purpose and goals and describes seven things your resume can do for you. Your interviewer's first impression of you is not when you speak on the phone or in person. Rather, your resume and cover letter represent you as a good fit for the company and position or not well-suited as an interview prospect. Your resume should impress a potential employer with your abilities, proof of past accomplishments, and potential contributions as an employee.
1.2: Types of Resumes
In this section, we examine two different resume styles: chronological and functional. If you have not been in the job market for several years, you may notice significant changes in writing effective resumes using traditional formats. For example, notice the summary section in the chronological format. The second part of this article provides an example of a summary. The power of this section is to use your accomplishments to explain how you can benefit the potential employer.
However, you may need to use another format to present your qualifications to convince your reader to bring you in for an interview. For example, if you have a sporadic work history, are just entering the workforce, are overqualified for the position, or are older in years and concerned about age discrimination, your challenge is to write about your accomplishments and how your skills are transferable to the position for which you are applying. A functional resume format may suit this situation well.
Chronological resumes are the most popular format because most online job search sites prefer them. Today, few job candidates use the "objective" line. Much of the power of your resume will come from your summary statement, which briefly describes your skills, talents, and successes. The challenge of writing an impressive chronological resume is not the format but the "quality of the writing and the use of engaging text".
Here, the author offers advice on what to include in each component of a chronological resume. Click on the links for more information on each topic. Again, your challenge is not the format but how you can convince an employer that you fulfill the overall requirements of the position and deserve an interview.
Use a functional resume format to package your skills, talents, and abilities in a way that showcases your strengths as required for a specific type of job. The information you plug into a chronological format regarding your education and experience may not reflect the type of job you are now seeking. The objective section of a functional resume should have a narrow focus: tell the reader how your various skills and accomplishments make you a competitive candidate. Read this article to learn more about this type of resume.
In this article, we learn that one of the most challenging aspects of a functional resume format is deciding what information to include and where to present it. Should you minimize your work history or omit it altogether? How can you present your background in a way that convinces your reader that your skills are transferable? This article offers several examples of functional resumes, but remember that your story is unique. You need to decide which aspects of your background are your most powerful selling points for your stated job objective.
Read this text to learn more about functional resume and curriculum vitae (CV) formats. The article offers several categories for the functional format, such as communication, teamwork, and leadership, which you can use to emphasize and describe your skills and accomplishments in an impactful way. Suppose you are applying for an academic or research-oriented position. In that case, you may want to use a CV format, which is considerably longer than a traditional resume and includes published material and conference information.
Read this article to learn how a functional resume may be best if you are just out of school, have been a stay-at-home parent, or will only discuss your volunteer work during an interview. You can use this type of format to present your functions, skills, training, and volunteer work effectively. A well-thought-out functional resume can cure the challenge of having too much or too little experience in the specific type of job for which you are applying.
Watch this video. Make sure the name you use is consistent across platforms. For example, do not use "Mary Ann Smith" on your resume and "Mary A. Smith" on your LinkedIn. You want to create documents that are search-friendly. Contemporary resumes do not include a physical address, just your email address and cell phone number.
You should highlight relevant experience since most recruiters will spend an average of six seconds looking at your resume. Highlight a special interest or niche experience so it is easy to notice. But pay attention to appropriate skill levels. For example, do not list PowerPoint or a similar program as a skill when applying for a graphic designer position – hiring managers assume anyone applying for this job has mastered basic computer skills. Do your research! What is considered "list worthy" in the field where you are applying?
Watch this video, which gives an example of creating a classic two-column resume layout using Sketch. You can use this example even if you do not use Sketch to build your resume. Use a standard font such as Helvetica or Times New Roman. The hierarchical levels you adopt should have a consistent appearance. For example, if you create three levels of information in one section, use the same template throughout.
Your resume should be easy to read, so use the average 12-point font size. However, consider using different font weights, such as bold, to highlight certain sections and to make your resume easier to navigate.
Spacing is important! You can alleviate the claustrophobic feeling that using too much writing can create on a page with a balanced use of white space. The spacing between the lines and sections should be consistent. Use accent colors with intention. Do not go crazy because too many colors can make it harder for the eye to take it all in. For example, use an accent color to make your section titles stand out. Again, make it easy for recruiters to find your related experience. Include what you did and how your efforts affected the organization for each job experience.
1.3: What Is a CV?
Many use the terms curriculum vitae (CV) and resume interchangeably, but there are distinct differences between these two documents. Academics, higher-level executives, and employers based outside the United States tend to use the CV format because it allows them to present more details about their work history and accomplishments. While you should limit a traditional resume to one or two pages, a CV may run six to eight pages.
Read this article to learn about the curriculum vitae (CV) format. Contrary to a resume, a CV is more lengthy and is updated frequently due to the writer's various projects, publications, etc. Although there is no standard way to present your credentials in a CV, this article describes the various components and offers formatting advice. If you are unsure whether to present a resume or a CV when applying for a particular position, ask the agency or employer what they prefer.