Resume Revisions:

Here are two major considerations when revising your resume, as stated on p. 372 of our textbook:

1) "The resume must provide clear, specific information, without generalization or self-congratulation" and

2) "The resume must be completely free of errors"

To help achieve this, we will do a few activities in class today:

1. Look over some example resumes and discuss the language and aesthetics in the documents, and how this affects the reader...
2. Then work on the re-vision strategies below to help discuss the language within your own resume.
3. Finally, we will open up a blank Word Document, find its Word 1003 resume templates, and at minimum look at which one looks appropriate for our content and then how to insert own information into the relevant sections.

Re-vision Strategies:

Active Language includes specific tasks, actions, tools/programs (like Microsoft Excel/ C++/Quark/ tow motor operator/ etc.) in the appropriate categories.

Here are two easy rhetorical exercises you can do alone, or with a considerate reader, to help you make your resume stronger:

1. Look for Generic Content:

• Read over the resume and look for standalone generalizations. Phrases like "intelligent leader", "strong communicator", "great secretarial skills" and "well-practiced in field" are not as effective as we'd think, and really don't provide much insight into the kind of talent and experience you can bring to job. These phrases can be effective when when part of a longer description that includes specifics, but when left on their own, leave a lot of questions (in other words, alone these phrases are weak and empty).
  
  -Underline/circle/highlight standalone generalizations...
  
  -Then, ask yourself the question, "What made me write that I am /have . . . _____(ex. "hard-working")?"
  
  -Record the answers to the above question for each standalone generalization. Use these answers to revise by addition!

2. Effective and Dynamic Language: Read over the the resume again, looking at your verbs and your adjectives. After doing the above content-revision, you want to go through and make sure the language sticks out -- in a good way -- from all of the other applications.
-In this exercise you want to do to two things:

• Reconsider your verbs. Go through this list here (Columbia College's list of strong action verbs) and see if you can replace generic verbs describing you and the work you've done with a word or phrase inspired by the list.
  
  For example: instead of writing "worked at a publishing house," use a verb that describes the kind of work done, such as: "edited at a publishing house" or "developed new material at a publishing house."

• Add specific tasks: Don't just use verbs, but use language that will allow reader to visualize your skills: look at the first exercise we discussed, about standalone generalizations. Use not only more accurate verbs, but attach those verbs to specific skills, duties, tools, courses, etc.
  
  
  

School Career Center Resume Help

Putting together a resume is daunting if you've never done so before. I know, since I've had six years of practice, starting with graduate school!

What goes on the darn thing, how long should it be, what kind of paper should I use? What is the purpose of this thing? God, gods, goddesses, please make sure there are no grammatical errors that kill my chances!

Where should I go for examples, for advice, besides this class? Once I am outside these walls?

1. Microsoft Word 2008 has a great template. All versions of Word have templates. If nothing else, search for templates in the help screen of your home word-processing program.

2. Academic Institution websites! If you're like me and are a bit independent and like to figure things out simply by looking at examples, or don't have time to make multiple visits to your school Career Services office, look at their website.

I suggest, though, consulting a few school websites, simply because each Institution has their own thought process and might give extra insights not seen on another. Also, you'll be able to get a sense of what things are most valuable by seeing repeated formats, etc. Click on these links, read and imitate!

Columiba College's Resume Helper

Northwestern University's Resume and Cover Letter Helper

Resume

Due: Friday, April 17, 2009

Requirement: 1-page resume, for a particular job posting

Guidelines:

We’ll be working on finding a job posting on-line that you will use to write a mock resume for.

It is suggested that you find a job posting in a field related to your own major studies here at East West, as this will provide you good practice for when it comes time to write your real resume. We will spend some time in class searching job websites for postings, and discuss what to look for.

A key point to the project is to understand that you are being graded on your ability to understand and create a resume,and that some of the requirements might cause you to have to fictionalize work experience, education, etc., only for this project.

In the real world, outside this classroom, when applying for a job – you cannot falsify and exaggerate your qualifications, ethically. Such falsification could get you fired, or more.

But, for the purposes of having some fun, and to allow for your creativity, you may imagine credentials and experience in order to create a strong resume for this class.

However, the focus is still on your ability to apply some of the basic To Dos of both parts of the job application.


The Resume

This is a brief outline of your qualifications for a job. The resume should provide relevant material to the job posting, such as educational background, work experience, skills used, learned, and any honors/credits that show success within the field in which you’re applying.

1. You must have at least 4 main categories, 3 of which should include:

a. Objectives
b. Education
c. Skills

The other 1-2 categories can be from categories such as:

- Related Work experience
- Volunteer Experience
- Awards / Publications
- Relevant Courses (for coming out of college)