A Resume

What is a resume? What information should it include? Did you overwrite resume? What kind of job were you applying for?

A resume should show an applicant’s qualifications for a specific job. It would include your name, address, and telephone number; an employment objective; educational and training data; and a list of previous work experience. This list should start with your present job or with your last job that shows qualifications for the work you want now.

All of this data should be listed in an easy-to-read form. If possible, all of the information should be on one page. Type your resume on standard size (8 ½ x 11) business stationary.

The interviewer usually sees the resume before he sees the applicant. The resume gives the first impression of the applicant to the employer. It should be neat and well organized.

It is usually a good idea to attach the resume to the letter of application. Always send it with a cover letter, never send it alone. An applicant should bring additional copies of her resume to the interview.

The job applicant should always rewrite and revise the resume to fit the specific job that she is applying for.

Read each sentence. If it is true, write T. If it is false, write F.

1. The same resume should be submitted for all jobs.

2. Always send a cover letter with your resume.

3. Resumes should only include information about job experience.

4. The way a resume looks can make an impression on the employer.

5. Bring the copy of your resume with you when you go to an interview.

Work in pairs. Discuss these questions:

• What impressions do you try to give in an application letter?

• Should an application letter be handwritten, typed, or laser-printed?

• How important is a well-presented CV or resume?

• Do you always tell absolute truth in application letters?

11. Read how to write a resume:

1. Name, address, home phone, business phone.

List this information prominently at the top of the page. Be sure to give useful phone numbers; a prospective employer should know where to search you, day or evening. If you do not wish your present employer to know you are job hunting, ask someone to take messages for when you are at work.

2. Position objective, as specific and brief a job title as possible.

3. Qualifications in brief: a short summary highlighting your education, experience, and skills to capture the attention of and assure the reader that you can do the job.

4. Experience summary.

5. Educational background (can go before work experience if it is more job-related).

The purpose of this background is to indicate general and specific training for a job. A person who has little or no educational training would omit this item.

College name, City, State, Degrees, Majors, Dates. If you received no degree or you are presently attending college, give the number of units completed (or say ”degree candidate”), major, date, place.

High school. List if you have not attended college. Add dates and areas of speciality.

6. Person paragraph. You may wish to include a statement, describing personal attitudes towards work that make you a valuable and unique employee.

12. Read the sample and make up your own resume.

1. PERSONAL INFORMATION

Name: Raymond Roussel

Home address: Rue Moreau-Nelaton, 48, Apt. 15, Paris,

France

Present address: Flat 9, 25, Newcastle Road Consett, Co

Durham, England

Date and place of birth: 05.14.1961, Paris, France

Nationality: French

Sex: male

Marital status: single

2. EDUCATION

Secondary education:

1979. Senior High School in Paris,

High School Graduation Certificate

Further education:

1980. military service

1985. University of Lyon, BS in Computer Studies

1987. University of Paris, PhD in Systems Engineering

3. EMPLOYMENT

1988. I took a year off and with some friends sailed round the world in 12-metre sailing cruiser.

1989. Franco-Italian Bank, Milan: Systems Analyst

1989-1990 Imprimery Ledoux, Paris: Control Systems

Supervisor

1990- Topdown Systems, UK: Client Consultant

(promoted to Senior Software Development

Engineer, July 1991)

4. OTHER INFORMATION

Languages: French (native)

English (fluent, spoken/written)

5. REFEREES

Mrs. Helen Andrews

Manager, Industrial Clients Department,

Topdown Systems Ltd

Unit 37, Medomsley Road

Consett Country Durham DU 11 SAE,

England

(names of other referees will be supplied on request)