How to write a resume based on job titles
(for the highly-qualified applicant)

By Fred Pinnegar, Resume Coach and Professional Writer

Tips: When applying for an advertised position for which you are highly qualified by training and experience, emphasize your job titles. If you are responding to an advertisement, the content and language of it will provide important information about what you should say in the resume. Discuss your qualifications in order of importance.

Steps: 1. Identification. Provide complete information at the top to identify you. Include name, address, phone number, and e-mail, as well as a fax number, if you have one. Symmetrically balance the information and make your name stand out by using a slightly larger font than you use for the other major headings. Example 1, standard centered heading ROBERT VERNON SMITH 3010 South 14th Street Kalamazoo, Michigan 49009 (613) 333-7348 rbsmith@ecom.com   Example 2, heading information balanced across top of page   John Doe E-mail: Doe@ecom.com 1212 Westwood Drive Phone: (213) 235-7865 Springfield, Iowa 95634 Phone: (213) 235-7865 Fax: (213) 235-6549   Example 3, heading for student with two addresses   John Doe E-mail: Doe@ecom.com School Address (until 4/10) 1212 Westwood Drive Phone: (213) 235-7865 Springfield, Iowa 95634 Phone: (367) 387-9753 Permanent Address 5612 Riva Drive Carmichael, CA 95853 Phone: (156) 286-7958 Example 4, side heading John Doe 5612 Riva Drive Carmichael, CA 95853 Phone: (156) 286-7958 2. Objective. Use an objective section to identify and define the position you seek. Echo the language of the job advertisement or posting. Example 1. Identify the position by job title, JOB OBJECTIVE Administrative Assistant Customer Service Representative Human Resources Director Accountant Assistant Manager Purchasing Manager Construction Estimator Pastor Physical Therapist Bank Manager Real Estate Associate Construction Supervisor Construction Estimator Lab Technician Elementary School Teacher (K-12)   Example 2. Identify the position by the work to be performed. JOB OBJECTIVE To teach Spanish in a secondary school To sell building materials and construction equipment To manage an apartment complex Computer programming position with a company that encourages creative thinking Position as an accountant in a construction firm An accounts receivable position in a local company Position as a lab technician performing medical research Research scientist doing work involving gene cloning Position as a medical records technician Tool design position Example 3. Identify the position by job title and type of industry. JOB OBJECTIVE Pharmaceutical salesperson in a high-volume company Medical equipment salesperson Manager of a large hotel Manager of an upscale, high-volume restaurant Sales representative in the food or catering industry Programmer position in educational software development Chair side dental assistant in a large, private dental office City planner in a small community Example 4. Identify the position by level or time commitment. JOB OBJECTIVE Entry-level position in medical equipment sales Entry-level position in financial planning services Entry-level position in retail management (men's clothing) with a large company Entry-level position as a fireman Mid-level management Assistant director of development Assistant manager of a large hotel Senior-level international business development Senior position in medical equipment sales Director of a family medical practice Full-time position in public relations Part-time position in drafting Summer position in the construction industry 3. Education. If your education or degree is a central qualification for the position, make it the first section after the objective; otherwise, subordinate it. Provide information (in inverse chronological order) on all post-secondary schools you have attended and degrees you have earned. Identify the degree and major field, where you earned the degree, and when it was awarded. You can also list important, relevant courses you took or projects you completed. Example 1. For someone with a recent undergraduate degree   EDUCATION Bachelor of Science in Computer Science, 2005-2009 University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky   Example 2. For someone soon to receive his or her undergraduate degree   EDUCATION Bachelor of Science, University of Arizona (expected 5/2010) Major: Business Economics   Related coursework: Business Policy Economic Price Theory Business Calculus Operations Management Accounting: Personnel Management Business Management Business Law Marketing Computer Science Small Group Decision Making Business Statistics Organizational Communications Psychology   Additional example   EDUCATION Purdue University 2Bachelor of Arts in Communications; expected 4/09 Minors in Spanish and Speech Therapy   Major Courses Interpersonal Communication Debate Public Speaking Persuasion Oral Interpretation Interviewing Mass Communication Technical Writing   Example 3. For someone with two graduate degrees   EDUCATION JD, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona. 2009 MBA, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana. 2004 BA, South Florida University, Miami Florida. 1995   Example 4. For someone applying for an internship while going to school   EDUCATION George Washington University, Washington, D.C. Junior year in Mechanical Engineering major. GPA: 3.47 Expected graduation, May 2010 Important courses: Technical Writing Materials Chemistry Engineering CADKEY   Example 5. For someone who has attended more than one college or university   EDUCATION California State University, Bachelor of Science, May 2008 Major: Industrial Supervision   Utah Valley State College, Associate of Science, May 2006 Emphasis: Aviation Maintenance Technology   Example 6. For someone who is qualified by their degree plus certification   EDUCATION California State University, Bachelor of Science, May 2008 Major: Industrial Supervision   Utah Valley State College, Associate of Science, May 2006 Emphasis: Aviation Maintenance Technology   CERTIFICATIONS Federal Airframe and Power plant Mechanic's License, 2006 4. Work Experience. Organize your work experience by listing the job or professional titles you have held. List them in inverse chronological order, and emphasize particularly those jobs that are relevant to the position you are seeking. Provide the name and location of the company and dates of employment. Then, itemize responsibilities, skills, duties, and achievements particularly relevant to the job for which you are applying. Use quantifiable measurements whenever possible (for example, "Decreased department overhead by 17%." Example 1: Recent graduate seeking a retail management job WORK EXPERIENCE   Business Day Coordinator, 6 months, University of Arizona (2008) Managed program budget Increased profits by 58% Performed public relations work Supervised volunteer student staff Organized and coordinated physical requirements: rooms, video equipment, catering, reception Served on committee to interview applicants for General Public Relations Coordinator position and to make final hiring decision   Retail Sales, 2 years, Goldwater's and Zales Jewelers (2006-2008) Worked directly with customers to explain, promote and sell products (fine jewelry and men's clothing) Responsible (at Zales) for night closing: reconciling cash register records and amounts, preparing deposit, completing daily reports and e-mailing to regional office, checking security system, and closing down/locking building Consistently reached and exceeded sales quota   Apartment Manager, Daniel Baker Investments (2006-2008) Responsible for accounting, collecting and depositing rent revenue Manage and oversee physical property, arranging for regular maintenance and emergency repairs Handle tenant problems and complaints Interview and screen potential tenants, making credit and employment checks Prepare legal work for tenant evictions and deliver eviction notices Example 2: Job seeker is in restaurant management with many years of experience EXPERIENCE Restaurant Manager, Market Square High Wheeler, 2006-2009; Kalamazoo, Michigan Responsible for day-to-day operations of restaurant and catering business Supervised A/P, A/R, purchasing, inventory, scheduling, and payroll Maintained employee files for a staff of 35 Managed hiring, firing, training, scheduling, and motivating of clerical and cooking staff Developed menu for restaurant, banquets, and outside catering   Store Manager, Brass Lantern, 2002-2005, Prudenville, Michigan Performed duties and tasks similar to those at High Wheeler Managed staff of 30, supervising activities of clerical, bartending, cooking, waiting, and cleaning people Directed general remodeling of kitchen, including new layout design, painting, paneling, electrical, plumbing, etc.   Country Club Manager, Orchard Hills Country Club, 1999-2001, Buchanan, Michigan Worked for Triplett Management Services as a contracted manager Performed duties and tasks similar to those at High Wheeler Managed restaurant staff of 30, supervising activities of clerical, bartending, cooking, waiting, and cleaning people Managed staff and activities of swimming pool crew (5) and golf course grounds keeping crew (10) Prepared operating budgets and financial reports for Triplett Services and the Board of Directors   Manager, Shawnee Country Club, 1997-1999, Lima, Ohio Supervised day-to-day operations similar to those at High Wheeler Functioned as on-site representative for a major remodeling project; including design work, plumbing, electrical, carpeting, painting, wallpapering, and concrete work Managed staff of 55   Clubhouse Manager/Asst. to GM, Dubuque Gold and Country Club, 1996-1997, Dubuque, Iowa Trained in restaurant management by the club General Manager Assisted in supervision and record keeping for a staff of 60 Prepared budgets and gave reports on clubhouse sales and expenses to Board of Directors Example 3: Job seeker shows extensive experience and progression in titles Manager, Progressive Billing and Collection Specialists, 2006-2008 Responsibilities: Created company policies and procedures for billing and collecting from insurance companies and patients Maintained company records and tax reports; supplied clients with financial and collection reports Supervised employees Reviewed and analyzed delinquent accounts for clients Handled small claims court procedures Coded claims with CPT and ICB-9   Office Manager, Sunrise Counseling Associates, Inc, 2003-2005 Responsibilities: Carried out procedures to establish the company as a corporation Developed billing and collection system Maintained Accounts Receivable and Accounts Payable Prepared payroll for staff and therapists Filed quarterly tax reports and financial reports Organized office schedules Developed expertise in Microsoft Office, Doctor's Office Manager, and Peachtree Wrote job description manuals; hired, trained, and supervised staff   Collection Officer/Repo Agent, Continental Bank and American Bank, 2000-2002 Responsibilities: Collected on all types of commercial and installment loans (automobile, mortgage, unsecured loans) Repossessed cars   5. Activities. This section may include extracurricular activities during college or it can describe current activities that demonstrate your leadership, sociability, and energy level outside of the workplace. You may also discuss volunteer work here. Emphasize those activities that are most relevant to the position you seek.   VOLUNTEER SERVICE Provided public relations and religious instruction for my church, New England Area. Supervisory responsibility for 170 missionaries in six states (2002-2004) Boy Scouts of America Troop Councilman Participated in frequent church-sponsored welfare service activities Spring Fling (largest student-sponsored carnival in US) student volunteer Arizona Dental Week, student volunteer (2008)   6. Honors. Itemize awards and achievements, including competitive scholarships based on ability rather than need.   HONORS Received academic scholarship from College of Biology   AWARDS AND ACHIEVEMENTS Eagle Scout Award (BSA) MVP in Tucson Regional Basketball Tournament BPA Student Council Vice President California Boys State   7. Language. List languages you know in addition to English (or the dominant language of the country in which you reside). Indicate your degree of proficiency (good, fair, excellent, near-native) in reading, writing, and speaking.   For a person bilingual by national circumstances LANGUAGES English/French Bilingual education is required in Canada, and I am equally fluent in both languages.   For a person who developed skill by living abroad LANGUAGES Spanish Developed language skills through two years of residence in Peru doing voluntary religious service for my church Completed upper-division coursework in Spanish at CSU Fluency in reading, speaking, and writing   For a person who is multilingual through education LANGUAGES French Completed coursework for a major in French Literature Participated in Semester Abroad, Spring 2005 Fluent reading, speaking, and writing   Spanish Completed coursework for a minor in Spanish Excellent conversation and reading; good writing skills   8. Publications. List titles of articles, book chapters, or books you have published. For articles, include the name of the journal in which the article appeared, as well as the volume number, date, and inclusive pages. For books, provide the publisher's name, the place of publication, and the date.   PUBLICATIONS Women, Design, and The Boston School, West Fairfield, Indiana: PBA Publishers, 2000. Plan Graphics for Experts, West Fairfield, Indiana: PBA Publishers, 2002. From Lines to Designs: Design Graphics, Chicago, Illinois: Design Publishers, 2004. "Spacial Analysis Is the First Step," Designer's Quarterly, 45 (December 1989): 56-61.   9. Professional associations. List relevant associations and the length of your membership.   PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATIONS Phi Alpha Delta (2008-2009) Member, Sigma Delta Pi, Spanish Honor Society (2007)   10. Interests and Personal Information. Generally, you should include information about your personal background or traits only if they are pertinent to the job you seek.   OUTSIDE INTERESTS Family activities, church service, sports, reading   11. References. You should include a reference page with your resume. A reference page is a list of contacts who know you well and who can vouch for your knowledge and skills in a particular area, your ability to work hard, or your previous work experience. Some applicants choose not to include a reference sheet with their resume and instead include a statement such as "References Available upon Request" on their resume, but doing so is discouraged. Busy hiring managers or human resource representatives may not feel like putting in the extra time and effort to contact you in order to obtain your references, so you might find yourself out of the running prematurely if you choose not to include your references with your resume.   REFERENCES   Larry Gibbon Preventive Maintenance Supervisor, Oak Tree Professional Building 626 North 42nd Street Kalamazoo, Michigan 55551 Phone: 555-5555     Gerry Bandek (Former) General Manager of High Roller 5332 West Central Benton, Michigan 55551 Phone: 555-5555     Danielle Widtsoe Managing Director, ABC Asset Managers 123 East 2300 South Street Detroit, Michigan 55551 Phone: 555-5555

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