How to Write a Resume Based on Job Titles (for the Highly-Qualified Applicant)
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
|
Phone: (213) 235-7865
|
Example 3, heading for student with two addresses
| John Doe | |
| E-mail: Doe@ecom.com | |
|
School Address (until 4/10)
|
Permanent Address
|
Example 4, side heading
John Doe |
|
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:
Materials Chemistry Technical WritingEngineering 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