How to Write a Resume Based on Job Titles (for the Highly-Qualified Applicant)

by Fred Pinnegar, Resume Coach and Professional Writer

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