Howtoge - resume

Tips for Effective Resume Writing for College Students

Sun, 05 Jul 2009 17:24:59 +0000

Resume writing tips for college students applying for internships

Who else wants to create a killer college student resume? If you follow these resume writing tips for creating a hard-hitting resume, you will definitely get the internship of your dreams. While some people focus on their achievements and extensive work experience, learn how to sell yourself and have an edge against everyone by only playing with words.

Internships for college students have a tight competition, and employers receive hundreds of resumes a day. When they see a resume, they immediately make a decision and judge you within seconds, so you have to make sure that those seconds count. In writing a resume, the most important actually isn’t what school you graduated from, or what type of work you did, but the manner of saying those.

For example, if you’ve worked for any of the common part time jobs for college students like being an assistant librarian, or a sales representative for a retail store, it doesn’t actually sound impressive when you say your job title. The secret lies on how you say it. From “part-time tutor”, you can specify your major duty instead and say, “Responsible for teaching grammar proficiency and Calculus to fellow students.”

Also when picking your verbs, use the power words. When describing your other duties, instead of saying “Taught sophomore students Calculus during my junior year” you can say, “Supervised the learning of ten fellow students in Calculus and is responsible for improving their GPA.” It’s all in how you say the words.

Create a college student resume you can be proud of

The proper way to write a resume all lies on how you sell yourself. Some applicants I’ve encountered had a good potential, but the way they present the data turn me off. Either they say too much or say too much useless information. What sells the most is a resume that’s sleek, simple, and only include the most essential information.

When you’re writing a resume, you have to keep in mind these resume writing tips, especially if you’re still a college student and looking for an internship. The competition is tight and you have to do your best to rise above the competition and stand out.

Samples of a High School Student Resume

Sun, 05 Jul 2009 17:23:54 +0000

How do you write a high school student resume without any experience at all?

Want to learn how to write a high school student resume that will surely get you a job? It’s easy to write a resume even if you’re still in high school if you know what to write and where to focus. A lot of people have difficulty in writing a resume because all the information they think are important to be included in a resume are actually not that important. Luckily for you, I have a sample resume for a high school student you can follow to get your on the right track.

First things first, you should be able to remember what skills and experiences you got from school are relevant to the job you’re applying for. Leave only the important ones and forget about those unrelated because they’re just a waste of paper and space. Once you’ve come up with the skills and experiences, rank your work experiences according to the most recent down to the least. This format is important so that employers will be able to check easily how long you’ve been working. You will see at the sample high school student resume below that this format is easy to understand.

Get started writing a knock-down high school student resume!

Take a look at the example of a high school student resume and follow the guidelines. Make sure to pay attention to everything, and double check your resume. Print a few drafts and check them again before submitting your resume. You don’t want all your efforts be wasted because of a wrong spelling or typographical error, do you?

[ FIRST NAME ] [ LAST NAME ]
[ EMAIL ]
[CONTACT NUMBER]

OBJECTIVE
[ SPECIFIC JOB POSITION]

EDUCATION
[YOUR SCHOOL] - [YOUR CURRENT YEAR IN HIGH SCHOOL ].
[EXPECTED DATE OF GRADUATION].

WORK EXPERIENCE
[COMPANY NAME] [JOB POSITION]

* [ DURATION OF WORK]. [ DUTIES ]

WORK EXPERIENCE
[COMPANY NAME] [JOB POSITION]

* [ DURATION OF WORK]. [ DUTIES ]

RELEVANT SUBJECTS TAKEN
[ LIST OF SUBJECTS OR SKILLS RELATED TO THE JOB]

HONORS AND AWARDS

* [ HONOR] [ ORGANIZATION]
[ DESCRIPTION ]
* [ HONOR] [ ORGANIZATION]
[ DESCRIPTION ]

How to Write a Resume and Look for Summer Jobs for Teenagers

Sun, 05 Jul 2009 17:04:55 +0000

Tips for writing a resume

I really believe that students always have the most fun experience during job hunting and application. There are so many fun summer jobs for teenagers today that the competition is getting tighter and students applying for OJTs or summer jobs are beginning to realize that they have to something to give themselves an edge.

I basically have three simple yet effective tips for writing a resume for OJTs you can follow. Check your grammar, use powerful words, and focus on your strengths. Don’t hesitate to sound proud when you’re writing your resume because everyone does it, and you’re going to get left behind if you prioritize being humble than getting the job. Powerful words include action verbs and powerful adjectives that magnify your potentials. Examples of power words are listed below:

# oversaw
# penetrated
# performed
# permitted
# persuaded
# planned
# played a key role
# positioned
# prepared
# ground-breaking
# headed up
# helped
# identified
# implemented
# improved
# increased
# initiated
# innovated
# instituted
# instructed
# streamlined
# substituted
# supervised
# taught
# tightened
# took the lead in
# trained
# trimmed
# tripled
# troubleshooted

Best summer jobs for teenagers

Having summer jobs are a great way to learn new skills, and earn money while at it! The best summer jobs for teenagers can be found in golf courses, museums, restaurants, and offices. These establishments are abundant in the country, and all of them almost always need seasonal employees. There are a lot of opportunities you can find in these, so make sure you head out to these first when you’re looking for a summer job. You can also work as a volunteer in different organizations and causes. While these don’t provide you with a salary, the experience and skills you’re going to learn are going to be significant to your job application in the later years. Also, if it’s especially a known organization like Greenpeace or PETA, you’re going to have the prestige of having volunteered there.

Applying for a job has a process, from considering which summer job for teenagers to apply at, to writing a student resume. It may get difficult sometimes, but still it’s a learning process and you should be able to get something from everything you do. Remember the tips for writing a resume I mentioned, consider the summer jobs for teenagers I listed and welcome to the workforce!

Sample of Human Resources Manager Resume

Sun, 05 Jul 2009 17:01:03 +0000

Are you looking for a job as a Human Resources manager?

If you’re applying for a Human Resources manager, you must have a degree in Psychology or related courses. This way it would be easier for you to get the job, and it would be easier to write a resume because your credentials can easily be backed up.

However, resume writing can be a bit difficult if your degree or employment history is a bit far from Human Resources. Naturally, the employer will prioritize those applicants with the most related degree. They aren’t going to put your job application on top if you graduated with a major in Physics. If this is the case, you must be thinking you need a miracle to get the employer to notice your job application, right? Wrong. There is another way for the employer to notice your job application and even mark it as a priority, if you know how to write a Human Resources manager’s resume.

How to write a resume for a Human Resources manager

If you have a different degree but has experience in working as a Human Resource manager before, you can even omit your education background if your work credentials are topnotch, just like in the sample of Human Resources manager resume found below. However, if that’s not the case, then the best thing for you to do is write a functional resume where you will highlight all your skills instead of your work experience.

A lot of college students have approached me and asked for my help regarding resume writing, and I always tell them the same thing. Before they could create a powerful and impressive resume you have to know which skills and qualifications would land you the job. For example, for a Human Resources manager position, the qualifications you have to have are administrative skills, organizational skills, problem-solving skills and more.

If you want to take a loot at a sample Human Resources manager resume, take a look below so you’ll have an idea on how to start one.

Resume Template for High School Students

Sun, 05 Jul 2009 17:00:03 +0000

Here’s a free resume template for high school students to follow

High school students with no experience working yet can look at the resume template for high school students below to get an idea on how they will write their resume. If you look at the resume template, the basic information are listed first like personal data and educational background. Since you haven’t worked yet, or haven’t had work that’s impressive enough for employers to look at, you will have to make the most of what you have.

In place of work experience you can place there special seminars your school had you attend, and which you think helped improve whatever skill you already have. It’s also important to make your high school student resume to look like you’re the best student in your school, even if you’re not. The employer will have to be impressed with you within the 2 seconds it will take him to look at your resume, so it’s important to create a lasting impression at first look at your resume.

Get more high school student resume samples

Getting help online to look at more high school student resume samples won’t hurt you, just as long as you take each resume sample as just a template and learn how to write a resume on your own. There are hundreds more sources where you can look for student resume samples. If you think the resume template for high school students given below helped you, feel free to take a look at different types of resumes so you’ll learn more.

Construction Worker Resume Sample

Sun, 05 Jul 2009 16:59:04 +0000

Learn from a construction worker resume sample

I’ve received a construction worker resume just recently and was surprised that it’s a pretty technical job after all. I’ve always thought that work in construction is a bit more on the physical side and you won’t need anything else than measurable upper body strength to get the job done. Well, as you can see from the construction worker resume sample below, there are a lot of technical skills involved when you’re applying for a job as a construction worker.

The one sent to me was for an operations manager, just like in the sample resume. As you can see clearly, the one below is a sample of a functional resume, with the competencies immediately mentioned and given emphasis. This works great if you are confident that you excel in the qualities you mentioned. It’s also an advantage if you have a lot of skills you can boost, like the ones listed under core competencies.

Have the same impressive construction worker resume

If you take a look at the resume sample for a construction worker below, you’ll see that right after the core competencies, she only listed the important work employment history. You’ll find this helpful for when you have limited work history but with exceptional contribution to the company. This is a classic example of working with what you’ve already got. As you can see, the description of every job she’s had is very detailed which implies that she played an important role in the company. If you want to follow this construction worker resume sample, make sure you arrange all the information first.

Creative Bartender Resume Sample – Uniquely Attractive

Sun, 05 Jul 2009 16:57:56 +0000

Here’s an interesting bartender resume sample

Everyone has always said that when you’re writing a resume you have to follow certain rules. And most of the time it must indeed be followed, unless you want to be known by employers as the clumsy applicant who wouldn’t take two minutes of his time to fix his resume. However, there are rare times, like what I’m going to mention, that it also pays to be a bit more creative with your resume, especially if the job you’re applying for is all about creativity, or permits someone to be.

The sample below is a creative bartender resume, which at first look, doesn’t look like a resume, does it? But when something like this was sent to me, I got pretty interested, because of the top 10 reasons put on the side, and because of some power words I was able to catch like “self-motivated” and “goal-oriented”. It was an interesting and fresh break from all the resumes I had been reading for years, and while the style of resume writing to the position applied may not exactly match, it still works, the reasons for which you should learn and master first before trying to write a creative resume like this?

Writing a creative bartender resume that works

If you know how to play on words and have a little knowledge about marketing, no matter how little it is, you can somehow pull off something like this. Notice how the words in the “top 10 reasons you should hire me” section are the same words you would find in the qualifications section of an ordinary resume. However, there is a big difference, because the presentation of the words are fun, and when you read down the list, it’s snappy, and very confident, compared to the usual one-word qualifications listed in ordinary resumes.

Also, in the employment history section, you get an idea about the work environment because of the brief but helpful description of each of the bar or restaurant. I find it very fun to read this kind of resume, very creative and effective. Of course, you can’t do something like this with any kind of resume you write. This only works for a select type of fields like those in the creative industry like fashion and arts, and well in this very rare situation, bartending. If you want to follow the format of this bartender resume sample, be my guest.

Event Planner Sample Resume

Sun, 05 Jul 2009 16:56:30 +0000

Are you looking for an event planner sample resume?

The other day, someone submitted an event planner resume, which was quite interesting. It had been written quite impressively, and I can see that she listed down all her best points and qualifications. If you’re also applying for a job as something similar, I suggest you check out the event planner sample resume given below to see if you can write something more, if not as impressive as the one given in the example.

The applicant who sent me her resume was a really good student when she was in college, and has a lot of good qualities needed for the job. In a job application like this, having affiliations matter a lot. Probably, more important than where you graduated or what skills you have. Being an event planner has something to do with socializing with people and understanding exactly what they need, and being able to wow them through the events you have to plan.

How to write an event planner resume

Writing an event planner resume should start out like you’re writing any other resume. The only difference now with this type of resume is that you should take special consideration with the people and organizations you’re affiliated to. As you can see in the event planner sample resume, the applicant listed the major events she has been a part of separately, to highlight it more and to give the impression that she already has experience with dealing different kinds of events and took part either as the event planner or supervisor.

Also, if you’re not too sure whether the school you graduated from would up your resume or not, focus on more important factors like qualifications, work experience and qualifications. Knowing what you want and knowing how good you are is an important factor in writing an event planner resume. There are certain things you can put in your resume that would otherwise be useless if you’re writing a resume for high school students, so remember first your niche and go from there.

Samples of a Good Cover Letter

Sun, 05 Jul 2009 16:55:14 +0000

How a good cover letter could improve your chance of getting THE job

Are you aware that 80% of the time, employers choose to read resumes based on an impressive cover letter? A good cover letter is proven to increase the effectiveness of your resume. So if you want to boost up your resume once and for all, make sure that you have a good cover letter. And to help you with that, I have a few samples of a good cover letter below to give you an idea about what it looks like.

I’ve had a lot of applicants submit resumes that, while okay, lack that certain kick that would further make me put their resumes on top of the pile. A good cover letter provides exactly that, but only if you write it properly and you know how to arrange the thoughts as not to repeat yourself or go over the top.

In your cover letter you should also be able to provide enough information as to why you deserve the position. It’s also a good idea to mention here your hobbies and special interests which would seem out of place in your resume. The reason for this is to show that you’re a well-rounded person; that you’re an interesting person apart from being a qualified applicant. So you better learn from reading the samples of a good cover letter given below and get that job!

Sample Resumes for a High School Student

Sun, 05 Jul 2009 16:53:39 +0000

Read sample resumes for a high school student here!

If you’re in high school, you’ve probably had difficulty at least once about figuring out how to write a resume, or what to even put in one. Also, chances are you’ve tried every way you know how to find decent sample resumes for a high school student with the same background as yours, with the same qualifications, and interests. And chances are, you’ve stumbled into a few dead ends.

When you search online for resume samples, it means you are taking a risk in finding a lot of sites offering false information or a misleading one. When you research for sample resumes you should have a criteria first on what you’re looking for. And here are a few that could help you find the page you’re looking for.

What factors to consider when looking for sample resumes for a high school student

When you’re looking for sample resumes, you should start looking for them in student-oriented websites, or sites affiliated to those. This implies the decency of a website and its sincerity to really help a high school student with his quest to finding sample resumes. Lame as it may sound, a really good sample resume can lead you to write a very impressive resume, one that could potentially land you on the best job possible.

Below are sample resumes for a high school student. Don’t just look at the structure and follow the format. Pay attention to how it was written and why it was written that way. These are different types of resumes. See if you can identify what makes them different from one another and take notes on that. Once you understand the importance of each type, then it will be easier for you to decide which type of resume is the best option for you to create.

How To Make A Resume Easily

how to kiss — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 15:39:56 +0000

By Cynthia Penfold

Even for those with a great deal of experience searching for and applying for jobs, the process of writing a resume can be daunting. Many of these job seekers would have no problem writing a resume for someone else and highlighting their strong points but struggle to do the same for themselves.

For those who truly struggle with this daunting task, using resume templates might be the answer. This article will explain how you can use online templates to make a resume.

Job seekers tasked with creating a resume will find that the introduction of the Internet has really made the process of writing a resume a breeze. This is because before the Internet, and before computers, job seekers had to hand write a draft of their resume, determine the type of formatting they wanted for the resume and then use a typewriter to create the resume.

It is easy to see that this whole process can really be time consuming. Once computers came onto the scene, job seekers were able to use word processing programs to simplify the process of making a resume. With this type of software, it was now possible to do all of the proofreading, editing and formatting of the resume on the computer before printing it out. Once the Internet came along, the entire process got even easier.

There are websites out there which have templates you can use for resume creation. With these handy templates, you just have to enter the information in the appropriate fields and a well formatted resume is created for you. Before you make a resume using an online template, it is a good idea to document all of your work experiences as well as any relevant life experiences. This is a good idea because it will allow you to not only create a timeline of your work experiences but also make sure you are not forgetting anything that could help you land a great job.

About the Author:

Cynthia Penfold reveals secrets on how to make a resume at her How To Make A Resume Blog

How to make a Resume - 13 Mistakes That Could Mean No Interview

how to kiss — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 15:38:21 +0000

1. A really boring or generic objective: If your objective is as effective when used in a marketing resume as a resume for an accounting position, it is pretty much useless. What an objective is NOT is an obligatory 5 lines of jargon at the beginning of the resume. What is should be is a real description of your skills as they relate to the particular job. As such then, it should be modified according to each application.

2. Ho-hum job details: “Responsibilities included overseeing construction of 4 Hilton Hotels in Tri-City Metro Area, each 50 floors in height.” What is that really saying? It is not giving interesting and relevant information such as whether you were able to bring the project in under budget and on time, or what your actual responsibilities were. What you must do is make yourself stand out from the crowd and tell the recruiter how you will be an asset to the company.

3. Give a name to the “Mystery” company: Never assume that everyone knows the name of your company. You may be applying for a position with a competitor. Include one or two sentences that briefly describe the focus of your company.

4. Paragraph after paragraph of jobs: It is unwise to just add on to your resume all the jobs you have completed. Experienced workers in their 40’s should consider “editing” their list, getting rid of the earlier positions. It is also a good idea to include just your degree - no need for all the college information.

5. References: Don’t list these on your resume. Instead, include the phrase “References available on request” on the resume. This is inviting the prospective employer to ask for references. This is a way to protect yourself, not merely protocol, as your references aren’t requested until the employer is seriously considering you for interview.

6. This is not a narrative: Under no circumstances should the resume be written in the third person or as though it is the story of your life.

7. Leave out the personal information: Your hobbies and pastimes and what you do when you are not at work may give the impression that you are a well-adjusted person, but they are irrelevant in a resume. There will be time enough to discuss your personal interests at the job interview.

8 The date you obtained your degree: to neglect to include the date of your degree looks as though you are trying to hide something and therefore cannot be trusted. It doesn’t matter what your age is or how long ago you obtained your degree. It may just be that you will miss out on an interview just because you did not disclose this information.

9. Spell Check times three: You must perform spell checks at least three times then ask someone else to check as well. Don’t rely on word processor spell checks as they will often not pick up mistakes. Don’t ignore problems with punctuation, either.

10. Circulating your resume - part one: It is not a good idea to use a “resume blaster” as the majority aren’t valid and you are not guaranteed of the results. It is simply not good practice and not an effective way to get the perfect job. To do this requires focus, attention, specific and relevant detail and tailoring to both your individual requirements and the requirements of the job.

11. Circulating your resume - part two: Advertised positions will usually give instructions regarding applications. If it is an email reply that is requested, do a cut and paste on to the form and attach the resume. Make sure that the resume is created with a basic word processing program to avoid problems with reading it at the other end. If you have an alternative way of sending the application, then choose this and avoid the issues of cyberspace.

12. Circulating your resume - part three: If you have the company’s contact details, call and ask whether they prefer email, fax, or snail mail. Some recruiters will not even open emails, especially larger companies who receive “cold” emails regularly.

13. The visual impact of your resume: Use ivory paper, black ink and individual pages. Don’t place it in a plastic sleeve or report cover. Your name should be placed in the center at the top of the page - don’t have a cover page with just your name on it. This is a professional document, not a school project! If you follow this guide, your resume will stand out from the crowd - at least until everyone learns to present their resumes properly.

Remember that this is a marketing document. As such, your resume has to be specific to you as an individual; it must be easy to skim read and invite a more thorough reading; it must highlight the positive ways in which you have made a difference in your previous employment. It is not about what the hiring company can do for you, but the reverse.

The resume is what will secure you the interview, provided you have the necessary qualifications. If it is poorly written and presented or if it is hard to decipher, it won’t get you very far.
For lots of help and advice on how to make ahow to make a resume. Check out resume template wizardclick here and get yours now!

How To Make A Resume - Do You Need Software?

how to kiss — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 15:37:09 +0000

by Cynthia Penfold

Unfortunately many job seekers get caught up in all of the excitement when it is time to make a resume before they really think about what is involved in the process. However, once they see the number of professional resume writers and software providers marketing towards job seekers, they get overwhelmed and give up on the process of making a resume.

These offers can be really tempting but you should understand that none of this is necessary and you can actually make a resume that will really stand out without the help of anyone. You can also save a great deal of resume by making a resume on your own.

With your own computer and basic word processing software you can make a resume for any purpose. Regardless of the type of word processing software available on your computer, it can be used to create an outstanding resume. Most people think that Microsoft Word is the only word processing software program that can help them to create a resume but this is not true. You can actually find a number of less expensive, and even free, word processing programs that will help you to create a resume that is just as attractive. However, with less expensive word processing programs, you may not have the advantage of easy to use resume templates.

However, to take advantage of this you will have to have access to the Internet. You can use free online programs such as openoffice.org to make a resume. This program is free to use and can not only help you make a resume that will stand out but can also meet all of your word processing needs.

You may find these types of programs work well for you as soon as you download the software. However, some of these programs allow users to make suggestions about improvements to the software.

About the Author:

Cynthia Penfold shares the secrets of how to make a resume at her How To Make A Resume Blog

How to Write the Perfect Cover Letter

how to kiss — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 15:35:19 +0000

By Alice Feathers, M.A. TESOL, Professional Editor and Writer

Advertise your unique qualifications
that no one else can offer by writing an effective cover letter!

Make yourself stand out
from all the other job seekers, so your potential employer will move on to the next step—reading your resume!

Get your foot in the door
and secure that all-important job interview by following the tips below and writing the perfect cover letter!

To mail or not to mail, that is the question!
Be the exception, not the rule! Most employers get bombarded with a ton of email cover letters with attached resumes. If you really want to stand out, mail your prospective boss a cover letter and resume by snail mail—three days to the pile on his desk will be better than a forgotten folder in his hard drive!

Use a font that is will attract the reader’s eye!
Studies have shown that serif fonts such as Georgia or Times New Roman are easier to read in hard copy than a sans serif font such as Arial. The serif font uses small horizontal lines and flourishes that carry the eye along and make the text easier to read than the rigid vertical lines of a sans serif font.

Address the potential employer personally!
Find out the name of the person who is accepting resumes for the job you want. Create a more favorable impression by using his or her own name in your cover letter, rather than using an impersonal greeting such as ‘To Whom It May Concern.’ When addressing a woman, it is safer to use ‘Ms.’ rather than ‘Miss’ or ‘Mrs.’ When addressing a man, use ‘Mr.’ with no nicknames. Use a comma after the greeting, and make sure all names are spelled correctly!

Examples:

Dear Ms. Thomas-Bentley,

Dear Mr. Benson,

State which position you want and how you heard about it.
A large company may be hiring in several departments at once. In your cover letter, briefly state which position you are interested in and how you found out about it.

Example:

I am responding to your ad in the Daily Herald for an editor/proofreader.

Describe your most important qualifications—briefly!
Your resume should give your work history and qualifications in some detail. In your cover letter, briefly mention only the qualifications that are most impressive and pertain exactly to the job opening. Indented bullets or numbered lists of three or five items of fairly equal length are easy to read and show your qualifications at a glance.

Example:

I am the ideal candidate for this position because I have:

1. Three years experience as a proofreader/editor

2. A bachelor’s degree in English, summa cum laude

3. Strong English skills in grammar and composition

Alternate Method! You can accomplish the same purpose in your cover letter with a well-worded sentence and not be restricted to making each item in your list a similar length.

Example:

I am the ideal candidate for this position because I not only have three years of experience as a professional proofreader, but I also have strong skills in every aspect of English grammar and composition, having graduated summa cum laude with a B.A. in English.

Offer to provide an impressive reference.
Rather than just offering your personal assurance of your high qualifications, mention someone with impressive credentials who has provided you with a positive reference in the past and who would be willing to do so again. If this is the first time you will be asking for a reference from someone, make sure you run the idea by them first before you use their name in your cover letter!

Example:

I also edited 36 articles that became two professional journals published by the university. Dr. Linda Hendricks, Chair of the Linguistics Dept., hired me and supervised both projects. She would be happy to provide you with a strong reference on my behalf.

Express your eagerness to meet with the reader.
Now that you have peaked the reader’s interest, don’t overdue it! Use your cover letter only as an overture to gain an interview.

Example:

I would be happy to meet with you at your convenience and answer any questions you might have.

Don’t forget your contact information!
End with your phone number and email address so that the reader can choose the method that is most convenient. Mail your cover letter, using both a typed and hand-written signature. Enclose your resume.

Example:

Sincerely,

Janice Morton

Janice Morton

Enclosures

(555) 555-6954

Final Tips for the Perfect Cover Letter:
Make sure both your spelling and grammar construction are letter perfect! Don’t ignore error signals from your word processing program such as green or red underlining. Right click and find out what the problem is. If you do decide to send your resume by email attachment, make sure you send it in the predominant Microsoft® Word format to avoid conversion problems on the receiving end.

Afterwards: Don’t forget to follow up!
Call in three days and ask if your letter and resume were received. If so, ask if you could schedule an interview. If not, call back!