Encyclopedia of Job Winning Resumes, Third Edition

Encyclopedia of Job-Winning Resumes

Encyclopedia of Job-Winning Resumes

Third Edition

Myra Fournier and Jeffrey Spin

Copyright © 2006 by Myra Fournier and Jeff Spin

All rights reserved under the Pan-American and International Copyright Conventions. This book may not be reproduced, in whole or in part, in any form or by any means electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system now known or hereafter invented, without written permission from the publisher, The Career Press.

ENCYCLOPEDIA OF JOB-WINNING RESUMES, THIRD EDITION

Cover design by Foster & Foster, Inc.

Printed in the U.S.A. by Book-mart Press

To order this title, please call toll-free 1-800-CAREER-1 (NJ and Canada: 201-848-0310) to order using VISA or MasterCard, or for further information on books from Career Press.

Second edition © 1999 A Lasting Impression. Published by Round Lake Publishing Co. RésumExpert® is a registered trademark of Myra Fournier and Jeffrey Spin

The Career Press, Inc., 3 Tice Road, PO Box 687,

Franklin Lakes, NJ 07417

www.careerpress.com

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

Fournier, Myra, 1947-

Encyclopedia of job-winning resumes / by Myra Fournier and Jeff Spin.—3rd ed.

p. cm.

ISBN-13: 978-1-56414-871-1

ISBN-10: 1-56414-871-8 (paper)

1. Résumés (Employment) 2. Cover letters. I. Spin, Jeffrey, 1951 – II. Title.

HF5383.F77 2006

650.14’2—dc22

2006042629

Contents

Chapter 1 THE ESSENTIALS OF WRITING YOUR RESUME

Getting Down to Basics

Before and After Resume Comparison

Action Verbs

Chapter 2 COVER LETTERS

Introduction

Acceptance of Offer

Alternative to Resume (Achievement-oriented)

Alternative to Resume (Credential-oriented)

Broadcast Letter

Career Change (A)

Career Change (B)

Career Change (C)

Career Change (D)

Career Change (E)

Career Change (F)

College Application

Declining an Offer

Entry-level (A)

Entry-level (B)

Following Interview (Brief)

Following Interview (In-depth)

Following Telephone Inquiry

Internship

Job-sharing

Lay-off

Letter Campaign (Direct)

Letter Campaign (Networking)

New Business Announcement

Promotion (A)

Promotion (B)

Promotion (C)

Recruiting Agency

Re-entering Job Market (Homemaker)

Re-entering Job Market (Self-employed)

Referral

Relocation

Request for Informational Interview

Request for Recommendation

Request for Sponsorship

Resignation

Response to an Advertisement

Thank You (Informational Interview)

Thank You (Interview)

Training Program

Chapter 3 SPECIAL CAREER SITUATIONS

Introduction

Accentuate Promotions

All Employment in One Company (A)

All Employment in One Company (B)

All Employment in One Company (C)

Alternative to an Objective (A)

Alternative to an Objective (B)

Alternative to an Objective (C)

Alternative to an Objective (D)

Business Owner (Seeking Clients/Loan/Job)

Career Change (A)

Career Change (B)

Career Change (C)

Curriculum Vitae

De-emphasize Earlier Employment

Direct Career Path

Education Background Weak

Entering Work Force after Raising Family

Frequent Job Changes or Lay-off

Gaps in Employment

Job Description Repetitious

Lengthy Employment History

Military Background

No Clear Career Path (A)

No Clear Career Path (B)

Older Candidate

Part-time Employment History

Returning to Work Force

Short Employment History

Specific Job Objective

Temporary Employment History

Unique Personal Background

Chapter 4 ADMINISTRATION

Introduction

Administrative Assistant (Brokerage)

Administrative Assistant (Consulting)

Administrative Assistant (Customer Support)

Administrative Assistant (Elder Services)

Administrative Assistant (Marketing)

Administrative Assistant (Operations)

Administrative Assistant (Property Management)

Administrative Assistant (Sales)

Administrative Director

Executive Assistant

Executive Secretary (Communications)

Executive Secretary (High Tech)

Office Manager/Accountant

Office Manager (Corporate)

Office Manager (Distributor)

Office Manager (Medical)

Office Manager (R&D)

Office Manager (Sales Office)

Office Manager (Test Lab)

Secretary (Contracts)

Secretary (High Tech)

Secretary (Human Resources)

Secretary (Legal)

Secretary (Real Estate Development)

Chapter 5 ARTS AND LEISURE

Introduction

Actress (Letterhead)

Actress (Resume)

Antiques Consultant

Antiques Dealer

Artist

Arts Administrator

Athletic Trainer

Author

Broadcast Producer

Caterer

Chef (Head)

Chef (Pastry)

Color Consultant (Brochure Resume)

Comedian/Magician

Dancer

Events Planner (Arts)

Events Planner (Public)

Film/Video Producer

Flight Attendant (Entry-level)

Flight Attendant (Experienced)

Golf Pro

Graphic Designer (Desktop Publishing)

Graphic Designer (Entry-level)

Graphic Designer (Free-lance)

Hotel Concierge

Interior Decorator

Interior Designer (Established)

Interior Designer (Free-lance)

Jewelry Designer

Musician

Photographer

Radio Program Director

Restaurant Manager

Talent Agent (Modeling)

Television Director

Television Producer

Theatrical Director

Travel Consultant

Writer

Chapter 6 COMPUTER SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING

Introduction

Applications Engineer

Architect

Computer Installation Director

Computer Operations Supervisor

Computer Trainer (Corporate)

Computer Trainer (Education)

Drafter (Entry-level)

Engineering Technician

Environmental Engineer

Facilities Engineer

Field Service Engineer

Industrial Engineer

Manufacturing Engineer

Manufacturing Engineering Manager

Marine Engineer

Mechanical Engineer

MIS Manager

Nuclear Engineer

Plastics Engineer

Programmer/Analyst

Quality Control Manager

Sales Engineer

Systems Application Programmer

Systems Development Manager

Technical Instructor

Technical Support Engineer

Telecommunications Technician

Chapter 7 EDUCATION

Introduction

Art Teacher (Graphic Arts)

Art Teacher (Studio Arts)

Assistant Superintendent

Coach

Computer Technology Teacher

Counselor

Developmental Educator

Early Childhood Teacher (Bachelor’s Degree)

Early Childhood Teacher (Entry-level)

Early Childhood Teacher (Master’s Degree)

Elementary Teacher (Bachelor’s Degree)

Elementary Teacher (Entry-level)

Elementary Teacher (Master’s Degree)

Elementary Teacher (Post-graduate Studies)

English/Drama Teacher

Foreign Language Teacher

Guidance Counselor

Guidance Director

Head Teacher

Health/Physical Education Teacher

Intern/Administrator

Librarian

Physical Education Teacher

Principal

Science Teacher

Social Studies Teacher

Special Needs Educator

Special Education Professor

Special Services Administrator

Career Change (Elementary Principal)

Career Change (College Dean)

Career Change (Counselor)

Career Change (Foreign Language Instructor)

Career Change (Teacher A)

Career Change (Teacher B)

Chapter 8 FINANCE AND BANKING

Introduction

Accountant (Entry-level)

Accounts Payable Supervisor

Accounting Supervisor

Asset-based Field Examiner

Assistant Actuary

Assistant Bank Treasurer

Assistant Controller

Audit Manager

Audit Supervisor

Bank Manager

Billing Manager

Bookkeeper

C.F.O.

C.P.A.

Controller

Credit Analyst

Equity Analyst Intern

Finance & Administration Director

Financial Analyst

Financial Consultant

Financial Reporting Manager

International Accountant

Internal Auditor

Investment Broker

Junior Accountant

Loan Administrator

Loan Manager

Loan Officer

Mortgage Underwriter

Note Teller

Payroll Manager

Regional Credit Manager

Registered Representative

Senior Accountant (Private)

Senior Accountant (Public)

Tax Accountant (Entry-level)

Tax Accountant (Senior)

V.P. Administration & Finance

V.P. Community Banking

V.P. Operations

V.P. Reporting

Chapter 9 HEALTH CARE

Introduction

Case Manager

C.E.O.

C.F.O.

Chiropractic Physician

Clinical Director

Clinical Information Specialist

Clinical Nurse Specialist (Education)

Clinical Nurse Specialist (Gerontology)

Clinical Nurse Specialist (Surgery)

Clinical Virologist

Dentist

Educational Nursing Specialist

Executive Director

Family Nurse Practitioner

Family Practitioner

Health Care Administrator

Health Care Educator

Laboratory Technologist

Management Consultant

Nursing Student

Nursing Supervisor

Optician

Osteopath

Phlebotomist

Project Manager

Psychiatrist

Regional Administrator

Registered Dietitian

Registered Nurse (Critical Care)

Registered Nurse (Emergency Care)

Registered Nurse (Psychiatric Care)

Senior Staff Nurse

Social Services Director

Social Worker (Case Manager)

Social Worker (Forensic)

Social Worker (Private Practice)

Social Worker (Psychiatric)

Speech/Language Pathologist

Surgeon

Ultrasonographer

Chapter 10 HUMAN RESOURCES

Introduction

Benefits Administrator

Benefits Manager

Compensation & Benefits Specialist

Employee Assistance Counselor

Employment Specialist

HR Administrator (Corporate)

HR Administrator (Government)

HR Manager (Health Care)

HR Manager (High Tech)

HR Manager (Manufacturing)

HR Manager (R&D)

Organizational Consultant

Recruiter (Agency)

Recruiter (HR Department)

Training Coordinator (Banking)

Training Coordinator (Entry-level)

Training Coordinator (Entry-level)

Training Coordinator (Government)

Training Coordinator (Health Care)

Training Manager

Chapter 11 LAW AND SECURITY

Introduction

Attorney (General Counsel)

Attorney (International Law)

Attorney (Law & Communications)

Attorney (Litigation)

Attorney (Of Counsel)

Attorney (Personal Injury)

Attorney (Tax Law)

Business Manager (Law Offices)

Claims Adjuster

Conveyancing Coordinator

Human Resources Consultant

Industrial Security Specialist

Law Student (Domestic Law)

Law Student (Litigation)

Legal Secretary

Loss Prevention Supervisor

Paralegal (Civil Law)

Paralegal (General Law)

Paralegal (Insurance Law)

Paralegal (Real Estate)

Police Chief

Police Investigator

Police Officer (Patrolman)

Police Officer (Special Detail)

Security Manager (Contractor)

Security Manager (Government)

Security Manager (Hospital)

Chapter 12 MANAGEMENT

Introduction

Administrative V.P. (High Tech)

Administrative V.P. (Insurance)

Branch Manager (Manufacturing)

Branch Manager (Placement)

C.O.O.

Construction Manager (Residential)

Construction Manager (Retail)

Contracts Manager

Corporate Logistics Director

Credit Manager

Customer Service Manager

Data Processing Manager

Distribution Center Manager

Entrepreneur

Executive Director

Facilities Manager

Food Services Manager

Franchise Director

General Manager

Health Care Manager

Hotel Manager

Human Resources Manager

Loss Mitigation V.P.

Manufacturing Manager

Marketing & Sales Director

Materials Manager

Operations Manager

Operations V.P.

Owner

Product Manager

Production Manager

Program Manager

Restaurant Manager

Retail Manager

Sales & Marketing V.P.

Service Manager

Technical Development V.P.

Traffic Manager

Vice President

Chapter 13 SALES AND MARKETING

Introduction

Resumes by Job Title

Customer Service Representative

Director of Sales & Marketing

District Sales Manager

Entry Level Sales

Inside Sales Specialist

International Sales Director

Marketing Communications Manager

Marketing Consultant

Marketing Coordinator

Marketing Intern

Marketing Director

Marketing Manager

National Sales Manager

Regional Sales Manager

Sales Administrator

Sales Coordinator

Sales Instructor

Sales Manager (High Tech)

Sales Manager (Promotions)

Senior Marketing Manager

Resumes by Industry

Advertising Sales (Magazine)

Advertising Sales (Media)

Circulation Sales

Circulation Sales

Equipment Sales (Industrial)

Equipment Sales (Medical)

Equipment Sales (Office)

Equipment Sales (Safety)

Function Sales

Graphic Arts Sales

Insurance Sales

Office Furnishings Sales

Pharmaceutical Sales

Real Estate Sales (Commercial)

Real Estate Sales (Condominium)

Retail Sales

Sales Promotions

Software Sales

Technical Sales & Marketing

Telecommunications Sales

Travel Sales

Travel Sales Manager

Chapter 14 STUDENTS

Introduction

Accounting

Business

Classics

Communication

Computer Science

Criminal Justice

Culinary Arts

Dental Hygiene

Economics

Education

Engineering

English

Finance

Foreign Studies

Gerontology

Government

Guidance

International Business

Journalism

Law

Liberal Arts

Management/Spanish

Marketing

Medicine

Music/Public Relations

Nursing

Nutrition

Occupational Therapy

Physical Education

Physics

Political Science

Psychology (Research)

Psychology (Social)

Social Work

Sociology

Software Engineering

Sport Management

Textile Design

No Degree

Cover Letter (Dual Major)

Cover Letter (Honors Graduate)

Cover Letter (Referral)

Chapter 15 CAREER CHANGERS

Introduction

Before Career Change (Teaching)

After Career Change (Business)

Combining Careers (Cover Letter)

Combining Careers (Resume)

Departing the Military (Cover Letter)

Departing the Military (Resume)

Emphasizing Internship (Cover Letter)

Emphasizing Internship (Resume)

Hobby to Career (Cover Letter)

Hobby to Career (Resume)

Interrupted Career (Cover Letter)

Interrupted Career (Resume)

Chapter 16 THE AGE OF THE INTERNET—ELECTRONIC RESUMES

Introduction

Traditional Resume

Electronic Resume

INDEX BY TITLE

What Makes This Book Unique

The Learn By Example Approach

At a glance, you can tell that Encyclopedia of Job-Winning Resumes, Third Edition is a welcome alternative to the myriad of how-to resume-writing books already available.

No tedious worksheets, no confusing flowcharts, no cutesy cartoons, no hype.

Instead, we present a simple, yet effective learn-by-example approach, one with straightforward writing tips supported by more than 400 fully composed, fully formatted, and fully annotated resumes and cover letters for every career.

The wide variety of stylish formats, the professionally written text, the key buzzwords, and the special comments that accompany each resume and cover letter are powerful learning tools. They allow you to grasp the basics quickly so that you can develop your job-winning resume and cover letter with a minimum of time and effort, and a maximum of effectiveness.

How Do We Know Our Method Works?

As professional resume writers, we have observed that the greatest obstacle hindering people from composing their own resumes is their inability to organize their information into an individualized format that presents their credentials most effectively. They are stuck, endlessly debating with themselves the benefits of a Chronological vs. Functional vs. Targeted format. And, despite an understanding of their own skills, achievements, and qualifications, they are completely overwhelmed by the formidable task of creating an entire resume format from scratch. Paralysis sets in.

And yet, in our resume-writing seminars, when we present participants with fully formatted and fully composed samples to follow, the entire situation remedies itself. They are able to organize their information easily, integrate their key credentials quickly, and produce their own first-class resumes. Not only are they delighted with the results, but they are proud of their own writing skills and feel confident about their ability to update their resumes on their own in the future.

Inspired by their success, we developed RésumExpert®, the #1-rated resume template software for the Macintosh computer. Feedback from our software users indicates that they, too, meet with great success when they use our learn-by-example approach.

Eager to reach a broader audience, we have written Encyclopedia of Job-Winning Resumes, Third Edition because we know our method works and can save you many hours of frustration and anxiety and help you produce a job-winning resume. Whether you are a student, a CEO, a person returning to the workforce or contemplating a career change, there is a sample here for you.

The Big Secret To Writing A Resume

We know from experience that the big secret to writing an effective resume is that there is none. There is no one correct method. There is no one correct style. There is no one correct format. And there definitely is no reason why it needs to be an arduous task.

How To Use This Book

We suggest you first browse through some of the resume samples at random to gain a feel for the variety of formats, type styles, and content.

Then, review your special career situation (Chapter 3) or specific career field (Chapters 4–14) before selecting a format. Remember, it is also perfectly all right to select a format from a chapter outside of your specific field. Or you might find several formats that are applicable to your situation. Choose the one that appeals the most to you. You can also combine elements from several resumes, e.g., a phrase from one and a heading from another. There are many combinations that will work successfully for you.

When you are ready to begin writing, it is important to read Chapter 1 for informative tips and a valuable before and after resume comparison that dramatically demonstrates the impact our approach can make on the outcome of your resume.

We wish you much success in your job search!

1 The Essentials of Writing Your Resume

GETTING DOWN TO BASICS

The Universal Lament

I’m so boring on paper is the common belief that causes people to procrastinate in preparing their resumes. Other inhibitors include, I don’t have enough job experience, I need several resumes for different career goals, I don’t have a specific career objective, I don’t have a college degree, My experience won’t fit onto one page.

These are concerns we hear daily from our clients. And we know some easy remedies, which we share with you throughout Encyclopedia of Job-Winning Resumes.

This chapter addresses the essentials of writing a job-winning resume. To ease your reading and eliminate your confusion, we have concentrated only on the important elements of resume writing and ignored the insignificant. It’s the very same approach we utilize when writing resumes for our clients, and it’s one we hope you will follow also.

You will find straightforward tips, a dramatic before and after resume comparison, and a comprehensive list of action verbs to give your resume more punch. After reviewing this chapter, read or re-read the section How to Use This Book on page 19.

Develop A Theme

The dual challenge in developing a resume is to present your credentials on paper in a manner that is both easy to scan and interesting to read. Prospective employers are busy, and your resume needs to make a strong impression quickly.

The first and most important step is to develop a theme. What message do you want to convey? Your depth of experience? Breadth of experience? Academic achievements? Technical expertise? Decide what it is you want to sell about yourself and only include information which relates to that theme.

Second, concentrate on the three components of your resume—content, format, and finishing touches. Each of these areas is vital to projecting your resume’s theme. Comprehensive tips related to each area follow below.

Third, do most of the writing in your head before you even approach the typewriter or computer. During your morning commute or your weekend jog or your trip to the grocery store, think about the information you’ll include or omit. Jot down pertinent phrases, discard irrelevant information, and stick to your theme. This technique will save you countless hours of frustrating revisions once you begin typing.

Content

Your resume should not read like a job description. It should not be a re-creation of your past history, but a brief, focused, dynamic marketing tool that conveys your key credentials for a future position. Stress your qualifications, skills, and achievements instead of your duties and responsibilities.

Make the information interesting to the reader by describing your experience in short statements. Although your resume should be written in the first person, do not use I when describing your work history. And do not start any sentence with Responsibilities include. It is a weak phrase that takes up space and prohibits the reader from getting right to your most important information. Instead, begin each sentence with an action verb. You can find a list of useful action verbs on page 34.

Utilize narrative (paragraph style) sparingly. Instead, adopt a technical writing style—factual, clipped, to the point. Use short, simple words. Let the reader’s eye glide from one important fact to another by omitting the articles a, an, and the. Try to avoid abbreviations because they detract from the overall professionalism of the resume. Some permissible abbreviations include names of states, college degrees, and Inc.

Proofread several times to ensure that your content makes sense and that there are no typographical errors. An effective method to use when proofreading for spelling errors is to start from the bottom of the page and read the sentences backwards. This method forces you to concentrate on each word separately, out of context, and lets you identify any spelling errors quickly.

How much is too much? Your resume should contain all the pertinent information needed to sell yourself effectively for the position you desire. No more, no less.

It is preferable to limit your resume to one page unless your qualifications include special areas such as certifications, publications, presentations, etc. It is also preferable to limit your information to the past 10 years, unless special circumstances warrant more. However, as you will see in examples throughout this book, even 30 years of experience can be condensed effectively onto one page with the correct format.

The trick to condensing your information onto one page is to omit job descriptions of similar positions, lower level positions, and irrelevant employment.

Do you need an Objective? Probably not, because if you are like many candidates, you do not know the exact title of the job you’re pursuing. Therefore, the tendency is to write an Objective that is far too general. Avoid trite phrases such as challenging position and growth potential. They take up crucial space in which you could describe your qualifications.

Challenge yourself to write a meaningful Objective in five words or less, naming a specific job or industry. If you can’t do it, consider an Alternative to an Objective found in Chapter 3, or omit an Objective completely, stating your goals in your cover letter.

In what order should you present information? People read from the top down and from left to right, so begin with your most persuasive information. For example, do not use valuable space on the left for dates, usually the least important data on the resume, unless stressing the dates will enhance your candidacy.

Start by presenting the section which demonstrates your strongest qualifications, whether it be Education, Certification, Experience, or even Volunteer Activities. If your job title is more impressive than the company, list it first. Similarly, if your degree is more impressive than the college, list it first.

Should you include a Personal section? Rarely. Information such as age, height, weight, health, marital status, and hobbies usually has little relevance to your qualifications for the position. It might even work to your detriment by providing a reason for a prospective employer to exclude you from consideration. For example, citing membership in a controversial organization might reduce the number of prospective employers interested in hiring you because of their biases.

In some cases, however, certain personal information can promote your candidacy, so a Personal section would be appropriate. For example, if you are an older candidate, you might show vitality by citing sports and travel activities; a sales candidate might indicate unmarried status combined with a willingness to travel and/or relocate. If you are a student, a Personal section is a plus and we have elaborated on this point in Chapter 14.

How do you handle confidentiality? It is understood by most prospective employers that candidates want their search to remain confidential until they are ready to make the actual switch to a new company. However, if you want to alert prospective employers to your concern, head your resume with the phrase Confidential Resume Of. Or withhold the name of your present employer from your resume. Instead, state Fortune 500 manufacturing firm.

Do you need to mention References? Candidates seriously under consideration for a position will be required to furnish references to the prospective company. Therefore, it is not necessary to end your resume with a sentence about references except as a space-filler.

Never list the actual names, addresses, and telephone numbers of your references on your resume, except for highly unusual circumstances, for example, if individuals providing you with references are very well known or the mention of references will compensate for gaps in employment. Instead, keep reference information on a separate sheet of paper ready to be submitted if requested. Or, even better, obtain a written letter of recommendation from each reference, and then photocopy it and submit it as needed. This method greatly reduces the annoyance of phone calls made to your references who have been kind enough to lend their name to your candidacy.

Should any information be de-emphasized or omitted? Absolutely! In general, all information that detracts from your candidacy needs special treatment. For example, weak qualifications, such as a lack of a college degree should be de-emphasized by placing the Education section at the end of the resume. A section of Special Training, Coursework, or Affiliations may be substituted. Potentially damaging information, such as poor job performance or termination, should be omitted entirely.

Some types of information, such as political party, race, or disability have no relevance to your ability to perform in the business world, so should not be addressed on your resume. If, however, you are applying for a position in the type of organization where such information would be a plus, then the data becomes a credential and you should definitely stress it.

Format

There is no single correct resume format. People in the same field require different formats because their breadth of experience, length of employment, degree of education, accomplishments, and future goals all vary. It is likely that the same person at different career stages will need completely different formats for each stage.

How can you select an appropriate format? Developing a resume takes common sense. Because there is no single correct resume format, approach the task with a sense of creativity. Your credentials can be arranged in any manner that emphasizes your strengths, and is quickly scannable by the reader.

We urge you not to think in terms of Chronological, Functional, or Targeted formats. Doing so is time-consuming, confusing, and limiting. Instead, browse through the resume samples in this book and select the formats that will consolidate your essential information and present it effectively. You might even create your own hybrid by using elements from several formats. The writing will follow easily.

How can you draw attention to the most important data? In considering formats, keep in mind that less is more. In other words, it is more effective to present a few easy-to-read highlights than to cram a lot of information onto the page. Valuable achievements lose their impact when they compete for space with too much other data.

Surrounding your most important data with empty space on the paper (white space) instead of other data is the most effective method to emphasize information. Other simple graphic techniques include highlighting in bold, italics, or capital letters; using bullets; and indenting.

What is an alternative resume format? An alternative resume format is a non-traditional method to present your professional history. It is used in special circumstances to make an impact, target a particular position, or when your resume is not an effective marketing tool for a certain position. It can take the form of a letter, biographical sketch, portfolio, photograph, press release, etc.

To achieve your objective and avoid gimmicks, develop an alternative resume with the utmost care and utilize it in very few situations. Examples of Alternative Resumes can be found in Chapter 3 and Chapter 2.

Finishing Touches

What are they? While finishing touches are added to your resume near the end of the creative process, they are the elements most likely to be noticed first by prospective employers. That is why you should consider them carefully.

Finishing touches enhance the personalization of your resume. They include computerized output or professional typeset and printing of your resume; using high quality bond paper (colored or white); choosing colored ink; selecting matching, printed letterhead and envelopes; using contemporary type styles; and inserting graphics, such as symbols, pictures, or logos.

What’s the difference between the quality from my computer and that from a printing company? Very little. With either method you can achieve a professional look by incorporating a range of type styles and sizes; bold and italics highlighting capabilities; graphic elements, such as bullets, boxes, and thin, horizontal lines; and margin justification to eliminate a ragged edge to the right margin. Computer systems are so sophisticated and high quality now that the only reason to spend money at a print shop is if you have no computer at your disposal.

An alternative, cost-effective solution is to rent computer and printer time at a Desktop Publishing (DTP) service bureau. They exist in virtually every town these days. Check your local Yellow Pages, and remember to bring along this book or make a copy of the resume that you wish to use as your sample format.

What else is appropriate for you? Browse through this book for the resumes in your career area to see the kinds of other finishing touches that might be appropriate for you.

All the resumes in this book are shown in black and white, but in our resume-writing business we use colored papers—pastel shades of gray or blue—in addition to white and ivory. We prefer black ink because of its readability, but at a client’s request we also use navy blue ink on white paper or brown ink on ivory paper.

Matching, printed letterhead for cover letters and envelopes are always appropriate and can also be used as personal stationery.

Graphics should be used sparingly as a highlight, not a focal point. You can use a symbol found in your word processing software, design a logo, copy a graphic from a noncopyrighted publication, or select from among the many ready-made art (clip art) publications or electronic clip art software packages available.

The Cover Letter

Cover Letters are so important that we have devoted an entire chapter to them. See Chapter 2 for writing tips and examples of cover letters for many situations.

BEFORE AND AFTER RESUME COMPARISON

To illustrate the enormous improvement that can be made in a typical resume when our principles are applied, we present a before and after comparison for you to examine. Read both resumes, then check the critique that follows, which covers the topics below.

Content

• Order of sections

• Job descriptions

• Relevant information

• Wordiness

• Theme

Format

• Separation of sections

• Dates

• Narrative

Finishing Touches

• Typesetting

• Graphics

The before example can be found on pages 28-29 and the after example can be found on page 30.

BEFORE

PROFESSIONAL ACTIVITIES:

I was invited to speak at many community and business organi-zations on topics ranging from Choosing a Stockbroker to The Stock Market Cycle.

PERSONAL:

I am married with two children and in excellent health. I am interested in computers, golf, and camping, and am active in community organizations such as PTO and Town Meeting.

REFERENCES:

My personal and professional references are available. They will be furnished upon request once a mutual interest has been established.

AFTER

OBJECTIVE: Sales Management - Investment Services

SUMMARY:

• 10-year record of achievement in investment sales and sales management Consistently ranked as top sales producer for new accounts

• Proven ability to recruit, train, and develop account executives Effective with rookies and seasoned professionals

• Demonstrated skill planning and implementing aggressive sales campaigns Direct cold calling activities - lead selection, presentation, closing

• In-depth knowledge of a full range of financial products Equities, annuities, tax advantage investments, and fixed income securities

• Active in promoting company image throughout the business community Professional speaker - Choosing a Stock Broker, Stock Market Cycles

• Hold numerous industry licenses Series 7 - SEC; Series 63 - Mass; Series 3 Commodities; Life and Disability

EXPERIENCE:

PRUDENTIAL-BACHE• BOSTON, MA

Vice President, Investments (2006 to present)

2nd Vice President, Investments (2004 to 2006)

Account Executive (2003 to 2004)

DEAN WITTER REYNOLDS • BOSTON, MA

Account Executive (2001 to 2003)

Sales Associate (1997 to 2001)

EDUCATION:

BENTLEY COLLEGE • WALTHAM, MA

M.B.A. - Marketing/Finance(1997)

B.S.B.A. - Marketing/Finance(1995)

Before and After Critique

Frank’s before resume is a typical example of good intentions gone awry. On the plus side, his two-page presentation is neat and well spaced, the information is organized into short sections, and some important data is highlighted in bold. Yet, the overall effect is lackluster and difficult to scan. Major areas were remedied in the after presentation:

Content

• Order of sections

BEFORE: The reader should not have to read through half a page to discover Frank’s career field. While Frank’s Education and Licenses are excellent credentials, they are not as important or impressive as his Experience, so they should not come first.

AFTER: Beginning with a short, very specific Objective keys the reader to Frank’s career goal. Next, a Summary condenses vital career information to support his Objective. By the time the reader reaches Frank’s Experience and Education sections, he or she already is aware of Frank’s major qualifications.

• Job descriptions

BEFORE: Frank has held similar positions in the same field and repeats very similar descriptions. He uses a hard-to-scan narrative writing style and begins sentences with the weak phrases I was and Responsible for instead of action verbs. His achievements are not highlighted.

AFTER: Frank’s Summary of major accomplishments spans his entire career so that repetitive descriptions for each job are not necessary. He highlights his achievements in short, strongly worded, bulleted statements. For futher emphasis, he uses bold italic lettering and supports each statement with specific information. His Experience section only lists positions, with job titles demonstrating career growth, so he does not need to make a specific statement about the promotions.

• Relevant information

BEFORE: Frank’s Personal and Reference sections are unnecessary. They add no information to promote his candidacy and, in fact, take up valuable space.

AFTER: Only information that supports Frank’s Objective is included on the resume. Omitting irrelevant information allows his credentials to be easily condensed onto one page.

• Wordiness

BEFORE: Each section is too wordy. The Education section should be condensed by abbreviating the degrees and listing both under the same college name. Licenses which are common in a field do not need elaboration. In general, the style is rambling, unfocused, and repetitive.

AFTER: Remember, less is more. Streamlining each section and combining information from several sections into the Summary (e.g., professional speaking engagements and licenses) dramatically improves scannability. Frank uses phrases instead of sentences in his Summary to further reduce wordiness.

• Theme

BEFORE: Frank’s resume is unfocused. He uses neither an Objective nor an Alternative to an Objective at the top of his resume. None of his achievements are highlighted. Consequently, without more information from a cover letter or an interview, the reader must guess which credentials are Frank’s most important.

AFTER: Frank’s Objective immediately establishes a focus for his resume, although even without one, the Summary section would serve the same function. Key elements are highlighted effectively so that they document Frank’s expertise in his field. The Experience and Education sections further support his competence.

Format

• Separation of sections

BEFORE: The lack of horizontal lines or empty space in the left margin to separate sections presents the reader with the formidable task of sifting through all of Frank’s information instead of skimming from section to section.

AFTER: Separating the sections with horizontal lines allows the reader to focus on each section as a cluster and improves scannability. The reader’s eye now travels top-to-bottom instead of left-to-right, and he or she can grasp much more information at a glance.

• Dates

BEFORE: Dates are bold and placed in the left margin. Not only does this overstate their importance, it interferes with the reader’s concentration on important factual material.

AFTER: Dates appear next to the job titles and college degrees and appropriately serve as reference data in that position.

• Narrative

BEFORE: Long paragraphs are cumbersome to read and do not allow for emphasis of Frank’s achievements.

AFTER: Short, bulleted statements highlight the most important information that Frank needs to communicate quickly to the reader.

Finishing Touches

• Typesetting

BEFORE: Frank’s typewritten resume is plain. It is uninviting to read because it lacks crispness and vitality. The hyphenation on the right edge is unattractive and impedes the flow of words.

AFTER: Typesetting or desktop publishing equipment, with its variety of type styles and highlighting capabilities, turns Frank’s resume into a dynamic marketing tool.

• Graphics

BEFORE: Frank’s resume is devoid of any graphic touches that would attract the reader.

AFTER: Simple graphic touches, such as a flush-left heading, bullets, and horizontal lines distinguish Frank’s resume from that of other candidates.

ACTION VERBS

2 Cover Letters

Cover Letters Are Crucial

The cover letter should be viewed as an important companion piece to the resume. Whether you are developing a cover letter to re-enter the job market, secure a promotion, or register with a recruiter, the cover letter should form a personal connection between you and the reader. Communicate information that will make your credentials stand out from all others. Try to leave a strong, positive impression in the reader’s mind. Enthusiasm is essential.

Each cover letter needs to contain a brief summary of your qualifications and/or achievements and specific statements regarding your interest in that particular company/position and