Putting it Together
Starting at the Top
At the end of this chapter you will start using your list of accomplishments. For now, let's start formatting your job winning résumé. Keep in mind, there is a list of specific fonts and their purpose covered in chapter 14.
The first part is very easy and obvious. Your interviewers need to know your name, address and phone number so they can contact you. However, take note of the font and placement of your personal information.
This layout is important because it highlights your name for easy reference and plants significance in the mind of your screener. I suggest that you follow the résumé formats in this program to the letter.
If you don't get the results I promise, you are free to change it as you please. I cannot guarantee results, however, if you decide to change these job winning formats, fonts and structures.
For the next six chapters we'll use the most popular format as our template while working through Joe E. Jobseeker's résumé. It is basic but functional and helps you understand the most important parts of selling yourself.
In chapter 14, there are more template sets and guidelines for using each one.
Objective Block
You can also label this with just the word, "OBJECTIVE" if the word, "career" is a bit too strong or doesn't seem appropriate.
Your objective should be your purpose for presenting your résumé. It should be stated in a way that portrays your current intention and be specific to the position you are applying for.
Here are some examples:
Be simple and specific:
"Obtain a (job you are applying for) position within the (company name) (department)."
Like:
"Obtain a Computer Support Specialist position within the High Tech Firm, IT department."
One line or two doesn't really matter. Just keep your font and balance consistent. Don't be afraid to take a few words out or add a few words to keep it to one line.
Although necessary, the objective is the least important item on your résumé so don't sweat it and keep it simple.
Template Set #3 in Chapter 14 shows how to use this section in a bold and direct manner by stating your objective as the position you desire.
The Main Body
You've started with the heading and objective of your résumé, now it is time to start using the lists you have been making and put together the main body. The body will help define your character and show your value to your potential employer.
Start by listing all the employers and positions you have already written a description for. List them chronologically, as you see in the example, and add the descriptions for each one.
Jim-Bob Big Corporation (Sept 97 - present)
Provide system administration and hardware support for 60+ systems in the disk drive test process while maintaining technical expertise on the product line. Provide technical support to the process/product in respect to technician and operator training, development of tools and fixtures, and/or the application and maintenance of associated software. Develops, executes, monitors and analyzes standard and non-standard operations, tests or experiments (chemical, electronic, mechanical), frequently working from general objectives. , Great Town, IM (1990-Present)
Systems Administrator/System Support
Work Group Facilitator/Electronics Technician (3/96 - 9/97)
Provide facilitation and team based TQC and SPC instruction to the Customer Returns organization while maintaining technical expertise on the product line. Lead manufacturing teams as they implement functional strategies and business fundamentals developed by management team. Knowledgeable in those areas required to achieve business fundamentals i.e. capacity planning, customer requirements, "real-time" team building (facilitation skills, conflict management, decision making processes, etc.) and continuous improvement processes.
Electronics Technician, Hard Disk Division (4/95 - 3/96)
Provide Failure Analysis support for the disk drive production line as well as Process and Test Engineers responsible for the quality of the disk drive. Control and improve test yields. Provide complete and accurate documentation of assigned processes. Troubleshoot disk drive assemblies that fail in the test process. Adhere to all safety, ESD, cleanroom, and ISO guidelines.
Technical Supervisor, Hard Disk Division (3/92 - 4/95)
Manage technical and non-technical departments, supervising all employees and fostering a safe, productive work environment, emphasizing teamwork as a tool to efficiently test, troubleshoot and repair failed units. Recruit and train technicians for existing and future products. Evaluate performance and administer wages for all assigned employees.
Electronics Technician, Hard Disk Division (9/90 - 3/92)
Provide Failure Analysis support for the disk drive production line as well as Process and Test Engineers responsible for the quality of the disk drive. Control and improve test yields. Provide complete and accurate documentation of assigned processes. Troubleshoot disk drive assemblies that fail in the test process. Adhere to all safety, ESD, cleanroom, and ISO guidelines.
Medical Rental Company (1988-1990)
Evaluate performance and administer wages for all assigned employees. Research and negotiate maintenance contracts with area hospitals. Set pricing and purchase inventory for related sales. Provide and foster good customer relations with client on non-client base. Manage rental inventory and train users on all equipment. , Great Town, IM (1986-1990)
Technical Supervisor - Biomedical Dept., Great Town branch
Biomedical Electronics Technician, Small Town branch (1986-1988)
Complete inspection, maintenance, calibration and board level repair of 1000+ pieces of equipment, representing over 100 manufacturers, located throughout five western states. Inventory control of equipment and parts as well as tracking and scheduling of equipment inspections. Packed and shipped equipment and disposable goods. Contract negotiations, sales, and customer service which included in-servicing and phone consulting on all equipment.
Do this now.
| Note: |
| Don't worry too much about how it looks just yet. Remember, we'll edit later. |
Accomplishments Convey Character
You should already have each set of accomplishments grouped by employer and position. If you haven't done this yet, please do this now.
As you examine each group of accomplishments, rank them from most significant to least significant for each set. In this case, the criteria for ranking each set is based solely on your own feelings of most significance.
Typically you would rank by individual effort and time, what was at stake and how each accomplishment shows off a particular skill.
This newly ranked list now gives you the material to base your Skills Summary Highlights on and provides you a list of important items that will allow you to create an inspiring résumé to convey your character.
Ranking your accomplishments from most significant to least significant provides you with material for creating a generic résumé.
| Too Few Accomplishments? |
| Notice that some of your places of employment or positions may have very little in the way of accomplishments. This is perfectly normal but important to understand because it might come up in an interview. You will learn to deal with this later in the interview section. |
Targeting Your Résumé for Maximum Results
No résumé is more powerful than one specifically matching the employer's needs, wants and desires. That is what targeting means. This is the most effective approach to getting an interview and becomes very easy to customize once you have your lists of job descriptions and accomplishments.
Since you are targeting this résumé to a specific employer you need to look at the list of accomplishments again and do another ranking. This time choose your accomplishments from the perspective of your potential employer or boss.
In the next chapter, you will learn how to find the specific skills that are most important to your future employer and to the position you are applying for. This will obviously take the guesswork out of ranking your accomplishments.
Chapter 3 Review
- State your objective.
- Every job or position needs a description and a list of accomplishments.
- Rank your accomplishments from most to least significant.
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