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Cooperative Education Program
Resume Writing |
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Cooperative Education Program
Resume Writing |
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As most people know, the purpose of the resume is to summarize the key elements of your past experience that you would like employers to consider when you are seeking employment. Naturally, a resume needs to be revised periodically during your career to reflect changes in your qualifications. Keep in mind that a good resume alone won't get you a job; however, it can help you get an interview and influence an employer's perception of your skills and potential for a particular kind of work.
There are several standard formats for resumes, but most employers prefer the chronological format, which is outlined and illustrated below. A few students might prefer to use a functional format to call attention to particular skill areas. Additional information on various resume formats is available in the Career Development Center. The organization of the resume can be adapted as necessary to emphasize an individual's most outstanding characteristics. In general, however, the resume should include:
IDENTIFICATION DATA: name, address (or two addresses--present and permanent), and phone number(s) (including area code).
OBJECTIVE: a single phrase expressing the specific type of employment you are seeking and/or the principal skills you want to use on the job. Some people prepare two or more resumes with different objectives. Once you formulate a clear objective, you can use it almost as a thesis for the remainder of your resume; only information that supports your career objective should be included on the resume.
EDUCATION: basic details about your education, including college location (city and state), degree, date of graduation (or expected graduation), major, related course work and (possibly) G.P.A. Most college students do not need to include information about secondary school, but it is important to summarize education attained through community colleges, other colleges (i.e., transfer credits), and specialized training programs.
EMPLOYMENT: brief summaries of principle employment to date. Start with your current (or most recent) position and work backward. Include all employment relevant to your career objective in any way. Internships and cooperative experience can be listed either under employment or under education.
Provide the name of the employer, the employer's location, your job title, dates of employment, and simple verb phrases to summarize your main activities on the job (see "action verb" list). When ever possible quantify and qualify data with specific details and statistics that illustrate your potential.
ACTIVITIES/HONORS/SPECIAL SKILLS: additional areas that may be included on the resume if space allows. List all major activities and awards as well as any skills that are relevant to your career objective. These can show leadership, organization, critical thinking, teamwork, self management, initiative and influencing others.
PERSONAL DATA: such as height, weight, sex, and marital status should not be listed on the resume. Such factors are irrelevant and cannot legally be considered in employment decisions.
REFERENCES: and, in some cases, portfolios or transcripts can be listed as "available upon request" if you have enough room at the bottom of the resume. Have references, phone numbers, and business addresses ready on a separate sheet whenever you go to an interview.
Remember to keep all information on the resume concise and clear. A one-page resume is best, although people with extensive experience or advanced degrees may have to use two pages. Be scrupulously careful when you proofread; some employers will refuse to consider candidates who submit resumes with spelling or typographical errors.
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Sandra J. Kirksy
Present Address Permanent Address:
11075 Grand River Ave 345 Maple Street
E. Lansing, MI 48823 Rosedale, MI 47389
(517) 351-7703 (313) 484-6965
Employment Objective
To obtain a position in public relations, editing, or
research that utilizes my communication, analytical, and
writing skills.
Education
Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI (September
19xx to present).
Bachelor of Arts expected June l9xx. Major: English.
Additional coursework in Advertising, Philosophy, and
Mathematics.
Human Relations and Communication Skills
Communicated in writing and by phone to many
customers of the bank.
Handled complaints and customer discrepancies,
conferring with senior bank personnel in an effort to
resolve problems promptly.
Participated in numerous fund-raising activities.
Developed new funding proposals which obtained grants
totaling $1,500.
Represented departments in meetings and relayed
information and concerns to appropriate parties.
Administrative and Management Skills
Gathered information to process customer accounts.
Organized billing to maintain timely accounts.
Improved training for incoming employees.
Interacted with various personnel through interviews
which enhanced overall efficiency of operations.
Other Skills Areas
Strengthened communication skills by volunteering for
special projects.
Enhanced writing technique by gaining experience in
different styles of writing, including press releases,
public service announcements, and problem solving
letters to customers.
Acquired data retrieval and Word Perfect
word-processing skills.
Work Experience
The American Red Cross, Lansing, Ml (June 19xx -
present, Public Information Intern.
National Bank and Trust, Rosedale, Ml (Summers,
19xx, 19xx, and 19xx). Accounting/File Clerk
Silver Lake Concession (Summers, 19xx and 19xx
Cashier/Cook
Organizations. Honors. Awards
Secretary, Michigan State University Advertising Club
(19xx-xx)
Acquired six Advanced Placement credits in English
Rosedale High School Yearbook Editor, 19xx-xx
National Council of the Teachers of English (NCTE)
nominee
References
Available Upon Request
William T. Dunn
Campus Address: Permanent Address:
123 East Shaw Hall 8030 Wild Oak Drive
East Lansing, MI 48825 Flint, MI 42909
(517) 355-1234 (313) 555-0897
Objective:
A position in sales or customer assistance for a major
grocery products corporation .
Education:
Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824
(September 19xx to present) .
Bachelor of Arts in General Business Administration
(March l9xx). Additional coursework in computer
science, French, and Psychology.
Michigan State University Overseas Study: Paris,
France; July 19xx
G.P.A.: 3.3/4.0
Honors:
Dean's List -2 terms
Alpha Lambda Delta - Freshman scholastic honorary
Experience:
Night Manager
Good for You Grocery, Grand Ledge, Michigan
September 19xx to present
*Monitor inventory and supervise overnight stocking
procedures
*Maintain store security and ensure friendly, efficient
service for all-night customers
*Increased store sales 20%
Resident Assistant, Holden Hall
Michigan State University Housing Programs, East
Lansing, Michigan
September l9xx to June 19xx
*Coordinated social, cultural, educational, and
recreational programs for a community of fifty-two
undergraduates
*Acted as a resource person, conflict intermediary,
and counselor
*Improved key programs with new systems
Sales Intern
Land O'Lakes, Inc., Minneapolis, Minnesota June
19xx to September l9xx
*Assisted in development and implementation of
market survey
*Made independent sales calls in local area
Earned 75% of college expenses through above
employment and additional part-time jobs as waiter,
cashier, and news carrier.
Activities:
Vice-President, Marketing Association, 19xx-xx
Member, Student Alumni Association
Intramural Basketball, l9xx-xx and 19xx-xx
Volunteer Fundraiser, WKAR-TV, l9xx and 19xx
References:
Available upon request.
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