{"id":86,"date":"2021-05-06T13:53:01","date_gmt":"2021-05-06T13:53:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/pressbooks.ccconline.org\/2250organizationalcommunication\/chapter\/writing-the-resume\/"},"modified":"2025-07-17T19:27:36","modified_gmt":"2025-07-17T19:27:36","slug":"writing-the-resume","status":"publish","type":"chapter","link":"https:\/\/pressbooks.ccconline.org\/2250organizationalcommunication\/chapter\/writing-the-resume\/","title":{"raw":"Writing the R\u00e9sum\u00e9","rendered":"Writing the R\u00e9sum\u00e9"},"content":{"raw":"<div class=\"textbox textbox--learning-objectives\"><header class=\"textbox__header\">\r\n<p class=\"textbox__title\">Learning Objectives<\/p>\r\n\r\n<\/header>\r\n<div class=\"textbox__content\">\r\n\r\nBy the end of this section, you should be able to:\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li>Identify the three distinct purposes of a r\u00e9sum\u00e9 in the job application process.<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Compare the benefits and uses of a chronological r\u00e9sum\u00e9, functional r\u00e9sum\u00e9, and targeted r\u00e9sum\u00e9.<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Design your targeted r\u00e9sum\u00e9 with contact info, a headline, education, skills\/achievements, and employment experience.<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Evaluate the conventions of the r\u00e9sum\u00e9 you have created using the guidelines presented in this chapter.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<p class=\"\" data-start=\"129\" data-end=\"404\">Your r\u00e9sum\u00e9 is often your first impression, the one-page summary that speaks for you before you ever walk into a room or click \u201cJoin\u201d on a Zoom interview. In a competitive job market, a strong r\u00e9sum\u00e9 can be the difference between getting a callback and getting overlooked. This chapter will help you understand what makes an effective r\u00e9sum\u00e9 and how to tailor yours to the job you're aiming for. We'll cover the core sections every r\u00e9sum\u00e9 needs, the difference between chronological and functional formats, and common pitfalls to avoid. Whether applying for your first job or polishing up a r\u00e9sum\u00e9 after years in the workforce, these strategies will help you present your qualifications professionally and persuasively.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<h2>What is a R\u00e9sum\u00e9?<\/h2>\r\n<p id=\"mclean-ch09_s05_p01\" class=\"para editable block\">A<b> [pb_glossary id=\"268\"]r\u00e9sum\u00e9[\/pb_glossary]<\/b>\u00a0is a document that summarizes your education, skills, talents, employment history, and experiences in a clear and concise format for potential employers.\u00a0<span style=\"margin: 0px; padding: 0px;\">We all want our\u00a0<strong>r\u00e9sum\u00e9s<\/strong> to stand out from the crowd<\/span>. However, the best way to create an eye-catching one is not through gimmicks or flash but through substance and customization. The word <em>r\u00e9sum\u00e9<\/em> is a French word that means \u201ca summary.\u201d Leonardo da Vinci is credited with writing one of the first known <strong>r\u00e9sum\u00e9s<\/strong>, although it was more of a letter that outlined his credentials for a potential employer, Ludovico Sforza. The <strong>r\u00e9sum\u00e9<\/strong> got da Vinci the job, though, and Sforza became a longtime patron of da Vinci and later commissioned him to paint <em>The Last Supper<\/em>.<span class=\"pullquote-left\">\"The most important tool you have on a r\u00e9sum\u00e9 is language,\"\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 - Jay Samit<\/span><\/p>\r\n<strong>R\u00e9sum\u00e9s<\/strong> and [pb_glossary id=\"267\"]<strong>cover letters<\/strong> [\/pb_glossary] work together to represent you in the most positive light to prospective employers. With a well-composed <strong>r\u00e9sum\u00e9<\/strong> and cover letter, you stand out to the employer, who may give you an interview and a good shot at landing the job.\r\n<p class=\"para editable block\">The <strong>r\u00e9sum\u00e9<\/strong> serves three distinct purposes that define its format, design, and presentation:<\/p>\r\n\r\n<ol id=\"mclean-ch09_s05_l02\" class=\"orderedlist editable block\">\r\n \t<li>To represent your professional information in writing<\/li>\r\n \t<li>To demonstrate the relationship between your professional information and the problem or challenge the potential employer hopes to solve or address [<a href=\"https:\/\/pressbooks.ccconline.org\/2250organizationalcommunication\/chapter\/rhetoric-and-the-job-search\/\">this is your rhetorical exigence<\/a>]<\/li>\r\n \t<li>To get you an [pb_glossary id=\"269\"]interview [\/pb_glossary] by clearly demonstrating you meet the minimum qualifications and have the professional background to help the organization meet its goals<\/li>\r\n<\/ol>\r\n<p id=\"mclean-ch09_s05_p02\" class=\"para editable block\">An online profile page is similar to a <strong>r\u00e9sum\u00e9<\/strong> in that it represents your background and qualifications. People network, link, and connect in new ways via online profiles or professional sites like <a href=\"https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/\">LinkedIn<\/a>. In many ways, your online profile is an online version of your <strong>r\u00e9sum\u00e9<\/strong> with connections and friends on public display. Your social media is often accessible to the public, so never post anything you wouldn\u2019t want your employer (current or future) to read, see, or hear. This chapter covers\u00a0<span style=\"margin: 0px; padding: 0px;\">traditional\u00a0<strong>r\u00e9sum\u00e9<\/strong>s<strong>\u00a0<\/strong>and the more popular scannable features, but the elements and tips can also be applied<\/span> to your online profile. For an overview of the <strong>r\u00e9sum\u00e9<\/strong>, check out the following video:<\/p>\r\n\r\n<div class=\"textbox textbox--exercises\"><header class=\"textbox__header\">\r\n<p class=\"textbox__title\">Exercise #1: Interactive Video<\/p>\r\n\r\n<\/header>\r\n<div class=\"textbox__content\">\r\n\r\nWatch the interactive video below about strategies for creating a <strong>r\u00e9sum\u00e9<\/strong>. The video will stop at different points to check your understanding of the material.\r\n<div id=\"h5p-39\"><\/div>\r\n[h5p id=\"33\"]\r\n\r\nLink to Original Video: <a href=\"http:\/\/tinyurl.com\/reswrit101\">tinyurl.com\/reswrit101<\/a>\r\n\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<h2>Types of R\u00e9sum\u00e9s<\/h2>\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_84\" align=\"alignright\" width=\"267\"]<img class=\"wp-image-84\" src=\"https:\/\/pressbooks.ccconline.org\/ppsccom2250organizationalcommunication\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/231\/2021\/04\/julian-christian-anderson-_y0tTb95xeY-unsplash-200x300.jpg\" alt=\"A public workspace\" width=\"267\" height=\"400\" \/> Photo #1: A workspace by <a href=\"https:\/\/unsplash.com\/@juliancanderson\">Julian Christian Anderson<\/a> on <a href=\"https:\/\/unsplash.com\/\">Unsplash<\/a>[\/caption]\r\n\r\nYour <strong>r\u00e9sum\u00e9<\/strong> is a comprehensive record of your education, work experience, job-related skills, accomplishments, volunteer history, internships, and other relevant details. It\u2019s a professional autobiography in outline form, providing the reader with a quick, general idea of who you are and the skills, abilities, and experiences you offer. With a better idea of who you are, prospective employers can see how well you might contribute to their workplace. As a college student or recent graduate, you may be unsure about what to put in your <strong>r\u00e9sum\u00e9<\/strong>, especially if you don\u2019t have much employment history. Still, employers don\u2019t expect recent grads to have significant work experience. Even with little work experience, you may still have many worthy accomplishments to include. It\u2019s all in how you present yourself. Work histories come in various forms, as do <strong>r\u00e9sum\u00e9s<\/strong>. Although career experts\u00a0<span style=\"margin: 0px; padding: 0px;\">debate which\u00a0<strong>r\u00e9sum\u00e9<\/strong> style is best, you must consider which one\u00a0<\/span>fits your current situation. Which style will best package your work history and convey your unique qualifications?\r\n\r\nThis chapter will discuss three different resume formats: <strong>a chronological resume<\/strong>, a <strong>functional (skills) resume<\/strong>, and a <strong>targeted (hybrid) resume<\/strong>. The\u00a0<strong>[pb_glossary id=\"270\"]chronological\u00a0r\u00e9sum\u00e9[\/pb_glossary]<\/strong> is a traditional format, with its principal section being the \u201cEmployment Experience\u201d section. The chronological r\u00e9sum\u00e9\u2019s \u201cEmployment Experience\u201d section lists jobs in <strong>reverse chronological order<\/strong>, with achievements and skills detailed underneath each position. In contrast, a<strong>\u00a0functional\u00a0<\/strong><span style=\"margin: 0px; padding: 0px;\">r\u00e9sum\u00e9\u00a0<strong>(skills-based)<\/strong> <\/span>features a well-developed \u201cSkills &amp; Achievements\u201d section that organizes abilities into categories. The functional r\u00e9sum\u00e9 still includes an \u201cEmployment Experience\u201d section, but it is streamlined to include only the basic information about each position held. A\u00a0<strong>targeted (or hybrid) <\/strong><strong>r\u00e9sum\u00e9<\/strong> comprises a well-developed \u201cSkills &amp; Achievements\u201d section highlighting the candidate\u2019s most important and relevant skills. Still, it includes select bullets under each job in the \u201cEmployment Experience\u201d section.\r\n\r\nThere are many reasons to choose one format over another. In brief, the <strong>chronological r\u00e9sum\u00e9<\/strong> serves candidates with a long and uninterrupted work history in fields where the company operates, which is of paramount importance. On the other hand, the <strong>[pb_glossary id=\"2508\"]functional r\u00e9sum\u00e9[\/pb_glossary]<\/strong> serves candidates transitioning between fields, shifting from a military to a civilian career, or gaining skills in various settings (workplace, academic, volunteer). The <strong>[pb_glossary id=\"2509\"]targeted r\u00e9sum\u00e9[\/pb_glossary]<\/strong> offers the best of both worlds. Here are some examples of chronological, functional (skills), and hybrid r\u00e9sum\u00e9 formats:\r\n<h3>Chronological R\u00e9sum\u00e9<\/h3>\r\nA <strong>chronological r\u00e9sum\u00e9<\/strong> lists your job experiences in <strong>reverse chronological order<\/strong>, starting with the most recent job and working backward toward your first job. It includes beginning and ending dates. Also included is a brief description of your duties for each job, as well as highlights of your formal education. The reverse <strong>chronological r\u00e9sum\u00e9<\/strong> is perhaps the most common and conservative r\u00e9sum\u00e9 format. It is most suitable for demonstrating a solid work history, growth, and development in your skills. However, this format may not suit you if you are light on skills in the area you are applying to, if you\u2019ve changed employers frequently, or if you are looking for your first job.\r\n<div class=\"textbox\">\r\n\r\n[h5p id=\"34\"]\r\n\r\n<\/div>\r\n<h4>Note that the Chronological R\u00e9sum\u00e9:<\/h4>\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li>Lists both work and education in <strong>reverse chronological order<\/strong> (starting with the most recent positions\/schools and working backward)<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Lists job achievements and skills under each position<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Presents experience under headings by job title, company, location, and dates of employment<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Allows employers to determine the work performed at each company easily<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<h3>Functional (Skills) R\u00e9sum\u00e9<\/h3>\r\nA <strong>functional r\u00e9sum\u00e9<\/strong>\u2014also known as a <strong>skills r\u00e9sum\u00e9- <\/strong>is organized around your talents, skills, and abilities more so than work duties and job titles, as with the chronological r\u00e9sum\u00e9. It emphasizes specific professional capabilities, including what you have done or what you can do. Exact dates may be included, but are not as important. If you are a new graduate entering your field with little or no work experience, the<strong> functional r\u00e9sum\u00e9<\/strong> may be a suitable format for you. It can also be helpful when seeking work in a field that differs from what you have done in the past. It\u2019s also well-suited for people in unconventional careers.\r\n<div class=\"textbox\">[h5p id=\"35\"]<\/div>\r\n<h4>Note that the Functional R\u00e9sum\u00e9:<\/h4>\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li>Focuses on skills and experience rather than on chronological work history.<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Group functions or skills under categories.<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Describes responsibilities, accomplishments, and quantifiable achievements under categories in the skills section.<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Typically opens with a summary or profile detailing strengths (in one or three sentences).<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Demonstrate how you match the requirements of your potential job by including <em>relevant<\/em> achievements and accomplishments.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<h3>Targeted (Hybrid) R\u00e9sum\u00e9 Format<\/h3>\r\nThe <strong>targeted r\u00e9sum\u00e9<\/strong><span style=\"margin: 0px; padding: 0px;\">, also known as the\u00a0<strong>hybrid r\u00e9sum\u00e9<\/strong>, is a format that combines elements of<\/span>\u00a0<em>both<\/em> the functional and chronological approaches. It\u2019s also called a combination r\u00e9sum\u00e9. It highlights relevant skills while also providing information about your work experience. With a <strong>targeted r\u00e9sum\u00e9<\/strong>, you may list your job skills as most prominent and then follow with a chronological (or reverse chronological) list of employers. This <strong>r\u00e9sum\u00e9<\/strong> format is most effective when your specific skills and job experience must be emphasized. Your job package assignment will follow this format.\r\n<div class=\"textbox\">\r\n\r\n[h5p id=\"36\"]\r\n\r\n<\/div>\r\n<h4>Note that the Targeted R\u00e9sum\u00e9:<\/h4>\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li>A <strong>targeted r\u00e9sum\u00e9<\/strong> showcases your relevant skills and provides information about your work experience.<\/li>\r\n \t<li>This\u00a0<strong>r\u00e9sum\u00e9<\/strong> format is best for emphasizing skills and job experience.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n\r\n<hr \/>\r\n\r\n<h2>The Main Parts of a R\u00e9sum\u00e9<\/h2>\r\nAn important note about formatting is that, initially, employers may spend only a few seconds reviewing each <strong>r\u00e9sum\u00e9, <\/strong>especially if there is a big stack of them or they seem tedious to read. That\u2019s why choosing your format carefully is essential; it will stand out and make the first cut.\r\n<div class=\"textbox textbox--exercises\"><header class=\"textbox__header\">\r\n<p class=\"textbox__title\">Exercise #2: What Do Employers Expect From A R\u00e9sum\u00e9?<\/p>\r\n\r\n<\/header>\r\n<div class=\"textbox__content\">\r\n\r\nTake a moment to reflect on the following questions:\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li>What do you think employers want to see in your <strong>r\u00e9sum\u00e9<\/strong>?<\/li>\r\n \t<li>What elements are the most important to them?<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\nWhen you have an answer to both questions, watch the video below. In the video, several employers are asked those questions. Do their answers surprise you at all? If so, why? Is there anything that you didn't expect?\r\n\r\n[embed]https:\/\/youtu.be\/fYavOr8Gnac[\/embed]\r\n\r\nLink to Original Video: <a href=\"https:\/\/tinyurl.com\/resutips\">tinyurl.com\/resutips<\/a>\r\n\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<p id=\"mclean-ch09_s05_s01_p01\" class=\"para editable block\">Format is an essential component of a <strong>r\u00e9sum\u00e9. <\/strong>However, employers also have expectations for the content in your <strong>r\u00e9sum\u00e9<\/strong>. They expect it to be clear, accurate, and up-to-date (Bennet, 2005). This document represents you in your absence, and you want it to do the best job possible. You don\u2019t want to be represented by spelling or grammatical errors, as they may raise questions about your attention to detail and education. Someone reading your <strong>r\u00e9sum\u00e9<\/strong> with errors will only wonder what kind of work you might produce that will poorly reflect on their company. There will be enough competition that you don\u2019t want to provide an easy excuse to toss your <strong>r\u00e9sum\u00e9<\/strong> at the start. Do your best work the first time. <strong>R\u00e9sum\u00e9s<\/strong> have several basic elements that employers look for, including your contact information, objective or goal, education, work experience, and so on. Each <strong>r\u00e9sum\u00e9<\/strong> format may organize the information differently based on the overall design strategy, but all information should be clear, concise, and accurate (Simons &amp; Curtis, 2004).<\/p>\r\n\r\n<h3>Contact Info<\/h3>\r\nCreate a header with your address, telephone number, professional email address, and a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/\">LinkedIn page<\/a>.\r\n<h3>Headline (Also called Summary, Profile, or Highlights of Qualifications)<\/h3>\r\nInclude a summary of your professional self to grab your reader\u2019s attention. Consider this section your \u201celevator pitch,\u201d offering a quick impression of your brand. \u00a0Include a few key (relevant) achievements\/strengths (in bullets or sentences). Headline sections are especially useful for candidates with extensive work experience or those who have undergone multiple job transitions. Have you been starting your <strong>r\u00e9sum\u00e9<\/strong> with an objective\u00a0statement? These days, most experts recommend leaving the objective off your <strong>r\u00e9sum\u00e9<\/strong> entirely. Objectives too often emphasize what you want from a job rather than what you can offer an employer, and thus are generally seen as a waste of space.\r\n<h3>Education<\/h3>\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li>Place your education section after the headline\/summary section if it is recent and relevant, and after the experience section if your stronger qualification is employment experience.<\/li>\r\n \t<li>List the most current degree\/school attended first, and proceed in <strong>reverse chronological order<\/strong>.<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Include the following information for each educational item: the school's name, location, your anticipated graduation date, and the degree earned (and major if appropriate).<\/li>\r\n \t<li>DO NOT include high school if you are in college unless your high school work was outstanding or unique (like a trade\/technology\/arts high school).<\/li>\r\n \t<li>DO include training and certifications (e.g., first aid certifications, sales seminars, writing groups).<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Develop this section by adding educational accomplishments:\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li>Relevant courses (if they prepared you for the job)<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Exceptional accomplishments (conferences, exceptional papers\/projects, clubs, offices held, service to the school)<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Awards and scholarships (could also be a separate section \u2013 Honours)<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<h3>Employment Experience<\/h3>\r\nList positions in <strong>reverse chronological order<\/strong> (most recent first).\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li>Include basic information for each job: job title, employer, dates employed, city\/state (and country if outside of the United States) of employment.<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Include internships and skilled volunteer positions (but if you do, title the section \u201cExperience\u201d rather than \u201cEmployment\u201d).<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Consider filtering work experience into \u201cRelated Experience\u201d or \u201cRelevant Experience\u201d instead of one employment section to highlight the most relevant jobs (and downplay less significant experience).<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<h3>Skills\/Achievements\/Qualifications<\/h3>\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li>Use subheaders to group skills into skill set headings (e.g., management skills, customer service skills, laboratory skills, communication skills, etc.). Use targeted headings that align with the qualifications your potential employer is seeking.<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Include only the most relevant, targeted skills and achievements.<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Emphasize quantifiable achievements and results: skills, equipment, money, documents, personnel, clients, etc.- Use the active voice (supervised sixteen employees, increased profits, built websites) vs. the passive voice (was responsible for managing or duties included\u2026)<\/li>\r\n \t<li>See the \u201cBuilding a Better Bullet\u201d section below for more information on how to craft an effective \u201cskill bullet.\u201d<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<h3>Optional Sections<\/h3>\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li>Volunteer Work: List skilled volunteer work (building websites, teaching classes) under skills, along with your other qualifications, but include general volunteer work (making meals for a soup kitchen, etc.) toward the end of your resume in its section or under activities.<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Activities and Interests:\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li>DO include interests that may be relevant to the position but aren\u2019t professional skills (e.g., sports for an opportunity at Nike, student groups for leadership, golfing for business jobs, game design or playing for game design jobs, blogging for PR jobs). Market yourself in the best light.<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Include honors, awards, publications, conferences attended, languages spoken, and other relevant details. You may include a separate honors section or incorporate these into your achievements section.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<h3>References<\/h3>\r\nDo not list references on your <strong>r\u00e9sum\u00e9<\/strong>. Instead, give a separate sheet at the employer\u2019s request (page 3). Generally, three references are sufficient. The most important references are your superiors; however, you can also use coworkers, clients, or instructors. Contact each person to verify his\/her willingness to act as a reference for you. Your reference sheet should match <span style=\"margin: 0px; padding: 0px;\">the look of your cover letter and\u00a0<strong>r\u00e9sum\u00e9<\/strong><\/span>.\r\n<h2>R\u00e9sum\u00e9 Guidelines<\/h2>\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_85\" align=\"alignright\" width=\"400\"]<img class=\"wp-image-85\" src=\"https:\/\/pressbooks.ccconline.org\/ppsccom2250organizationalcommunication\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/231\/2025\/03\/sigmund-eTgMFFzroGc-unsplash-300x200.jpg\" alt=\"Image of a conference call. \" width=\"400\" height=\"267\" \/> Photo #2: A conference call by <a href=\"https:\/\/unsplash.com\/@sigmund\">Sigmund<\/a> on <a href=\"https:\/\/unsplash.com\/\">Unsplash<\/a>[\/caption]\r\n\r\nThe following tips will help you write a <strong>r\u00e9sum\u00e9<\/strong>\u00a0that adheres to the conventions employers expect while ditching fluff in favor of expertise.\r\n<h3>Using \u201cMe\u201d and \u201cI\u201d<\/h3>\r\nThe convention in a <strong>r\u00e9sum\u00e9<\/strong> is to write in [pb_glossary id=\"193\"]<strong>sentence fragments<\/strong>[\/pb_glossary] that begin with active verbs. Therefore, you can leave out the subjects of sentences. Example: \u201cI eliminated the duplication of paperwork in my department by streamlining procedures\u201d would become \u201cEliminated paperwork duplication in a struggling department by streamlining procedures.\u201d\r\n<h3>Quantifiable Skills<\/h3>\r\nThe more you can present your skills and achievements in detail, especially quantifiable detail, the more authoritative you will sound. This means including references to technologies and equipment you have used, types of documents you have produced, procedures you have followed, languages you speak, amounts of money you have handled, number of employees you have supervised or trained, number of students you have taught; technical languages you know; types of clients you have worked with (cultural backgrounds, ages, disability status \u2013 demographic information that might be relevant in your new workplace); graphic design, blogging or social media skills; and so on.\r\n<h3>Filler Words (Fluff)<\/h3>\r\nAvoid generic filler words on many resumes, and don\u2019t suggest meaningful skills. Filler words include:\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li>team player<\/li>\r\n \t<li>results-oriented<\/li>\r\n \t<li>duties include<\/li>\r\n \t<li>fast-paced<\/li>\r\n \t<li>self-motivated<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\nIf you must use these phrases, find concrete examples to support them. For example, instead of using \u201cteam player,\u201d include a time you collaborated with peers to earn a good grade on a project, save your company money, or put on a successful work event.\r\n<h3>Results<\/h3>\r\nIn at least one place in your\u00a0<strong>r\u00e9sum\u00e9<\/strong>, preferably more, mention a positive impact (or result) of your skills\/achievements. How did you create positive change for your employer, coworkers, or customers? Did you successfully resolve a customer complaint? Did you make a change that saved your employer money? Did you build a website that increased traffic to your client? Did you follow procedures safely and reduce workplace injuries?\r\n<h2>Building a Better Bullet (Two-Skill Bullet Formulas)<\/h2>\r\nEach skill bullet must go through a few revisions before it shines. Here are two formulas to help you strengthen your bullets:\r\n\r\n<em>Formula 1: Verb + Details = Results<\/em>\r\n\r\nStart your bullet with an action verb describing a skill or achievement. Follow it with the details of that skill or achievement, and then describe the positive impact of your achievement. For example:\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li>Developed (VERB) new paper flow procedure (DETAILS), resulting in reduced staff errors and customer wait times (RESULT)<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Provided (VERB) friendly customer-focused service (DETAILS) leading to customer satisfaction and loyalty (RESULT)<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Organized (VERB) fundraising event (DETAILS), generating $xxx dollars for nonprofit (RESULT)<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Provided (VERB) phone and in-person support for patients with various chronic and acute health issues (DETAILS &amp; RESULT COMBINED)<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Supported (VERB) 8-10 staff with calendaring, files, and reception (DETAILS), increasing efficiency in the workflow (RESULT)<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<em>Formula 2: Accomplished [X] as measured by [Y] by doing [Z]<\/em>\r\n\r\nDevelop your bullet points by detailing how you accomplished what you have accomplished and why it matters to your potential employer. Compare the following three versions of the same skill bullet:\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li><strong>First Draft: \u00a0<\/strong>Participated in a leadership program<\/li>\r\n \t<li><strong>Second Draft: \u00a0<\/strong>Selected as one of 125 for a year-long professional development program for high-achieving business students<\/li>\r\n \t<li><strong>Final Draft: \u00a0<\/strong>Selected as one of 125 participants nationwide for a year-long professional development program for high-achieving business students based on leadership potential and academic success<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\nNote how the third version is the most specific and demonstrates the \u201cso what\u201d factor, conveying how the applicant\u2019s skills will benefit the potential employer.\r\n<h2>Keywords<\/h2>\r\nRemember, use [pb_glossary id=\"261\"]keywords[\/pb_glossary] you gathered in your pre-writing phase (from the job description, research into your field, and the \u201caction verb\u201d list presented earlier in the <a href=\"https:\/\/pressbooks.ccconline.org\/2250organizationalcommunication\/chapter\/job-application-prep\/\">application preparation<\/a> chapter). If your potential employer uses a r\u00e9sum\u00e9-scanning program, these keywords may make the difference between getting an interview and being rejected.\r\n<h2>Length<\/h2>\r\n<strong>R\u00e9sum\u00e9<\/strong> length is a much-debated topic, and guidelines change as the genre evolves.<strong>\u00a0<\/strong>In general, the length of a <strong>r\u00e9sum\u00e9<\/strong> should be no longer than two pages (and each page should be complete \u2014 no 1.5-page <strong>r\u00e9sum\u00e9s<\/strong>). Some fields, however, may have different length conventions (academic <strong>resumes<\/strong>, for example, which include publications and conference attendance, tend to be longer). If your <strong>resume<\/strong> is longer, your work history should justify the length. Some experts recommend one page per ten years of work history; while that may be extreme, cutting weaker material is better than adding filler.\r\n<h2>Design<\/h2>\r\n<strong>R\u00e9sum\u00e9<\/strong> design should enhance the content, making it easy for the reader to locate the most significant and relevant information quickly.\r\n\r\nA few general guidelines:\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li>Templates are handy, but remember that if you use a standard template, your r\u00e9sum\u00e9 will look identical to several others.<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Use tables to align sections, then hide the borders to create a neat presentation.<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Use a ten-to-twelve-point font.<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Don\u2019t use too many design features\u2014be strategic and consistent in capitalization, boldness, italics, and underlining.<\/li>\r\n \t<li>To create visual groupings of information, always use more space between sections than within a section. This way, your reader can easily distinguish between the key sections of your r\u00e9sum\u00e9 and between the items in each section.<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Use the same font in your r\u00e9sum\u00e9 and cover letter to create coherence.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<h2>Field-Specific Conventions<\/h2>\r\nYou may find that there are certain conventions in your field or industry that affect your choices when writing your <strong>r\u00e9sum\u00e9.<\/strong> Length, formality, design, delivery method, and key terms are some factors that may vary across disciplines. Ask faculty or professional contacts in your field about employers\u2019 expectations, visit <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pikespeak.edu\/student-support\/career-services\/\">PPSC's Career Services<\/a> website,\u00a0or conduct web research to make informed field-specific choices.\r\n<div class=\"textbox textbox--key-takeaways\"><header class=\"textbox__header\">\r\n<p class=\"textbox__title\">Key Takeaways<\/p>\r\n\r\n<\/header>\r\n<div class=\"textbox__content\">\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li>A <strong>r\u00e9sum\u00e9 <\/strong>serves three distinct purposes:\r\n<ol>\r\n \t<li>It represents your professional information in writing<\/li>\r\n \t<li>It demonstrates the relationship between your professional information and the problem (i.e., <a href=\"https:\/\/pressbooks.ccconline.org\/2250organizationalcommunication\/chapter\/the-rhetorical-situation\/\"><strong>rhetorical<\/strong> <strong>exigence<\/strong><\/a>) that a potential employer hopes to solve or address.<\/li>\r\n \t<li>It increases your chances of getting an interview by demonstrating that you meet the minimum qualifications and possess the professional background necessary to help the employer achieve its goals.<\/li>\r\n<\/ol>\r\n<\/li>\r\n \t<li>The format you choose for your <strong>r\u00e9sum\u00e9\u00a0<\/strong>will depend on your needs and experience. A chronological r\u00e9sum\u00e9 emphasizes work history, whereas a functional r\u00e9sum\u00e9 emphasizes skills.<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Employers are looking for any opportunity to throw out your <strong>r\u00e9sum\u00e9<\/strong>. To avoid this, ensure your <strong>r\u00e9sum\u00e9\u00a0<\/strong>has basic elements such as contact info, a headline, education, employment experience, and skills\/achievements.<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Also, ensure that the writing conventions in your <strong>r\u00e9sum\u00e9\u00a0<\/strong>are solid. Some of these include:\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li>Avoid using \"I\" and \"me\" statements<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Make sure you are discussing quantifiable skills<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Remove all filler words<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Mention the results you have achieved in at least one part of the document<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Craft stronger bullet points<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<div class=\"textbox textbox--examples\"><header class=\"textbox__header\">\r\n<p class=\"textbox__title\">References<\/p>\r\n\r\n<\/header>\r\n<div class=\"textbox__content\">\r\n\r\nBennett,\u00a0S. (2005).\u00a0<em>The elements of resume style: Essential rules for writing resumes and cover letters that work<\/em>. AMACOM.\r\n\r\nSimons,\u00a0W., &amp; Curtis,\u00a0R. (2004).\u00a0<em>The Resume.com guide to writing unbeatable r\u00e9sum\u00e9s<\/em>. McGraw-Hill Professional.\r\n\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<div class=\"textbox textbox--exercises\"><header class=\"textbox__header\">\r\n<p class=\"textbox__title\">Attribution<\/p>\r\n\r\n<\/header>\r\n<div class=\"textbox__content\">\r\n\r\nThis chapter is adapted from <a href=\"https:\/\/openoregon.pressbooks.pub\/technicalwriting\/chapter\/y-2-resumes\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">\"Technical Writing\"<\/a>\u00a0by\u00a0Allison Gross, Annemarie Hamlin, Billy Merck, Chris Rubio, Jodi Naas, Megan Savage, and Michele DeSilva (on <a href=\"http:\/\/openoregon.pressbooks.pub\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Open Oregon<\/a>). It is licensed under <a href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/4.0\/\">Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License<\/a>\r\n\r\nThis chapter is also adapted from another chapter in <a href=\"https:\/\/openoregon.pressbooks.pub\/technicalwriting\/chapter\/12-3-resume-sections-and-guidelines\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">\"Technical Writing\"<\/a>\u00a0by\u00a0Allison Gross, Annemarie Hamlin, Billy Merck, Chris Rubio, Jodi Naas, Megan Savage, and Michele DeSilva (on <a href=\"http:\/\/openoregon.pressbooks.pub\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Open Oregon<\/a>). It is licensed under <a href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/4.0\/\">Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License<\/a>\r\n\r\nThis chapter is also adapted from <a href=\"https:\/\/open.lib.umn.edu\/businesscommunication\/chapter\/9-5-resume\/\">\u201cBusiness Communication for Success\u201d<\/a> by the University of Minnesota (on <a href=\"https:\/\/www.lib.umn.edu\/services\/publishing\">University of Minnesota Libraries Publishing)<\/a>. It is licensed under a <a href=\"Creative%20Commons%20Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike%204.0%20International%20License\">Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License<\/a>\r\n\r\nThis chapter is also adapted from <a href=\"https:\/\/press.rebus.community\/blueprint2\/chapter\/42-resumes-and-cover-letters\/\">\u201cBlueprint for Success in College and Career\u201d<\/a> by Lumen Learning and Linda (Bruce) Hill (on <a href=\"https:\/\/press.rebus.community\/\">Rebus Community<\/a>). It is licensed under a\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by\/4.0\/\">Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License<\/a>\r\n\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>","rendered":"<div class=\"textbox textbox--learning-objectives\">\n<header class=\"textbox__header\">\n<p class=\"textbox__title\">Learning Objectives<\/p>\n<\/header>\n<div class=\"textbox__content\">\n<p>By the end of this section, you should be able to:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Identify the three distinct purposes of a r\u00e9sum\u00e9 in the job application process.<\/li>\n<li>Compare the benefits and uses of a chronological r\u00e9sum\u00e9, functional r\u00e9sum\u00e9, and targeted r\u00e9sum\u00e9.<\/li>\n<li>Design your targeted r\u00e9sum\u00e9 with contact info, a headline, education, skills\/achievements, and employment experience.<\/li>\n<li>Evaluate the conventions of the r\u00e9sum\u00e9 you have created using the guidelines presented in this chapter.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"\" data-start=\"129\" data-end=\"404\">Your r\u00e9sum\u00e9 is often your first impression, the one-page summary that speaks for you before you ever walk into a room or click \u201cJoin\u201d on a Zoom interview. In a competitive job market, a strong r\u00e9sum\u00e9 can be the difference between getting a callback and getting overlooked. This chapter will help you understand what makes an effective r\u00e9sum\u00e9 and how to tailor yours to the job you&#8217;re aiming for. We&#8217;ll cover the core sections every r\u00e9sum\u00e9 needs, the difference between chronological and functional formats, and common pitfalls to avoid. Whether applying for your first job or polishing up a r\u00e9sum\u00e9 after years in the workforce, these strategies will help you present your qualifications professionally and persuasively.<\/p>\n<h2>What is a R\u00e9sum\u00e9?<\/h2>\n<p id=\"mclean-ch09_s05_p01\" class=\"para editable block\">A<b> <a class=\"glossary-term\" aria-haspopup=\"dialog\" aria-describedby=\"definition\" href=\"#term_86_268\">r\u00e9sum\u00e9<\/a><\/b>\u00a0is a document that summarizes your education, skills, talents, employment history, and experiences in a clear and concise format for potential employers.\u00a0<span style=\"margin: 0px; padding: 0px;\">We all want our\u00a0<strong>r\u00e9sum\u00e9s<\/strong> to stand out from the crowd<\/span>. However, the best way to create an eye-catching one is not through gimmicks or flash but through substance and customization. The word <em>r\u00e9sum\u00e9<\/em> is a French word that means \u201ca summary.\u201d Leonardo da Vinci is credited with writing one of the first known <strong>r\u00e9sum\u00e9s<\/strong>, although it was more of a letter that outlined his credentials for a potential employer, Ludovico Sforza. The <strong>r\u00e9sum\u00e9<\/strong> got da Vinci the job, though, and Sforza became a longtime patron of da Vinci and later commissioned him to paint <em>The Last Supper<\/em>.<span class=\"pullquote-left\">&#8220;The most important tool you have on a r\u00e9sum\u00e9 is language,&#8221;\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 &#8211; Jay Samit<\/span><\/p>\n<p><strong>R\u00e9sum\u00e9s<\/strong> and <a class=\"glossary-term\" aria-haspopup=\"dialog\" aria-describedby=\"definition\" href=\"#term_86_267\"><strong>cover letters<\/strong> <\/a> work together to represent you in the most positive light to prospective employers. With a well-composed <strong>r\u00e9sum\u00e9<\/strong> and cover letter, you stand out to the employer, who may give you an interview and a good shot at landing the job.<\/p>\n<p class=\"para editable block\">The <strong>r\u00e9sum\u00e9<\/strong> serves three distinct purposes that define its format, design, and presentation:<\/p>\n<ol id=\"mclean-ch09_s05_l02\" class=\"orderedlist editable block\">\n<li>To represent your professional information in writing<\/li>\n<li>To demonstrate the relationship between your professional information and the problem or challenge the potential employer hopes to solve or address [<a href=\"https:\/\/pressbooks.ccconline.org\/2250organizationalcommunication\/chapter\/rhetoric-and-the-job-search\/\">this is your rhetorical exigence<\/a>]<\/li>\n<li>To get you an <a class=\"glossary-term\" aria-haspopup=\"dialog\" aria-describedby=\"definition\" href=\"#term_86_269\">interview <\/a> by clearly demonstrating you meet the minimum qualifications and have the professional background to help the organization meet its goals<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p id=\"mclean-ch09_s05_p02\" class=\"para editable block\">An online profile page is similar to a <strong>r\u00e9sum\u00e9<\/strong> in that it represents your background and qualifications. People network, link, and connect in new ways via online profiles or professional sites like <a href=\"https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/\">LinkedIn<\/a>. In many ways, your online profile is an online version of your <strong>r\u00e9sum\u00e9<\/strong> with connections and friends on public display. Your social media is often accessible to the public, so never post anything you wouldn\u2019t want your employer (current or future) to read, see, or hear. This chapter covers\u00a0<span style=\"margin: 0px; padding: 0px;\">traditional\u00a0<strong>r\u00e9sum\u00e9<\/strong>s<strong>\u00a0<\/strong>and the more popular scannable features, but the elements and tips can also be applied<\/span> to your online profile. For an overview of the <strong>r\u00e9sum\u00e9<\/strong>, check out the following video:<\/p>\n<div class=\"textbox textbox--exercises\">\n<header class=\"textbox__header\">\n<p class=\"textbox__title\">Exercise #1: Interactive Video<\/p>\n<\/header>\n<div class=\"textbox__content\">\n<p>Watch the interactive video below about strategies for creating a <strong>r\u00e9sum\u00e9<\/strong>. The video will stop at different points to check your understanding of the material.<\/p>\n<div id=\"h5p-39\"><\/div>\n<div id=\"h5p-33\">\n<div class=\"h5p-iframe-wrapper\"><iframe id=\"h5p-iframe-33\" class=\"h5p-iframe\" data-content-id=\"33\" style=\"height:1px\" src=\"about:blank\" frameBorder=\"0\" scrolling=\"no\" title=\"Resume Interactive video\"><\/iframe><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>Link to Original Video: <a href=\"http:\/\/tinyurl.com\/reswrit101\">tinyurl.com\/reswrit101<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<h2>Types of R\u00e9sum\u00e9s<\/h2>\n<figure id=\"attachment_84\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-84\" style=\"width: 267px\" class=\"wp-caption alignright\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-84\" src=\"https:\/\/pressbooks.ccconline.org\/ppsccom2250organizationalcommunication\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/231\/2021\/04\/julian-christian-anderson-_y0tTb95xeY-unsplash-200x300.jpg\" alt=\"A public workspace\" width=\"267\" height=\"400\" srcset=\"https:\/\/pressbooks.ccconline.org\/2250organizationalcommunication\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/231\/2021\/04\/julian-christian-anderson-_y0tTb95xeY-unsplash-200x300.jpg 200w, https:\/\/pressbooks.ccconline.org\/2250organizationalcommunication\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/231\/2021\/04\/julian-christian-anderson-_y0tTb95xeY-unsplash-65x98.jpg 65w, https:\/\/pressbooks.ccconline.org\/2250organizationalcommunication\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/231\/2021\/04\/julian-christian-anderson-_y0tTb95xeY-unsplash-225x338.jpg 225w, https:\/\/pressbooks.ccconline.org\/2250organizationalcommunication\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/231\/2021\/04\/julian-christian-anderson-_y0tTb95xeY-unsplash-350x525.jpg 350w, https:\/\/pressbooks.ccconline.org\/2250organizationalcommunication\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/231\/2021\/04\/julian-christian-anderson-_y0tTb95xeY-unsplash.jpg 640w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 267px) 100vw, 267px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-84\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Photo #1: A workspace by <a href=\"https:\/\/unsplash.com\/@juliancanderson\">Julian Christian Anderson<\/a> on <a href=\"https:\/\/unsplash.com\/\">Unsplash<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Your <strong>r\u00e9sum\u00e9<\/strong> is a comprehensive record of your education, work experience, job-related skills, accomplishments, volunteer history, internships, and other relevant details. It\u2019s a professional autobiography in outline form, providing the reader with a quick, general idea of who you are and the skills, abilities, and experiences you offer. With a better idea of who you are, prospective employers can see how well you might contribute to their workplace. As a college student or recent graduate, you may be unsure about what to put in your <strong>r\u00e9sum\u00e9<\/strong>, especially if you don\u2019t have much employment history. Still, employers don\u2019t expect recent grads to have significant work experience. Even with little work experience, you may still have many worthy accomplishments to include. It\u2019s all in how you present yourself. Work histories come in various forms, as do <strong>r\u00e9sum\u00e9s<\/strong>. Although career experts\u00a0<span style=\"margin: 0px; padding: 0px;\">debate which\u00a0<strong>r\u00e9sum\u00e9<\/strong> style is best, you must consider which one\u00a0<\/span>fits your current situation. Which style will best package your work history and convey your unique qualifications?<\/p>\n<p>This chapter will discuss three different resume formats: <strong>a chronological resume<\/strong>, a <strong>functional (skills) resume<\/strong>, and a <strong>targeted (hybrid) resume<\/strong>. The\u00a0<strong><a class=\"glossary-term\" aria-haspopup=\"dialog\" aria-describedby=\"definition\" href=\"#term_86_270\">chronological\u00a0r\u00e9sum\u00e9<\/a><\/strong> is a traditional format, with its principal section being the \u201cEmployment Experience\u201d section. The chronological r\u00e9sum\u00e9\u2019s \u201cEmployment Experience\u201d section lists jobs in <strong>reverse chronological order<\/strong>, with achievements and skills detailed underneath each position. In contrast, a<strong>\u00a0functional\u00a0<\/strong><span style=\"margin: 0px; padding: 0px;\">r\u00e9sum\u00e9\u00a0<strong>(skills-based)<\/strong> <\/span>features a well-developed \u201cSkills &amp; Achievements\u201d section that organizes abilities into categories. The functional r\u00e9sum\u00e9 still includes an \u201cEmployment Experience\u201d section, but it is streamlined to include only the basic information about each position held. A\u00a0<strong>targeted (or hybrid) <\/strong><strong>r\u00e9sum\u00e9<\/strong> comprises a well-developed \u201cSkills &amp; Achievements\u201d section highlighting the candidate\u2019s most important and relevant skills. Still, it includes select bullets under each job in the \u201cEmployment Experience\u201d section.<\/p>\n<p>There are many reasons to choose one format over another. In brief, the <strong>chronological r\u00e9sum\u00e9<\/strong> serves candidates with a long and uninterrupted work history in fields where the company operates, which is of paramount importance. On the other hand, the <strong><a class=\"glossary-term\" aria-haspopup=\"dialog\" aria-describedby=\"definition\" href=\"#term_86_2508\">functional r\u00e9sum\u00e9<\/a><\/strong> serves candidates transitioning between fields, shifting from a military to a civilian career, or gaining skills in various settings (workplace, academic, volunteer). The <strong><a class=\"glossary-term\" aria-haspopup=\"dialog\" aria-describedby=\"definition\" href=\"#term_86_2509\">targeted r\u00e9sum\u00e9<\/a><\/strong> offers the best of both worlds. Here are some examples of chronological, functional (skills), and hybrid r\u00e9sum\u00e9 formats:<\/p>\n<h3>Chronological R\u00e9sum\u00e9<\/h3>\n<p>A <strong>chronological r\u00e9sum\u00e9<\/strong> lists your job experiences in <strong>reverse chronological order<\/strong>, starting with the most recent job and working backward toward your first job. It includes beginning and ending dates. Also included is a brief description of your duties for each job, as well as highlights of your formal education. The reverse <strong>chronological r\u00e9sum\u00e9<\/strong> is perhaps the most common and conservative r\u00e9sum\u00e9 format. It is most suitable for demonstrating a solid work history, growth, and development in your skills. However, this format may not suit you if you are light on skills in the area you are applying to, if you\u2019ve changed employers frequently, or if you are looking for your first job.<\/p>\n<div class=\"textbox\">\n<div id=\"h5p-34\">\n<div class=\"h5p-iframe-wrapper\"><iframe id=\"h5p-iframe-34\" class=\"h5p-iframe\" data-content-id=\"34\" style=\"height:1px\" src=\"about:blank\" frameBorder=\"0\" scrolling=\"no\" title=\"Chronological Resume\"><\/iframe><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<h4>Note that the Chronological R\u00e9sum\u00e9:<\/h4>\n<ul>\n<li>Lists both work and education in <strong>reverse chronological order<\/strong> (starting with the most recent positions\/schools and working backward)<\/li>\n<li>Lists job achievements and skills under each position<\/li>\n<li>Presents experience under headings by job title, company, location, and dates of employment<\/li>\n<li>Allows employers to determine the work performed at each company easily<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3>Functional (Skills) R\u00e9sum\u00e9<\/h3>\n<p>A <strong>functional r\u00e9sum\u00e9<\/strong>\u2014also known as a <strong>skills r\u00e9sum\u00e9- <\/strong>is organized around your talents, skills, and abilities more so than work duties and job titles, as with the chronological r\u00e9sum\u00e9. It emphasizes specific professional capabilities, including what you have done or what you can do. Exact dates may be included, but are not as important. If you are a new graduate entering your field with little or no work experience, the<strong> functional r\u00e9sum\u00e9<\/strong> may be a suitable format for you. It can also be helpful when seeking work in a field that differs from what you have done in the past. It\u2019s also well-suited for people in unconventional careers.<\/p>\n<div class=\"textbox\">\n<div id=\"h5p-35\">\n<div class=\"h5p-iframe-wrapper\"><iframe id=\"h5p-iframe-35\" class=\"h5p-iframe\" data-content-id=\"35\" style=\"height:1px\" src=\"about:blank\" frameBorder=\"0\" scrolling=\"no\" title=\"Functional resume example\"><\/iframe><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<h4>Note that the Functional R\u00e9sum\u00e9:<\/h4>\n<ul>\n<li>Focuses on skills and experience rather than on chronological work history.<\/li>\n<li>Group functions or skills under categories.<\/li>\n<li>Describes responsibilities, accomplishments, and quantifiable achievements under categories in the skills section.<\/li>\n<li>Typically opens with a summary or profile detailing strengths (in one or three sentences).<\/li>\n<li>Demonstrate how you match the requirements of your potential job by including <em>relevant<\/em> achievements and accomplishments.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3>Targeted (Hybrid) R\u00e9sum\u00e9 Format<\/h3>\n<p>The <strong>targeted r\u00e9sum\u00e9<\/strong><span style=\"margin: 0px; padding: 0px;\">, also known as the\u00a0<strong>hybrid r\u00e9sum\u00e9<\/strong>, is a format that combines elements of<\/span>\u00a0<em>both<\/em> the functional and chronological approaches. It\u2019s also called a combination r\u00e9sum\u00e9. It highlights relevant skills while also providing information about your work experience. With a <strong>targeted r\u00e9sum\u00e9<\/strong>, you may list your job skills as most prominent and then follow with a chronological (or reverse chronological) list of employers. This <strong>r\u00e9sum\u00e9<\/strong> format is most effective when your specific skills and job experience must be emphasized. Your job package assignment will follow this format.<\/p>\n<div class=\"textbox\">\n<div id=\"h5p-36\">\n<div class=\"h5p-iframe-wrapper\"><iframe id=\"h5p-iframe-36\" class=\"h5p-iframe\" data-content-id=\"36\" style=\"height:1px\" src=\"about:blank\" frameBorder=\"0\" scrolling=\"no\" title=\"Targeted resume example\"><\/iframe><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<h4>Note that the Targeted R\u00e9sum\u00e9:<\/h4>\n<ul>\n<li>A <strong>targeted r\u00e9sum\u00e9<\/strong> showcases your relevant skills and provides information about your work experience.<\/li>\n<li>This\u00a0<strong>r\u00e9sum\u00e9<\/strong> format is best for emphasizing skills and job experience.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<hr \/>\n<h2>The Main Parts of a R\u00e9sum\u00e9<\/h2>\n<p>An important note about formatting is that, initially, employers may spend only a few seconds reviewing each <strong>r\u00e9sum\u00e9, <\/strong>especially if there is a big stack of them or they seem tedious to read. That\u2019s why choosing your format carefully is essential; it will stand out and make the first cut.<\/p>\n<div class=\"textbox textbox--exercises\">\n<header class=\"textbox__header\">\n<p class=\"textbox__title\">Exercise #2: What Do Employers Expect From A R\u00e9sum\u00e9?<\/p>\n<\/header>\n<div class=\"textbox__content\">\n<p>Take a moment to reflect on the following questions:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>What do you think employers want to see in your <strong>r\u00e9sum\u00e9<\/strong>?<\/li>\n<li>What elements are the most important to them?<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>When you have an answer to both questions, watch the video below. In the video, several employers are asked those questions. Do their answers surprise you at all? If so, why? Is there anything that you didn&#8217;t expect?<\/p>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" id=\"oembed-1\" title=\"Resume Tips for College Students From Employers\" width=\"500\" height=\"281\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/fYavOr8Gnac?feature=oembed&#38;rel=0\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen=\"allowfullscreen\"><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p>Link to Original Video: <a href=\"https:\/\/tinyurl.com\/resutips\">tinyurl.com\/resutips<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p id=\"mclean-ch09_s05_s01_p01\" class=\"para editable block\">Format is an essential component of a <strong>r\u00e9sum\u00e9. <\/strong>However, employers also have expectations for the content in your <strong>r\u00e9sum\u00e9<\/strong>. They expect it to be clear, accurate, and up-to-date (Bennet, 2005). This document represents you in your absence, and you want it to do the best job possible. You don\u2019t want to be represented by spelling or grammatical errors, as they may raise questions about your attention to detail and education. Someone reading your <strong>r\u00e9sum\u00e9<\/strong> with errors will only wonder what kind of work you might produce that will poorly reflect on their company. There will be enough competition that you don\u2019t want to provide an easy excuse to toss your <strong>r\u00e9sum\u00e9<\/strong> at the start. Do your best work the first time. <strong>R\u00e9sum\u00e9s<\/strong> have several basic elements that employers look for, including your contact information, objective or goal, education, work experience, and so on. Each <strong>r\u00e9sum\u00e9<\/strong> format may organize the information differently based on the overall design strategy, but all information should be clear, concise, and accurate (Simons &amp; Curtis, 2004).<\/p>\n<h3>Contact Info<\/h3>\n<p>Create a header with your address, telephone number, professional email address, and a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/\">LinkedIn page<\/a>.<\/p>\n<h3>Headline (Also called Summary, Profile, or Highlights of Qualifications)<\/h3>\n<p>Include a summary of your professional self to grab your reader\u2019s attention. Consider this section your \u201celevator pitch,\u201d offering a quick impression of your brand. \u00a0Include a few key (relevant) achievements\/strengths (in bullets or sentences). Headline sections are especially useful for candidates with extensive work experience or those who have undergone multiple job transitions. Have you been starting your <strong>r\u00e9sum\u00e9<\/strong> with an objective\u00a0statement? These days, most experts recommend leaving the objective off your <strong>r\u00e9sum\u00e9<\/strong> entirely. Objectives too often emphasize what you want from a job rather than what you can offer an employer, and thus are generally seen as a waste of space.<\/p>\n<h3>Education<\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li>Place your education section after the headline\/summary section if it is recent and relevant, and after the experience section if your stronger qualification is employment experience.<\/li>\n<li>List the most current degree\/school attended first, and proceed in <strong>reverse chronological order<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<li>Include the following information for each educational item: the school&#8217;s name, location, your anticipated graduation date, and the degree earned (and major if appropriate).<\/li>\n<li>DO NOT include high school if you are in college unless your high school work was outstanding or unique (like a trade\/technology\/arts high school).<\/li>\n<li>DO include training and certifications (e.g., first aid certifications, sales seminars, writing groups).<\/li>\n<li>Develop this section by adding educational accomplishments:\n<ul>\n<li>Relevant courses (if they prepared you for the job)<\/li>\n<li>Exceptional accomplishments (conferences, exceptional papers\/projects, clubs, offices held, service to the school)<\/li>\n<li>Awards and scholarships (could also be a separate section \u2013 Honours)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3>Employment Experience<\/h3>\n<p>List positions in <strong>reverse chronological order<\/strong> (most recent first).<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Include basic information for each job: job title, employer, dates employed, city\/state (and country if outside of the United States) of employment.<\/li>\n<li>Include internships and skilled volunteer positions (but if you do, title the section \u201cExperience\u201d rather than \u201cEmployment\u201d).<\/li>\n<li>Consider filtering work experience into \u201cRelated Experience\u201d or \u201cRelevant Experience\u201d instead of one employment section to highlight the most relevant jobs (and downplay less significant experience).<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3>Skills\/Achievements\/Qualifications<\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li>Use subheaders to group skills into skill set headings (e.g., management skills, customer service skills, laboratory skills, communication skills, etc.). Use targeted headings that align with the qualifications your potential employer is seeking.<\/li>\n<li>Include only the most relevant, targeted skills and achievements.<\/li>\n<li>Emphasize quantifiable achievements and results: skills, equipment, money, documents, personnel, clients, etc.- Use the active voice (supervised sixteen employees, increased profits, built websites) vs. the passive voice (was responsible for managing or duties included\u2026)<\/li>\n<li>See the \u201cBuilding a Better Bullet\u201d section below for more information on how to craft an effective \u201cskill bullet.\u201d<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3>Optional Sections<\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li>Volunteer Work: List skilled volunteer work (building websites, teaching classes) under skills, along with your other qualifications, but include general volunteer work (making meals for a soup kitchen, etc.) toward the end of your resume in its section or under activities.<\/li>\n<li>Activities and Interests:\n<ul>\n<li>DO include interests that may be relevant to the position but aren\u2019t professional skills (e.g., sports for an opportunity at Nike, student groups for leadership, golfing for business jobs, game design or playing for game design jobs, blogging for PR jobs). Market yourself in the best light.<\/li>\n<li>Include honors, awards, publications, conferences attended, languages spoken, and other relevant details. You may include a separate honors section or incorporate these into your achievements section.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3>References<\/h3>\n<p>Do not list references on your <strong>r\u00e9sum\u00e9<\/strong>. Instead, give a separate sheet at the employer\u2019s request (page 3). Generally, three references are sufficient. The most important references are your superiors; however, you can also use coworkers, clients, or instructors. Contact each person to verify his\/her willingness to act as a reference for you. Your reference sheet should match <span style=\"margin: 0px; padding: 0px;\">the look of your cover letter and\u00a0<strong>r\u00e9sum\u00e9<\/strong><\/span>.<\/p>\n<h2>R\u00e9sum\u00e9 Guidelines<\/h2>\n<figure id=\"attachment_85\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-85\" style=\"width: 400px\" class=\"wp-caption alignright\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-85\" src=\"https:\/\/pressbooks.ccconline.org\/ppsccom2250organizationalcommunication\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/231\/2025\/03\/sigmund-eTgMFFzroGc-unsplash-300x200.jpg\" alt=\"Image of a conference call.\" width=\"400\" height=\"267\" srcset=\"https:\/\/pressbooks.ccconline.org\/2250organizationalcommunication\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/231\/2025\/03\/sigmund-eTgMFFzroGc-unsplash-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/pressbooks.ccconline.org\/2250organizationalcommunication\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/231\/2025\/03\/sigmund-eTgMFFzroGc-unsplash-65x43.jpg 65w, https:\/\/pressbooks.ccconline.org\/2250organizationalcommunication\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/231\/2025\/03\/sigmund-eTgMFFzroGc-unsplash-225x150.jpg 225w, https:\/\/pressbooks.ccconline.org\/2250organizationalcommunication\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/231\/2025\/03\/sigmund-eTgMFFzroGc-unsplash-350x234.jpg 350w, https:\/\/pressbooks.ccconline.org\/2250organizationalcommunication\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/231\/2025\/03\/sigmund-eTgMFFzroGc-unsplash.jpg 640w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 400px) 100vw, 400px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-85\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Photo #2: A conference call by <a href=\"https:\/\/unsplash.com\/@sigmund\">Sigmund<\/a> on <a href=\"https:\/\/unsplash.com\/\">Unsplash<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>The following tips will help you write a <strong>r\u00e9sum\u00e9<\/strong>\u00a0that adheres to the conventions employers expect while ditching fluff in favor of expertise.<\/p>\n<h3>Using \u201cMe\u201d and \u201cI\u201d<\/h3>\n<p>The convention in a <strong>r\u00e9sum\u00e9<\/strong> is to write in <a class=\"glossary-term\" aria-haspopup=\"dialog\" aria-describedby=\"definition\" href=\"#term_86_193\"><strong>sentence fragments<\/strong><\/a> that begin with active verbs. Therefore, you can leave out the subjects of sentences. Example: \u201cI eliminated the duplication of paperwork in my department by streamlining procedures\u201d would become \u201cEliminated paperwork duplication in a struggling department by streamlining procedures.\u201d<\/p>\n<h3>Quantifiable Skills<\/h3>\n<p>The more you can present your skills and achievements in detail, especially quantifiable detail, the more authoritative you will sound. This means including references to technologies and equipment you have used, types of documents you have produced, procedures you have followed, languages you speak, amounts of money you have handled, number of employees you have supervised or trained, number of students you have taught; technical languages you know; types of clients you have worked with (cultural backgrounds, ages, disability status \u2013 demographic information that might be relevant in your new workplace); graphic design, blogging or social media skills; and so on.<\/p>\n<h3>Filler Words (Fluff)<\/h3>\n<p>Avoid generic filler words on many resumes, and don\u2019t suggest meaningful skills. Filler words include:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>team player<\/li>\n<li>results-oriented<\/li>\n<li>duties include<\/li>\n<li>fast-paced<\/li>\n<li>self-motivated<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>If you must use these phrases, find concrete examples to support them. For example, instead of using \u201cteam player,\u201d include a time you collaborated with peers to earn a good grade on a project, save your company money, or put on a successful work event.<\/p>\n<h3>Results<\/h3>\n<p>In at least one place in your\u00a0<strong>r\u00e9sum\u00e9<\/strong>, preferably more, mention a positive impact (or result) of your skills\/achievements. How did you create positive change for your employer, coworkers, or customers? Did you successfully resolve a customer complaint? Did you make a change that saved your employer money? Did you build a website that increased traffic to your client? Did you follow procedures safely and reduce workplace injuries?<\/p>\n<h2>Building a Better Bullet (Two-Skill Bullet Formulas)<\/h2>\n<p>Each skill bullet must go through a few revisions before it shines. Here are two formulas to help you strengthen your bullets:<\/p>\n<p><em>Formula 1: Verb + Details = Results<\/em><\/p>\n<p>Start your bullet with an action verb describing a skill or achievement. Follow it with the details of that skill or achievement, and then describe the positive impact of your achievement. For example:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Developed (VERB) new paper flow procedure (DETAILS), resulting in reduced staff errors and customer wait times (RESULT)<\/li>\n<li>Provided (VERB) friendly customer-focused service (DETAILS) leading to customer satisfaction and loyalty (RESULT)<\/li>\n<li>Organized (VERB) fundraising event (DETAILS), generating $xxx dollars for nonprofit (RESULT)<\/li>\n<li>Provided (VERB) phone and in-person support for patients with various chronic and acute health issues (DETAILS &amp; RESULT COMBINED)<\/li>\n<li>Supported (VERB) 8-10 staff with calendaring, files, and reception (DETAILS), increasing efficiency in the workflow (RESULT)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><em>Formula 2: Accomplished [X] as measured by [Y] by doing [Z]<\/em><\/p>\n<p>Develop your bullet points by detailing how you accomplished what you have accomplished and why it matters to your potential employer. Compare the following three versions of the same skill bullet:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>First Draft: \u00a0<\/strong>Participated in a leadership program<\/li>\n<li><strong>Second Draft: \u00a0<\/strong>Selected as one of 125 for a year-long professional development program for high-achieving business students<\/li>\n<li><strong>Final Draft: \u00a0<\/strong>Selected as one of 125 participants nationwide for a year-long professional development program for high-achieving business students based on leadership potential and academic success<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Note how the third version is the most specific and demonstrates the \u201cso what\u201d factor, conveying how the applicant\u2019s skills will benefit the potential employer.<\/p>\n<h2>Keywords<\/h2>\n<p>Remember, use <a class=\"glossary-term\" aria-haspopup=\"dialog\" aria-describedby=\"definition\" href=\"#term_86_261\">keywords<\/a> you gathered in your pre-writing phase (from the job description, research into your field, and the \u201caction verb\u201d list presented earlier in the <a href=\"https:\/\/pressbooks.ccconline.org\/2250organizationalcommunication\/chapter\/job-application-prep\/\">application preparation<\/a> chapter). If your potential employer uses a r\u00e9sum\u00e9-scanning program, these keywords may make the difference between getting an interview and being rejected.<\/p>\n<h2>Length<\/h2>\n<p><strong>R\u00e9sum\u00e9<\/strong> length is a much-debated topic, and guidelines change as the genre evolves.<strong>\u00a0<\/strong>In general, the length of a <strong>r\u00e9sum\u00e9<\/strong> should be no longer than two pages (and each page should be complete \u2014 no 1.5-page <strong>r\u00e9sum\u00e9s<\/strong>). Some fields, however, may have different length conventions (academic <strong>resumes<\/strong>, for example, which include publications and conference attendance, tend to be longer). If your <strong>resume<\/strong> is longer, your work history should justify the length. Some experts recommend one page per ten years of work history; while that may be extreme, cutting weaker material is better than adding filler.<\/p>\n<h2>Design<\/h2>\n<p><strong>R\u00e9sum\u00e9<\/strong> design should enhance the content, making it easy for the reader to locate the most significant and relevant information quickly.<\/p>\n<p>A few general guidelines:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Templates are handy, but remember that if you use a standard template, your r\u00e9sum\u00e9 will look identical to several others.<\/li>\n<li>Use tables to align sections, then hide the borders to create a neat presentation.<\/li>\n<li>Use a ten-to-twelve-point font.<\/li>\n<li>Don\u2019t use too many design features\u2014be strategic and consistent in capitalization, boldness, italics, and underlining.<\/li>\n<li>To create visual groupings of information, always use more space between sections than within a section. This way, your reader can easily distinguish between the key sections of your r\u00e9sum\u00e9 and between the items in each section.<\/li>\n<li>Use the same font in your r\u00e9sum\u00e9 and cover letter to create coherence.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2>Field-Specific Conventions<\/h2>\n<p>You may find that there are certain conventions in your field or industry that affect your choices when writing your <strong>r\u00e9sum\u00e9.<\/strong> Length, formality, design, delivery method, and key terms are some factors that may vary across disciplines. Ask faculty or professional contacts in your field about employers\u2019 expectations, visit <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pikespeak.edu\/student-support\/career-services\/\">PPSC&#8217;s Career Services<\/a> website,\u00a0or conduct web research to make informed field-specific choices.<\/p>\n<div class=\"textbox textbox--key-takeaways\">\n<header class=\"textbox__header\">\n<p class=\"textbox__title\">Key Takeaways<\/p>\n<\/header>\n<div class=\"textbox__content\">\n<ul>\n<li>A <strong>r\u00e9sum\u00e9 <\/strong>serves three distinct purposes:\n<ol>\n<li>It represents your professional information in writing<\/li>\n<li>It demonstrates the relationship between your professional information and the problem (i.e., <a href=\"https:\/\/pressbooks.ccconline.org\/2250organizationalcommunication\/chapter\/the-rhetorical-situation\/\"><strong>rhetorical<\/strong> <strong>exigence<\/strong><\/a>) that a potential employer hopes to solve or address.<\/li>\n<li>It increases your chances of getting an interview by demonstrating that you meet the minimum qualifications and possess the professional background necessary to help the employer achieve its goals.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/li>\n<li>The format you choose for your <strong>r\u00e9sum\u00e9\u00a0<\/strong>will depend on your needs and experience. A chronological r\u00e9sum\u00e9 emphasizes work history, whereas a functional r\u00e9sum\u00e9 emphasizes skills.<\/li>\n<li>Employers are looking for any opportunity to throw out your <strong>r\u00e9sum\u00e9<\/strong>. To avoid this, ensure your <strong>r\u00e9sum\u00e9\u00a0<\/strong>has basic elements such as contact info, a headline, education, employment experience, and skills\/achievements.<\/li>\n<li>Also, ensure that the writing conventions in your <strong>r\u00e9sum\u00e9\u00a0<\/strong>are solid. Some of these include:\n<ul>\n<li>Avoid using &#8220;I&#8221; and &#8220;me&#8221; statements<\/li>\n<li>Make sure you are discussing quantifiable skills<\/li>\n<li>Remove all filler words<\/li>\n<li>Mention the results you have achieved in at least one part of the document<\/li>\n<li>Craft stronger bullet points<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"textbox textbox--examples\">\n<header class=\"textbox__header\">\n<p class=\"textbox__title\">References<\/p>\n<\/header>\n<div class=\"textbox__content\">\n<p>Bennett,\u00a0S. (2005).\u00a0<em>The elements of resume style: Essential rules for writing resumes and cover letters that work<\/em>. AMACOM.<\/p>\n<p>Simons,\u00a0W., &amp; Curtis,\u00a0R. (2004).\u00a0<em>The Resume.com guide to writing unbeatable r\u00e9sum\u00e9s<\/em>. McGraw-Hill Professional.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"textbox textbox--exercises\">\n<header class=\"textbox__header\">\n<p class=\"textbox__title\">Attribution<\/p>\n<\/header>\n<div class=\"textbox__content\">\n<p>This chapter is adapted from <a href=\"https:\/\/openoregon.pressbooks.pub\/technicalwriting\/chapter\/y-2-resumes\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">&#8220;Technical Writing&#8221;<\/a>\u00a0by\u00a0Allison Gross, Annemarie Hamlin, Billy Merck, Chris Rubio, Jodi Naas, Megan Savage, and Michele DeSilva (on <a href=\"http:\/\/openoregon.pressbooks.pub\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Open Oregon<\/a>). It is licensed under <a href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/4.0\/\">Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License<\/a><\/p>\n<p>This chapter is also adapted from another chapter in <a href=\"https:\/\/openoregon.pressbooks.pub\/technicalwriting\/chapter\/12-3-resume-sections-and-guidelines\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">&#8220;Technical Writing&#8221;<\/a>\u00a0by\u00a0Allison Gross, Annemarie Hamlin, Billy Merck, Chris Rubio, Jodi Naas, Megan Savage, and Michele DeSilva (on <a href=\"http:\/\/openoregon.pressbooks.pub\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Open Oregon<\/a>). It is licensed under <a href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/4.0\/\">Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License<\/a><\/p>\n<p>This chapter is also adapted from <a href=\"https:\/\/open.lib.umn.edu\/businesscommunication\/chapter\/9-5-resume\/\">\u201cBusiness Communication for Success\u201d<\/a> by the University of Minnesota (on <a href=\"https:\/\/www.lib.umn.edu\/services\/publishing\">University of Minnesota Libraries Publishing)<\/a>. It is licensed under a <a href=\"Creative%20Commons%20Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike%204.0%20International%20License\">Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License<\/a><\/p>\n<p>This chapter is also adapted from <a href=\"https:\/\/press.rebus.community\/blueprint2\/chapter\/42-resumes-and-cover-letters\/\">\u201cBlueprint for Success in College and Career\u201d<\/a> by Lumen Learning and Linda (Bruce) Hill (on <a href=\"https:\/\/press.rebus.community\/\">Rebus Community<\/a>). It is licensed under a\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by\/4.0\/\">Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"glossary\"><span class=\"screen-reader-text\" id=\"definition\">definition<\/span><template id=\"term_86_268\"><div class=\"glossary__definition\" role=\"dialog\" data-id=\"term_86_268\"><div tabindex=\"-1\"><p>a document that summarizes your education, skills, talents, employment history, and experiences in a clear and concise format for potential employers<\/p>\n<\/div><button><span aria-hidden=\"true\">&times;<\/span><span class=\"screen-reader-text\">Close definition<\/span><\/button><\/div><\/template><template id=\"term_86_267\"><div class=\"glossary__definition\" role=\"dialog\" data-id=\"term_86_267\"><div tabindex=\"-1\"><p>also known as an \"application letter,\" this document is your opportunity to establish a connection with the company you are applying to. You will pick a few significant qualifications that make you a good fit for the position and go into depth about each one.<\/p>\n<\/div><button><span aria-hidden=\"true\">&times;<\/span><span class=\"screen-reader-text\">Close definition<\/span><\/button><\/div><\/template><template id=\"term_86_269\"><div class=\"glossary__definition\" role=\"dialog\" data-id=\"term_86_269\"><div tabindex=\"-1\"><p>the phase of the job search process where you go from being an applicant on paper to a real, three dimensional person.<\/p>\n<\/div><button><span aria-hidden=\"true\">&times;<\/span><span class=\"screen-reader-text\">Close definition<\/span><\/button><\/div><\/template><template id=\"term_86_270\"><div class=\"glossary__definition\" role=\"dialog\" data-id=\"term_86_270\"><div tabindex=\"-1\"><p>a traditional r\u00e9sum\u00e9 format whose main section is the \"employment experience\" section. Jobs are listed in reverse chronological order, with skills\/achievements under each position<\/p>\n<\/div><button><span aria-hidden=\"true\">&times;<\/span><span class=\"screen-reader-text\">Close definition<\/span><\/button><\/div><\/template><template id=\"term_86_2508\"><div class=\"glossary__definition\" role=\"dialog\" data-id=\"term_86_2508\"><div tabindex=\"-1\"><p>features a well-developed \u201cSkills &amp; Achievements\u201d section that organizes abilities into categories. The functional r\u00e9sum\u00e9 still includes an \u201cEmployment Experience\u201d section, but it is streamlined to include only the basic information about each position held.<\/p>\n<\/div><button><span aria-hidden=\"true\">&times;<\/span><span class=\"screen-reader-text\">Close definition<\/span><\/button><\/div><\/template><template id=\"term_86_2509\"><div class=\"glossary__definition\" role=\"dialog\" data-id=\"term_86_2509\"><div tabindex=\"-1\"><p>comprises a well-developed \u201cSkills &amp; Achievements\u201d section highlighting the candidate\u2019s most important and relevant skills. Still, it includes select bullets under each job in the \u201cEmployment Experience\u201d section.<\/p>\n<\/div><button><span aria-hidden=\"true\">&times;<\/span><span class=\"screen-reader-text\">Close definition<\/span><\/button><\/div><\/template><template id=\"term_86_193\"><div class=\"glossary__definition\" role=\"dialog\" data-id=\"term_86_193\"><div tabindex=\"-1\"><p>a writing error where a sentence is missing a subject or verb<\/p>\n<\/div><button><span aria-hidden=\"true\">&times;<\/span><span class=\"screen-reader-text\">Close definition<\/span><\/button><\/div><\/template><template id=\"term_86_261\"><div class=\"glossary__definition\" role=\"dialog\" data-id=\"term_86_261\"><div tabindex=\"-1\"><p>words in a job posting that highlight skills, qualities, and values that are important to a company<\/p>\n<\/div><button><span aria-hidden=\"true\">&times;<\/span><span class=\"screen-reader-text\">Close definition<\/span><\/button><\/div><\/template><\/div>","protected":false},"author":101,"menu_order":4,"template":"","meta":{"pb_show_title":"on","pb_short_title":"","pb_subtitle":"","pb_authors":[],"pb_section_license":""},"chapter-type":[],"contributor":[],"license":[],"class_list":["post-86","chapter","type-chapter","status-publish","hentry"],"part":70,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/pressbooks.ccconline.org\/2250organizationalcommunication\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/chapters\/86","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/pressbooks.ccconline.org\/2250organizationalcommunication\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/chapters"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/pressbooks.ccconline.org\/2250organizationalcommunication\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/chapter"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pressbooks.ccconline.org\/2250organizationalcommunication\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/101"}],"version-history":[{"count":25,"href":"https:\/\/pressbooks.ccconline.org\/2250organizationalcommunication\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/chapters\/86\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2653,"href":"https:\/\/pressbooks.ccconline.org\/2250organizationalcommunication\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/chapters\/86\/revisions\/2653"}],"part":[{"href":"https:\/\/pressbooks.ccconline.org\/2250organizationalcommunication\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/parts\/70"}],"metadata":[{"href":"https:\/\/pressbooks.ccconline.org\/2250organizationalcommunication\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/chapters\/86\/metadata\/"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/pressbooks.ccconline.org\/2250organizationalcommunication\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=86"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"chapter-type","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pressbooks.ccconline.org\/2250organizationalcommunication\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/chapter-type?post=86"},{"taxonomy":"contributor","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pressbooks.ccconline.org\/2250organizationalcommunication\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/contributor?post=86"},{"taxonomy":"license","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pressbooks.ccconline.org\/2250organizationalcommunication\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/license?post=86"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}