Resume Preparation Guide

Parts of the Resume

Heading:

Start with a heading that includes the following:
Name: (complete, full name)
Address: (street, city, state, zip code)
Phone: (include area code and alternate number where you might be contacted)
E-mail address (if checked daily)

Employment Objective:

This brief statement describes the type of job or occupational area you are seeking. Focus on the skills you can bring to a job. For example, “seeking a position in which I can utilize my communication, sales and computer programming skills.” Also, incorporate as many key words from the job description as possible into the Employment Objective and throughout the resume. This will increase your chances of having your resume “pop up” when the Human Resources staff – or the computer – searches for potential applicants to fill a vacant position.

Education:

For example:
“Associate in Arts; Jamestown Community College, Jamestown, NY; May, 2000; Human Services Major; Dean’s List, Spring, 2000.”

Work Experience:

List employer name, city, state; your dates of employment; and your job title. Follow this information with a concise description of your responsibilities in that particular position, using short phrases and lots of action verbs (see page 9 for list). List each work experience separately, in reverse chronological order. Leave out experiences that are very old unless they relate to the job you seek.

Military Service:

This section is usually listed after your education and experience unless your military experience related directly to your career objective, or you have recently been discharged.

Honors and Awards:

List any scholarships or formal recognitions of outstanding achievements. You may also want to mention:

• Interests and activities that demonstrate job-related skills (leadership, organization, etc.)
• Personal accomplishments (for example, “financed 70% of college education”)

Work Related Skills:

Special abilities, such as computer skills or knowledge of a foreign language

References:

Normally you do not list your references on a resume. You may include a statement that “references are available upon request” at the bottom of the resume. References should be typed on the same quality of paper as the resume and presented separately upon request.

Be sure you have the following information on your references:

• name of person
• phone number and extension (most references prefer to be reached at work)
• address
• job title
• company name

Ask for permission before using people as references! This gives your references time to consider what they will say. It also gives you the opportunity to tell them the type of work you are considering so they can formulate their answers to the employer’s questions to your best advantage. It is a good idea to give your references a copy of your completed resume to review before they are contacted by potential employers. In addition, you might want to ask them to write a letter of recommendation that you can present to future employers.

When you have finished organizing your resume, get a second opinion. Have a JCC counselor or faculty member read it to make sure it is all right. Use the following checklist to make sure you have not made any mistakes.

Resume Checklist

• Have all of your spelling, grammar, and punctuation errors been corrected by someone with good proofreading skills?
• Is the resume neat, clean, and look professional?
• Does the content of your resume support your career objective?
• Is your writing style clear and concise, including action words to communicate results and accomplishments?

Make sure your resume is printed on good quality bond paper and remember that perfection is absolutely necessary! No misspelled words, incorrect grammar, or smudges – it should always look like an original.