Resume

RESUME, CV, COVER LETTER & CAREER PORTFOLIO
5 Key Concepts for Powerful, Effective Resumes
1. Your resume is YOUR marketing tool, not a personnel document.
2. It is about YOU the job hunter, not just about the jobs you've held.
3. It focuses on your future, not your past.
4. It emphasizes your accomplishments, not your past job duties or job descriptions.
5. It documents skills you enjoy using, not skills you used just because you had to.

10 Steps in Creating a Damn Good Resume
1. Choose a target job (also called a "job objective"). An actual job title works best.
2. Find out what skills, knowledge, and experience are needed to do that target job.
3. Make a list of your 2, 3, or 4 strongest skills or abilities or knowledge that make you a good candidate for the target job.
4. For each key skill, think of several accomplishments from your past work history that illustrate that skill.
5. Describe each accomplishment in a simple, powerful, action statement that emphasizes the results that benefited your employer.
6. Make a list of the primary jobs you've held, in chronological order. Include any unpaid work that fills a gap or that shows you have the skills for the job.
7. Make a list of your training and education that's related to the new job you want.
8. Choose a resume format that fits your situation--either chronological or functional. [Functional works best if you're changing fields; chronological works well if you're moving up in the same field.]
9. Arrange your action statements according to the format you choose.
10. Summarize your key points at the top of your resume.
Creating Your Technical Résumé
• Technical résumés may be one or two pages long. Employers want to see details about what you learned and how you applied the skills. They also want information about your work history, even if it was in a non-technical field.
• Objective statements are optional. They can help the employer determine which type of technical position(s) you seek. For the same reason, an objective statement can limit you. If you use an objective, keep it simple and straightforward. Example: Objective: Help Desk position or Objective: Entry-level Network Technician or Help Desk position
• Technical résumés always contain a section listing information technology skills (hardware, software, networking, Web, programming, etc.) For current students and recent graduates, it works well to place this first on the résumé.
• If you’ve done an internship, include it on the résumé, either in its own “Technical Internship” section or under your work history. Provide a detailed explanation of what you did. Your internship, even if unpaid, constitutes work experience.
• Include seven to ten years of your work history, even if it is unrelated. If you currently work in a technical field, put your work history near the beginning of the résumé. Otherwise, place it at the end after education and class projects. Emphasize skills that will transfer into your new position (i.e. communication skills, customer service, teamwork experience, writing, leadership).
• In the education section, describe your class projects (see page 10 for examples). Use verbs to start each phrase and give enough detail so the potential employer can picture what you accomplished. Since teamwork is an important part of today’s workplace, show your teamwork experience on class projects. Examples: Member of a Systems Analysis team that worked with a representative from the Maple Valley Clinic to outline system requirements for building a custom database. Or you can say, As part of a three-person team…or Served as team leader for….
• Show all of your technical experience, including such things as building or repairing computers for friends/relatives or creating Websites for friends or non-profit organizations. Unless you already have professional experience, it’s essential to demonstrate your skills through class projects and volunteer work.
• Ask yourself, How can I prove that I do good work? What evidence can I provide on my résumé? An example from a class might be: Received 4.0 in Visual Basic 6.0; coded final project in team atmosphere (60 hours a week for two weeks); one of three out of 30 students excused from taking the final due to extremely high point total.
• You can also demonstrate strengths by creating a “Testimonials” section at the end of the résumé and quoting one or two comments from instructors or past supervisors. Example: Sally has a knack for working with databases. She asks the right questions to get the information needed and then works hard to bring about results.
John Jasper, Internship Supervisor
• When applying for a Help Desk position, emphasize your interpersonal skills. If you have a customer service background, consider creating a separate section (after Technical Skills) to highlight your experience and talent for working with people.
Give the ASCII version of your résumé more visual appeal by creative use of capital letters, white space, asterisks, lines, and dashes.


EXAMPLES OF TECHNICAL SKILLS SECTIONS

Example: #1
SKILLS SUMMARY
Database Software/OS Networking
Oracle Administration DOS CCNA Certification
OCP Certification Windows 95/98/2000 CISCO Networking
Pl/SQL 2000 Office 2000 LAN Administration
Access 2000 Web Development Basic UNIX
Vision 2000 HTML Troubleshooting
Database Theory and Design Visual Basic 6.0 Quick Books Hardware upgradesInstallation of Software



Example #2
COMPUTER SKILLS
Networking: Certified in RJ-45, Category 5 installation; designed and set-up cost database for LAN (2 segments of 25 & 29 workstations); familiar with hubs, routers, bridges, servers, punch-down blocks, switches, patch panels, topologies, and all cabling.
Programming: Visual Basic 6.0
Hardware: Build PCs from parts; install peripherals and devices; familiar with oscilloscope, function generator, multimeter, and ammeter; Certified in Plated Through Hole and Surface Mount soldering; skilled at Logic Gates and IC technology; familiar with CMOS and Device Manager.
Software: Windows 95/98/2000; MS-DOS; Office 97 & 2000; Internet.


Example: #3
Computer Software & Operating Systems
Courses included: Litigation Practice, Real Estate and Property Law, Commercial Transactions, Evidence, Law Office Management, Interviewing and Investigation Techniques, Advanced Legal Writing and Research.
Microsoft Visual C/C++ 6.0 Cisco IOS 11.0
Microsoft Visual Basic 6.0 Windows NT 4.0, NetWare 5.0
Red Linus 6.1 MS Word, Access, Excel, PowerPoint
Kernel 2.2.12 DOS Windows 9X Visio 2000
Cisco Config Maker 2.4


EXAMPLES OF CLASS PROJECTS

Example: #1
Edmonds Community College, Lynnwood, WA
Visual Basic/C/C++ Certificate 3.9 GPA
• VB Projects: Mortgage Loan Calculator, “Craps” Dice Game, GPA Calculator
• C/C++ projects: Multiple Tuition Calculator using Input and Output Dababase Files
• Java Projects: Computer Science Department Web Pages, Multiple Table/Frame Home Site
• JavaScript Projects: DHTML Page with Image Rollover
• Technical Communication Project: As part of a two-person team, wrote 47-page employee manual for Entry Services Department at college. Information gathered through interviews with staff.

Example: #2
Edmonds Community College, Associate or Technical Arts, December 2001
Computer Information Systems, Networking Specialization
Three quarters of Cisco courses with hands-on experience including:
• Setting up LAN Hubs • Configuring Virtual LAN
• Installing Windows NT 4.0 • Installing Novell NetWare 5.0
• Configuring Cisco 1601, 2500 routers, subnetting a class B network
• Simulating LAN and WAN environment with 5 routers and two 1500 series switches
• Installing, configuring Linux 2.2, adding users, changing permissions

Example: #3
Associate of Technical Arts, Computer Information Systems, August 2001
Edmonds Community College, Lynnwood, WA
• Working in teams, planned and executed several database systems and hardware requirements from the beginning to the SDLC to the final stages
• Setup, configured, and maintained a networked environment containing five routers and switches
• Team leader on the basic design of LAN – designed LAN for two campus buildings
• Team member for a Help Desk Staff of five students – provided technical support for 40+ computers and users, simulating real-world operational problems



Last updated: 08/24/06

Technical Resume Sample

CONNIE A. TECHWIZARD
9999 CIS Lane, Edmonds, WA 98036 ■ 425-111-1111 ■ ctechwiz@hotmail.com
SKILLS SUMMARY
Database Software/OS Networking
Oracle Administration DOS CCNA Certification
OCP Certification Windows 95/98/2000 CISCO Networking
Pl/SQL 2000 Office 2000 LAN Administration
Access 2000 Web Development Basic UNIX
Vision 2000 HTML Troubleshooting
Database Theory and Design Visual Basic 6.0
Quick Books Hardware upgrades
Installation of Software
INTERPERSONAL SKILLS
• 10 years of Customer Service Experience
• Highly skilled in dealing with difficult and angry customers
• Accustomed to working in a team environment
• Experienced working with a diverse customer base
TECHNICAL EXPERIENCE
Computer Lab Assistant, Academic Computer Services
Edmonds Community College 2000-date
• Provided hardware/software support for 125 computers and workstations
• Installed and networked computers in classrooms (30+ computers)
• Provided technical support for students using Access, Excel, Word, VB
• Tested software
EDUCATION
Associate of Technical Arts, Computer Information Systems, August 2001
Edmonds Community College, Lynnwood, WA
• Working in teams, planned and executed several database systems and hardware requirements from the beginning to the SDLC to the final stages
• Setup, configured, and maintained a networked environment containing five routers and switches
• Team leader on the basic design of LAN – designed LAN for two campus buildings
• Team member for a Help Desk Staff of five students – provided technical support for 40+ computers and users, simulating real-world operational problems
• Designed, implemented and tested a database in Access 2000
• Served on a six-person team that created a prototype database for the Point Defiance Zoo
• VB Projects: Mortgage Loan Calculator, “Craps” Dice Game, GPA Calculator, Check Register
• Designed a Web site with 22 pages for an online PC Software Support class
WORK HISTORY
Teller/Customer Service Representative
Bank of America, Seattle, WA 1994-1999
• Greeted customer and took care of financial transactions
• Sold financial services to customers
• Balanced cash and transactions daily
• Handled upset and angry customers with patience and poise
Reservations Agent
Alaska Airlines, Seattle, WA 1989-1994
• As part of a customer services team, responded to incoming phone requests for airline reservations
• Responded to customer requests for information
• Resolved customer problems tactfully
• Handled large volume to incoming calls (more than 30 per hour)




A Guide to the Preparation of a Technical Resume
A resume should be a focused summary of the qualifications, skills and experiences you have to offer a potential employer. It should be brief and easy to read, contain concise action phrases rather than complete sentences and reflect balanced use of blank space and margins. Context should be void of personal pronouns.
The resume is a screening device, not a selection device. Each year, companies pass over thousands of qualified applicants who failed to make sure they made the first impression a good one. You can avoid this pitfall by organizing a thorough, meaningful resume.
The resume is your personal document. It should be designed not only to give factual information about you, but to create a specific impression-an impression of how desirable a candidate you are-to motivate an employer to interview you or take another step toward your employment. The resume will not get you a job; its purpose is only to get you off on the right foot. It is a tool that you must learn to use.
There are but a few hard and fast rules: the resume should be neat and well organized, and it should reflect your background in the most positive way. Neat/well-organized - It is always typed, generally printed on quality paper of a conservative color with no typographical, spelling or grammatical errors. Make sure you space it well so it is visually attractive. Positive - Every concept in the resume should be rank-ordered from most important to least important. State your strongest points first and save less important facts for last.
GETTING STARTED
Preparing a resume will help to organize your job campaign. It will start you thinking systematically about your qualifications. A thorough awareness of your skills and abilities will increase your self-confidence as you approach employers.
WHAT TO INCLUDE
Identification
• Full name, address, telephone number, e-mail address
Job Objective
• Clearly defined. A statement that tells the reader you are not looking for just anything that might come along
Educational Background
• Detailed information about your education is most important
• Include degrees earned, beginning with most advanced degree
• List major subject and include kinds of courses taken
• Specialized course work
Work Experience
• Emphasize skills gained, contributions made, promotions earned
• Summer or part-time jobs held
Professional Development
• Memberships in professional organizations, published books and articles, presentations of papers, inventions or patents
Extracurricular Activities
• Affiliation with social organizations or community projects
• Include club memberships, awards, and honors
Selected Personal Data
• Hobbies, pastimes and interests can add character and may show signs of leadership and community service
Special Skills
• List those languages you speak well
• List computer languages learned/hardware with which you are familiar
• Laboratory equipment/techniques
References
• Simply state that references will be furnished upon request (be sure to request permission before using anyone as a reference)
TYPES OF RESUMES
The various forms of the resume all include your education and experience, but may present the material in different ways.
Chronological: This resume form is the most widely used by job applicants and the most accepted by employers. The arrangement of information is the easiest to follow. Your experience is outlined in reverse chronological order beginning with the most recent or current position followed by earlier positions. This format is advantageous when you have held a series of progressively more responsible jobs. The challenge in this approach is to write more than a simple fact sheet.
Functional: This resume focuses on performance and activities, minimizing job titles and employers. The intention is to highlight your most important job functions regardless of actual employment chronology. This is particularly effective for describing positions in which you performed several functions or had frequent changes of assignment in each job. This format is also good for job changers who may want to minimize job titles and emphasize the diversity of their skills.
Analytical: This form combines features of both the chronological and the functional resumes. You outline the major fields of ability and list your specific experience with each.

Who Needs a Cover Letter?
Everyone who sends out a resume does! Even if the cover letter never "came up" in conversation or wasn't mentioned in an advertisement, it's expected that you will write one.
It is regarded as a sign of laziness (sorry about that) to send out a cover letter that is not tailored to the specific company. In the days before word processors, you could maybe get away with it. Not anymore. (Electra must be emphatic: Not anymore.)
Yes, it adds to the wear and tear of looking for a job! But the good news is: the cover letter gives you another chance to emphasize what you have to contribute to the company or organization. Don't give the person screening the resumes a second to entertain the thought: "But how can this person help US?" Your cover letter will answer that question in your own words. Your resume will also answer that question but in a somewhat more rigid format.
What makes a Good Cover Letter?
1. No spelling or typing errors. Not even one.
2. Address it to the person who can hire you. Resumes sent to the personnel department have a tougher time of it. If you can find out (through networking and researching) exactly who is making the hiring decision, address the letter to that person. Be sure the name is spelled correctly and the title is correct. A touch of formality is good too: address the person as "Mr.," "Ms.," "Mrs.," "Miss," "Dr.," or "Professor." (Yes, life is complicated.)
3. Write it in your own words so that it sounds like you--not like something out of a book. (Electra gets in trouble with libraries when she says things like this.) Employers are looking for knowledge, enthusiasm, focus.
4. Being "natural" makes many people nervous. And then even more nervous because they are trying to avoid spelling errors and grammatical mistakes. If you need a little help with grammar (do they still teach grammar?)--check out the classic work on simple writing, Strunk & White's Elements of Style, published in 1918 and now online. A good place to begin is "Chapter 5: Words and Expressions Commonly Misused."
5. Show that you know something about the company and the industry. This is where your research comes in. Don't go overboard--just make it clear that you didn't pick this company out of the phone book. You know who they are, what they do and you have chosen them!
6. Use terms and phrases that are meaningful to the employer. (This is where your industry research and networking come in.) If you are applying for an advertised position, use the requirements in the ad and put them in BOLD type. For example: the ad says--
"2 years' experience processing magnetic media (cartridge, tape, disc); interface with benefit plan design, contracts and claims; and business background with strong analytical & technical skills--dBase, Excel, R&R, SQL."
Make sure your cover letter contains each of these requirements and shows how you measure up.

Your name
Mailing address
City, state, and zip
Telephone number(s)
Email address
Today’s date


Your addressee’s name
Professional title
Organization name
Mailing address
City, state and zip


Dear Mr. (or Ms.) last name,

Start your letter with a grabber—a statement that establishes a connection with your reader, a probing question, or a quotable quote. Briefly say what job you are applying for.

The mid-section of your letter should be one or two short paragraphs that make relevant points about your qualifications. You should not summarize your resume! You may incorporate a column or bullet point format here.

Your last paragraph should initiate action by explaining what you will do next (e.g., call the employer) or instigate the reader to contact you to set up an interview. Close by saying “thank you.”

Sincerely yours,
Your handwritten signature
Your name (typed)

Enclosure: resume
Résumé
A résumé, also spelled resumé or resume; also called curriculum vitae or CV, is a document that contains a summary or listing of relevant job experience and education. The résumé or CV is typically the first item that a potential employer encounters regarding the job seeker and is typically used to screen applicants, often followed by an interview, when seeking employment.
General
In many contexts, a résumé or CV is short (usually one page), and therefore contains only experience directly relevant to a particular position. Many résumés contain precise keywords that the potential employers are looking for, make heavy use of active verbs, and display content in a flattering manner.
In the past, résumés/CVs used to be no longer than two pages, as potential employers typically did not devote much time to reading résumé details for each applicant. In some countries employers have changed their views regarding acceptable résumé length. Since increasing numbers of job seekers and employers are using Internet-based job search engines to find and fill employment positions, longer résumés/CVs are needed for applicants to differentiate and distinguish themselves. Since the late 1990s, some employers have been more accepting of résumés that are longer than two pages, but not those in Australia. Many professional résumé writers and human resources professionals believe that a résumé/CV should be long enough so that it provides a concise, adequate, and accurate description of an applicant's employment history and skills. The transmission of résumés/CVs directly to employers became increasingly popular as late as 2002. Jobseekers were able to circumvent the job application process and reach employers through direct email contact and résumé blasting, a term meaning the mass distribution of résumés/CVs to increase personal visibility within the job market. However the mass distribution of résumés/CVs to employers often can have a negative effect on the applicant's chances of securing employment as the résumés/CVs tend not to be tailored for the specific positions the applicant is applying for. It is usually therefore more sensible to adjust the résumé/CV for each position applied for.
The complexity and simplicity of various résumé/CV formats tends to produce results that vary from person to person, occupation, and industry. It is important to note that résumés/CV used by medical professionals, professors, artists and people in many other specialized fields may be comparatively longer. For example, an artist's résumé/CV, typically excluding any non-art-related employment, may include extensive lists of solo and group exhibitions.
Terminology
Curriculum vitae is Latin meaning "course of life" and résumé is French meaning "summary". In the business world, the word résumé (also spelled resumé and resume) is used especially in the United States and in English Canada. Curriculum vitae and "CV" are used in the United Kingdom in all contexts, with résumé having very little currency.
In North America, Australia, and India the terms "résumé" and "CV" may be used interchangeably. However, a résumé more often has a free-form organizational style and is used for seeking employment in the private sector, whereas a curriculum vitae (also called a vita, but not curriculum vita, see below) usually has a more standardized look and format for the purpose of seeking positions in academic or educational institutions. Another difference is that a résumé tends to be more descriptive and tailored for a specific purpose or target audience, whereas a curriculum vitae tends to be organized in a way that presents data about one's self in a compact fashion, with a clear chronology. For example, a résumé may begin with a statement about a personal goal, followed by a list of most significant accomplishments or characteristics in order of significance, while a curriculum vitae often includes complete and unembellished lists of data such as educational institutions attended, degrees received, positions held, professional affiliations, publications authored, etc. A résumé may or may not be represented by the person as a complete history of themselves without omission, whereas a curriculum vitae usually implies that there are no omissions, and in particular, no temporal gaps.
The term curriculum vitae means "course of life" in Latin. While it is appropriate to write either curriculum vitae or just vita, it is incorrect to use the phrase curriculum vita, the form vitae being the genitive of vita. The plural of curriculum vitae is curricula vitae.
Styles
A simple résumé is a summary typically limited to one or two pages of size A4 or Letter-size highlighting only those experiences and credentials that the author considers most relevant to the desired position. CVs are typically longer.
Résumés may be organized in different ways:
Chronological résumé
A chronological résumé enumerates a candidate's job experiences in reverse chronological order.
The chronological résumé format is the most common résumé layout in use. In using this format, the main body of the document becomes the Professional Experience section, starting from the most recent experience going chronologically backwards through a succession of previous experience. The chronological résumé works to build credibility through experience gained, while illustrating career growth over time. In the United Kingdom the chronological résumé tends to extend only as far back as the subject's GCSE/Standard Grade qualifications.
Functional résumé
A functional résumé lists work experience and skills sorted by skill area or job function.The functional résumé is used to assert a focus to skills that are specific to the type of position being sought. This format directly emphasizes specific professional capabilities and utilizes experience summaries as its primary means of communicating professional competency. In contrast, the chronological résumé format will briefly highlight these competencies prior to presenting a comprehensive timeline of career growth via reverse-chronological listing with most recent experience listed first. The functional résumé works well for those making a career change, having a varied work history and with little work experience. A functional résumé is also preferred for applications to jobs that require a very specific skill set or clearly defined personality traits.
Combination résumé
The combination résumé balances the functional and chronological approaches. A résumé organized this way typically leads with a functional list of job skills, followed by a chronological list of employers. The combination résumé has a tendency to repeat itself and is therefore less widely utilized than the other two forms.


Curriculum vitae
In the United States and Canada, a CV is expected to include a comprehensive listing of professional history including every term of employment, academic credential, publication, contribution or significant achievement. In certain professions, it may even include samples of the person's work and may run to many pages.
In the European Union, there has been an attempt to develop a standardised CV model known as Europass (in 2004 by the European Parliament and European Commission) and promoted by the EU to ease skilled migration between member countries, although this is not widely used in most contexts.
A standard British CV might have the following points[1]
• Personal details at the top, such as name in bold type, address, contact numbers and, if the subject has one, an e-mail address. Photos are not required at all, unless requested. Modern CVs are more flexible.
• A personal profile, written in either the first or the third person, a short paragraph about the job seeker. This should be purely factual, and free of any opinion about the writer's qualities such as "enthusiastic", "highly motivated", etc.
• A bulleted list of the job seeker's key skills or rather, professional assets - skills alone are somewhat unsophisticated
• A reverse chronological list of the job seeker's work experience, including his or her current role. The CV should account for the writer's entire career history. The career history section should describe achievements rather than duties. The early career can these days be lumped together in a short summary but recent jobs should illustrate concept, planning, achievement, roles.
• A reverse chronological list of the job seeker's education or training, including a list of his or her qualifications such as his or her academic qualifications (GCSEs, A-Levels, Highers, degrees etc.) and his or her professional qualifications (NVQs and memberships of professional organisations etc.). If the job seeker has just left the place of education, the work experience and education are reversed.
• Date of birth, gender if you have an ambiguous first name, whether you have a driving licence used to be standard - but nothing is required and you should not waste space on trivia. An employer requesting date of birth and gender needlessly could find itself on the losing side of recent anti-discrimination legislation.
• The job seeker's hobbies and interests (optional)
It is obligatory for it to be typed or word-processed, not hand-written.
There are certain faux pas for CVs:
• The CV being longer than two full sides of A4 paper. (This rule does not apply to academic positions, for which the CV normally includes a complete list of publications and major conference papers. CVs for positions in postsecondary teaching, research, and academic administration may be of any length.)
• Writing anything pejorative about other persons or businesses.[2]
• If applying for a specific position, omitting a covering letter explaining one's suitability.
CVs should be purely factual without implying skills which do not exist.
As with résumés, CVs are subject to recruiting fads. For example,
• In German-speaking countries, a picture was a mandatory adjunct to the CV for a long time.
• In the huge Indian job market, photos and good looks are strongly preferred in the service industry (hotels, aviation, etc.) and in sales-marketing, front office and customer service jobs. Additionally, Indian employers prefer lengthy résumés.
• Including a photograph of the applicant is strongly discouraged in the U.S. as it would suggest that an employer would discriminate on the basis of a person's appearance — age, race, sex, attractiveness, or the like. The theatre and modeling industries are exceptions, where it is expected that résumés will include photographs; actors refer to such photos as head shots.
• When listing non-academic employment in the U.S., the newest entries generally come first (reverse chronological).
• The use of an "objective statement" at the top of the document (such as "Looking for an entry-level position in stores") was strongly encouraged in the U.S. during the mid-1990s but fell out of favor by the late-1990s. However, with the avalanche of résumés distributed via the Internet since the late 1990s, an "objective" and/or "skills summary" statement has become more common to help recruiters quickly determine the applicant's suitability. It is not prevalent elsewhere.
• A profiling statement (or thumbnail description) was a protocol developed by placement agencies in the late 1980s. Many candidates now open their CV with such a statement. This can be a short paragraph or a handful of bullet points delineating the candidate's most desirable skills and experiences.
• Listing of computer skills (such as proficiency with word processing software) was a strong differentiator during the 1980s but was considered passé for most professional positions by the 1990s.
• In the 1980s and early 1990s in the U.S., the trend was to not allow a résumé to exceed one page in length. In the late 1990s, this restriction fell out of vogue, with two- or even three-page résumés becoming common.
Online résumés
The Internet has brought about a new age for the résumé. As the search for employment has become more electronic, résumés have followed suit. It is not uncommon for employers to only accept résumés electronically, either out of practicality or preference. This electronic boom has changed much about the way résumés are written, read, and handled.
• Job seekers must choose a file format in which to maintain their résumé. Many employers, especially recruitment agencies on their behalf, insist on receiving résumés only as Microsoft Word documents. Others will only accept résumés formatted in HTML, PDF, or plain ASCII text.
• Many potential employers now find candidates' résumés through search engines, which makes it more important for candidates to use appropriate keywords when writing a résumé.
• Including an e-mail address in an online résumé may expose the job seeker to spam (see Spambot).
Some career fields include a special section listing the life-long works of the author. For computer-related fields, the softography; for musicians and composers, the discography; for actors, a filmography.
Keeping résumés online has become increasingly common for people in professions that benefit from the multimedia and rich detail that are offered by an HTML résumé, such as actors, photographers, graphic designers, developers, dancers, etc.
Job seekers are finding an ever increasing demand to have an electronic version of their résumé available to employers and professionals who use Internet recruiting at any time. Internet résumés differ from conventional résumés in that they are comprehensive and allow for self-reflection. Unlike regular 2 page résumés, which only show recent work experience and education, Internet résumés also show an individual's skill development over his or her career.
For job seekers, taking résumés online also facilitates distribution to multiple employers via Internet. Online résumé distribution services have emerged to allow job seekers to distribute their résumés to employers of their choices via email.
Another advantage to internet résumés is the significant cost savings over traditional hiring methods. The Employment Management Association has included internet advertising in its cost-per-hire surveys for several years. In 1997, for example, it reported that the average cost-per-hire for a print ad was $3,295, while the average cost-per-hire with the Internet was $377.[3] This in turn has cut costs for many growing organizations, as well as saving time and energy in recruitment. Until the development of résumés in an electronic format, employers would have to sort through massive stacks of paper to find suitable candidates without any way of filtering out the poor candidates. Employers are now able to set search parameters in their database of résumés to reduce the number of résumés which must be reviewed in detail in the search for the ideal candidate.
Finally, the internet is enabling new technologies to be employed with résumés, such as video résumés--especially popular for multimedia job seekers. Another emerging technology is graphic-enabled résumés, such as Visual CV. [4]
When applying for a job or submitting a resume blindly to a company, you should always include a cover letter. You can submit the cover letter along with the resume in person, by mail, e-mail or even post it to an Internet job board
Cover letters are used to introduce yourself and your resume, while clearly stating your desire to apply for a job position in a new company or make yourself available for a job position within a company. The cover letter is the formal introduction that provides a brief explanation of your job field, experience, areas of expertise and relevant knowledge in relationship to the job being applied for. The cover letter should highlight key points in the resume and specifically should address all items within the summary of your resume.
The cover letter writing articles below provide helpful tips, advice and guidelines for developing a professional quality cover letter. All content has been provided by industry leading professional resume
and cove letter writers. You can visit our sponsor sites for more information on their background, publications and services offered.
Your Job Skills Portfolio: Giving You an Edge in the Marketplace



by Randall S. Hansen, Ph.D.
An old job-hunting tool is making a big comeback. For years, graphic artists, journalists, teachers, and other creative types have used career
portfolios while job-hunting, but it is only recently that the idea has caught on for all types of job-seekers.
What is a job skills, job-search, or career portfolio? It is a job-hunting tool that you develop that gives employers a complete picture of who you are -– your experience, your education, your accomplishments, your skill sets -– and what you have the potential to become -– much more than just a cover letter and resume
can provide. You can use your career portfolio in job interviews to showcase a point, to illustrate the depth of your skills and experience, or to use as a tool to get a second interview.
This article will show you how to develop your job-search portfolio, key elements to consider in developing your job-search portfolio, and the best resources to explore job-search portfolios in more depth.
Your biggest time commitment will be the initial development of your portfolio, but once you've developed it, keeping it current and up-to-date should be fairly easy. Your two biggest decisions in developing your portfolio are determining the format of the portfolio and the organization of the portfolio.
Most experts agree that the portfolio should be kept in a professional three-ring binder (zipper closure optional). You should include a table of contents and use some kind of system -– such as tabs or dividers -– to separate the various parts of the portfolio.
Besides the traditional portfolio, if you have access to space on a Web site, you should also consider developing an online Web-based portfolio.
Once the development is complete, you then have to gather, write, copy, and assemble the material that goes in the portfolio. This process will not only result in a professional portfolio, but should help you be better prepared for your job search.
So, what types of things go in a portfolio? Here are the basic categories. Don't feel you need to use these exact ones for your portfolio. The key to remember as you contemplate these items is that you want to give reasons for the employer to hire you -- you want to showcase your education and work experience by showing examples and evidence of your work, skills, and accomplishments.
1. Career Summary and Goals: A description of what you stand for (such as work ethic, organizational interests, management philosophy, etc.) and where you see yourself in two to five years.
2. Professional Philosophy/Mission Statement: A short description of the guiding principles that drive you and give you purpose. Read more in our article, Using a Personal Mission Statement to Chart Your Career Course.
3. Traditional Resume: A summary of your education, achievements, and work experience, using a chronological or functional format. If you need help developing a resume, visit Quintessential Careers: Fundamentals of a Good Resume.
4. Scannable/Text-Based Resume: A text-only version of your resume should also be included. More information about this type of resume can be found at: Quintessential Careers: Scannable Resume Fundamentals.
5. Skills, Abilities and Marketable Qualities: A detailed examination of your skills and experience. This section should include the name of the skill area; the performance or behavior, knowledge, or personal traits that contribute to your success in that skill area; your background and specific experiences that demonstrate your application of the skill.
6. List of Accomplishments: A detailed listing that highlights the major accomplishments in your career to date. Accomplishments are one of the most important elements of any good job-search. Read more in our article, For Job-Hunting Success: Track and Leverage Your Accomplishments.
7. Samples of Your Work: A sampling of your best work, including reports, papers, studies, brochures, projects, presentations, etc. Besides print samples, you can also include CD-ROMs, videos, and other multimedia formats.
8. Research, Publications, Reports: A way to showcase multiple skills, including your written communications abilities. Include any published papers and conference proceedings.
9. Testimonials and Letters of Recommendations: A collection of any kudos you have received -– from customers, clients, colleagues, past employers, professors, etc. Some experts even suggest including copies of favorable employer evaluations and reviews.
10. Awards and Honors: A collection of any certificates of awards, honors, and scholarships.
11. Conference and Workshops: A list of conferences, seminars, and workshops you've participated in and/or attended.
12. Transcripts, Degrees, Licenses, and Certifications: A description of relevant courses, degrees, licenses, and certifications.
13. Professional Development Activities: A listing of professional associations and conferences attended -- and any other professional development activities.
14. Military records, awards, and badges: A listing of your military service, if applicable.
15. Volunteering/Community Service: A description of any community service activities, volunteer or pro bono work you have completed, especially as it relates to your career.
16. References List: A list of three to five people (including full names, titles, addresses, and phone/email) who are willing to speak about your strengths, abilities, and experience. At least one reference should be a former manager. Read more in our article: The Keys to Choosing and Using the Best Job References in Your Job Search.
And remember . . . once you've created your job search portfolio, be sure to take it with you to all interviews and use it as a tool to getting job offers.
.
I. LETTER OF INTRODUCTION
A well-written introduction is an important requirement of the Career Portfolio. This letter introduces you to prospective employers and colleges. It should be both personal and informative and spotlight your best work. A letter of introduction serves as a first impression. It is critical that you address—
Why you are interested in this position/business/college (if you do not have a particular
position/business/college in mind, choose one that might interest you).
Your career aspirations and goals.
The skills and abilities that would make you successful in a particular career or at a
particular college.
Why this business or college should select you.
This letter should be no longer than one (1) single-spaced, typewritten page. Be sure that it is typed neatly and is both grammatically correct and free of spelling errors.

Preparing a Resume
A resume is a summary of a person’s qualifications. Effective resumes use short statements to inform potential interviewers about important facts regarding the applicant and to catch their attention. The important facts:
Who you are.
How you may be contacted (mail, telephone, e-mail).
Your experiences, skills, and abilities for the position.
Think about yourself. What skills do you have? What should a potential interviewer know about you? What achievement(s) could you highlight to help you get the interview?
Draft a resume. Each resume should be personal and reflect your individual strengths. Basic guidelines for an effective resume:
Type and spell-check it.
Have another person proofread it.
Make it look professional.
Make it short--one page if possible.
Omit personal pronouns.
Use action verbs when describing your job responsibilities.
Sample Resume
JESSICA NADEAU
42 Washington Avenue
Auburn, Maine 04240
(207) 555-5555
jnadeau@emailaddress.com
Career Objective: Computer support technician in central Maine
Education: High School Diploma, June 2002
Edward Little High School, Auburn Heights, Auburn, ME 04210
G.P.A. 3.2 Class Rank: 45 out of 411
Honors and Awards:
Honor Roll for last three semesters
Perfect Attendance Award for the last two academic years
Relevant Courses:
Introduction to Computer Repair I Introduction to BASIC
Database & Spreadsheets Word Processing I
Computer Experience: Neighborhood "Computer Expert" - 2001-present. Performed
troubleshooting for several friends and relatives who were having difficulty
with their hardware or software.
Network Assistant {volunteer) - Edward Little High School.
September 2001-May 2002. Assembled 20 computers for new computer
laboratory, loaded software on each one, and networked them.
Other Experience: Waitperson, Rolandeau's, Auburn, Maine. Summer 2001.
Provided efficient, friendly, quality service in busy fine dining atmosphere.
Child care provider - Freeport. Maine. Summer 200. Provided safe, warm
environment for two children aged 4 and 7. Supervised their self-directed
play and prepared meals and snacks.
Activities: Soccer Team - 1998-2002 - Co-captain 2000-2002
Civil Rights Team - 2002
Soup Kitchen Volunteer - 1999-2001
[Remove this page once the section is complete.]

SAMPLES OF WORK
Your portfolio should include samples of your work. You are responsible for selecting and gathering these samples. Choose samples of which you are proud—work that shows care and planning. This section of the portfolio demonstrates what you can do and how well you can do it.
Wherever possible, choose samples that display skills appropriate to the position for which you are applying.
Samples of work that are three-dimensional and cannot be placed in the binder may accompany the portfolio. However, instead of the sample itself, your portfolio can include a photograph and a note explaining the physical item. Please also include notes where necessary to explain a little about when, why, and for whom a project was completed. If you were responsible for only part of the project, explain your contribution.
Possible examples of academic work:
Research papers, book reports, essays
Math projects
Science projects
Exams that show achievement
Computer projects
Mechanical/technical drawings
Other samples of work:
Pictures, projects, descriptions of activities relating to personal interests and hobbies (i.e., photography, poetry, cooking, woodworking, etc.)
Pictures, projects, descriptions of activities relating to community involvement outside of school (i.e., Scouts, religious organizations, 4-H, etc.)