1 Best Practices & Current TrendsResumes Today Best Practices & Current Trends

2 Class Administration A&FRC Marketing Breaks Smoking Areas Cell phonesSIP Marketing: upcoming classes:

3 Your Expectations What would you like to learn today?What do you know about resumes? This seminar is based on information from Louise Kursmark and Wendy Enelow of the Resume Writing Academy. We have several of the publications available for check out.

4 Transition Being patient - 66% Start preparing early - 65% According to recent data collected from military veterans*, 5 of the most important elements of the military-to-civilian transition process are:  Networking  - 68%  Being patient - 66%   Start preparing early - 65%   Have a transition plan - 59%   Translate military skills - 59% This seminar is based on information from Louise Kursmark and Wendy Enelow of the Resume Writing Academy. We have several of the publications available for check out. * information collected on-line from by Military-Transition.org with data indicating the percentage of veterans that claimed this element to be “extremely important” in the transition process. 

5 What is the Purpose of a Resume?It is designed to separate you from the competition. It is a marketing tool!

6 How much time? You Have 6 Seconds – GO! 6 secondsStudies have shown that recruiters spend an average of 6 seconds on the initial YES/NO review.

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8 Parts of the Resume Contact Information Career Summary Professional Experience Education, Credentials, Certifications “Extras” (Optional)

9 Nicholas “Nick” Vernon 1. Contact Information PURPOSE: Help the employer easily contact you. Rose M. Hill * Nicholas “Nick” Vernon  There are several factors to consider when writing your name. Most people use full name at top of resume but it is becoming more and more acceptable to use name by which you prefer to be called. Bear in mind that you want your reader to be comfortable when calling for an interview. That comfort may decrease if your name is gender neutral, difficult to pronounce or very unusual. You can make it easier. Contact information is decreasing Home address – optional One phone number, one address (aol dates you; get free account with yahoo, gmail or hotmail) Also, be conservative with name. No Links to additional information is increasing LinkedIn profile Link to web portfolio Link or QR code (Quick Response Code) Number you can be reached at, i.e.m cell on home. Include name, phone number and at top of second page and each additional page after that. Just in case they get separated.

10 2. Career Summary PURPOSE: Catch the reader’s attention. Entice them to continue reading. It is prime real estate – the penthouse of your resume Short & easy to read – 3 sentences or 50 words Your best accomplishment Top skills Transferrable skills What is in it for them? Who are they looking for? What value they want an employee to provide What extra skills or qualities would bring value The summary is the section at the top of your resume that summarizes and highlights your knowledge and expertise. Some ask about using an “objective”. A career summary can be a more powerful introduction wherein an objective is too specific or too vague. “ An Electrical Engineer Position, ” or Challenging opportunity with a progressive organization offering the opportunity for growth and advancement. Career summary allows you to paint a picture.

11 Summary Do’s & Don’ts YES – Add a headline Use Action VerbsUse Keywords Tailor it NO – Ditch first person Remove the obvious Remove the fluff Don’t lie Others include Core Competencies Summary format and Project format. The best resume summary grabs recruiters’ attention by shouting out: “Hey, I’m who you are looking for!”

12 Professional ExperienceChronological Resume Name of Company Location (Maybe) Job Title Dates Description/Accomplishments Functional Resume This section may take the longest to write and may be positioned in several different places. ( after summary or after education; between summary and education) For example you may have had the same position for ten years. So then the question becomes how can you consolidate all that you have done in one section? On the other end of the spectrum, if you have had several short-term jobs, how can you make your experience seem substantial. What do you include, when and where. The answer is “it depends.” It depends on you, your experience, your achievements and successes. Relevant skill sets Description/Accomplishments

13 Professional Experience MustsDitch the Job Description Prove Value Quantify Results Strong Verbs or Power Words Target the Goal Problem Action Result (PAR) format 5. Use Strong Verbs. Avoid words like “Responsible for” and get to the point. Use words like Managed, Produced Implemented. 6. Use Industry Keywords. Each industry has specific words that must be on your resume or your credibility will be questioned. Responsible for Duties include

14 Problem-Action-Results FormatProblem: An old tool, used for bug-reporting and fixing, was being used for years. It was an integral part of the software process. But it had become unmanageable, as a result of numerous additions, updates and fixes. It also took a very long time to function. Action: With appropriate data re-engineering tools, analyzed and restructured the entire system within six months. Format emphasizes the challenge of each position, the action taken, and the results delivered. Other formats to consider are: Achievement Format that emphasizes overall scope of responsibility, and resulting achievements, functional format that emphasizes the functional areas of responsibility within job and associated achievements, and experience summary format that briefly emphasizes relevant highlights of each position . Result: Smooth and fast operation of the tool. Resulted in reduction of 20 percent of time spent on it. Increased productivity by 35 percent.

15 Problem-Action-Results FormatPAR statement: Restructured an old and unmanageable bug-fixing tool, critical to the software process, within six months, hence reducing the time spent working with the tool by 20 %, and increasing productivity by 35 %. Restructured an outdated bug-fixing tool, critical to the software process, within six months. Reduced time working with tool by 20 %, and increased productivity 35 %. Format emphasizes the challenge of each position, the action taken, and the results delivered. Other formats to consider are: Achievement Format that emphasizes overall scope of responsibility, and resulting achievements, functional format that emphasizes the functional areas of responsibility within job and associated achievements, and experience summary format that briefly emphasizes relevant highlights of each position . Restructured an outdated bug-fixing tool, critical to the software process, within six months. Reduced time working with tool by 20 %, and increased productivity 35 %. Always Write Tight (remove ‘the’ or ‘and’)

16 De-Militarization NCOIC Executive Officer EPR/OER TDY Commanded Combat/War Subordinates Regulations Theater NCO Academy MOS/AFSC Mission First Sergeant War College

17 Experience: ParagraphFood Service Section Chief to 2015 786th Force Support Squadron Ramstein AB, Germany Led installation food service operations that consisted of 3 facilities. Served 350K meals annually. Validated/submitted monthly reports/invoices led Wg Essential Station Messing Program for 40 units. Coordinated dinning spt for 2 bases; served 175K guests/earned $1.1M in sales despite 32% manning reduction. Initiated laptop spt to DV quarters; increased NIPR access 70%; saved AF $10K in commercial free internet. Resumes are most often written in paragraph format, bulleted format, or combination of both. Again the idea is to use what best “sells” you. Advantages: Requires least amount of space. Brief, succinct, and to the point. Disadvantages: Achievement lost in text – does not draw reader’s attention.

18 Experience: Bulleted Advantages: Quick & easy to peruse.Food Service Section Chief to 2015 786th Force Support Squadron Ramstein AB, Germany Led installation food service operations that consisted of 3 facilities. Served 350K meals annually. Validated/submitted monthly reports/invoices led Wg Essential Station Messing Program for 40 units. Coordinated dinning spt for 2 bases; served 175K guests/earned $1.1M in sales despite 32% manning reduction. Initiated laptop spt to DV quarters; increased NIPR access 70%; saved AF $10K in commercial free internet. Advantages: Quick & easy to peruse. Disadvantages: Everything has equal value. Achievements not immediately recognizable.

19 Experience: CombinationFood Service Section Chief to 2015 786th Force Support Squadron Ramstein AB, Germany Led installation food service operations that consisted of 3 facilities. Served 350K meals annually. Validated/submitted monthly reports/invoices led Wg Essential Station Messing Program for 40 units. Coordinated dinning spt for 2 bases; served 175K guests/earned $1.1M in sales despite 32% manning reduction. Initiated laptop spt to DV quarters; increased NIPR access 70%; saved AF $10K in commercial free internet. Advantages: Responsibilities clearly presented. Accentuates achievements. Disadvantages: Shines glaring light on positions without accomplishments.

20 Education, Credentials, and Certifications FormatsM.S., Counseling Psychology, University of Akron, 2001 B.S., Psychology, University of Miami, 1999 Highlights of Continuing Professional Education: Organizational Management & Leadership, Ohio Leadership Association, 2008 Industrial Relations, Purdue University, 2007 Licensed Clinical Psychologist, State of Ohio, 2001 to Present Licensed Recreational Therapist This section should include college, certifications, credentials, licenses, registrations, and continuing education. If your greatest selling point is your education, this section is extremely important and should appear , most likely, after your career summary

21 Education, Credentials, and Certifications FormatsSchool Major (minor if relevant) Date (within 10 years) Coursework (if relevant and necessary) GPA over 3.5 Highest Degree, no H.S. if college education Other formats include Certifications Format, Specialized training and Non-Degree Formats.

22 “Extras” Possible Categories: Technology Skills Equipment Skills Honors and Awards Publications Committees and Task Forces Professional Affiliations This is the section where you should include things that will distinguish you from other candidates and clearly demonstrate your value to a prospective employer.

23 Resume Types Arrangement Chronological Functional Combination (Hybrid)

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25 Overview: Work history in reverse order Most common Advantages: Easy to follow Provides career progression Preferred by employers Disadvantages: Doesn’t emphasize skills Highlights gaps Could be long

26 Use it when: Solid Work History Mid-level to Executive Have high-level employers Career Specialist Do not use if: Career gaps Date issues Entry level

27 Overview: Focuses on skills and experience Puts work history in background Advantages: Great for employment gaps Highlights transferrable skills Move relevant experience up Disadvantages: Perceived as hiding blind spots Doesn’t highlight progression Lack depth Not very common

28 Use it when: Limited work experience Change of career Change jobs frequently Do not use if: You want to showcase growth You wanted to emphasize past/current employers

29 Overview: Blends elements of both types Most uncommon Advantages: Showcase skills and employment Emphasize transferrable skills Strong career progression Disadvantages: Might be too long Hard to understand Unusual

30 Use it when: Showcase specific skills Change of career Highlight achievements Do not use if: Career gaps Little experience Entry level

31 Resume Types &

32 Presentation Resume Show your personality Margins .5 top and bottom.75 right and left Bold Name Headers Job Title Education Major Underline Name of Company Name of School Show your personality Templates are OK? Search Images of resumes Use tables and borders Color is fine if simple

33 Presentation Resume Length: 2 pages – 10 or more years experience1 page – Everyone / Networking resume Work History: 10 – 15 years Relevancy: Security Clearance Certifications Education Volunteerism

34 Serif – 11 or 12pt Sans Serif – 10 or 11pt

35 85% of resumes are never seen by a HUMAN!Scannable Resume 85% of resumes are never seen by a HUMAN! Many employers use software to help them to conduct an initial screening of resumes.   Almost all large/medium companies utilize ATS to screen candidates. Companies with less than 50 workers are much less likely to use such a system.  These Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) screen out or reject an estimated 70%or more of the resumes submitted either because the documents don't reflect the desired qualifications or are formatted in a way that the system can't digest the information.

36 Scannable Resume Font:San Serif (Arial, Tahoma) avoid Serif (TNR) the tails sometimes connect throwing off the scanner. 11 point Margins: No less than .7 all around Length: Can be somewhat longer than 1 – 2 pages No No’s: Bullets, Bold, Underline, Italic, Tables, Columns, Tabs, Header/Footer

37 Scannable Resume Keywords: May use more than once. Some systems tallyDon’t go crazy. Don’t white font Capitalization: Highlight key areas and skill sets Mirroring: Direct match of vacancy announcement Microsoft Office Suite Vs. Listing the software Save as: .doc or .rtf. Do not save as a .pdf

38 Job Scan

39 Beyond the Resume… (What else should I do?)Cover Letters Thank You Notes

40 Cover Letters Highlight abilities Display Company knowledgePersonalize every cover letter Your sales pitch -- a MUST!!

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