Thursday, September 21, 2006

Resume Writing
Integrated Computer Technology

A resume is much more than a piece of paper. It's a series of moving parts, that when working seamlessly, should move a potential employer to take a serious look at you. Below is a dissection of a traditional resume that provides a brief explanation of each resume element.

Contact Information
Your name, phone number(s) and email address should be prominently positioned at the top of the page. Aim for the right-hand corner, so it's easily found when paging through a stack of paper, and it's not hidden if paper clipped or stapled to other sheets.

Objective
This is your job search mission statement. It identifies to the prospective employer, in concise terms, the exact position you seek. It should include a broad definition of the job title and a mention of the skills that would be utilized in this position. You can and should tailor this to each employer you contact.

Experience/Employment History
Traditionally done in reverse chronological order, your history should be more than a list of job titles and descriptions. It should include quantifiable results like numbers and percentages to demonstrate the impact you had on an organization. –Most high school students are not going to have a plethora of experience or employment history, if any. If you have never worked before, this section could be left off – but don't forget, any employment is better than none at all!

Skills
What computer programs do you know? Are you familiar with both Mac and PC? Are you bilingual? What presentation equipment have you used? This is where you can list any special, job-related skills you may have. You can tailor this list to fit the needs of the position for which you're applying, or simply change the order of the list to present your most valuable skills first.

Education/Training/Certifications/Licenses
The schools you attended. The degrees earned. Your graduation date. Your GPA if a 3.0 or higher. Memberships in related honor societies. Related certifications and professional licenses.

Awards
When others recognize your efforts, it says a lot about you and your work. Awards can be both personal and professional, and should be listed in reverse chronological order.

Affiliations
Being a member of an association speaks volumes about your interest in your field, and can be an instant conversation starter. The same goes for affiliations with non-profit organizations. If you're a volunteer PR rep for a local food pantry, or a member of the Ad Association of Greater Milwaukee, chances are your interviewer is, too.

Here are some examples of resumes of high school students:
High School Resume Examples

Your Assignment:
Using MSWord, you are to produce a resume suitable for use in seeking employment. If you are planning on going to college, this can be in addition to college – seeking a part-time position. *Remember, many college students work. You might be one of them one day.

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