Resume Writing Workshop Activities

The following activities can be used before, during or after a “Resume Writing Workshop”
for the purpose of improving your resume writing skills

Activity 1: Structuring a Successful Resume

Step 1: Read through the list of information that may appear in a resume
Step 2: Decide and write down the section heading(s) that you think will best present
each piece of information in a resume
Step 3: Rank each of these sections in the order that you would present them in your
own resume

Your information Possible Section Heading(s) in Your Rank Order

Resume
Your academic qualifications and track
record

The skills, knowledge and personal

qualities you will bring to the position

Where you see yourself moving within

that field or industry

Your interests

Referee contact details

Your principal achievements, within and

outside of university

What you do in your free time, on

campus and outside of university

Your employment and work experience

Where you live, your phone numbers

and email address

Memberships

Your name

http://www.careers.unsw.edu.au/careerEd/workshops/downloads/resumeWriting-activities-v1.pdf

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Activity 2: Using a Job Analysis Checklist

Read through the job advert. Highlight and underline important information - this includes
(where applicable) application closing date, contact details etc.

Step1: How well do I understand the broader context of this job opportunity?

The type of industry/organisation: products, services, growth, goals,

mission, culture, size, structure, location, competitors, market share,
challenges, opportunities etc?
The purpose and importance of this role to the organisation?
All the terminology used in the job advert?

Tip: Start to think about how and where can you demonstrate (some or all of)
this knowledge in your resume – look at the section titles you identified in the
previous activity to help you decide.

Step 2: Have I analysed what they say they are looking for? (ie. what selection criteria
are listed?)

From the job advert (and job description, if available), list everything the
employer is looking for.
Allocate each of the selection criteria that you identify to one of the
categories within the Job Analysis Checklist (below).

Tip: Be as specific as you can be – eg. if the advert mentions that you must
have “Excellent Communication Skills”, don’t simply copy this into your
checklist (perhaps in the Transferable Skills column). Instead, think of who
your target audience will be on the job (will there be more than one group of
them?) and, therefore, how you will be required to demonstrate different
types of communication skills to them. For example you may need to list both
‘Giving formal presentations to groups’ and ‘Explaining product information to
customers via the telephone’ etc.

Step 3: What additional criteria will be necessary to do this job well? (ie. what info
doesn’t appear in the advert?)

Next, from extended research and by thinking through the reality of

working in this job, supplement your list with additional experience, skills,
personal qualities, knowledge and/or qualifications that you believe the
employer would also be impressed by (Note: you are listing here what the
employer ideally wants - not yet what you may be able to offer them!)

Tip: Aim to have listed approx. 12-20 selection criteria in total by this stage.
Use more paper if necessary - the more accurate and comprehensive your job
analysis, the better your application will be!

Step 4: What do I need to highlight in my resume?

From the selection criteria list you’ve identified on your checklist, now
highlight the 3 or 4 you think are especially critical if the job is to be done
well.

http://www.careers.unsw.edu.au/careerEd/workshops/downloads/resumeWriting-activities-v1.pdf

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 Tip: Review how and where in your resume you will present this (most
important) information.

Job Analysis Checklist

⇒ Job Context
• •
• •
• •
• •

⇒ Relevant Experience (if applicable)

• •
• •
• •
• •

⇒ Skills
Technical skills Transferable (ie. generic) skills

• •
• •
• •
• •
⇒ Personal Qualities/Attributes
• •
• •
• •
• •

⇒ Relevant Knowledge & Qualifications (if applicable)

• •
• •
• •
• •

Activity 3: Writing a Career Objective Statement

Look over these sample job objectives, to see how others have written them.
Draft your own with a particular job or industry in mind.

Examples
To use my computer science training in software development for designing and
implementing operating systems.
A public-relations position which will maximise opportunities to develop and implement
programs, to organise people and events, and to communicate positive ideas and
images. To use my public speaking and organisational skills in managing a
publicity/promotional campaign.
A position as a general sales representative within a pharmaceutical house, which will
enable me to use my chemistry background and ability to work on a self-directed basis,
in managing a marketing territory and delivering high quality client services.
A position in data analysis where skills in mathematics, computer programming and
deductive reasoning will contribute to new systems development.
http://www.careers.unsw.edu.au/careerEd/workshops/downloads/resumeWriting-activities-v1.pdf

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 To use my knowledge of financial analysis in an environment where initiative, attention
to detail and communication skills are valued. To take on increasing responsibility and
deliver outstanding results whilst working on key client accounts.
A position which will maximise opportunities to develop and implement programs which
promote environmental awareness within the community. To utilise my effective public
speaking and experience in the management of publicity/promotional campaigns.
To contribute my knowledge of applied mechanical engineering, and my ability to work
on a self-directed basis in managing projects and designing contemporary and
environmentally sustainable solutions.
To work in an engineering environment that provides continual personal and intellectual
challenge through creative problem solving. To manage and apply my technical skills
and knowledge to a range of engineering projects that can help improve the efficiency,
competitiveness and safety of a manufacturing organisation.
To be employed in the area of urban and regional planning where my analytical and
problem solving skills will enable me to define a range of urban or environmental
problems and plan appropriate strategies to resolve them.

Your Turn:
Remember, your career objective statement should:
Be a clear, specific, and positive statement of the type of career you want
Be tailored to each position - using broad categories rather than specific job titles, and
defining a ‘bracket of responsibility’
Be 1-4 lines in length
It can also:
Show a clear understanding of the key skills, knowledge, experience required for the
role
Refer to your most relevant skills and knowledge – currently, and what you intend to
develop in the future
Reflect on your current and longer term goals
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________

Activity 4: Writing Skills Statements

Look over these sample skills statements, to see how others have written them.
Draft your own with a particular job or industry in mind.

Examples

Analytical & Problem Solving:

In preparing my Honours thesis for my Geology degree, I needed to produce a precise
written document of a high standard that reviewed and integrated the relevant literature
and accurately reported all experimental procedures. My thesis involved researching
stormwater management, more specifically the problem of pollution in Waverly Council
area. I studied comparative data on pre and post ocean outfall and water quality and was
able to implement a management program resulting in major improvements. My strong
ability to analyse and solve problems was also demonstrated in the fact that I achieved a
mark of First Class Honours for the project.

http://www.careers.unsw.edu.au/careerEd/workshops/downloads/resumeWriting-activities-v1.pdf

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Time management:
Having undertaken full time study while also conducting a research project part time at
CSIRO last semester, and maintaining a casual job at my local chemist, I needed to plan
my time carefully in order to meet competing deadlines. My careful scheduling and
prioritising resulted in my maintaining a Distinction average for the semester as well as
completing the research project one day prior to the due deadline.

Leadership:
As a volunteer representative for an international exchange student orientation program, I
led teams of exchange students and acted as a Student Advisor whilst on exchange camps.
In these roles I had responsibility for ensuring the safety and for monitoring the well being
of my team. As a result, I made decisions concerning the group, provided support for team
members and helped create a sense of adventure and excitement for the camp programs.
The program organisers who were impressed with my ability to manage and organise such
large groups asked me to continue working for them on a part-time basis.

Teamwork:
In the final year of my degree I participated in the Higher Education Workplace Skills
Olympiad (HEWSO) competition. I was a member of a multi disciplined team and our task
was to provide strategies for improving the work/life balance at Optus. During the 4 weeks
of the project the team members agreed to delegate tasks and set milestones. Regular
meetings were arranged to integrate information and update the team’s progress. My role
was to research strategies used by other organisations and to analyse exit survey
information. Our team presented our findings to an audience of 15 management staff from
Optus, UNSW representatives and 4 other student teams via a 20 minute presentation, a
100 page report and a website. We were judged the winning UNSW team and will now
compete in the national finals.

Your Turn:
1. Think about a position that you are applying to (or the kind of position you want).
2. Identify (up to) 3 key skills that you think the role might require. These skills may have
been developed in your education, employment, extra curricular experiences or other
life experiences

REMEMBER: Your skills statements should:

Be ordered in terms of importance and/or relevance for the employer/position
Have a title and be approximately 4 –7 lines
Use the STAR method to structure the description of your past or current example:
Situation, Task, Action, Result
Provide clear, concrete details of how you demonstrated that skill behaviour in that
situation

Position: _________________________________________________
Skill 1:
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________

Skill 2:
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
http://www.careers.unsw.edu.au/careerEd/workshops/downloads/resumeWriting-activities-v1.pdf

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________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________

Skill 3:
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________

Activity 5: Writing Achievement Statements

Look over these sample achievement statements, to see how others have written them.
Draft your own with a particular job or industry in mind.

Examples
Received an Australian Development (AusAid) Scholarship from the Government for
tertiary studies and living expenses, to the value of $26,000 per annum. The
scholarship was awarded on the basis of academic achievement across all secondary
school subjects.
Implemented plant process control equipment resulting in $53000 raw materials savings
in nine months.
Privately tutored three, high school students in the HSC 4-unit extension mathematics
course, resulting in an average increase of 15% in the students’ academic grades.
Exceeded sales quota by more than 20% in two consecutive years, resulting in
approximately $3,000 commission-based earnings.
Suggested improvements in the firm’s internal auditing systems that saved $40,000 per
annum.

Your Turn:
1. Think about a position that you are applying to (or the kind of position you want).
2. Identify (up to) 3 key achievements from your education, employment, extra curricular
activities or other life experiences that you think demonstrate skills and/or knowledge
relevant to the position.
3. For each achievement, try drafting an achievement statement that demonstrates the
level you were performing at and the significance of the achievement.

REMEMBER: Your achievement statement should:

Provide clear, concrete details of the achievement and be results-based where possible
Be relevant to the position

Position: _________________________________________________

Achievement statement 1:
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________

Achievement statement 2:
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
http://www.careers.unsw.edu.au/careerEd/workshops/downloads/resumeWriting-activities-v1.pdf

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________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________

Achievement statement 3:
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________

Things to avoid when writing career objectives, skills statements and

achievement statements
Do not make highly exaggerated claims that you cannot back up with fact.
Avoid general statements and unclear descriptions.
Avoid copying statements directly from the website. Employers are unimpressed by a
lack of imagination and motivation. They also get frustrated at reading the same things
100 times!
Avoid using examples of things that are not related to, or that are less important for,
the job you are applying for. Your resume will have more impact if you select
competencies that are vitally important in the jobs you will be doing and/or
competencies that have been identified as important for that whole organisation.
Don’t use the same example over and over again – variety will maintain interest.

http://www.careers.unsw.edu.au/careerEd/workshops/downloads/resumeWriting-activities-v1.pdf

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