The Resume Guide

By: Christopher Watts, MBA Community & Career Builder A resume is a representation of you and is what an employer will see first. From this, the employer will determine whether an interview is necessary. In a resume, an employer looks for things that will describe the job seeker: organization skills, ability to articulate a point, work history, education, accomplishments and skill set. Thus, an impeccable resume is your best tool when looking for a job and must be put together well. Your resume should be created to best serve you and The Resume Guide is here to serve as a guide.

Profile or Summary, Not an Objective

I have seen many resumes that have a generic opening under an objective title such as Looking for a position at your company where I can grow. There are a few things wrong with this. First, you state the obvious, which is unnecessary. It is assumed that you are looking for a job if you are submitting your resume. Second, you are talking about what you want and not what you bring to the table. Therefore, there is no point in stating the obvious. The first part of your resume after your name and address should be a summary. It should be 1-2 sentences about you that: sum up what you have done; are looking to do; and shed light on your character. A few good examples include: Enthusiastic and personable professional with a track record of success in capacities that required collaboration with colleagues to complete assignments accurately & on-time; enhancing customers experience to ensure a memorable experience & return visit; and disseminating information about products and services to increase sales Seasoned and diversely skilled professional who has a track record of success in customer/food service, maintenance, and business support focused capacities working independently and in collaboration to complete assignments, exceed goals, and elevate standards Bilingual English/Spanish (also conversant in French and Wolof) professional with domestic and international experience that was successful in the international educational, financial (global wealth management), governmental, and insurance sectors in capacities that required collaboration with colleagues to ensure the timely and accurate completion of projects, execution of administrative duties, assistance in research support to ensure departmental operational efficiency, and development of systems and procedures for disadvantaged & underdeveloped areas All profiles and summaries should be tweaked to be unique to you and the position you are applying (which will be supported in the rest of the resume). This will serve as your brand, similar to Have it your way makes you think of Burger King, and should be well thought out.

Created By: Christopher Watts, MBA for The Christopher Watts Initiative

Areas of Expertise, Not Skills or Qualifications

The areas of expertise section, following your profile/summary, should list skills that you possess and an employer is willing to pay to have at their company. Try to keep your areas of expertise to three bullet points or two columns of three. Your areas of expertise should be precise, match your background, relevant to the position, and something an employer can associate with your background and education. Areas of expertise will vary by the person and type of business. Do not limit yourself in identifying and labeling your areas of expertise (see Areas of Expertise List).

Professional Experience, Not Work History or Employment History

This section will serve as the backbone of your resume and will support the areas of expertise and profile section. Going back no more than ten years (in some cases you will need to), you will provide the name of the company you worked for, your job title, the location (city, state), and dates of employment (MM/YYYY MM/YYYY). This information will cover one line horizontally (in some cases more) and be followed by 3-7 bullets describing what you have done, accomplishments, and awards received. Make sure you only include the most important stuff and articulate well on your description. A few examples include: McDonalds Crew Member Chicago, IL (02/2005 02/2010) Operated a cash register by processing cash, credit, debit, and gift card transactions Enhanced customers experience by greeting all with a smile & warm welcome, speaking clearly, repeating order for accuracy, and thanking/inviting back upon exit Received Employee of the Month award fourteen times during tenure Rotated to drive thru window and food preparation line to cover breaks 08/2008-Present Macys Chicago, IL Worked the afternoon shift and over-night shift (during peak holiday season) on a team of 25 on the dock Stock Associate Unload and sort over 1000 boxes of inventory from delivery trucks daily Prepare merchandise for each department by censoring and removing all shipment packaging Restock and re-ticket merchandise at the end of sales day Replenish shelves with merchandise and recover store Assist with annual inventory count of entire store Collaborate proficiently and successfully with a team of 25 to ensure product movement

Created By: Christopher Watts, MBA for The Christopher Watts Initiative

Education
This section should consist of schools and programs completed and/or in progress that will result in a degree, license, or certificate. Completing some college should be included too. A few examples include: University High School Diploma City, State Concentration: General Education, College Preparatory, etc. (Whichever applies to you) Career Colleges of Chicago Certificate of Completion (12/2005) Concentration: Medical Assistant Kennedy-King College Current Student (01/2009 Present) Part-time student seeking Associate degree in Management, Sociology (Whichever applies to you) Robert Morris University Master of Business Administration Chicago, IL Concentration: Human Resources

Conclusion
No matter what, make sure you are comfortable with your resume and it accurately reflects you. It is helpful to have different versions of your resume so that you can accurately target jobs. One resume may work for all positions in some cases but not in all. In closing, here are a few things to remember: Try to keep your resume to one page if you do not have that much experience. Include relevant things that matter. For example, you should not put down that you have a Class D state issued drivers license but should put down if you have a Class A, B, or C drivers license with any endorsements. Only put down things you successfully completed. For example, you should not put down how you complete 2 or three years of high school but did not graduate. This sends the message of high school drop out. There is no need to put down you received your GED as this sends the message that you failed in high school and/or was a troubled youth. Do not lie about employment dates, title, or job duties. Articulate well on your job duties for each position. For example, if Cashier, please put more than Operated cash register. Putting Operated cash register by processing cash, debit, credit, check, and lay-a-way transactions tells a better story about what you did successfully.

Created By: Christopher Watts, MBA for The Christopher Watts Initiative

Areas of Expertise
Activity Coordination Administration Business Support Commercial Maintenance Communications Computers Conflict Resolution Cost Management Counseling Crisis Intervention Customer Retention Customer Service Decision Making Forklift Operation Hand Tool Use Inventory Control Leadership Machine Operation Management Marketing Microsoft Office Suite Organization Outreach Power Washing Press Set-up Problem Solving Quality Control Recruitment Relations Research Sales Social Work Team Collaboration Violence Prevention Workforce Development Youth Services

Job Action Verbs

Adhered to Advised Analyzed Assembled Audited Authorized Budgeted Calculated Coached Collaborated Collected Compiled Complied with Conducted Coordinated Counseled Decreased Demonstrated Determined Dispensed Edited Evaluated Examined Executed Facilitated Handled Imagined Implemented Improved Increased Instructed Interpreted Interviewed Investigated Loaded Measured Mentored Monitored Negotiated Operated Oversaw Packaged Planned Prepared Presented Promoted Proposed Repaired Restructured Scheduled Secured Served Sold Stocked Structured Supervised Supported

Created By: Christopher Watts, MBA for The Christopher Watts Initiative

Jane Doe
1234 S Your Street Chicago, IL 60606 773.111.1111 or 773.222.2222 [email protected]

Profile
Enthusiastic and personable professional who has a track record of success in the food service sector in capacities that required: Enhancing customers experience to ensure continued business as well as positive conversation with friends and on social networks Collaboration with coworkers to complete assignments and exceed goals Adherence to strict sanitation and food service requirements

Areas of Expertise
Customer Service Cashiering Food Prep

Professional Experience
Quiznos Crew Member City, State (MM/YYYY MM/YYYY) Prepared sandwiches, salads, and soups; to customers specification Complied with safety and sanitation requirements by washing hands, keeping work area clean, and properly storing foods McDonalds Crew Member City, State (MM/YYYY MM/YYYY) Operated a cash register by processing cash, credit, and debit transactions Rotated to drive thru window and cook/prep line to cover breaks Enhanced the customers experience by greeting with a smile, repeating order, and inviting back upon exit

Education
City College of Chicago Associate of Applied Science Chicago, IL Concentration: Hospitality Management

Licensure/Certification
Food Service Manager License (Chicago Department of Public Health) Food Service Sanitation License (Illinois Department of Public Health) Professional in Customer Service Certification (National Retail Federation)
Created By: Christopher Watts, MBA for The Christopher Watts Initiative

JOHN DOE
1234 S Your Street Chicago, IL 60606 773.111.1111 or 773.222.2222 [email protected]

Profile
Motivated and personable individual looking for an opportunity with a company that embraces hard work wherein my skill set can be utilized to make a positive impact to the bottom line of the company

Areas of Expertise
Carpentry Team Work Tools & Machinery Use

Professional Experience
McArther Company Chicago, IL (MM/YYYY MM/YYYY) A property management company that that rents multi-unit buildings and rehabs single family homes Laborer (Temp Project Worker) Cleaned and prepared construction sites to eliminate possible hazards Loaded, unloaded, and identified building materials, machinery, and tools, and distributed them to the appropriate locations, according to project plans and specifications Fitted and fastened wallboard/drywall into position on wood or metal frameworks, using glue, nails, and screws Measured and cut openings in panels/tiles for electrical outlets, windows, vents, and plumbing and other fixtures, using keyhole saws and other cutting tools Assembled and installed metal framing and decorative trim for windows, doorways, and vents

Education
University High School Diploma City, State Concentration: General Education, College Preparatory, etc. (Whichever applies to you)

Created By: Christopher Watts, MBA for The Christopher Watts Initiative

JANE DOE
1234 S Your Street Chicago, IL 60606 773.111.1111 or 773.222.2222 [email protected]

Summary
Motivated and enthusiastic individual who has demonstrated proficiency in the workplace by working effectively on a diverse team, exceeding individual quotas, and collaborating to exceed team goals

Professional Experience
08/2008-Present Macys Chicago, IL Worked the afternoon shift and over-night shift (during peak holiday season) on a team of 25 on the dock Stock Associate Unload and sort over 1000 boxes of inventory from delivery trucks daily Prepare merchandise for each department by censoring and removing all shipment packaging Restock and re-ticket merchandise at the end of sales day Replenish shelves with merchandise and recover store Work proficiently and successfully with a team of 25 to ensure product movement 04/2010-04/2011 Salem House Chicago, IL A program that provides relief to caregivers and assistance to special populations Legacy Corps Member Provided respite services (non-medical) to senior citizens and disabled individuals Recruited and assisted clients Completed member service activity logs and training forms

Education
08/2010-Present Harold Washington College Schedule: Tuesday and Thursday, 11:00am 12:45pm Chicago, IL

Certification/Professional Development
IL Dept. of Professional Regulation Permanent Employee Registration Card Valid through 05/2014 PTC Security Training Academy 20 Hour Unarmed Security Training certificate Completed course that meets the requirements of the Department Of Professional Regulation as outline in the Detective Act that covered security and safety fundamentals
Created By: Christopher Watts, MBA for The Christopher Watts Initiative