Lesson Objectives: |
- define a target audience for a resume
- demonstrate appropriate formatting standards for professional resumes - incorporate business language into a resume - evaluate appropriate resume references |
Discuss:
1. What are the 5 simple tips for writing an effective resume?
2. Why should you include key words? Where can you find them?
3. What are "power words"? Provide some examples.
1. What are the 5 simple tips for writing an effective resume?
2. Why should you include key words? Where can you find them?
3. What are "power words"? Provide some examples.
1. Tailor Your Resume to a Specific Audience/Job ! |
One of the common mistakes young people make when writing a resume is that they write just one version of that resume and send out the same boring version to everyone they can think of. This method is not particularly effective if the jobs that you are applying for are looking for specific qualities and skills.
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For example, if you possess great computing skills and you are applying for both a receptionist job and a photography assistant job - elaborate further about the type of computing skills you possess! For the reception job you might say you have a typing speed of 60 WPM. For the photography job, you might say that you have intermediate Photoshop skills.
If you know who will read it and what’s important to them, you can shape your message accordingly. To do this, you need to think about the type of job and company you're hoping to work for. Hence why in the last lesson we started our activity by analysing the ad to find key words and descriptions about the company. We should also do further research if possible to narrow our target even further.
In practice, make sure your "Career Objective" is specific - "Looking to contribute my photographic creativity and innovative ideas towards the business' graphic art division and build the current client base tenfold." Rather than, "Looking to contribute my knowledge to a company where I can grow and develop further." Which one sounds more appealing to you?
Activity #1: Career Objectives
In the previous lesson we were workshopping a real life ad by writing a real time resume. In the resume you have started, start typing a Career Objective that is specific to the job advertised.
If you know who will read it and what’s important to them, you can shape your message accordingly. To do this, you need to think about the type of job and company you're hoping to work for. Hence why in the last lesson we started our activity by analysing the ad to find key words and descriptions about the company. We should also do further research if possible to narrow our target even further.
In practice, make sure your "Career Objective" is specific - "Looking to contribute my photographic creativity and innovative ideas towards the business' graphic art division and build the current client base tenfold." Rather than, "Looking to contribute my knowledge to a company where I can grow and develop further." Which one sounds more appealing to you?
Activity #1: Career Objectives
In the previous lesson we were workshopping a real life ad by writing a real time resume. In the resume you have started, start typing a Career Objective that is specific to the job advertised.
Discuss:
In your opinion what are some of the things that Rachel has done wrong?
In your opinion what are some of the things that Rachel has done wrong?
Remember that less is more, so using one power worded sentence can pack more punch into your resume than a long-winded paragraph about the awards you won at school. Try to avoid cliche phrases too! A list of cliche phrases with better alternatives can be found here.
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Power Words aka Business Language |
Click here to view the top 100 power words that catch the eyes of employers. The list of words on this site here are subject specific.
Activity #2: Adding Your Skills
Compile your list of skills for your resume, trying to avoid "cliche" phrases and use power words (but don't overdo it and use words you don't understand!)
Activity #2: Adding Your Skills
Compile your list of skills for your resume, trying to avoid "cliche" phrases and use power words (but don't overdo it and use words you don't understand!)
Discuss:
1. What was Elle Woods applying for?
2. Did she incorporate (albeit clumsily) any "action/business language" into her video resume? Provide examples.
* Remember that if you're going to apply for a specific position, tailor your language to that specific industry or sector by slipping in some business terminology but don't overdo it! e.g. turn the word "typing" into "word processing".
1. What was Elle Woods applying for?
2. Did she incorporate (albeit clumsily) any "action/business language" into her video resume? Provide examples.
* Remember that if you're going to apply for a specific position, tailor your language to that specific industry or sector by slipping in some business terminology but don't overdo it! e.g. turn the word "typing" into "word processing".
Simple Resume Formats: |
Remember that employers don't have the time to admire curly fonts or to measure the margins on your resume. They are looking for information that can be found quickly on a clear and neat page. Therefore simplicity is key.
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- Try to keep things aligned in thirds
- Text must be clearly and evenly spaced (not cramped and blocky)
- Text should be aligned to the left side (not a mix of left and centre). This is because people naturally read from top to bottom, left to right. Anything that goes against this order tends to be unnatural for readers and puts them at unease.
- Use simple fonts over 11 pt sizing to allow for ease of reading (you don't know whether the employer is shortsighted!)
Activity #3: Be the Critic!
Below is an example of a bad resume - discuss 3 things about it that make it a bad resume. What would you do to make it better?
References |
A referee is anyone who can vouch for what you are like as a person and what you are like to work with. When choosing someone to be your referee, think about people who can say good things about you to potential employers
Pick different ones who know you in different areas of your life but avoid using family members and relatives. |
How Do I Get One?
To get a referee, all you have to do is ask for their permission and their contact details.
When someone agrees to be your referee, it means that they'll let you pass on their contact details to any potential future employers. They should be ready and willing to answer a phone call or email to provide information that complements your job application or resume. You might even ask them to write a signed letter of recommendation (however most employers prefer to talk to your referee in person).
Here are some people who you could ask:
Activity #4: References
Start compiling a list of people who you think would be willing to be your referee. Remember that the more important the person is (or higher their position, the more reliable you will seem) e.g. a reference from your team coach has more weight than a reference from a fellow team member. Most employers look for three different references. In your resume it is sometimes best to include them on a separate page, formatted like so:
[NAME]
[POSITION, COMPANY]
[PHONE NUMBER]
[EMAIL ADDRESS]
To get a referee, all you have to do is ask for their permission and their contact details.
When someone agrees to be your referee, it means that they'll let you pass on their contact details to any potential future employers. They should be ready and willing to answer a phone call or email to provide information that complements your job application or resume. You might even ask them to write a signed letter of recommendation (however most employers prefer to talk to your referee in person).
Here are some people who you could ask:
- People you've worked with
- Coaches of sporting teams you've played on
- Teachers, librarians or principals from your school, TAFE or uni
- People you've volunteered for
- Customers or clients you've dealt with regularly
Activity #4: References
Start compiling a list of people who you think would be willing to be your referee. Remember that the more important the person is (or higher their position, the more reliable you will seem) e.g. a reference from your team coach has more weight than a reference from a fellow team member. Most employers look for three different references. In your resume it is sometimes best to include them on a separate page, formatted like so:
[NAME]
[POSITION, COMPANY]
[PHONE NUMBER]
[EMAIL ADDRESS]