Kelly+MacLean International:: Resume Preparation

RESUME PREPARATION

Preparing a great resume

Your resume is your sales and marketing tool. It is the initial image you present to recruiters and potential employers. Your resume is the beginning of the initial selection process which will determine whether or not you are asked for a preliminary interview with a perspective client.

Your resume should act as a summary of your personal history and should include the following information:

• Contact Information
• Career Objective
• Major Achievements

• Professional Work Experience
• Education
• Hobbies and Activities

• Volunteer Work
• References (on request)

You must be able to support the content of your resume with specific examples and proof that your resume is factual.

Avoid creative fonts, logos, and formats that may end up being a distraction to the hiring manager.

Be positive in your use of language.

If you are having challenges preparing your resume there are professional resume service companies available to you.

Influential vocabulary to use in your resume:

Management Skills

Achieved............... Identified
Administered.......... Improved
Advanced.............. Increased
Analyzed............... Initiated
Approved............... Launched
Assigned............... Managed
Chaired..................Organized
Consolidated...........Planned
Contracted.............Prioritized
Controlled...............Produced
Coordinated............Recommended
Delegated...............Reorganized
Developed..............Restructured
Directed.................Reviewed
Evaluated...............Scheduled
Executed................Streamlined
Expanded...............Strengthened
Focused.................Supervised

Communication Skills

Addressed............. Lectured
Amended...............Mediated
Arbitrated..............Moderated
Arranged...............Motivated
Authored...............Negotiated
Corresponded.........Persuaded
Developed..............Promoted
Directed................Publicized
Drafted.................Published
Edited...................Reconciled
Enlisted.................Recruited
Formulated.............Spoke
Influenced.............Translated
Interpreted............Wrote

Research and Technical Skills

(Re)solved.............Interviewed
Assembled.............Investigated
Built.....................Maintained
Calculated.............Modified
Clarified................Operated
Collected..............Organized
Computed.............Overhauled
Conducted............Programmed
Contained.............Proposed
Critiqued...............Remodelled
Designed...............Repaired
Devised................Researched
Diagnosed.............Reviewed
Engineered............Revised
Evaluated.............Structured
Examined..............Summarized
Extracted..............Surveyed
Fabricated............Systematized
Identified..............Trained
Inspected.............Upgraded
Interpreted...........Validated

Teaching and Financial Skills

Adapted................Evaluated
Administered..........Explained
Advised.................Facilitated
Allocated...............Forcast(ed)
Analyzed...............Guided
Appraised..............Informed
Audited.................Initiated
Balanced...............Instructed
Budgeted..............Introduced
Calculated.............Marketed
Clarified................Persuaded
Coached...............Planned
Communicated........Projected
Computed..............Provided
Coordinated...........Purchased
Cut......................Reduced
Decreased.............Reversed
Developed.............Saved
Developed.............Stimulated
Eliminated..............Tabulated
Enabled.................Taught
Encouraged...........Trained

Creative and Helping Skills

Acted...................Founded
Appointed.............Guided
Assessed...............Illustrated
Assisted................Innovated
Clarified................Instituted
Conceptualized.......Integrated
Counseled.............Introduced
Created................Invented
Demonstrated........Originated
Designed...............Participated
Developed.............Performed
Diagnosed.............Planned
Directed................Referred
Educated..............Reformed
Established............Rehabilitated
Expedited..............Represented
Facilitated.............Revitalized
Familiarized............Shaped

Clerical and Detail Skills

Approved...............Operated
Arranged...............Prepared
Catalogued............Processed
Classified...............Purchased
Collected...............Recorded
Compiled...............Reinforced
Demonstrated........Retrieved
Dispatched............Screened
Executed..............Specified
Generated.............Supported
Implemented..........Systemized
Inspected..............Tabulated
Monitored..............Validated

Cover letter

Generally a cover letter is read before the resume. Therefore it is vital that you spend time composing this well-written document, as it can be motivational to the reader.

At the top of your letter ensure you have a full name, address, contact numbers and email address for contact purposes.

Address this letter to a specific person – ensure you have the correct spelling of the person’s full name and position title.

Paragraph 1
Explain how you found out about this position e.g. on-line, newspaper, agency. If it was a written advertisement identify which one and the date.

To set yourself apart identify things about the company that interest you and which you discovered during your research.

Paragraph 2
Using the advertisement for the position address each skill required and how and why you fit this requirement.

Highlight particular achievements and skills.

Paragraph 3
Explain that you have attached your resume for review and would be delighted to provide any further details and how they can contact you.

Paragraph 4
Thank them for taking the time to read your letter and resume and that you look forward to hearing from them in the near future.