Resumes
What is a resume? A resume is a formal document that provides an overview of your professional qualifications, including your relevant work experience, skills, education, and notable accomplishments.
A resume helps you demonstrate your abilities and convince employers you’re qualified and hireable. If you’re applying for a job, you need at least a resume to be considered for the position.
The spelling of resume originates from French, and means “summary.” To this day, the purpose of a resume is still to provide employers with a summary of your relevant qualifications. - Resume Genius
- Provide sample resumes that include errors, have students find all of the errors in the resume. This helps them learn the importance of paying attention to detail.
- Provide a template and have students pre-write their information.
- Have student review sample resumes for three different job titles and evaluate their effectiveness.
- Build a resume using Resume-now.com. This does require a account and can be downloaded when finished.
Types of Resumes
There are several types of resumes you can use to apply for a job. The most common type of resumes includes chronological resume, functional or skills-based resume, and combination resume. Read the article provided below to learn which resume format you should use, considering your professional history and the role you’re applying for.
Watch the video below to learn which resume type to use
Key Items of a Resume
Here are the key items to include:
The bolded items must be included.
- Contact Information
- Opening Statement: Summary or Objective
- Work History
- Education
- Soft Skills and Technical Skills
- Certifications and Professional Memberships
- Achievements and Awards
- Additional Sections (Community Involvement, Volunteering, etc.)
The order of the items that will be included depends on the type of resume you choose to write. You will only include the items that apply to you and your background.
Read the articles provided below to see various examples of well-written resumes that you can use as a reference to get started, and to learn what not to include on a resume.
Think about it:
- What tips have you learned about resumes and what should you include in them?
- Why is the resume’s appearance so important?
- What are the key points to put on your resume to make it stand out?
- Why is it so important for your resume to stand out?
- What should not be included in a resume?
Top Resume Skills
The way you report your skills for a job can determine how far you advance in the hiring process. If you want your resume to stand out and show you have what it takes to justify an interview, you need to show off your job skills.
Skills for a Resume
Soft skills are personality traits and behaviors that will help candidates get hired and succeed in their work.
Technical skills, also known as hard skills are skills and abilities gained through education, training, and experience related directly to a specific job or industry.
Read the articles and watch the video below to learn more about soft and hard skills. Read through the lists and find skills that you feel are true to you and could explain to employers "why" you possess these skills. Then, make a list of the skills you will include on your resume.
Example: If “time management” showed up on your list and you add it to your resume, think of a time that you used/showed time management. “While working on a group project, I helped my classmates stay on the timeline to finish our project by reminding them every day in class to get their portion done by Monday, then we finished a week before the project was due!”
How to Create a Professional Resume
As noted, your resume is the most important document you will submit in your job search. A strong resume can help you stand out from the crowd, but a weak resume can remove you from the running.
- Start by choosing the right resume format (chronological resume, functional or skills-based resume)
- Include your name and contact information.
- Add a resume summary or objective.
- List your soft and hard skills.
- List your professional history with keywords.
- Include an education section.
- Consider adding optional sections.
- Format your resume.
Remember to be truthful and that you can explain each piece you have written on your resume when you are in your interview.
Resume Builders
A resume builder is an online app or piece of software that provides users with interactive forms and templates for creating a resume quickly and easily. You can create your resume with the resume builders listed below.
You can also use Microsoft Word or Google Docs to create your resume.
According to one famous study, hiring managers only take an average of six seconds to decide whether to keep or trash your resume. Take the 6 - Second Resume Challenge to test it out!
Cover Letters
According to Indeed.com, a cover letter is a document you send with your resume that provides additional information about skills and experiences related to the job you're applying to. It typically includes three to four paragraphs highlighting your skills, knowledge, and achievements in relation to the position you’re applying for.
A cover letter is important because it explains the details you listed on your resume in more depth.
Key Elements of a Cover Letter
There are several elements that you should add to your cover letter. Read the article provided below to learn what you should and should not include in your cover letter, and to view some samples for inspiration.
Professional Networking
Networking usually involves meeting new people, who share a profession, industry, or interests. Networking involves exchanging ideas and information between these individuals.
According to the Illinois Leadership Center, "Professional networking can be defined as building relationships with other professionals either in your career or other related fields. Typically this occurs at career fairs, conferences, and sometimes even social events."
It's important to professionally network because of the opportunities that come with it. Through networking, you can learn more about different companies and careers, receive some professional advice, find some potential clients, and obtain professional references.
Think about it...
- Identify people in your network and ask at least three of them if they know of any current local job openings.
- Brainstorm a list of people in your network that would be possible references. List the names on a sheet of paper and write a short paragraph for each person stating what they know about your work ethic, accomplishments, and goals.
- People with little or no experience can ask teachers, counselors, coaches, administration, or club sponsors to be referenced.
Now, it's time to explore the next lesson on Developing a LinkedIn Profile. Click the button below to access the lesson.
Explore the K12 Career Education Navigator
The K12 Career Technical Education (CTE) Navigator helps you explore high school courses and career pathways offered across San Bernardino and Riverside Counties. Browse by industry sector, county, school district, and more to find options that match your interests and career goals and see how these pathways can prepare you for college, certifications, apprenticeships, or the workforce.
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