Help with resume
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TV ClubHouse: GD Archives: Help with resume

Shashakaye

Thursday, June 19, 2003 - 10:33 am EditMoveDeleteIP
I need to have a resume for a new job application. I don't even knwo where to start. I never had a job until 1/02. I basically stayed home to raise my kids. Now I've been working as a receptionist/secretary for the past year and a half with no hopes of any raises(I make practically nothing). There's all kinds of things that I do in the office (data entry/answering phones/filing/bankruptcies etc). I just have know idea how to make a resume. There's a receptionist job available and I need it quickly. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Kaili

Thursday, June 19, 2003 - 10:41 am EditMoveDeleteIP
I made a section on mine for "Technology" where I have listed various operating systems, software, etc that I'm familiar with. For your line of work you may want to include such a section.

I have a "Related Experience" section (mine is for teaching though) where I list volunteer and other relevant things I have done that aren't paid jobs.

Emphasize your current job functions such as organization, important duties, and I would, in your case, also include things you have experience with such as multi-line phones, fax machines, scanning, etc.

There are tons of websites that offer suggestions and formats, and if you use Word they have a step by step thing where you fill in the information that they ask for in the format you choose (elegant, professional, etc).

Good luck! Sorry if I wasn't much help :)

Marysafan

Thursday, June 19, 2003 - 10:48 am EditMoveDeleteIP
Shashakaye, if you have access to a computer with Microsoft word or Microsoft works, they have a template for a resume that works quite well.

If not...a basic format would be to put your name address and phone number at the top in an easy to read format and type.

Next under the heading of EXPERIENCE, List your current employer, and your start date

Under that list ALL your duties and skills. "Using action words to maximize the impact, describe your current or most recent
responsibilities. Be concise."


After that, Under a second heading EDUCATION List all education starting with High School.

After that Under a third heading titled INTERESTS and ACTIVITIES list any and all activites that you are involved in that would look good to an employer...(regular at TVCH clubhouse probably should be left out).

Marysafan

Thursday, June 19, 2003 - 10:49 am EditMoveDeleteIP
Oh paper matters...copy it on to some really nice paper.

Goddessatlaw

Thursday, June 19, 2003 - 10:52 am EditMoveDeleteIP
It does - watermarks reading from the front - it shows attention to detail and an investment in your first impression. Remember, your resume is to be a simple recitation of your employment history and skills. Your COVER LETTER is going to sell you. Make each of your cover letters specific to the company to which you are applying. Don't do a blanket cover letter (although you can create boilerplate paragraphs to draw on). Let the companies know why YOU are the one for THEM. Good luck!

Kaili

Thursday, June 19, 2003 - 10:57 am EditMoveDeleteIP
I have been told that onterests/activities aren't always a positive thing to have on a reume. I leave them out on my own- but mine is 2 pages as it is and I only have my current job on there.


Here are the headings from the MS word one though...

Name on top formatted with address/contact info
Objective

Experience (I have mine titled Professional Experience)
Education
Interests

Again, I have a Computer Skills/Technology section.

Readonly

Thursday, June 19, 2003 - 10:58 am EditMoveDeleteIP
Proofread your resume and letter carefully.

Bigd

Thursday, June 19, 2003 - 11:00 am EditMoveDeleteIP
be careful with "know" and "no"

Kaili

Thursday, June 19, 2003 - 11:00 am EditMoveDeleteIP
I do that with my cover letters- I have the first paragraph about where I found out about the job, and stating why I want to work for them ("While researching your company/company's website, I discovered...." Then some detail about why whatever it is stood out).

That is followed by why I would be good for them ("As you can see on my enclosed resume,....")

Followed by I think one other paragrah then a closing statement about contacting them at whatever their # is in a specified amount of time and providing my contact info again.

Cinder

Thursday, June 19, 2003 - 01:41 pm EditMoveDeleteIP
Thanks GoddessatLaw- I never thought about the watermark issue. I have been applying for one or two jobs a day- but there are still more.

I was told the paper should be 100% Cotton. Office supply stores have them. I found some at Wal-Mart, but not at Target.

And most importantly- SAVE SAVE SAVE the resume. One hard copy, one on your computer, and one on a disk. (I once had to retype mine from a hardcopy- but at least I had that)

Schoolmarm

Thursday, June 19, 2003 - 01:58 pm EditMoveDeleteIP
And another thing, make it LOOK good, as employers typically only spend 30-60 seconds scanning a cover letter/resume when deciding if they want to look further. MAKE SURE that the most important items are at the top or BOLDED so they stand out.

PROOFREAD! I have to grade resumes for a course that I teach. If you want to send me one as a Microsoft Word attachment, I can look it over. I am leaving July 4th for a month.

Juju2bigdog

Thursday, June 19, 2003 - 03:28 pm EditMoveDeleteIP
Shashakaye, Marm has a good idea. You can probably pick out anybody or everybody who replied to this thread and if they have an e-mail address, e-mail the resume and cover letter to them to proofread for you. I will be happy to proof it for you.

Halfunit

Thursday, June 19, 2003 - 03:44 pm EditMoveDeleteIP
Be unique! And include your e-mail address and any software you are proficient in.

I have mine in a tri-fold style. This image would be the outside (picture it folded).

2


And this is on the inside.

2


Of course, I list my real phone number and name, lol.

I figure it's a brochure, and I'm selling myself ! (But not in the way Fanny would say I am!!)

ED - I noticed the first pic is smaller... they are both sized to 8 1/2 X 11 inch paper.

Fanny

Thursday, June 19, 2003 - 04:05 pm EditMoveDeleteIP
ho..........ld on a minute, there!

Halfunit

Thursday, June 19, 2003 - 05:01 pm EditMoveDeleteIP
:) I figured I'd nip it in the bud before you got a chance! :)

Twiggyish

Thursday, June 19, 2003 - 07:50 pm EditMoveDeleteIP
It should be entirely on one page. If you have extensive experience but patchy working dates, you can create a functional resume. A functional resume lists skills. A chronological resume lists your work history. You can go to http://www.monster.com and get excellent resume tips. You don't have to post your resume, but you can read their excellent advice. Also, don't forget to use power words such as skilled, proficient, experienced..etc...

Shashakaye

Thursday, June 19, 2003 - 07:54 pm EditMoveDeleteIP
Thanks so much for all the info, You've all been a great help. Got my resume made up but still working on the cover letter. Not real sure what it's supposed to look like. I used the template for my resume from wordperfect. It looks pretty good. I use cover sheets when I fax documents but have never seen a cover letter before. Wish me luck :o)

Twiggyish

Thursday, June 19, 2003 - 08:03 pm EditMoveDeleteIP
Here ya go:
http://content.monster.com/

If you can check there before completion. There's even a checklist.

Shashakaye

Friday, June 20, 2003 - 12:10 pm EditMoveDeleteIP
Just wanted to thank you all again and let you know my resume and cover letter are in the mail. Keeping my fingers crossed for a response.

Shashakaye

Monday, July 14, 2003 - 10:32 am EditMoveDeleteIP
I just wanted to let you all know I have an interview today for the job. My resume must have turned out pretty good.

Kaili

Monday, July 14, 2003 - 10:42 am EditMoveDeleteIP
Good luck with the interview now! Glad the resume worked for you :) !!!

Marysafan

Monday, July 14, 2003 - 11:16 am EditMoveDeleteIP
Good work Shashakaye...I've got my fingers crossed for you. I hope you find a really nice job that you enjoy and where you are appreciated.

Juju2bigdog

Monday, July 14, 2003 - 11:28 am EditMoveDeleteIP
Yay Shashakaye!!! Just goes to show one more time that you should never make a major decision without consulting the folks at tvch. Make sure you get a job where they don't mind if you surf the net all day and post at tvch. LOL.