Please review the following and post your responses:
- Investigate the Career Services Handouts Website at:
- Which handouts were most helpful? Least?
- Do you have any handouts or tips for writing an effective resume to share?
- What do you think makes a resume stand out (in either a good or bad way)?
- What do you want your resume to say about you?
Below are some activities. Please post your responses when you have completed the assignments.
1.Fill out the following handout (first print it out and then fill it out) then post answers on the blog: http://www.cccareers.org/docs/articles/29/CQT_Resume_Worksheet.pdf
2. After reviewing the website above and filling out the handout, what are three things you learned about resumes and/or cover letters that you didn't know before and will apply in the future.
I had not written or even looked at a resume in over 20 years. I found all of these handouts very helpful in completing the resume for the class. I did not even know there were different kinds of resumes; chronological and functional resumes. Since I do not have any work experience, at least not in the past 16 years, but I do have years of volunteer experience I figured the functional type worked best for me. I think a resume that stands out in a good way is one that is clear and organized. One that stands out in a negative way is cluttered and full of fluff words.
ReplyDeleteI want my resume to say that although I do not have work (or paying job) experience I am just as dedicated as a paid worker and maybe even more since I have done what I do out of my own time without monetary compensation and because I am a committed person.
Like I said above, I did not know there were different types of resumes. I did not know how a cover letter should be structured. I also did not know how I would be able to replace and word the volunteer experience for the typical work experience others will have.
~Sara
Sara,
DeleteThere's nothing wrong with not having any work experience or having a large gap between your last job and now; instead, on your resume, focus on your volunteer experience and what experience you have from your last job. In your cover letter, you could explain maybe why you haven't had a job in so long and discuss your experiences from that, such as the importance of being a stay at home mom (or whatever your situation is) and all the hard work that takes. The whole point of this assignment was to familiarize yourself with the way things are nowadays in regards to what employers are looking for, and you've done a great job at that!
Yes, unfortunately some of us don't have the advantage of having a great deal of work experience. There are still way sto effectively express yourself through resumes though. It is crucial to find the right format of resume if you don't have much work experience. That way, you can detial your volunteer work and personal and professional achievements accordingly without having to highlight that you have a large gap in employment
DeleteSara,
ReplyDeleteWe are never going to know everything, however it's how we use the information that we know, that can change or impact the way we conduct our self tomorrow.
Also giving back to the community is a awarding thing. I am so thrilled that you have enjoyed doing this for so many years. I as a former hiring manager we consider that as work experience in my company, it is a good thing and very awarding for an employer when you can find an employee that loves their line of work so much that they would do it for free.
Keep up the good work!!!
Sandy
Sooo, does my response to the orignial topic 7 not count? I guess I'll be doing this tomorrow...
ReplyDelete@Joy
DeleteYes, your response to the Topic 7 counts. The important thing is that you have learned something and I beleive that you did; not only from the assignmet itself but from the comments posted as well. For example, as Heather pointed out, you have become more familiarized with this topic and how you can incorporate your volunteer work into your resume and cover letter. Also, as Sandy pointed out, you are now aware of how beneficial and relevant your volunteer experience can be on your resume. Good job on this assignment.
What makes a resume stand out is how clear and concise it is. Often times, with resumes, less is more. You don't want to overload your resume with text. Employers generally glance over resumes for no longer than a minute. You want your vocabulary and acheivements to stand out above the rest.
ReplyDeleteI completely agree. I think a potential employer would more likely to pass up a resume that looks cluttered than one that is clean and to the point, potentially excluding good candidates. This is also why I believe a good cover letter is important; it is that 'first impression.'
Delete~Sara
You know I didn’t think about it that way that less is more. I’m used to putting even the little things on my resume, but thinking again the only things I should add are the very important ones. A resume that is clear and concise gives the employee a much greater chance at getting the job. Vocabulary is vital! If there is any kind of mistake is can affect the employee making it seem they didn’t double check or were in a rush to finish the resume.
DeleteWhat I want a resume to say about me..
ReplyDeleteI want a resume to show an ampolyer what I'm worth. I want to detial my past work and achievements. This way, they will be able to see what I can bring to the table if they decide to hire me. A resume should let an employer get a mental image of who you are before they meet you. Even if I don't have a great deal of experience, I want employers to see that it will be worth their while to hire me.
Absolutely. I mean, the average employers spends only 10 seconds looking at a resume, yet it is the only contact you have with the employer initially. It is important for you to portray the image you want the employer to have, and it seems like you're a little more in touch with this now. That's awesome! Above all else, you always want to appear professional, capable, and open-minded (thus open to learn). Knowing what words to choose and what format is appropriate could alone allow you to stand out above the rest. I'm glad to see you are aware of all this now, and I'm sure that will transfer to your resume and cover letter when you are ready to submit them. Great job!
DeleteWhat I learned about resumes and cover letter si that there are specific formats for different fields of work. I have a pretty general resume. After doing some research, I found that it would be best to follow the format for the particular field I am applying to. Cover letters have a pretty strict outline and format as well. You want to address potential employers properly. There are a great deal of resources on the internet to help build resumes and cover letters.
ReplyDeleteThat is a very good point; resumes and cover letters having specific formats for different fields. This is especially important for IDS graduates. Fortunately, technology makes it easier to edit our basic resume to fit whichever position we might be applying for. Last resume I remember making 20 years ago was on a typewriter :-)
Delete~Sara
I do believe that all of the handouts are very helpful and informative especially for those who are just walking into the professional world. This would be a great tool when they are just sitting there staring at the computer not knowing what to say or where to start. I was not aware of how many different forms of resumes there are available.
ReplyDeletePersonally I think my resume needs more experience on it than I currently have. I’ve worked at different places when I was younger but since 2004 I have been employed at the same place and though my title has changed it still could use some more variety. So I fear that it possibly shows that I am not as experience then I really am.
~Zenya Moreira
Zenya,
DeleteI think you are looking at this the wrong way. I think that it shows loyalty that you have stayed at one job so long. It also shows that you have be able to advanced in your company. The only thing I can say as advice to you is make every job you've have in current job stick out and explain the change you've experienced with your new title. By doing that it will make your job more exciting.
Best of luck,
Sam
Zenya, I agree with Sammy. Staying in one job for a while means you are good at what you do and the employer didn’t let you go for a worthy reason. The handouts were excellent examples and tips to help us improve our resumes. Any extra help on anything I think is better than having nothing.
DeleteThank You Melissa,
ReplyDeleteI'm glad my comments counted, but I'm hoping grade wise that they did, because the original posting for topic 7, is still listed as a draft and I cannot access it so that I can read any of the feedback I was given...=(
But thank you for responding to mine on here
~Joy Perez
I believe I am well known with resumes because of my past experience completing resumes for grade in my class and showing them in job interviews. The Resume Writing 101 and the example handouts are all good ways to show improvement or fix a resume. A chronological resume in my opinion would be the best for me because I have a lot of experience from working at children’s schools to being a Para professional for more than 10 years. All of the handouts give good examples of how to create a successful resume.
ReplyDeleteI want a resume to say that I am a hard dedicated worker willing to do my best 100% of the time. A resume should show all of my previous employments related to my career and should show all of my awards that I have accomplished during the way. Completing this handout was very beneficial for me. Writing everything needed in a resume part by part is a good ways to come up with one whole well written resume.
Like how I said before I am aware of what a resume should contain and what it shouldn’t and all of these handouts are all welcome to help me. Since it has been a long time that I have had a job interview well I forgot there were different types of resumes and what should be included in cover letters. Now that I am more educated about resumes/cover letters I will make sure they will contain the accurate information for the next time a resume would be needed.
@ Carmen
ReplyDeleteIt seems from your post that you gained some knowledge on how to improve your resume and will put it into action. I love that you want your resume to show that you are a hard, dedicated worker. That is so important in today's economy, just make sure to do something to make it pop. I think this is where the cover letter really comes in handy. It's definitely important to choose a resume style that fits you. That being said, if chronological works that's awesome! And always work on updating and improving to each interview.