Writing A Resume

Writing a Resume
PED 3900
EIU Career Services
 Web site
 http://www.jobsrv.eiu.edu/
 Career Guide
 Resume Development
 Electronic Resumes
Types of Resumes
 Paper
 Scannable
 Email
Scannable
 The hardware and software used in scanning can "read" your resume when
the print is distinct and background color is absent.
 For these reasons, you must use laser quality print for your scannable
resume and white or near white resume paper. Blue, gray, or tan paper is
not advised.
 The next step in succeeding with a scanning system is to change the
linguistics of your resume.
 Scannable resumes are retrieved from an employer’s job bank by the use
of a search.
 The search process uses nouns or phrases as keywords for the software to
locate in the best resumes stored in the job bank.
 Most traditional resumes use verbs such as "implemented" or " directed"
whereas scannable resumes use nouns such as "director" or "coordinator".
 Before you begin developing your scannable resume, read this guide’s
section on keywords.
Scannable
 Use a font in the 10-14 point range. Use common fonts
like Helvetica, Times Roman or Palatino.
 No horizontal or vertical lines.
 No tables or columns.
 Avoid boldface, italicizing, script, shadowing, graphics,
borders, and underlines.
 Place the name on the first line after your 1 inch
margin and begin the street address on line two.
Scannable
 Use tabs or margin controls to establish layout.
 Use caps to highlight major headings such as
OBJECTIVE and use the * to highlight important
lines.
 Develop a keywords section to follow your
address.
 Don’t fold or staple
 Don’t use abbreviations or acronyms unless
they are highly common in the industry.
EMAIL RESUMES
 Email resumes are similar to scannable resumes in layout and
content, but they have their differences.
 The most significant difference is that email resumes use the Internet
for transmission as opposed to land based mail systems (snail mail).
 Email resumes are very efficient at avoiding the resume traps often
found with snail mail.
 An email resume can be sent to the decision-maker if you know the
person’s email address thereby avoiding a pre-screener who limits the
number of resumes reviewed by the decision maker.
 Further, an email resume can arrive at a decision-maker’s computer
within minutes of a request for your resume.
 That is more effective than a few days to a week that a decision-
maker could wait for a resume using snail mail!
EMAIL RESUMES
 The draw back of email resumes is that the Internet has
limitations in transmitting your resume.
 Like scanning systems that read scannable resumes, the
Internet has difficulty transmitting many formatting
codes, fonts, and graphics.
 Another limitation of email resumes is that the receiver
may not have compatible software for opening up your
email resume if it is sent as an attachment.
 These limitations are easily overcome and you can
quickly begin sending email resumes to your targeted
employers by following these simple pointers:
EMAIL RESUMES
 Before typing the content of your email resume, set
the margins in your page format so that there are no
more than 70 characters are on one line. This
usually results in about a 2 inch right margin.
 Left justify your text and continue with a 12 point
sans serif font like Times Roman or Helvetica.
 Put your name on the first line and your address on
the second and third lines. Phone numbers would be
on the fourth line and email address on the fifth
line.
 Use the space bar to create white space between
text on a line. DO NOT use tabs to indent
information.
EMAIL RESUMES
 Always put a line or two after each job description.
 Make sure that the star * which highlights a line of text
is followed by 1 –2 spaces before beginning text.
 Use keywords and nouns in the content of your resume.
 Avoid slashes like "design/develop."
 Don’t put parentheses around the area code.
 Prepare a cover letter for email using similar rules as
the email resume.
 Save both your cover letter and email resume as a text
only file or in ASCII format.
EIU Career Services
 Career Guide
 Keywords
KEYWORDS
 Keywords are the backbone of electronic resumes and job
banks.
 Keywords are used by employers to conduct quick
searches within resume databases.
 In a keyword search, the employer will input a list of
knowledge, skills, abilities, personal traits, work
experiences, and academic requirements that best
describe the type of candidate they are seeking for a
position.
 The search will electronically sort through the job bank
and identify those resumes that match the keywords input
by the employer.
KEYWORDS
 At times, the employer may limit the number of resumes
identified by the search.
 Employers use several techniques to limit the number of resumes
produced from a keyword search.
 One method for limiting the output of a keyword search is to
require a minimum number of matches between the resume and
the keyword list.
 For example, an employer will tell the search to include resumes
that match a minimum of 10 out of 20 keywords.
 Another method employers use to limit the output of a keyword
search is to require the search to rank order the resume according
to the highest to lowest number of keyword matches.
KEYWORDS
 Keywords are typically nouns, not verbs, and they are usually
specific to each career field.
 Good sources for identifying keywords are the job descriptions
contained in employer web sites.
 Look for degrees required, degrees preferred, two or three word
phrases about job responsibilities, computer software or hardware
proficiencies, job titles, and personal traits desired.
 Other sources of keywords are online trade journals and
associations, employment ads, and the Occupational Outlook
Handbook.
 For additional assistance locating keywords, see your career
counselor.
EIU Career Services
 Career Guide
 Writing a Winning Resume

Writing a Winning Resume
 A self summary of your personal, educational, &
employment experiences & qualifications is know as a
resume.
 A resume should tell who you are, what you know, what
you do well & what you want to with the knowledge
you have.
 A resume is done to serve the purpose of getting an
interview for you, serve as a reference for the
employer during the interview, & as a reminder of you
after the interview is complete.
 A resume may only be reviewed in 30-35 seconds.
 Since this is the case, resumes should be written in a
concise and easy-to-read format.
 Start each sentence with an action verb if possible.
 Limit the use of the pronoun "I".
 A typical resume should be no longer than 1 page.
 If you have extensive work experience, your resume
may be 2 pages.
 Resumes demonstrate your ability to write &
organize your thoughts.
 Do not rely on another person or resume
preparation service to write your resume.
 Neatness & correct spelling are essential.
 Employers prefer that resumes be free of
spelling, typographical, & grammar mistakes.
Correct Format
 There is no one right way to construct a
resume.
 Hundreds of styles are available to choose
from.
 You need to decide which is right for you.
 The information on the resume is presenting
you.
Types
 Chronological Resume
 Functional Resume
 Technical Resume
Chronological Resume
 This resume places emphasis on the dates of

employment.
 The presented information is outlined in reverse
chronological order with the most recent jobs &
degrees appearing first.
 It is most efficient if your work history or educational
experience relate tot he job you are seeking.
Functional Resume
 In this resume, experience is grouped into skill

categories which allow strengths to be emphasized.
 This provides greater flexibility in representing skills
gained through personal experience, but should include
significant examples of professional skills.
Technical Resume
 This type of resume is similar to standard business

resumes.
 The difference is that a profile of technical skills is
included.
 Less emphasis is placed on education & experience that
is not directly related to technical experience.
Physical Education Department
 Sample resume
YOUR NAME

Present Address Permanent Address

Phone # Phone #
Email

OBJECTIVE
To obtain a challenging internship in the field of adult fitness/cardiac rehabilitation/sports management which would utilize the knowledge and skills I have gained
through my education.

EDUCTION
Eastern Illinois University, Charleston, IL
Bachelor of Science in Physical Education – April 2003
Minor in Community Health
GPA: 3.14/4.0

Richland Community College, Decatur, IL
Associates in Science – December 2000
~ CPR Certified
RELEVANT COURSE AREAS

Kinesiology ~ Human Physiology ~ Exercise Physiology ~ Physical Fitness Appraisal and Performance Assessment~ Designing Exercise and Sport Training
Programs ~ Micrcomputers in Physical Education ~ American Red Cross Instructor

QUALIFICATIONS
ATP Lab Worker ~ Eastern Illinois University~1999 – present.
~perform body composition test, sub-maximal aerobic tests, etc
~calculate test results and explain tests results
~ Offer information on how people can achieve personal fitness goals
EMPLOYMENT
List 2 to 3 jobs (briefly) in reverse chronology order. Include: organization name and location (city and state), dates (month and 4 digit year), job title and
responsibilities

HONORS/ACTIVITIES
Intramural sports:
Physical Education Club, 2001-2003
Dean’s List:
Special Olympic Volunteer, Spring 2001

REFERENCES
References Availed Upon Request, References & Credentials Furnished Upon Request. Career Services, Eastern Illinois University, Charleston, IL 61920. Telephone:
(217) 581-2412 or Fax: (217) 581-2222.
Physical appearance
 Resumes should be prepared on a personal computer.
 Use 8 1/2 x 11 inch high quality paper.
 Most often white, off-white, ivory, or light gray is
recommended.
 Always balance the material on the page with at least 1
inch margins on all sides of the paper.
 Never include a photograph with the resume or a
current date.
 Left justify your text and use a 12 point sans serif font
like Times Roman or Helvetica.
Information Section
 The Heading
 OBJECTIVE
 EDUCATION
 RELEVANT COURSE AREAS
 QUALIFICATIONS
 EMPLOYMENT
 HONORS/ACTIVITIES
 REFERENCES
The Heading
 Usually the first piece of information the employers

sees regarding you qualifications, is the heading section
of your resume.
 This should include your name, address (local/current),
telephone number, and e-mail address.
 There is no need to type resume at the top.
 Always give your full name.
 It can be typed in capital letters & in bold.
YOUR NAME


Phone # Phone #
Email
OBJECTIVE
 This is used to convey career goals.
 If you are willing to relocate, include this at the end of

your objective.
 An alternative to an objective is a Personal Profile.
 This usually consists of two or four sentences.
 This emphasizes your strongest talents & experiences.
YOUR NAME


Phone # Phone #
Email

OBJECTIVE
To obtain a challenging internship in the field of adult fitness/cardiac rehabilitation/sports management
which would utilize the knowledge and skills I have gained through my education.
EDUCATION
 Begin with your most recent or anticipated degree to be

completed and then continue back in time.
 Include dates of attendance, school names location, date
of graduation, degree, major, minor and areas of
concentration.
 Your G.P.A. is optional.
 If you include it, it should be written as follows:
Cumulative or Major G.P.A. 2.78/4.0.
 If you financed you education, you should include this
with approximate percentage financed.
YOUR NAME


Phone # Phone #
Email

OBJECTIVE
To obtain a challenging internship in the field of adult fitness/cardiac rehabilitation/sports management
which would utilize the knowledge and skills I have gained through my education.

EDUCTION
GPA: 3.14/4.0


CPR certified
EDUCTION
GPA: 3.14/4.0


~ CPR certified

Kinesiology ~ Human Physiology ~ Exercise Physiology ~ Physical Fitness Appraisal and Performance
Assessment~ Designing Exercise and Sport Training Programs ~ Microcomputers in Physical Education
~ American Red Cross Instructor
QUALIFICATIONS

Assessment ~ Designing Exercise and Sport Training Programs ~ Micrcomputers in Physical Education

QUALIFICATIONS
•Perform body composition test, sub-maximal aerobic tests, etc
•Calculate test results and explain tests results
•Offer information on how people can achieve personal fitness goals
EMPLOYMENT
 This area is of great importance.

 Use the reverse chronological order just as you did with
education.
 Include part-time, summer, volunteer work, military experience,
student teaching, & graduate assistant positions.
 Under this category, identify job title, name of employer, and
employer's city and state.
 Generally, pre-collegiate work experience is not included unless it
is highly relevant or was continued through the college years.
Assessment~ Designing Exercise and Sport Training Programs ~ Micrcomputers in Physical Education

QUALIFICATIONS

EMPLOYMENT
EMPLOYMENT
List 2 to 3 jobs (briefly) in reverse chronology order. Include: organization name and location (city and
state), dates (month and 4 digit year), job title and responsibilities
HONORS/ACTIVITIES
EMPLOYMENT

HONORS/ACTIVITIES
Intramural sports:
Dean’s List:
REFERENCES
 You may include one of the following brief statements:

References Availed Upon Request, References &
Credentials Furnished Upon Request.
 Typically, a separate page of references, which lists
names, titles, addresses, and phone number of three to
five references, is made available to employers when
requested.
EMPLOYMENT

HONORS/ACTIVITIES
Intramural sports:
Dean’s List:

REFERENCES
References Availed Upon Request, References & Credentials Furnished Upon Request. Career Services,
Eastern Illinois University, Charleston, IL 61920. Telephone: (217) 581-2412 or Fax: (217) 581-2222.
YOUR NAME


Phone # Phone #
Email

OBJECTIVE
To obtain a challenging internship in the field of adult fitness/cardiac rehabilitation/sports management which would utilize the knowledge and skills I have gained
through my education.

EDUCTION
GPA: 3.14/4.0

~ CPR Certified

Kinesiology ~ Human Physiology ~ Exercise Physiology ~ Physical Fitness Appraisal and Performance Assessment~ Designing Exercise and Sport Training
Programs ~ Micrcomputers in Physical Education ~ American Red Cross Instructor

QUALIFICATIONS
EMPLOYMENT
List 2 to 3 jobs (briefly) in reverse chronology order. Include: organization name and location (city and state), dates (month and 4 digit year), job title and
responsibilities

HONORS/ACTIVITIES
Intramural sports:
Dean’s List:

REFERENCES
References Availed Upon Request, References & Credentials Furnished Upon Request. Career Services, Eastern Illinois University, Charleston, IL 61920. Telephone:
(217) 581-2412 or Fax: (217) 581-2222.
Assignment
 Develop a resume using the guidelines
from EIU Career Services and the
Physical Education sample resume.
 Save your resume as a ‘text only file’
 Email a copy of your resume to both
instructors

Writing A Resume

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Writing A Resume

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Writing a Resume

 Writing a Winning Resume

 This resume places emphasis on the dates of

 In this resume, experience is grouped into skill

 This type of resume is similar to standard business

RELEVANT COURSE AREAS

 Usually the first piece of information the employers

 This is used to convey career goals.

 If you are willing to relocate, include this at the end of

 Begin with your most recent or anticipated degree to be

RELEVANT COURSE AREAS

 This area is of great importance.

 You may include one of the following brief statements:

RELEVANT COURSE AREAS

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