READING &

WRITING SKILLS
LESSON 4- FINALS
SECOND SEMESTER
 Writing Academic and Professional Text

Writing a Resume
 Position Paper:
A resume is a document that summarizes your
career history, skills and education. The term
originates from the French word résumé, which
translates to “abstract” or “summary.”
 Purpose and Audience
A resume's goal and overall purpose are to introduce your
qualifications and skills to employers. It's an informational
document that tells your career story, outlining all details in an
easily read format. Resumes also hold meaning within themselves.
For example, showing a resume to an employer conveys an intent
to apply for a position.
 Pattern Development
A resume typically includes a professional or “summary”
statement, a dedicated skills section and condensed description
of your recent and relevant professional achievements listed in
reverse-chronological order, starting with your most current
job.
 Pattern Development
You may also choose to share your education experience,
relevant professional associations you’re a part of, or volunteer
work. If you have little or no professional work experience,
you might list relevant internships, apprenticeships, volunteer
work, or personal projects instead.
 Guidelines in
Writing a RESUME
 How resumes are used by applicants?

The use of a resume goes beyond the general application process. Resumes
are valuable, documented information about your life, career, and
accomplishments. The following list outlines some of the major uses of
resumes by people applying for jobs:

• Sending to employers
• Introduction to employers
• Demonstrating skills
• Record keeping
Sending to employers
As stated previously, the main use of a resume
involves sending it to employers. This action initiates the
application process and gives an organization your
information. Sending resumes to employers usually only
occurs if skills and qualifications outlined on the resume
match what the employer seeks.
Introduction to
Employers
In most cases, employers see resumes before they meet
the actual employee. Resumes act as formal
introductions, exhibiting each candidate's unique skill
sets. When you offer your resume to an employer, not
only do they get a list or summary of your qualifications,
but they also get a look at your personality. Creative
resumes show this through color pallets and image use.
Demonstrating Skills
Although you can't physically demonstrate your skills
in a resume, you can list and explain them. Some people
provide data-driven facts relating to their skills. For
example, a Human Resource Manager might say they
reduced employee turnover by 20%. Visual resumes
might instead provide a graph showing their degree of
skill with a percentage.
Record Keeping
Aside from sending your resume to an employer, it also
stands as an official record of your career history. It's often
difficult to remember dates or other specific information.
Keeping all career-related information on file in the form of
a resume helps you better understand your full journey. It
also helps answer questions related to your employment
history asked by an employer.