Gathering Information For Your Resume

WRITING YOUR RESUME

Several resources follow to assist you in developing your resume. They include a personal biography form, a list of effective action verbs to use in describing your key job responsibilities and a list of useful resume headings.

Personal Biography

If you've never had a resume, this will be useful to you in documenting your background. This will also be useful when you're completing an application form.

Employment Background

List all of your previous employment in reverse chronology (most recent experience first), giving year to year of your employment (months, no longer are necessary to indicate on your resume). Describe key responsibilities using incomplete sentences starting with an action verb. Use extra paper if necessary.

Working Title: _________________________
Dates: _______________________________
Key Responsibilities: ____________________
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Working Title: _________________________
Dates: _______________________________
Key Responsibilities: ____________________
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Working Title: _________________________
Dates: _______________________________
Key Responsibilities: ____________________
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Working Title: _________________________
Dates: _______________________________
Key Responsibilities: ____________________
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Working Title: _________________________
Dates: _______________________________
Key Responsibilities: ____________________
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Working Title: _________________________
Dates: _______________________________
Key Responsibilities: ____________________
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Working Title: _________________________
Dates: _______________________________
Key Responsibilities: ____________________
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Working Title: _________________________
Dates: _______________________________
Key Responsibilities: ____________________
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Work-Related Accomplishments (write five that you are most product of)

Use an action verb like the ones listed below to begin each sentence (see complete list of action verbs).

designed increased managed researched improved directed
trained implemented reduced costs supervised established wrote
contracted analyzed sold organized invented presented
developed created prepared      

For example:

Wrote a training manual which increased operation efficiency 20 percent.

1. ____________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________

2. ____________________________________________________________________

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3. ____________________________________________________________________

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4. ____________________________________________________________________

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5. ____________________________________________________________________

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Education & Development

Post -Secondary: College/Technical School/University Degree/Diploma Year Graduated or Credits
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High School    
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Have you taken or are you now taking any extension, adult education or other courses? ____ Yes ____ No

What are they? ___________________________________________________________

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Membership in Organizations - Past and Present (community, political, cultural, professional, social)

Organization How You Are/Were Involved
   
1. ____________________________ _____________________________________
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2. ____________________________ _____________________________________
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3. ____________________________ _____________________________________
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4. ____________________________ _____________________________________
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Hobbies/Pastimes/interests - List everything, past and present, even activities that may seem unimportant to your career.

Hobby/Pastime/Interest Number of Years Degree of Competence
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Do you see any work-related applications for your hobbies or interests? ____ Yes ____ No

What are they? ___________________________________________________________
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Headings

Below are some possible resume sub-headings. Choose teh headings that will be the most effective for you. Select one heading from each category. Use your imagination adn come up with more of your own.

The headings are given in the order in which they usually appear in your resume. The top two groups are optional and may not be particularly relevant for you.

Summary
Highlights
Background
Summary of Background
Profile
Skills Overview
Career Highlights
Achievements
Talents
Accomplishments
Strengths
Areas of Effectiveness
Professional Attributes
Results Achieved
Skills
Capabilities
Employment
Professional Development
Volunteer  
References (available on request)
Contrary to wide-spread believe, resumes do not require a career objective, Job Target, Job Goal, Position Applied For, etc. headers. The targeted position, whether a specific competition or general application, is indicated in the accompanying cover letter.

Always hold onto your references and reference letters for the interview stage or when you are requested to provide this information.

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