When You are Looking for a Job, You Need a Resume

Why do I need a resume?

A resume is an important tool for anyone looking for work. A well-written resume will benefit the jobseeker with no or very little work history to the most experience professional. Many employers require a resume to be sent as the first point of contact.  Think of your resume as your sales brochure. A resume sells your skills, experience, and personal qualities. Your resume should set you apart from other people applying for the job.

Source-Connecticut Department of Labor

Building a great resume!

Take the time to put together your work history, volunteer experience, education and employment background. Pay special attention to your skills and accomplishments. You may want to talk about your great G.P.A. or how you helped organized the class dance or school fundraiser, or your dedication to your church’s choir.

• Resume Building for Youth
  
  
• High School Resume w/out Work Experience
  
  
• High School Resume with Work Experience
  
  
• Chronological Resume
  
  
• Functional Resume
  
  

What are references and why do I need them?

References are important! Good references can help you get the job. References are people who can vouch for you.  References help employers decide if they should hire you for the job.  References include: teachers, coaches, reverends, former employers or co-workers. The longer a reference has known you the more credible they are. A future employer may ask your reference about your

• Personality
• The type of work you did.
• How will you perform the work or assignment

Typically you can write down your references on an application. You should have your reference listed on a separate paper. References are not relatives, or friends.

Who are my references?
Name                       How do I know them              Phone number
1.
2.
3.

I have no work history or no skills.

If you don’t have any work history, then focus on your volunteer, recreational, or athletic activities. For example, if you are on your school’s football team, then talk about your dedication to your team, your competitive spirit, how you are on time to all of your practices. Another example is if you help with a family business. Perhaps you mow grass, fix cars, or help out with the family store.  You can also focus on classes that are relevant. For example if you are taking a computer or typing class.

Write down 3 of your personal qualities. 
1.
2.
3.

For example Charissa’s personal qualities includes:
1. Eager to help
2. Motivated
3. On-time

Resume Styles  

Functional Resume
Focuses on your skills, experience, and accomplishments, without identifying dates, names, and places. There is no chronological listing of employment. Consequently, many employers do not like this format;

Chronological Resume
Focuses on the chronological listing of employment and employment-related experiences. A chronological resume is good for people who have no gaps in their work history. This type of resume may not be good if you have little work history.

Important things to remember when creating a resume.

• Keep your resume to 1 or 2 pages
• Use 8.5” x 11” paper
• Use white or off-white paper
• Proofread your resume (you can also ask a career counselor or teacher). Your resume should not have any spelling, typing or grammatical errors. An employer will think that mistakes on your resume means you would be a careless employee
• Highlight your skills, personal qualities
• Do not lie (or stretch the truth) about your work history or background. Employer will check to verify what you put on your resume is true.
• Do not use personal descriptions such as age, race, gender.
• Do not use slang or abbreviations
• Type your resume
• Avoid using colored paper, photographs, graphics, and fancy fonts.

Resume Layout

1. Personal Information

Your name, mailing address, telephone number(s) with area codes. Avoid using telephone numbers where the people picking up the phone may not make you look good with an employer.

2. Employment or Career Objective

Write a career objective or employment objective if you have a specific job or career in mind.

3. Education

If you are in school or a recent a graduate your education should be placed at the top of your resume. If you have your GED, list yourself as a high school graduate.

4. Summary of Qualifications

Employers only spend a few seconds reading your resume the first time. Employers want to only spend time reading the resumes of people they want to interview. This is why it is important to highlight your qualifications at the top of your resume.

5. Body of Resume

This is where you will choose if you want a functional, chronological, or combination resume.

6. Other Activities

Only write down activities that would are related to the job you are searching for, and show your experience and skills. It is recommended that you do not go into detail about specific religious or political organizations unless they directly relate to your goal.

back to top