Writing An Effective

Resume
What makes a resume effective?
 Itis more than a paper
representation of YOU.

 Itis a marketing tool to

highlight your uniqueness.

 Itis an opportunity to get

you an interview.
How do you put together an
effective resume?
FIRST:
 Recognize the types of
resume so you can choose
the type effective for your
situation:
-chronological
-functional
-combination
Chronological resume

EXAMPLE:

EXPERIENCE
Intern, C.S. Media, Honolulu, HI, January 2000 to present
.Prepare and submit public service announcements
.Correspond with clients.
.Produce weekly calendar of community events and programs

Student Assistant, Department of Communication, University of Hawaii at

Manoa, September 1999 to Dec. 2000
.Performed degree checks for graduating seniors.
.Updated and maintained computer database.
.Scheduled appointments with departmental advisors.
.Handled in-person and telephone inquiries.
Functional resume
EXAMPLE:
SKILLS & EXPERIENCE
SALES & CUSTOMER SERVICE
Demonstrated jewelry and advised customers about style; researched market
availability of customer-preferred merchandise.

ORGANIZATION & PLANNING

Organized fashion shows; planned selections of merchandise appropriate to
customers’ age groups, tastes, and in response to public fashion trends;
worked within a budget as assistant buyer.

LEADERSHIP & MANAGEMENT

Coordinated program of Service Club, for fashion, speech, and community
activities; acted as President of Girls Club.

EMPLOYMENT HISTORY
Salesperson & Assistant Buyer, Lilly Enterprises, Los Angeles, CA, 1995-99
Combination resume

Uses a chronological listing in some parts

and functional groupings in other parts
How do you put together an
effective resume?
SECOND:
 Include information relevant to your job
search and present them in parts that will
highlight your background
Basic Parts
 Heading or identification
 Objective
 Education
 Experience
 Skills
 Honors & Scholarships
 Extracurricular Activities
 Personal or Interests or Background
Basic part: Heading or
identification
 Name

 Address

 Telephone number or cellular number

 Email address
Basic part: Heading or identification
Example 1:

MALIA KAMAAINA
123 Home Street
Honolulu, HI 96808
(808) 123-4567
malia@hawaii.edu
Basic part: Heading or identification
Example 2:

MALIA KAMAAINA
123 Home StreetHonolulu, HI 96808(808) 123-4567
malia@hawaii.edu

Example 3:
MALIA KAMAAINA
malia@hawaii.edu
Permanent:
Current
123 Home Street
1825 Dole Street
Honolulu, HI 96808
Honolulu, HI 96822
Basic part: Objective

 Tells the employer:

-what kind of work you are interested in,
-what you are hoping to do, or
-what area you wish to work in
Examples:

To work in a Student Assistant position in Info Technology Services.

To obtain an internship in a financial services company.
To become Marketing Assistant in a public relations firm.
Basic part: Education

 Describe your academic

accomplishments:
-degree you expect to earn, university,
and expected date of grad
-overall or major GPA
-honors (dean’s list)
-related course work or major class project
Basic part: Education
Example:

OBJECTIVE
To obtain a part-time position as a Customer Service Representative.

EDUCATION
Bachelor of Arts in Psychology, University of Hawaii at Manoa,
Honolulu, HI. December 2003.
Overall GPA 3.10/4.00. Dean’s List: Fall 2000 and Spring 2001.
Relevant Course Work: PSY 385 Consumer Behavior
FAMR 455 Consumer Communications
Basic part: Experience

 Includepaid and volunteer experiences,

summer and part-time
 Use action verbs to describe your
accomplishments
 Use verbs in present tense for current
experiences and past tense for completed
experiences
Basic part: Experience
Example:

EXPERIENCE
Student Assistant
August 2000-present
Career Services, University of Hawaii at Manoa, Honolulu, HI
Provide assistance with front office operations. Handle incoming
phone inquiries from students and employers. Answer career-
related questions at the service window. Schedule appointments
for counselors and employer recruitment program. Maintain and
update information on office web site. Input student registration
data into Access database system. Assist in compiling semester
and year end statistics.
Basic part: Skills

 Include: computer skills

language skills
keyboarding speed
10-key by touch

Example:

SKILLS
Computer: Microsoft Word & Excel. FrontPage for web design.
Language: Japanese, good verbal communication.
Basic part: Scholarships
& Honors

Example:

Scholarships & Honors

Presidential Scholarship

Sept. 1999-present
Fernandez Fun Factory Scholarship

Sept. 1999-May 2000

Golden Key National Honour Society

Spring 2001
Basic part: Activities

 Include: student organizations

(membership, officer or chair positions),
professional memberships, professional
development activities
Example:

ACTIVITIES
American Marketing Association, Member

Sept. 1999-present
Speech Communication Society, Secretary
Basic part: Personal or Interests or
Background

Include background information (high

school you graduated from,
accomplishments and extracurricular
activities in high school, hobbies, interests,
etc.)
Example:

BACKGROUND
Graduated from Kauai High School in top 5%. Participated in marching
band for 3 years. Enjoy tennis and pottery.
Basic part: References
Example:

References Available upon request.

 MALIA KAMAAINA
References

Ms. Jane Segal

Supervisor
Career Services
University of Hawaii at Manoa
2600 Campus Road
Honolulu, HI 96822
(808) 956-8136
jsegal@hawaii.edu

Dr. Tom Hayden

Dept. of Communication
University of Hawaii at Manoa
2201 Maile Way
Honolulu, HI 96822
(808) 956-2222
hayden@hotmail.com
Final Tips for an Effective Resume

 Check & double check for content flow, grammar,

punctuation, and spelling
 Keep to 1 or 2 pages
 Have a top, bottom, left and right margin of about 1”
 Use variations in style to help the reader’s eye pick up
most important information and move through the resume
 Use 10 or 12 size font
 Print on quality white or off-white paper
 Have your resume reviewed at Career Services
Writing An Effective
Cover Letter
Cover letter

 What is the cover letter?

-letter that accompanies your resume
 Why is a cover letter needed?
-introduces you to the reader
-identifies the position you are applying for
-acts as a bridge between the job vacancy and
the information on the resume
-opportunity to market yourself in a less
structured way
Parts of the Cover Letter: Introduction

Identifies the position you are

applying for
Tells how you learned about the
position
Include your special interest in
the position
 Parts of the Cover Letter: Body

 Highlight your most important

qualifications
 Describe points that may be of special
interest to the employer
 Include information on your degree,
major, certification and experience
Parts of the Cover Letter: Closing

 Indicate your interest in having an

interview or the next step you plan to
take
 Inform that your resume is enclosed
 Thank the reader
Cover Letter Tips

 Check for content flow, grammar,

punctuation and spelling
 Keep to one page

 Use standard business letter format

 Center letter on paper

 Use a font style and size that is easy to

read
 Sign your letter
 Good luck
&
visit us at
CAREER SERVICES
QLC 212F