RESUME WRITING

OBJECTIVES

• to teach students the structure of a resume

• to expose students to various kinds of resumes
• to help students prepare their resumes
In this Session you will learn ………

• what is a CV
• what is a resume
• why write it
• main sections
• features of a winning resume
 CV QUIZ
• What is it for?
• to list your qualifications?
• to persuade your prospective employer
• How long does a recruiter take to read your
resume?
• 2 minutes
• 10 minutes
• How many pages should a good resume be?
• 1 page
• 3 to 5 pages
• What color paper should you use?
• any bright color
• white
 RESUME
or
CURRICULUM VITAE
• karikyulum veetai in Great Britain and the
Commonwealth
• rezyoumay in Great Britain
• rezemay in the US and Australia
 RESUME
or
CURRICULUM VITAE
• a written description of work experience,
educational background & skills
• the same parts
• Resume is usually one page
• CV can be two pages
• from here onwards, let’s use the term resume.
 WHY WRITE RESUME

• to highlight qualifications, skills & experience

to get an interview
• to introduce oneself to employers or
organizations
• to let them know who you are and what you
have to offer
 MAIN SECTIONS
ARRANGE IN CORRECT ORDER

• EDUCATION
• KEY SKILLS IS THIS HOW YOU HAVE DONE?
• REFERENCES 

• WORK EXPERIENCE 

• PERSONAL INFORMATION 

• AWARDS & ACHIEVEMENTS 

• OBJECTIVE 

• IDENTIFYING INFORMATION 

• PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS 

• VOLUNTEER EXPERIENCE 



 MAIN SECTIONS

• the most common sections

• you may not need all of them
• decide on the most appropriate parts
• parts chosen should relate to the purpose
• should reflect your uniqueness
 Here are the sections in detail
 Let us take a look at the tricky
sections first
 Let us start writing a resume
 Take a fresh sheet of paper
IDENTIFYING INFORMATION

 Don’t write the heading for this

section
 Headings may be written for other
sections
 IDENTIFYING INFORMATION
Includes basic contact information

Name Jayanti A

Address 401, Creative Vision Apartments

Street 1, Tarnaka
Hyderabad – 500013
Andhra Pradesh
Phone numbers Phone: 040 – 27098214; Mobile: 99999 11111

e-mail e-mail: jayantia24@hotmail.com

 OBJECTIVE
CAREER OBJECTIVE

• short and concise

• a description of your immediate career goals
• make it relevant to the job
• include a specific job title
• include two or three qualities that suit the job
 OBJECTIVE
CAREER OBJECTIVE
Example 1
OBJECTIVE: An entry level position in the hospitality industry
that requires strong customer relations skills and an outgoing
friendly personality.

Template
OBJECTIVE: An/A <name of the position> position in <type of
organization> that requires <quality1> and <quality2>.

Note
Qualities must match the job requirements
 OBJECTIVE
CAREER OBJECTIVE
Example 2
OBJECTIVE: An outgoing enthusiastic commerce student with
excellent grades in Accounting and Management seeing
Accounting Assistant position.

Template
OBJECTIVE: An/A <personality quality1>, <personality quality2>
<your current situation e.g., student/job title> with
strong/excellent <the best skill> skill/skills seeking <work you
are looking for.

Note
Qualities must match the job requirements
 Let us pause here for a few minutes
 You will now write your objective
 But first think of a job
 Think of two qualities that match the
job profile
 If you have difficulty finding
appropriate words, take a look at this
list
 QUALITIES
analytical confident expert perceptive
articulate creative friendly proficient
bi-lingual dedicated hardworking reliable
dependable honest resourceful
business-
dynamic imaginative skilled
minded
efficient innovative successful
calm logical tenacious
energetic
capable enthusiastic methodical thorough
committed experienced motivated trustworthy
competent organized versatile
willing
 KEY SKILLS
• highlight your special skills
(especially the technical ones)
• must be related to the job
• describe your computer skills
• other skills acquired through special training
• aim for at least two or three
• show how and why
 KEY SKILLS
EXAMPLES

• Communication and soft skills developed through course work

in JKC
• Teamwork skills acquired through NSS activities
• Organizational skills honed by being the group leader in NSS

TEMPLATE
• <name of the skill> skills developed/acquired/achieved
through <programme/course>
 Take a few minutes to think and
write down two or three skills that
you have or you have acquired
 If you have difficulty, take a look at
this list
 MOST COMMON KEY SKILLS
Communication Skills
(able to talk, listen to and present information)

Numerical Skills
(able to interpret numbers)

Analytical Skills
(able to analyze information)

Team Work Skills

(able to work with others)

Leadership Skills
(able and willing to take responsibility, to motivate all)
MOST COMMON KEY SKILLS
Problem Solving Skills
(able to offer solutions to problems)

Information Technology Skills

(able to use computers)

Initiative Skills
(able to work without constant supervision)

Organizational Skills
(able to organize time and work)
 EDUCATION

 List education in the reverse

chronological order.
 begin with your most recent education
(In your case it will be B.A. / B.Sc. / B.Com., etc..,)

 include your diplomas and certificate

courses also.
 WORK EXPERIENCE

• List Jobs in reverse chronological order.

• begin with your most recent or current job.
• describe you job duties and
accomplishments.
• use strong action verbs.
• mention even your part-time jobs.
( In your case, if you do not have any
WORK EXPERIENCE, leave out this section).
Example -

• B.Sc. Maths, Physics, Chemistry 2009 - 2008

Osmania University 74% in Optionals

• Intermediate Maths, Physics, Chemistry 2003 - 2005

A.P. Board of Intermediate 69%

Template -
(Name of the Course), (Main Subjects) Academic Year
(Name of the Awarding Authority) (% age)
 Example
Patient Attendant Dr. Aditya Prasad Part-time 2007 – Present
Aswini Clinic Evenings
6 days

Paper delivery Gayatri Newspapers Mornings 2005 – 2007

Person and Magazines 7 days.

Template
(Name of the Position) (Name of the Organization) (Nature of work) (Year – Year)
AWARDS AND ACHIEVEMENTS
• Mention what the award was for
• Commendations or praise from some
very Senior Person.
Example –

• Best Volunteer 2004

National Integration Camp, NSS.

• Madurai Kamraj University. 2005

Commendation from the Coordinator
NSS, Osmania University, Hyderabad.
VOLUNTEER EXPERIENCE
• Where you volunteered
• Briefly describe what you did and when
you did it.

Example

VOLUNTEER Free drinking water kiosks May 2004

during summers and 2005
PERSONAL INFORMATION
• mention your physical attributes.
• your interests and extra curricular
activities.
• no need to mention height etc., unless
asked
• do not mention religion.
Example
I am 22 years old, very healthy and energetic.
In my spare time I enjoy listening to music, reading.
REFERENCES
• Names of two or three people who can vouch
for your good character and abilities.
• Include their full names, designations,
organizations, addresses and telephone
numbers.
• Make sure all your references have agreed to
offer their referrals.
• OR you can just say -
‘References Available upon Request’
(or)
‘I can provide references on request’
Now look at different layouts.
I. NAME
Address

OBJECTIVE
An outgoing, enthusiastic commerce student with excellent grades in
Accounting and Management seeking Accounting Assistant position.

KEY SKILLS

EDUCATION
II.
NAME
Address

OBJECTIVE
An outgoing, enthusiastic commerce student
with excellent grades in Accounting and
Management seeking Accounting Assistant
position.

KEY SKILLS
III.
NAME
Address

OBJECTIVE : An outgoing, enthusiastic

commerce student with excellent grades in
Accounting and Management seeking
Accounting Assistant position.

KEY SKILLS :
Some Useful Hints
• Uniformity and consistency in the use of capital
letters, italics, bullets, bold face.
• No typographical, spelling, grammar, sentence
structure and punctuation errors.
• Use power words for skills, accomplishments.
• be concise
• Keep sentences as short and direct as possible.
• Use phrases rather than sentences.
• Watch your verb tense
• Use off white, ivory or bright white paper – A4
Size.
• Standard conservative type face.
• Laser print.
Okay now lets see who has answers to
these questions

• What is a CV and a resume ?

• Why do we write one ?
• What are the main parts of
resume ?