North Carolina Central University

James E. Shepard Memorial Library RESUMES

Introduction to and Expectations for Rsums

What is a rsum? A rsum is a brief document that summarizes your education, employment history, and experiences that are relevant to your qualifications for a particular job for which you are applying. The purpose of a rsum (along with your cover letter) is to get an interview. Research has shown that it takes an average of ten (10) interviews to receive one (1) job offer, so your rsum needs to be persuasive and perfect. Given this, your rsum must be user-centered and persuasive. What should it look like? A general rsum should be a brief summary of your experience, so it should be as concise as possible-no shorter than one full page and no more than three pages (some specific kinds of rsums can be longer). Rsums differ from letters and papers, and they are written in a concise style using bullet lists rather than long sentences and paragraphs. A rsum is designed to be skimmed quickly. You should look at as many rsum examples as possible before writing your own. You can check our samples to see several different formats. Though you may maintain a general rsum, you should tailor your rsums to fit the needs and expectations of each company and job position. To help tailor your rsum, collect as much information as possible on the organization and its mission/goals. Then collect information on the people who may read your rsum: human resources, decision makers, potential boss, etc. Finally, collect information on the job position and its requirements. When you know about the company, the audience, and the position, you can match your training and experience to their needs and expectations. Please see the Audience Analysis page for details on collecting information on readers. What should it include? There are several sections that almost every rsum must have, including objective, education, work experience, and contact information.
Objective

state the organization's name and the specific position title, and they briefly outline how the applicant will help the organization achieve its goals: Objective: Help ABC Aerospace achieve its mission of designing tomorrow's technology today by joining the Navigation Software Development Team as a programmer. Creating a user-centered objective is important because you don't want to sound like you're using the organization selfishly to further your own career: Objective: Expand my skills in programming in the software development field Notice how the second objective does not mention the specific organization or job, and it does not discuss how the applicant plans to help the company.

Education

In the education section, state the highest degree you have earned and provide the following details: y y y Institution where the degree was granted Date of graduation Level of degree (B.A., M.A., etc.) and field (Electrical Engineering), any minors(English), and your GPA. You are not required to state your GPA, but potential employers may assume you left it off because it was low. However, if your GPA is lower than a 3.0, consider omitting it.

Work Experience

The section on work experience is usually broken down by company or position. For each, provide the following: y y y y Name and address of the organization Dates of employment Position title Responsibilities.

You may also want to include skills learned if the job has little or nothing to do with the position for which you are applying. Try to connect your experience with your current job interest.

The objective should be short and concise, but it must also be user-centered. User-centered objectives are tailored to the specific organization and position. User-centered objectives

Contact Information

telephone number

The contact information section is where you detail how potential employers can get in touch with you. Make sure all information is accurate and current. You should, at minimum, include your name, address, and phone number. Many people also include cell phone numbers, e-mail addresses, and web pages. It is in your best interest to make sure your potential employers can contact you.
Optional Sections

Often, people also include the following extra contact points: y y y cell phone numbers pager numbers e-mail addresses (e-mail is becoming a more common way for potential employers to contact people) personal web pages

In addition to the basic sections, you may also want to include other optional sections to provide a more accurate idea of your skills, achievements, education, etc. These can include the following: y y y y y y y y y Computer skills Honors and awards Languages Certifications Volunteer experience Hobbies and interests Foreign travel Professional memberships Community service, etc.

If you are a student, you might need to include your school address and your permanent address. However, if you do so, it is beneficial to include what dates you will be at each address. It is always a good idea to make it as easy as possible for potential employers to find you. If your contact information changes, it is crucial that you notify potential employers. For instance, if you move or change e-mail addresses, it is a good idea to notify any employers who might have your rsum on file. You can either resend your new rsum with the current contact information and a note explaining that your information has changed, or you can send a postcard or letter to the Human Resources department asking them to change the information on their copy of your rsum.

If you believe there is information about you an employer needs to make an informed decision (and you cannot include it in a cover letter), you may create a section on your rsum to showcase that information. Although the rsum is a highly formatted document, it should reflect what you think will convince your potential employer to grant you an interview. What are the expectations for rsum? Readers have expectations about how a rsum should look. For instance, your name typically appears at the top of the rsum and is usually the largest item. In addition, headers usually categorize the various sections of the text. Also, readers expect the information in your rsum to be accurate and correct. Finally, your rsum should be free of grammatical and spelling errors. Know that your rsum should be easy to read quickly and contain all necessary and pertinent information. The persuasive quality of your rsum depends on its usability.

When to Use Two Pages or More

Summary: You have probably heard the saying, "Keep your rsum to a page." Although this is true for most cases, many employers are accepting longer rsums...in certain instances. Use this resource to gain more understanding about what constitutes the page length of a rsum. Contributors:Angie Olson, Allen Brizee, and Katy Schmaling Last Edited: 2010-04-25 09:01:32 The following online resources were consulted for information: y Hansen, Katharine, "The Scoop on Rsum Length: How Many Pages Should Your Rsum Be?" Quintessential Careers, 25 Oct. 2005. Isaacs, Kim "How to Decide on Rsum Length," Rsum Center. 2006. Monster.com. 25 Oct. 2005.

y y

Contact Information Section

The Contact Information Section should include all methods of getting in touch with you. Your name should typically appear at the top of the rsum in a relatively large, readable font (don't get carried away with fancy or elaborate font styles). Your contact information should appear directly below that. You do not need to label it as such; it simply appears below your name. At the minimum, your contact information should include the following: y your current address

When to Use Two Pages or More As the job market becomes ever more competitive, you may need to use multiple pages to persuade a potential employer to grant you an interview. For rsums, limiting your document to one page is a good approach for new college graduates and high school students. Some employers may specifically ask for a one page rsum. However, do not shy away from adding that extra page of accomplishmentsas long as it is relevant and persuasive.

The following sections will give you more advice about when to use rsums of different lengths and will suggest some ways to create a memorable second or third page. Remember, though, that the length of your rsum depends on the rhetorical situation and your audiences' needs.
When to use one-page rsums

You should include the various jobs/duties you have held

3. If you are seeking a job that requires technical/engineering/scientific skills, you may need a second page. y You should list/prove your technical/scientific knowledge and/or experience

1. New college graduates and other entry-level job seekers tend to need a one-page rsum for the following reasons: y y The applicant does not have enough relevant experience to fill more than one page The situation requires the rsum to focus on coursework and/or other leadership activities that connect you to the job you are seeking The rsum must meet a job fairs' expectations The rsum must meet a potential employer's expectations.

When to use three or more page rsums

1. If you are a senior-level manager/executive, your rsum may require three ormore pages. y y You should include a long record of leadership accomplishments You may be required to give very specific details of your past duties because you will be given more responsibility at the job you are seeking You should possibly include examples of your vision, flexibility, ethics, integrity, etc.

2. If you have less than ten years of experience, you may need to focus on one/two jobs, which may shorten your rsum to one page. y y Focus on skills you have obtained Do not record every single action of that job to take up space; emphasize the relevant duties

2. If you are seeking a job in the academic or scientific field, you will likely be required to provide a curricula vita (a long rsum with different information). In addition to listing your education, you should include the following: y y Publications, presentations, licenses, etc. Teaching and/or research experience

3. If you are pursuing a radical career change, much of your experience may not be relevant to the new job. y y Focus on the relevant skills you have obtained Do not stretch your information to cover more than one page if you cannot relate it to your current goal in some way

Tips on making a second or third page

When to use two-page rsums

1. Some new college graduates and other entry-level job seekers do have the experience to qualify for a two-page rsum. y y Some employers require a second, separate page for references The length of the document depends on relevant jobs, internships, extracurricular involvement, and leadership Do not make your font smaller than 10 or your margins less than 1 inch. If you must do this to fit a one-page rsum, consider the two-page format Remember that some recruiters at job fairs will accept a two-page rsum, but you should bring a one-page version to be safe Always ask a company if they accept two-page rsums before sending one

Before you make your rsum longer, you should first ask employers if they even accept two-page rsums. If they do, then you should plan the extra pages. For instance, you may want to focus an extra page on key leaderships skills or projects. You could even title that page to reflect its focus. Then, you could list and describe projects you led in classes, organizations, sororities/fraternities, etc. You may find that the extra pages work best as supplemental sheets. Such sheets could list presentations, awards, technical skills, etc. If you use this option, you could pick and choose which sheets to send to what employer. For example, you may send a detailed list of your technical skills to a computer company, but you would send a list of your research awards and presentations to a research firm. When you include extra pages, you must consider the effect a longer rsum will have on your reader. For instance, you will always need to have the attention-getting information on the first page. Some employers may skip over other pages. Coherency is also important for someone to understand your skills. In this regard, avoid splitting the details of a specific job onto another page. However, you could have one job detailed at the bottom of page one, and another at the top of page two. Another way to increase coherency is to number the rsum

2. Consider a two-page rsum if you are above entry-level positions, but below the executive level.

pages and include header/footers, such as "Jodi Forrester's Accomplishments Continued..." In addition, consider adding a summary of your skills/high points to the beginning of the rsum. Such a summary would allow readers to see your main qualifications at a glance...and then read the rest of your rsum to find specific details. Extra pages can: y y Focus on leadership skills/projects Work as supplemental sheets to list certain points that specific audiences would want to know.

XHTML

Formatting

Keep in mind that the first reader of your scannable rsum will be a computer, not a human. A fancy format pleasing to the human eye may confuse OCR scanners. Using simple format and font/typestyle decreases the likelihood that scanners will misread your rsum. For example, use one common font (such as Times New Roman) throughout your rsum. Rather than increasing the size of the font to indicate section headings, use spacing to break up your Keyword, Education, Experience sections. Avoid using bullets, tables, and visuals in scannable rsum. Instead, use dashes, left-justified text, and simple spacing to format your document. Human resources personnel will review your rsum only after the computer retrieves it from keyword searches. Including nouns and noun phrases that are likely to be used in a database search and using simple formatting will help your rsum be chosen from the multitudes of others. To view a comparison between a traditional rsum and a scannable rsum in PDF format, visit the media links above.

Extra pages must: y y y Be coherent Be organized Not make your reader lose interest

What is a Scannable Rsum?

A scannable rsum can be viewed by a computer using the latest document imaging technology (know as optical character recognition, or OCR), allowing employers to store rsums in databases and search through many applicants electronically. As a personal summary of your professional history and qualifications, a scannable rsum is the same as a traditional rsum. Scannable rsum include information about your goals, education, work experience, activities, honors, and any special skills you might have. If you already have a traditional rsum, you can create a scannable by modifying the traditional one for scanning. The two most important elements of a scannable rsum are keywords and formatting.
Keywords

Rsum Workshop
This resume workshop provides detailed explanations, as well step-by-step processes, for creating an effective resume. The Purdue OWL also maintains resume quick tips resources and a resume PowerPoint slide presentation. Please visit those resources for shorter discussions of the resume. What is a resume? A resume (also spelled rsum) is a brief document that summarizes your education, employment history, and experiences that are relevant to your qualifications for a particular job for which you are applying. The purpose of a resume (along with your cover letter) is to get an interview. Research has shown than it takes an average of ten (10) interviews to receive one (1) job offer, so your resume needs to be persuasive and perfect. Given this, your resume must be user-centered and persuasive. The general purpose resume usually contains four sections: y y y y Contact Education Experience Honors, activities, and outreach

Just below your name, create a Keyword section (like the other sections in your rsum: Education, Experience, etc.). List discipline-unique words and phrases potential employers can search for in the rsum database. For example, keywords for a business professional might include the following: y y y y y y Leadership skills Ethics Finance Teamwork Marketing Total quality management

Keywords for a computer programmer would include software applications and programming languages s/he has used: y y y y C++ Java Flash CSS

Writing the contact section of your resume

This section of your resume is definitely the easiest to write, but you do have a few options for design and content. What is a contact information section?

Unlike other sections of your resume, this section does not have a special heading like "Contact Information." Instead it simply lists the information below at the top of the page: y y y y y y y your full name your e-mail address your permanent address your local or campus address (if applicable) your phone number(s) your web address/URL your fax number, etc.

What means of contacting you would be most convenient for the company or organization? .

Rsum Design
Summary: This handout provides information on visual rsum design. Contributors:AllenBrizee Last Edited: 2010-09-21 02:09:13 This handout offers advice for making informed design choices in creating a resume. We also have a sample resume that uses these design principles available in the media section above. Why is the design of my resume so important? Employers will usually take, at most, only thirty-five seconds to look at this one-page representation of yourself before deciding whether to keep or discard it. To ensure that you will make it past that initial screening, you should design your resume in such a way that employers can read the document easily and process information quickly. One way to do this is to conform to the conventional format of a resume, since employers know how resumes work and where to locate certain information. In addition, you should keep certain design principles in mind that will increase your chances of getting your resume into the "keep" pile. Designing your resume can be a challenge and requires you to take a closer look at how readers read. Here are some tips to help you make your resume a winning experience. The Quadrant Test Readers typically read from left to right and from top to bottom when information is "balanced" (about an equal amount of text and white space) on the page. Being able to anticipate the reader's response to a resume in this way will allow you to manipulate information according to the quadrant test. First, divide your resume into four quadrants, as seen in the example below.

Of course, as with the rest of your resume, you'll want to double-check that all the information you include is current and accurate. Mistyping your phone number could easily cost you an interview! Also, if you list an e-mail address, be sure to check your e-mail regularly or you may miss an important message. If you live on campus, you should provide your campus address. But you may also want to provide your home address.
Designing your contact information section

Employers will probably look first and last at your contact information section, so it's well worth your time to make this section easy-to-read and appealing to the eye. Whatever design choices you make, try to coordinate them with the rest of your resume. Here are some specific design options:Use page design strategies to present information in a usable format. For example, to help readers find desired information, you might place your name in a larger font size, center it, boldface it, or anything to make it stand out. If you have a permanent and local address, you might want to play with columns. 1. You may want to add a graphic element such as a horizontal line to help section off your contact information. Make sure the visual does not distract from your textual information. Coordinate with your cover letter. One way to make your application documents a professional package is to match your cover letter and your resume. You might do this by creating stationery or a letterhead for both documents. For instance, if you use two columns for your addresses and a double line on your resume header, you might adapt it for the top of your cover letter as well. Make sure to use the same fonts (size also) for both documents.

2.

Questions to ask About you y What are the different ways you may be contacted? How do you prefer to be reached?

About the company or organization

To create columns of text, you can use the table function in Microsoft Word to create vertical and horizontal placements for your information. Serif and sans-serif Fonts By manipulating the fonts used in your resume, you can easily create a hierarchy of information. In general, fonts are divided into two categories: serif and sans-serif. Serifs are the short stems on the ends of the strokes of a letter, as in T of the Times New Roman font. Sans-serif fonts are fonts without stems sans means without. Here are some examples of the two kinds of fonts.

Resume split into quadrants.

Each one of your quadrants should have an equal amount of text and white space (empty space where there is no text). When your page is balanced, the reader will typically read anything in quadrant 1 first. So, you should put your most important information anything you want the employer to see first in this quadrant. Using Columns to Lay Out Your Resume One way to create a balanced page is by using columns to format your text. However, keep in mind that since employers spend so little time reading a resume, you want them to read through it with few stops. The reader's eye will stop when it reaches the end of each column. Although you might want to use columns to create a balanced page, you wouldn't want your reader to have to make too many stops and miss important information.Therefore, you should use no more than three columns on your resume. Remember that the first place your reader looks at will be located in quadrants 1 and 2, so the most important information should go here. Also keep in mind that when indenting information you might create extra columns, so be aware of your column count. Here is an example of a resume section with three distinct columns. The first example has the columns marked in red so that you can see their placement. Purdue University Graduation: W. Lafayette, IN B.A Professional Writing 12/99

San serif fonts.

Serif fonts

How you use these two font types depends upon how you want your reader to read certain sections of your resume. American audiences are used to reading serif fonts, so these fonts tend to keep the eye reading along the text. sans-serif fonts, on the other hand, make the eye stop. Therefore, sansserif fonts are typically used for headings and titles, allowing the reader to quickly locate information, while serif fonts are used for descriptions. The key to using fonts in your resume is to be consistent. For example, if you decide to use a sans-serif font for a main heading, do so for all your headings, and use the same sansserif font each time. Generally, you should use no more than two fonts in your resume. Remember that you want to keep the reader reading; you do not want to create too many "tricks" for the reader's eye. Other types of emphasis By using more than one font type in a way that is consistent throughout your resume (using, for example, a sans serif font for all headings, and a serif font for all text), you create emphasis. Another way to create emphasis is by using bold, CAPITALIZATION, italics, and underlining. Your choice for emphasis depends upon your personal taste. However, you

Purdue University Graduation: W. Lafayette, IN B.A Professional Writing 12/99

should not mix methods, nor overuse them. You would not, for example, want to CAPITALIZE, ITALICIZE, AND UNDERLINE pieces of text; doing so would only make the text less visually pleasing for the reader. In addition, overusing these tools makes the reader ignore the items you wish to emphasize, thus limiting effectiveness. So, be sure to carefully choose which information should be emphasized. The 20-second Test How do you know when you have successfully created an easily read resume that allows employers to process information quickly? Try having someone perform the 20second test on your resume. Simply time your reader for twenty seconds as he or she reads your resume. What all did he or she learn about you? If your reader noticed within twenty seconds what you want employers to learn about you, then most likely you have created an effective resume. If not, try moving important information to the first quadrant, checking that you have used sans serif and serif fonts consistently, and limiting the tools for emphasis you use in your document.

1. 2. 3. 4.

The company name, the company contact information, and company description The job title (and job number if applicable) and job requirements The contact person Application requirements

Company Name
Highlighting the company name in job ads will help you organize your job search. You may also want to list company names and job information on a separate piece of paper. Highlighting the company name will also help you tailor your rsum and cover letter, and it will help you spell the company name correctly. To tailor your rsum and cover letter to a specific company, use the name of the company in the objective line in the rsum and in the introduction of your cover letter. The name can also tell you about the company. For example, if you are looking for a landscaping job, a company named Joes Custodial may not be the place for you.

Reading & Using Job Ads

This resource was written by Allen Brizee. Last edited by Allen Brizee on August 7, 2009 .

Company Contact Information

Highlighting and keeping track of the company contact information will help you organize your job search. You may apply for a lot of jobs, and keeping company names and contact information together will help you avoid mixing up rsums, cover letters, and applications. The company contact information will go at the top of your cover letter. The contact information will also go on the envelope you use to mail your documents if you use the postal services to submit your rsum and cover letter.

Introduction
These pages will help you read and use job ads so you can write your rsum and cover letter or fill out a job application. To use these pages, you may select links in the navigation bar on the left, you may select links from the list below, or you may advance through the pages using the links at the bottom of each page.

Company Description
Highlighting important words in the company description (if included in the job ad) will help you learn about the organization and the people looking for employees. You can learn about the companys goals from their description. You can use a companys goals in your cover letter to explain how you are a good match for their organization. For example, if a company describes itself as a fast-paced, team oriented food service, you can write in your cover letter that you do well in fast-paced jobs where people have to work together. Of course, you will have to show that you have some experience in a fast-paced, team oriented job to support your position.

Reading & Using Job Ads Part 1

This resource was written by Allen Brizee. Last edited by Allen Brizee on April 29, 2010 . Summary: This resource is the first of two parts that will help you understand how to read and use job ads so you can write your rsum and cover letter or fill out a job application. Not all job ads look the same. You may be reading job ads in a newspaper, on a flier, or even from the Internet. In order to use the job ads to help you write your rsum and cover letter, follow the steps listed below. What do I need to know from the job ad? Once you find a job ad you are interested in, highlight the four most important areas of information:

Job Title and Job Number (if applicable)

Highlighting the job title, job number if applicable, and job requirements will help you organize your job search. You will use the job title and job number in the objective line of your rsum and in the introduction of your cover letter.

Job Requirements
Highlighting the job tasks and requirements will help you explain how you can fill the position. For example, if the requirements for a warehouse job state applicant must be able to lift and carry 100 pounds and drive a forklift, you should explain in your letter that you can do those tasks: In my job at Small Car Parts International, I worked in their warehouse where I lifted and carried boxes weighing 100 pounds. I also drove the warehouse forklift. You should highlight the amount of experience required for the job. For example, if the ad reads applicants must be licensed cosmetologists and should have a minimum of two years of experience, you should explain that you meet those needs: I finished cosmetology school in 2007 and have worked at Marys Beauty Boutique since then. You should also highlight certification or license requirements, such as Commercial Drivers License (CDL) or cosmetology license requirements.

Other important questions to answer are: y How does the company want you to submit your information? o Hard copy? (How many copies of each document? Mailed or delivered in person? If the company wants you to apply in person, be prepared to complete the application rather than writing see rsum.) o Electronic? o Online application?

What are some other things I should look for when reading job ads? Other important areas of information to note when you read job ads include: y y y y y y y y y Application deadline Date the job begins Salary Work hours and shift work Travel requirements Age requirements Security clearance, drug and alcohol policies Drivers license requirements Pubic transportation to job site

Understanding job ad terms

Reading & Using Job Ads Part 2

This resource was written by Allen Brizee. Last edited by Allen Brizee on April 29, 2010 .

Click here to download the PDF file containing sample rsums and employment letters.

The Contact Person

Highlighting the contact person, her/his address, phone number, and email address (if applicable) is very important because you will be sending your job search documents to this person. You will also be addressing this person directly in your cover letter. If the job ad does not list a contact person, try searching the companys Website. You may also call the company to get the contact persons name. For some jobs, though, you may be sending your rsum and cover letter to a human resource department with no specific contact person. Make sure you spell all of the information about the contact person and/or the mailing address correctly. Spelling the contact persons name wrong may hurt your chances of getting an interview.

Understanding Job Ads Part 1

How are job ads organized? Most job ads are divided into four sections: 1) a job description; 2) a qualifications section; 3) an explanation of what the employee will have to do; 4) application requirements and contact information.

Job Description
This section contains the title and basic description of the job: Driver/warehouse worker: Hoosier Distribution in Lafayette seeks an entry-level, full-time warehouse worker who can also drive a delivery truck.

Application Requirements
Highlight requirements for submitting information about yourself. Important questions to answer are: y y y Does the company require a rsum or an application, or both?
Does the company require a cover letter? Does the company require a list of references of your past employers?

Qualifications Section
The qualifications section usually gives the basic qualifications for the position: Applicants should be dependable and have strong work skills. Applicants should be able to lift and carry 100 pounds, track inventory, and work well in teams. Applicants should also have at least 2 yrs. exp. working in a warehouse, have a good

driving record, and be able to use maps and directions to drive non-CDL trucks.

Fast-paced environment: Fast-paced environment usually means that employees must work in busy and often stressed situations. Works well with deadlines: Works well with deadlines means that employees will probably have to complete tasks within a certain amount of time. Employees will probably be expected to work extra hours or more hours to finish these tasks by the time they are due. Team worker: Team worker means that employees will be working with one another rather than by themselves. Self-starter: Self-starter means that employees will work without a lot of supervision by mid- or high-level employees. Good communication skills: Good communication skills means that employees will probably be speaking and maybe even writing to customers and with one another. Good English skills: Good English skills means that employees will have to speak and maybe even write to customers and with one another mainly in English. Important to look for in language description is the word that comes before English. For example, fair English skills means that employees may not have to have to talk a lot with customers. Only basic conversation may be necessary. Excellent English skills, however, probably means that employees have to be able to speak with customers or one another in English a lot. Employees will probably have to be able to explain job-related information in detail using English. Self transportation: Self transportation means that employees must be able to get themselves to either the job location or sites where jobs are being done. For example, a landscaping job may require that employees show up to the company location and the sites where landscaping is being done. However, many landscaping-type jobs require employees to show up at the company location while the company drives them to job sites. Good driving record: Good driving record means that employees will be driving some sort of vehicle. Companies requiring good driving records will probably depend on workers to complete some part of their business. For example, a good driving record will be required for food delivery. An excellent driving record may be required for a truck delivery job since the merchandise in the truck may be very valuable. Room for advancement: Room for advancement means that employees may be able to move from an entry-level to a midlevel position or from a mid-level to a high-level position.

Explanation Section
The explanation section briefly describes what the employee will do on the job: Warehouse work includes receiving, tracking, and storing merchandise, using hand trucks and manual labor to lift and carry merchandise. Driving includes over night routes in northern Indiana driving non-CDL trucks to deliver merchandise. Application Requirements and Contact Information The application requirements and contact information sections will explain what you need to do to apply for the job. The section should also include the address and/or phone number of the employer: To apply, send cover letter and rsum to: Reggie Lee, Hoosier Distribution Lafayette Warehouse, 500 Farabee Ct., Lafayette, IN 47905. Apply by June 25.

Understanding Job Ads Part 2

This resource was written by Allen Brizee. Last edited by Allen Brizee on July 31, 2009 . What do employers mean when they say? Reading job ads can be confusing. Sometimes, the employer uses terms you may not know. Sometimes different companies mean different things when they include terms like more qualified or some experience in job ads. This section will help you understand what companies mean when they write their job ads. Entry-level position: Entry-level position means that workers will help other employees that rank above them in the companys pay system. Entry-level positions usually require the least amount of education and experience in the company. Entry-level positions usually pay the least amount but can require some responsibility. Mid-level position: Mid-level position means that workers will be paid more than entry-level employees but that they will be helping higher-level employees or managers. Mid-level positions usually require some education and/or experience. Mid-level positions usually require a fair amount of responsibility. High-level or management position: High-level or management position means that workers will be paid the most in the company. However, these positions require the most education and/or experience. High-level or management positions also require the most responsibility in the company.