Proactive Resume Words and Phrases | Sample Resume | Sample Cover Letter

Your resume should be used as a tool for obtaining an interview, i.e., market your abilities, skills, and accomplishments. A good resume will get you an appointment, not the job. Follow these simple do's and don'ts and your chances for obtaining that elusive interview will increase.

LENGTH

One page only is ideal. The general rule is one page per every 15 years of work or less, two maximum. Be concise, resist the temptation to detail your job history.

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CONTENTS AND FOCUS

A busy interviewer will not take the time to read a multi-page presentation. The interviewer is looking for resume language that will catch his/her eye and, in turn, will generate an appointment. Use words that are alive, show action, are specific, rouse the curiosity of the reader. (See PROACTIVE RESUME WORDS AND PHRASES).

Be completely honest. Your resume must adequately reflect your experience as well as your qualifications. Customize your resume to the specific job you are applying for. If you are seeking employment for more than one position, develop a separate resume for each. Emphasize your skills and abilities that relate to that position. Include some personal information emphasizing credentials and professional affiliations that relate to the position you are seeking.

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FORMAT AND STYLE

Be conservative. Remember, first impressions have a lot to do with hiring practices. Don't let your chances of an appointment be eliminated by presenting a resume with a "different look".

• Use a clear simple 12 pitch type style. Use bold and underlining for interest, but stay simple. Black ink only.

• The paper weight should be at least 24 pound. Water-marked or linen paper is best.

• Use a one-inch border. Two reasons: aesthetic, and the space allows for the interviewer to write in the margins.

• The most familiar format to employers is chronological. Begin with your most recent job. Typically, this includes dates of employment, job title, employer and accomplishments. If you have changed jobs more frequently than every two years, combine and omit short-term employment. Do your explaining during the job interview.

• Triple check for spelling and grammatical accuracy.

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CAUTIONS OR SHOULD NOTS

• Stating your objective can be harmful. Too many times an objective is too vague or personal. Your objective should be stated in terms likely to be in conformance to the job or the employer's needs. It is not necessary to have an objective.

• Do not make any hand-written alterations.

• State that "Personal and professional references are available upon request."

• Do not use a picture of yourself.

• Do not state your past earnings.

• A cover letter is not recommended and can be counterproductive. If you feel you must have a cover letter, here are some ideas: The opening sentence or paragraph should arouse interest and state accomplish-
  ments that relate to the position. The second should tell the employer why you are writing him/her. Continue with one specific example of a past accomplishment that benefited a previous employer. Be short with past related education and training. And finally, the last paragraph should request an interview. (See SAMPLE LETTER).

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FINAL WORD

Make sure you phone the company to find out the correct spelling of the executive's name, his/her title, and the full name of company. Type the envelope in proper business format, include a return address, and mail it with a commemorative stamp with a generic flair. A good resume should:

• Point you toward the job you want.

• Stress your skills and accomplishments.

• Focus on potential needs of the employer.

• Define your abilities more than duties.

• Include jobs well done and extraordinary efforts.

• State appealing aspects of your character.

• Be brief, balanced and use a simple style.

• Be chronological with a de-emphasis of experience over 10 years old.

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Proactive Resume Words and Phrases

Skill and Ability Words

Accomplishment Words and Phrases

Examples

1. Ability to analyze and reorganize corporate administrative procedures.

2. Experienced in most aspects of ______ with emphasis on _____.

3. Comprehensive experience in the ______.

4. Accomplished in organizing efficient production of ______.

5. Able to bring effective solutions to complex problems ______.

6. Author of program to expedite ______.

7. Experienced in managing sales, personnel, training, recruiting, etc.

8. Ability to utilize all techniques to stimulate sales, etc.

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Sample Resume

Elizabeth Martin
990 River Street
Long Beach, CA 90087
(213) 767-9900

Education

Certificate, MultiMate/Advantage Word Processing 1989
Certificate, Dale Carnegie Communications 1985
B.A., California State University of Long Beach, CA 1977
Major: Liberal Arts

Experience

1986-Present, Administrative Assistant, Honeywell Corp., Irvine, CA

• Organize, manage and perform administrative duties for Vice President of Sales and 3 sales people.

• Represent firms as the first customer relations beacon via telephone exchange from clients to sales people.

• Researched and assisted in the procurement of MultiMate/Advantage word processing software.

• Redesigned and improved sales statistics and expense reports.

1982-86, Secretary, IHG Corporation, Long Beach, CA

• Worked with Production Manager in producing detailed job descriptions, performance standards, and work schedules.

• Generated correspondence and memoranda.

• Reorganized and centralized production paper work flow and filing systems.

1978-82, Purchasing Secretary, Steel Case, City of Commerce, CA

• Worked with Purchasing Manager typing purchase orders, correspondence and invoices.

• Administered new computer conversion as it relates to the purchasing department.

• Expedited delinquent delivery dates.

Honors/Awards

Deans Honor List, California State University, Long Beach

Community Activities

Girl Scouts of America, Troop Leader
American Heart Association

Personal and Professional References Are Available Upon Request

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Sample Cover Letter

March 4, 1997

Mr. Paul Lexton
Personnel Manager
Franklin Industries
7755 Second Street
Irvine, CA 92714

Dear Mr. Lexton:

Your ad in Sunday's Los Angeles Times for an Administrative Assistant especially interests me since so many of my qualifications meet your requirements.

My experience and skills, as shown in the attached resume, will be key elements for successful administrative work. In particular, my experiences in working with multiple executive personnel will be of significant value to the position described.

I would very much like to get together to talk with you. I will call in a few days to set up a time that is convenient.

I look forward to meeting you.

Sincerely,

Elizabeth Martin

Enclosure

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