Sometimes in applying for jobs one is required to write a resume (rez-oo-may). A resume literally means a summary, but in the workplace it is a written summary of information about yourself that may be required by a personnel director
Sometimes in applying for jobs one is required to write a resume (rez-oo-may). A resume literally means a summary, but in the workplace it is a written summary of information about yourself that may be required by a personnel director or manager to get a job that you want.
A personnel director is the person in a company who is in charge of the department that handles hiring, firing, training, support, records, etc. for all the company’s employees. (S)he is the liaison between the other departments and the employees. Each department head would bring requests of the skills needed for their department to function smoothly, and the director hires individuals who have those skills.
Often when you find a job application they will want a resume. They want a clear concise presentation of information that will let them know if you have the skills they are looking for. It must capture the employer’s imagination, and get them thinking that you are the right person for the job.
According to www.resume-surgeon.com “Your resume’s purpose is … to win an interview.” And, “Over 70 percent of resumes are missing vital information and as a result are discarded by an employer.”
You don’t have to start from scratch here. You can Google “resume template.” Click on “images” to get an idea of how to get all of your work experience, and skills onto one page. Most personnel directors are very busy, and prefer that it be on one page. This isn’t like writing a 500 word essay for an English assignment. They will probably initially just scan it rather than read it, to see if you have the credentials they want. They’ll most likely select a few job applications/resumes to review in more detail, and then arrange for a job interview if they like what they see.
Many templates are offered for free online, and you just insert your relevant information.
Make sure that you have your first and last name at the very top with your contact information right underneath it: phone number, email address and street address.
Next list your work experience and the dates you worked at these jobs. Don’t just write down the titles. If you were a “pool boy” state what your responsibilities were: taking orders and collecting money for food, policing an area for cleanliness, helping people get equipment that they needed, etc. Each one of those tells the personnel director something about you: You can handle money, know how to keep order, can deal with the public, etc. Add significant volunteer experience and again list the skills. Caring for seniors in a nursing home shows that you are compassionate and care for people. Baby-sitting and landscaping count!
“Education” includes the highest education (with degrees) you’ve completed at the name of your school and the dates. If it’s good, list your grade point average. If you’re in college or higher, just list your school education, but if you are a recent high school grad, add other significant classes you’ve had as well. List your computer software skills, Jr. life saving skills, ROTC, sports camps, special art, music, martial arts or any other classes you’ve had. This shows that you are well-rounded, and probably an interesting person. If you’re a college student, you can add all this under “Personal”.
Have you received any special honors or awards? List them.
Create a “Personal” heading and fill it with special characteristics you have. If you speak more that one language, list that. If you’re good with children, seniors, pets and plants, list that too. Do you dance hula, sing in a choir or have a driver’s license? Were you voted “The most likely to succeed, or be happy, or most popular, or best student, etc.”
That might capture the imagination of the personnel director.
In New York, where I started out, the competition for jobs was fierce. Folks did all kinds of things to get the attention of the personnel director, even attaching small gifts. That’s not necessary here, but what about printing your resume on a nice sunny (not eye-hurting neon) yellow paper or choosing a template that has different colors on it? Attach a small picture of your face. If an employee of the company you seek suggested that you apply with that company for a position because he or she thought you’d be great, write that.
It’s possible that the personnel director will do a Google search for you? Is your Facebook page appropriate for your “boss?” Is your phone message polite?
Sometimes people leave their resumes with a personnel director even though there hasn’t been a job listed. If you want to do that, under your name you would write a heading entitled “Objective: Seeking employment as an office worker, waitress, staff babysitter, pool boy, baker’s assistant, landscaper’s assistant, sales clerk” … whatever it is that you think you’d like to do at this company. Directors often keep interesting resumes on file. Then when a job comes up, they don’t have to pay for advertising, but can pull up resumes from people who almost got the job before.
If you have a friend whose parents is a boss have them read your resume and ask if it got their attention. Ask for good suggestions.
You can drop off a resume at more than one company. If you don’t hear from the personnel director in a week or so. Call or drop off your resume again. Sometimes they get buried on a desk. But don’t try again after that, unless you really want the job badly.
Good luck, have fun and learn even more skills. Find out what you really like to do, and watch for jobs that pay you for doing it!
• Hale Opio Kauai convened a support group of adults in our Kauai community to “step into the corner” for our teens, to answer questions and give support to youth and their families on a wide variety of issues. Please email your questions or concerns facing our youth and families today to Annaleah Atkinson at aatkinson@haleopio.org
