Restructuring Your Résumé

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Restructuring Your Resume | The Scannable or Electronic Resume |
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Whether you are in need of an up-dated résumé to present to your manager at performance appraisal time or currently in need of employment, your résumé is a tool, which is always a work in progress. Here are some points to consider in making your résumé work for you:

1. Less is more. Prepare a heading, which is efficient and clear.
   
   NAME
   ADDRESS, including street and/or apartment number
   CITY/TOWN, STATE ZIP+4
   HOME PHONE
   FAX
   HOME/PRIVATE E-Mail ADDRESS
   Note: Phone/fax/e-mail may appear one or two lines depending upon space available.
   
   
2. Use what will serve you best. An OBJECTIVE works best when you have a specific job title or function in mind. A PROFILE or SUMMARY of QUALIFICATIONS works best in highlighting experience over time and a variety of skills and is especially effective for management candidates and candidates with extensive experience and education. (Example: an undergraduate degree in Biology and a Masters Degree in Management.)
   
   
3. Include a SKILLS section if you are a Computer Science major and organize this section by category. Examples include:
• Languages C, C++, Visual Basic, Assembly, OPL, and Clipper.
• Databases Oracle 8.0, Access, Standard SQL.
• Platforms DOS, Windows X, Windows NT, Unix, Sunos/Solaris.
  
  
4. Use a standard format for both the EXPERIENCE and EDUCATION sections.
   A suggested format is:
   
   EXPERIENCE
   Position Title, Company/Employer Name Dates of employment
   City/Town, State (Country, if other than U.S.)
   Description of YOUR work, accomplishments, and the specific tasks you performed.
   
   Note: Your résumé is a look ahead to where you want to go. Note your BEST accomplishments and tasks that you would like to perform for another employer.
   
   EDUCATION
   Degree, Institution/School Date of graduation or anticipated date
   City/Town, State (Country, if other than U.S.)
   
   Note: Write out the degree/certificate title (Examples include: Master of Science in Computer Science, Master of Business Administration, Master of Science in Electrical Engineering, Master of Science in Management, and Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering.) In listing your Rensselaer degree use this format: Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Hartford, CT
   
   
5. Optional categories include: Professional Affiliations, Community Involvement, Honors and Awards, and Publications.
   
   
6. Indicate your citizenship/visa/immigration status at the bottom of the résumé.

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