Mastering
Resume
Essentials for
Military
Spouses
Participant Guide
FEBRUARY 2021
Transition Employment Assistance for Military
Spouses (TEAMS)
DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
Veterans’ Employment and Training Services (VETS)
Transition Assistance Program (TAP)
Mastering Resume Essentials for Military Spouses Participant Guide
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Table of Contents
Introduction to TEAMS .................................................................................................................. 5
Course Introduction ...................................................................................................................... 6
Section 1: Resume Basics ............................................................................................................ 10
Resumes ................................................................................................................................. 11
Activity: Resume Quiz ............................................................................................................. 12
Resume Quiz – Answers ......................................................................................................... 13
Your Application and ATS ....................................................................................................... 14
Activity: Job Description Analysis ........................................................................................... 16
Section 2: Resume Types ............................................................................................................. 19
Types of Resumes ................................................................................................................... 19
Activity: Resume Quick Scan ................................................................................................... 22
Activity: Resume Quick Scan Sample Job Description ............................................................. 23
Activity: Resume Quick Scan Sample Resumes ....................................................................... 24
Section 3: Job Posting Analysis .................................................................................................... 28
Reviewing Job Postings ........................................................................................................... 28
Activity: Analyze a Job Posting ............................................................................................... 30
Activity: Job Posting Analysis T-Chart ..................................................................................... 33
Section 4: STAR Statements ........................................................................................................ 35
What is the STAR Method? ..................................................................................................... 35
Putting STAR into Practice ...................................................................................................... 36
Activity: Creating an Accomplishment Statement with STAR ................................................. 38
Section 5: Military to Civilian Terms ............................................................................................ 40
Translating Military Terminology into Civilian Terms ............................................................. 40
Section 6: Resume Styles............................................................................................................. 45
What Type of Resume Should You Use? ................................................................................. 46
Activity: Resume Critique ....................................................................................................... 47
Section 7: Drafting Your Resume ................................................................................................ 56
Building Your Resume ............................................................................................................. 56
Contact Information ............................................................................................................... 58
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Activity: Create Your Contact Information .............................................................................. 59
Career Objective Statement (Optional) .................................................................................. 59
Activity: Create Your Objective Statement ............................................................................. 61
Summary of Qualifications ..................................................................................................... 61
Activity: Create Your Summary of Qualifications .................................................................... 63
Experience/Accomplishments ................................................................................................ 64
Activity: Create Your Accomplishment Statements ................................................................ 69
Education and Training ........................................................................................................... 70
Activity: Create Your Education and Training ......................................................................... 71
Other Additions ...................................................................................................................... 72
Section 8: Writing Your Cover Letter ........................................................................................... 73
Purpose of a Cover Letter ....................................................................................................... 74
Drafting Your Cover Letter ...................................................................................................... 75
Don’t Let the Cover Letter Become a Hurdle .......................................................................... 77
Section 9: Reviewing Your Resume ............................................................................................. 80
Matching Resumes to Job Descriptions .................................................................................. 80
Finalizing Your Resume ........................................................................................................... 80
Activity: Resume Review ........................................................................................................ 82
Section 10: Submitting Your Resume .......................................................................................... 85
Submitting Resumes in Digital Form ....................................................................................... 85
How to Upload a Resume Online ............................................................................................ 86
How to Send a Resume in an Email ........................................................................................ 87
Wrap Up and Evaluations ............................................................................................................ 88
Appendix ..................................................................................................................................... 90
Action Verbs for Accomplishment Statements ....................................................................... 90
Website Guide ........................................................................................................................ 93
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Introduction to TEAMS
It is our pleasure to welcome you to the initial courses for the Transition Employment
Assistance for Military Spouses (TEAMS) initiative. TEAMS is being launched by the Department
of Labor (DOL) Veterans’ Employment and Training Service (VETS) as a part of the Department
of Defense (DoD) Transition Assistance Program (TAP) and is designed specifically for the
spouses of transitioning service members.
Whether you are a spouse of a service member that is relocating, retiring, separating or a
member of the reserve component that is deactivating/demobilizing/being released from active
duty orders, this course is designed to assist you with finding employment.
Providing employment assistance to transitioning service members and their spouses is part of
the mission of DOL VETS TAP. Each year, approximately 90,000 military spouses are impacted
by their service member’s military transition (DoD 2018 Demographics Profile of the Military
Community). While spouses are eligible to attend military TAP briefings and workshops, the
majority do not participate for a variety of reasons (DOL VETS TAP Military Spouse Curricula
Needs Analysis, 2020).
In early 2020, DOL VETS conducted extensive research to discover what military spouses want
and need in both education and delivery methods as well as what employment resources are
currently available and accessible to military spouses.
The research, which spanned 11 reports, five website analyses, over 700 individual military
spouse surveys, and dozens of interactions and interviews with military spouse advocacy
groups, confirmed a demand for employment related courses concentrated on the issues
encountered by transitioning spouses.
The TEAMS courses are adapted from the current DOL TAP curriculum that is provided to over
170,000 service members annually.
Thank you for your kind participation and for your support of our nation’s service members.
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Course Introduction
Slide 1
Slide 2
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Welcome to the Resume Essentials workshop. This four-and-a-half-hour workshop is provided
by the Department of Labor (DOL) to military spouses preparing their first resume or updating
their resume for a career change. In this workshop, you will
• Determine the difference between master and targeted resumes.
• Discuss how a resume is used for branding and job applications.
• Describe elements to include on a resume.
• Apply the STAR method to write an accomplishment statement.
• Prepare a draft resume.
• Use strategies to review and evaluate a resume.
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Slide 3
Workshop Section
Section Focus
Topics and Activities
Resume Basics
What do you want to do
next?
•
Resumes
• Activity: Resume Quiz
• Applicant Tracking
Systems
• Activity: Job Description
Analysis
Resume Types
What are employers looking
for in a resume?
•
Master and Targeted
Resumes
• Activity: Resume Quick
Scan
Job Posting Analysis
What do you need to look for
in job postings?
•
Job Postings
• Activity: Analyze a Job
Posting
STAR Statements
What makes a good
accomplishment statement?
•
STAR method
• Activity: Creating an
Accomplishment
Statement
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Translating Military to
Civilian Terms
How can you think like an
employer?
•
Military and Civilian
Terms
Resume Styles
What is the best style for
your resume?
•
Chronological, functional,
and combination resumes
• Activity: Identify Resume
Styles
Drafting Your Resume
How can you best represent
your skills and qualifications?
•
Activities: Drafting each
part of the resume
Reviewing Your Resume
What techniques will help
you polish your resume?
•
Finalizing Your Resume
• Activity: Resume Review
Submitting Your Resume
How can you effectively
deliver your resume?
•
Submitting Digital
Resumes
• Uploading Resumes
Online
• Sending Resumes in Email
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Section 1: Resume Basics
Slide 4
Slide 5
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Resumes
Most jobs you apply for require a resume. A resume is a document that quickly shows an
employer your relevant skills and experience. It is often the first line of contact that you have
with a potential employer. An employer will form his or her first impression of you based on
your resume.
The purpose of a resume is to effectively summarize and highlight your qualifications in a way
that will make the employer want to contact you for an interview.
Before you begin drafting your targeted resume, review the statements below and determine if
they are true or false.
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Activity: Resume Quiz
Read each statement and indicate whether it is
true or false
True
False
1. The number one rule for writing a good resume is
“more is better.”
2. Regardless of your age, your resume work history
should list all jobs going back to high school.
3. Your resume should not be longer than two pages.
4. A good resume is flexible enough to cover various job
options within your professional field of interest.
5. A good resume paints a clear picture of you, including
your height, weight, race, age, gender, marital status,
and your number of children.
6. Employers like to see that you are interested in things
other than just your job, so include volunteer work,
continued education, and association involvements.
7. All resumes should contain the complete names,
addresses, and telephone numbers of your references.
8. To help your resume stand out, you should make it as
unusual as possible by printing it on brightly colored
paper or including a picture of yourself.
9. A well-written resume is sufficient to get you the job
you want.
10. It is always better to spend money getting a
professional resume writing service to write your
resume for you as opposed to doing it yourself.
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Resume Quiz – Answers
1. FALSE: An employer reviews a resume, on average, less than 30 seconds, so
there is a very short amount of time to catch their attention.
2. FALSE: The guideline for work history is about 10 years, unless the
employer specifically requests more information. Federal resumes and
applications may also require a longer and more comprehensive history.
3. TRUE: (In most cases) Depending on the employer and what they are
requesting, federal resumes are likely to be closer to five pages.
4. FALSE: Resumes need to be targeted for specific job postings/jobs. A
networking or general resume may be used at certain times, but when
applying for a job, a targeted resume is recommended.
5. FALSE: It is important to stay away from discriminatory types of
information. The items listed in this statement are not necessary for doing a
job and would not be necessary to include.
6. TRUE: Remember to include things other than your jobs that are relevant to
the specific position. Resumes can include paid and unpaid (volunteer)
work to show experience.
7. FALSE: References will be on a separate document and will be provided to
the employer if they ask. Some online resume applications will ask for this
information, so it is important to identify your references in advance.
8. FALSE: Avoid using gimmicks that you think will get your resume reviewed.
It will most likely backfire, and you will be remembered— but not in a good
way.
9. FALSE: Resumes are designed to get you into the interview seat, and the
interview will also play a role in your hiring process.
10. FALSE: Most resume writing service providers will need a great deal of
assistance from you, so it will not save time and will cost you money.
Furthermore, if you follow the best practices discussed in this curriculum,
you will understand how to write your resume and will not need their help.
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Your Application and ATS
Slide 16
An applicant tracking system (ATS) is software used by many companies to manage the
recruiting and hiring process, including job postings and applications. The ATS tracks candidates
through the hiring process and organizes information about job candidates. It is a searchable
system for the hiring organization. Some features of an ATS include scheduling interviews and
sending emails to candidates, and alerts to company employees such as the hiring manager and
recruiter.
A common ATS feature companies use is analysis of applicants to recommend the most
qualified candidates. An ATS can use different algorithms and even varying degrees of artificial
intelligence to sort large numbers of applications and speed the HR process.
Many companies use an applicant tracking system (ATS) to scan for keywords, former
employers, years of experience, and schools attended to quickly identify candidates that match
the company’s desired qualifications. These scans are designed to weed out less qualified
candidates and expedite the resume review process for the employer. However, ATS scans may
eliminate people who are qualified but who have not included the keywords on their resume
that an ATS system has been programmed to identify.
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Slide 17
To ensure your application passes the ATS scan and makes it to the employers’ hands, do the
following:
• Add keywords and phrases that appear in the job description or job announcement
throughout your resume. For example, if the job requires someone with experience in
HTML and CSS, then you will need to include HTML and CSS on your resume and application
if you have those skills.
• Use an acceptable file format. When you attach or upload documents, use standard formats
such as .docx or .doc.
• Avoid uploading charts, images or PDFs unless otherwise instructed. Most automated
screen technologies cannot index non-text files.
• Use both the long-form and acronym version of keywords (e.g., “Master of Business
Administration (MBA)” or “Search Engine Optimization (SEO)”) for maximum searchability.
• Use a chronological or combination resume format (avoid the functional resume format).
• Do not use tables or columns, as they often cause errors.
• Do not use headers or footers, as the information might get lost or cause an error.
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Activity: Job Description Analysis
Review the job descriptions below and determine the key words should be included on a
resume.
Job Description: Multi-media Video Editor
What You’ll Do
• Produce and managing incredibly engaging multimedia assets—from concept through
delivery
• Edit raw footage or longer programming into shorter social-friendly segments,
teasers/promos, and sizzle reels of live and virtual events
• Work directly with a cross-functional team, ensuring that work is completed on time and
that final products meet the expectations
• Intake, organize and archive raw video footage and photography
• Maintain best practices and industry standards to produce video for web and social
channels
• Create and maintain standards for future use such as DAM (Digital Asset Management)
searchability and file size/format guidelines
• Maintain and update legacy video to keep it current with branding and messaging
• Collaborate with other members of the design team to uphold and maintain brand
standards
• Operation of production equipment (cameras, audio, lighting) and provide training and
guidance for remote/home recording
• Assist in developing interview questions and storyboards
• Edit video assets in accordance with creative or editing guidelines
• Respond timely to editing requests and post-production questions
Technology You'll Use
• Adobe Premiere, Adobe Creative Cloud apps (Illustrator, Photoshop, InDesign), Microsoft
Office Apps, macOS
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Job Description: Contracts Administrator
Duties to include but not limited to:
• Conducts competitions for supplies and services.
• Reviews Prime and subcontract documents and correspondence as part of the analysis of
incoming bid requests and develops preliminary subcontract terms and conditions.
• Participates in negotiations with existing or prospective suppliers.
• Monitors subcontractor performance to ensure cost and technical objectives are being met.
• Recommends appropriate activities to resolve performance difficulties.
• Request amendments or modifications to subcontracts as required.
• Familiar with standard concepts, practices, and procedures within a particular field. Relies
on experience and judgment to plan and accomplish goals.
Qualifications:
• Bachelor`s degree in Business Administration or related field or years of experience in lieu
of degree
• 2-4 years related experience
• Proficient with MS Office Suite
• Training in contract law preferred.
• Experience with CostPoint preferred
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Slide 18
Slide 19
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Section 2: Resume Types
Slide 20
Types of Resumes
There are two types of resumes: the master resume and the targeted resume.
Master Resume
Slide 21
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A master resume lists and completely describes your skills, work experience, training,
certifications, and any awards you have earned. The master resume will serve as a document
for you to store information on your accomplishments and work history.
Writing a master resume can be time consuming, but it is worth the effort and time upfront.
While there is no template, you may include the following information in your master resume:
• Organization’s name
• Organization’s city and state
• Job title
• The month and year that you started and finished
• Your job responsibilities
• Your accomplishments
• Supervisor’s name and contact information
A well-written master resume will:
• Make it easier on your memory. It is hard to recreate your work history time and time again.
If you have a master resume, you have your chronological work history and skills listed in
one place.
• Allow you to present your experience and skills to best position yourself for a specific
employer or opportunity.
• Make it easier to create a targeted resume and avoid writing a generic resume.
In this workshop, there is not enough time to fully develop your master resume. However, you
have the tools and knowledge to start the process immediately. Remember, as you acquire new
skills and experiences, continue to add this information to your master resume.
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Targeted Resume
Slide 22
A targeted resume focuses on a specific organization or job opening and highlights the skills and
experiences you have gained, relevant to that position. The targeted resume helps the
employer see how your specific skills and qualifications match the job requirements.
To write a targeted resume, you must know what position, career field, or company you are
targeting. Take some time to analyze the job posting and research the company. What are the
key skills or qualifications this company cares about? The goal of your targeted resume is to
show the employer that you match the exact skills and qualifications they are seeking.
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Activity: Resume Quick Scan
Slide 23
In this activity you will play the part of the hiring manager who is looking for an employee for
the role of human resources generalist.
• Review the job description below.
• Think about the important components of the job description and what you will look for in a
candidate.
• Follow your facilitator’s direction for completing the activity.
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Activity: Resume Quick Scan Sample Job Description
How You Will Contribute
Williams Management LLC is seeking a full-time, exempt Human Resources Generalist. Under
direction from the HR Manager, the Human Resources Generalist will provide support on all
company matters related to Human Resources. This includes assisting in the day-to-day operations
of all HR functions and directly supporting management/employees with dedicated responsiveness
and effective solutions.
Things You Will Do
• Provide guidance to managers, and supervisors in all Human Resources aspects including
recruitment and staffing, compensation and benefits, employee relations, training, and legal
compliance.
• Provide support to hiring managers in the staffing life cycle through crafting job descriptions,
posting open positions, determining sources, screening candidates, and assisting with the
interview process and job offers.
• Administer onboarding process for new hires that includes pre-employment and post-offer
screening/testing such as employment eligibility verification, employment references, drug and
alcohol testing, background investigations, and new hire orientations.
• Assist management team members on issues involving employee relations such as progressive
discipline, terminations, EEOC claims, and legal or policy interpretations.
• Assist HR Manager and management team with employee performance management process.
• Ensure the compliance of training and documentation required for employees according to
multi-state regulations and professional standards.
Things You Will Need
• Bachelor’s Degree in Human Resources, Business or related plus 3-5 years of direct Human
Resources experience.
• Knowledge of Human Resources practice areas of recruitment, compensation and benefits,
training, employee relations and legal compliance.
• PHR certification desirable.
• Knowledge of ClearCompany talent management system desirable.
• General knowledge of federal and multi-state employment laws.
• Ability to work with a variety of company management team to build consensus around HR
strategies and tactics.
• Advanced MS office skills (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook).
• Position requires independent judgment and decision making, excellent communication and
customer service skills and follow through on commitments.
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Activity: Resume Quick Scan Sample Resumes
Diane Brown
Fort Drum, NY 00956 • (555) 789-6543 • diane.brown@somedomain.com • LinkedIn URL
SUMMARY OF QUALIFICATIONS
• Four years of administrative duties working at Child, Youth & School Services (NAF)
• Two years’ experience as a manager working for Child, Youth & School Services
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Power Point, Access and Outlook)
• Taught CPR/First Aid Classes as an American Red Cross Volunteer
• Received consistently outstanding performance ratings and an “Employee of the Month” Award
• Excellent customer service skills and team player
• Ability to establish rapport with people of diverse backgrounds
• Fluent in English and German
WORK EXPERIENCE
Food Program Manager/Nutritionist June 2018 - Present
Child, Youth and School Services (CYSS), MWR, Fort Drum, NY
• Oversee Child, Youth and School Services Food Program in accordance with USDA rules and
guidelines and supervised a staff of five Administrative Assistants.
• Conduct annual employee performance ratings for five staff members and provide ongoing
feedback and mentoring.
• Train an average of 15 new employees every month and conduct orientations about the
Food Program.
• Deliver an average of five classes monthly, audience ranged in size from 10 to over 50.
• Update job descriptions, conduct interviews with potential candidates and select new hires.
Key Accomplishments
o Streamlined and shortened the process of analyzing data, which eliminated human error and
saved approximately eight hours every month.
o Redesigned all monthly employee training and created presentations using Microsoft Power
Point reducing paper waste and the time to prepare class packets.
Administrative Assistant, Food Program July 2003 - June 2007
Child, Youth and School Services (CYSS), MWR, Fort Drum, NY
• Maintained automated databases records for over 200 families.
• Counseled childcare providers one-on-one to resolve individual issues and concerns.
• Provided informational briefings providing a program overview.
• Conducted interviews with potential candidates.
• Provided advice and assistance to employees and patrons about the Food Program.
EDUCATION AND TRAINNG
• M.A., Human Resources Management, GPA 3.75, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, 2011
• B.A., Business Administration, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, AR, 2004
• Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Course for Department of the Army Civilians, U.S. Army, Fort
Drum, NY, 2018
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Molly Burns
Sacramento, CA 94207 | (714) 555-5555 | molly[email protected] | LinkedIn URL
Human Resources Generalist
• Certified Professional in Human Resources® (PHR®) with additional state certification in
California (PHRca®) offering an HR career distinguished by commended performance
and proven results.
• Extensive background in HR generalist affairs, including experience in employee
recruitment and retention, staff development, mediation, conflict resolution, benefits
and compensation, HR records management, HR policies development and legal
compliance.
• Demonstrated success negotiating win-win compromises, developing teambuilding
programs, and writing personnel manuals, corporate policies, job descriptions and
management reports.
Human Resources Skills
HR Department Startup
Employment Law
FMLA/ADA/EEO/WC
Mediation & Advocacy
HR Policies & Procedures
Staff Recruitment & Retention
Employee Relations
Alternative Dispute Resolution
Benefits
Administration
HR Program/Project
Management
Orientation & Onboarding
HRIS Technologies
Training & Development
Performance Management
Organizational
Development
Professional Experience
Simmons Communications — Sacramento, CA
Provides voice and data communications systems for small and mid-sized companies.
HR Generalist, 2008 to Present
Recruited to help open new company branch in Sacramento, guiding the startup and
management of a full spectrum of HR operations, systems and programs. Worked with senior
management to create HR policies and procedures; recruit employees; create group benefits
databases; and develop orientation, training and incentive programs.
Key Results:
• Played a key role in ensuring the successful launch of Sacramento office. Structured and
implemented programs and policies in the areas of training, compensation structures,
benefits packages, incentives and new-employee orientation.
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Molly Burns
Sacramento, CA 94207 | (714) 555-5555 | [email protected] | LinkedIn URL
• Fostered a teamwork environment conducive to positive dialogue across the
organization. Personal efforts were cited as the driving force behind branch’s employee-
retention rate of 89% within an industry where high turnover is the norm.
• Negotiated approximately 50 salary offers and dozens of sign-on bonuses/relocation
packages annually at both the exempt and nonexempt level.
• Brought workers’ compensation program into full compliance. Instituted preferred
providers list and trained managers and associates on procedures to follow in case of
injury.
• Cut benefits costs by 16% by negotiating favorable contracts and ensuring that company
did not pay for benefits for which employees were ineligible.
• Wrote employee manual covering company policies, disciplinary procedures, code of
conduct, FMLA policy and benefits information.
• Introduced company’s first formal performance review program, creating a flexible and
well-received tool that was later adopted company-wide.
• Revised job descriptions across all levels and 25+ categories. “Shadowed” and
interviewed employees to construct an accurate picture of the duties and skills required
for each position.
Finley Health — Richmond, VA
Leading home healthcare company employing 4,500 professionals.
HR Representative, 2005 to 2008
HR Assistant, 2004 to 2005
Promoted to fulfill a broad range of HR functions, including recruiting and training employees,
administering benefits, overseeing disciplinary action and managing HR records. Co-chaired
annual flex-enrollment meetings, resolved conflicts between employees and insurance carriers,
coordinated health fairs to promote employee wellness and performed exit interviews.
Key Results:
• Trained 25-member management team on interviewing techniques and best practices,
conducting workshops and coaching sessions that contributed to sound hiring decisions.
• Co-developed company’s first standardized disciplinary procedures and tracking system
that insulated company from legal risk and ensured consistent and fair discipline
processes.
• Devised creative and cost-effective incentive and morale-boosting programs (including
special events and a tiered awards structure) that increased employee satisfaction and
productivity.
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Molly Burns
Sacramento, CA 94207 | (714) 555-5555 | molly.burns@somedomain.com | LinkedIn URL
• Reworked new-hire orientation program to include HR information and company
resources.
• Saved company thousands of dollars every month by reducing reliance on employment
agencies. Brought the majority of formerly outsourced recruiting functions in-house to
reduce billable hours from 200+ to less than 15 per month.
Education and Certifications
University of California, Davis — Davis, CA
Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Psychology with honors
Worked during college as a sales rep and team supervisor for Shea Art Supplies.
HR Designations:
• PHRca® (Professional in Human Resources – California®)
• PHR® (Professional in Human Resources®)
Of Note
Professional Development:
• Complete ongoing training in the areas of compensation and benefits, employee and
labor relations, leaves of absence, workers’ compensation and workplace
safety/security.
Affiliations:
• Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM)
• Staffing Management Association (SMA) of Southern CA
Computer Skills:
• HRIS applications (UltiPro, PeopleSoft Enterprise Human Resources, ADP)
• MS Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Access, Outlook)
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Section 3: Job Posting Analysis
Slide 25
Reviewing Job Postings
Slide 26
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Slide 27
Job postings can provide insights into the skills, experience, and other selection criteria that an
employer considers most important for a specific job vacancy. Here are some tips for
maximizing the information you can gain from job postings:
Tips for Maximizing Job Posting Information
Read the entire job posting. Skimming the posting may cause you to miss pertinent
information such as type of position (full-time or part-time), location, or travel
expectations.
Print out the job posting and highlight keywords in the qualifications, skills, and
experience sections.
Verify you meet the minimum requirements when sending a resume in response to a
job posting. If the job posting says certification, license, degree, experience, etc.
required, you might be wasting your time if you do not have those qualifications.
Apply even if you do not have a skill if the posting presents that skill as “preferred”
(degree preferred, two years of experience preferred, etc.). Including the word
“preferred” usually means you can apply if you do not have that skill or ability if you
have other qualifications.
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Apply directly through the company website rather than through the job board if you
locate a job posting on a job board that interests you.
Find out if a job posting from a private employment agency will charge you a fee.
Some agencies charge the employer a fee; some charge the job seeker a fee.
Be wary of job postings that ask you to pay for training or purchase kits or training
materials as a condition of employment.
Activity: Analyze a Job Posting
Review the example job posting below for a Respiratory Therapist position and pay special
attention to key words and phrases.
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Job Description: Respiratory Therapist
Position Summary: The Respiratory Therapist assumes responsibility for the management and
delivery of patient care for their assigned areas. This position requires population specific
competencies. Adheres to National Patient Safety Goals as appropriate based on the level of
patient contact this position requires.
The Respiratory Therapist RRT responsibilities include, but are not limited to, the following:
• Administers a wide variety of therapeutic services and diagnostic tests to various patient
types
• Sets up all equipment/supplies needed and provides assistance to the physicians during
special procedures
• Performs assessments and re-assessments of patient history, chest x-rays, vital signs, blood
gases, progress notes, etc. in order to determine appropriate therapy
modalities/frequencies or effects of conscious sedation and communicates this to the
physician
• Performs arterial punctures or blood gas analysis for arterial blood gases
• Performs intubation as needed or requested where credentialed and approved by the
medical staff
• Provides onboarding education to new departmental staff and assists students rotating
through the hospital
Qualifications:
• Graduate of a Registry Eligible Respiratory Therapy School
• Registered Respiratory Therapist (Graduates will have 12 months to become registered.) If
employee fails to become registered within the 12 months, will be moved to CRT Therapist
position.
• Current Respiratory Care Practitioner License issued by the Oklahoma Board of Medical
Licensure and Supervision (OSBMLS). The incumbent may work under a temporary letter to
practice issued by OSBMLS until the board meets to issue their Respiratory Care Practitioner
License.
• Requires one year of full-time experience in respiratory care or 1 recent year of a hands-on
clinical practicum in an accredited respiratory care program.
• Must be an RRT and Conscious Sedation Certified before participating in IV Conscious
Sedation procedures.
• Must be able to communicate effectively in English (Written/Verbal)
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When you find a job posting that you are interested in, it is beneficial to consider all the
keywords and phrases and compare your qualifications with the job requirements, as done in
the example.
Now complete this process on your own with a job posting that you are interested in. Follow
the steps below to determine if you should apply for a particular job.
Slide 28
Job Posting Analysis
1
Navigate to your preferred job board and select a job posting that interests you.
2
Read the job description, paying close attention to the position requirements,
qualifications, and responsibilities.
3
Review the job posting for keywords and phrases that provide insight into the
company’s mission, values, and organizational culture.
4
Use the T-chart below to document the keywords and job requirements from the job
posting, as well as your qualifications. Check to see how you meet and exceed the job
requirements to determine if you are a qualified candidate.
5
Ask yourself: “Am I qualified to apply to this job?”
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If no, go back to your list of job postings and look for another job that is a better match
for your qualifications.
If yes, continue to Step 6.
6
Ask yourself:
• Will this job help me reach my goals?
• Does the job description interest me?
• Can I see myself working in this job for 8 hours a day?
7
If yes to all these questions, you may be ready to apply for the job!
Activity: Job Posting Analysis T-Chart
Job Posting Keywords
Your Qualifications
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Slide 29
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Section 4: STAR Statements
Slide 30
What is the STAR Method?
Slide 31
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STAR is an acronym for Situation, Task, Action, and Result.
The STAR method is a four-step technique that will help you discuss how you used your skills to
achieve goals. It provides a concise narrative that gives a fuller picture of your competencies
and how you previously put them into practice.
Situation: Think of a specific time or circumstance when you used this skill; define
the general context of that situation.
Task: Name the key objective you were responsible for in that situation or the
challenges/obstacles you had to overcome.
Action: Describe what you did to complete the assigned task; emphasize the skills
you used, and the resources involved. Use the word “I,” not “we” when describing
actions.
Result: Summarize the outcome and how you specifically contributed; describe
the improvements and/or benefits that resulted from the outcome.
STAR statements are valuable for more than just your resume. They can help you:
• Develop a concise professional introduction.
• Write effective cover letters.
• Prepare for behavioral interviews.
Putting STAR into Practice
One of the most important parts of your resume is the Experience section, where you list past
jobs and responsibilities. Instead of simply listing job responsibilities, convert your job
responsibility statement into an accomplishment statement.
Refer to the job posting you selected and review the job responsibilities. Think of a skill you
used to accomplish that responsibility. Put the skill in the STAR format. See the example below.
Job responsibility: Plan and establish work schedules, assignments, and production sequences
to meet production goals.
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To create the accomplishment statement, describe the specific actions and results associated
with a responsibility. Start with a powerful action verb and use numbers to quantify your
accomplishments, if available.
STAR accomplishment statement
Examples of how to convert a job responsibility into an accomplishment statement:
Job Responsibility
Accomplishment Statement
Prepare training for department.
Conducted compliance training for 225 managers
across six locations with 95% satisfaction rate.
Determine appropriate equipment
and staffing levels to load, unload,
move, or store materials.
Reduced time spent on inventory by 20% by
reorganizing physical storage of supplies.
Perform personnel functions such
as selection, training, or
evaluation.
Increased employee retention rate by 16% by focusing
on training, team building, and recognition programs.
Developed and applied a comprehensive document tracking system, ensuring 100% of 5,500
supply orders were updated, accurate and filled ahead of the deadline.
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Activity: Creating an Accomplishment Statement with STAR
Slide 32
Take one job responsibility or task in a previous position and write it down in the box provided
below.
Review the job responsibility and ask yourself the following questions?
• Did I implement any new processes to improve things?
• What did I do that went above and beyond my normal responsibilities?
• What problems did I solve and what skills did I use to solve it?
Use the STAR method to create your accomplishment statement.
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The STAR Method
Situation
Think of a specific time or circumstance when you used this skill; define the
general context of that situation.
Task
Name the key objective you were responsible for in that situation or the
challenges/obstacles you had to overcome.
Action
Describe what you did to complete the assigned task; emphasize the skills
and resources involved.
Result
Summarize the outcome and how you specifically contributed; describe the
improvements and/or benefits.
Take the information from the Action and Result areas to create your accomplishment
statement below. Start with a powerful action verb and use numbers to quantify your
accomplishments, if applicable. STAR Accomplishment Statement
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Section 5: Military to Civilian Terms
Slide 33
Translating Military Terminology into Civilian Terms
Slide 34
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As a Military Spouse, you might have volunteer or work experience specific to military
communities. These experiences should be included on your resume and application materials.
However, some terms may be unfamiliar to employers. One of the easiest ways to help
employers understand this experience is to substitute the terms or job titles in your
professional introduction, cover letter, resume, and interview, with more familiar civilian
equivalents.
Think about your background, skills, and work in terms of action verbs and results that you have
achieved. Help recruiters and hiring managers understand the scope of your experience. For
example, insert numbers to demonstrate what size audiences you work with on a regular basis.
Spell out all acronyms; civilians will typically not know what a PCS, FRG, AFB, PX are. Be sure to
explain all phrases, but only use words that are relevant to your professional job search.
For example:
• Led 10 volunteers in 2-month fundraising effort resulting in $10,000 in funds, a 15%
increase over prior years.
• Organized six large scale events for 250+ military family members during 6-month
deployment resulting in high participation and community engagement levels.
• Coordinated five key volunteers to train community members in life skills resulting in
improved community member readiness in addressing military life-cycle events.
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Slide 35
Focus on what your activities enable you to do in a job setting, not what they mean to military
families. For example, preparing family members for deployments might include the following
“transferable” skills: training, oral and written communications, managing/leading volunteers,
motivating volunteers, organizing people and events, managing projects (by setting dates,
organizing materials, publicizing the event, reserving the rooms, gathering feedback, etc.) and
coordinating with disparate offices to produce communication materials (bringing together unit
leadership, family readiness, medical, transportation, etc. to provide family briefings).
Translate your military language into civilian, professional language. Remember, it is not the
responsibility of recruiters and hiring managers to understand the military lifestyle; it is the job
of hiring managers and recruiters to find the most qualified individuals to fill their job openings.
By translating your experience, we hope you will become the most qualified candidate!
Review and familiarize yourself with the following examples.
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Terms and Acronyms
Military Civilian Equivalents
Family Readiness Group (FRG)
Family and Welfare Association
Army Community Service (ACS), Airman and
Family Readiness Center (AFRC), Fleet and
Family Support Center (FFSC)
Family Services Center
MWR
Recreation Department
Commander, Chief
Division Head, Director, Senior Manager
Executive Officer (XO)
Deputy Director, Assistant Manager
Action Officer (AO)
Analyst (or Senior Analyst, if applicable)
NCOIC, Watch Captain, Petty Officer of the
Watch
Supervisor, Manager, Coordinator, Shift
Supervisor
TDY/TAD
Business travel
Permanent Change of Station (PCS)
Relocation, Move
Orders
Personnel Action
Leave and Earnings Statement (LES)
Paystub
OER/NCOER/Fit Rep/Evaluation
Performance appraisal, Evaluation
Thrift Savings Plan (TSP)
Retirement plan, 401K
Leave
Paid Time Off, Vacation
Tricare
Healthcare, Health or Medical Insurance
MOS/MOC/AFSC/Rate
Career field, career specialty
Battalion, Unit, Platoon, Squad, Wing
Organization, agency, department, team
OCONUS and CONUS
Overseas and United States or in the US
Mission
Responsibility, task, objective, job
Combat/War
Hazardous conditions, conflict
Headquarters
Headquarters, corporate office
Subordinates
Employees, coworkers
Service members
Employees, coworkers, colleagues,
personnel, individuals
Regulations
Guidance, policy, instructions, guidelines
Reconnaissance
Data collection, survey, analysis
Recruiter, Personnel Services Specialist,
Career Info Program Specialist
Human Resources
Billet
Role or job
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Job Titles
Military
Civilian Equivalents
Senior Field Grade Officer (O5-O7)
Director, Chief Operating Officer (COO), Chief
Executive Officer (CEO), Deputy Chief
Administrator
Field Grade Officer (O4)
Executive Officer, Deputy Director, Assistant to
the Director, Operations Manager
Company Grade Officer (O1-O3)
Operations Officer, Program Administrator,
Supervisor
Warrant Officer (W1-W5)
Technical Manager, Specialist, Department
Manager
Senior NCOs (E7-E9)
First-line Supervisor
Sergeant Major, Master Chief Petty
Officer, Master Gunnery Sergeant, Chief
Master Sergeant (E-9)
Senior Advisor
First Sergeant, Senior Chief Petty Officer,
First Master Sergeant, First Sergeant (E-8)
Personnel Supervisor
Squad Leader
Team Leader, Team Chief
Supply Sergeant
Supply Manager, Logistics Manager
Operations NCO
Operations Supervisor
Platoon Sergeant
Supervisor, Instructor, Trainer
Action Officer
Analyst
Aide-de-camp
Executive assistant
Aviator
Pilot
Executive Officer
Chief of Staff
Corpsman
Nurse
Gunnery Sergeant
Organization supervisor
Platoon
Platoon Leader Team leader
Platoon Sergeant Team supervisor
Team
Platoon Leader
Team leader
Platoon Sergeant
Team supervisor
Judge Advocate General (JAG) Lawyers or
legal advisors
Lawyer, Attorney or legal advisor
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Section 6: Resume Styles
Slide 36
The goal of a resume is to effectively summarize and highlight your qualifications in a way that
makes the employer want to reach out and schedule an interview with you.
In this section, you will learn the basic components of a resume and prepare for the resume
writing process.
There are three styles you can use to organize the information on your resume: chronological,
functional, and combination. In this training, we will focus on the chronological resume style
due to its popularity among employers, but you should be familiar with all three types.
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Slide 37
What Type of Resume Should You Use?
A chronological resume format suits people who have an extensive work history that is in the
same line of work as the job for which they are applying, but the chronological resume does not
work well for career changers or people who have been out of the workforce for some time. If
you have a lot of work experience in different industries or significant gaps in employment, you
should opt for a functional or combination resume.
If you have little relevant work experience, gaps in your employment history, or are looking for
a job in a creative industry where your portfolio matters more than your resume, the functional
resumes is a good option.
Combination resumes were designed for job seekers who already have a relevant work
experience or are looking to jump into a new industry. If you’re applying for a position that
requires a lot of technical skills and expertise, using a combination format is the best way to
showcase these abilities to the hiring manager. If you had an impressive set of
accomplishments and job duties in previous positions and want to highlight the skills you’ve
developed over the years this style is perfect to help you succeed in a career path.
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Activity: Resume Critique
Refer to the resumes below. Discuss the features of the resume with other participants. Identify
the chronological and skill sections of each resume.
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Diane Brown
Fort Drum, NY 00956 • (555) 789-6543 • diane[email protected] • LinkedIn URL
SUMMARY OF QUALIFICATIONS
• Four years of administrative duties working at Child, Youth & School Services (NAF)
• Two years’ experience as a manager working for Child, Youth & School Services
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Power Point, Access and Outlook)
• Taught CPR/First Aid Classes as an American Red Cross Volunteer
• Received consistently outstanding performance ratings and an “Employee of the Month” Award
• Excellent customer service skills and team player
• Ability to establish rapport with people of diverse backgrounds
• Fluent in English and German
WORK EXPERIENCE
Food Program Manager/Nutritionist June 2018 - Present
Child, Youth and School Services (CYSS), MWR, Fort Drum, NY
• Oversee Child, Youth and School Services Food Program in accordance with USDA rules and
guidelines and supervised a staff of five Administrative Assistants.
• Conduct annual employee performance ratings for five staff members and provide ongoing
feedback and mentoring.
• Train an average of 15 new employees every month and conduct orientations about the
Food Program.
• Deliver an average of five classes monthly, audience ranged in size from 10 to over 50.
• Update job descriptions, conduct interviews with potential candidates and select new hires.
Key Accomplishments
o Streamlined and shortened the process of analyzing data, which eliminated human error and
saved approximately eight hours every month.
o Redesigned all monthly employee training and created presentations using Microsoft Power
Point reducing paper waste and the time to prepare class packets.
Administrative Assistant, Food Program July 2003 - June 2007
Child, Youth and School Services (CYSS), MWR, Fort Drum, NY
• Maintained automated databases records for over 200 families.
• Counseled childcare providers one-on-one to resolve individual issues and concerns.
• Provided informational briefings providing a program overview.
• Conducted interviews with potential candidates.
• Provided advice and assistance to employees and patrons about the Food Program.
EDUCATION AND TRAINNG
• M.A., Human Resources Management, GPA 3.75, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, 2011
• B.A., Business Administration, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, AR, 2004
• Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Course for Department of the Army Civilians, U.S. Army, Fort
Drum, NY, 2018
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Molly Burns
Sacramento, CA 94207 | (714) 555-5555 | [email protected] | LinkedIn URL
Human Resources Generalist
• Certified Professional in Human Resources® (PHR®) with additional state certification in
California (PHRca®) offering an HR career distinguished by commended performance
and proven results.
• Extensive background in HR generalist affairs, including experience in employee
recruitment and retention, staff development, mediation, conflict resolution, benefits
and compensation, HR records management, HR policies development and legal
compliance.
• Demonstrated success negotiating win-win compromises, developing teambuilding
programs, and writing personnel manuals, corporate policies, job descriptions and
management reports.
Human Resources Skills
HR Department Startup
Employment Law
FMLA/ADA/EEO/WC
Mediation & Advocacy
HR Policies & Procedures
Staff Recruitment & Retention
Employee Relations
Alternative Dispute Resolution
Benefits Administration
HR Program/Project
Management
Orientation & Onboarding
HRIS Technologies
Training &
Development
Performance Management
Organizational
Development
Professional Experience
Simmons Communications — Sacramento, CA
Provides voice and data communications systems for small and mid-sized companies.
HR Generalist, 2008 to Present
Recruited to help open new company branch in Sacramento, guiding the startup and
management of a full spectrum of HR operations, systems and programs. Worked with senior
management to create HR policies and procedures; recruit employees; create group benefits
databases; and develop orientation, training and incentive programs.
Key Results:
• Played a key role in ensuring the successful launch of Sacramento office. Structured and
implemented programs and policies in the areas of training, compensation structures,
benefits packages, incentives and new-employee orientation.
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Molly Burns
Sacramento, CA 94207 | (714) 555-5555 | molly.burns@somedomain.com | LinkedIn URL
• Fostered a teamwork environment conducive to positive dialogue across the
organization. Personal efforts were cited as the driving force behind branch’s employee-
retention rate of 89% within an industry where high turnover is the norm.
• Negotiated approximately 50 salary offers and dozens of sign-on bonuses/relocation
packages annually at both the exempt and nonexempt level.
• Brought workers’ compensation program into full compliance. Instituted preferred
providers list and trained managers and associates on procedures to follow in case of
injury.
• Cut benefits costs by 16% by negotiating favorable contracts and ensuring that company
did not pay for benefits for which employees were ineligible.
• Wrote employee manual covering company policies, disciplinary procedures, code of
conduct, FMLA policy and benefits information.
• Introduced company’s first formal performance review program, creating a flexible and
well-received tool that was later adopted company-wide.
• Revised job descriptions across all levels and 25+ categories. “Shadowed” and
interviewed employees to construct an accurate picture of the duties and skills required
for each position.
Finley Health — Richmond, VA
Leading home healthcare company employing 4,500 professionals.
HR Representative, 2005 to 2008
HR Assistant, 2004 to 2005
Promoted to fulfill a broad range of HR functions, including recruiting and training employees,
administering benefits, overseeing disciplinary action and managing HR records. Co-chaired
annual flex-enrollment meetings, resolved conflicts between employees and insurance carriers,
coordinated health fairs to promote employee wellness and performed exit interviews.
Key Results:
• Trained 25-member management team on interviewing techniques and best practices,
conducting workshops and coaching sessions that contributed to sound hiring decisions.
• Co-developed company’s first standardized disciplinary procedures and tracking system
that insulated company from legal risk and ensured consistent and fair discipline
processes.
• Devised creative and cost-effective incentive and morale-boosting programs (including
special events and a tiered awards structure) that increased employee satisfaction and
productivity.
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Molly Burns
Sacramento, CA 94207 | (714) 555-5555 | molly.burns@somedomain.com | LinkedIn URL
• Reworked new-hire orientation program to include HR information and company
resources.
• Saved company thousands of dollars every month by reducing reliance on employment
agencies. Brought the majority of formerly outsourced recruiting functions in-house to
reduce billable hours from 200+ to less than 15 per month.
Education and Certifications
University of California, Davis — Davis, CA
Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Psychology with honors
Worked during college as a sales rep and team supervisor for Shea Art Supplies.
HR Designations:
• PHRca® (Professional in Human Resources – California®)
• PHR® (Professional in Human Resources®)
Of Note
Professional Development:
• Complete ongoing training in the areas of compensation and benefits, employee and
labor relations, leaves of absence, workers’ compensation and workplace
safety/security.
Affiliations:
• Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM)
• Staffing Management Association (SMA) of Southern CA
Computer Skills:
• HRIS applications (UltiPro, PeopleSoft Enterprise Human Resources, ADP)
• MS Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Access, Outlook)
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Anna Spencer Thomas
(555) 987-6321 ● Fayetteville, NC ● anna.spencer.thomas@somedomain.com
PROJECT MANAGER
Certified professional project manager with ten years of proven effectiveness in managing
multiple simultaneous projects and teams to budget and schedule while maintaining quality.
Strong mentor and leader, with experience working with internal and external customers; able
to generate detailed, yet digestible, reports using various software packages to exceed
standards and expectations. Focused on delivering exceptional customer service, managing
diverse teams, and increasing revenue while maintaining quality. A quick learner who utilizes
new information and leverages knowledge and experiences to identify opportunities for both
organizational and process improvement while mitigating risk. Skilled in Microsoft Office, MS
Project, Google Suite Apps, Salesforce, and various proprietary software packages.
Unisys Corporation Feb 2018 - Current
Department of Defense contractor offering services in project management, facilitation and
training services.
Trainer
• Conduct multi-day workshops ranging in size from 5 to 50 participants made up of military
personnel from the US military (Air Force, Army, Marine Corps, and Navy) and spouses.
• Educate military personnel and spouses by delivering training courses and effectively
engaging over 700 students, both eager and disassociated.
• Observe and interpret attitude, behavior, and non-verbal communication to tailor delivery
style and fulfill unspoken needs and assist transition from comfortable perspective in
gaining new skills.
• Communicate proactively with individual site supervisors and staff in identifying student
and technical issues across multiple services.
• Research and report the status of U.S. and international economies, markets, and legal
practices.
• Participate in virtual group trainings and status meetings monthly.
Advise + Assist, Inc. Feb 2019 – Current
Virtual team of professionals who help small businesses fulfill their needs in public relations,
business strategy, bookkeeping, digital marketing, web design, and more.
Project Manager
• Virtually manage digital marketing, virtual administration, and website build projects
and technical teams in the United States, passing schedule gateways and meeting profit
goals of 40%.
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Anna Spencer Thomas
(555) 987-6321 ● Fayetteville, NC ● anna.spencer.thomas@somedomain.com
• Set and communicate schedules, budgets, and statement of work (SoW) to teams and
management via emails, slack messaging, and teleconference calls as needed.
• Manage customer expectations and adhere to SoW while providing excellent customer
service.
• Document project workflow, task assignment, and tracking to create historical record
for future reference and post-project reporting.
Relocated in support of USAF Military Spouse from USA to Europe Nov 2017 – Jan 2018
SIGNET AUTOMATION May 2013 – Oct 2017
Value added distributor of Fanuc, Kuka, and ABB robots.
Project Manager
• Scheduled, managed, and addressed all incoming division projects, service orders,
maintenance requests, and warranty calls simultaneously. Customer, distributor, and
vendor liaison.
• Managed up to 40 new installation projects concurrently with individual budgets ranging
$90k - $2.5M.
• Clarified and documented scope and completion criteria for projects while standardizing
procedure.
• Approved and supervised vendor contracts, acting as an escalation path for vendor
negotiations, complaints, and expedites.
• Lead team meetings to identify, resolve, and report relevant issues, delays, project status,
and updates.
• Facilitated team communication (internal and external), participation, conflict resolution
and consensus.
• Implemented project summary meetings to identify and document lessons learned and
post-mortem conclusions for presentation to ownership.
• Partnered with HR to address employee concerns regarding payroll, benefits, reviews, and
legal matters.
FAST SYSTEMS LLC May 2011 – Apr 2013
Manufactures and installs flexible manufacturing systems for automating CNC machine tools.
Project Manager
Responsibilities include managing up to 15 new installation projects simultaneously with
individual project budgets ranging from $200k to $1.4M.
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Anna Spencer Thomas
(555) 987-6321 ● Fayetteville, NC ● anna.spencer.thomas@somedomain.com
• Identified project stakeholders, planned communications, and distributed information to
manage expectations and report performance.
• Developed schedules by coordinating manufacturing in Finland, third-party machine tool
manufacturers, distributors, and end users.
• Conducted kickoff meetings with customers to collect requirements, set expectations, and
define scope.
• Administered and streamlined logistics including customs clearance and system
transportations.
• Planned, administered, and closed procurement of US vendors to solve European
production errors and avoid additional overseas shipments.
• Supervised remote installation teams of 2-6 technicians.
ICONLOGO COMPANIES Mar 2008 – Jan 2011
Provide brand consulting, program and project management; site audits, design translation and
engineering; sign manufacturing and maintenance services
Regional Manager, IMS division
Responsible for managing the Northeast service department and accounts including Bank of
America and Target.
• Developed customer relationships to expand services used and coverage areas
• Acquired, developed, and managed a team of four service managers.
• Accountable for regional P & L, including capital decisions, gross margins, and vendor
negotiation.
• Increased average monthly revenue by 270% through increased training and
productivity
• Doubled customer revenue streams and account forecasts from $1M to $2.4M annually
Account Manager, ECSA division
Managed Citibank and USAA accounts, specifically their ATM and signage projects.
• Focused on customer satisfaction, returning maximum satisfaction scores of 5 out of 5.
• Generated and managed revenue of $4.5M annually.
Education and Training
PMP Certification, PMI, maintained Completed 2011
Penn State University, State College, Pennsylvania, MBA Graduated 2010
Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio, BA, Art History Graduated 2003
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Lisa M. Rodriguez
(555) 555-7777 [email protected] www.linkedin/in/lisa-rodriguez
Professional Summary
Professional retail manager with twelve years’ experience improving productivity through
training and merchandising. Trained, supervised, and supported dozens of team members.
Areas of expertise include:
• Retail Management
• Team Building
• Training and Mentoring
• Scheduling and Personnel
• Inventory Control
• Safety and Security
Leadership and Supervision
• Supervised 12 team members in all front-line duties to include cashier, point of sale
(POS) merchandising and customer service.
• Monitored daily operations at two locations, each averaging $2.8M annual sales.
• Assisted store manager with store plan and layout, hiring staff and compiling weekly
reports.
Logistics and Distribution
• Managed weekly inventory receipts and product orders of over $300K retail cost.
• Developed ticketing system to monitor and reduce pilferage by 10% annually.
• Managed bi-annual two-day store inventory cycle and SKU catalogue system with 98%
accuracy.
Training
• Created and delivered comprehensive training programs for over 60 new hire retail
clerks.
• Trained all new hires and seasonal staff on product knowledge and corporate policy.
• Coordinated annual safety training for 120 team members.
• Monitored risk management training resulting in 20% reduction of store loss in one
year.
Employment History
• Old Navy (Assistant Store Manager), Norfolk, VA, 2017 – Present
• Navy Exchange (Customer Service Representative and Trainer), NAS Rota, 2015 – 2017
• The Gap (Retail Clerk), San Diego, CA, 2010 –2012
Education
• Associates of Applied Science, Oregon Community College, 2012
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Section 7: Drafting Your Resume
Slide 38
Building Your Resume
Slide 39
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Employers often spend fewer than 30 seconds looking at your resume on the first review. To
pass the initial screening, you should ensure that your resume format is visually appealing and
easy for an employer to quickly scan. There are many resume formats and templates, so you
will want to find one that works best for you.
The commonly included sections of a resume are:
1. Contact Information
2. Career/Job Objective Statement (Optional)
3. Summary of Qualifications
4. Work Experience / Accomplishments
5. Education/Training
There may be times when it is also appropriate to include additional sections or use other
headings, such as Awards and Recognitions, Volunteer Service, etc.
Slide 40
Keep your resume formatting professional and simple using the following guidelines:
• Length: One to two pages (add your name to each page if two pages)
• Alignment: Left-aligned
• White space: Clear margin, one inch all around is recommended
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• Styles: Use bold, italics, and underlines sparingly
• Font: Arial, Calibri, Verdana
• Font size: 10 to 12-point font
• Review: Proofread and spell check
Remember, your resume will introduce you to a potential employer. Be sure that your brand is
presented well in your resume and that it makes an excellent first impression. Misspellings,
inconsistent use of font and type size, and misaligned margins can all indicate a lack of
attention to detail. In the eyes of the employer, a sloppy resume equates to a sloppy work
performance.
Now, use the following sections as a guide to create your targeted resume.
Contact Information
Slide 41
Your contact information goes at the very top of your resume and should be up to date.
Traditionally, your home address would go in the contact section, but this is no longer required
by most employers, as it could lead to discrimination and privacy concerns. Most recruiters
recommend not including an address. If the employer is interested in the skills offered, they will
contact the applicant who can explain their relocation. Ensure the email address you list is
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professional and include the web address to your LinkedIn profile and/or professional websites.
Also make sure your voice mail message is appropriate and professional. It may be cute to have
one of your kids record your greeting, but you should refrain from doing so while job hunting.
Example address information:
Jan Lee
(301) 555-1111
www.JanLee.weebly.com
www.linkedin.com/in/Jan-Lee
Jan Lee
(301) 555-1111
Activity: Create Your Contact Information
Use the space below to create the contact information section of your targeted resume.
Career Objective Statement (Optional)
Slide 42
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The career objective statement might be the second section of a resume. However, it is
typically unnecessary, as employers do not see the value of an objective statement when it is
focused on your career goals. For this reason, resume objectives or career objective statements
should be used by candidates with little or no professional experience in the field or industry.
If written correctly, an objective statement can set you apart from others. If poorly written, the
objective statement can move your resume to the bottom of the pile. Objective statements
present a natural opportunity to state the exact job title you are applying for, which helps your
resume get noticed by recruiters when they search for the job title in the applicant tracking
systems (ATS).
A strong objective statement can also be effective for job seekers who are shifting careers or
industries. In these cases, a strong objective statement can be used to explain how you plan to
transfer the skills you developed in the past jobs into the new job or industry.
Tips for writing a job objective statement
• Start with a strong trait, add one or two skills, describe your career goals, and say what you
can do for the company.
• State the position to which you are applying and use the name of the company.
• Keep it short and concise—use one to two sentences.
• Avoid first-person pronouns (I, me).
Examples of targeted career objective statements
• Communications graduate with proven organization, research, and communication
management skills. Seeking a position as an administrative assistant at Adams Inc., to
support internal and external communication.
• Results-driven team leader with 12 years of experience, seeking to use effective leadership
and communication skills as a Team Leader at Skyware Global to deliver excellent services
to customers and stakeholders.
• Friendly, efficient office assistant, seeking the position of Office Manager at Caliphon, Inc.,
to leverage proven technical and communications skills to build customer loyalty.
• Detail-oriented IT Support Specialist with over 4 years of experience, seeking the position of
IT Specialist at Cisco to utilize exceptional problem-solving skills to assist with sales and
customer loyalty.
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Activity: Create Your Objective Statement
Use the space below to create the objective statement section of your targeted resume:
Summary of Qualifications
Slide 43
The goal of the summary of qualifications is to summarize your skill set and let the reader know
you are qualified for the position by highlighting relevant experience, key skills, and
accomplishments. Skills are classified as either hard or soft. Hard skills are technical knowledge
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or training that you have gained through any life experience, including your career or
education. Soft skills are personal habits and traits that shape how you work, on your own and
with others. See the examples of hard and soft skills below. Hard skills can be specific within a
career field.
Hard Skills
Soft Skills
•
Bilingual
• Adobe software suite
• Statistical analysis
• HTML
• Coding
• SEO/SEM marketing
• Microsoft Office
•
Dependability
• Teamwork
• Problem-solving
• Critical thinking
• Effective communication
• Organization
• Adaptability
Remember, this section must be targeted so that you include information relevant to the job
posting and the future employer (rather than just a summary of your best skills). Use your
company research and job posting to help you identify the preferred and required qualifications
so you can create a targeted resume for the position. Use the exact terms in your targeted
resume that are listed in the job posting.
Your summary can be a short introductory paragraph, a brief list of skills to showcase your
talent, or you can combine the two. The following examples demonstrate the three different
ways you can write your summary of qualifications.
Example 1: Bulleted List
Summary of Qualifications for a Project Manager role:
• PMP Certified Project Manager with 10+ years of proven experience overseeing application
development, vendor management, and implementation strategies supporting business and
financial objectives
• Respected leader with excellent communication skills and experience building highly
motivated teams focused on achieving project goals
• Diligent Project Manager with a proven record of success working with Microsoft Project
Server
• Proficient in MS Office Suite (Project, Excel, Word, PowerPoint) and Visio
• Graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Project Management
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Example 2: Paragraph
Summary of Qualifications for an Education role:
Education Social Worker with 18 years of experience working with students in 6th-8th grade
with social, emotional, adaptive, and other difficulties that may impact one’s ability to succeed
personally and academically. Proficient in DBT, crisis management, RtI/MTSS.
Example 3: Combined
Summary of Qualifications for a Law Enforcement Professional role:
Law Enforcement Professional with a degree in criminal justice and over 15 years of experience
providing protective services for over $10M in assets during state, federal, and global security
operations. Key skills:
• Patrol procedures
• Testifying in court
• Search and rescue
• Investigations
• Surveillance
• Interrogation
Activity: Create Your Summary of Qualifications
Use the space below to create the summary of qualifications section of your targeted resume.
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Experience/Accomplishments
Slide 44
The experience section provides the details of your professional experience. This is where you
need to use company information and keywords that relate directly to the position and/or
company.
This section should:
• List your work history (organization names, job titles, and start and end dates of the
positions).
• List your results and/or accomplishments from each job you have held that relate to the
position or occupation you are targeting.
• Include time, numbers, financial savings, percentages, statistics, and examples to illustrate
your accomplishments with STAR skill statements.
• Show progress in your current work history; do this by making your promotions stand out.
Work History Format
The experience section provides the hiring manager with a list of the companies you have
worked for, dates of employment, and the position titles you held.
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Format for listing your work history
Job Title Month and Year Start Date – Month and Year
End Date
Company, City, State Location
• List your job skills and accomplishments for this position. Use STAR statements.
• List your job skills and accomplishments for this position. Use STAR statements.
• List your job skills and accomplishments for this position. Use STAR statements.
Example:
System Administrator January 2017 – Present
USAA Dallas, TX
• Resolve Service Desk tickets for more than 3,000 users across 21 states and abroad
• Maintain three domains to include updating, troubleshooting, and repair of network
connectivity to achieve goal of 95% continuous connectivity
• Act as Active Directory and Exchange Administrator for over 3,000 users
• Serve as Information Assurance (IA) Manager; annually train over 150 staff on IA protocols
to ensure standards are maintained
How to Format a Resume for Multiple Jobs at One Organization
Participants with multiple jobs at one base may use the following format:
Option 1: Stacking
This method is used to draw attention to progressive responsibilities, accomplishments, and
dedication to the company. There are a few simple rules to this resume format:
• Include the overall date range at the top
• List dates for each position next to the title
• Place job descriptions and bulleted key accomplishments directly below each position.
Stacking Format
Company Name, City, State, Start Date – End Date
Position 1 Start Date – End Date
• List your job skills and accomplishments for this position. Use STAR statements.
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Position 2 Start Date – End Date
• List your job skills and accomplishments for this position. Use STAR statements to develop
each bullet point and add to your resume.
Example
USAA Dallas, TX June 2002 – Present
System Administrator May 2008 – Present
• Resolve Service Desk tickets for more than 3,000 users across 21 states and abroad,
maintaining a 24-hour resolution time
• Maintain three domains to include updating, troubleshooting, and repair of network
connectivity to achieve goal of 95% continuous connectivity
• Act as Active Directory and Exchange administrator for over 3,000 users
Service Desk Supervisor June 2002 – May 2008
• Maintained and provided troubleshooting for desktops, laptops, and tablets with
Windows 7 and 10 to prevent breaks in service or work productivity
• Managed life cycle replacement, backup, and disaster recovery for computers,
Blackberries, iPhones, and other portable devices within the organization to ensure no
loss of connectivity
• Proficient in all Microsoft Office products including Office 365, Office 2016, Skype, and
OneDrive
Option 2: Separate Listings
You can list each position separately on your resume as you would if they were positions at
different companies. This approach draws attention to your accomplishment history according
to both the position and time frame.
Example Separate Listings Format
Company A’s Name, City, State Start Date – End Date
Position Title 1
• List your job skills and accomplishments for this position. Use STAR statements.
Company A’s Name, City, State Start Date – End Date
Position Title 2
• List your job skills and accomplishments for this position. Use STAR statements.
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Example
USAA Dallas, TX May 2008 – Present
System Administrator
• Resolve service desk tickets for more than 3,000 users across 21 states and abroad
• Maintain three domains to include updating, troubleshooting, and repairing of network
connectivity to achieve goal of 95% continuous connectivity
• Act as Active Directory and Exchange Administrator for over 3,000 users
USAA Dallas, TX June 2002 – May 2008
Service Desk Supervisor
• Maintained and provided troubleshooting for desktops, laptops, and tablets with
Windows 7 and 10 to prevent breaks in service or work productivity
• Managed life cycle replacement, backup, and disaster recovery for computers,
Blackberries, iPhones, and other portable devices within the organization to ensure no
loss of connectivity
• Proficient in all Microsoft Office products including Office 365, Office 2016, Skype, and
OneDrive
Accomplishment Statements
Slide 45
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One of the critical aspects in the resume writing process is integrating keywords into your
accomplishment statements. The goal is to demonstrate to a potential employer how well you
performed the skill, NOT to simply state what skills you have or were responsible for
performing.
You can use your performance reviews, collateral duties, internships, awards, volunteer
activities, and training records to identify and explain where and when you executed each skill
and how it will contribute to the success of the organization.
As you describe your experience and accomplishments:
• Select the skills related to the job you are targeting and highlight your major
accomplishments that relate to the job.
• Use the STAR method.
• Use civilian terms and avoid acronyms.
• Begin with an action verb or dynamic adjective. Using action verbs will demonstrate to an
employer that you acted and produced results
• Avoid using the phrases “skills included” and “responsible for.”
• Write in past tense for all previous jobs.
• Avoid the use of personal pronouns (I, me, she, he, we, they, etc.)
Review the sample accomplishment statements. The most effective statements are those that
are both targeted and results-oriented. Not every statement needs to be a STAR bullet, but the
majority should follow the STAR method.
Examples of Accomplishment Statements
Personnel/ Human Resources
• Organized, maintained, and reviewed 75 automated employee records, including pay
documents, improving record accuracy by 20%.
• Prepared and provided current information about employee benefit programs to employees
and administrators, decreasing personnel complaints by 30%.
• Trained 13 colleagues on new HR Information System (HRIS), reducing the training needs of
corporate staff and saving $15K during installation of software system.
Engineer
• Conducted job analysis and provided suggestions for improvement, saving the company
$300,000 over a two-year period, and saving five labor-hours each week.
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• Directed daily operations for an engineering department, including supervision of 4
administrative personnel, and receiving the department award for internal customer
service.
• Directed design, installation, and testing of custom software equipment, ensuring
satisfactory and timely completion of tasks on time and on budget.
Medical
• Organized and led emergency response drills for 25 personnel, decreasing response time by
seven minutes, and was awarded most efficient and timely response team.
• Ordered diagnostic X-ray and laboratory procedures, wrote consultations to specialty
clinics, and prescribed courses of treatment and medication to a client base of 3,500.
• Consistently recognized by clients for outstanding customer service.
• Taught and trained medical technicians and performed as a medical supervisor for up to
125 personnel; rated 4.8 on a 5.0 scale by peers.
Administration
• Prepared data processing plans for an organization of 80 employees with 98% accuracy.
• Designed and maintained computer software and databases; translated specific objectives
and needs into computer systems requirements, improving efficiency by 12%.
• Planned and supervised the installation of new office equipment, surpassing previous
efficiency records by 30%.
Activity: Create Your Accomplishment Statements
Begin the descriptions of your experience with action verbs from the list in the Appendix. Use
the space below to create the accomplishment statement for your targeted resume:
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Education and Training
Slide 46
Formal education and specialized training belong on your resume. The key is to determine what
is most relevant to the future employer and what will best position you as the ideal candidate
for the job. Use the following guidelines to list your education and training history:
• List your most recent education and training first.
• Indicate the number of credit hours completed or provide an expected graduation date if
you have not yet graduated.
• Provide certification or renewal year for any certifications you have. Discard irrelevant
certifications (e.g., Do not list CPR unless it is used in the job).
• List special honors you achieved, such as graduating Cum Laude, with honors, or having a
grade point average (GPA) at or above a 3.5.
• Include licenses, course work, and schools relevant to the job.
• Include all degrees achieved beyond high school, highest to lowest.
• List the locations of colleges and universities, but it is not necessary to include dates
attended.
Use the following examples to list your education:
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If you have completed your degree
Type of degree, major, university name, city, state, and date (optional), honors or GPA
(optional)
• Master of Arts in Educational Leadership, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, June 2017,
Summa Cum Laude
• Bachelor of Arts, Political Science, Emory University, Atlanta, GA
• Associate of Science in Human Resources Management, Georgia State University, Atlanta,
GA, May 2016
If you are still working on your degree
There are different ways to list degrees in progress:
• Master of Arts in Educational Leadership, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, 25/30 semester
hours completed
• Bachelor of Arts, Political Science, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, Expected in 20XX
• Associate of Science in Human Resources Management, Georgia State University, Atlanta,
GA, in progress—16 credit hours completed
If you are including a certification or license
Type of certification, certifying organization, date completed/expires
• Senior Professional of Human Resources (SPHR), HR Certification Institute, December
2018/December 2021
Activity: Create Your Education and Training
Use the lines below to create the education and training section of your targeted resume:
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Other Additions
Slide 47
Volunteer Service
Volunteer experience is valuable because it illustrates important skills you possess and shows
that you are involved in your community. If you have volunteer experience, it is highly
recommended that you add it to your resume.
If you have relevant volunteer experience, list it in your experience section as if it is a paid
position. Use the STAR method to create your skill statements.
Example
Website Designer – volunteer June 20XX-present
Lifehealth Foundation, Fayetteville, NC
• Designed website for the Lifehealth Foundation, increasing traffic to website by 25%
• Developed a front-end WordPress site and blog with 341+ pages
• Customized a web app to schedule donations pickup to facilitate on-site processes
• Created an online presence on social media sites such as Facebook, LinkedIn, and Twitter,
and increased market awareness by 65%
If you have non-relevant volunteer experience, list it in a separate section at the bottom of your
resume titled Volunteer Experience, Community Service, or Additional Activities.
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Awards
Awards are valuable because it shows you performed so well in a specific position that your
efforts were recognized. Use the following guidelines to list your awards:
• Include the award as a bullet point in the experience section under the position you earned
it. (It is no longer customary to have an award section at the end of your resume. Including
the award under a specific job position is more influential.)
• Provide the name of the award and a brief statement explaining why you received the
award.
Example:
• EDDIE award – received for outstanding work in development of Introduction to Drawing
course.
Section 8: Writing Your Cover Letter
Slide 48
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Purpose of a Cover Letter
Slide 49
Most applications require a cover letter to be submitted with your resume. The cover letter
helps you introduce yourself in a memorable, personal way and expands on information in your
resume. An engaging cover letter will spark the hiring manager’s interest and get them to read
your resume.
Your cover letter offers an opportunity to represent your skills and achievements in a narrative
format. Select a story from your career that gives the reader a clear idea of who you are and
how you can add value to their company. Don’t try to fit your whole career and life into the
space of a cover letter; focus on key aspects. Your cover letter should show:
• How your work experience meets job requirements.
• How your skills meet job requirements.
• Why you want to work at the organization.
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Slide 50
Like a targeted resume, a cover letter should be based on the requirements of the job you’re
applying for. Your cover letter should be from 250 to 400 words long and follow this format:
1. Header with contact information
2. Salutation (or greeting) to hiring manager
3. Paragraph communicating your qualifications for the job
4. Paragraphs describing a key achievement to show why you’re the right person for the job
5. Closing paragraph with a call to action
6. Complimentary close and signature
Drafting Your Cover Letter
Before you draft your cover letter, research the company to get a sense for the company’s
culture and compare your skills with the requirements for the position. Make a list of
competencies you want to highlight and the specific experiences you want to share.
Telling stories from your career is a great way to demonstrate your skills and give hiring
managers some insight into your personality and work style. Let’s say you’re applying for a
project manager position. From the job description you see the job requires several years’
experience managing multiple projects and strong collaboration skills to partner effectively
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across various levels of the organization. Describe how, in your previous role as a project
manager, you successfully managed a project (with specific numbers if possible),
communicating and collaborating with many different coworkers. Your anecdote can
accomplish a lot at once—it can show your knowledge of project management methods, your
ability to lead teams to successful outcomes, and your ability to trouble-shoot problems so they
are quickly resolved.
End your letter with a reason for them to contact you. Your call to action should be polite and
open ended, suggesting that you are excited to offer more information and that you’re looking
forward to talking with them. Don’t be too forward, though. Remarks such as, “I’ll call to
schedule an interview” are too aggressive coming from a job applicant.
Writing Tips
Slide 51
• Be Specific: Saying you have amazing problem-solving skills is too vague. Explain the details
of a problem you solved and explain how you used your skills to solve it.
• Write in an Appropriate Voice and Tone: Your writing should convey your personal voice,
but you should also pick an appropriate voice and tone for the company you’re applying to.
Researching the company will help dictate the tone you want to use, which may differ
greatly, depending on where you apply. For example, the tone of your letter for a legal
consulting firm will likely differ from a tech startup.
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• Be Honest: You should never be dishonest in a cover letter. Implying or stating that you
have a skill that you don’t have will come back to bite you upon being asked to use that skill
in the interview or on the job.
• Avoid Overused Words and Phrases: Hiring managers will read the same basic cover letter
repeatedly, and you don’t want to be the last template email the hiring manager discounts
before lunch. Adding a little word variation helps you stand out against other applicants.
Instead of describing yourself as creative, try imaginative. You’re inventive, not innovative.
You’re not determined, you’re tenacious. These word variations at least show that you can
think beyond what the average applicant is willing to do.
Don’t Let the Cover Letter Become a Hurdle
The longer you “sit on” a cover letter to edit and re-write it, the longer you allow someone else
to get the attention of the hiring manager you want to impress. You should submit your cover
letter as soon as you are certain that:
1. Your cover letter, resume, and portfolio work are free from errors.
2. Your cover letter is written in a way that balances professionalism with personality.
3. Your cover letter catches the reader’s interest from the first sentence and maintains it
throughout.
4. Your cover letter uses the requirements for the job and information on the company as a
guide for its content.
5. Your cover letter tells stories that are filled with examples that satisfy job requirements and
make you stand out positively as an individual and a potential employee.
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Cover Letter Template
Your Name
Your website or LinkedIn
Email
Phone
Date of Letter
Employer’s Name
Employer’s Title
Company Name
Street Address
City, State, Zip Code
Dear Hiring Manager [or Employer’s Name]:
INTRODUCTORY PARAGRAPH: You want to tell the reader why you are writing as well as list the
name of the position or department for which you are applying. Mention how you heard about
the organization or the opening.
BODY: Build a connection between your background and the company’s needs. Name someone
you know in the company (if they have agreed to be a reference for you). Show that you have
done some research on the company by talking about new projects the company has taken on,
mentioning the management philosophy they use, or citing something you have read about
them. If you have any directly related experience or education, summarize it here so the reader
can look for it in your resume. If you have relevant skills or accomplishments related to the job,
mention them here.
CONCLUSION: Indicate your interest in the job. State that you look forward to being able to
discuss your background in an interview. Thank the reader for his/her time and consideration.
Sincerely,
Your name
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Example Cover Letter
James Donaldson
www.james.donaldson.com
555-123-4567
July 10, 2020
Ms. Margaret Cook
Personnel Director, Accounting Software International
5678 East Doral Street, Suite #1200
Lockridge, Tennessee 77777
Dear Ms. Cook,
As a highly skilled Business Consultant, I read your posting for a new Business Consultant
position at Accounting Software International with interest. My experience aligns well with the
qualifications you are seeking. I am drawn to Accounting Software International because of my
interest in accounting software and the opportunity to use my skill sets in a more specialized
career.
ASI’s commitment to its customers and culture of excellence aligns perfectly with my own
convictions. I have spent the past five years working with clients around the globe, helping
them to improve operations and maximize profits by utilizing all the features of their existing
software programs. I can quickly and accurately understand organizational needs, and I have a
proven track record of meeting those needs.
I am adept in business analysis, program implementation, and performance monitoring. Last
year I led an initiative to implement a new process for identifying compliance issues and
improving accuracy in reporting. As a result, productivity increased 12% overall and client
satisfaction significantly improved. I am confident that I will be a valuable addition to your
team.
I look forward to the opportunity to discuss this opportunity with you. Thank you for your time
and consideration.
Sincerely,
James Donaldson
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Section 9: Reviewing Your Resume
Matching Resumes to Job Descriptions
Slide 53
Targeted resumes should address the specific needs of the employer and demonstrate how you
can and will meet the goals of the role. In addition, they should be optimized with the keywords
from that job posting. Once your targeted resume is ready and you are prepared to submit for a
job application, find out how well your resume might do in an ATS scan. Refer to Jobscan.co, an
online tool that will instantly analyze your resume against a particular job description. On the
Jobscan site, you can either paste in the text of your resume or upload a Word or PDF file, then
paste the text of the job posting you’re interested in.
Use the result of the Jobscan analysis to revise your resume so that it is optimized for your
selected job description. Repeat these scans for each job that you apply for.
Finalizing Your Resume
When you finish writing your resume, put it aside for a day before you start making revisions.
You will be better able to identify errors or other issues if you view it from a fresh perspective.
Use the editor tool in your word processing software to identify spelling and grammar
problems. Also consider downloading Grammarly to help you identify errors in your document.
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As useful as these tools are, they will not pick up every error. You should not rely on them to
identify all issues in your resume; you will need to do your own careful review. When you are
ready to review, keep in mind that you are not simply looking for spelling errors. You should
read your resume thinking like an employer. Ensure all information flows logically and presents
your skills and qualification clearly.
Slide 54
Follow these tips to create a polished final version of your resume.
Take time to review your draft carefully and give you resume your full
concentration.
Verify all dates, names, and phone numbers are accurate. Check for consistent verb
tenses and parallel structure in bulleted lists.
Review several times, each time looking for a type of error. For example, read one
time for organization of content, another time for formatting, and another time for
spelling and accuracy.
Read it backwards. This tip forces you to slow down and look at each word. Do not
trust spell check to catch your errors; many words can be spelled correctly but be
incorrect in the context.
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Ask a trusted friend or colleague to read your resume after you have reviewed and
revised. Explain to them that you are looking for feedback and accept their input
graciously.
Activity: Resume Review
Review the resumes excerpts below and note any errors or issues you think will distract from
the content of the resume. Make your comments in the box below each excerpt and prepare to
discuss how they might affect a hiring manager’s impression of the candidate.
Resume Excerpt 1
Megan Myers
Frisco, TX 75033 | (714) 555-5555 | megan[email protected] | linkedin.com/in/megmyers
Human Resources Generalist
• Certified Professional in Human Resources® (PHR®) with additional state certification in
California (PHRca®) offering an HR career distinguished by commanded performance,
and proven results.
• Extensive background in HR generalist affairs. including experience in employee
recruitment and retention, staff development, mediation, conflict resolution, benefits
and compensation, HR records management, HR policies development and legal
compliance.
• Demonstarted success negotiating win-win compromises, developing teambuilding
programs, and writing personnel manuals, corporate policies, job descriptions and
management reports.
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Resume Excerpt 2
• Managed customer expectations and adhere to SoW while providing excellent customer
service.
• Documenting project workflow, task assignment, and tracking to create historical record
for future reference and post-project reporting.
Relocated with USAF Military Spouse from USA to Europe Nov. 2017 – January 2018
SIGNET AUTOMATION May 2013 - Oct
2017
Value added distributor of Fanuc, Kuka, and ABB robots.
Project Manager
o Responsible for scheduling, managing, and addressing all incoming division projects,
service orders, maintenance requests, and warranty calls simultaneously. Customer,
distributor, and vendor liaison.
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Resume Excerpt 1 – Corrected
Megan Myers
Frisco, TX 75033 | (714) 555-5555 | megan[email protected] | linkedin.com/in/megmyers
Human Resources Generalist
• Certified Professional in Human Resources® (PHR®) with additional state certification in
California (PHRca®) offering an HR career distinguished by commended performance
and proven results.
• Extensive background in HR generalist affairs, including experience in employee
recruitment and retention, staff development, mediation, conflict resolution, benefits
and compensation, HR records management, HR policies development and legal
compliance.
• Demonstrated success negotiating win-win compromises, developing teambuilding
programs, and writing personnel manuals, corporate policies, job descriptions and
management reports.
Resume Excerpt 2 – Corrected
• Managed customer expectations and adhere to SoW while providing excellent customer
service.
• Documented project workflow, task assignment, and tracking to create historical record
for future reference and post-project reporting.
Relocated with USAF Military Spouse from USA to Europe Nov 2017 – Jan 2018
SIGNET AUTOMATION May 2013 – Oct 2017
Value added distributor of Fanuc, Kuka, and ABB robots.
Project Manager
o Scheduled, managed, and addressed all incoming division projects, service orders,
maintenance requests, and warranty calls simultaneously. Customer, distributor,
and vendor liaison.
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Section 10: Submitting Your Resume
Slide 59
Submitting Resumes in Digital Form
Slide 60
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Once your targeted resume is finalized, you will be ready to upload it to a job application or
send it as an email attachment. Most resumes are delivered in digital form.
Digital resumes can be sent as either word documents (.docx or .doc) or as a PDF. Recruiters
and hiring managers do not agree which format is best. Each format has its own benefits, but in
certain situations, you should definitely use one over the other.
Always go with the format the employer requests. If job application instructions specifically say,
“Please submit your resume in PDF format,” then do that. And the same goes for a word
document. If a choice isn't given, consider the pros and cons of each file format:
• A PDF cannot be altered, whereas a word document can be edited (either accidentally or
intentionally) by the recruiter or company you submit it to.
• A PDF requires Adobe Acrobat Reader to be viewed correctly, and some computers may not
have that software installed.
• Traditionally, a word document is the preferred format for ATS tracking systems. When
recruiters upload a resume using this scanning software, it's easier for the system to scan
for keywords and chosen phrases if the document is saved in a word format. However,
recent advancements have made PDF readable by ATS tracking system if the document
doesn't contain images.
Employers and recruiters do notice if you can't follow directions, and they generally favor
employees who are savvy with technology, so be sure to take the time to provide what is
requested.
How to Upload a Resume Online
You may need to upload a targeted resume and cover letter to a job search engine or a specific
company's job site page. Here are some general tips to follow:
• Look for a text box. Some sites will let you copy/paste the text of your resume into a box on
their job application form. If you choose to do this, make sure the formatting looks
professional and correct within the text box.
• Search for a button that says “Upload” or “Upload a resume.” When you click this button,
you can then find the file on your computer to add it as an attachment to your job
application.
• Pay special attention to any instructions about uploading. Look for any notes specifying a
preferred format.
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How to Send a Resume in an Email
Sometimes employers will ask that you submit your resume, cover letter, and other required
credentials via email to the hiring manager or other human resources professional. Follow
specific directions provided in the job posting regarding attaching or pasting the content of
your resume in the body of the email. Do not do both unless specifically requested. If no
specific request is given, attach your resume to the email.
If the employer requests the resume in the body of the email, ensure that your formatting is
correct. Sometimes formatting changes when copying and pasting, especially fonts, spacing,
and paragraph alignment.
Put the name of the position and job reference number for which you are applying, if
applicable, in the subject line. Include a message in the body of the email with a brief
explanation of why you are writing and submitting your resume. Think of it as a mini cover
letter. You may want to attach a longer cover letter separately, definitely if the application
instructions ask for it. Make the email and cover letter separate attachments to reduce
confusion.
Give your documents a logical file name. Employers often download resumes and cover letters
to a common folder so your filename should help them identify your document later. Make
sure your filenames do not have any spaces in them. If you want to include a space in the name,
use an underscore.
• AliciaThomas_resume
• AliciaThomas_coverletter
When you take the time to upload a targeted resume that is professional and easy to read, it
can help you stand out from the competition and land a job you really want.
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Wrap Up and Evaluations
Slide 61
Congratulations! You have taken significant steps toward setting yourself up for success. There
will be many more steps you need to take to get ready for your transition but know that you
have a network of supporters to assist you on your journey. You are not alone.
In this training you have:
Determined the difference between master and targeted resumes.
Analyzed a job vacancy posting and connected your skills and abilities with the needs of an
employer.
Applied the STAR method to write an accomplishment statement.
Prepared a resume draft.
Used strategies to review and evaluate a resume.
You are informed, prepared, and well on your way to a successful transition to a new and
rewarding career.
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Slide 62
Mastering Resume Essentials for Military Spouses Participant Guide
Page 90
Appendix
Action Verbs for Accomplishment Statements
Action Verbs for Accomplishment Statements
Accelerate
Accomplish
Achieve
Acquire
Adapt
Address
Advance
Advise
Advocate
Analyze
Apply
Appoint
Arbitrate
Architect
Arrange
Ascertain
Assemble
Assess
Assist
Author
Delegate
Deliver
Demonstrate
Deploy
Design
Detail
Detect
Determine
Develop
Devise
Direct
Discover
Dispense
Display
Distribute
Diversify
Divert
Document
Double
Draft
Halt
Head
Hire
Honor
Hypothesize
Identify
Illustrate
Imagine
Implement
Import
Improve
Improvise
Increase
Influence
Inform
Initiate
Innovate
Inspect
Inspire
Install
Operate
Orchestrate
Organize
Orient
Originate
Outsource
Overcome
Oversee
Participate
Perceive
Perfect
Perform
Persuade
Pilot
Pinpoint
Pioneer
Plan
Position
Predict
Prepare
Research
Resolve
Respond
Restore
Restructure
Retrieve
Review
Revise
Revitalize
Satisfy
Schedule
Secure
Select
Separate
Serve
Simplify
Sold
Solidify
Solve
Speak
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Action Verbs for Accomplishment Statements
Authorize
Brief
Budget
Build
Calculate
Capture
Catalog
Champion
Chart
Clarify
Classify
Close
Coach
Collaborate
Collect
Command
Communicate
Compare
Compel
Compile
Complete
Compute
Drive
Earn
Edit
Educate
Effect
Elect
Eliminate
Emphasize
Enact
Encourage
Endure
Energize
Enforce
Engineer
Enhance
Enlist
Ensure
Establish
Estimate
Evaluate
Examine
Exceed
Institute
Instruct
Integrate
Intensify
Interpret
Interview
Introduce
Invent
Inventory
Investigate
Judge
Justify
Launch
Lead
Lecture
License
Listen
Locate
Maintain
Manage
Manipulate
Manufacture
Prescribe
Present
Preside
Process
Procure
Program
Progress
Project
Promote
Propose
Prospect
Provide
Publicize
Purchase
Qualify
Question
Rate
Realign
Rebuild
Recapture
Receive
Recognize
Specify
Standardize
Stimulate
Streamline
Structure
Succeed
Suggest
Summarize
Supervise
Supply
Support
Surpass
Synthesize
Systematize
Tabulate
Target
Teach
Terminate
Test
Thwart
Train
Transcribe
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Action Verbs for Accomplishment Statements
Conceive
Conclude
Conduct
Conserve
Consolidate
Construct
Consult
Continue
Contract
Convert
Coordinate
Correct
Counsel
Craft
Create
Critique
Decrease
Define
Execute
Exhibit
Expand
Expedite
Experiment
Export
Facilitate
Finalize
Finance
Forge
Form
Formalize
Formulate
Found
Generate
Govern
Graduate
Guide
Map
Market
Mastermind
Measure
Mediate
Mentor
Model
Modify
Monitor
Motivate
Navigate
Negotiate
Nominate
Normalize
Observe
Obtain
Offer
Officiate
Recommend
Reconcile
Record
Recruit
Redesign
Reduce
Reengineer
Regain
Regulate
Rehabilitate
Reinforce
Rejuvenate
Render
Renegotiate
Reorganize
Report
Reposition
Represent
Transfer
Transform
Transition
Translate
Troubleshoot
Unify
Unite
Update
Upgrade
Use
Utilize
Verbalize
Verify
Win
Write
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Website Guide
ACCREDITATION
Accredited online website. Search for
vocational school’s admission and completion
rates,
www.accreditedschoolsonline.org/vocational-
trade-school/
Better Business Bureau, www.bbb.org
Consumer Financial Protection Bureau,
www.consumerfinance.gov/complaint/
Council for Higher Education Accreditation and
US Department of Education list of recognized
accrediting organizations, www.chea.org/chea-
and-usde-recognized-accrediting-organization
U.S. Department of Education information
educational institutions accreditation,
https://ope.ed.gov/dapip/#/home
U.S. Department of Education information
about diploma mills,
https://www2.ed.gov/students/prep/college/d
iplomamills/diploma-mills.html
AMERICAN JOB CENTER
U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) online portal
for Veterans and Military Spouses; Click Find a
Job and enter your location in the American
Job Center Finder, www.veterans.gov/
American Job Center (AJC),
https://www.careeronestop.org/LocalHelp/Am
ericanJobCenters/american-job-centers.aspx
DOL’s American Job Center locator,
https://www.careeronestop.org/LocalHelp
APPRENTICESHIP
Apprenticeship USA Toolkit answers to FAQs
about apprenticeships,
www.dol.gov/apprenticeship/toolkit/toolkitfaq
.htm
CareerOneStop apprenticeship finder,
www.careeronestop.org/Toolkit/Training/find-
apprenticeships.asp
DOL Employment and Training Administration
general information about apprenticeships and
access to contact information for regional and
local state apprenticeship agencies,
www.apprenticeship.gov/
DoD SkillBridge overview of program
requirements and eligibility,
www.dodskillbridge.com
CAREER COUNSELING
DoD’s Spouse Education and Career
Opportunities Program provides cost-free
Career Counseling,
https://myseco.militaryonesource.mil/portal/h
ome/secocounseling
DOD’s Military Spouse Transition Program
(MySTeP) provides online education and
information for spouses throughout their
service member’s career,
https://myseco.militaryonesource.mil/portal/
mystep
CAREER RESEARCH AND ASSISTANCE
My Next Move, https://www.mynextmove.org
O*NET Online. Data on emerging careers;
including descriptions, outlook, wages and
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relevant in-demand technologies,
https://www.onetonline.org/
O*NET Interest Profiler,
https://www.mynextmove.org/explore/ip
CareerOneStop links to up-to-date industry
trends, career trends, occupation profiles,
business finder and job finder tools,
www.careeronestop.org/
Military OneSource,
https://www.militaryonesource.mil/
Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational
Outlook Handbook provides occupation
descriptions, www.bls.gov/ooh/
U.S. DOL Military Spouse portal; click link to
find jobs,
https://www.veterans.gov/milspouses
USAJOBS houses most federal job vacancy
announcements, www.usajobs.gov/
VirtForce, Military Spouse connection to
remote careers https://virtforce.us/
CERTIFICATION / CREDENTIALING / LICENSING
The CareerOneStop Certification Finder tool
can identify available certifications by keyword
or by occupation,
• www.careeronestop.org/Toolkit/Training/fi
nd-certifications.aspx
• www.careeronestop.org/Toolkit/Training/fi
nd-certifications.aspx
• www.careeronestop.org/Toolkit/Training/fi
nd-licenses.aspx
• www.careeronestop.org/FindTraining/find-
training.aspx
DoD Civilian COOL,
https://www.cool.osd.mil/dciv/index.htm
License Recognition for Military Spouses
Resource Guide,
https://www.veterans.gov/milspouses/pdf/Lic
ense-Recognition-For-Military-Spouses-
Resource-Guide-20190417.pdf
COLLEGE
CareerOneStop guide to colleges,
www.careeronestop.org/FindTraining/Types/c
ollege.aspx
College Navigator, Institute of Education
Services National Center for Education Statics
(IES > NCES),
https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/
My Career Advancement Account (MyCAA)
Scholarship Program
https://mycaa.militaryonesource.mil/
U.S. Department of Education guide to
choosing a school,
https://studentaid.gov/resources/prepare-for-
college/students/choosing-schools
COST OF LIVING CALCULATORS
Bankrate.com,
https://www.bankrate.com/calculators/saving
s/moving-cost-of-living-calculator.aspx
Numbeo.com,
https://www.numbeo.com/cost-of-living/
SmartAsset.com,
https://smartasset.com/mortgage/cost-of-
living-calculator
EDUCATION AND TRAINING
No-cost online classes:
• Coursera, https://www.coursera.org/
• EdX, www.edx.org
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• Grow with Google, virtual training, and
certifications, https://grow.google/
INTERNSHIPS
USAJOBS Pathways for federal government
internships,
www.usajobs.gov/StudentsAndGrads
U.S. Chamber of Commerce internship
opportunities, www.uschamber.com/about-
us/careers/internship-opportunities
LABOR MARKET INFORMATION
Learn about careers,
https://www.careeronestop.org/ExploreCaree
rs/Learn/learn-about-careers.aspx
The National Labor Exchange (NLx) database of
job openings in public, private, and nonprofit
sector organizations, https://usnlx.com/
Bureau of Labor Statistics site for
comprehensive and up-to-date LMI; provides
deep dive into current economic situation in
the United States, www.bls.gov/
Bureau of Labor Statistics resources for
jobseekers,
www.bls.gov/audience/jobseekers.htm
Employment Projections,
https://www.bls.gov/emp/
Occupation Comparison,
https://www.careeronestop.org/ExploreCaree
rs/Learn/compare-occupations.aspx
Outlook data, O*NET Bright Outlook
occupations,
https://www.onetonline.org/find/bright
Skills Matcher,
https://www.careeronestop.org/Toolkit/Skills/
skills-matcher.aspx.
Skills data, https://www.onetonline.org/
State employment projections - Projections
Central, https://www.projectionscentral.com/
State Labor Market Information office,
https://www.careerinfonet.org/select_state.as
p?from=&next=lmi1&id=11&nodeid=13&socco
de=
Wage data, Occupational Employment
Statistics Survey, https://www.bls.gov/oes/
LICENSING
The CareerOneStop License Finder tool can
help you determine if an occupation is licensed
in a state and provide links to the state agency
website for information on requirements and
how to apply,
www.careeronestop.org/Toolkit/Training/find-
licenses.aspx
NETWORKING
Hiring Our Heroes Programs for Military
Spouses, various programs for spouses to
include networking opportunities, professional
workshops, hiring events, and mentoring and
fellowship programs,
https://www.hiringourheroes.org/military-
spouses/
SALARY RESEARCH
Salary.com, https://www.salary.com/
Calculator.net,
https://www.calculator.net/salary-
calculator.html
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Glassdoor.com,
https://www.glassdoor.com/Salaries/know-
your-worth.htm
SmartAsset,
https://smartasset.com/taxes/paycheck-
calculator
SMALL BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION
Resources to start your own businesses,
www.SBA.gov/bootstobusiness
SOCIAL MEDIA
Facebook. Stay connected with friends, family,
and community, www.facebook.com
LinkedIn. Build and engage with a professional
network. Access knowledge, insights, and
opportunities, www.linkedin.com
• Access tutorials on how to use LinkedIn
and other social media platforms,
https://www.linkedin.com/learning/
• LinkedIn Premium upgrade for military
information, www.linkedin.com/military
• LinkedIn Help topics and tutorials topics,
https://www.linkedin.com/help/linkedin
Twitter. Online news and social networking
service, www.twitter.com
TECHNOLOGY
CareerOneStop list of hot technologies,
www.onetonline.org/search/hot_tech/
TRANSITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM
Transition Assistance Program (TAP),
https://tapevents.org/
TAP Online (Virtual) Courses TAP curriculum
can be viewed for All Courses or filtered for
Core Requirements, Transition Tracks or
Military Life Cycle (MLC),
https://tapevents.org/courses
• Boots to Business
• DOL Career and Credential Exploration
• DOL Employment Workshop
• Employment Fundamental of Career
Transition
• Financial Planning for Transition
• Managing Your (MY) Education
VA BENEFITS AND PROGRAMS
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
comparison tool for finding estimated benefits
by school or program, www.va.gov/gi-bill-
comparison-tool
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs GI Bill
benefits for licensing and certification,
www.va.gov/education/about-gi-bill-
benefits/how-to-use-benefits/test-fees/
VETERANS’ RESOURCES
Veterans Benefits Administration information
about Veterans’ benefits, including education
and training, www.va.gov/education/
VOLUNTEERING
AmeriCorps positions,
https://www.nationalservice.gov/programs/a
mericorps
US Public Service and Volunteer Opportunities,
https://www.usa.gov/volunteerAmerica’s
Natural and Cultural Resources Volunteer
Portal, https://www.volunteer.gov/
