Unit 1: An Introduction to the Resume
In this unit, you will learn about the function of a professional resume. You will learn about various formats for presenting a resume (a conventional resume, a functional or skills-based resume, a chronological resume, etc.) in today's job market. Finally, you will collect information about your own professional skills and accomplishments in order to prepare your own resume later in this course.
Completing this unit should take you approximately 1 hour.
1.1: The Purpose of a Resume
This chapter describes an effective resume as "...principally an objective summary of your skills and achievements, secondly a subtly clever argument that you are worth hiring, and finally a reflection of your individuality." This chapter describes several types of resumes and offers samples of each type. You might be asked, for example, to submit a Curriculum Vitae (CV) rather than a conventional resume for an academic job. To learn more about the difference between a CV and a resume, study "The Graduate Student and Post-Graduate Resume" section and view the sample of each type of resume. You will also benefit from the provided list of common action words used to describe your job experience.
In today's business world a professional resumes is a must-have. Whether you are currently employed or seeking employment, a resume is a critical document that should reflect where you have been and where you want to go in your career. Section 4.1 explains the purpose and the goals of resume. This section discussses the seven things a well-made resume can do for you.
1.2: Types of Resumes
This article contains detailed information about how to ensure that your resume and cover letter meet the formatting and style requirements for many jobs within the federal government. This workshop guide provides many examples of federal resumes and cover letters along with other types of resumes more common in the broader workforce.
1.3: What is a CV?
Read this section to understand two additional types of resumes that you can use in certain situations, the functional resume and the curriculum vitae (CV). This section also provides some examples of functional based resumes.