The resume is the document that “gets you in the door.” Considering there may be dozens of applicants for the job you are interested in, it’s important that your resume grabs the attention of the person who may be interviewing you. Consider your resume great practice for the actual interview – it gives you an opportunity to think about what you can offer the potential employer.
Employers in many areas prefer the chronological (traditional) resume, which lists places of employment in reverse chronological order with brief job responsibilities and descriptions of your accomplishments. You will also include any important education, training, and certifications on a chronological resume.
What Makes a Good Resume?
- Easy to read.
- Clearly states your skills, knowledge, and experience.
- Shows your accomplishments in numbers and facts.
- Grabs the reader’s attention, so you will be invited to interview.
- Encourages questions during an interview.
- Provides visibility after your interview.
- Spell check, double check, and have someone else read your resume. Careless errors can eliminate your chance for an interview, even if you are well qualified.
- Read statements aloud to make sure they make sense.
Formatting Checklist
- ½” margins all around, if necessary.
- Font no smaller than 11 pt.
- Use numerals instead of spelling out the number – example: 25 instead of twenty-five.
- Use bullet points instead of paragraphs to describe your accomplishments. Keep each bullet point to one line, when possible.
- Use the dollar sign instead of spelling out “dollars” – example: $8 million instead of 8 million dollars.
- Use capitals in state abbreviations – example: FL instead of Fl.
- Dates on right side, including months.
- Whether or not you use periods at the end of statements, be consistent.
- No “s” on verbs – example; supervise (if current position), not supervises…personnel.
- For past positions, use –ed on descriptions: supervised, not supervise or supervises.
- Use a summary statement at the top instead of an objective.
- Don’t use industry jargon or acronyms. Unless you are certain the screener will understand it fully, spell it out.
Sample Resume
Marty Jones
2000 SW 2nd Street
Anywhere, FL 31234
(352) 222-5555 C or (352) 222-5555 H
Email @aol.com
Summary
11 Years supervision experience in Manufacturing Production with skills in:
- Lean Six Sigma Green Belt Training, ISO Certification, Continuous Improvement.
- Employee Coaching and Development including hiring and promotions.
- Budget requirements for company and customers.
Experience
XYZ, Inc., Anywhere, FL May, 1998 – February, 2008
Production Manager
- Directly lead 2 supervisors and 50 production employees.
- Accountable for safety training, quality defects, and labor cost budget of $3.2 million.
- Reduced “recordable injuries” by 100% through constant training, plant safety audits, and start-up meetings, resulting in 1 million hours without recordable accident.
- Cost reduction of more than $200,000 through “Lean Six Sigma Green Belt” project.
- Reduced overhead costs by 3.2% by supporting Customer Service, Warranty, Sales, Engineering Design, Manufacturing, Purchasing, Safety and Environmental, R & D, and HR departments.
- Primarily responsible for successful ISO inspection and maintaining continuous improvement.
- Developed cross training matrix and 5S production floor action plan.
ABC Company, Anywhere, FL March 1990 - May, 1998
General Assembly
- Increased production on motor line 3% in 4 months.
- Contributed to just-in-time program, resulting in 6% decrease in parts inventory.
- Trained 12 new hires.
- Worked a variety of machines, including CNC machining centers, lathes and grinders.
Education & Training
Central Florida University, Somewhere, Florida – Certifications in:
Lean Six Sigma Green Belt Contract Management Advanced Leadership
Forklift Operator Air Tools Plumbing & Foam Installation
A community job fair will be held Saturday, November 19, 10:00 am - 1:00 pm at Northwest Florida State College, Fort Walton Beach Campus in the Student Union (building 21), 1170 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. Local industry, retail stores, resturants, health care facilities and local, state, and federal goverment will be present. Workshops are planned fo 10:00 am and 11:30 am in room 126 (administration bldg) on "Interviewing Techniques" and "Resume Building."
Sometimes, despite your best efforts at applying for jobs, looking for contacts to network with at companies, and doing everything else within your power to get your candidacy noticed, you're stuck. 
The Small Business Development Center at the University of West Florida is a great place to start. They are a member of the Florida Small Business Development Center Network, a non-profit network of college and university-based centers providing entrepreneurs with high quality one-on-one consulting, management training, and vital information they need to grow and prosper in a complex and competitive global environment. 
