2. Overview Purpose of Resume Readers perspective Format and style Objectives ATS & Showcasing Skills Assets & Liabilities Accomplishments and Results Resume examples Cover letters Finishing touches Resources Q&A
3. Purpose of Resume Assume 70%+ skills/experience match to job Highlight & showcase skills/experience/assets Make reader stop and READ your resume To be contacted for a phone/in-person interview
4. Readers Perspective Recruiters are scanning hundreds of resumes 5-10 second impression & decision YES, NO or MAYBE What are they scanning for? Education Companies (direct competitor, name brands) Title relevancy Employment history Skill/experience match Clear understanding responsibilities & accomplishments Solid writing/communication skills Sense of direction and advancement
5. Why did they pass? Irrelevant job tiles Lack of required skills (Java, Python, UI, Database Hard to reador confusing Poor formatting and use of headings, bolding, spacing Wordy, run on sentences, information over load Typos and grammar errors Lots of frequent & less than 1 year job changes Lack of stated accomplishments/results No sign of career advancement (5-10+ years) Lack of stability or forward direction Back and forth changes (Manager to Engineer, Tech Support to Engineering, Frequent relocations, etc.) Educational requirements not a match Specific Degree, Advanced Degree, GPA
6. Format & Style Chronological job history or skills summary? Employment dates matter How long should a resume be? 2 pages max Focus on current and previous job on first page Beyond 15 years (short, high level summary with quick facts Employer, Title, Dates, 1-2 sentences about responsibilities Writing style Speak plain English Be concise and to the point State facts and let results speak for themselves Do not exaggerate or inflate Keep it simple Avoid excessive use of adjectives to describe yourself or work. Formatting Reader wants over view at a glance of your entire career in 5-10 seconds Less is more Be organized visually, use subject headings, proper spacing, bullet points Avoid excessive use of superlatives or adjectives
7. Objectives Short, one sentence Statement of key aspects of what you want 1-3 maximum Customize to job/company Company Criteria Large, public company (stability) Young, dynamic start-up Industry sector Level and function Individual Contributor, Manager, Executive Clarify function if necessary “Seeking hands-on, technical leadership role in /fast growing Internet software company”
8. ATS & Showcasing Skills A quick word on ATS No laundry list No fancy graphics, logos or photos Context around your skills Embed in text and repeat for each job Show them was technologies/tools you used and where Describe HOW you used that skills Designed and programmed in X and Y Display time factors Big difference between taking a class in X or programming daily for last 2 years Short skills summary OK List what you are expert and intermediate (solid 6-12 months current use) Do not go back to the beginning of time, focus on last 5 years
9. Assets & Liabilities Assets Brand name companies Top University High GPA Strong skills/experience match Track record Career advancement Job Tenure Liabilities Lots of job changes every year Employment gaps No Degree Low GPA – list 3.6+ Geo Undesirable Age factors
10. Accomplishments/Results Skills are something you use to produce results Developed X application in Java Tasks or Activities are something you DO Maintained web content Results are visible and measurable There is a start, middle and end point in time Showcase the role you played in producing the end result developed X program that increased database performance by 10X How did your results contribute to company goals Redesigned UI for flagship product improving UX satisfaction by 50% First year sales for product X grew by 3X due to UI redesign Won MVP award in 2010 for my contributions to UI/UX innovation
11. Skills Don’t Summary: -12 +years of professional experience in Quality Assurance with emphasis on testing Web, Client/Server and Database applications in diverse technical/development environments like , Banking, Finance, Insurance, Telecom , Health are and E-commerce applications. Experience in Analysis of Software Requirements Specifications and development of Test strategies ,Test Plans, Test Scripts, Test Cases Adept in designing test plans, elucidating test strategies, test scope, test environments, test resources, and test calendars Experience in Functionality testing, Integration testing, Regression testing, Performancetesting, Black-box testing, Automation testing, System Testing, E2E, White box and User Acceptance Testing (UAT) Proficient in using various defect management and source control tools like Mercury Quality center, Clear Quest, CVS,PVCS and Test Director Expertise in Manual and AutomatedTesting with adroitness in using Regression testing tools such as SELENIUM and Performance Testing tools like Load Runner. Abilityto work individually and in a team environment in an efficient manner, Inspiring and motivating others to perform well Ability to faster coordination among team members using communication and Interpersonal skills High adaptability to dynamic project environments that entail constantly changing business requirements and demand high professional and technical commitments Coordinated and prioritized outstanding defects and system requests based on business requirements. Designing and scripting strategies (plans) for various phases of data analysis Hands on experience with all phases of Software Development Life Cycle (SDLC) Developed and executed SQL queries on Oracle database to validate data results Experience Testing AMDOCS OMS/Clarify(CRM) eCare/ AMSS/Enabler Telegence/Billing Excellent documentation skills and conversant with CMM level 5 Quality Procedures. Excellent organizational and inter-communication skills. Good analytical skills, presentation skills with strong communication skills Diligent worker, self-starter and consistent performer
12. Resume A APPLE INC May 2007 - January 2011 Senior Software Engineer • Principle author and sole maintainer of X applications UNIVERSITY of CALIFORNIA at BERKELEY August 2005 - May 2007 Electrical Engineering and Computer Science Major • Fall 2005 courses focused on system design and signal analysis, microelectronic circuit design, programming methodology, and introductory Cocoa programming in Objective-C. • Spring 2006 courses focused on further study of signals and systems; network design, operation, and simulation; machine structures; and philosophy of mind. • Fall 2006 courses focused on technical communication, operating system programming, probability and random processes, and cultural psychology. • Spring 2007 courses focused on neural and nonlinear information processing, digital hardware design, UNIX administration, and overviews of Biotechnology and Bioengineering. APPLE INC Summer 2006 Software Engineering Intern, Mac OS X Server Group • Developed server-side software for the “Teams” system on early builds of OS X Leopard. • Built and demonstrated a proof-of-concept for a significant new feature for OS X Client. All objectives met; management advanced the project to the next stage of development. • Received Apple’s highest performance review and an offer to return next summer. THE APPLE GUY (A Macintosh consulting, tutoring, and repair business) 2002 – 2005 Founder and Chief Technologist • Customer base of over 100 included both businesses and individuals. • Pro bono work for Berkeley students and certain elderly clients. DIPLOMAS Bachelor’s of Science in EE/CS (UC Berkeley), 3.9GPA May 2007, Age 18 California High School Proficiency Certificate January 2003, Age 14 (Legal high school diploma, not GED)
13. Resume B EDUCATION BSEE/CS, University of California at Berkeley, 3.9 GPA May 2007, Age 18 EXPERIENCE Apple May 2007 - January 2011 Senior Software Engineer • Principle author and sole maintainer of X applications • Team lead for X application • Added important features and improvements to Maps (public transit, better directions interaction) and YouTube (account support, reading and posting comments) • Implemented drawing code and sophisticated animations in many applications. Considered a go-to engineer for questions on dynamic user interfaces • Optimized performance across the system, both in UIKit and many individual applications • Collaborated with Human Interface team to design and specify UI appearance and animations • Designated “iBuddy” for numerous new hires and interns, often mentoring several at a time • Received consistently outstanding performance reviews, with off-cycle raises and bonuses Apple 2006 Summer Software Engineering Intern, Mac OS X Server Group • Developed server-side software for the “Teams” system on early builds of OS X Leopard • Built and demonstrated a proof-of-concept for a significant new feature for OS X Client. All objectives met; management advanced the project to the next stage of development • Received Apple’s highest performance review and an offer to return next summer The Apple Guy (A Macintosh consulting, tutoring, and repair business) 2002 – 2005 Founder and Chief Technologist • Customer base of over 100 included both businesses and individuals • Pro bono work for Berkeley students and certain elderly clients
14. Cover Letters Yes, write one Customize for each job Short (1/2 page) and to the point Mention specific job and company Say why you are interested 1 sentence summary stating why you are qualified Pique interest
15. Finishing Touches Great resumes take time Ongoing work in progress Read out loud to yourself If you are confused, stumbling, rereading – red flag, needs work Have 3rd party edit Get feedback from multiple trusted colleagues Ideally hiring managers, recruiters, senior people Ready for prime time? Sense of pride and satisfaction Excited about putting yourself out there Keep current Review & refresh once a year Every time you change roles/projects at same company, update
16. Resources TheLadders.com Job Search Essentials Resume Advice LinkedIn Same as online resume Same care and feeding Show case references Keep up to date
