a scannable résumé,

3 job advertisements, and

"Professional Inventory" document.

On this node, you will find all information that you need to complete unit 1 including required readings, recommended resources, and a checklist for project progress. If you have any questions about deadlines, please refer to the course calendar. If you have any questions about using the materials located on this page, feel free to contact me (kimmehea@u.arizona.edu or 663-3500).

What is a scannable résumé?
A scannable résumé is designed to be electronically scanned into a job database. An optical scanner inputs the résumé and stores it in a text form. Scannable résumés are consciously constructed with minimal design attributes such as bolding, italics, columns, etc. In addition, scannable résumés are written with attention to key noun phrases. The reduced design attributes allow for easier input and the attention to specific content words allow for more "hits" during screening of the résumés.

Scannable résumés also are being used in electronic job search database where the job seeker either completes a résumé form online or emails a text only file to the potential employer.

For the purposes of our course, your scannable résumé should be written in a text only format (Save as a text only file in Word). You should use the following guidelines and sources to construct your scannable résumé.

required readings
Read Donald Asher's discussion of the job profile (which replaces the "outdated" career objective statement on your résumé). That reading is pages 23-28 of Chapter 8: "Writing your Résumé: Win or Lose in the First Ten Lines" from The Overnight Résumé, 1999, published by Ten Speed Press.

Read Donald Asher's discussion of scannable and electronic résumés. These pages offer some more background information on scannable résumés but more importantly provide an example of a scannable résumé. That reading is pages 95-101 of Chapter 13: "Scannable, Internet, and HTML Electronic Résumés" from The Overnight Résumé, 1999, published by Ten Speed Press.

format
Keep formatting to a minimum. Use a 12-point font and one that is both Mac and PC compatible (for example, Times New Roman, Times, and/or Arial). Use 1-inch margins and keep your résumé to one to two pages. Start with the word "Resume" and end with the words "End resume". Place your name at the top and follow it with your contact information (address and email address), all on separate lines. Use white space to distinguish sections and denote sections with clear titles such as EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE, KEYWORD LIST, etc. Avoid bullets, multiple fonts, font emphases (like italics, bolding, and underlining).

language
Use noun phrases rather than verb phrases to describe your jobs (for example, technical editor rather than edited technical documents). Here are some key terms that are part of most searches: BA, writer, computer, supervisor, manager, etc. Include professional organizations to which you belong. Add specific computer software, hardware, and operating system names. Keep in mind that "solid" names for your skills and experiences also will likely trigger a "hit" in a search of résumés. Use synonyms for certain skills or descriptions since the search of résumés may be looking for various options. Use phrases from the job advertisements themselves. Avoid abbreviations whenever possible.

What do I include in my scannable résumé?
Since you are using your résumé as analytical tool, prepare a résumé that reflects the work that you have done up until this point to professionalize. Include a profile statement, education, work and internship experience, community service, professional memberships, keyword list, and computer skills (not necessarily in this order). Please feel free to develop other categories for your résumé as you see fit. The bolded categories listed above, however, are required.

How do I locate and select job advertisements?
You should locate job advertisements through job search web sites. Here is a listing from Purdue's Professional Writing Program to get you started: http://pw.english.purdue.edu/resources/employment.shtml. Your selected job advertisements should be substantial in terms of the job description and organizational information. A good "rule of thumb" is at least three well-develop paragraphs. You also will want to look for entry-level positions or the kinds of positions to which you will be applying upon graduation. You should conduct your search looking for specific job titles within your field. For example, select one specific job title and collect three ads for that one specific job title.

Reference pages 163-166 in The Business Writer's Companion for more information about job search practices.

Remember you will be using these ads for two purposes: 1) to provide you with key phrases, terms, and descriptions to include in your scannable résumé and 2) to locate areas of development for yourself as a professional. Please note that you need not be concerned about the possibility of gaining any of the jobs based upon your current résumé. In fact, one of the goals of the project is to use these ads in relationship to your résumé and to find ways of building even more experience as a professional.


How do I check my own progress for unit 1?
Use the downloadable checklist for your scannable résumé and job advertisements. This form will help guide your work.


How do I analyze my résumé & job advertisements?
You should use this downloadable "Professional Inventory" form to compare your completed scannable résumé and your three job advertisements. This form asks you to locate skills, concepts, and descriptions that are referenced in your selected job advertisements and connect them with your experiences as a professional. Once you complete the form, you should have a list of areas of improvement for yourself.

When do I turn in my unit 1 materials for evaluation?
Please see the course calendar for relevant due dates and be certain to read the course update messages for further details about the project.



How can I learn more about résumé development?
To find out more about creating scannable and other forms of résumés, please review these sites:

scannable résumés
FAQ's About Electronically Scannable Resumes
by Loyola University
http://www.luc.edu/resources/career/faq.htm

Internet-Friendly and Scannable Resumes
by Jeff Farris
http://web.imanet.org/academia/library/farris.htm

Scannable Resumes
by University of Montana-Missoula Career Services
http://www.umt.edu/career/scan.htm

Scannable Resumes
by Columbia Center for Career Services
http://www.columbia.edu/cu/ccs/99website/99student/basics/scanresume.html


résumés
How to Writing a Masterpiece of a Resume
by the Rockport Institute
http://www.rockportinstitute.com/resumes.html

Online Resume Tutor
by Purdue's Online Writing Lab
http://owl.english.purdue.edu/workshops/hypertext/ResumeW/index.html

Resume Tutor!
by University of Minnesota
http://www1.umn.edu/ohr/ecep/resume/step1.htm

Recommended Resume Layout
by Computer Staffing Solutions, Inc.
http://www.computerstaffing.net/restips.htm

Resume Strategies that Work
by Career Center at Rutger's University-Camden
http://camden-www.rutgers.edu/CPP/resume.html

Creative Job Search
by Idaho Department of Labor
http://www.doe.state.id.us/cjs/cjsbook/contents.htm