How to write a resume- Writing a Career Objective Statment

Over the past couple of weeks I have discussed tips and different ways of writing resumes. As I have explored the different types of resumes I have discovered that it can be advantageous to include a career objective in the resume.

A career objective, functional or professional can help you determine what it is you want. It will also help the resume reader to help see if their jobs match your needs. Your career objective will also help you put the exact information you need in your resume. As you are developing your career objective you will be thinking about:
1. Your strengths- skills and abilities
2. Functions you have performed in jobs or activities
3. Type of positions you are looking for
4. Size or possible location of companies applying to

After you have decided what you are going to put in your career objective statement it is time to write it. When you write do not use sentences use verb phrases. And do not make them I-centered. You want to help your statements focus on the employer and not on you. It should be focused on the position and perhaps the area you would like to work. If you are doing a functional resume you will want to focus on the functions you would like to perform. If you are using a skills resume you will want to focus on the skills you can bring to the position. If you are seeking a part-time, summer, or internship position, please put that in your objective.

Functional Format Objective example:
A position in managerial production with an emphasis in quality food control and personnel management.

Skills Format Objective example:
A position with a college food service program, which requires skills in quality food control, personnel management and inventory control.

I hope writing your Career Objective statement has been fun to write. Good luck working on your resume. Next time I will be discussing the Functional Resume.

How to write a resume- What we have discussed so far?

I have been doing a series about how to write a resume. Here are links to what I have discussed so far.

How to write a resume- getting started.

How to write a resume- writing tips and objectives.

How to write a resume- choosing your resume style.

How to write a resume- chronological resume.

How to write a resume- skills resume.

I have been writing these resumes along with you. It sure takes a lot of time to choose what to say and then assmble the resume. Don't get discouraged. We can work on it together.

How to write a resume- Skills Resume

Skills resumes highlight your work history skills, not places of employment. This type of resume works well for those re-entering the workforce, new to the workforce or no recent work history. Make sure you include an objective statement and you may want to include a career summary. Here is a sample skills resume. There are many sites on the internet if you want to see more examples.

Katya Van

123 Any Street

South Pea, State 109834

(3098) 453- 12334

Katya Van@ internet.com

Professional Objective

A career in human resource management involving training, coordinating, and communicating.

Education

Super College, South Pea, ST
English, Bachelor of Arts Degree- 1998
Computer Skills
Experience in operating IBM-PC’s and programs in Win 1998, Win XP, Word 2000, Excel 2000, and Microsoft Publisher, Internet and E-mail; Knowledgeable in PowerPoint 2000 and Access 2000.

Skills

Training
-Taught and educated 4-H and FFA member plant identification, soil types and range conditions. -Trained student workers to properly do their jobs in a cafeteria.

Coordinating
-Supervised 20 student workers during evening meals
-Coordinated monthly food boxes for O.K. Food Pantry

Communicating
-Improved the quality of work for student workers with pay raises and other benefits
-Designed a monthly newsletter for local food banks
-Started designing a website and brochure for O.K. Food Pantry
-Helped complete monthly shelf audits
-Inputted monthly inventory and payroll

Volunteer/Organizations
-Armstrong/Douglas Board of Directors 1995-98
-Coe FRIENDS 1994-98
-BSEO 1995-98
Vice-President 1996-97
-Volunteer Bureau 1994-96
Vice-President 1995-96

Employment
Youth Counselor, Fancy Running Camp, Three Winds, KL (Summer 1995)
Public Relations, O.K. Food Pantry, South Pea, ST
Dining Assistant Manager, Campus Services (Super College), South Pea, ST (1995-2002)
Customer Service Specialist, Boo’s Farm Store, South Pea, ST. (2002-Present)

References
Available Upon Request

How to write a resume- Chronological Resume

The Chronical Resume is the most resume type and it lists your work and education chronologically. I have a sample resume below for you. I did not include an objective statement or career and skills summary. I have listed not my job responsibilities, but what I achieved. I also quantified my accomplishments. The last thing I did for the resume was to condense and leave out unimportant information. Next time we will look at the skills resume.

Katya Van

123 Any Street

South Pea, State 109834

(3098)453-12334

KatyaVan@internet.cok

Professional Experience

1995-2002 Campus Services (Super College), South Pea, ST
Resident Dining Assistant Manager
· Coordinated and supervised 20 student workers during evening
meals
· Inputted monthly inventory and payroll
· Improved the quality of work for workers with pay raises and
other benefits

Student Manager
· Coordinated and supervised eight student workers per meal
· Updated cleaning procedures
· Worked in Salad Bar, Line Running and Dishroom

Spring 1998 O.K. Food Pantry, South Pea, ST
Public Relations
· Designed a monthly newsletter for local food banks
· Helped coordinate monthly food boxes
· Started designing a website and brochure

Summer 1995 Fancy Running Camp, Three Winds, KL
Youth Counselor
· Worked with instructor to teach and educate 4-H and FFA
members in plant identification, soil types, and range conditions
· Conducted and corrected daily quizzes
· Determined the best plant collection
Education

Supe High, Supe, KT

Graduated 1994
Super College, South Pea, ST
English, Bachelor of Arts Degree- 1998

Volunteer/Organizations

BSEO 1995-98
Vice-President 1996-97
Volunteer Bureau 1994-96
Vice-President 1995-96

How to write a resume- Choosing Your Resume Style

We are finally starting to get to the nuts and bolts of resumes, choosing what type you are going to use. We are going to talk about all of the resumes in detail, but I am just going to list them for right now. Tomorrow we will start discussing them in detail.

Chronological- focuses on jobs
Skills- focuses on your skills
Functional- focuses on skills and jobs with those skills
Combination- combines the best aspects of the chronological, skills and functional resume

When you are deciding upon the proper resume you need to think about your current situation and how much experience you have. If you have little or no experience use a resume that focuses on your skills.

You can always write two several resumes and ask friends and family which one they like the best. Just remember you don’t need to add personal hobbies and out-of-date skills and achievements. Do your best to keep it to one page and proofread.

How to write a resume- Getting Started

Today I am going to start a new series on writing resumes. I had to write them when I was in college for several different classes. I was very glad that I had someone teach and help me write a resume tailored to my needs. I am going to focus on all age groups, because we all need the best resume to get both our first and last jobs.

I encourage all of you to comment if you have ways that have worked for you.

One of the things you are going to want to think about when beginning your resume is what is your experience and what are you going to focus on. When I did my first resume it focused on my awards and recognitions in high school and jobs. My latest resume focused on skills acquired and jobs. It did not even mention any awards or recognitions.

You can also decide if you are going to write it yourself, use software for help or just hire someone to help you.

I trust this gets you thinking about begin building your resume. Please comment if you have more thoughts. We all need each other help in this economy.