RESUME WRITING
Example of a chronological resume
June 2006 to present
Chief Accountant / Financial Analyst. AZ Corporation
• Prepare accounting reports for wholesale giftware importer (Rs75 million annual sales)
• Audit financial transactions with suppliers in 12 Latin American countries
• Created a computerized model to adjust account for fluctuations in currency exchange rates.
• Negotiated joint-venture agreements with major suppliers in Mexico and Colombia
• Implemented electronic funds transfer for vendor disbursements, improving cash flow and eliminating payables clerk position.
The Functional Resume
A functional resume emphasizes a list of skills and accomplishments, identifying employers and academic experience in subordinate sections. This pattern stresses individual areas of competence, so it’s useful for people who are just entering the job market, want to redirect their careers, or have little continuous career-related experience.
Advantages
(1) without having to read through job descriptions, employers can see what you can do for them,
(2) you can emphasize earlier job experience,
(3) you can de-emphasize any lack of career progress or lengthy unemployment.
Example of the Functional Resume
Relevant Skills
Personal Selling/Retailing
• Led house wares department in employee sales for spring 2006.
• Created end-cap and shelf displays for special housewares promotions.
• Sold the most benefit tickets during college fund-raising drive for local community centre
Public Interaction
• Commended by housewares manager for resolving customer complaints amicably
• Was captain college xi and participated in many University Fixtures
Managing
• Training part-time housewares employees in cash register operation and customer service
• Reworked housewares employee schedules as assistant manager
• Organized summer activities for children 6-12 years old for city of Karachi – including reading programs, sports activities, etc.
The Combination Resume
A combination resume includes the best features of the chronological and functional approaches. Nevertheless, it is not commonly used, and it has two major disadvantages:
(1) it tends to be longer, and
(2) it can be repetitious if you have to list your accomplishments and skills in both the functional section and the chronological job descriptions.
Example of such a resume
Naeem Ahmad
122-Mall Road Lahore
(042) 5858585
Objective
To obtain a position as a special events coordinator that will utilize my skills and experience
Skills and capabilities
• Plan and coordinate large-scale public events
• Develop community support for concerts, festivals, and the arts
• Manage publicity for major events
• Coordinate activities of diverse community groups
• Establish and maintain financial controls for public events
• Negotiate contracts with performers, carpenters, electricians, and suppliers.
Special Event Experience
• Arranged 2001’s week-long Arts and Entertainment Festival for the Public Library, involving performances by 25 musicians, dancers, actors, magicians, and artists
• Supervised the 2000 PTA Spring Carnival, an all-day festival with game booths, live bands, contests, and food service that raised Rs. 70,000 for the PTA
• Organized the 1999 Provincial convention for 80 members of the Lahore Women club, which extended over a three-day period and required arrangement for hotels, meals, speakers, and special tours
• Served as chairperson for the 1998 Children’s complex Show, a luncheon for 400 that raised Rs.50,000 for orphans and privileged children.
Education
• Bachelor of Arts, Psychology, APV College, Lahore.
Employment History
• First National Bank of Pakistan 1988 to 1990, personnel counselor/campus recruiter; scheduled and conducted interview with graduating MBA students on 18 campuses; managed orientation program for recruits hired for bank’s management trainee staff
• ABC University 1996-1998, part-time research assistant for Professor Hassan (Science Department)
Compose your resume to impress
Write your resume using a simple and direct style. Use short, crisp phrases instead of whole sentences, and focus on what your reader needs to know. Avoid using the word I instead, start your phrases with impressive action verbs such as these:
