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I. Before You Begin Your Journey
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You know what kind of a "traveler" you are (Part I) and you know where you want to go (Part II). Now you need to pack the right "clothes," outfits perfectly suited to the job climate. For example, if you want to change jobs and enter a different industry, only mention those skills and abilities that are necessary for your targeted job objective. Don't "over pack" and end up confusing your prospective employer with unrelated work experience. Keep in mind that it is not always the best-qualified person who gets the job; it is the best-prepared applicant.
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Skills Statement = Values + Skills. Your skills statement (introductory speech) is a compilation of your values (the things which are important to you) and your skills (the things you do well). This is the "package" you are presenting to a prospective employer. These are the "clothes" you're packing for your trip.
You'll use this 30-second statement at job fairs, in conversation with friends, relatives, and neighbors, and perhaps as a summary statement at the top of your resume. The skills statement says who you are, what skills you have, how you'd like to use them, and where you'd like to use them.
Before you can prepare a succinct skills statement you must be clear on what you want in your next job. You should note only those skills that pertain to your desired career goal. Clarify your career goal by defining both your overall goal and your specific job objective. For example: "I seek a position as a Technician (specific job objective) in the Computer Industry at a company which can offer me the opportunity for advancement located in the Bay Area (overall goal)."
Three Types of Skills. All of us have three types of skills: special knowledge skills that are particular to a specific position ( e.g. UNIX programming or typing 65 wpm), personal qualities (e.g. enthusiasm, flexibility, dependability), and transferable skills (e.g. skills that can easily be used in various industries, skills like planning, organizing, negotiating, attention to detail).
In your skills statement describe your most marketable skills in three concise sentences which provide a clear overview of your strongest qualifications for the targeted job.
Got writer's block and don't know where to begin? Before you can create a powerhouse resume you must understand yourself and your potential market. You may want to revisit Part 1 (Take an Inventory of Your Values and Skills; Managing Transition) and Part 2 Researching Your Chosen Job Market). Also, prepare a succinct skills statement before you begin your resume.
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NOVA offers one-on-one resume critique sessions for job seekers desiring help in the creation of or updating of their resumes. Drop-in appointments with career advisors are available Monday through Friday at the CONNECT! Job Seeker Center, 420 S. Pastoria Ave., Sunnyvale. Sign up at the front desk. No fee is charged. Service is on a first come, first serve basis. Drop-in appointments are available from 9 a.m. to noon, and from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Call (408) 774-2365 for more information. |
Three Styles Of Resumes. Chronological, Functional, and Combination. All are acceptable and the one you choose should be the one that presents your particular set of qualifications in the best possible way for your specific job objective.
CHRONOLOGICAL STYLE. This style stresses one's recent work experience and clearly indicates one's progression in an employment field. Don't use this style if you have held many different jobs in a relatively brief period of time, if you have substantial or frequent gaps in your employment record, are making a career change, or if you cannot relate your recent employment to the targeted job.
FUNCTIONAL STYLE. In this format, skills and accomplishments are listed under broad skill areas or functions. These areas are based upon their relevance to the targeted job without relating to a specific former job. Employers tend to be wary of this format, so don't use this format if you are able to show career progression, continuity, and employment stability. The functional resume is harder for employers to read, and for job seekers to write. It also must be changed substantially for each different job target. Nevertheless, it is valuable for job seekers who wish to downplay gaps in their work history or who lack necessary experience in the desired field.
COMBINATION STYLE. The combination style combines the best of the chronological and functional styles of resumes. At the top of the resume you present a summary of your key qualities, skills, and accomplishments that directly support your job objective. Your skills statement serves as the basis for your summary. This is followed by a brief outline of your work experience, in chronological order. Don't use this style if you have employment gaps or frequent job changes that you'd like to de-emphasize. Use the functional style instead. Or, if your accomplishments at your most recent job are identical or a good preparation for your targeted job, then it's best to stick to the more traditional chronological style.
Electronic Resumes. You may also want to consider electronic resumes which are resumes submitted to employers via electronic mail (e-mail) and/or submitted to online resume banks that employers may access. Online resumes require a specific structure and style that differs from print resumes.
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Top of Page | Job Search 2000+ Home | Part 1: Assess Values/Skills| Part 2: Research Companies | Part 3: Packaging Yourself | Part 4: Additional Resources | CONNECT! Job Seeker Center Online Resources | NOVA | Feedback |
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