RESUME

WRITING
TIPS to writing a
Professional Resume

RESUME WRITING

Keep the resume short, you dont need to list each and
every accomplishment of yours, for example if you
have 10 years of experience Not more than a page

Tailor the resume to the job that you are applying for
only highlight those skills that are relevant for the job
you are applying for.

Get your resume reviewed by friends or seniors. You

need to ensure that your resume is perfect (ie. no
grammatical mistakes, spelling mistakes etc.)

UNDERSTANDING THE
RESUME: SECTIONS
Section

What is the employer looking

for

Header

Your identity to Contact you

Objective

To check if their requirement and

your objective match

Education

To check if you have the basic

qualification for the job

Practical Experience / Projects

To see if you have done anything

that reflects your potential
capability. Also, to see how
different you are from your peers

UNDERSTANDING THE
RESUME: SECTIONS
Section

What is the employer

looking for

Skills

How equipped you are in terms

of your personality traits as well
as communication skills

Interests

Professional aspects apart, how

meaningful is your life

Others

Is there anything else significant

and relevant you want to
showcase, that will add value to
your resume

STEP 2 RESUME HEADER

Purpose You need to give some basic

information about yourself so that they can
contact you.
Guidelines
Fields to include: Name, Current address,
email id, phone number, date of Birth
(optional)
Write your name in a bigger font (also make it
bold) than the other text

STEP 2 RESUME HEADER

(DONTS)

Do Not Include your photo

Do Not write Resume as a heading to the
file.
Do not give unnecessary details like family
information, marital status, etc.
Do not add these details at the bottom of your
resume.
Do not occupy much space to fill up these
details

OBJECTIVE

Heading on Resume: Objective

Purpose To convey to your employer
what your goal is . It should be aimed
towards getting a particular position
in a specific industry.

GUIDELINES
Your objective should include the following:
1. Position wanted
2. Functional area
3. Industry wanted
Be specific and crisp. Restrict it to 15 words.
Your objective will be different for each role you
apply
Keep the Employer's requirement in mind
while writing the objective! The objective is
not about what you desire from the company, its
about the company's need.

FRAMING THE OBJECTIVE

Examples :
To acquire a demanding position as a Management
Trainee with HSBC utilizing accounting skills and
business education to provide the best level of
support to organization.
A position as a Human Resources Intern utilizing
and expanding relevant education while
contributing to the company through exceptional
HR skills, knowledge and capabilities.

GUIDELINES (CONTD.)

Qualifica School/
tion
College

Univer Year
sity/Bo
ard

Post
APJIMTC Punjab
Graduatio
Technic
n
al
Univers
ity
Graduatio
n
Class 12
Class 10

Stream/
Score
Degree,
Specialization

PROJECTS,
INTERNSHIPS ETC.

The Next part of your resume will include the real

hands-on work that you have done. This includes
Projects, Internships , In-plant Training, Parttime jobs, Volunteering, Starting up a company
and other initiatives you have taken.
Based on the number and the nature of initiatives
you have taken, you can take a call on whether to
have a single heading for this or list them under
multiple headings.

PROJECTS, INTERNSHIPS ETC.

Guidelines :
You can include the following headings Title/project name, role , Company /Organization
Name, 1-2 line description (brief and specific)
time period.
Time period is a must.
The entries under each heading must be in a
reverse-chronological order.
Be very specific on what you've accomplished.
Add numbers and tangible /factual results where
ever possible

PROJECTS, INTERNSHIPS,
ETC.

Examples

Academic Project: Model recycling system to treat

Kitchen wastes (Jan 2008 April 2008)
Designed a model Liquid waste recycling system to
treat and completely reuse the liquid wastes from the
college kitchens for irrigation in the nearby agricultural
land. Volume: 10000 lit/day
The college has presently implemented this model on a
small scale. This will be scaled up on successful
operation for one year.

SKILLS
Heading on Resume:
You can have multiple headings under Skills.
Common headings that you can include are:
1.Soft Skills: Must include
2.Core/Occupational Skills: Optional. Include if
you possess any core skills.
3.IT Skills: Optional. Advisable to include this if
you are applying for IT/Software related roles.

SKILLS
Purpose
Soft Skills: To showcase your personality traits
Core Skills: These are skills you possess relevant
to the role you are applying for (Occupational
skills)

SKILLS
Examples
Leadership: Led a team of 10 students during
an campaign for WWF India to implement a "no
plastic" solution for 20 small retail stores in
Chennai.
Adobe Photoshop: I designed 5 event posters
and 6 promotional flyers during my stints with
Chennai Event Managers, Radio One and
Chennaionline.com

WEB PRESENCE
Guidelines
Make sure that any of the links that you provide are
professional and do not have content may turn off the
employer.
Examples
My Linkedin Profile:
http://in.linkedin.com/in/rahulprabhakarlinkedin
(4 Recommendations)
My Blog: Marketing Magic (14 Blog Entries)
This dedicated to my ideas, thoughts and the learning in
Marketing. I have been updating my blog since Jun 2012
Link: http://Marketingmagik.blogspot.com/

WEB PRESENCE
Tip
If you dont already have a profile on LinkedIn, go
create one and get good recommendation on it.
Do Not
DO NOT add your Orkut , Facebook , Twitter
or other social networking accounts on your
resume. That is the last thing your employer
would want to see

INTERESTS
Examples
Im an avid trekker and an active member of the
Bangalore Trekking Club (BTC) and completed 12
treks with them
Im passionate about running and an active member of
the Chennai Runners and I have run two marathons
so far.
Do Not
Do Not just list a random cluster of interests like:
Adventure, guitar, reading, environment
Never include interests such as partying, watching
movies, etc. They create a wrong impression.

STEP 9
FINISHING
TOUCHES
Youre Done! With your First
Draft! Now What?

EXAMPLES

Communication Skills
Computer and Technical Literacy
Interpersonal Skills
Adaptability
Research Skills
Project Management Skills
Problem Solving skills
Process Improvement expertise
Strong Work Ethics (Taking Initiative)
Emotional Intelligence

TOP SOFT SKILLS

EMPLOYERS LOOK FOR
1. Communications Skills
2. Analytical/Research Skills.
3. Flexibility/Adaptability
4. Time Management Abilities/Managing Multiple
Priorities.
5. Willingness to learn
6. Taking Initiative
7. Leadership/Management Skills
8. Planning/Organizing
9. Problem-Solving/Reasoning/Creativity.
10.Team Player

TOP SOFT SKILLS

EMPLOYERS LOOK FOR
11. Handling pressure well
12. Adaptability/Flexibility.
13. Dedication/Hard-Working
14. Dependable/Responsible
15. Loyalty
16. Positive Attitude
17. Self-Confidence
18. Self-Motivated/Self-Supervising
19. Interpersonal Abilities
20. People Skills

SKILLS AND STRENGTHS

(EXAMPLES)

Exceptionally Fast Learner- Eager to develop

knowledge and experience in the ABC Industry.
Organized and Detail oriented- a keen eye for
details
Able to follow directions and meet new challenges
Good in developing interpersonal skills open
minded and insightful.
Very dynamic, analytical, articulate, accurate and
flexible

SKILLS AND STRENGTHS

Strong Writing abilities rapid with keyboard

Dedicated to improving skills; able to quickly
learn new concepts.

ACTION VERBS (BY SKILL

CATEGORIES)
Communication /
People Skills
Addressed
Advertised
Arbitrated
Arranged
Articulated
Authored
Clarified
Collaborated

Communicated
Composed
Condensed
Conferred
Consulted
Contacted
Conveyed
Convinced
Corresponded
Debated

ACTION VERBS (BY SKILL

CATEGORIES)

Defined
Developed
Directed
Discussed
Drafted
Edited
Elicited
Enlisted
Explained
Expressed
Formulated
Furnished
Incorporated

Explained
Expressed
Formulated
Furnished
Incorporated
Influenced
Interacted
Interpreted
Interviewed
Involved
Joined

ACTION VERBS (BY SKILL

CATEGORIES)

Judged
Lectured
Listened
Marketed
Mediated
Moderated
Negotiated
Observed
Outlined
Participated
Persuaded
Presented
Promoted

Proposed
Publicized
Reconciled
Recruited
Referred
Reinforced
Reported
Resolved
Responded
Solicited
Specified
Spoke

ACTION VERBS (BY SKILL

CATEGORIES)

Suggested
Summarized
Synthesized
Translated
Wrote

CREATIVE SKILLS

Acted
Adapted
Began
Combined
Composed
Conceptualized
Condensed
Created

Customized
Designed
Developed
Directed
Displayed
Drew
Entertained
Established
Fashioned
Formulated

CREATIVE SKILLS

Founded
Illustrated
Initiated
Instituted
Integrated
Introduced
Invented
Modeled

Modified
Originated
Performed
Photographed
Planned
Revised
Revitalized
Shaped
Solved

DATA / FINANCIAL SKILLS

Administered
Adjusted
Allocated
Analyzed
Appraised
Assessed
Audited
Balanced

Budgeted
Calculated
Computed
Conserved
Corrected
Determined
Developed
Estimated
Forecasted
Managed

DATA/ FINANCIAL SKILLS

Marketed
Measured
Netted
Planned
Prepared
Programmed
Projected

Qualified
Reconciled
Reduced
Researched
Retrieved

HELPING SKILLS

Adapted
Advocated
Aided
Answered
Arranged
Assessed
Assisted
Clarified

Coached
Collaborated
Contributed
Cooperated
Counseled
Demonstrated
Diagnosed
Educated
Encouraged

HELPING SKILLS

Ensured
Expedited
Facilitated
Familiarized
Furthered
Guided
Helped
Insured
Intervened
Motivated

Prevented
Provided
Referred
Rehabilitated
Represented
Resolved
Simplified
Supplied
Supported
Voluntereed

MANAGEMENT / LEADERSHIP
SKILLS

Administered
Analyzed
Appointed
Approved
Assigned
Attained
Authorized
Chaired
Considered
Consolidated
Contracted
Controlled
Converted
Coordinated

Decided
Delegated
Developed
Directed
Eliminated
Emphasized
Enforced
Enhanced
Established
Executed
Generated
Handled
Headed

MANAGEMENT / LEADERSHIP
SKILLS

Hired
Hosted
Improved
Incorporated
Increased
Initiated
Inspected
Instituted

Led
Managed
Merged
Motivated
Navigated
Organized
Originated
Overhauled
Oversaw

MANAGEMENT / LEADERSHIP
SKILLS

Planned
Presided
Prioritized
Produced
Recommended
Reorganized
Replaced

Reviewed
Scheduled
Secured
Selected
Streamlined
Strengthened
Supervised
Terminated

ORGANIZATIONAL SKILLS

Approved
Arranged
Catalogued
Categorized
Charted
Classified
Coded
Collected

Compiled
Corrected
Corresponded
Distributed
Executed
Filed
Generated
Incorporated
Inspected

ORGANIZATIONAL SKILLS

Logged
Maintained
Monitored
Obtained
Operated
Ordered
Organized
Prepared
Processed
Provided
Purchased
Recorded
Registered

Reserved
Responded
Reviewed
Routed
Scheduled
Screened
Submitted
Supplied
Standardized
Systematized
Updated
Validated

RESEARCH SKILLS

Analyzed
Clarified
Collected
Compared
Conducted
Critiqued
Detected
Determined
Diagnosed
Evaluated
Examined
Experimented
Explored
Extracted

Invented
Investigated
Located
Measured
Organized
Researched
Reviewed
Searched
Solved
Summarized
Surveyed
Systematized
Tested

TEACHING SKILLS

Adapted
Advised
Clarified
Coached
Communicated
Conducted
Coordinated
Critiqued
Developed
Enabled
Encouraged

Evaluated
Explained
Facilitated
Focused
Guided
Individualized
Informed
Instilled
Instructed
Motivated
Persuaded
Simulated
Stimulated

TEACHING SKILLS

Taught
Tested
Trained
Transmitted
Tutored

TECHNICAL SKILLS

Adapted
Applied
Assembled
Built
Calculated
Computed
Conserved
Constructed
Converted
Debugged

Designed
Determined
Developed
Engineered
Fabricated
Fortified
Installed
Maintained
Operated
Overhauled

TECHNICAL SKILLS

Printed
Programmed
Rectified
Regulated
Repaired
Replaced
Restored

Solved
Specialized
Standardized
Studied
Upgraded
Utilized

EXAMPLES

Being Dependable
Coaching Co-workers
Being flexible and focused
Being Creative and Innovative
Developing new work processes
Taking Initiative