Resume Hints

Not sure what to include in your resume? Answer these questions to zero in on your most valuable skills and experiences:

Some basics:

• How many years’ experience in your field do you have? (You can be general if it’s many, as in “More than 20 years experience…”)
• What specific skills have you developed?
• Are you a Subject Matter Expert at work or in your field? Do coworkers or friends always come to you for any particular kind of help?
• What computer platforms, operating systems and software programs do you know?
• What other tools do you use or have you used in your jobs?
• Have you ever published an article or report in your company or professional association newsletter?
• Have you ever given a professional presentation or led a training session at work or in the community?
• Do you have any two-year, four-year or post graduate degrees? Was your grade point noteworthy? Were you on the Dean’s List?
• If you don’t have a degree, did you complete any college coursework in areas related to your field?
• What foreign languages do you know and what is your level of skill in each?
• Have you ever studied or worked in a foreign country?
• Do you have military experience? Discharge? Duties? Accomplishments? Medals, citations, commendations?

Responsibilities, activities, results:

• How many people did you supervise? Hire? Train? Mentor?
• How large of a budget did you manage?
• How many departments were you responsible for, and where?
• To whom do you report (title only)?
• What was the highest level of supervisor or executive in the company to whom you reported or with whom you communicated?
• Have you been involved in any strategic planning or quality-improvement programs at your company? What was your role, and what were the results?
• Have you served as a liaison or mediator between groups or individuals?
• Were you involved in creating, reviewing, adjusting or implementing policies or procedures?
• Were you a key player in the delivery of a product or service?
• Did you communicate with customers? How?
• Were you on any proposal teams? Did the proposal succeed?
• What other results did you achieve individually or as part of a team? (Think of quantifiable results such as money earned or saved, time saved, percentage of goals reached, market share captured, etc.)
• Were you back-up for anyone?
• Did you conduct any surveys or studies?
• Did you prepare recommendations?
• Did you design or manage any processes, systems, or projects?
• Did you organize any events, conferences or meetings?
• Were you invited to give a speech or presentation on a professional topic?
• Did you consult for anyone inside or outside the organization?
• What kind of written and verbal communication did you participate in?

Recognition:

• Have you received any monthly or annual awards for top performance? Give details.
• Were you recognized in any other way for top performance? By whom?
• Were you promoted ahead of the usual rate?
• Did you break any company records?
• Were you recognized for your work by any local, regional or national organizations or publications?
• Were you selected to take part in any special skill development programs at the company?