YOUR
RESUME
A poorly written resume is why
most persons never get an interview. Most employers spend anywhere from 10-30 seconds looking at
your resume, so it is very important that you take the time to make it
stand out from all the others. Keep it neat, clean and to
the point -- Preferably limit your resume to only one page.
The most commonly used types
of resumes are the Chronological, the Functional, and the Professional
resume. There is another modified style that we recommend, which
combines characteristics from each style of resume. We call this style the Modified Chronological Resume.
We would
recommend that you try using any combination of styles that best suits your experience and skills.
There are many free
templates on the Internet. Ask to look at some of the resumes of
successful BIT students or alumni in our membership listing.
You will find our BIT Alumni are quite willing to help share advice and
stories gained from their experiences.
The Modified Chronological is best for
persons who have worked in the trades for a several years. It
allows the reader to quickly scan your experience and see a progression
in skills, knowledge, and team building abilities. It is the one
favored by the several of our past BITAA presidents. The most
important points should be on top: your NAME, (and contact information),
followed by your Certifications. and Degree(s), your skills and then
supported by the chronological evidence of your work experience.
The Functional resume has the
following sections: It has the Objectives section, several
sections to list your previous experience and accomplishments in your
working career, the employment history section, education and references
sections. This resume would seem to be best utilized if you have little
or no job specific experience, such as a college student who is changing
careers.
The Professional resume
appears to be geared to accommodate job skills and experience in the job
market you are applying to. It starts with your professional background
and education specifically for the position applied for. Then comes the
Skills section followed by the Experience section. Finally there is the
Education and references sections.
For all resumes , the three
areas to really focus on are:
- Certifications + Professional
Training (i.e., AS or BS Degree)
- People Skills dealing with
difficult persons and working with others team members
-
Skills/Experience/Accomplishments with a proven, dependable work
ethic.
Suggestion:
We don't know if you had already heard
this, but one of the things that we think is a waste of space (and a
waste of the readers time) is the "Objectives" or "Summary" paragraph at
the top of a resume. It should be evident by your certifications and
academic achievements what your goals are. Why else would you be
getting a degree in Building Inspection Technology and have gotten
certified unless you wanted to work in this profession? So put your
certifications first and education second, followed by a knock-out work
background.
Suggestions for
Skills/Experience/Accomplishments:
Unlike the competitive market,
government is not profit driven but "SERVICE" oriented. We are
"public servants". Show how you work well with people and
other team members. Show that you are a problem solver, and a
dependable worker, with a work ethic and moral fortitude that will
not be compromised. Good People Skills, Ethics, and Honest,
Dependable Work Habits are the top attributes sought for by most
jurisdictions. Certifications and code knowledge are
something they can give you. But the employer can not
give you "good people skills", make you honest, dependable, or
give you a good work ethic. You must already possess them if
you want to get an interview and a job.
Things to do:
- Keep resume neat and
easy to scan
- Make it easy to read (no
jargon or acronyms)
- Keep it short
- Relate your objective to
the position you are seeking
- NO mistakes or typos - and check
your dates, references, and facts for errors
- Keep a list of
references available
- Send a cover letter
(unless requested not to)
- Print on white or
off-white quality paper
- Use matching business
envelopes
Things NOT to do:
- Lack of blank space - too much text is hard to read, be concise
- Typos and incorrect grammar - you look sloppy or lazy for not
checking
- Only list hobbies and activities that show your strengths
- Fail to include references
- Do not volunteer health, race, age or marital status, it is
irrelevant
