Resume Information

The main objective of your resume is to market yourself to a prospective employer. ChemSkill Consultants will also use the information given in your resume to match your skills to relevant positions. The following is a list of recommended guidelines to assist you in creating or modifying your resume.

Resume Content

Your resume should include your name, address, contact phone numbers, email address, objective, educational qualifications and professional development, technical skills and attributes, work experience or relevant practical work at university, activities and interests.
NOTE: The people who read your resume are interested in whether, based on what they read, you deserve serious consideration as a candidate.

Relevant and Personal Information

Include only relevant information in your resume.
- Don't include the name of your primary school.
- Don't include details about your children.

Create a Professional Look

- Avoid using coloured ink.
- Don't crowd the pages. i.e. lots of white space.
- Information should be presented in short, easy-to-read paragraphs or points.
*The typeface should be simple and easy to read.
* Use bullets and bold font for emphasis.

Describe your Previous Positions

Provide adequate but concise details for each role including:
*Date of employment (month and year).
*Position title.
*Company name and site location.
*Scope of the position including functions you performed, equipment used and skill level involved, number of people you have supervised.
*Achievements in the role - the impact of what you did or your accomplishments

List Your Skills

Provide a list of your capabilities or acquired skills - laboratory skills, instrumentation, supervisory experience, computer skills, familiarity with quality systems.

Referees

Unless you are specifically requested to supply referees, you should not supply them. Provide a statement such as "Referees available upon request". You should take a list of referees to the interview with business hour contact numbers. Let your referees know that you are presenting for an interview and provide them with as much information as possible. After the interview, contact each referee to pass on any information that you obtained so that they can tailor their answers to the position requirements

Use Appropriate Language

Describe your accomplishments but don't simply list adjectives that proclaim how wonderful you are. Be professional and business like. The most effective resumes are written in plain, simple language.

Resume Language

*Power words make a strong first impression and can show that you are a proactive individual who achieves results.
*Action words can be used to describe the jobs you've undertaken, your duties, etc.
* Examples include: co-ordinated, developed, established, initiated, introduced, managed
- Back up every statement with a concise example.
Employers are usually looking for particular qualities, such as good communication skills, organisational skills, language skills, initiative, flexibility, teamwork and the ability to cope with pressure. When applying for positions, pick out the skills required and demonstrate that you have them.

Understand the Position

- Read the job description carefully and make a list of:
* Required attributes
* Preferred attributes
* Other details - Company philosophy etc.
- Find out more about the Company by:
* Looking at the Company web site
* Networking

Customise your Application

- Modify your resume:
* Rearrange, reword, and remove material to fit the job description.
* Prioritise information or elaborate on details appropriate to the position.
- Write a targeted cover letter.

Review Your Application

- Does your application address the job criteria?
- Is the content appropriate?
- Is it comprehensive and concise?
- Have you signed the cover letter?
Note: Keep a copy of what you send!

Proof Read

- Are the documents free of typo's?
* Correct spelling of the Company name, contact name, addresses, phone numbers etc.

Sending Resumes by Email

*What Does Your Email Address Say To Employers?
If you're not sure what kind of message your email address conveys, get feedback from friends and even some employers.
If your "real" email address is one that employers may judge negatively, consider getting another, more professional sounding, address through a free email service.
Most employers would almost certainly look more favourably on a basic email address using your name, such as mwhite@hotmail.com, than an address such as worksucks@yahoo.com.

After you've been working for a while, your employer may be more likely to appreciate the real you and your quirky personality or offbeat sense of humour. But until then, consider playing it safe if you want to get the job.

Tips For Email Etiquette

*Watch your words.
*Don't make negative comments.
*Don't send "spam" emails (Internet lingo for junk mail).
- When sending unsolicited e-mails, make sure that there is value to the recipient. If you don't, they may very well consider it "spam", and delete it unread.
* There is no such thing as a private e-mail.
- The general rule of thumb is do not send personal or confidential e-mails.
*Keep attachments to a minimum.
- The larger the attached document, the longer it takes to download and the more memory space it fills on a recipient's computer.
*Never assume anything.
- While you may be familiar with Internet lingo and various emoticons, like the popular smiley face :-), don't assume the recipient is.
*Think twice before hitting "reply to all."
- Consider who really needs to hear your response. Most often, the original author of the e-mail is the only person to which you need reply.
*If your message doesn't need a response, let the recipient know. Say something like "No reply necessary" at the end of your message or even in the subject line.
*Don't send e-mails that simply say "Thanks" or "OK." Remember that even in this digital age, nothing replaces an in-person "thank-you" message or handwritten note.