SIGNIFICANCE OF RESUME:Major types of resumes, Electronic Submission of the RÃ©sumÃ©

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Human Relations MGMT611

Lesson 27

SIGNIFICANCE OF RESUME

What is a Resume?

Resume is the first meeting between an employee and a prospective employer. Resumes introduce the

applicant with the prospective employer. It is the document which encloses the educational qualification,

relevant work experience, and personal detail of a person submitted to an employer or some other authority

for securing a job. Writing a good quality resume is necessary for getting a better job. There are no hard and

fast rules of writing a resume. The purpose of the resume is to get to know the applicant. The employers

assess the applicants through resumes first and then they might call the short listed applicants for interview.

Therefore the resume should be written in an effective manner so that the prospective employer could have

the first good impression of the applicant. Resume is a French word. It is also called curriculum vitae.

Forms of contact

Resume is a form of communication. Communication helps build relationships. As we know,

communication is defined as any act by which one person gives to or receives from another person,

information about that person's needs, desires, perceptions, and knowledge. So, the objective of a resume is

to let others know about you. We can communicate in a number of ways, which are as follows:

Written

Spoken

CV (curriculum vitae)

Letter

Good relationships emerge due to proper communication. If we are capable of communicating our message

in an effective manner, then possibly we can convince the prospective employer to call us for the interview.

Our resume may probably be the first point of contact. It is said first impression is the lasting impression.

Therefore, the resume should be precise, concise and effective.

Major types of resumes

It must be kept in mind that the major purpose of a résumé is to help you obtain a job interview, not a job.

A challenge in preparing an effective résumé is to suit many different preferences, such as length and

amount of detail about job experience.

Writing a resume is an art. It is written in various types and forms. Some of its popular forms are:

The chronological résumé presents facts in reverse chronological order. Start from present job or

position and move date wise backward. This type of resume is mostly popular in our country. In

this type of resume the problem is sometimes with the filling up the gaps. When a year or two do

not show what you have been doing does not leave a good impression on the prospective

employer. These gaps should be filled sensibly telling what you have been doing, e.g. you were

busy with your father's business, or you were on foreign tour etc.

The functional résumé organizes skills and accomplishments into the function performed. If you

have worked in any organization, the skill and expertise you have learnt is mentioned. For example

you can tell that you have team making skills or you can organize events.

The targeted résumé focuses on a specific job target and only presents information relevant to

that target. Whichever résumé format you choose, it is best to place your most saleable asset first.

What is needed and what you have to offer, should be mentioned first. Focus on yourself and find

those events in your life that depict your capabilities and skills needed for that particular job. If

there is a match between your skills and the requirements of the employer it can be helpful to get a

job interview. Microsoft Word contains résumé formats worthy of consideration.

The creative resume presents skills in a creative form. A creative-style résumé is one with a novel

format and design. Resume should be creative not created (not the one that creates false facts). It

is best suited for jobs with a specific emphasis on creativity. The generally accepted approach is to

be creative when submitting résumés. Job seekers should be aware that many employers verify

facts presented on a résumé.

The gimmickry resume is also to get the attention of the prospective employer. When your

background does not fit the position, emphasize skills and experiences that would contribute to

Human Relations MGMT611

success in the job under consideration. When you do not have the experience or skill directly

required for the particular job, you can mention your skills that are relevant for that specific job.

These are various forms of resume, which differ from each other according to the objectives of the resume.

Since organizational structures are changing, job requirements are also changing. Employers look for

specific skills from the employees, according to the nature of the job, e.g. computer know how is

considered a must for a desk job these days. A good resume should include all the skills and qualifications

that you can offer and the prospective employers are interested in. Resumes must include what is needed in

today's work environment or what are the requirements of the organization. Resume styles are changing

with the changing environment and needs of the organizations. In today's world emphasis is given on the

knowledge of information technology, values, ethics, and skills, having the characteristics of a team player

and also knowing a foreign language.

Introduction to Resume

The employer might be asked as to the type of references required, or for recent graduates, references

might be left on file in the placement office. Personal references are given so that the prospective employer

could get information about you. References of only those people should be given who know you

personally. The new job seekers can mention the names along with their positions, and titles of the teachers,

supervisors or head of the departments as referees.

A new emphasis in résumé construction is to incorporate your values into the presentation of yourself

because of the intensified interest in ethics in business. Show you are an effective worker. The personal

interest section can help demonstrate your values because people engage in activities they think are

important.

How to Handle the Job Objective Section

The job objective section should be divided into short--and long-range objectives. The objective section

often has to be tailored to the specific job under consideration. A young applicant with less or no

experience for the specific job can mention tactfully his/her future plans of what he/she wants to be. For

example you can say, "I like to excel in information technology"; etc. Goals should be realistic.

Electronic Submission of the Résumé

Not every prospective employer can or is willing to accept compressed files. The easiest approach is to

submit your résumé as a Microsoft Word document or plain text file.

Yet, some companies will not open attached files because of concerns about computer viruses. As a last

resort, copy your résumé directly into the e-mail document.

References:

Dubrin, A.J. (2005). Human Relations for Career and Personal Success. Upper Saddle River, New Jersey,

07458.

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