Concise Language Adds Punch to a Resume Interviewers quickly scan a resume in about 40 seconds to learn about a job candidate's skills, accomplishments, and attributes. Because interviewers spend such a short time reading resumes, the writing must be

Question

direct and simple. Victor, a recent college graduate, is applying for a job and has written the following sentences in his résumé to describe his accomplishments. I was a receptionist at a doctor's family medical practice. My work included taking appointments, filing charts, answering phones, and running errands. I was a sales person at a hardware store where I worked with selling windows, doors, tools and other customer service. I eventually became a manager at the hardware store, ordering products and supplies, as well as supervised five employees. I spent two summers working at the university's admission office, showing prospective students the campus and answering phones and other clerical duties. I was a summer camp counselor with kids that have special needs. My responsibilities included handling special activities and providing daily assistance to kids as needed. Required: Rewrite Victor's work experience section of his résumé so that it is more effective.

Answer 1

Rewording will be direct and use action verbs to begin phrases that are shown in bulleted lists. "I" will be omitted. Locations and dates should be added.

Work Experience:

Receptionist for physician's practice, [location], [date]
* Handled appointments
* Filed patient records
* Answered telephones
* Performed other clerical duties

Salesperson for hardware store, [location], [date]
* Provided customer service
* Sold doors/windows
* Answered product questions
* Handled customer queries and complaints

Manager for hardware store, [location], [date]
* Supervised five employees
* Developed work schedules
* Managed inventory
* Placed orders
* Assisted customers

Student assistant for university admissions office, [location], [date]
* Conducted tours of campus
* Answered telephone
* Performed clerical duties

Counselor at summer camp, [location], [date]
* Supervised needs of children with special needs
* Planned and coordinated regular activities for children
* Provided assistance with routine life skills as required by each child