15 Exercises on Resume Writing

Use the space that follows to provide the information indicated.

Exercise 1: Identifying Information

Name: _______________________________________________
(if a married woman, include married and maiden name.)

Address: _____________________________________________
(Street and number, city, state and zip code.)

Home Phone: _________________________________________

(Be sure to give area code.)

Business Phone: _______________________________________

(Be sure to give area code.)

Note: If your business phone is confidential, state that; for example: Business

phone: (212) 555-1280 (confidential).

Exercise 2: Resume Capsule

The resume capsule, as with the job objective, is an optional feature. However,

one or the other must be used if you are trying to change careers. Use this

1
space to write a resume capsule, whether you decided to use it on your final

resume or not.

_____________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________

Exercise 3: Job Objective

Remember,the job objective is optional. If used, keep it brief. The only time

it must be used is if you are trying to change careers.

_____________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________

Exercise 4: Employment History

Your employment history should be listed in reverse chronological order.

Name of Company: __________________________________________

Address of Company: ________________________________________

__________________________________________________________

2
Job Title: __________________________________________________

Dates: Description of Responsibilities:________________________

From: To:

(Month/Year) (Month/Year) _______________________________________________

_______ ________ _______________________________________

_______________________________________

_______________________________________

_______________________________________

Name of Company: __________________________________________

Address of Company: ________________________________________

__________________________________________________________

Job Title: __________________________________________________

Dates: Description of Responsibilities:________________________

From: To:

(Month/Year) (Month/Year) _______________________________________________

_______ ________ _______________________________________

_______________________________________

_______________________________________

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 _______________________________________

Name of Company: __________________________________________

Address of Company: ________________________________________

__________________________________________________________

Job Title: __________________________________________________

Dates: Description of Responsibilities:________________________

From: To:

(Month/Year) (Month/Year) _______________________________________________

_______ ________ _______________________________________

_______________________________________

_______________________________________

_______________________________________

Exercise 5: Educational History

List your education as you did your employment history in reverse

chronological order. Your most advanced degree or or your most recent

education is first. Be sure to list all pertinent details--dates, degrees earned,

educational institutions attended, and so on.

Advanced degree

4
Dates: ____________________________________
(Name of University)

From To ____________________________________
(year) (year) (Address of University)

______ ______ ____________________________________

(Degrees or credits earned)

Undergraduate Degree

Dates: ____________________________________
(Name of University)

From To ____________________________________
(year) (year) (Address of University)

______ ______ ____________________________________

(Degrees or credits earned)

________________________________________________

(Major) (Minor)

Exercise 6: Personal Information

Publication and Major Achievement: ______________________________

___________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________

Foreign Language or any other special skills:________________________

5
___________________________________________________________

Exercise 7: References

Though the names of your references should never be included on your

resume, it is a good idea to assemble your data at the time you are preparing

your resume have a minimum of three people as references. It is advisable to

include a statement that references will be furnished upon request.

Note: List the complete address--street and number, city, state, and zip code.

Give area code with telephone number.

Name of Reference: __________________________________________

Position: ___________________________________________________

Company Affiliation: __________________________________________

Company Address: ___________________________________________

___________________________________________________________

Business Phone and Extension: __________________________________

Name of Reference: __________________________________________

Position: ___________________________________________________

Company Affiliation: __________________________________________

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Company Address: ___________________________________________

___________________________________________________________

Business Phone and Extension: __________________________________

Name of Reference: __________________________________________

Position: ___________________________________________________

Company Affiliation: __________________________________________

Company Address: ___________________________________________

________________________________________________________

Create your own resume. Using different layouts.

Exercise 8: Layout #1

Name

Street Address

City, State, Zip code

Home Phone #

Business Phone #

Employment History

7
________________ Job Title

From (date) ______ Name of Company

to present _______ Address of Company

________________ Write out duties and responsibilities of job in question.

________________ Job Title

From (date) ______ Name of Company

to present _______ Address of Company

________________ Write out duties and responsibilities of job in question.

_______________ Job Title

From (date) ______ Name of Company

to present _______ Address of Company

________________ Write out duties and responsibilities of job in question.

Educational History

From (date) ______ Name of College

to (date) ________ Address of College

_______________ Degree Earned

Reference: On Request

Exercise 9: Layout #2

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Name _____________________________________________________

Street Address ______________________________________________

City, State, Zip code _________________________________________

Home Phone # ____________________________________________

Business Phone # __________________________________________

Employment History

________________ Job Title

From (date) ______ Name of Company

to present _______ Address of Company

________________ Duties and responsibilities of job written out.

________________ Job Title

From (date) ______ Name of Company

to present _______ Address of Company

________________ Duties and responsibilities of job written out.

Educational History

From (date) ______ Name of College

to (date) ________ Address of College

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_______________ Graduate Degree

From (date) ______ Name of College

to (date) ________ Address of College

_______________ Undergraduate Degree

References: Available on Request

Exercise 10: Layout #3

Name _____________________________________________________

Street Address ______________________________________________

City, State, Zip code _________________________________________

Home Phone # _____________________________________________

Business Phone # ___________________________________________

Career Objective

To use the experience gained in . . .

Educational History

Name of College ________________________ From (date) ______

Address of College ______________________ to (date) ________

Advanced Degree _______________________

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Name of College ________________________ From (date) ______

Address of College ______________________ to (date) ________

Bachelor’s Degree _______________________

Employment History

Job Title

Name of Company: ______________________ From (date) ______

Address of Company: ____________________ to present ________

Description of duties and responsibilities in the above company.

Job Title

Name of Company: ______________________ From (date) ______

Address of Company: ____________________ to present ________

Description of duties and responsibilities in the above company.

Job Title

Name of Company: ______________________ From (date) ______

Address of Company: ____________________ to present ________

11
 Description of duties and responsibilities in the above company.

References: Available on Request.

Exercise 11: Layout #4

______________________________ Name

Street Address

City, State, Zip code

Home Phone #

Business Phone #

Employment History

Job Title

Name and Address of Company ___________________________

Description of job, giving duties and responsibilities.

From (date) to present _______________

Job Title

Name and Address of Company ___________________________

Description of job, giving duties and responsibilities.

From (date) to present _______________

12
Educational History

Name and Address of College _____________________________

Degree Received From (date) to (date) ________________

References: Available on Request

Exercise 12: Layout #5

Name

Street Address Home Phone #

City, State, Zip code Business Phone #

Career Objective To work as a . . .

Employment History

From (date) _________ Job Title-Name of Company _______

to Present __________ Address of Company ________

Description of duties and responsibilities

in this position.

From (date) _________ Job Title-Name of Company _______

to Present __________ Address of Company ________

13
 Description of duties and responsibilities

in this position.

From (date) _________ Job Title-Name of Company _______

to Present __________ Address of Company ________

Description of duties and responsibilities

in this position.

Educational History Degree-Name of College __________

Address of College __________

References Furnished on Request

Exercise 13: Build your foundation

1. What kind of information is left out of each of the following resume

excerpts?

a. Identification c. Education

Maria Valencia Danville Technical College

589 Mohican Avenue Associate in Applied Science

Providence, RI GPA: 3-5/4-0

b. Experience d. Major resume headings

Denton’s Sport Shop, Work Experience

York, NE Skills

14
 Ordered Inventory Volunteer Work

Kept business ledger Professional Affiliations

Calculated Payroll

2. For each situation, decide whether a chronological or functional

resume is appropriate. Suggest possible sections/headings for each

situation.

a. Boota worked for eight years as a dental hygienist. She stopped

working for ten years while her children were small. She worked

part-time in a day care center for three of those years and

volunteered at her children’s schools. She also kept the accounting

ledger for her husband’s restaurant. Now at 38, she has just

completed an associate degree in accounting with a GPA of 3.9.

b. Marcine just graduated with a degree in occupational therapy.

Before she went to school, she worked as a carpenter’s helper.

c. Lyle retired from Air Force two years ago and has taken a few

marketing courses. As a teenager and young adult, he worked in

his father’s printing company. He is applying to be a sales

representative for a publishing company.

3. For Francisco’s resume, right the Work Experience section for the

following three jobs. They span approximately five years. Make up any

information that is missing.

15
 a. Francisco worked at Oleander Juice Bar. He took orders for and

prepared juice drinks. He also operated the cash register and

balanced the register each night. He became the crew manager

after six months.

b. Francisco worked for complete Lawn Care. He mowed lawns for

several businesses and residences. Part of his job included

trimming bushes and raking leaves. He learned how to plant

flowers and bushes and to apply insecticides and fertilizer.

c. Working for Lucky Horse Stables, he groomed horses; cleaned out

the stalls; fed, walked, and trained horses; and provided them

with basic medical care.

4. Help the following individuals word their job objective statements.

a. Lara wants to work as a nurse practitioner. She likes children and

has experience working in a children’s hospital.

b. Henri has credentials in electronics and theater and is currently

enrolled in an audio engineer program. He wants to work the

sound system for musical groups.

c. Molly’s goal is to work with children with autism. She is applying

to a highly renowned educational center.

5. Revise the following description of work history to reduce the number

of words. Make sure you use parallel structure.

16
 a. HVAC Technician: I installed air conditioning systems, including

running the duct work and running and connecting electrical and

gas supply lines. Assisted in construction of storage facility. We

were offered contracts to replace insulation on hurricane-

damaged homes.

b. Recording Engineer: To edit and master recordings in CD-R media.

Work to design package and labeling CDs. Produce and sell CDs

at public concerts. Operated PA and computerized lighting

systems for Little Theater Productions.

c. Music Director: I directed choir during rehearsals and

performances and selected music for weekly performances for the

choir. Also, I ordered music from companies. When there was a

special occasion. I put together a canata of musical selections. The

organ and piano I played them, too, and sometimes handbells.

Oh, and I sang for weddings.

6. Zeno is preparing to apply for a construction job. On his worksheet,

he has listed the following seven people as possible references. Read

the description and help him decide which references to use.

❏ Jack Garriete: Zeno’s high school drafting teacher

❏ Rosie Montero: Zeno’s neighbor and an administrative assistant

at the high school

17
 ❏ Dr.Gretchen Walker: head of local Habitat for Humanity, for which

Zeno has volunteered (Habitat for Humanity helps build and

finance houses for people who could not otherwise afford them.)

❏ Rochelle Currier: Zeno’s neighbor and an architect; she

supervised a high school construction project on which Zeno

worked

❏ Roy Janak: manager of Kemp Building Supplies; sold supplies to

Zeno

❏ Meredith McDougan: Zeno’s 12th-grade English teacher

❏ Chevron Tucker: Zeno’s uncle and a member of the clergy

Follow the instruction.

Exercise 14:

1. Pretend you have just completed the degree (with a high GPA) you

have always wanted. Create a resume to apply for your dream job.

2. Write a functional resume highlighting your skills for a job in your

field. Use Juanita’s resume as a model.

3. Rewrite the resume you wrote for item 1 and 2 as an electronic

resume. Choose between text file resume or a scannable resume.

18
 4. Write a resume for someone who has been in the workforce for at

least five years. Take note to assess this person’s strengths using the

questions at the beginning of the chapter. Ask the employee to give

you a description of a job he or she would l;ike to have along with a job

objective. Does this person need a chronological or a functional resume?

Exercise 15: Matching Type

a. Chronological b. Functional or Skill Clusters

c. Persona d. Experience

e. Education f. Resume

g. References h. Credibility

i. To get an interview j. Accuracy

k. Clarity and simplicity

___1. It is a document prepared by a job applicant which details one’s

work and educational qualifications.

___2. It is a section in the resume which at least three names of person

who can vouch for an applicant’s character.

___3. It refers to the resume format wherein work and educational

qualifications are arranged in reverse chronological order.

19
___4. It refers to the veracity or authenticity of information indicated in

the resume.

___5. It is the primary purpose of a resume.

___6. It presents work and educational qualifications in skill clusters not

necessarily in reverse chronological order; the primary purpose of this

format is to highlight qualifications relevant for the position applied for.

___7. It presents the applicant’s demographic profile such as age,

gender, civil status, region, and nationality.

___8. It refers to work experience which includes internship.

___9. A resume observes _______ and _______ if it is devoid of

verbosity, technical terms, and vague words.

___10. Resumes should be proofread to ensure the _______ of the

information included.

20
References:

Write Better Resumes (2010) sixth edition

Gene Corwin, Gary Joseph Grappo, Adele Lewis

New York, Chicago, San Francisco, Lisbon, London, Singapore

McGraw-Hill

Technical Writing for Success (2013) Third Edition

Darlene Smith-Worthington, Sue Jefferson

Singapore

Cengage Learning Asia Pte Ltd

Grammar Composition 3 (2004)

Gary Forlini

Jurong, Singapore

Pearson Education South AsiaPte. Ltd.

Grammar Composition 4 (2001)

Gary Forlini

Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey

21
Prentice Hall

Fundamentals of Academic Reading and Writing (2017)

Maria Cequeña, Maria Trinitas Farrales-Canlas, Mildred De Vera

Quezon City, Philippines

Trinitas Publishing, Inc.

22
Answer key:

Exercise 1: Identifying Information

Name: Sharon Cook Darrow_______________________________________

(if a married woman, include married and maiden name.)

Address: 65 Elm Street Kirkwood, Missouri 63122_____________________

(Street and number, city, state and zip code.)

Home Phone: (314) 653-2244_____________________________________

(Be sure to give area code.)

Business Phone: (314) 555-4741___________________________________

(Be sure to give area code.)

Note: If your business phone is confidential, state that; for example: Business

phone: (212) 555-1280 (confidential).

Exercise 2: Resume Capsule

The resume capsule, as with the job objective, is an optional feature. However,

one or the other must be used if you are trying to change careers. Use this

space to write a resume capsule, whether you decided to use it on your final

resume or not.

Accounts Payable Clerk__________________________________________

23
____Reconciled vendor accounts whenever there was a discrepancy.______

Supervised and trained new employees. Coded incoming vendor__________

Invoices.______________________________________________________

Exercise 3: Job Objective

Remember,the job objective is optional. If used, keep it brief. The only time

it must be used is if you are trying to change careers.

Accountant____________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________

Exercise 4: Employment History

Your employment history should be listed in reverse chronological order.

Name of Company: Career Blazers Temporary Personnel________________

Address of Company: White Plains, New York_________________________

Job Title: Junior Accountant_______________________________________

Dates: Description of Responsibilities: Preparations of monthly sales___

From: To: analysis and incentive bonus cal-__

(Month/Year) (Month/Year) culations using EXCEL. Analyze___

9/95____ Present__ results to report directly to the ___

24
 Chief Financial Officer. Responsible

for account analysis, carry forward,

bank reconciliations, and journal__

entries necessary to close the____

month on the timely basis._______

Name of Company: ABC Corporation________________________________

Address of Company: Harrison, New York____________________________

Job Title: Accounts Receivable Clerk________________________________

Dates: Description of Responsibilities: Verified accuracy of the daily ___

From: To: daily accounts receivable book.___

(Month/Year) (Month/Year) Assisted Reporting Manager in pre-

4/94____ 8/95____ paration of monthly sales analysis.

Prepared accounts receivable check

For deposit. Applied payments to _

receivable balances. Entered ad-__

justments to complete the break-_

down of cash entries, as well as to

25
 eliminate the uncleared charge-___

backs._______________________

Name of Company: Aetna Insurance Company________________________

Address of Company: Hempstead, New York__________________________

Job Title: Office Manager_________________________________________

Dates: Description of Responsibilities: Managed divisional office in addi-

From: To: tion to handling customer service_

(Month/Year) (Month/Year) for the area. Extensive supervision

6/92____ 1/94____ of trainees with regard to phone__

Sales, customer price quotes, and_

in -house computer usage._______

Exercise 5: Educational History

List your education as you did your employment history in reverse

chronological order. Your most advanced degree or or your most recent

education is first. Be sure to list all pertinent details--dates, degrees earned,

educational institutions attended, and so on.

Advanced degree

26
Dates: University of Chicago____________________
(Name of University)

From To Chicago, II
(year) (year) (Address of University)

1990___ 1992__ Suma Cum Laude_______________________

(Degrees or credits earned)

Undergraduate Degree

Dates: University of Chicago____________________

(Name of University)

From To Chicago, II_____________________________

(year) (year) (Address of University)

1987___ 1990__ 2nd Placer in Board Exam_________________

(Degrees or credits earned)

__________________________________________________

(Major) (Minor)

Exercise 6: Personal Information

Publication and Major Achievement:

New York State Society of Certifies Public Accountants,_________________

American Institute of Certified Public Accountants______________________

27
Foreign Language or any other special skills:

Fluency in English, Italian and Spanish______________________________

Exercise 7: References

Though the names of your references should never be included on your

resume, it is a good idea to assemble your data at the time you are preparing

your resume have a minimum of three people as references. It is advisable to

include a statement that references will be furnished upon request.

Note: List the complete address-street and number, city, state, and zip code.

Give area code with telephone number.

Name of Reference: Chiala Dakazarom______________________________

Position: Data Entry_____________________________________________

Company Affiliation: Jorgensen International_________________________

Company Address: Carteret, New Jersey_____________________________

Business Phone and Extension: (212) 622-4802_______________________

Name of Reference: Morris Levine__________________________________

Position: Associate Councel_______________________________________

Company Affiliation: Sklar Paints, Inc._______________________________

28
Company Address: Yonkers, New York______________________________

Business Phone and Extension: (941) 823-1234_______________________

Name of Reference: Millard Pollock_________________________________

Position: Store Manager__________________________________________

Company Affiliation: R. Altman Bookseller____________________________

Company Address: Riverdale, New York_____________________________

Exercise 8: Layout #1

Gregory T. Philips

108-43 Homelawn Street

Jamaica, New York 11432

(212) 657-8843

(212) 441-7998

Employment History

Assistant Manager of Analytical Studies

From (date) 1995 Monroe College

to present Yonkers, New York

29
Collected and synthesized price data for college’s annual inflation study.

Project involved library research as well as telephone contact with college

suppliers. Internship led to current part-time position of coordinating draft for

final report.

Sales Person

9/95 to 12/95 Eaton Real Estate

New Canaan, Connecticut

Employed part-time by Eaton for the purpose of buying and selling real

property.______________________________________________________

Head President

9/93 to 9/95 University of Fairfield

Fairfield, Connecticut

Responsible for running all aspects of a college dorminatory. Duties included

supervising residents, kitchen, and maintenance staff and preparing all

paperwork for Department of Student Affairs. Job was concurrent with full-

time academic study to earn seventy percent of college expenses._____

Educational History

1991 to 1995 University of Fairfield

Fairfield, Connecticut

30
B.S. Major in Real Estate and Urban Economic Development_____________

Reference: On Request

Exercise 9: Layout #2

Paul Rayson

519 S. 4th Street Edinburg, Texas 78539

(512) 383-6655

(512) 381-2515

Employment History

Assistant Professor

From (date) 1994 Pan American University

to present Edinburg, Texas

Conduct classroom lectures, discussions, examinations; lead and coordinate

seminars. Perform course design, involving research and organization. Serve

on various committees-e.g., honors council and self-study committee for

University reaccrediation-entailing research and writing activity. Handle

diverse administrative duties, including coordination of interdepartamnetal

honors program, supervision of research projects, student counseling and

recruitment.___________________________________________________

31
Assistant Professor

1991 to 1994 Falls View College

Falls View, Mississippi

Following brief fill-in assiginment during emergency situation at West Chester

College, West Chester, Pennsylvania. Performed teaching, research,

administrative, and other functions similar to those above.______________

Educational History

1987 to 1989 State University of New York

Buffalo, New York

American Studies

1989 to 1991 University of Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania, Philadelphia

American Civilization Undergraduate Degree

References: Available on Request

Exercise 10: Layout #3

Maria Zawacki

21 east 50th Street

32
New York, New York 10017

(212) 966-0561

(212) 876-1266

Career Objective

Growth position that would effectively utilize my experience as

commercial artist.

Educational History

Hunter College, C.C.N.Y. 1989 to 1991

New York, New York

Advanced Degree Studio and Art History major/English major

University of Dallas From (date) 1985

Irving, Texas to (date) 1987

Bachelor’s Degree Fine Arts Major

Employment History

Art Director

33
Schirmer Graphics Company From (date) 1996

New York, New York to present

Create original computer graphics for audiovisual shows and slide

production, mechanicals for annual report production, and photography.

Assistant art Director

Berkley/Grosset/Putnum Publications, Inc. 1991 to 1996

Albany, New York

Circulation Art Department. Created direct email pieces, sales aids

promotions, product ads, rate cards, logos, and letterheads, 4-color

brochures, spot drawings and slides, from concept to completion.

Assistant art Director

Creative Arts Magazine Enterprises 1986 to 1991

Albany, New York

Created sales aids promotions, direct mail pieces, product ads, research

studies, rate brochures, logos, letterheads, and inserts.

References: Available on Request.

Exercise 11: Layout #4

34
 MARJORIE TARKINGTON

16 California Avenue

Miami, FL 33131

(305) 815-8334

(3050 673-5467

Employment History

Art Director

Marcia James Asso., Miami, FL

Develop visual concepts for ads, brochures, press kits,

direct email packages, logos, and sales sheets. Direct

studio and location photography.

March 1997 to present

Assistant Art Director

Stern’s & Co., Miami, FL

Designed b4-color catalogs, weekly tabloids, ads, and store gra-

phics for more than thirty major retail stores. Assisted Art Direc-

tor with catalog production.

35
 January 1996 to March 1996

Educational History

School of Visual Arts and Pratt Institute, New York, NY

Graphic communications studies September 1993 to 1995

References: Available on Request

Exercise 12: Layout #5

MILLARD POLLOCK

1428 Cornelia Street (718) 384-3366

Brooklyn, New York 11227 (505) 239-8765

Career Objective To manage a general bookstore with large

volume sales, and act as buyer for same.

Particularly interested in rare editions and

Current literature.

Employment History

From May 1996 Store Manager, R.Altman bookseller

36
to Present Riverdale, New York

Responsible for increase in sales of at

least 25% since handling of inventory

and selection of items for special sales.

Present sales volume more than 20%

above previous goal.

From February 1995 Manager Trainee, R. Altman Bookseller

to May 1996 Daytona Beach, Florida

Trained in all phrases of selling, customer

relations, sales presentations, etc.

From May 1994 Sales Clerk, Bainbridge Music Sales, Inc.

to February 1995 Springfield, Ohio

Sold sheet music; recommended special

pieces for chorale groups,

instrumentalists.

Educational History Major in Literature, University of Kansas

1450 Jayhawk Blvd, United States

37
References Furnished on Request

‘Exercise 15: Matching Type

1. F 6. B

2. G 7. C

3. A 8. D

4. H 9. K

5. I 10. J

38