EXERCISE NO.

3: BULLETS & NUMBERING

1) Open the first exercise (template) and save it as LASTNAME3.DOC with your IDNO as your
password.
2) Take note of the following:

10 TIPS FOR HIGHLY-EFFECTIVE RESUMES (Bold, font size 12)

Check out these guidelines on how to write a rocking good resume (Italic, font size 10)
The entire paragraph uses Font Arial (font size 9)

3) Apply 2-column format to your entire document.

Width: (1st column: 4.9”; 2nd column: 2.4”; Spacing: 0.2”)

Note: Apply border to the first column.

4) You may use any bullets of your choice to the 2nd column.
5) Pay attention to some other obvious settings.
10 TIPS FOR HIGHLY-
EFFECTIVE RESUMES
Check out these guidelines on how to write
a rocking good resume

Start with your name and contact info right at the top of your resume for a quick reference. Include all
possible contact details: your mailing address, land line, cell number, fax number (if you have a fax
machine), and an e-mail address. The last one is important because it shows if you are, at least computer
literate. Word to the wise: avoid too playful e-mail address like cutieangel@yahoo.com or
sexbombbabe@hotmail.com. Stick with yourname@yahoo.com for a more professional look.

Put down a job objective. If you’re focused on what you want to do, this will prove it. Your objective
could be as simple as a position title you’re gunning for. Don’t make it too general – It’ll seem you don’t
know what you want.

Write a summary of your strengths. Be very brief – two or three sentences will do. Don’t use high-
falluting words you can’t pronounce.

Enumerate your academic background. Don’t forget about honors you received and extra-curricular
activities. Employers look for grads who’ve proven themselves in academic circles and orgs. Include your
special skills, too.

Include references – or don’t mention them at all. It’s useless to put in a header, “References” and then
say “Available upon request” on the next line.

Keep your personal life out of it. Information such as your parents’ occupation, your hobbies and
interests, birthplace, etc. don’t really need to be on a resume. You can recite those in the interview proper
if you’re asked.

Don’t make novel of it. Try to squeeze everything in a page. Resumes are often read in 30 seconds or less.
Be straightforward. Don’t ramble. Bullet points can keep things organized and short.

Edit and proofread. Mistakes on your resume will mean sloppiness. Be consistent with your format. If you
write “5 March 2003,” don’t write “February 6, 2003” in the next section.

Make it easy on the eye. Elle Woods in Legally Blonde was the right track when she handed in her
resume on scented pink paper to catch the reader’s attention. Just don’t be too radical about making your
resume a cut above the rest. Use a laser printer – it’s neater than ink jet-printed resumes – on high-quality
bond paper.

Tailor-fit your resume to the company you’re applying to. Find out what the culture of the company is
and shape you’re resume according to that line of thinking. A generic resume is like a “dear customer”
letter from your bank – it ends up in the wastebasket.

SURVIVING THEJOB INTERVIEW

Do’s:
Do get to know the company you’re being interviewed for. The Net is a good place to start. Do your
homework.
Do ask a friend to do a mock interview with you. This will prime you up for the real thing.
Do a practice run to the interview venue on different day but at about the same time of your appointment
so you’d have an idea how early you should start out.
Do prepare in advance points you would like to know about the company – its culture, main goals, etc.
Do bring along your portfolio, if you have one and extra copies of your resume, just in case.
Do be confident but not arrogant; be honest but don’t spill your entire real life story.
Do dress appropriately. Brush your teeth before the interview. Sit up straight. Make eye contact. Shake
hands family.
Do send a thank-you card or note to your interviewer immediately after your appointment.

Don’ts:

Don’t be late. If you can’t help it, call ahead and let your interviewer know what’s happening.
Don’t lie or exaggerate. Sooner or later, the truth will come out and it almost always will involve
humiliation on your part.
Don’t tell jokes, smoke, crack knuckles, play with your hair, or come drunk for your appointment.
Don’t answer a yes-or-no question with just a yes or no. At the very least, support syllable with a
complete sentence.
Don’t use your cellphone while waiting for your interviewer to start. Don’t use it during the interview.
Switch it to silent mode or turn it off.
Don’t initiate salary talk. Wait until you have an actual offer, and then wait for employees to bring up the
subject.