Resume Writing -- A Basic Guide, examples

First Name, Middle Initial, Last Name
Street Address, Apt. No.
City, State, Zip Code
Area Code/Telephone Number

Employment Objective
Tell the employer the specific position you are interested in.

Summary of Qualifications
A brief summary of your best selling points

Work History

City, State

Dates of employment

Describe your duties, skills, responsibilities:

• State your major accomplishments, achievements, skill area.
• Start each with an action verb; try to keep each to 1-2 lines.
• Use an asterisk (*), dash (-), or bullet (•) to draw attention to each statement.
• Give specific results to show your qualifications.
• List your most important accomplishments first.

(Use the above format for additional employers. Start with your most recent job and work backward. Give the most space to more recent and more relevant work.)

Education

Dates attended (optional)

Military (Optional)

Type of discharge (optional)

Dates served (optional)

Special Skills and Abilities

Interests, hobbies, foreign languages, clubs, etc.

References
Available upon request.

Tammy P. Farrell
1234 Major Street
Stevens Point, Wisconsin 54481
715/555-4444

Employment Objective
Seeking a position as a retail sales clerk.

Summary of Qualifications
Five years successful experience in direct retail sales.

Excellent communication skills; sincere commitment to providing quality customer service.

Work History

Stevens Point, Wisconsin

2001-present

Assisted customers with item selection, operated computerized cash register, balanced cash register daily, monitored inventory and stocked shelves.

• Set new monthly sales record, surpassing all sales associates for any given month in company history.
• Accurately balanced cash register daily. Never was short.
• Maintained detailed paperwork for inventory control. Operated automated inventory equipment.
• Handled customer problems with patience and sensitivity.
• Promoted to sales associate lead worker after one year. Trained new associates.

Rosholt, Wisconsin

1999-2001

Operated computerized cash register and automated scanning equipment for the local branch of a large department store chain.

• Worked cash register and scanning equipment in all departments.
• Conducted inventories. Reconciled counts against inventory control systems.
• Entered data into computer for special orders.
• Received customer service and inventory control training.
• Trained two new sales clerks.

Education

1996 graduate

Military

Honorable Discharge

1996-1999

Special Skills and Abilities

Able to speak, read and write Spanish

References
Available upon request.

First Name, Middle Initial, Last Name
Street Address, Apt. No.
City, State, Zip Code
Area Code/Telephone Number

Employment Objective
Tell the employer the specific position you are interested in.

Major skill areas or functions (list 3-5)

• bulleted skills, successes or accomplishments
• short phrases that start with verbs
• result-oriented statements

(Use the above format for additional skill areas or functions.)

Work History

City, State

Dates of employment

(Use the above format for additional skill areas or functions.)

Education

Dates attended (optional)

Military (Optional)

Type of discharge (optional)

Dates served (optional)

Special Skills and Abilities
Interests, hobbies, foreign languages, clubs, etc.

Tammy P. Farrell
1234 Major Street
Stevens Point, Wisconsin 54481
715/555-4444

Employment Objective
Retail salesperson

Prior Experience

• Set new monthly sales record, surpassing all sales associates for any given month in company history.
• Worked cash register and scanning equipment in all departments.
• Set-up advertising signs and displays to increase sales.

• Handled customer problems with patience and sensitivity.
• Greeted customers and assisted them with item selection.
• Answered customers’ telephone and in-person inquiries.

• Conducted inventories. Reconciled counts against inventory control systems.
• Entered data into computer for special orders.
• Kept layaway records current.

Work History

Stevens Point, Wisconsin

2001-present

Rosholt, Wisconsin

1999-2001

Education

1996 graduate

Military

Honorable Discharge

1996-1999

Special Skills and Abilities
Able to speak, read and write Spanish

References
Available upon request.

Name of Individual
Official Title
Name of Company
Mailing Address
City, State, Zip Code

Dear Mr./Ms.:

1. Give your reason for writing the letter.
2. Tell the employer the position in which you are interested.
3. Tell where you found out about the job opening.

1. This is 1-2 paragraphs that tell the employer why you are qualified to do the job.
2. Include information about your education, work experience, job-related skills, accomplishments, personality, availability, etc., that relates to the employer’s needs and the position for which you are applying.
3. Keep this section brief; give only the highlights of qualifications.

1. Tell the employer you are interested in interviewing for the available position.
2. Thank the employer for considering you for the position.

Sincerely,

Your signature in ink
Your name typed

Dear Ms. David:

The position you listed on JobNet at your store in Stevens Point for an experienced Retail Salesperson is one I am very interested in and for which I am very well qualified.

For the past three years I have worked as a salesperson in retail stores in the area. I have operated computerized cash registers and automated inventory control systems. I bring experience in stocking shelves, reconciling inventory levels, marking merchandise, balancing cash registers and handling customer comments and requests.

I enjoy providing friendly service to customers. My store manager once told me that my desire to help customers kept them coming back. During one month, my sales totals set a company record.

I have enclosed my resume for your review. I am very interested in the position you have available and look forward to meeting with you to further discuss my set of qualifications.

Sincerely,

Tammy Farrell
Enclosure

Name of Individual
Official Title
Name of Company
Mailing Address
City, State, Zip Code

Dear Mr./Ms.:

Introduction: Tell the employer what position you are applying for and how you learned of the opening.

Body: Tell the employer why you are qualified for the job. Include information about your education, work experience, job-related skills, accomplishments, personality, availability, etc., that relate to the employer’s needs and the position for which you are applying.

Closing: Ask for an interview.

Sincerely,

Your signature in ink
Your name typed

Dear Ms. David:

Please consider this letter my application for the Retail Salesperson position listed on JobNet in Stevens Point. I believe I am qualified for this position.

With over three years experience as a retail sales clerk, I have demonstrated my abilities to operate computerized cash registers, accurately monitor inventory levels, and provide quality, friendly service to customers.

In my most recent position, I set a new monthly sales record, surpassing all sales associates for any given month in company history. After one year, I was promoted to head sales associate. I really enjoy retail sales.

I would appreciate an interview with you to further discuss my qualifications.

Sincerely,

Tammy Farrell