|
Resume
Content
Remember
that a resume must be crafted with the audience in mind. The right qualifications
are only an asset if they are presented well! The most common type of
resume is a Chronological Resume. This is the format that lists your
education and experience in reverse chronological order. This is most
commonly preferred among employers. The information below is divided
by the various sections of the resume and is listed in the order that
it appears on the page, starting at the top. To view each section, just
click on the section title.
Heading
Objective
Education
Work Experience
Keys to Writing Success
Volunteer Experience
Awards and Special Honors
Related Skills and Interests
References
Heading
The
heading is a simple way to introduce your basic information. It should
include your name, address, phone, e-mail, web address, and any other
contact information you choose to provide. This should be at the top
of the page, so that employers can easily and quickly identify who they
are dealing with. Your name should be highlighted somehow, possibly
in bold letters and larger than the other information. It should stand
out, so that the potential employer is inclined to remember it. If you
are in the process of moving, remember to provide both a current and
future address.
Example
1:
William S. Land
11 Corner Street
Cara, NY 32105
923.781.5482
wland@net.com
www.land.com
Example
2:
Elizabeth
B. Parker
100 Main Street Dallas, TX 78234 508.489.6237 eparker@studio.com
Back
to Top
Objective
This
is an optional feature, but if included, it can communicate that you
are a goal-oriented person with strong intention. The objective should
briefly (one sentence) explain the goal of your job search, and it should
be tailored to the job you are applying for. The wording should focus
on what you hope to give to the position, not what you hope to receive
from it. A vague, general objective communicates a lack of direction.
If you cannot clearly and specifically communicate your purpose, it
is best to leave it out.
Example 1:
Objective:
To serve as a pastor, providing Christ-like leadership, preaching, counseling,
and shepherding.
Example 2:
Objective:
To encourage believers toward maturity in Christ by providing a cohesive
Christian Education program in a church setting.
Back
to Top
Education
Next
on the resume is your educational information. This section should include
the name of each institution you have attended (college and onward),
location of the institutions (optional), the dates of attendance, the
degree earned there, and the degree's emphasis (if pertinent). A related
thesis or special project could be included as well. Awards or special
recognition you received should also be highlighted, making sure that
the honor is explained. If you are proud of your GPA, include this too.
The general rule is 3.0 or higher, but this is ultimately up to you!
Example
1:
Pearson
College,
1982-1986
BA, English Literature; GPA: 3.8/4.0 Reynolds Scholarship Recipient
(Academic Excellence and Leadership)
Example
2:
Gordon-Conwell
Theological Seminary,
1996-2000 -Masters of Divinity (emphasis in World Missions)
-GPA: 3.9/4.0
Back
to Top
Work
Experience
This is the most
important section of your resume. It tells the employer what you've
done in a professional setting, thus indicating what you will do for
the employer. Carefully wording and accurately describing your work
history will be a great asset to your resume.
This section may require hours of work and many revisions, but it's
worth it! You'll never regret maximizing the potential of your resume!
This
section should include your work experience in reverse chronological
order, beginning with your most recent experience. Specifically, you
should include job title, company, dates of service, the location of
the job (optional), and a description of the work you did. In terms
of the layout, it is very important that each job listed is visually
separate from the others. With only a glance, employers should be able
to identify the various work experiences you have had. The title of
the job, company, and dates of service should be set apart from the
description by underlines, italics, bolding, etc. However you choose
to highlight the information, make sure that your methods are consistent
across all the work experience listed.
3
KEYS TO WRITING SUCCESS
Action
Verbs
Your
description of each position should be carefully worded using action
verbs. Your resume should tell a potential employer that you are
a person of action who takes initiative and makes things happen! The
right verbs can provide unquestionable professionalism and confidence
to your resume. Avoid using the same verb twice in your resume. Download
our exhaustive list of action verbs now!
Details
It
is also important to include detailed information regarding your past
performance- number served, percent accomplished, etc. - anything
to give the employer direct descriptions of your previous successes.
Past performance is an excellent prediction of future performance.
If you can specifically display to employers that you have a history
of successes, you will become that much more attractive to them.
Transferable
Skills
As
you describe your tasks, focus on your transferable skills - the skills
you possess that directly relate to the open position. Show them that
you are the perfect fit! Ask yourself, "What does the employer want
to see when he/she reads my resume?" If you emphasize pertinent skills,
the employer will naturally regard you as a match when reading your
resume. This does not mean that you list skills that the employer
desires that are not currently in your skill set. Rather, you should
focus on the desired qualities that are within the skills you already
possess.
Example
1:
Youth
Pastor, Grace Evangelical Church,Seaton, AL,
1986-1990
Planned and directed all youth programming for 75 students, grades 7-12.
Taught weekly Sunday School and Wednesday Bible study, with studies
in Romans, Proverbs, and the Gospels. Established and developed a Youth
Leadership team, mentoring 20 students one-on-one. Launched a Youth
Missions Initiative, providing monthly opportunities for youth to serve
in cross-cultural contexts.
Example
2:
Associate
Pastor, First Presbyterian Church
Woodland, ME, 1990-1996
Developed and coordinated a cohesive Christian Education program for
all ages. Preached twice monthly and taught an Adult Sunday School class
weekly. Introduced and supervised a counseling program for those experiencing
divorce. Assisted senior pastor in visitation, budget coordination,
and missions efforts.
Back
to Top
Volunteer
Experience
This information
is optional, but it's good to include if you have done pertinent or
interesting volunteer work. Make sure to maximize this section by showing
the employer how the work has developed you and how it relates to the
work you're applying for.
Example
1:
After
School Tutor, Inner City Ministries, Chicago,
IL, 1992-1993
Mentored five 7th graders weekly, developing their academic and leadership
skills.
Example 2:
Chaplain,
Oak Hill Nursing Home
Cleveland, OH, 1998-1999
Created and led weekly worship service. Cared for and counseled elderly
patients. Fostered community among the residents.
Back
to Top
Awards
and Special Honors
Include here
any awards or special recognition you've received. Make sure to explain
the award, if the honor is not readily evident. School-related awards
could be listed here or in the education section above.
Example
1:
Smithson Award, Cancer Foundation (Awarding Leadership and Service)
Example 2:
Volunteer of the Year, 1992, Bayview Chamber of Commerce
Back
to Top
Related
Skills and Interests
Include
here additional experiences or qualities that you feel contribute to
who you are and who you could be as an employee. For example, if you're
outgoing socially, note that you have "excellent interpersonal skills."
If you've traveled widely, are fluent in a foreign language, or have
lived in other cultures, these deserve mentioning! Computer skills are
especially important to note.
Having
hobbies also communicates that you are a well-rounded person with a
variety of interests and experiences to bring to the position. Keep
in mind that an employer does not want to know too much personal information
about you. Include only the type of hobbies that are somewhat related
to the position.
Example
1:
Dedication to task, organization, and time management
Example
2:
Active interest in reading, travel, and the outdoors
Back
to Top
References
It
is often preferred, though not mandatory, to mention the availability
of references. Simply note, "References available upon request." Perhaps
set this apart by centering or italicizing it.
Back
to Top
|
MinistryList.com offers a comprehensive collection of resources to help you in your
search for ministry jobs and candidates. Find out more information on...
