Technical writing

Technical writing October 17th , 2012

Today • Fixing garbage. • Editing a bad résumé.

Résumés should be… 1. Honest • Be truthful about your qualifications: - education - experience - skills i.e., if you were the manager’s assistant, don’t say you were the assistant manager.

Résumés should be… 2. Attractive • The document should be “pleasing to the eye.” - Appropriate spacing - font - use of boldface This tells the employer that you are visually smart.

Résumés should be… 3. Organized • Careful organization of information is: - easy to follow - logical - consistent This show your ability to process information.

Good

Bad

Résumés should be… 4. Concise • Keep to your purpose (get the job). • Generally, your resume should be page (2 at the most). • Resumes are written in SHORT sentences • They do not use the word “I” • Use “action-packed” verbs.

Résumés should be… 5. Accurate • Make sure: - grammar - spelling - dates - names -titles -programs Are correct Inconsistencies and errors say: “I don’t know what I’m doing.”

Résumés should be… 6. Current • Make sure that ALL information is up-to-date.

Résumés should be… 7. Relevant • Make sure the information is appropriate for the job. Employers are looking for necessary education and experience.

References Information References Name: Position: Company Name: City & Province: Contact: (phone number and/or e-mail address).

Fixing a bad (terrible) Résumé Look at the job ad. Look especially at the position’s description and Desired Skills & Experience.

Fixing a bad (terrible) Résumé Look at the résumé. With your partner, identify as many problems as you can. - Make notes on the paper.

Fixing a bad (terrible) Résumé Re-write the résumé.

Next Class Business Letters.

Technical writing