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Chicago
Although there is nothing magic about a resume, it does make the first impression on a prospective employer and/or recruiter. If it is not done properly it may be the only impression that you make. You should assume that the reader is busy and will not have time to decipher what it is that you can offer to his or her organization. Below are two sample resumes. The first style is one that we recommend and the second is one we would avoid. Before you read them consider the following suggestions, which we think will help you to write an effective resume.


General Suggestions


1. Keep your opening Career Summary brief and your Objective Statement general. This is the least important part of the resume, therefore, don't let it hurt you. The former should not be a rehash of your resume, but should only touch on the highlights, while the latter should avoid painting yourself into a corner that might exclude you from some interesting opportunities.
2. Avoid a resume that contains a long list of skills, thinking that it will open a multitude of doors. Employers don't expect you to be all things to all people and resumes that suggest this are often viewed with skepticism. Skills are important; however, a hiring manager wants to see them in the context of your job experiences, which must be similar to the position that he or she is looking to fill. If you don't have the background for a current position, your well written resume may identify you for an appropriate position in a different area, or at a later time.
3. Your resume should be complete and to the point. If you have a long work history, do not leave off earlier jobs and their years, instead be very brief in your description. If you omit your earlier years, the question will invariably come up later and will take even more time to explain.
4. Your resume should make clear the primary positions and responsibilities you have held and a few of the more important contributions you made in each of your most recent positions.
5. Avoid listing too many responsibilities and accomplishments, otherwise the reader will confuse the important points with the less significant achievements. In addition, you want to make your most valuable skills and experiences stand out, and in most cases this is what you have accomplished most recently.
6. Include specific computer skills, certifications, and licenses which are relevant to the type of position you are doing or might be seeking. Do not list things that may be readily assumed. For example, if you have an MBA, no one really cares where you went to high school.
7. List a few of your civic and association activities, but if you are currently involved in several, do not also list things that you did 5+ years ago. It is also okay to list a few of your pastimes and activities. It is desirable to indicate that you are well rounded and have a life, but if you list too many things someone may wonder about your priorities.
8. Do not include irrelevant personal information such as the ages and names of wife and children and your height and weight, etc. If you want to convey that you are a family person, mention it as an Activity / Interest.
9. Do not get too hung up on the length of the resume, provided it follows the above guidelines. Depending on the years of experience, types of positions held, and the number of employers, anywhere from one to three pages is appropriate. It is probably safe to say that one page is too brief for a 20 year career and two pages is too long for someone with 5 years of work experience.
10. Before submitting your resume have someone else whom you trust proof read it.


Sample of a Preferred Resume Style


Jane Doe
12 Main Street Anytown, IL 11111 Home (123)456-7899
Objective General or Sales Management in the Banking/Financial Industry.
Professional
Experience
Jan 99 - Present 		Bank ABC
Vice President/Banking Center Manager
Responsibilities 		Anytown, IL
  		• Responsible for new business development, expanding client relationships and exceeding sales goals.
  		• Management of 8 sales people to increase sales production and ensure existing business expansion along with new business development.
  		• Responsible for retail branch operations with a total of 21FTE and assets of $195 million.

    Achievements
  		• Exceeded sales goals for the last 4 out of 7 months. Prior management had not achieved sales goals in two years. Since February, the attainment of sales goals has been 51%, 82%, 107%, 117%, 91%, 112%, 119%.
    1996 - 1999 Bank XYZ
    Vice President/Branch President
    Responsibilities         		Hometown, IL
  		• Responsible for new business development and expanding client relationships by outside calling.
  		• Management of 5 sales people to increase sales production and ensure business expansion along with new business development.
  		• Provide focused coaching sessions for needs based selling and customer retention by utilizing effective customer profiling.
  		• Responsible for retail branch operations with a total of 15 FTE and assets of $48 million.
  		• Certified Consumer Loan and Sales Trainer for Corporation.

    Achievements
  		• The Winfield branch was fourth in the 1998 sales production out of 120 branches in the Illinois market. The branch was 2nd in sales production in 1997.
  		• Closed $9.9 million in mortgages, $8.0 million in trust, and $5.2 million in small bus. and consumer loans.
  		• Attained a 92% customer service satisfaction measurement from Winfield customer base.
    1993-1996 Bank 123
    Assistant Vice President/Branch Manager
    Responsibilities         		Mytown, IL
  		• Managed two locations and 16 FTE.
  		• Responsible for new business development calling. Also underwrote approved and closed all types of small business and consumer loans.

    Achievements
  		• Increased core deposit balances by 7% per year.
  		• Increased loan outstandings 16% in subsequent 18 months.
    Education DePaul University
    MBA/Finance, June 1996         		Chicago, IL
    Western Michigan University
    BBA/Finance, June 1993         		Kalamazoo, MI
    Volunteer
    Experience         		Winfield Chamber of Commerce, Treasurer and Board Member; Main Street Winfield, Inc. Chairperson of the Economic Restructuring Committee; Village of Winfield 75th Jubilee Committee, Treasurer.
    Skills/
    Licenses         		Proficient in MS-Office, various spreadsheet and graphics software, and online technology. Series 7, 63, 24 and Insurance licensed.


    Sample of Resume Style not Preferred


    John Smith
    123 Home Lane, Smallville, IL 99999 Telephone (987)654-3210
    EMPLOYMENT HISTORY

    Generic Bancorp, Inc., Smalltown, IL
    President / Owner         		1996 -- present
    General Financial Center, Inc., Small City, IL
    EVP Loans & Administration         		1994 -- 1996
    Unlisted Financial Services, Inc., Smallburg, IL
    SVP Consumer and Mortgage Banking         		1990 -- 1994
    Brandless Financial Corp, Smallville, IL
    Vice President Consumer Loans         		1978 -- 1990
    SELECTED ACCOMPLISHMENTS

    Planned and projected design for managing highly profitable, 15 employee organization. Researched estimated costs and gross income potential. Averaged $150 annual earnings over last four years.

    Expanded company's profitability by developing marketing strategies directed to new areas. Starting with a $2K investment, generated incremental gross income in excess of $20K in first month of program.

    Developed successful direct mail system and database that generated approximately $60K gross monthly income.

    Designed telemarketing department that added $30K-$40K average additional profits over last three years.

    Established a program to create positive, trustworthy image among regional financial institutions as a means of creating effective referral sources. Over time, referral business from these institutions has generated between $20-40K gross annual profit.

    Built highly effective customer-oriented teams through coaching and staff development.

    Hired, trained and motivated sales organization, and developed new incentive and compensation package that enabled both company and employees to prosper while minimizing turnover.

    Designed organization to communicate effectively with highly diverse employee and customer environment at all operating levels - management, staff, support, and vendors, in a manner that enhanced multi-cultural, age, income, and education differences.
    EDUCATION

    Smarts University, Small Park, IL
    BA Communications 1978
    SKILLS

    Management, analysis, solid knowledge of real estate development, skilled negotiator, real estate banking practices, underwriting, sourcing, advisor. Highly skilled computer user and trainer of Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, FrontPage, Lotus 1-2-3, AutoCAD LT, WordPerfect, DBase IV, Visual Basic and several Microsoft programs, e-mail.


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