Introduction
This pathfinder is designed to help graduate students who need résumé help. Upon graduation, students submit résumés in order to gain employment. To create a résumé, students need to know successful techniques, necessary versus detrimental content, format variations, and appropriate vocabulary. The résumé pathfinder provides a combination of print and online resources.
Specific titles were selected to provide a subtle and comprehensive variation of theme. Students are also encouraged to browse library collections and find additional sources which appeal to them. The Library of Congress Classification System base call number is HF 5383. The Dewey Decimal System base call number is 650.14.
★ Enelow, W. S., & Kursmark, L. (2008). Expert résumés for people returning to work (2nd ed.). Indianapolis, IN: JIST Works.
This book is useful for graduate students who have returned to school for a career change. The book provides professional tips to acknowledge employment absence.
★ Kursmark, L. M. (2006) Best résumés for college students and new grads (2nd ed.). Indianapolis, IN: JIST Works.
Students without prior professional job experience should use this book to develop a résumé. It highlights the marketing of skills and academic experiences.
★ Parker, Y. (1996). The résumé catalog : 200 damn good examples. Berkeley, CA: Ten Speed Press.
Yana Parker has published several books for obtaining employment including a best seller. This catalog provides easily adaptable résumé samples for a range of careers. It is easy to use because it is precisely indexed.
★ Résumés That Get You Hired (2006). New York: Learning Express.
★ Stein, M. (2010). Fearless Résumés: The Proven Method for Getting a Great Job Fast. New York: McGraw-Hill.
Bold tactics are provided with the focus of adding flare to lackluster résumés. This book includes techniques for marketing skills, so you can "turn stale, boring job duties into dynamic job achievements." Each chapter includes an exercise for crafting your own résumé.
★ Whitcomb, S. B. (2007). Résumé magic: Trade secrets of a professional résumé writer (3rd ed.). Indianapolis, IN: JIST Works.
Whitcomb uses "before and after" examples which effectively reveal techniques for revamping résumés. Rationale is provided to explain the effectiveness of changes.
There are numerous materials in print available. Here are some other options:
★ Criscito, P. (2006) Designing the perfect résumé (3rd ed.). Hauppauge, NY: Barron's.
★ Farr, M. (2007). Same-day résumé: Write an effective résumé in an hour (2nd ed.). Indianapolis, IN: JIST Works.
★ Wendleton, K. (2006). Packaging yourself: the targeted résumé. Australia: Thomson Delmar Learning.
★ Yate, M.J., (1988). Résumés That Knock 'em Dead. Boston, MA: Bob Adams.
These sources provide a theoretical approach to résumé creation. Access to scholarly journals is sometimes restricted, but your academic institution might subscribe to these resources.
★ Brooks, M. D. (1999). The résumé: More than words on a page. Library Mosaics, 10 (3), 16-17.
This article approaches résumé writing from the perspective of individuals with a background in English. The author suggests that when writing a paper, selecting a theme is essential. The author says this technique should be applied to résumé writing. A thorough analysis of self should be made prior to résumé creation.
★ Gaughan, T. M. (1980). Résumé essentials for the academic librarian. College and Research Libraries, 41 (2), 122-127.
Graduate students specializing in Library Science should read Gaughan's article. This article performed research on the items commonly found on résumés. The 43 items were ranked in order of importance. An explanation of methodology and an analysis of findings are included.
★ Pack, T. (2003). Web resources teach résumé writing. Information Today, 20 (10), 37, 39-40.
This article explains the benefit of using Internet resources when writing résumés. It provides analysis of several large online resources.
Other useful journal articles:
★ Brown, L. J. (1994). The résumé file. Link-Up (USA), 11 (5), 16.
★ Coccaro, C. (1997). Career development. College and Research Libraries News, 58 (10), 703-705.
★ Grusky, S. (1996). Winning résumé. Internet World, 7 (2), 58.
★ Ireland, S. (2002). A résumé that works. Searcher, 10 (7), 98-109.
★ Riley, M. F. (1996). The internet job search: Strategies for locating online resources. Reference Librarian, (55), 31-41.
★ Roberts, J. (1999). Have I got a job for you! common sense tips for getting your foot in the door. Library Mosaics, 10 (3), 14-15.
★ Wyant, J. F., & Vise, R. (1979). Résumé writing: Form and function. Special Libraries, 70 (8), 328-332. bibliog.
The Internet provides a plethora of resources that can be utilized when creating a résumé. Some sites offer fee-based résumé-building services, while other sites offer a range of free tools. Résumé samples, downloadable templates, and various professional options are available.
Career Services at Virginia Tech University provides a variety of layout options such as chronological and skills layouts. The site provides samples and explains which format is best for you. There is also a link to résumé software and templates.
The Riley Guide provides thorough instructions for altering the format of a résumé for electronic submission. It explains the variations between plain text, print, scannable, and email formats. It also addresses cyber-safety in regard to résumé posting.
This website focuses on the writing process specific to résumé building. It provides a comprehensive skills inventory list and a categorized list of action verbs along with corresponding examples. A thorough explanation is provided as to the purpose and requirements for each section of a résumé. Examples are provided.
This website provides unique insight into creating résumés to obtain Federal employment. It provides samples of effective résumés.
There are a multitude of websites on this topic. You can use a search engine such as Google to find additional websites. Here are just a few more examples:
Information on résumé building can be found in a variety of media. Educational videos can provide both visual and auditory stimuli.
★ You're Hired! Skills You Need To Get The Job You Want. (2007). Jacksonville Beach, FL: LINX Educational.
★ Aulenbach, J., (2009). Top Choice: Stand Out & Get Hired (With The Best Résumé and Job Search Strategy) When You're Not Perfectly Qualified. New York: Orange Kite Productions.
This pathfinder was created by Caroline Moran, Katie Ringenbach, and Emily Tobin