Job Seeking Resources
& Helpful Tips

Resume Tips & Assistance

Have a conventional e-mail address. Your name is fine; kookybear@hotmail.com is not.

Tailor your resume to each potential employer. Make sure the resume shows you have the skills the employer is seeking for that particular position. Use lots of white space and bullet points to help information stand out.

Include interests that are relevant to the job. For example, if you are applying for a job in agriculture, show that you have rural roots.

If you are submitting an electronic resume, use a standard program such as Microsoft Word to ensure that it can be opened.

Don't disclose irrelevant personal information. ("I don't want to know you are 5-foot-6 and weigh 195 pounds," said one employer.)

Mention your accomplishments as well as your responsibilities. For example, simply stating, "managed a budget of $200,000 annually for training and development" is not nearly as powerful as "reduced training and development costs by 20 percent, while maintaining the quality and quantity of training provided to employees."

Sample Resume

John J. Smith
100 Main St.
Omaha, Nebraska 68100
(H) 402-555-1212 (W) 402-555-2323

Experience: (Always list current or last employment first, then prior employment, in order)

01/85 - Present: Fifth National Bank, Omaha, Nebraska
($150MM Assets)
Title: Vice President, Commercial Loans
Responsibilities: It is not necessary to go into minute detail. Simply list duties and key accomplishments. If you are in lending, give size of personal portfolio, number of accounts, company annual sales, and largest credit line. If you are in trust, give size of personal portfolio, percentage of time spent in administration, etc., and percentage of time spent developing new business. Also, describe the position you were originally hired for, as well as any promotions received while with the bank, including dates.

06/80 - 01/85 Sixth National Bank, Omaha, Nebraska
($75MM Assets)
Title: Assistant Vice President, Commercial Loans
Responsibilities: Not quite as much detail here as above.

Education:
MBA, Finance - University of Nebraska, Lincoln, Nebraska (May 1980)
BS, Finance - Creighton University, Omaha, Nebraska (May 1978)

Additional Training:
(List work-related training, also any licenses or certifications you have)
Graduate School of Banking, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois (1983)
A.I.B. Courses in: (list courses)

Miscellaneous: (Optional)
Homeowner; Hobbies include softball, volunteer work, and camping.
Member of: Rotary Club
Omaha Chamber of Commerce
American Red Cross
United Way

References: Available upon request.