Hello everyone. I have decided to go into the Peace Corps. I made this decision a while ago, and have been working on my application for some time. Tonight I finally finished my essays for the application.
My question for you is about the resume I am submitting with my application. I have updated it from my last job to better suit the peace corps, but I am unsure whether or not it has been done correctly to fit the peace corps. Would anyone experienced with this stuff mind taking a look at it for me and giving me pointers if I have done things incorrectly? Did I include anything that I don't need? Did I forget to include something that is important?
As soon as I have the resume where it is done correctly I will be submitting my application (hooray!)
Here is the resume in html format. Not exactly the same as the actual document but pretty close...
resume in html format
And here is the resume in .doc format.
.doc format
The only thing I have removed is my address/phone number personal info for obvious reasons.
Thanks!
Posts
-Make sure all your statements are in the same tense, also. Resumes should be in past tense. Don't say, for instance, "Supervise exhibits in museums", say supervised exhibits, etc.
-Also, you have to make it sound really positive. Instead of "Worked with underprivileged children to keep them safe throughout the day." say, "ensured the safety of unerprivileged children"...that kind of thing. I can give you some random sample phrases from my resume if you want some strong positive verbs. Let me know.
You mentioned changing the wording... do you mean changing things to be very brief and to the point?
The making it sound really positive is difficult for me to do. I would love some samples for that.
* Demonstrated ability to communicate information effectively.
* Aided in generating funds for various nonprofit organizations.
For his job at Game Stop:
* Contributed to branch being named top store in district.
* Increased game sales through product knowledge.
* Provided excellent customer service.
* Assisted in organization of public game launch.
As a tech support guy at our school:
* Provided frontline technical support to students.
* Maintained high level of employer satisfaction.
For his job at Hot Topic (I can never tease him enough):
* Advised managers regarding new sales initiatives.
* Increased sales through product knowledge and quality customer service.
* Fostered store organization.
For my job as a writer/editor in my school's media relations department:
* Composed documents for use on campus website and other media.
* Created and distributed press releases for local and general media contacts.
* Edited documents for accuracy of content and proper format.
Lead counselor at a camp:
* Served as a leader and role model for summer staff and campers.
* Ensured safety of staff, summer staff, campers, and camp as a whole.
* Provided effective counseling to summer staff and campers.
Working at the school's admissions office:
* Provided crucial information to prospective students and their families.
* Demonstrated ability to communicate information effectively.
Another writing/editing job (can you tell I'm an English major?)
* Wrote and edited official documents for campus-wide distribution.
* Displayed effective research skills and informative writing capabilities.
It sounds cheesy, but you really have to sell yourself. I've gotten compliments on my resume from various people who then hired me. And yeah, making it all sound positive is hard, especially when you feel like your job was mundane (as was mine in my school's office, and my boyfriend's as a caller at a call center) You just have to make it all sound like you are the most amazing person in the world.
Is it safe to assume the layout of the resume is fine since you didn't mention that?
He should consider further revision: "Demonstrated effective communication skills." ;-)
Ahhh. Duly noted. Haha. Thanks.
Oh, the medical process could take anywhere from 3 to 6 months, so don't get discouraged.