I am trying to get a job as clerical at a collection agency but requires a resume. I haven't never type up a resume so I was wondering if someone can help me make up a resume. I haven't really worked in an office before. I have only worked at pizza hut and McDonald's so how could I possibly make that look good in a resume. Please help!!

Hi, payasa14!

How long did you work at Pizza Hut and McDonald's, please?

Thanks!

Are you still there, payasa14? I'm ready to help you.

Thanks!

At pizza hut I work from aug 2006 to aug 2007 and mcdonalds sept 2007 to jan 2009.

What did you do at Pizza Hut and McDonald's?

I'm looking for things that we can put on your resume.

Thanks!

At pizza hut I was a waitress/cook. I made drinks, took orders, delivered pizza, was a cashier. At mcdonalds I did everything. Cashier, made food, organized food, handed out food, took orders, I stocked food in freezer.

Okay, thanks!

August 2006 to August 2007
Waitress and Cook at Pizza Hut in??

Interfaced on a regular basis with customers
Took orders for customers
Handled money as a cashier on a regular and frequent basis
Made drinks
Delivered pizza to the homes of customers
Worked as a team member with others
Helped to maintain excellent customer service

Anything else there?

Thanks!

If you did everything at McDonald's, were you some kind of manager?

Yeah, that's awesome!!

That's how we can line things up on your resume.

What word processing programs do you have on your computer, please?

Thanks!

Microsoft word 2003

Would you open it up and get ready to format your resume?

Thanks!

Okay got it open...

Now you need to set up the page. You go to File and click on Page Setup. I would suggest one inch borders all the way around.

Okay and I click on border and then what? How do I get the 1 inch?

I'm in Word 1997. I would think that a lot of things should be similar.

There should be a tab to click on to set your margins to how you want them. Or, do you have something that says Border?

I should have said margin and not border earlier. Sorry!

Oh okay well I just set all my margins to 1.

Now we need to put your heading at the top of the page. My preference is to have it centered because I think that it makes the page look more balanced.

Some people prefer it to be on the left side, though.

First Name, Middle Initial and Last Name
Street Address
City, State and Zip Code (I like to add the other four digits, too.)
Phone Number and Email Address next to it

We can work on the font style and size after you've put that information on it.

Thanks!

Okay

Did you finish doing that yet? Below, is an example that you can follow.


John T. Smith
1234 Cherry Lane
Smithown, OH 12345-3546
468.321.7896 [email protected]

Yes I'm done.

Now, using highlighting of the text with your cursor, we're going to set up the font style and size. Also, italicizing your name is okay.

I would suggest the font of Arial because it's easy to read. Times New Roman, is very friendly and warm, but we want to make sure that everything that you write is very legible.

I would set your name at a 16 point font and the rest below that at 14 point.

Please let me know if you need help with finding how to format the font and the size.

Okay?

OK I'm done

Okay, GREAT!

I'm going to need to be leaving here momentarily, because a friend coming to take me to a concert at a nearby college.

With that first example of what you've done for a job, I'd like you to list other jobs the same way. You think of as many action words that you can for the beginning of the sentences. For example: interfaced, worked, accomplished, established, helped, etc.

What and how you've done in school can also be in your resume.

Have you done any extracurricular activities and are you still in school?

Thanks!

In high school I was in a club that helps around the school. I was on honor roll but other then that nothing. Okay yeah that's fine all your help is greatly apprectiated! Thank you for everything!

I got to go, now! Sorry! My friend is here. I would love work with you on this at another time, soon!

I'm usually on here late at night, after around 10:30. But, tomorrow, I need to get up to play for church.

If you know your typing speed and ten-key speed, that's something that you can also put on the bottom of your resume.

Thanks!

Hi again, payasa14!

I'm back from the concert and am going to be staying at a friend's home for the night. I just wanted to mention some other things for you to think about.

If you need a resume in order to apply for the job, you should probably also put together a cover letter to send or give with the resume. We can also work on that. I've written lots of them.

Concerning the company to which you're applying, if I were you, I would suggest finding out as much information about them that you can, and what specifically they do, so that you can be best prepared for an interview and be able to speak about the company as an informed and interested person. You'll look better to them that way.

What did the club do that helped around school?

What was your grade point average in high school? You said that you were on the honor roll.

Have you ever lead a group of people for a common purpose or goal of some kind? That can also be something that can be mentioned on a resume.

Have you ever been a volunteer for things? If so, what, please?

Have you ever tested your clerical skills at a temp agency? If not, that would be something that you might consider doing. To my knowledge, it's free and you would then have documentation that would be proof of how you can do some things that are clerical.

Do you have any written references/letters of recommendation from any former employers? If not, then I would suggest getting some and also ask others if they would be willing to provide a verbal reference for you if a potential employer asks you.

We're trying to "beef-up" your resume here and also make you look as good as possible to a potential employer. Things need to be informative, legible, precise, concise and clear!

I will definitely be back on here tomorrow night after 10:00 P.M.

Thanks!

Yeah I was thinking of doing a cover letter. The club that I was in helped organize games. Did a cancer show, set up a little history place on cinco de mayo and martin luther king day. Yeah I volenteered to gather food to give to the food banks. But yeah okay ill be on tomorrow too.

I just noticed that you appeared here. I do need to go. You're starting to open up like a book, and that's great!

Anything that you and/or we can think of as far as what you've done with your life would be good as possibilities for your resume and also the cover letter.

Please do some research on the company and what they do. I would suggest to even go so far as going in to them to see if they have any literature and/or forms that they give to people. You wouldn't need to say that you were looking for a job, but are interested in what they have to offer potential customers.

Please look over carefully what I've written in post number 28 and answer the questions, if you will. If you might not want to post your grade point average, then please let me know what the range was for you to be on the honor roll.

You are totally anonymous here though. So, not much to worry about.

Thanks!

I just thought of something else, and that would be, please be sure to find out the first and last names of anyone to whom you will be submitting any documentation about yourself.

If you submit documents to exactly the right people, that will also help you to look good in their eyes.

It's a personal touch...

The job is more important than the place and dates, so emphasize that. Be concise when listing tasks.


Waitress/Cook, Pizza Hut, Town (08/06-08/07)
* Took customer orders by phone and in person
* Regularly and effectively interfaced with customers
* Regularly handled cash
* Made drinks
* Delivered pizza to customers' homes
* Enjoyed working as a team member
* Provided excellent customer service

Good points there, Wondergirl! I was going to get around to the possibility of using some kind of bulleting.

payasa14, if you're online and want to, I'm available and would enjoy working with you on this again!

Thanks!

I'm not at home rite now so don't have a computer to open up my resume.

That's okay! I was just checking. We could work on some things for a cover letter, that is, if you have the time now?

What are you using right now to communicate here, please?

Thanks!

Hi, payasa14!

I'm just wondering how you're doing and looking forward to working further with you on this project!

Thanks!

Well I was looking for info like you said but there website don't have much on it and they have no kind of bOoklets but like what kind of stuff I'm I looking to put on there.

What specifically are you looking to put on it, please?

Hmm I really don't know. Do I have to have stuff about the company? I thought it was only when you went to the interview. How should my resume be listed. I know objective should be the very first thing but does it matter in what order everything else is in?

Hmm I really don't know. Do I have to have stuff about the company? I thought it was only when you went to the interview. How should my resume be listed. I know objective should be the very first thing but does it matter in what order everything else is in?
The current thinking is that the Objective section is NOT necessary. Instead, there should be sections that tells about Skills and Abilities and/or Accomplishments. Think about what skills you have -- customer service, computers, working on a team or working independently, knowing a language such as Spanish. What accomplishments do you have under your belt? -- have you created a useful filing system for an employer, have you saved a company money by shortcutting a task, have you been able to resolve customer problems when no one else could, etc.

The order of a resume --
Accomplishments
Skills & Abilities
Work History
Education
Special Training (may need to be listed before Education if it happened recently)

Yes, you need to read up on the company, not only for the interview, but also for the cover letter. You want them to think you are very interested in their company. Your local public library will have info on the company.

I agree with the Objective or Career Aspiration part not being necessary. However, with a younger person without a lot of job experiences, I think that it helps to include it so that it shows that the job applicant has done some thought as to a definite direction he or she wants to take with their career.

With an older person, who has a lot of job experience over many years, their resume usually it what will show the direction that they want to take and have taken.

Thanks!

For my objective I got this... Objective: Seeking a career position with a Company, where professional experience, education and abilities would be an advantage to the growth of my employer and myself. Is that good or should I change it around a little?

Hi, payasa14!

I think that you should personalize it and re-word it a little bit more.

I'll show you what I mean in a couple of minutes. I need to work on it.

Thanks!

Objective: Seeking a career position with a Company, where professional experience, education and abilities would be an advantage to the growth of my employer and myself. Is that good or should I change it around a little?

Career Objective (or, it could be titled, Career Aspiration.)
To find a position with a company that best utilizes my professional experience, education, skills and abilities to the best they can be in order to enable a company to achieve the goals that they have.

Something like that, anyway. It's more personal and concise. Although, I'm sure that Wondergirl could make some improvements to it.

Thanks!

Okay, should I keep the professional experience part since I really don't have much experience in office work? Ok and next I...


Relevant Skill:

• Efficient with using Microsoft Word, Microsoft Works, and Microsoft Excel
• Having experience of creation of correspondence from the given information
• Accustomed to heavy telephone usage
• Typing speed: 55wpm
Have

Please let me work on that a minute or two.

Thanks!

By the way, your Professional Experience, is going to be the heart (bulk) of your resume. At least, that's the way that it's been with mine.

Thanks!

Okay, first thing. Where and in what way have you used Microsoft Word, Microsoft Works, and Microsoft Excel, please?

Was this in relation to a job that you had?

Thanks!

Oh no I had computer app classes when I was in high school and we used these everyday.

I agree with the Objective or Career Aspiration part not being necessary. However, with a younger person without a lot of job experiences, I think that it helps to include it
I totally disagree. The cover letter can incorporate the objective very nicely.

Did you get a good grade in that class?

Career Objective (or, it could be titled, Career Aspiration.)
To find a position with a company that best utilizes my professional experience, education, skills and abilities to the best they can be in order to enable a company to achieve the goals that they have.

Something like that, anyway. It's more personal and concise. Although, I'm sure that Wondergirl could make some improvements to it.

Thanks!
I would not include it. It says absolutely nothing.

An A.

The objective just gives a little detail and then in the cover letter wouldn't I write more on that? Like what I'm trying to say in better words? So don't put it on there at all?

I totally disagree. The cover letter can incorporate the objective very nicely.

Probably so. However, I still think that with a younger person, relatively inexperienced in going for jobs and having interviews, it helps to "round-out", so to speak, a shorter resume and thus make it appear more full and complete.

My resume is two pages in length and I'm having to shorten and make it more concise all the time. It really shows what my career object has been. So, there's no need for it to be on the resume.

Thanks!

The objective just gives a little detail and then in the cover letter wouldnt I write more on that? Like what im trying to say in better words? So dont put it on there at all?
No company cares about what you want to achieve for yourself. All they want to know is how you can make them money or save them money. Most Objectives are worthless.

Only include it if it is tailored specifically for a particular job opening.

An A.

That's good! In incorporating it as far as a "Related Experience" section should work out very nicely!

Thanks!

...... Most Objectives are worthless.

But then, some aren't worthless.

Thanks!

Probably so. However, I still think that with a younger person, relatively inexperienced in going for jobs and having interviews, it helps to "round-out", so to speak, a shorter resume and thus make it appear more full and complete.
I think I will disappear and read a book. You two have fun pulling all this together.

So where do I put my jobs and education at? Does it matter in what order there in?

Writing a resume is an art, and there's many ways that they can be done, payasa14. But, they should always be geared toward the job for which you're applying.

I've spent over 37 years doing music for churches. I've done them at the same time that I've had teaching positions at schools.

Would I include the church jobs in a resume? Not necessarily.

Thanks!

So where do I put my jobs and education at? Does it matter in what order there in?

You just need a simple resume at this point in your career. There are at least these types types of resumes that are in use. Chronological, Functional, Combination and Targeted. There may be others, but I'm not sure what they're called. Certainly, any one resume could have all of the attributes of the kinds mentioned above.

What specifically is called for you to do in the job for which you're applying, please?

Thanks!

What Im going to be doing in the job or what do you mean?

What you'll need to be doing clerically at the job. That's what I mean. They're going to be looking for your clerical skills, i.e. typing, (word processing and ten-key), filing, taking dictation, etc. Basically, what a secretary in an office that has a lot of paperwork might do. Correct?

Or, will you be doing other things that aren't clerical in nature?

Thanks!

Are you still there, payasa14?

Thanks!

Yeah ill be handling the mail, running to do things for the company, and pretty much everything else a secretary does

And, what of those sort of things have you done in the previous positions that you've held, please?

Are you also going to be needing the ability to do spreadsheets?

Thanks!

Well I really haven't done these things just answer phone calls. I have only worked a fast food places. No I won't have to do spreadsheets.

I'm sorry, payasa14!

I was on the phone! That's why it took me so long to respond.

What I'm trying to find out from you, are the specifics to what you've already done, so that you can include them in a Skills Summary that could be at the very beginning of your resume, after the Heading.

Thanks!

Haha well see that's the thing I'm having trouble with... I really haven't done much that would relate to this job.

Then we need to think of the ways that will make you look the best for the job!

I think that I've already asked these two questions previously.

What is your typing speed and also what is your ten-key speed, please?

Thanks!

I type 55 wpm and not really sure about the ten key...

Just tested myself it it says 20 wpm

Hi, payasa14!

I'm still here! Was having some problems with connections to the Internet.

Do you know where on the Internet that you can test yourself for ten-key?

If you mean, 20 wpm for regular typing, you need to be at least at 40 wpm.

Thanks!

I type 55-60 wpm on regular typing. Im not that good at the ten speed... tested myself came up to 20.

Hi, payasa14!

Did you finish what you were trying to do here?

Thanks!

Yea is did thank you for your helps

I'm glad that you were able to finish your project! I hope that it is satisfactory to you!

Here is a link to one of my favorite typing sites where you can practice your typing of documents and also practice ten-key.

http://www.learn2type.com/

I wish and hope for you only the best!

Thanks!

Gota interview tomorrow so hope I get the job!

Gota interview tomorrow so hope I get the job!!
Best wishes!!

I'm glad that you have an interview tomorrow and I hope that you get the job!

How did you find out about the job in the first place?

Thanks!

Newspaper ad.

How did your interview go, payasa14?

Great! I got the job!! Thank you so much!

Congratulations!!!! Way to go!!!! I'm so glad to hear that you got the job!!!! :)

Haha thank you I had doubts but I pulled it off!

Please work to make yourself indispensable. These are all stepping stones that can lead to bigger and better things!

Thanks!