Writing Resume Please check my four attached files first. Thank you.

Resume Writing Rules

Keep the resume to one page, unless otherwise requested by the employer. Do not use a generic “one size fits all” resume. Always tailor your résumé to the specific job description. Carefully read the job description and clearly articulate how your knowledge, skills and experiences align to that job description. Match your knowledge, skills and abilities to those needed for the job description.

Create a Word document with 11 to 12 font size. Your name at the top may be larger font. Use ½ to 1 inch page margins. Below your name should be your contact information: address, phone and email. Below that put in the most critical information to selling yourself for the particular job.

Put the most critical information at the top quarter of the page to immediately show the employer that you are qualified for the job. Be concise so it can be read within 10 seconds. The critical information at the top quarter of the page that sells you as being qualified is:

your degree,
credentials that directly apply
any experience in the field that directly applies to the job description,

Note: It is especially important for government environmental public health work i.e. health department that you identify your EHS degree is Environmental Health Accreditation Council accredited.

Note: It is especially important for health and safety work in industry i.e. EHS, HSE that you identify your EHS degree program is Board of Certified Safety Professionals approved.

Credentials and certifications that pertain to the job must be identified in the top quarter of the page i.e.

BS degree applying to a health department or agency identify you have passed the Certified Environmental Health Specialist (CEHS) exam and you qualify to take the Registered Environmental Health Specialist (REHS) exam.

BS or BAS applying for a food safety job with government or industry, identify that you are eligible or have applied to take the Certified Professional - Food Safety (CP-FS) In- Training exam.

BS or BAS applying to industry environmental health and/or safety identify you have applied for the Graduate Safety Practitioner designation from BCSP.

BS applying to industry environmental health and/or safety identify you have applied for the Associate Safety and Health Manager designation from ISHM.

Other certifications may be also be applicable depending on the job description to government or industry i.e. Hazwoper, Hazmat, Incident Command Systems etc..

Be sure to spell out the credential or certification i.e. Certified Environmental Health Specialist, Registered Environmental Health Specialist, Associate Safety and Health Manager, Graduate Safety Practitioner. Do not assume they know the acronym, except for Hazwoper or Hazmat which are more universally known.

Focus on the "requirements," "skills" or "qualifications" sections of job descriptions, and look for “buzzwords” and desirable credentials that you can match up to or will soon be attaining.

Coursework is especially important when you do not have any direct experience in an area. Use your coursework to your advantage to show you have knowledge in an area. Identify the keywords based on the Knowledges, Skills, and Abilities required for the position in the job description and match these in your resume with courses. For example, if knowledge in water and wastewater and chemical analysis is required, then show you have taken Water Quality Management and courses in Chemistry. For example, if knowledge in food safety and microbiology is required, then show you have taken Food Safety and Microbiology.

If you do have credentials or knowledge or abilities pertaining to the type of work, then identify those in addition to what is specifically requested in the job description. For example, health departments may ask for knowledge in soils and food safety, but also usually like knowledge of microbiology, epidemiology, epidemiological statistics, etc.. For example, an industry may ask for knowledge in solid and hazardous waste management, but may also like hazardous material safety, risk management, occupational health & safety, industrial hygiene, etc..

A one page résumé generally does not have room for every detail of your work experience, only include what is applicable and sells you for the job.

If you have no experience directly related to the field, use indirect experience that identifies you as reliable, knowledgeable, and dependable leader that can solve problems. Indirect experience could be how you have shown leadership in the past to solve a problem i.e. while working at a restaurant you identified a health or safety hazard, brought it management attention and worked with them to identify a solution. Indirect experience could be how you have identified not only ways to better health and safety, but also how your idea(s) saved XX dollars for the company/organization at the same time. Focus on your strengths. If you have no experience, show your courses and certifications that identify you are knowledgeable in the areas that the employer asks for experience in.

Numbers may be beneficial in your experience (helps highlight accomplishments) i.e. identify you were responsible for a given number of employees or a given amount of money or sales. This helps to identify that you are a responsible leader and can be trusted.

"Time is money." Organizations are constantly looking for ways to save time, perform work more efficiently, and meet internal and external deadlines. So, whatever you can do on your résumé to show that you can save or manage time more effectively is beneficial.

Show if you were active in any club or member of an organization related to the profession i.e. EH Club, NEHA or that shows you are active in the community. Being a club officer or volunteer shows a degree of commitment, responsibility and leadership.

Proofread and spell / grammar check your resume. Save your resume in multiple locations.

Do not write paragraphs. Use headings and create bullet lists underneath i.e. Education, Credentials, Coursework, Experience, Skills, Organizations, Awards, etc.. Only create headings that are applicable. Start bullet list statements with power verbs i.e. Implemented, Directed, Guided, Managed, Developed, Organized, Improved, Created, Participated, Studied, Resolved, Produced, Attained.

The purpose of your resume is to get you an interview and only relevant information to the job description should be listed.

The Pattern of your One-Page Resume:

At the very top: Name, mailing address, phone number, email address

Top quarter of page:

Education – BS or BAS
Credentials that directly apply to the job – designations, certifications and the credentialing agency
Direct work-related experience
MSSU degree courses related to the job description

Lower three fourths of page:

Any skills or abilities you have that are needed in the job description
Non-directly related work experience that shows you are dependable, responsible and productive
Related organizations you belong to
Awards, distinctions (if any)