Sample resume entries

In both of the examples below, see how much stronger the second version sounds.

EXAMPLE #1
Night Manager, Big Y Market, Southampton, MA.
I was responsible for inventory and reporting security problems.
Reconciled register accounts.
Reports to management about traffic.
Given 5 people to supervise.

EXAMPLE #2
Night Manager,Big Y Market, Southampton, MA.
Summers 2002 and 2003

  • Supervised inventory takers
  • Reported security problems to management and law enforcement
  • Reconciled register reports and produced inventory reports for management
  • Recorded traffic and buyer preferences
  • Managed five employees including preparing their pay and promotion reports

EXAMPLE #3
Joe’s Lobster Shack, Cape Cod
Waitressed for three summers.

EXAMPLE #4
Joe’s Lobster Shack, Cape Cod. Waitress, Summers 2001-2003.
Job involved waiting on tables, ran cash register, worked in kitchen on food prep.

EXAMPLE #5
Waitress, Joe’s Lobster Shack, Cape Cod, Summers 2001-2003.

  • Interacting with customers in a busy, crowded restaurant
  • Giving orders to kitchen and serving 200 people per shift
  • Operating computer/cash register
  • Training new employees
  • Assisting kitchen staff with food preparation

Here’s how you might relate this to the Legal Assistant job in your cover letter:

As a waitress in a very busy seafood restaurant over the past three summers, I learned how to interact with a wide variety of people in a respectful, tolerant manner. This training will help me adjust quickly to the pace of your office and will enable me to work with your clients, potential witnesses, court personnel, and government officials. I am comfortable around many different types of people and enjoy the variety of experiences New York City has to offer.