Tired of searching online for free résumé resources? Here’s an aggregated list of resources that I built for you to help you save time and focus on what’s really important: writing a powerful résumé.

I. Examples of Qualifications Summaries for Your Résumé

In today’s market, recruiters get dozens or hundreds of résumés for each job opening, so they tend to decide within about 6 seconds whether a resume goes in the Yes, No, or Maybe pile for interviews.

If recruiters can’t see your qualifications quickly and easily, your résumé won’t pass the 6-second test. An effective qualification summary will greatly increase your chance of landing in the Yes pile.

Below are some examples that I collected for you*:

1. Example of Qualifications Summary for Registered Nurse

• 12 years’ experience as a Registered Nurse, including clinical research and coordination of cardiology clinical trials
• 9 years’ experience in direct patient care, including pre- and post-op, and pediatric cardiology
• Led 4-person team that studied and restructured nursing shift scheduling, reducing absenteeism 26% and cutting overtime costs in half
• Thorough knowledge of federal and state healthcare regulations

2. Example of Qualifications Summary for Marketing Communications Associate

• 2.5 years as Marketing Coordinator for mid-size communications firm producing flyers, newspaper advertisements, brochures, and online content
• BA in Marketing and Communications from University of Michigan (2009)
• 2 years’ blogging experience promoting and reviewing on-campus social events
• Committed to building  expertise in web communications, social media, and search engine marketing through exceptional work ethic and ability to quickly absorb and apply new information

3. Example of Qualifications Summary for Facilities Maintenance Technician

HVAC-certified maintenance technician with more than 7 years of experience in building and grounds maintenance in multi-unit residential and healthcare facilities. Expertise includes painting and wall coverings; apartment make-ready services; general electrical and plumbing repairs; coordinating and assisting licensed vendors; power and hand tool use. Committed to safety, customer service, and clear communication with management and residents.

4. Example of Qualifications Summary for Biomedical Scientist

• 6+ years research experience in biomedical engineering, including biosensors, microfluidics, electrochemistry, and biomaterials
• Independent researcher in close collaboration with 10+ biochemists and bioengineers from different labs and institutions
• First author of 4 journal publications under peer-review and 3 conference presentations
• Experienced lab manager who routinely trained and supervised new graduate students, undergraduate interns and visiting scholars

Take a look at the step-by-step guide on how to write a résumé to learn how you can use Qualifications Summary within your résumé.

II. Examples of PAR Statements for Your Résumé

PAR (Problem Actions Results) statements are a succinct way of expressing an experience on your résumé. They allow the employer to read few major bullet points on the key accomplishments and tasks you’ve carried out during a professional experience.

Below are some examples of PAR statements*:

1. Upgraded three computer systems and related communication equipment, increasing 30% the volume of transactions and sales processed.
2. Promoted team building, cross functional training and employee involvement, increased productivity by 23%.
3. Changed the quality assurance and product development function, from domestic factory services groups to a worldwide organization, greatly increasing its efficiency.
4. Instituted recruiter accountability for the quality of hires, met or exceeded hiring requirements and increased employee retention.
5. During period of high-turnover, successfully hired and effectively trained key individuals for the payroll department attaining employee retention targets.
6. Eliminated the duplication of paperwork in a struggling department by auditing and streamlining procedures.
7. Implemented a $75,000 electronic data interchange technology program that slashed paperwork, reduced staffing and cut overall operating expenses by $800,000 annually.
8. Developed several customized computer reports, monitoring productivity in maintenance, resulting in dramatically increased uptime and cut costs by more than $262,000 annually.
9. Developed and managed strategies for a $200,000 division, increased revenues by 22%.
10. Spent $2,500 to develop a scannable expense report that reduced staffing for expense processing by more than 90% while reducing overall document processing costs.
11. Consistently performed at 15% of quota in a three state sales territory for 12 consecutive quarters.
12. Designed and delivered customized quality management training programs for key customer. This led to enhanced customer relationships.
13. Designed and implemented a unified management cost and inventory valuation system. Successfully delivered this activity based costing system within time and functional specifications.
14. Managed the outsourcing of payroll, saving approximately $75,000 in labor and costs and improved the overall services level.
15. Invested $850 on mapping software, replacing conventional spread sheet reports, saving up to $3000 per system order.

Take a look at the step-by-step guide on how to write a résumé to learn how you can use PAR Statements within your résumé.

III. Examples of Action Verbs for Your Résumé

The employer you’re trying to impress doesn’t care about how much effort you put into your job; they want to know what you’ve accomplished. That’s why your résumé should contain action-oriented verbs.

The specific action verbs vary depending on the job, but they all have a few things in common: they describe a specific action and they create clear visual images.

A quick online search will turn up dozens of lists of action verbs. Below is one of them that was provided by Harvard Law School. I hope it will assist you in describing your experiences and accomplishments:

Take a look at the step-by-step guide on how to write a résumé to learn how you can use Action Verbs within your résumé.

IV. Examples of Hobbies and Interests for Your Résumé

Adding a section for your personal interests and hobbies can add a lot of value to your résumé.

Take a look at how Google hires people who are open and playful. Why?  Because that’s Google’s work culture. And Google wants new employees to fit in with their other workers and the culture of their office.

The hobbies and interests you put on your résumé will say something specific about you to your potential employer. So, writing hobbies for your résumé is about choosing what aspects of your personality you want to emphasize and communicate.

Here’s a few examples of hobbies and interests that you can put on your résumé, depending on the job you’re applying for:

1. Individual Sports (Marathon Running) – You’re fit and you enjoy challenges.
2. Team Sports (Basketball) – You excel at teamwork and have leadership skills.
3. Extreme Sports (Motocross) – A risk taker (bad for desk jobs).
4. Tech Hobbies (Computing) – Tech savvy and introverted (not great for social jobs).
5. Puzzles (Crosswords) – You’re an analytical thinker with problem-solving skills.
6. Games (Chess) – You’re an intelligent strategist.
7. Social Hobbies (Mentoring) –You communicate well and connect with others.
8. Traveling – You express a desire to experience new cultures and environments
9. Volunteer Work/Community Involvement – Can be relevant for companies that are actively involved in their communities.

Take a look at the step-by-step guide on how to write a résumé to learn how you can use Hobbies and Interests within your résumé.

More Free Résumé Resources…

This list of free résumé resources is complementary to the step-by-step guide on how to write a résumé.

What other résumé resources would you recommend or need? Please share your comment below with Nextal community.