MINISTRY POSITION RESUME

An Article Written by Dr. Neil Chadwick


GOAL # 1 - GETTING IT READ

    * MANY OTHERS ARE OUT THERE

    * HOW DO YOU GET THEM TO PAY ATTENTION TO YOU?

      MORE THAN A LIST OF YOUR TALENTS/EXPERIENCES

    * IT IS AN INFORMATION PIECE ABOUT YOU

    * THE MESSAGE: "I HAVE SOMETHING TO OFFER!"

    * PROVIDE A GOOD REASON TO GO TO THE NEXT STEP ... AN INTERVIEW

HAVE IT DONE BY AN EXPERT? NO! WHY?

    * FORCES YOU TO EXAMINE YOURSELF

    * PREPARES YOU FOR WHAT'S TO COME - MAKING YOURSELF AVAILABLE, YOUR ABILITIES, YOUR VALUE

    * IF ANYTHING, WRITE IT YOURSELF, BUT GET HELP ON HAVING IT TYPED AND PRINTED

RESUME PREPARATION TIPS

    * BE BRIEF AND TO THE POINT

    * AVOID THE PRONOUN "I"

    * INCLUDE ONLY RELEVANT INFORMATION

    * STRESS YOUR ACCOMPLISHMENTS

    * DON'T BE CUTE OR CHATTY

    * USE SHORT SENTENCES

    * TOOT YOUR OWN HORN (BUT SOFTLY)

    * DON'T TALK ABOUT SALARY

    * DON'T INCLUDE A PHOTO UNLESS REQUESTED

    * BE POSITIVE

    * USE WORDS THAT CONVEY ACTION!

* * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Resume language should be specific rather than general, and active- or action-oriented, rather than passive.

Information about your past experience and accomplishments is relevant only if it illustrates your potential contribution in the area of your job or ministry objective.

Give results whenever possible, but avoid language that appears to inflate those results.

Differently worded resumes should be created for use in different positions for which you are applying.

Extreme care should be taken so that there are no spelling or grammar errors, and that the appearance of the resume is neat and easy to read. Have trusted friends and counselors give you honest feedback.

Be prayerful and sensitive to the Holy Spirit during every step of the process.

MORE RESUME HELPFUL HINTS

EDUCATION

    List most recent educational accomplishment. (For TBC, give years, i.e. 1991-1995, and in parenthesis, "Anticipated graduation, April 28).

    You may include seminars attended if the content is related to the position you seek. When including education other than Biblical/Ministry/Theological, indicate the nature of that training.

    When indicating the degree earned, include the major(s) and minor(s).

    Include your High School as an educational accomplishment.

    Including your "G.P.A." is only helpful when applying to educationally oriented ministries.

EXPERIENCE

    Ministry involvements should be listed by category of duties rather than dates unless this was an acknowledged staff position.

    It is beneficial to include military and employment history. Name and address of employer are not necessary, unless you wish a Christian employer to be contacted as a reference. More important is to indicate what type of work you were involved with. Examples: Assisted with oversight of a three plants; Served in the capacity of Office Administrator . . .

    If experience is less than a year, indicate the number of months.

    When listing Sunday Scool teaching or Camp work, include the ages with whom you worked if this particular experience will help you in the position you are seeking.

    When indicating Intern position or Practicum, include the name of the church or ministry as well as the person under whom you served. (The exception would be if this were a bad situation due to personality problems not of your making.)

    If you served as a ministry team leader, briefly indicate (in a phrase) what responsibilities were involved.

PERSONAL HISTORY

    You may include a statement such as, "After graduation (First Name Last Name) anticipates serving in the ministry as .

    Include the name of your home church pastor when possible.

    Spousal information is important in some ministries, not as important in others. If you're going to refer to a husband or wife, you may do so in the "Personal History" section: "Married to who -- (then list ministry interests, abilities or qualities pertinent to ministry.)

REFERENCES

    Develop a list of as many as 10 potential references. On a given resume, include only 3 to 5. Be sure you have contacted these people prior to sending out your resume. When sending a resume in response to a request (as opposed to 'bulk' mailing), contact your references and inform them about the ministry to whom you have sent the resume.

AVOID THE FOLLOWING:

    Repitition. If experience is noted in one section don't repeat it in another (i.e. Summary of Ministry) unless this is an expansion, identifying the activity or results of that ministry.

    Assemblies of God terminology (WM, Chi Alpha, MAPS) if your resume will be seen by non-A/G decision makers.

    Use of the personal pronoun "I".

    Use of "etc.".

    Bright colored paper, or computer originated graphics. These will not impress those who review resumes for ministry positions.

    Euphemisms or stock phrases, i.e. "those in the faith", "moral conscience", "equip the saints", "laity".

    Consider using the wording "Ministry Profile" instead of "Resume" in the cover letter which accompanies a requested resume.

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