Creating a
RESUME
Resume Writing
Formatting Options & Examples
Adjective & Adverb List
Student Employment Services
Appleton Campus – Room E135
(920) 735-JOBS (5627)
(920) 231-JOBS (5267)
www.fvtc.edu/ses
[email protected]
RESUME WRITING:
Your Resume Goal, Purposes, and Needed Resources
Why are you writing a resume?
Are you:
 looking for your first job?
 looking for a job in the same or a similar field?
 looking for a job in a different field?
 applying for a specific position, or sending resumes of general inquiry?
 wanting to document all of your jobs, work-related experiences, and skills?
You need to have a clear picture of why you are writing your resume. If you aren’t
certain of what you want, your uncertainty will be reflected in your resume. You get
ONE chance to make an impression, whether good or bad. Therefore, you want that
impression to show focus and motivation. You will be much more successful in your job
search if your goals are clear in your mind and on your resume.
What’s the purpose of developing a resume?
The resume is a tool to market yourself so that you get the interview! It’s a formal,
organized summary of your job and job-related experiences, education, and skills. This
summary should celebrate you for the purpose of sparking employers’ interest so that
they will want to know more about you and call you for an interview.
As you are developing your resume, try to look at it from an employer's point of view.
Ask yourself, “If I were an employer, would I want to interview me based on my
resume?” By doing this, you will be more likely to include information in your resume
that will take you to the interview level. Your resume probably won’t lead to a job offer
on its own, but you want it to open the door for dialogue and consideration by an
interested employer.
So what do you need to create your resume?
A lot! You’ll need:
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an accurate list of the jobs you’ve held and dates you’ve held them;
your employers’ names and addresses;
titles of your positions and descriptions of your responsibilities, work achievements,
special projects, and results;
your important and relevant educational and training data;
copies of school transcripts, certificates, licenses;
records of relevant conferences or seminars you’ve attended;
performance reviews from the jobs you’ve held;
letters of reference and appreciation from professional colleagues, clients, customers;
a list of action verbs that you can refer to when writing the Work Experience section;
samples of various resume types to assist you related to content and format.
With these assembled resources, you will be prepared for your resume writing task. You
won’t necessarily use all of this information, but reviewing it and noting it will help you
make the many decisions that go into the creation of a resume.
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RESUME WRITING:
Three Resume Formats to Consider
You have three resume formats to choose from.
There are reasons to use and not use each of these three formats. So consider
your options before making your final decision.
1. Chronological resume format – This format is the traditional resume
format and the most preferred format by human resource managers because it
connects job responsibility to job experience most directly. It is an excellent
format for job seekers who want to focus on their job histories. A chronological
resume presents your education and work experience in a straightforward
manner, typically in reverse chronological order from the most recent to the
least recent.
In the samples that follow, Elena Gonzalez’s and Sara K. Smith’s resumes are
examples of a chronological resume format.
2. Functional (skills-oriented) resume format – This format allows you to
emphasize your strengths and minimize your flawed or absent employment
record. Recent graduates with little professional experience in their fields but
with relevant academic work and training may want to consider this format. It
relies on grouping key skills and accomplishments into different categories to
demonstrate your qualifications and expertise for a particular job. You should
know that some human resource managers prefer the chronological or combined
format over the solely functional format because in a functional resume your
skills and achievements are not matched with specific job titles.
In the samples that follow, Sean Jones’ resume is an example of a functional
resume format.
3. Combined (chronological and functional) resume format – This format
combines the chronological and functional (skills-oriented) formats. It is
effective if you have at least some professional related experience in your field
of interest and want to feature your skills related to your stated objective. Here
your skills and accomplishments are in one section and work experience is in
another, listed in reverse chronological order.
In the samples that follow, Ryan P. Williams’ resume is an example of a
combined resume format.
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Chronological Resume Format Example
Elena Gonzalez
1234 First Avenue, Appleton, WI 54911
(920)555-5555 [email protected]
Objective
A full-time Claims Cost Management Specialist position with Humana
processing claims, providing data analysis, and delivering exceptional
customer service to increase business efficiency and customer satisfaction
Professional
Skills
▪
▪
▪
▪
Education and
Training
Fox Valley Technical College
Accounting Associate Degree
Phi Theta Kappa Academic Honors Society
Appleton, WI
5/2010
Humana
Medical Insurance Certificate
De Pere, WI
12/2009
Northeast Wisconsin Technical College
Medical Business Specialist Certification
Green Bay, WI
5/2008
Work
Experience
Medical business accounting
Employee training
Claims processing
Accounting software
▪
▪
▪
▪
Customer service
Data reporting and analyzing
PC Microsoft Office XP operations
Written communication
Medical Services Assistant
5/2009 - Present
Davis Eye Clinic
Green Bay, WI
▪ Perform patient customer service for 4 physicians related to office,
testing, and surgical appointments
▪ Maintain patient and insurance billing spreadsheet records
▪ Develop new clinic patient data spreadsheet to replace outdated tracking
system
Retail Clerk
1/2007 – 4/2009
Sporting Goods, Inc.
Appleton, WI
▪ Provided customer service to the general public in-store and by phone
▪ Managed cash sales, cashiering, and minor accounting duties
▪ Wrote weekly sales reports
▪ Worked within a sales team to schedule work and market sales on floor.
▪ Performed on-floor training for all new clerks
Waitress
2/2005 – 1/2007
Joy’s Pizza and Family Restaurant
Kimberly, WI
▪ Provided customer service related to ordering, servicing, and billing in an
80-customer restaurant with expansive take-out component
▪ Created and wrote procedures for take-out customer service
▪ Assisted in training of over 20 new waitresses
▪ Performed cashiering duties
Volunteer
Experience
Accountant and Tax Consultant
Appleton Community Church
2009 – Present
Appleton, WI
Professional
Associations
Wisconsin Institute of Certified Public Accountants
National Institute of Accountants
2007 – Present
2007 – Present
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Chronological Resume Format Example
Sara K. Smith
123 Pleasant Drive
Appleton, WI 54915
920-555-5555 Home
920-999-9999 Cell
Practical nurse with 6 years of CNA experience in multiple settings seeking a
practical nursing position in a northeastern Wisconsin medical clinic that emphasizes passionate quality
patient care and team work
Education
Fox Valley Technical College – Appleton, WI
Practical Nursing Technical Diploma
Expected graduation: May 2012
Practical Nursing Clinical Experience
3/2012 – 5/2012 Waupaca Area Medical Clinic
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Waupaca, WI
Under supervision provided care for patients in family practice department
Assisted physicians through patient interviewing, assessment, and treatment
Entered patient related information on EPIC medical software system
1/2012 – 3/2012 Riverside Medical Center
 Provided assistance to full-time staff in the Coronary Care Unit
 Participated in a 4-member team
 Maintained complete awareness of monitored patients
 Did care, assessment, charting, and monitoring of IV fluids and medications
Waupaca, WI
Relevant Work Experience
2/2010 – Present Resident Assistant, Valley VNA
Neenah, WI
 Assist elderly residents with personal care, meals, cleaning, and other personal needs
 Function when needed as acting CNA manager for facility of 60 assisted living residents
 Administer medications, injections, and process medication orders
2/2009 – 1/2010
Direct Support Provider, Clarity Care
Oshkosh/Neenah, WI
 Worked in 2 group homes and assisted residents with personal care and needs, including those
with brain injuries, autism, learning disabilities, and rehabilitation needs
 Trained clients in appropriate behaviors and social skills in various community settings and took
them on outings
 Administered medications
6/2006 – 2/2009 CNA, Clearview Long Term Care and Rehabilitation
Juneau, WI
 Assisted residents with activities of daily living (ADL), served meals, and helped with personal
needs
 Assisted in transportation of residents to medical appointments, therapies, and personal
appointments
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Functional Resume Format Example
Sean M. Jones
222 E. Glory Rd., Appleton, WI 54911
(920) 999-2222
Employment Objective
An automotive mechanic position involving testing and diagnosis of engine problems, parts
replacement, and repair for an auto dealership focused on providing superior customer service
Education
Fox Valley Technical College, Appleton, WI
Automotive Technology Associate Degree
ATCP Air Conditioning Certified
GPA: 3.50
Expected: May 2011
Professional Skills
Technical
 Interpret manuals, computer programs, and procedures provided by manufacturers in the
service and repair of highly technical vehicles
 Demonstrate technical abilities in the areas of electrical/electronic systems, automatic
transmission/transaxle, manual drive train and axles, suspension and steering, brakes, heating
and AC, and engine performance and repair
Diagnostic
 Analyze vehicle problems by listening and testing to tell which vehicle parts need repair or
replacement
 Achieved competency in the operation of the chassis dynamometer for diagnosis of problems
 Problem-solved FVTC drag car operational problems to achieve higher performance
Safety
 Use the safety procedures and practices in all phases of service and repair of machinery, test
equipment, chemicals, and solvents
Computer and Communication
 Test and diagnose vehicle operation using appropriate computer software
 Produce quality written documents using Microsoft Word, Excel, and Access
Customer Service
 Demonstrate positive and professional communication skills dealing with customers so that
needs are met in a timely and courteous manner
Work Experience
2008 – Present
Dishwasher
Fox Banquets Rivertyme Catering
Appleton, WI
2009 – Present
Fox Valley Technical College
Student Ambassador
Appleton, WI
2009 Summer
Lube Technician
Appleton, WI
PDQ Express Lube
Awards and Volunteer Activities
2009
Amateur Sports Authority Scholarship
2009 – Present
Beat the Heat Auto Club
 Assist in organizing various auto club events every year as class representative
 Work on the FVTC drag car that the school races In the summer and fall
5
Combined Resume Format Example
Ryan P. Williams
345 Main Street
(920) 444-4444
Menasha, WI 54956
[email protected]
Objective
An IT position involving network design, desktop assembly and upgrades, and resolution
of user problems for a mid to large size business in the Fox Cities area focused on
providing quality solutions in a strong team environment
Education
2009 - 2011 Fox Valley Technical College
Appleton, WI
 Associate Degree, Network Specialist, December 2011
 Associate Degree, Microcomputer Specialist, December 2011
 Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society, member, G.P.A. – 3.95
Technical Skills
Hardware
 Upgrade desktops and servers
 Assemble desktops and servers
 Resolve hardware conflicts
Web Design
 Design websites using HTML
 Knowledgeable in XML
 Design Web sites using CSS
Application Installation and Use
 Microsoft Office Suite 97-2010
 Visual Basic .NET
 Visio 2010
Operating Systems
 Install and repair Windows XP, Windows
9X, Windows 7
 Install and administer Windows Server
2008 and 2010
 Knowledgeable in DOS and Linux
Networking
 Design small networks
 Implement network cabling and routers
 Troubleshoot user and group problems
 Configure and manage Active Directory
 Implement group policies
Additional Skills
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Ability to verbally communicate technical information so that others understand
Effective active listener with excellent oral and written communication skills
Work Experience
2/1999 – Present
Ryan’s Computers – Owner Kaukauna, WI
 Troubleshoot hardware/software problems by phone and in person
 Upgrade and build computers to customer specifications
 Restore systems and solve software problems
 Troubleshoot and resolve hardware conflicts
 Design and implement home and small business networks
 Provide personalized training and follow-up support
12/1994 – 5/2007
Riverside Paper Corporation – Mill Worker Appleton, WI
 Handled materials and stock
 Operated various converting machines
 Participated as active member of Safety and Cost Improvement Committee
 Organized and facilitated Peer Counselor Program
Military Experience
6/1989 – 6/1992
United States Navy – Crewmember USS Raleigh Norfolk, VA
Associations
Association of Information Technology Professionals, member
Veterans of Foreign War, member
American Legion, member
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Resume Checklist
Overview
Is your resume professional looking, error free, and a statement of honesty?
Does your resume demonstrate that you have kept your objective in mind?
Does the language positively market your qualifications and achievements?
From the perspective of the employer, is your resume an impressive, easy-to-read document
that provides enough reasons to invite you for an interview?
Organization
Using the proper format: chronological, functional, or combined?
Your contact information complete and
Experience entries listed most recent first?
ALL at the top of the page?
The most relevant or professionally
Education entries listed either highest or
impressive sections toward the top of the
most relevant first?
page?
Content
Gives a complete and sharply focused
Experience includes jobs usually from the
picture of why you should be called for
past 10 years only?
an interview?
Includes at a minimum: objective, skills
Uses bulleted verb phrases to describe your
or qualifications, education, and
accomplishments/duties, NOT hard-to-read
experience sections?
paragraphs?
Includes additional RELEVANT
Does NOT include lists of unrelated duties,
sections: honors, awards, volunteer
references, work addresses, supervisor
experience, professional interests, and
names, photos, and salary information?
memberships?
Uses keywords and key phrases from your career field and action verbs to make your
experience and training jump from the page?
Appearance
Neatly printed on spotless, quality, bond,
paper of ivory, light tan, or light gray?
One page? – unless you have lots of
relevant experience.
100% error free of spelling,
capitalization, punctuation, and spacing
errors?
Centered (top, bottom, and side margins)
on the page?
Appealing to the eye with enough white
space to make it easy to read AND not a
template?
Resume sections highlighted by names
using “normal” fonts?
Consistent use of dates, dashes, font,
character size, and style (bold, italic,
underline)?
Tabbed margins and bullets line up
perfectly?
If you left any box unchecked, you need to continue to improve your resume before actively using it in your job
search. Make an appointment with a FVTC Student Employment Services Employment Advisor to help you. This is
a free service. Call the Appleton campus at (920) 735-5627 or the Oshkosh campus at (920) 231-5627.
7
John J. Jones
1234 E. Harrison Street
Appleton, WI 54912
(920) 555-5555
References
Gerald Smith
Accounting Program Lead/Instructor
Fox Valley Technical College
1825 N. Bluemound Drive
Appleton, WI 54913-2277
(920) 735-1234
[email protected]
Susan Miller
Accounting Instructor
Fox Valley Technical College
1825 N. Bluemound Drive
Appleton, WI 54913-2277
(920) 735-4321
[email protected]
Gary Morgenson
Manager
Radio Shack 01-6201
695 S. Green Bay Rd.
Neenah, WI 54956
(920) 722-3911
[email protected]
Michael Graziano
Production Manager
LS & S, Inc.
2822 Industrial Blvd.
Neenah, WI 54956
(920) 722-4311
[email protected]
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Action Verb List
Communication/People Skills
Addressed
Advertised
Arbitrated
Arranged
Articulated
Authored
Clarified
Collaborated
Communicated
Composed
Condensed
Conferred
Consulted
Contacted
Conveyed
Convinced
Corresponded
Debated
Defined
Developed
Directed
Discussed
Drafted
Edited
Elicited
Enlisted
Explained
Expressed
Formulated
Furnished
Incorporated
Influenced
Interacted
Interpreted
Interviewed
Involved
Joined
Judged
Lectured
Listened
Marketed
Mediated
Moderated
Negotiated
Observed
Outlined
Participated
Persuaded
Presented
Promoted
Proposed
Publicized
Reconciled
Recruited
Referred
Reinforced
Reported
Resolved
Responded
Solicited
Specified
Spoke
Suggested
Summarized
Synthesized
Translated
Wrote
Creative Skills
Acted
Adapted
Began
Combined
Composed
Conceptualized
Condensed
Created
Customized
Designed
Developed
Directed
Displayed
Drew
Entertained
Established
Fashioned
Formulated
Founded
Illustrated
Initiated
Instituted
Integrated
Introduced
Invented
Modeled
Modified
Originated
Performed
Photographed
Planned
Revised
Revitalized
Shaped
Solve
Data/Financial Skills
Administered
Adjusted
Allocated
Analyzed
Appraised
Assessed
Audited
Balanced
Budgeted
Calculated
Computed
Conserved
Corrected
Determined
Developed
Estimated
Forecasted
Managed
Marketed
Measured
Netted
Planned
Prepared
Programmed
Projected
Qualified
Reconciled
Reduced
Researched
Retrieved
Insured
Intervened
Motivated
Prevented
Provided
Referred
Rehabilitated
Represented
Resolved
Simplified
Supplied
Supported
Volunteered
Helping Skills
Adapted
Advocated
Aided
Answered
Arranged
Assessed
Assisted
Clarified
Coached
Collaborated
Contributed
Cooperated
Counseled
Demonstrated
Diagnosed
Educated
Encouraged
Ensured
Expedited
Facilitated
Familiarized
Furthered
Guided
Helped
Management/Leadership Skills
Administered
Analyzed
Appointed
Approved
Assigned
Attained
Authorized
Chaired
Considered
Consolidated
Contracted
Controlled
Converted
Coordinated
Decided
Delegated
Developed
Directed
Eliminated
Emphasized
Enforced
Enhanced
Established
Executed
Generated
Handled
Headed
Hired
Hosted
Improved
Incorporated
Increased
Initiated
Inspected
Instituted
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Led
Managed
Merged
Motivated
Navigated
Organized
Originated
Overhauled
Oversaw
Planned
Presided
Prioritized
Produced
Recommended
Reorganized
Replaced
Restored
Reviewed
Scheduled
Secured
Selected
Streamlined
Strengthened
Supervised
Terminated
Organizational Skills
Approved
Arranged
Catalogued
Categorized
Charted
Classified
Coded
Collected
Compiled
Corrected
Corresponded
Distributed
Executed
Filed
Generated
Incorporated
Inspected
Logged
Maintained
Monitored
Obtained
Operated
Ordered
Organized
Prepared
Processed
Provided
Purchased
Recorded
Registered
Reserved
Responded
Reviewed
Routed
Scheduled
Screened
Submitted
Supplied
Standardized
Systematized
Updated
Validated
Verified
Measured
Organized
Researched
Reviewed
Searched
Solved
Summarized
Surveyed
Systematized
Tested
Instilled
Instructed
Motivated
Persuaded
Simulated
Stimulated
Taught
Tested
Trained
Transmitted
Tutored
Programmed
Rectified
Regulated
Remodeled
Repaired
Replaced
Restored
Solved
Specialized
Standardized
Studied
Upgraded
Utilized
Research Skills
Analyzed
Clarified
Collected
Compared
Conducted
Critiqued
Detected
Determined
Diagnosed
Evaluated
Examined
Experimented
Explored
Extracted
Formulated
Gathered
Inspected
Interviewed
Invented
Investigated
Located
Teaching Skills
Adapted
Advised
Clarified
Coached
Communicated
Conducted
Coordinated
Critiqued
Developed
Enabled
Encouraged
Evaluated
Explained
Facilitated
Focused
Guided
Individualized
Informed
Technical Skills
Adapted
Applied
Assembled
Built
Calculated
Computed
Conserved
Constructed
Converted
Debugged
Designed
Determined
Developed
Engineered
Fabricated
Fortified
Installed
Maintained
Operated
Overhauled
Printed
Taken from website: http://www.quintcareers.com/action_skills.html#manage
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Adjective & Adverb List
academic (ally)
accurate (ly)
active (ly)
adventurous (ly)
aggressive (ly)
alert
ambitious (ly)
analytical (ly)
artistic (ly)
assertive (ly)
attractive (ly)
bold (ly)
broad-minded (ly)
businesslike
calm (ly)
capable (ably)
careful (ly)
cautious (ly)
challenging
cheerful (ly)
clever (ly)
competent (ly)
competitive (ly)
confident (ly)
conscientious (ly)
conservative (ly)
considerate (ly)
consistent (ly)
cooperative (ly)
courageous (ly)
creative (ly)
curious (ly)
deliberate (ly)
determined
dignified
discreet (ly)
dominant (ly)
eager (ly)
easygoing
efficient (ly)
energetic (ly)
enormous (ly)
fair-minded
farsighted
firm (ly)
flexible (ibly)
forceful (ly)
formal (ly)
frank (ly)
friendly
generous (ly)
good-natured (ly)
healthy
helpful (ly)
high (ly)
honest(ly)
huge
humorous (ly)
imaginative (ly)
imposing
independent (ly)
individualistic
industrious (ly)
informal (ly)
intellectual (ly)
intelligent (ly)
inventive
Kind (ly)
Large (ly)
leisurely
liberal (ly)
likable
logical (ly)
loyal (ly)
mammoth
mature (ly)
methodical (ly)
meticulous (ly)
mild (ly)
moderate (ly)
modest (ly)
motivated
natural (ly)
obliging (ly)
opportunistic
optimistic (ally)
organized
original (ly)
outgoing
painstaking (ly)
patient (ly)
persevering
pleasant (ly)
poised
polite (ly)
practical (ly)
precise (ly)
progressive (ly)
prudent (ly)
purposeful (ly)
quick (ly)
quiet (ly)
rational (ly)
realistic (ally)
reflective (ly)
relaxed
reliable (ably)
reserved
resourceful (ly)
responsible (ibly)
robust (ly)
self-confident(ly)
self-controlled
sensible (ibly)
sensitive (ly)
serious (ly)
significant (ly)
sincere (ly)
sociable (ably)
spontaneous (ly)
stable
steady (ily)
strong (ly)
strong-minded
successful (ly)
supportive
tactful (ly)
teachable
tenacious (ly)
thorough (ly)
thoughtful (ly)
tolerant (ly)
tough
trustworthy
unaffected
understanding (ly)
unexcitable (ably)
uninhibited (ly)
verbal (ly)
versatile
warm (ly)
wise (ly)
witty (ily)
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Transferable Skills for Your Resume and Cover Letter
Doing a good job of marketing your job skills within your resume and cover letter can increase the
likelihood of obtaining an interview or job offer. Job skills can be organized into various categories or skill
sets that can be used to demonstrate how skills that have been learned and applied in one job situation
can be transferred and applied to a similar or new job or career.
Below is a list of five broad skill areas, which are divided into more specific job skills:
Communication:
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Speaking effectively
Expressing ideas
Negotiating
Reporting information
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Writing concisely
Persuading
Interviewing
Describing feelings
Presenting information
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Listening attentively
Editing
Facilitating discussion
Providing feedback
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Creating ideas
Identifying resources
Setting goals
Analyzing
Prioritizing

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Identifying problems
Gathering information
Extracting important
information
Developing evaluation
strategies
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Working on a team
Providing support
Delegating with respect
Representing others
Teaching
Selling/Marketing
Translating
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Perceiving feelings
Conveying feelings
Asserting
Cooperating
Supervising
Mediating
Delegating
Research and Planning:
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Forecasting, predicting
Brainstorming alternatives
Solving problems
Defining needs
Designing
Concluding
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Human Relations:
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Developing rapport
Listening
Motivating
Entertaining
Counseling
Training
Negotiating
Organization, Management, and Leadership:
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Initiating new ideas
Handling details
Coaching
Selling ideas or products
Analyzing
Building/Leading a team
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Coordinating tasks
Delegating responsibility
Counseling
Decision making
Diagnosing
Holding others
accountable
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Managing groups
Teaching
Promoting change
Managing conflict
Troubleshooting
Prioritizing
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Cooperating
Managing time
Enlisting help
Developing databases,
spreadsheets
Keyboarding
Researching
Gathering data
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Enforcing policies
Attending to detail
Accepting responsibility
Making decisions
Organizing
Desktop publishing
Sketching/Drawing
Maintaining equipment
Repairing
General Work:
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Implementing decisions
Being punctual
Meeting goals
Setting and meeting
deadlines
Calculating
Troubleshooting
Budgeting/Accounting
Assembling
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