Creating an effective resume that showcases your strengths and abilities
Your resume is often your first opportunity to make an impression on potential employers. Creating a resume that effectively showcases your strengths, skills, and experiences is a crucial step in your job search journey. This guide will help you create a resume that stands out, particularly for individuals with disabilities seeking employment in Nebraska.
"Your resume isn't just a list of your past experiences—it's the story of your professional journey and the unique value you bring to an employer."
- Melanie Whetzel, Lead Consultant, Job Accommodation Network
"Focus on your abilities, not your disabilities. Employers hire people for what they CAN do, not what they CAN'T."
- Nebraska VR Employment Specialist
There are several resume formats, each highlighting different aspects of your background. Choose the one that best presents your strengths:
Lists your work history in order from most recent to oldest.
Best for: Those with steady work history and clear career progression.
Emphasizes your skills and abilities rather than work history.
Best for: Those with employment gaps or changing careers.
Blends elements of both chronological and functional formats.
Best for: Showcasing both relevant skills and work history.
These resources offer accessible, easy-to-use templates to help you create a professional resume:
Nebraska-specific templates designed with accessibility in mind.
Simple, clean resume templates with various format options.
Visual, user-friendly platform with many customizable templates.
Tool that analyzes your resume against job descriptions to improve keyword matching.
Include your name, phone number, email address, and location (city and state).
Tips:
A 2-3 sentence overview of your professional background, key skills, and career goals.
Example:
"Detail-oriented administrative assistant with 3 years of experience in office organization and customer service. Skilled in Microsoft Office, data entry, and managing schedules. Seeking to utilize strong organizational abilities and communication skills in an administrative role."
List of relevant hard skills (technical abilities) and soft skills (interpersonal qualities).
Examples:
List your work history, including job title, company name, location, dates of employment, and key responsibilities/achievements.
Tips:
Information about your educational background, including degrees, certifications, and specialized training.
Format:
Degree/Certificate Name - Institution Name - Year (or "In Progress")
Example:
Associate of Applied Science in Business Administration - Southeast Community College, Lincoln, NE - 2022
Additional sections that might strengthen your resume:
Tailoring your resume for each job application significantly increases your chances of getting an interview. Many employers use Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) that scan resumes for relevant keywords before they reach a human reviewer.
Nebraska Insight: Many Nebraska employers, especially larger companies and state agencies, use ATS software to screen applications. Taking time to customize your resume for each application is especially important in these cases.
Highlight key requirements, skills, and qualifications mentioned in the posting.
Understand their mission, values, and culture to align your resume with what they value.
Place your most relevant skills and experiences at the top of each section.
Customize it to highlight your most relevant qualifications for the specific position.
Incorporate key terms from the job description into your resume where applicable.
Customer Service Representative
Customer Service Representative
Using strong action verbs and industry-specific keywords can make your resume more impactful and help it pass through ATS filters.
Administered, Coordinated, Delegated, Directed, Executed, Implemented, Led, Managed, Organized, Oversaw, Supervised
Articulated, Authored, Collaborated, Corresponded, Drafted, Edited, Negotiated, Presented, Promoted, Publicized
Analyzed, Diagnosed, Evaluated, Examined, Identified, Investigated, Resolved, Solved, Streamlined, Troubleshot
Achieved, Delivered, Exceeded, Expanded, Generated, Improved, Increased, Maximized, Reduced, Transformed
Data entry, Microsoft Office, scheduling, filing systems, office management, customer service, records management
Quality control, inventory management, safety procedures, equipment operation, shipping/receiving, assembly, production
Point of sale, customer relations, sales techniques, merchandising, cash handling, conflict resolution, upselling
Troubleshooting, system maintenance, technical support, software installation, network configuration, user training
Including terms relevant to Nebraska's major industries can help your resume stand out to local employers:
Crop production, livestock management, farm equipment operation, food safety, quality assurance, USDA compliance
Patient care, medical records, HIPAA compliance, medical billing, telehealth, care coordination, rural health services
Freight handling, route planning, supply chain management, inventory control, shipping logistics, warehouse operations
Customer accounts, policy processing, claims handling, data analysis, compliance, risk assessment, financial reporting
Deciding whether and how to disclose a disability on your resume is a personal choice. Here are some considerations to help you make an informed decision:
These Nebraska organizations can provide guidance on disability disclosure in the job application process:
Consider these approaches:
Before submitting your resume, consider having it reviewed by one of these Nebraska resources:
Free resume review and career counseling services available across the state.
Offers resume assistance, career coaching, and job search resources.
Resume building help for individuals in Nebraska.
Resume assistance available to community members, not just students.
"When I think of all the great people who have influenced me, I'm reminded of a quote: 'The only disability in life is a bad attitude.' Creating your resume is more than just listing your past—it's about showcasing the unique value you bring to the workplace."
- Scott Hamilton, Olympic Gold Medalist
Your resume is a powerful tool in your journey toward meaningful employment. With each application, you're one step closer to finding work that respects your abilities, accommodates your needs, and values your contributions. The path to employment may have challenges, but with persistence and the right tools, you are building toward a future of greater independence, financial security, and personal fulfillment.