In many companies, resume and information is out of date, incomplete, and scattered throughout the company. The information for both should be maintained centrally in a standard form. When writing a proposal, the standard information can then be reworked to reflect the requirements of the RFP.
Proposal writing is all about perception. A well written resume tailored to the experience requirements of the RFP can make a person look exceptionally well qualified for a specific job and project. Standard and sketchy resumes make a qualified person look average. Similarly, a well written and tailored corporate experience summary can make a small company look big and exceptionally well qualified. A standard or sketchy corporate experience summary makes a qualified company look marginal and small.
Resumes should be updated on a quarterly basis to reflect new job experiences and improved skills. Companies with more than 10 to 20 resumes should control the resume document using the Proposal Database; that way each time a resume is used in a proposal the new information can be added to the database.
Tailor resumes to specifically fit the requirements of the RFP and don't provide more resumes than asked for. They will not gain you any evaluation points and evaluators hate to read information that was not requested. The major sections of a resume should be:
- Summary
- Experience Relevant to the Project
- Employment History (previous employers, positions, and dates)
- Education
- Training and Certifications
- Specific Technical Skills
- Professional Affiliations
- Security Clearances
- Recognition/Awards
Resume formatting is not as important as relevance to the requirements of the RFP, but they should have a professional look and feel. Remember, relevance and perception rule the day. Be certain to check whether the RFP requires a specific format; if not try to tailor your own format so that it appears uniquely responsive to the RFP.
Sample Resume Format
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Current Title: Systems Administrator / Technical Support Manager |
Name:
Position Title: as Specified in the RFP: Systems Administrator |
|
Relevant Experience |
Talented, results-driven IT leader with versatile, cross-platform experience in systems/network architecture, installation, implementation, integration, security, and administration in local and remote environments for diverse client industries (education, government, law enforcement, insurance, transportation, and small business).
Able to guide motivated, top-performing technical and application support teams in the administration, installation, training, and support of client/server hardware, software, peripherals, and networked systems for IBM AS/400, MS Windows NT/2000 Server, Windows 9x, Windows 3.x, MS-DOS, Novell, and Macintosh operating systems. Proven success delivering LAN/WAN/telecommunication connectivity, security peripherals, and multi-platform design of Internet and client/server/database-related applications. |
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Job Title |
Responsibilities |
Employer and
Dates of Experience |
|
Technical Support Supervisor/Coordinator |
Wholly responsible for technical support operations in high-volume, 24/7 environment, including supervision of 30-member technical support team and coordination of technical issues involving network, hardware, and operating systems (IBM AS/400, Windows NT/2000 Server, Windows 9x, Novell, and Apple Macintosh). Oversee network connectivity, implementation, integration, and troubleshooting for servers, routers, remote access, storage devices, printers, and scanners for city/county government, law enforcement, and school district clients within a five-state region. Key Contributions:
- Architected and manages internal, 100+ node network, successfully integrating six IBM AS/400s and eight Windows NT/2000 servers (connecting Windows NT/2000 workstations, Windows 9x, and Macintosh clients, printers, and terminals with remote access) through two Nortel tunneling VPN appliances via ISP with worldwide points-of-presence.
- Administers MS Exchange e-mail system and Internet Information Server to meet all management, employee, and customer needs for corporate Web site.
- Directs systems administration of 200+ customer IBM AS/400 systems via SDLC modem connections.
- Designed and currently administers internal telecommunications and voicemail system via T-1 connection for 28 long-distance circuits and nine local circuits serving 40+ nodes.
- Consults with senior executives on future technology issues involving connectivity for LANs, WANs, and Internet applications.
- Earned a reputation for on-time, on-budget completion of high-profile projects involving AS/400, Windows NT, Windows 9x, and Novell network operating systems, connectivity consultation, and problem resolution including 15+ AS/400 CISC to RISC architectural conversions, 15+ AS/400 operating system upgrades, and 15+ AS/400 new installations.
- Delivered internal design, implementation, cost analysis, and negotiation of current TCP/IP-based network consisting of a point-to-point DS-1, securely connecting corporate headquarters to the Internet and customer WAN via dual Ethernet Cisco router and Nortel Contivity VPN appliance. |
Advanced Computer Systems
Cherry Hills, NJ
10/1997 - Present |
|
Job Title |
Responsibilities |
Employer and
Dates of Experience |
|
Assistant Network Administrator/Cross-Platform Computer Technician |
Rapidly promoted to provide connectivity support for 800+ node network following superior performance providing technical phone support for ABC Company's extended warranty program for computer hardware including: Acer, Apple, AST, Compaq, Hewlett-Packard, IBM, NEC, Packard Bell, Sony, and Toshiba lines of personal computer hardware products. Key Contributions:
- Provided technical phone support for Action Company. Successfully resolved customer issues regarding connectivity, peripheral compatibility, and standard software usage questions for products on the following operating platforms: Windows NT Server, Windows NT Workstation, Windows 95, Windows 3.x, MS-DOS, and Mac OS.
- Honored with "Quality" recognition award for scoring above 96% on technical evaluations and attendance reviews. Promoted in three months. |
ABC Company
Cherry Hills, NJ
8/1996 - 8/1997 |
|
Education |
Type of Education |
Dates of Graduation and Location |
|
Bachelor's Degree |
BS in Computer Information Systems |
ABC College
US-NJ-Cherry Hills
6/1996 |
|
Certification |
Completed 650 hours of training in network implementation, hardware component configuration, and software integration. |
ABC Training Co.
US-NJ-Cherry Hills 9/1996 |
|
Additional Information |
|
|
· Training and Certification
· Specific Technical Skills
· Professional Affiliations
· Security Clearances
· Recognition/ Awards
|
- Independent technical consultant retained by multiple national organizations, including DEF Co., GHI Co., and JKL Co.
- Private Pilot, Single Engine Land Rating, 1986
- Member, Experimental Aircraft Association, 1986
- Certified, National Association of Underwater Instructors, 1995
- Early Career:
RETAIL CO, INC. – Cherry Hills, NJ
Retail Manager, 1995 to 1996
CITY OF NEW JERSEY, PARKS & RECREATION - Cherry Hills, NJ
Adult Recreation Official, 1989 to 1994 |
Some RFPs require resume summaries for key personnel. Again, format is not as important as relevance to the requirements in the RFP.
Sample: Resume Summary Format
|
Title: Program Manager |
Name: |
|
Requirement |
Qualifications |
Employer and
Dates of Experience |
|
Government contract management |
· Program Manager with 20+ years experience in Federal Government IT contracting and consulting services. PM for large-scale contracts and sub-contracts for ______(agency), ______(agency), and ______(agency).
· Certified PMI Project Management Professional (PMP) (Certification No. _______) |
ABC Inc.
2001-Present
|
|
Liaison with contract vendor |
· Program Manager coordinated with Federal Government Contracting Officers, COTRs, and Government clients to ensure client needs and requirements were met and contract performance was superior. |
DEF Company
2001-Present |
|
Meetings on-site |
· Delivered on-going weekly, bi-weekly, and monthly presentations to clients throughout the Washington, DC area. These included project review meetings, kickoff meetings, executive briefings, large team working sessions, and technical review sessions. |
LMN Inc.
2001-Present
|
Example Format for Collecting Resume Data
Resume Data Resume Data Collection Worksheet
Name:
Current Position:
Total Years Experience:
Experience Summary (one paragraph) Education
Formal Education
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Degree
|
School |
Year of Graduation |
|
y |
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Training Courses
Certifications
|
Certification
|
Certifier |
Year |
|
|
|
|
Awards
Clearances
Technology
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Computers |
Operating Systems |
Applications
|
Programming Languages |
Development Tools |
Databases |
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|
|
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Employment Experience
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Company |
Start Date – End Date |
Responsibilities |
Accomplishments |
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CORNER!!
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