Resume Notes 3/15/16
Rock Your Resume
Nellie Rochon
WHAT IS A RESUME?
Your resume is YOUR marketing tool:
first contact with an employer
must catch their attention and speak to their needs
not a list of entire employment
Important questions to think about as you write your resume
Who is your audience?
What are their needs?
How do you know that your resume is successful?
If they call you back for an interview
How long does it take an employer to look at your resume?
less than 10 seconds
Most common mistakes
typos or gramatical errors -34%
too much information- 22%
not listing achievements in former roles- 17%
poor layout and or design 17%
too litte information
STEP 1: TAKING INVENTORY
What are my skills and qualifications?
Review Skills and Accomplishments Handout
Make a list of the skills you currently have (computer skills, language skills, etc)
List your educational achievements (strong GPA, class projects)
List skills you use in your current on-campus job or volunteer work
Think about specific examples of your abilities, and accomplishments
major or cum gpa?- choose whichever is higher
STEP 2: RESEARCH
Where to find information?
Review (several) job descriptions: What is on the employer’s shopping list? Which specific skills are employers seeking?
Employer Websites & Social Media: What does the employer produce, how are they organized, what are their values?
Networking: Talk to people who work in the same type of position, field, or organization (LinkedIn)
STEP 3: ORGANIZING YOUR RESUME
Objective (what position are you applying for)
Education (training in specific field)
Relevant Coursework (3-4 relevant courses)
Relevant Projects (application for specific skills)
Experience (work, internship, volunteer experience)
Activities (leadership/ clubs/ professional associations
Honors/ Awards
Skills (language, computer skills)
Include key words from a job description
If you include project, employers want to see results! specify what you did, what you accomplished
Position:
Typical Statement:
Highlighting an accomplishment:
STAR METHOD:
Situation/Task
Action
Result
What are Transferable Skills?
Skills that you can transfer from one job to another
Experience does not have to be in the same field
What do employer’s want?
Communication Skills
Analytical Skills
Teamwork Skills
Technical Skills
Strong Work Ethic
What else to share?
leadershop roles, honors, affiliations,
COVER LETTER
1st Paragraph
Why are you writing?
Why are you excited about the position or company?
How did you learn of the opportunity
Did someone refer you?
2nd Paragraph
Mention some of your key qualifications. Tell the employer why this job appeals to you and how you meet their needs.
3rd Paragraph
Request an interview and indicate when you will follow-up.
Thank them for their time in reviewing your resume, cover letter
What are key components of a resume?
Concise and Easy to Read
Error Free
Targeted to a Specific Job or Field
Relevant Skills and Experience
Accomplishments Statements
Career Center Resources
one-one career coaching
workshops: webinars, at career center
spartan staffing
employment connections: career fairs, employer panels, info. sessions, drop-in interviews, etc.
