RESUME & JOB SEARCH RESUME & JOB SEARCH STRATEGIESSTRATEGIES

Career and Professional Developmenthttp://think.stedwards.edu/career

Moody Hall 134512-448-8530

Goals of This PresentationGoals of This PresentationTo help the class understand the purpose

of a resume To teach resume strategies: content and

format (layout/design)To give insight into the employers’ hiring

perspectiveTo present an effective job search plan

with specific strategies

The Purpose of a ResumeThe Purpose of a Resume

RESUME RESUME ONEONE PART OF A JOB SEARCH PART OF A JOB SEARCH

Your resume is a marketing document; you’re promoting yourself to an employer

It should highlight your academic accomplishments and other achievements as well as relevant experience and skills

If done properly, it can lead to an interview (The interview can lead to a job offer.)

Resume Strategies - ContentResume Strategies - Content

Tailor the resume to the position you’re applying for:◦ Incorporate “key words” from job description◦ Use action verb phrases that match skills

employer is seeking Keep all content relevant to a specific jobEmphasize accomplishments and outcomes,

rather than a list of dutiesDon’t include personal information: photo,

age, marital status, etc.

RESUME CONTENT GUIDELINESRESUME CONTENT GUIDELINES

Use a professional e-mail addressUsually only include one phone number and

address Don’t include a list of references or

“references available upon request”By junior and senior years, high school

usually not includedUse expected date of graduation rather

than from/to datesDon’t use personal pronouns

RESUME CONTENT (cont.)RESUME CONTENT (cont.)

Common resume categories include (sequence is flexible):

◦ Objective (judgment call)◦ Profile (or Skills or Qualifications Summary)◦ Education (degree, GPA, school, etc.)◦ Academic Honors ◦ Relevant Experience (paid or unpaid)◦ Internships (relevant)◦ Other Work Experience (optional)◦ Leadership and Service Activities

RESUME CONTENT (cont.)RESUME CONTENT (cont.)

More on objectives: What’s in it for them and keep it specific.

NO: “Seeking a challenging position to advance my knowledge about my field and grow professionally”

YES: “Firmly committed to environmental education,

conservation, and preservation through effective community outreach and persuasive presentations”

RESUME CONTENT (cont.)RESUME CONTENT (cont.)

More on Profile section: EXAMPLES: - “Fluent in 3 languages from study abroad and global

experience: English, Spanish, and French” - “Go-to student for organizing creative environmental awareness events” - “Received positive feedback for presentation to high school students on environmental science career pathways” - “Wrote research paper in Environmental Science class and selected for presentation at national conference”

RESUME CONTENT (cont.)RESUME CONTENT (cont.)

Other possible categories are:◦ Research◦ Professional Affiliations◦ Conferences Attended◦ Presentations and Published Works

The category headings are modifiable: (Example: “Academic Honors” can also be called “Scholastic Honors”)

Proofread, proofread, proofread!

RESUME CONTENT (cont.)RESUME CONTENT (cont.)

Resume Strategies – FormatResume Strategies – Format(Layout/Design)(Layout/Design)

Consistency is importantUse Standard Font Styles and Sizes ◦ 10-12 (Garamond, Calibri, Candara, Cambria)

Use bullets, bolding, underlining, italics to emphasize certain information

Consider your audience when getting creative: color, graphics, etc.

Save it in .doc or format; submit as a PDFGenerally keep it to one page

RESUME FORMATTING GUIDELINESRESUME FORMATTING GUIDELINES(LAYOUT/DESIGN)(LAYOUT/DESIGN)

While resume templates and wizards are helpful, they sometimes restrict flexibility

Dated sections should be in reverse chronological order

Year to year dates should include months (March 2013 – September 2014)Keep dates to the right of the pageColumns are effective for listing skills

RESUME FORMATTING GUIDELINESRESUME FORMATTING GUIDELINES(LAYOUT/DESIGN)(LAYOUT/DESIGN)

The Employers’ PerspectiveThe Employers’ Perspective

A 100% match to the job descriptionFrom the job description: their summary

at the top and the first 2-3 requirements are their priority needs

Since they spend no more than 10 seconds reviewing a resume, grab their attention at the top of the page

Relevant skills specific to their industrySoft skills: writing, analytical skills,

problem-solving, etc., but with proof

WHAT EMPLOYERS NEEDWHAT EMPLOYERS NEED

Academic achievements and experiential accomplishments

Leadership and extracurricular activitiesMulti-lingual candidatesGlobal experience and multicultural

awareness and knowledgeAssume your resume will be computer

scanned, so, they are looking for resumes with “key words” from the industry and specific job

WHAT EMPLOYERS NEEDWHAT EMPLOYERS NEED

They need to narrow down resumes received:

WHAT EMPLOYERS NEEDWHAT EMPLOYERS NEED

AN EFFECTIVE AN EFFECTIVE JOB SEARCH PLANJOB SEARCH PLAN

JOB SEARCHJOB SEARCHYOU NEED A PLANYOU NEED A PLAN

◦ Monitor your social media; employers ARE viewing◦ Use social media for job search◦ On Twitter, follow at least two dozen

organizations/companies, you’re interested in◦ Get the word out that you’re job searching:

professors, upper classmen, friends, relatives… ◦ Attend SEU Job & Internship Fair Mar. 25,

Wednesday, 12noon-3pm in the RCC◦ Look for jobs on Hilltop Careers (Career and

Professional Development home page)

JOB SEARCHJOB SEARCHYOU NEED A PLAN YOU NEED A PLAN (cont.)(cont.)

◦ Volunteer at non-profit organizations and for-profit companies◦ Look into temporary agencies◦ Have a back up plan to pay the bills while you

search for career related job◦ Follow Career and Professional

Development’s Facebook and Twitter sites◦ Have an elevator pitch ready to go in case you

meet someone who asks “What do you want to do?” (check out Career Spots on Career and Professional Development website)

JOB SEARCHJOB SEARCHYOU NEED A PLAN YOU NEED A PLAN (cont.)(cont.)

◦ Create an account on Interview Stream and practice interview questions on video◦ Research specific industries and become very

knowledgeable about your field◦ When professors have guest speakers, get

their business cards, write thank-you’s and if possible meet with them◦ Follow current events, politics, world news;

you can learn a lot about what’s happening in the local and broader community

JOB SEARCHJOB SEARCHYOU NEED A PLAN YOU NEED A PLAN (cont.)(cont.)

◦ Have multiple resumes tailored to specific jobs and industries ◦ Invest in professional business attire◦ Attend a business etiquette/dining event◦ Make a commitment to make one new

contact a week (online or in person); notsomeone with a job offer necessarily, but someone with more information to helpwith job search◦ Always ask each contact to refer another

person you can contact

JOB SEARCHJOB SEARCHYOU NEED A PLAN YOU NEED A PLAN (cont.)(cont.)

IN CONCLUSIONIN CONCLUSION