Building a Resume

from a CVPLAN February 8, 2012University of Louisville

Michelle Rodems, Ph.D. SIGS-Delphi Program Manager

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Why You Should Do It

Non-academic jobs often require it Focus on experience and skills in

clear, concise manner Identify appropriate qualifications,

where you need to gain skills and experiences

Different focus: Employers’ needs vs. Your background

The DifferencesResume

Marketing tool 1-2 pages in length How you can benefit

the company/organization

Style of resume 10 years of work

history or 5 most recent positions

Curriculum Vitae Academic, scientific, or

medical field Longer usually – length

dependent upon pubs, presentations, academic or prof experiences

CV grows in length as your career matures

More freedom and information

How To Do It Find the job (or a job) first Address your resume to the specific skills

and experience that the job calls for Highlight key skills and competencies Qualifications To consider:

o All experienceso Expertiseo Academic “voice”o Brag o Avoid academic jargon

Structure & Formatting

Name & Contact info

Opening summary that gives a clear and quick picture of what you have to offer, and contains an objective statement if you’re in a career transition or targeting a specific industry/job

Professional history providing succinct list of daily duties in reverse chronological order

Career accomplishments that are quantified and relevant to new career goal

Structure & Formatting

Use action verbs to begin each description, emphasize the positive, and sell your strengths.

Create short, concrete, and results-oriented phrases to describe your past experiences.

Quantify and qualify as much as possible. For example, instead of saying

o ‘I was responsible for fundraising' vs.o ‘Coordinated a team of 20 fundraising volunteers to

raise money for a local charity. Developed innovative fundraising activities including Facebook advertising and motivated team to achieve a 50% increase in funds raised.'

Structure & Formatting

How to decide what to keep? Relevance!o “whether your academic expertise is relevant

to the job, if not you may want to emphasize skills gained during the PhD over knowledge

Educational data and training related to career search

Bullets vs. Paragraphs Consistent formatting and verbiage References: As many as requested – and only

“available upon request” Careful of templates Cutting presentations & publications

Transferable Skills These are skills you possess regardless of

where and when you acquired them, and are transferable to any job. You could have gained these skills through previous jobs, class projects, research, volunteer work, hobbies, clubs, committees and student organizations.

Getting the Job!o Select either your CV or one of the CVs providedo Working with a partner, identify the transferable skills for

the job application providedo Share with the group

Transferable Skills Process information quickly

and produce written synopsis Independently manage a

complicated, long-term project

Writing, grant-getting, managing complex relationships

Leadership potential Public-speaking skills Initiative Financial Creative & Innovating Constructing & operating

Collect & analyze data Goal-setting Assessment Verbal and non-verbal

communication Training/Consulting Analytical skills Report writing Counseling skills Interpersonal skills Management Administrative

Next Steps Internships, practicum, volunteering Set up an informational interview Find other resumes Take advantage of your career center, mentors,

friends 3 Takeaways 3 Next Steps

Next Tuesday: 12-1:30pm: “What Else Can You Do With That?”

Resources http://www.phds.org/ http://www.ironstring.com/sellout/index.shtml https://career.berkeley.edu/PhDs/PhDBeyond.stm http://www.careereducation.columbia.edu/print/9

66 http://www.sph.umn.edu/careers/jobs/tipsheets/co

nvert.asp http://chronicle.com/article/From-CV-to-R-sum-/44

712 http://

www.careercenter.umich.edu/students/gradservices/nonacademic/cvtor.html

http://chronicle.com/article/But-I-Have-No-Skills-/44924

http://www.quintcareers.com/resres.html