Clarity Relevance Consistency - Syracuse University...Keeps things organized...

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RÉSUMÉ & COVER LETTER WRITING

Tina Press & David Rubin Career Development Center

313 Newhouse 3

Building Blocks of a Great Résumé

ClarityRelevance

Consistency

Remember: As the resume designer, it is your job to make the page easy to navigate.

Your name should be the first thing noticed.

Contact information should be easy to find.

Only one address, one email address and one phone number are needed.

Links to a portfolio, Twitter account or web site in your contact information are ok. Double check the “picture you’re painting” with

these sites!

Getting Started

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123 Main Street, Syracuse, New York [email protected] (315) 443‐1870

SallyPortfolio.com

123 Main Street,Syracuse, New York [email protected] (315) 443‐1870SallyPortfolio.com

123 Main Street, Syracuse, New York 13210 • [email protected] • (315) 443‐1870 • SallyPortfolio.com

Sally Smith123 Main Street, Syracuse, New York 13210 • [email protected] • (315) 443‐1870 • SallyPortfolio.com

THE BIG THREE

Experience‐Chronicles what you have done in detail

Skills‐Make you stand out as a candidate

Education‐ Notice I didn’t list this one first!

OPTIONAL SECTIONS: Activities, Honors, Awards

“Must Have” Sections of a Résumé

The Experience Section

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*NOTE:

For a communications résumé you do not need to divide this into “related,” “work” or other types of experience.

Keep it to just one section.


Goal: Write down everything you’ve done (jobs, internships, volunteer work, activities, etc.) so you can assess what to include on your resume.

Purpose: To have a large list of material to work with to show that you have skill sets being learned and/or implemented.

Remember: This is just a list. Don’t worry about formatting just yet.

SU Bookstore, ManagerHired and managed staffWorked with professors and budget staffHandled receipts and cash register balance, closingManaged inventoryInput inventory data into databaseOversaw customer service and manned phone

Park Worker, Seabreeze Amusement ParkRan gamesDealt with publicRepresented park to visitorsWorked with others

Tour Guide/University 100 MemberGive tours to prospective students and families at SUFilled out application and was selected from a pool of 100sTalk to groups and one‐on‐oneMemorize lots of facts and figuresServe as a representative of the schoolDeal with a wide variety of people and personalities

Marketing Intern, Museum of Science and TechnologyUpdate website every dayHelp out at promotional eventsAnswer questions in‐person and over the phoneConduct researchBrainstorm creative ways to interest public Sit in on meetingsDeal with public and museum personnel

Camp Counselor, Camp TecumsehIn charge of the well‐being of 15 eight‐ to 10‐year‐oldsCreated projects and activities to occupy campersCommunicated campers’ progress to head staff and parents

Use your word bank notes to come up with small “sound bites.”

From your word bank, pull out what is obviously relevant.

In addition to the obviously relevant responsibilities, administrative and “grunt” work is also marketable.

Think about what skills each responsibility illustrates.

For each responsibility, write a phrase (no end punctuation!) that starts with a verb describing what you did.

Don’t forget to QUALIFY and QUANTIFY

Creating Clear, Concise Bullets

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Reverse Chronological

Traditional, orderly

Problem: Your last job may not be the most relevant

Functional

Group experiences by skills

Problems: You have not had enough relevant experience to form groups

Combination

Keeps things organized reverse‐chronologically but “bumps up” experiences that are more relevant


List experiences in reverse chronological order.

Look at the internship/job description to identify what the company is looking for in a candidate.

“Bump up” the most relevant experiences.

This will take things out of chronological order, but that’s ok!

Do the same thing to your bullets: Most relevant first!

The “Combination Method”

Course projects as experience

NOT a laundry list of courses

Only list projects that are relevant and show skills/knowledge of a process– think about “filling holes” that exist on your resume.

Remember to format consistently.

Student groups involvement as experience

For some this may be the most relevant content!

Remember formatting here, too.

REMEMBER: “Experience” is any time that you build or strengthen skill sets hands‐on. It doesn’t have to be an internship, paid, etc.

Optional Additions

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Use Coursework and On‐Campus Involvement as Experience

The Skills Section

Why is it so important? In today’s tech‐savvy communications industry, it culls out your computer, software and equipment aptitude.

Highlights traditional communications skills

What does this section include? Technology: Basic computer programs like those in Microsoft Office Suite, InDesign; camera equipment

Traditional: Language skills, writing skills

List as much as you can!

The Skills Section

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Different majors/programs will have different things to add to the skills section: TRF, BDJ, PHO, GRA: camera equipment, editing programs PRL, ADV: databases NOJ, MAG: AP writing style

It’s ok to just list these skills (no need for a phrase like in your experience section bullets). For example:

SkillsMicrosoft Office Suite, Final Cut Pro, Adobe Illustrator, Adobe InDesign

Fluent Japanese and French, Associated Press writing style LexisNexis, MRI+ databases

Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, WordPress

The Skills Section

The Education Section

For the vast majority of people in the communications field, the education section should go below the experience section!

The “Newhouse name” will still be seen

Exception: limited experience


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GET THE NAME OF YOUR SCHOOL RIGHT!

S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications

Do NOT write “expected” or “anticipated” with your graduation date.


Single major Newhouse undergraduates receive a B.S. You may write it as:

Bachelor of ScienceB.S.

Students with dual/double majors may receive a B.A. instead. B.S. vs. B.A. depends on the other college. As with the B.S., you may write “B.A.” or “Bachelor of Arts.” You do NOT get two bachelor’s degrees.


Study abroad experience Study Abroad: London, England (Spring 2012)

Dean’s List (especially if you don’t have an Honors section) Made it all semesters? Made it almost all semesters?

GPA To one decimal point, two at the most. “Chop it.” No rounding!

Master’s students’ degrees depend on their program.


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S.I. Newhouse School of Public CommunicationsSyracuse UniversityBachelor of Science: Public Relations May 2012Minor: Spanish

Study Abroad: Madrid, Spain (Spring 2011) Dean’s List all semesters

S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications (Syracuse University)Bachelor of Science: Television‐Radio‐Film May 2012Minor: Music Industry

Syracuse University 2008‐2012S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications, College of Arts and SciencesBachelor of Arts: Magazine, PhilosophyGPA: 3.6, Dean’s List (All Semesters)


Syracuse University (Syracuse, New York)S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications

Master of Arts: Television‐Radio‐Film May 2014

Another University (City, State)College NameBachelor of Science: Undergrad Major May 2013Minor: Subject area


Optional Sections

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Activities• Includes sororities, student groups, national organizations• Think about whether they would be better suited to your

“Experience” section (remember, “experience” is NOT synonymous with “paid”), especially if you don’t have that much internship or “real world” experience

Honors or Awards• Can be combined• Also can combine with another optional section• e.g. Honors & Activities

For most students:

Experience

Education*

Skills

Honors &/or Activities

*May be moved to top if you have limited experience–remember that this is temporary!

Order of Sections

DO…

Remember: CLARITY, RELEVANCE & CONSISTENCY.

Keep it one page.

Avoid generic, unfocused résumés that list everything

you have ever done.

Make sure it’s in a universally readable format.

Use skill and action words.

Know your audience!

Final Notes on Résumés

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DON’T…

Include references or note “references upon request.” Companies expect that you have these!

Use a template!

Expect the reader to hunt for relevant information– it’s your job to pull it out and make it easy to find.

Be vague or use narrative.

Final Notes on Résumés

Any questions

on résumés?

The Career Development Center is here to help you!

Career skills seminarsResume & letter reviewNetworking adviceInterview prep

Finding an internshipJob hunting assistance

313 Newhouse 3 | 443‐3270 | [email protected]

“Buzz Words” for Describing Your Experience The following are action-oriented verbs that can be used throughout your résumé, cover letter and personal presentations (including your “elevator pitch!”) to convey energy, accomplishment and demonstrated skill. Too often, job seekers unconsciously adopt a passive approach to describing their past experiences. Typical of this approach is the phrase “Responsibilities included…” Practically speaking, a prospective employer doesn’t want to know what you were supposed to do; s/he needs to know how you discharged the duties! These words should lead works in phrases to tell what you really did to show what you are capable of taking on in the future. These are also the words that employers often use when they describe their needs in the positions they have to offer. This is certainly not an all-inclusive list, so use your own action verbs when you don’t find the right words here. This is just to get your wheels turning! Accomplished Achieved Acquired Adjusted Administered Advised Analyzed Applied Appraised Arranged Assessed Assured Bought Briefed Brought Budgeted Calculated Catalogued Chaired Changed Classified Closed Coached Collected Communicated Compared Computed Completed Conceived Concluded Conducted Confronted

Constructed Continued Contracted Controlled Coordinated Corrected Corresponded Counseled Created Critiqued Dealt Decided Defined Delegated Delivered Demonstrated Designed Determined Developed Devised Directed Dispensed Displayed Distributed Edited Enlisted Ensured Entertained Established Estimated Evaluated Examined

Exhibited Expanded Expedited Explained Facilitated Financed Forecasted Formulated Gathered Graded Guided Handled Implemented Improved Initiated Inspected Instructed Insured Interpreted Interviewed Introduced Investigated Joined Kept Led Licensed Located Maintained Managed Measured Mediated Modified

Monitored Motivated Named Negotiated Observed Obtained Operated Orchestrated Ordered Organized Participated Perceived Performed Persuaded Planned Predicted Prepared Presented Processed Programmed Prohibited Projected Promoted Purchased Qualified Questioned Rated Recommended Recorded Recruited Rehabilitated Related

Repaired Reported Represented Researched Reviewed Revised Selected Served Set Sketched Sold Solved Sought Specified Spoke Studied Suggested Summarized Supervised Targeted Taught Tested Trained Translated Treated Updated Watched Wrote

Produced by the Newhouse Career Development Center | Updated August 21, 2014

Creating a Word Bank GOAL: Write down EVERYTHING you’ve ever done – related, unrelated, paid, volunteer, job, internship, activity, on time, multiple times, etc.—so you can assess what you want to include on your résumé. Just make a list—don’t try to cram it into a résumé format. PURPOSE: To have a large list of material to work with. You probably won’t use everything but will be able to pick and choose what’s most relevant to go on the résumé. SAMPLE: BOOKSTORE MANAGER Hired and managed staff Worked with professors and budget staff Handled receipts and cash register balance and closing Managed inventory SEABREEZE AMUSEMENT PARK Ran games in game department Dealt with public Handled large amounts of cash Represented park to visitors Worked with others UNIVERSITY 100 Gave tours to prospective families at SU Filled out application and was selected Talk to groups and one on one Serve as a resource person Learn/memorize lots of facts & figures Use judgment and common sense Serve as representative of school Deal with wide variety of people MARKETING INTERN – Museum of Science and Technology Update website Help out at promotional events Answer questions in person and on phone Conduct research Think of creative ways to interest public in MOST Sit in on meetings Deal with public and museum personnel CAMP COUNSELOR In charge of and responsible for the well-being of 15 eight- to ten-year-olds Created activities Communicated with parents and fellow counselors


How to Organize a Résumé

Information must be RELEVANT to the position you are applying for and EASY TO READ.

1. DETERMINE YOUR AUDIENCE

2. CREATE A “WORD BANK.”

3. SELECT A FORMAT

4. WHAT TO INCLUDE

5. OPTIONAL ITEMS

6. DON’T BOTHER WITH…

Who’s going to be reading this résumé? What are you applying for? An internship? A specific job? In order to make your résumé work effectively for you, you MUST know your audience. Avoid “generic,” unfocused resumes that list everything you’ve ever done. Don’t assume your audience will pull out the relevant information: Highlight your skills/experience that most relate to the posting. Networking helps immensely in determining what to include in your résumé. The word bank is a compilation of all your experiences: paid, unpaid, volunteer, extracurricular, class projects, etc. Write down a brief description of all your duties during this experience. You will not be including everything on your résumé, only relevant information. Office work, customer service and administrative experience should also be included. This is a helpful exercise to determine what you’ve done. a. REVERSE CHRONOLOGICAL – Most recent experience first, b. FUNCTIONAL - Experiences grouped by skills, c. COMBINATION OF BOTH OF THESE FORMATS – Tends to be best fit for most communications students; starts with reverse chronological format but then takes relevance into account, “bumping up” those experiences that are most relevant EXPERIENCE – The most important part of the résumé: Any time you are building skill sets hands-on, that’s experience! Extracurriculars, relevant course projects and unpaid work is still experience. Use phrases rather than full sentences (think “sound bites”). Begin each phrase with an action word. List your most relevant experiences first regardless of chronology. QUALIFY experiences: Were you selected from a pool of 100, for example? Convey skill through action words, don’t simply list tasks you completed. QUANTIFY experiences: How many feature articles did you write? How many people did you supervise? SKILLS – List computer programs, technical equipment, research skills (LexisNexis, MRI+) and any language skills you have. Specific social media platforms should also be listed. EDUCATION – Include Syracuse University, college(s), degree(s), year and major(s) – keep it simple as it won’t be your most compelling selling point. Education is best listed after your experience section, unless you have minimal experience (though this should be a temporary problem!) and education is the most relevant thing on your résumé. SUMMARY – At the top of your resume. MUCH more effective than a vague objective. Summaries or highlights specific skills, experiences or qualities you have for the reader. A very effective tool (page filler) for those with little experience. GPA –If over 3.5 or if an application requests it, include it; if not, omit. ACTIVITIES/INTERESTS – Non-career related activities can be a helpful résumé addition if you have the room. Remember – some activities may qualify as relevant experience! OBJECTIVE – Usually trite and vague such as “a position in tv/film that will allow me to use my skills.” Doesn’t add value. “REFERENCES AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST” – Ted Bundy had references, which goes to show that ANYONE can get a reference. Don’t bother with this tired, overused line. Besides, it is assumed that you have references, so to note this is redundant.

Résumé Do’s and Don’ts DO… • Keep it ONE PAGE. The rule is one page equals about 10 years of experience. Multiple-page résumés

indicate a lack of understanding of the position – the “here’s everything I’ve done, YOU figure out what’s important” approach. Ninety percent of multiple-page résumés are a result of graphic problems – don’t skip unnecessary spaces or lines; don’t under-utilize margins; keep font size reasonable; don’t put ONE item per line; make best use of your page.

• Keep information RELEVANT to the position you’re applying for. If you want to write news, put writing experience front and center. If you want to convey reliability or responsibility, make sure you include that part-time job you’ve had since high school. The reader should view your résumé and say to him/herself, “This makes sense – s/he can do this work.” If the experience is old or does not use skills necessary for the position, relegate it to the bottom or to a sentence or eliminate it all together.

• Use bold face, capitals and bullet points for emphasis. Underlining is too busy, italics fade away and indenting is downright confusing. Keep graphics simple. It’s your job to make the page easy to read/navigate.

• Start each descriptive phrase with a verb to emphasize skill. • Use activities and/or class projects to support experience. Sometimes these are your most relevant

experiences. • Keep the space ratio in mind. Dedicate the most space to relevant information, least space to least relevant.

In other words, if your name, address and education take up half your résumé, you need to rethink the space ratio.

DON’T… • Expect the reader to know what you actually did when you use vague terms such as “assisted” or “worked

with.” Be as descriptive as possible to represent the skills you have or have used. • Use narrative to describe your experience. Stick to short, incomplete sentences. It keeps the readers

attention better. • Hang on to the past. By the time you’re a senior, the high school information should be LONG gone (unless

you won a Pulitzer in junior high or did something truly shocking). As you go through your college and then professional careers, you will “bump” older, less relevant content when you need the room for newer, more marketable experiences.

• Include information such as health or marital status, country of birth, etc. It’s illegal for companies to inquire about that so best not to offer it!

• Overestimate the value of a college degree. Most people today have a bachelor’s degree. It’s your experience that discerns you from others. This goes for master’s degrees as well. Sell experience first, education second. This is best done with your education at the bottom of your resume, experience at the top.

• Forget your skills section. This helps potential employers see that you have the skills they’re looking for, without having to pick through your experience section.

• Use Times as your chosen résumé typeface. Times is actually hard to read in large quantities on a computer screen. A résumé will less generic without it.

• Despair that your résumé doesn’t have graphic elements. They can be nice for branding but are not necessary. Picking an easy-to-read main font and a contrasting (yet still professional!) font for your section titles and your name at the top will go a long way. Visual majors (GRA, PHO, creatives in ADV) are the only ones expected to have some elements of design.


Additional Résumé Sections

1. Course projects Belong in the “Experience” section Don’t list course titles (which tell the reader absolutely nothing about your abilities). List what you did, skills used, decision making, team/group work, etc. Format similarly to other entries in the Experience section. Give yourself a title that sums up what you did; the course title sits where you would usually list the company.

Example: Producer/Director, Multimedia Production Course Fall 2006 S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications, Syracuse University Worked with team of three to produce three-minute short film Conceived and created treatment for short Coordinated shooting on location with local authorities Responsible for more than $3000 worth of equipment and its protection Stayed under budget and within shoot deadline

2. ACTIVITIES Activities belong in the “Experience” section if you can show relevant skills sets being used or learned. This section is good for activities that are relevant in topic but in which your role is more passive or

observational.

Example of activity in Experience section: Public Relations Director, Society of Professional Journalists Spring 2005 S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications, Syracuse University Responsible for marketing and publicizing two to three group events each semester Worked with other offices to create and conceive speaker and event topics Handle website updates and write content for various publications Designed posters using Adobe InDesign to post on campus Liaison with faculty and administration to encourage participation in events Responsible for $1500 marketing budget and allocation of funding

Example of activity in Activities section: Public Relations Student Society of America, member

3. HONORS or AWARDS Keep it short and explain (briefly) what the award is for

Example: Phi Beta Kappa Award – Essay written on student activism (May 2007) Jim Smith Memorial Award- Academic achievement in history (May 2006)

BOTTOM LINE: Keep the résumé relevant and on one page. Make the sections easy to find and read; graphics and color are fine so long as they are not distracting. Use skill and action words. Know your audience and what s/he is looking for!


“NEEDS HELP” SAMPLE

Jason Amato

123 Fillmore Drive

Port Washington, NY 12345

516-555-5555

[email protected]

Objective: My goal is to find a job that will allow me to mix my loves of

sports and writing, either at a newspaper or a magazine.

Education: Syracuse University, Syracuse, NY

I will earn my undergraduate degree in May 2008.

Relevant coursework includes: Introduction to Magazine, News

Writing, News Reporting, Introduction to Graphic Arts, Critical

Writing, Magazine Editing and Writing.

Port Washington High School, Port Washington, NY

I graduated with honors in June 2005.

Employment: Waiter, Applebee’s Restaurant 2005

-I took orders and cleared tables. I helped ensure a pleasant dining

experience for guests.

Syracuse University Library 2006

-Work part-time at the front desk. I help check out borrowed

materials.

Intern, Lacrosse Weekly

-Here, I assisted the editorial staff. I also contributed ideas for

stories and shadowed reporters on game days. On occasion, I

fact-checked articles.

Honors: -Presidential Scholar -National Honor Society -Student

Government Award -SU Dean’s List -SU Chancellor’s Scholarship

winner -Port Washington Student of the Month Award –Key Bank

High School Essay Award winner –Italian American Collegiate

Legacy Award

Activities: -Habitat for Humanity -National Society of Collegiate Scholars

-Daily Orange


“NOW THAT’S MORE LIKE IT” SAMPLE

Jason Amato

123 Fillmore Drive, Port Washington, NY 12345 ● 516-555-5555● [email protected]

Experience

EDITORIAL INTERN, Lacrosse Weekly Bethesda, MD Spring 2014 Conducted research and attended press events for senior editors ● Brainstormed and presented story ideas in weekly meetings ● Shadowed reports on game days; collected data for reports ● Fact-checked articles for accuracy ; proofed information with sources SPORTS WRITER, The Daily Orange Syracuse, NY 2013-Present Cover women’s tennis and men’s hockey team beats ● Attend home and regional away games; write two-four stories per week ● Regularly interview coaches, players and NCAA officials SPORTS REPORTER, Magazine Writing Course Syracuse, NY Spring 2013 Interviewed local professional and collegiate athletes and coaches ● Filed one item and feature-length article per week ● Conducted background research via Lexis-Nexis and the Internet Desk Assistant, SU Library Syracuse, NY Fall 2010-Present Assisted students with reference and research queries ● Instructed visitors in use of database ● Checked out materials and processed late fees Waiter, Applebee’s Restaurant Port Washington, NY Summer 2009 Managed team of five ● Handled transactions totaling at least $1000 daily

Skills

● Associated Press Writing Style ● LexisNexis ● Adobe InDesign, Pagemaker, Illustrator ● Microsoft Excel, PowerPoint, Word ● Basic Spanish

Education

S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications, Syracuse University Bachelor of Science: Magazine Journalism May 2015 Minor: History ● Dean’s List ● Chancellor’s Scholar

Activities

● National Society of Collegiate Scholars ● Habitat for Humanity

Reasons Why the Second Résumé “Works” HEADER • Uses font that is different than body copy (creates more striking visual presence) • Runs contact information across the page, saving space • Includes a more professional email address FORMAT • Orders sections in terms of what an employer will likely be concerned with first (hands-on experience over degree, for

example) • Bolds and caps draw attention to entries, allowing even a reader who’s just scanning to get a snapshot of the

individual’s qualifications • Uses bullet points to create visual breaks and highlight each detail • Runs bullet points across the page to save space • Headers are consistent from entry to entry (organization/co., title, location, stint) • Uses contrasting font to help reader navigate page EXPERIENCE ENTRIES • Orders entries in terms of relevance to employer instead of chronology • Gives details about those experiences that are most relevant to the employer; gives less detail to those experiences

that might be less relevant • Digs out experiences, such as the D.O., that are buried on version one and adds much needed detail • Adds the most relevant course project as an “experience” entry instead of listing relevant courses taken • Cuts the objective, which will be made obvious in the cover letter • Cuts high school material completely (high school content in the experience section is ok as “filler” – aka until you

need the space for something more current/relevant) EXPERIENCE DETAILS • Uses fragments and an active voice, instead of narrative • Qualifies and quantifies experiences explains tasks and responsibilities clearly so there is no room for interpretation • Organizes order of details by relevance to employer • Explains facets of experiences that are either of value to employer of that show sense of character/ethic (Applebee’s

entry, for example, displays trustworthiness and leadership skills) EDUCATION / HONORS / SKILLS • Lists education clearly and concisely • Included relevant academic honors under “education” and cuts non-collegiate awards to save from having to include

an “honors” section • Adds a “skills” section to clearly outline other selling points that may be of interest/relevance to the employer’s needs


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