Creating an Effective and Appealing Résumé AGCM 4203 Professional Development in Agricultural Communications

Objectives Assess the purpose of a résumé Distinguish differences between the three types of résumés Identify content of a résumé Suggest some résumé parameters

The Purpose of a Résumé To capture someone’s attention in a positive manner. To be in the “Let’s take a look” pile and not the “round” file. To get you a job (internship) interview. Your personal 30-second commercial

Chronological Résumé Professionals making upward career move Combines experience/skills with employment history Each position has different description Shows stable work history Work history shows progress toward objective

Functional Résumé Highlights skills and experiences Focuses attention on skills, not work experience Best for first time job seekers Skills related to objective are highlighted Employment history at the end

Skills Employers Desire Source: Job Outlook 2000, National Association of Colleges and Employers 5 = Extremely Important

Combination Résumé Highlights skills of specific jobs Lists other work experience Each position involves a different description Excellent for “new” college graduates

30 Seconds Is All You Get Make your résumé eye-catching and impressive What do you want them to remember? – Your name – Your qualifications – Your experience and accomplishments

This One Has to Be Perfect Grammar/Spelling/Punctuation Alignment/Consistency Accuracy in content – Dates – Names of Employers – Duties/Titles

Audience-Centered Pull yourself away from your ego – Stuff that is important to you may not be so important to others Brag on yourself Don’t be afraid to say what you did in your previous jobs – Don’t get carried away making up a cool title for your summer job as a lifeguard “Executive Manager of Aquatic Safety and Recreational Rules Enforcement, Stillwater Public Swimming Pool”

Action! Use active verbs to describe what you did in your previous jobs and experiences – Achieved – Broadened – Initiated – Maintained – Transformed

Focus on Your Strengths Less-experienced applicants usually like the functional résumé, which focuses on skills as opposed to actual work experience Put the most important info. first, according to the job requirements Don’t discount class projects and activities, volunteer work, and other extra-curricular activities

Personal Heading Name Address Telephone number Web site Pistol Pete 514 Kerr Hall Oklahoma State University Stillwater, OK (405) PISTOLPETE.html

Objective Describe a position in a field “A marketing position with a major manufacturer of packaged foods.” Tie your skills to a position “To apply research, design, data analysis, and report writing skills to a marketing research position.”

Objective Be specific by: – Industry – Position – Geographic location “To obtain an entry-level public relations position with a large company in the Midwest.” Or better yet, don’t include one.

Education Degree and date awarded (to be awarded) Institution (city and state) Major and minor(s) Overall GPA Financed education – “Financed 75% of college by scholarships and employment”

Education Sample Bachelor of Science May, 2000 Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK Major Area: Agricultural Communications GPA: 3.15/4.0 scale Financed 80% of college by scholarships and employment

Experience/Skills Position title Name and location of employer Dates of employment Description of responsibilities (use action verbs – past tense) Description of skills

Additional Categories Relevant course work Honors and recognitions – Indicate award’s purpose Activities – Don’t list clubs if all you did was belong

Writing Your Résumé Step 1: Prepare your objective Step 2: Develop your specific headings Step 3:Determine leads Step 4:Construct entries Step 5:Proof…proof…have someone else proof…PROOF!!

Résumé Appearance Paper Margins Font types and size ( serif or sans serif) Don’t underline or use italic font Header location and spacing Location of dates Use simple bullets (not “*”)

Calm Your Fears Relax, if you’re struggling a bit; you’re no different than thousands of college graduates in the same situation Work with others to proof and improve your résumé Don’t wait until the last minute … BE PREPARED!