Writing a Successful Resume Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology Developed For: Kennesaw State University College of Science and Mathematics

Our Services Cover Letter Help Resume Assistance Practice Interviews Workshops Career Fairs Career library Online Career Portfolio Graduate & Professional school Handshake (Online Job Portal) Experiential Education (Internship/Co-Op) Career Planning & Development – College of Science & Mathematics Steven Vosika Career and Internship Advisor svosika@Kennesaw.edu (470) 578-6555

Resume Critique What's wrong with this resume?

Why do you need a resume? DESIGNED to get you an interview. Provides potential employers with a snapshot of you. It's your first impression.

What makes a good resume? Think of it as a research paper...about you. Highlight skills, strengths, and accomplishments. It should be designed to get you an interview, but it could rule you out if poorly written. C.O.D.E. your resume Clear – information is concise and easy to read Organized – layout has a smooth flow of information Dynamic – action verbs and descriptive statements Error free – illustrates the quality of your work

Getting Started Gather your information Conduct a self assessment Determine your objective Be prepared to draft...then re-draft...then re-draft again! Create a "database" of experiences. Remember, employers like results!

Formatting Basics Functional vs. Chronological? Font and font size Margins Style choices: bold, italics, and s p a c i n g

Resume Content Contact Information Objective Statements of Qualifications Education & Relevant Coursework Projects Skills Experience/Employment Volunteer Experience Honors/Activities Include what’s relevant – in jobs, in classes, in volunteering, memberships, independent projects, study abroad experiences. Use section headings that work for YOUR skill set. Include anything that enhances your marketability: willingness to relocate or travel, ability to speak other languages, etc.

Resume Heading Contact Information: name, address, phone number, and email. Be sure your voicemail message sounds professional Be sure your email address sounds professional Use KSU email or create an email for job searching Some resources say, due to the increase of identity theft, it is acceptable to only list an email address and phone number You can also add a link to your LinkedIn profile in your heading.

Objective Statements Be realistic Be employer-centered – focus to the statement to that employer Be concise, but not too broad Components: The position – what do you want to do? The field/company – where do you want to do it? Why? (10 year plans/mission statements) Your skills – why are you the person to do this sort of work?

Education Be sure to include it, and list it correctly List colleges/universities in reverse chronological order Put expected date of graduation on resume Use appropriate designation for your major and spell it out (Bachelor of Science) Put GPA on resume if above 3.0, otherwise don’t include Include relevant courses you have taken

High School Education Don’t put high school education on your resume Don’t include SAT scores General rule: high school information for freshman level college students who have limited work experience can list outstanding achievements to demonstrate potential However, every effort should be made to gain relevant skills through collegiate experiences

Skills Include specific technology when relevant – database experience, industry-specific programs, etc. Languages – always put on resume if you have a second language Computer skills List the skills you have: Word, PowerPoint, Excel, SPSS, Quick Books, etc. Presentation skills “Soft” skills (leadership, communication, problem solving, teamwork)

Projects Pick your top 3 - 5 projects to list on your resume These can be academic required project or independent projects They do not need to be completed or launched either

Shadowing Include any relevant shadowing experience Doctors/Practice Name Type/Specialty/Location Number of Hours

Work Experience Think results (saved the company $1,000, supervised 18 people, etc.) Go no further back than 10 years for work experience Don’t just say “responsible for…” Use action words (active voice, not passive) Use present tense for current employment Use past tense for past employment

Transferable Skills What experiences are relevant? Which experiences could be relevant? How can you translate seemingly irrelevant experience into statements that show potential? Think about: …skills necessary for the job you are seeking… …what experience you have from past positions that utilizes those skills… …how to describe your experiences in the language of your new career field…

Resume Do’s Use ACTIVE voice Limit to 1 or 2 pages (one page is preferred for recent graduates but two is reasonable if you have extensive work history) Design for skimmers eyes (“30 second” glance quality) Put most important/relevant information first (both on the page and within sections) Keep reader in mind when preparing the resume Remember that appearances matter – no errors Use action verbs and industry buzz words Focus on relevant details only Be truthful Include your name and page number on the second page

Resume Don’ts Write before doing a self-assessment Refer to self as “I” Include personal information Include references Use premade templates or tables Use colloquial language Use abbreviations without first explaining them Include a photo of yourself Use flimsy or colored paper

What NOT to Include on Your Resume Marital status Age Health Hobbies Race/Culture Salary Religion/Political Affiliations

References Should be on a separate sheet (not part of resume) Not necessary to say “references available upon request” on resume Should have 3-5 individuals related to academic or business (NOT relatives or personal friends) Should have a heading with your name Include: Name Email Title Company/organization or affiliation Address and telephone number Should obtain permission before putting people on this list Provide references with a copy of your resume and provide updates on your job search

Setup an Appointment Cover letter help Resume assistance Practice interviews Workshops Career Fairs Career library Online Career Portfolio Graduate school Handshake (Online Job Portal) Experiential Education (Internship/Co-Op) Career Planning & Development – College of Science & Mathematics Steven Vosika Career and Internship Advisor svosika@Kennesaw.edu (470) 578-6555