Resumes

A Résumé Defined Marketing tool that communicates to an employer your skills and experiences Comprised of several key components: Objective Education Work Experience Extracurricular Activities Accomplishments Skills and Interests

Objective A one line, specific description of the desired position Objective should follow your personal contact information at the top of your résumé Objective should determine the content of your résumé Examples:  Effective: To attain the Staff Accountant position in the Finance & Accounting Development Program  Not Effective: To obtain a meaningful and challenging position that enables me to learn the accounting field and allows for advancement

Education This section should include the following items: Name of degree that you will receive; Name of major; Name of university; Projected graduation date; Minor (s), if applicable. Listing Grade-Point Average is optional Relevant coursework may be listed

Skills Analyze your experiences to identify skills that relate to the position Such skills can include the following: Foreign languages; Computer skills Office skills Lab techniques Transferable skills

Work Experience Core of the résumé – will probably take up ~50-60% of the page Use standard resume formats and fonts Tips: Proof-read! Details matter! Results-oriented Think about your audience Use action verbs Think about transferable skills

The “Other” Sections Examples include: Honors/Awards  Honor Societies, Dean’s List Community Service  Special Olympics, homeless shelters, etc. Leadership  President/officer of clubs Interests  Outdoor trips, personal accomplishments

References Make sure your references have something nice to say!!

Tips Reread the job description – there are usually hints about what the employer is seeking Think about the ‘soft’ skills you’ve learned that will be valuable anywhere: Teamwork, communication, persuasion, etc… Other transferable skills? Use “action” verbs Use standard fonts (Times New Roman, Arial) Always use action verbs whenever possible Quantify and use specific examples Check spelling, grammar, and punctuation Seek feedback from peers, Career Center

More Tips Detail your resume for your key companies Do not use flashy graphics Address: Be cautious of what message it sends Do not exaggerate your experiences Do not use abbreviations Do not list anything you are unable to explain in detail

Discussion Groups What grabs the hiring manager’s attention? What are key traits of a “super star” candidate?

Resume to Review Resume - OK to Great.doc

Interviewing 1:45 – 2:15 PM - 30 minutes

Selection Process 1.Resume review 2.Phone Interview or On Campus Interview (Career Center) 3.Second Round Interviews 4.References 5.Decision

How do I submit my resume? Apply on-line at company website Follow instructions in the job posting Attend job fairs Apply through your career services department Have a someone you know refer you or hand deliver your resume

Phone Interview Used to screen candidates and narrow down the pool of qualified applicants Can happen without notice, so be prepared: Keep your resume at your fingertips Prepare a short list of your accomplishments Have a pen and paper for note taking If the time isn't convenient, ask if you could talk at another time and suggest some alternatives. Minimize distractions Make sure your voic and/or answering machine message is appropriate

2 nd Round Interviews This is typically the final stage in the interview process Format may include one-on-one and panel interviews Key skill sets are predetermined by the interview team based on the job (leadership, communication skills, team work, decision making) Interviewers will ask for examples that demonstrate the key skill sets The interview team will rate the responses and make hiring decisions during a wrap up session Candidates will be contacted with the decision

Interview Tips Study the company Practice at job fairs or school events Be on time but not too early Send “Thank You” notes

Questions??