FOR THE NON-ACADEMIC JOB SEARCH RESUMES/COVER LETTERS

GOALS OF WORKSHOP Differences between CV and resume What non-academic employers are looking for How to market yourself through your resume How to show your fit for the position Resume development as interview preparation

FORMAT No single correct format Highlight, strengths, accomplishments, and experience Strongest qualities stand out when skimmed 20 second test Include supporting details – bullet points Organize with categories, in order of importance Reverse chronological order within categories

STYLE Place most important information: first page, left side of page, beginning of sections Nothing fancy – use features sparingly Use action verbs to describe experiences, such as researched…organized…analyzed… Consult job posting, use key words Avoid pronouns, articles, jargon Use sentence fragments Shorter in length, usually PROOF, PROOF, PROOF

COMMON MISTAKES Using a template Too many words Including personal information: marital status, DOB, photo Too creative Not using enough details Not showcasing skills Not “bragging”

CV/RESUME DIFFERENCES Designed for human eye or key word searches? Highlight research or teaching? Grants/awards or skills/techniques? Describe research with science in mind, or job in mind? Academic or general audience? Length! Full academic history or key, related experiences?

MORE CV/RESUME DIFFERENCES Exhaustive list of publications, presentations vs selective list Include references vs don’t include Initial screening by search committee vs initial screening by HR Hard copy or attachment vs , hard copyl or on-line application

IN SUMMARY Usually 1-2 pages Summary or objective statement? Selected publications/presentations Emphasize skills, experiences most relevant to reader and position Use bullet points, details, verbs Home address No references

RESUME SECTIONS Contact information: Name, , phone, address? Personal website? Education: PhD, masters (if awarded by department), undergrad Experience sections: Research, Teaching, Leadership, Service, Selected publications, Selected presentations, Additional training Other sections to include business, non-profit, industry, government experience

GETTING HELP FROM CAREERLAB ½ hour appointments – make appointment on the Brown Student Job and Internship Board Walk-ins, Wednesday, 2:30-3:30 pm, CareerLAB Upcoming programs: 1) Job Search Strategies and Resources, Mon. 9/8, 4-5 pm 2) Using Social Media for the Job Search, Thurs. 9/18, Noon 3) Effective Interviewing, Tues. 9/23, Noon

COVER LETTERS Accompanies resume, usually Based on job description Show you are a good fit Make a match for the reader GOAL of cover letter and resume: To get an interview!

GETTING STARTED Remember this is a non-academic job Read job ad for skills and experience the employer is looking for Write down examples of the skills or experiences the employer wants

FORMAT One page, max 3-4 paragraphs Address to a person, if possible Don’t repeat wording from resume Don’t be negative or apologetic! PROOF!

PARAGRAPH #1 State what you are applying for State how you learned of the position Mention a networking contact, if you have one Brief statement on why you are a good fit Statement on why you want to work there – show you have done research on the organization Introduce yourself

PARAGRAPH #2 AND #3 Examples of why you are a good fit Skills, competencies that will benefit the employer Relate examples to job description Not too general, not too detailed Avoid flowery language

ENDING PARAGRAPH Reiterate interest in the organization Indicate you are available to discuss your qualifications in an interview How to reach you