Creating Your Resumé Dan Solarek Myrna Rudder

What is a Resumé? Critical tool in your co-op, part-time or full-time job search A summary of your qualifications and experience A brief document that communicates enough information to an employer to elicit further interest é PURPOSE:The main purpose of a resumé is to get you an interview!

Building Your Resumé The Art of Selling You! A resumé is like a commercial, it lets an employer know about your best qualities.

Resumé Tips Pay attention to detail ProofreadOrganize Clear and to the point Legibility One Page Include all work experience

Basic Resumé Elements Career / Educational Objective Education Computer Skills Experience / Accomplishments Honors / Awards Collegiate Activities / Community Activities References

Career / Educational Objective Should answer two questions: What do you want? What do you want? Why do you want it? Why do you want it? Should be focused Short and Concise Short and Concise The ‘2’ Second rule! The ‘2’ Second rule!

Your Education The High School Dilemma! What is Needed? The University of Toledo, Toledo, Ohio. The University of Toledo, Toledo, Ohio. August Present August Present Bachelor of Science, _____ Engineering Technology Bachelor of Science, _____ Engineering Technology Anticipated Graduation Date Anticipated Graduation DateExtras The Great GPA Debate The Great GPA Debate Should I list every class I ever took? Should I list every class I ever took? Scholastic Honors, Awards & Scholarships Scholastic Honors, Awards & Scholarships

Work Experience What are Employers Looking For? General work experience General work experience Does this person have a good work ethic? Customer Service Skills / Interpersonal Skills Teamwork skills / “Likability” Index Professional Experience The Power of Three The Use of Bullets Utilizing Action Words

Some Examples of Action Words AccomplishedAnalyzedAchievedCoordinatedContributedDelegatedDesignedDevisedEnhancedEstablishedFormulatedGeneratedImplementedSupervisedTrainedResearched

Job Description Example For more than one job entry: Order with most recent at top Order with most recent at top Repeat format with blank line between positions Repeat format with blank line between positions

Professional Job Description For more than one job entry: Order with most recent at top Order with most recent at top Repeat format with blank line between positions Repeat format with blank line between positions

Collegiate Activities Why is this necessary? What is Important? The Message

Collegiate Activities Example Order with most recent activities at top Include dates where appropriate List positions and responsibilities

Resumé Extras Personal Strengths / Special Skills Superior Time Management Skills Superior Time Management Skills Excellent listening skills and the ability to interact with others Excellent listening skills and the ability to interact with others Well developed written and oral communication skills Well developed written and oral communication skills Community Activities What not to include:

References Available upon request Whom should I ask to be my references? Employers and Professors Employers and Professors Co-Workers and Family Friends Co-Workers and Family Friends How many references should I have? Separate piece of paper Name, Address and Telephone Number/ Name, Address and Telephone Number/ Company and Title of Individual Company and Title of Individual Make sure to call those you have chosen

References Use a format similar to that shown at right for each of your references Make certain that addresses are accurate All references must have agreed to serve

Paper and Layout Paper weight: Use matching paper for resumés and cover letters (rag bond, textured, etc.) Use matching paper for resumés and cover letters (rag bond, textured, etc.)Color: Use white, off-white, tan, beige, or light gray to achieve a professional, businesslike appearance Use white, off-white, tan, beige, or light gray to achieve a professional, businesslike appearanceSpacing: Center your resumé on the page leaving adequate “white space.” Make sure top and bottom margins are equal. Center your resumé on the page leaving adequate “white space.” Make sure top and bottom margins are equal.

A Convincing Resumé The four “ C’s ” Complete Complete Concise Concise Consistent Consistent Correct Correct Proofread carefully and proofread again! A simple error can cause your resumé to be recycled! CC C C

Resume Dos DO think of your resumé as an ad for your qualifications, not an autobiography. DO begin each bullet point with a verb. DO include paid and unpaid experience to demonstrate the range of what you’ve done. DO show the reader why you’re a good match for a particular job. DO make several resumés, with each one targeting a particular field or company. DO look at other resumés to see how they are written.

Resume Dos (2) DO use reverse chronology (the most recent position is your first entry) to organize your education and experience. DO format your resumé clearly. DO proofread many times. DO ask others to look at your resumé. DO come to the Co-op Office for a critique. DO remember that most employers will only look at your resumé for seconds.

Resume Don’ts DON’T make your reader dig for information. DON’T tell everything you’ve ever done. DON’T use complete sentences DON’T include personal information, such as age, race, marital or health status. DON’T make your resumé too dense, busy or cute. DON’T use a font smaller than 10 point. DON’T use fancy fonts that are hard to read.

Key Aspects of a Successful Job Search AssertivenessPlanningActiveSelf-Awareness Ask for Help Don’t Fear Perseverance Don’t Give Up