go.gwu.edu/careerservices Writing Resumes for International Students Anne V. Scammon, Managing Director

go.gwu.edu/careerservices Learning Outcomes Students will be able to : – Identify the purpose of a resume – Describe differences in US resumes – Write a standard resume with correct structure, format, and language – Practice writing about work and relevant experiences in a resume format – Identify services of the Center for Career Services

go.gwu.edu/careerservices Agenda Resume purpose Resume formats Tips for a great U.S.- style resume!

go.gwu.edu/careerservices What do you think? Evaluate Today’s Program Check iPhone for link to program evaluation Have you learned from the program today? – I have learned more about myself. – I have learned more about connecting with employers. – I have learned more about how to be a professional. Comments & Ideas

go.gwu.edu/careerservices Tell me about yourself Who wants to work in the U.S.? During/after GW? Or both? What do you know about U.S. resumes? What is the purpose of a resume??

go.gwu.edu/careerservices International Student Career Ambassadors Days/Times: *Monday – Thursday, 10am – 7pm Friday, 10am – 4pm (*Except Tuesday, 1pm – 2pm) Location: Science & Engineering Hall (SEH), Resource Room #1230 & #1240

go.gwu.edu/careerservices Purpose of the Resume Marketing/branding tool Highlight skills and accomplishments Present academic and other achievements Demonstrate value to employers THE INTERVIEW, not a job

go.gwu.edu/careerservices U.S. Resumes: Dos and Don’ts DOsDON’Ts Personal information: full name, telephone, address, city, state Links: Website, Blog, LinkedIn Education/GPA: Most recent first Relevant coursework (optional) All employment and internships Relevant experiences (optional) Research experiences Course/independent projects Student leadership Volunteer/community service Skills (language, computer, etc.) Personal information: age, gender, marital status, race/ethnicity, home country Immigration status Photographs Religion Language Skills section: “English” International permanent address TOEFL or SAT scores Language: Misspelled words Typos or grammar errors

go.gwu.edu/careerservices Types of Resumes Chronological Resume – Best for college students and people with limited experience. Education and Experience sections is listed in reverse chronological order, most recent first. Functional Resume – Best for career changers, executives or who have gaps in employment. Highlights skills, rather than jobs

go.gwu.edu/careerservices Resume Standards ONE PAGE! Margins: 0.5 – 1.0 inches Font size: point (headers may be larger) Font type: Times Roman, Calibri, other traditional NO: Tables, charts, graphs, templates NO: photos, social security #s, personal information Standard English grammar – International Student Career Ambassadors 1 st Floor of School of Engineering Hall for 1 st Review!

go.gwu.edu/careerservices Structure of the Resume CONTACT INFORMATION EDUCATION EXPERIENCE SKILLS Optional Sections Objective Skills and/or Technical Skills ResearchRelevant Coursework/Projects Activities Leadership Volunteer Awards

go.gwu.edu/careerservices Example: Contact Information Martha Washington 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW Washington, DC

go.gwu.edu/careerservices Example: Education EDUCATION M.S., Computer Engineering, School of Engineering and Applied Science, Expected May 2017 George Washington University, Washington, DC --Relevant Coursework: Computer Architecture and High-Performance Computing, M Microcomputer Systems Architecture, Introduction to High-Performance Computing Honors: Tau Beta Pi Engineering Society Oxford University, Oxford, UK, September - December 2011 Completed courses in World History and British Culture; researched public policy

go.gwu.edu/careerservices Example: Experience EXPERIENCE (may include internship/work experience) U.S. Department of State, Policy and Development Intern, Washington, DC, January Present Middle East Democracies Project Research the impact of social media on grassroots organizations and authoritarian governments in the Middle East and presented 35-page research report and two page abstract to chief of division Coordinate four meetings attended by more than 350 mid- and senior-level subject-matter experts during day-long seminars Organize online database of information, including scholarly articles and foreign news distributed worldwide via DoS ConnectInfo Global Public Policy Institute, Research Intern, Oxford, England, September December 2011 Developed online questionnaire in English and German for a program on democracy Analyzed questionnaire results and summarized findings with SAS statistical software Institute for Security and Conflict Studies, The George Washington University, Student Assistant, May May 2014 Organized research materials for 7 projects from 10 different researchers Created new office manual for 8 incoming student assistants Greeted visitors and fielded incoming phone and correspondence daily

go.gwu.edu/careerservices Example: Optional Sections SKILLS Computer: Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, SAS Statistical Software Languages: German (Intermediate Written Proficiency) and French (Professional Working Proficiency) LEADERSHIP Secretary, Circle K International, January Present Member, GW Independents, September Present Member, GW Diplomats Club, September

go.gwu.edu/careerservices Exercise: Now it’s your turn! Draft Your Resume Contact Information Education Experience Skills Others

go.gwu.edu/careerservices Best Resumes... Write your own resume. Do not use templates. State objective facts – Degrees, coursework, skills, experiences – State experiences clearly. Note results of work quantitatively. – What did you accomplish? What improved as a result of you? Tailor resume to each employer or position – Research employer and identify position/position description – Analyze description for required skills/education/experience – Describe how your skills/education/experience match the requirements of the position/employer

go.gwu.edu/careerservices Describe Your Experiences Be Concise: Don’t say too much at once Instead of: “Led groups of prospective students on tours of campus while answering questions and encouraging them to apply, resulting more informed, excited applicants.” Say: “Led three campus tours weekly for more then 50 prospective students and parents. Be Specific: Add descriptive words and numbers Instead of: “Showed leadership skills with group project” Say: “Led group of five students in team project by creating schedules and delegating tasks to supported team productivity and the completion of 25-page research paper.

go.gwu.edu/careerservices More Descriptions Use Action Verbs and Vary Them Instead of: “Was responsible for answering the phones and did scheduling for students’ appointments” Say: “Answered phones and scheduled student appointments In Resumes: Fragments are Okay Instead of: “My work included managing two other student workers” Say: “Managed two other student workers” Don’t Use First-Person Instead of: “Created complex spreadsheets based on my research” Say: “Created complex spreadsheets based on personal research”

go.gwu.edu/careerservices Center for Career Services offers… Career Coaching Self- Assessment Special Programming Career Fairs Career Workshops Discuss resumes, cover letters, interviewing, job/internship search, career options, resources International student workshops and events Site Visits, Employer-in-Residence Skill-building programs, industry panels, employer information sessions One-on-one, tools to identify your strengths

go.gwu.edu/careerservices Top 10 Skills Sought by U.S. Employers* 1.Verbally communicate with others in/out of organization 2.Work in a team structure 3.Make decisions and solve problems 4.Plan, organize, and prioritize work 5.Obtain and process information 6.Analyze quantitative data 7.Technical knowledge related to the job 8.Proficiency with computer software programs 9.Create and/or edit written reports 10.Sell or influence others ** National Association of College and Employers, Annual Survey of Employers, December 2013

go.gwu.edu/careerservices What do you think? Evaluate Today’s Program Check iPhone for link to program evaluation Have you learned from the program today? – I have learned more about myself. – I have learned more about connecting with employers. – I have learned more about how to be a professional. Comments & Ideas

go.gwu.edu/careerservices International Student Career Ambassadors GW's International Student Career Ambassador (ISCA) Program provides peer- to-peer career advising for all international students, including graduate/professional students across all degree programs.

go.gwu.edu/careerservices Colonial Crossroads, Marvin Center 505 Careerservices.gwu.edu Questions? Connect & engage with the GW Center for Career Services