1. Resume Workshop The Pennsylvania State University
Actuarial Science Club
Thursday, March

2. Agenda Sign In & Drop Off Resume Resumes 101 Additional Resources
Resume Review

3. Is Your Resume Ready? If not, you are in the right place
Tonight we will focus on actuarial- specific resume building
Leave knowing what recruiters want
General Help Resources:
Penn State Career Services
Smeal Corporate Connections (114 BB)
Office of Science Engagement (124 Ritenour)

4. Purpose of the Resume A resume => an interview => a job
Highlight relevant details, DON’T over- explain
Elaborate in the interview
You have seconds to make an impression
Show value to the employer
Ask “why should they care?”

5. What’s in an actuarial resume?
Title
Education
Exams & VEEs
Relevant Work Experience
Leadership/ Service /Activities
Skills & Honors
Additional
Objective Statement
Irrelevant Work Experience

6. Resume Walk Through How does your resume differ?
Does your resume have more white space?
Find opportunities at Penn State to fill that white space!
Remember: How will the recruiter see me?

7. 1. Title– Full Name, Phone #, Email, Address
Title should be size 20+ font
If people have trouble reading your name, include a phonetic spelling or a nickname
If you are an international student with permanent residence, put that near the top of your resume. If you are not, don’t put it on your resume, but inform the employer honestly about your visa status if asked.

8. 2. Education – School, Major, Graduation Date, GPA, Semesters on Dean’s list
Do not round your GPA (a 3.46 is not a 3.5)
If your GPA is <3.0, list your major-related GPA if it is higher OR remove it entirely but be ready for questions about it
*B.S. not B.A. even in Smeal

9. 3. Exams & VEEs– Passed and/or future sittings
Highlight this in its own section!
Your score is not necessary and is usually considered private information (therefore unless you got a 10 and really want to put it on, you don’t need to)
For most/all situations, the term “passed” will suffice
If you failed the exam, write “sitting for” the upcoming exam… or don’t mention it

10. 4. Relevant Work Experience– Internships, Co-ops, Research, Jobs, Leadership Programs & Competitions
Notice the word RELEVANT!
Don’t use bullet points to just list what you did, focus on communicating value to the employer

11. 5. Leadership/Activities– Clubs, Service, Sports, Interests
Communicate value to the employer
Demonstrates initiative, time management skills and personality

12. 6. Skills & Honors– Programming, Language, Scholarships, Awards
Give concrete examples of proficiency

13. 7. Additional– Work Experience, Objective Statement
Unrelated work experience still shows good work ethic and time management
Unless your objective statement is unique, don’t waste space

14. Tips Eliminate all spelling and grammatical errors
Focus on transferrable, intangible skills learned from non-actuarial jobs more than technical skills
Use strong wording (Boston College action verbs)
Keep it organized
Make it easy to read – make sure your accomplishments stand out
Every line should demonstrate value to the employer
Have several trusted sources look over your resume for constructive criticism
STAR method for every bullet point

15. Questions?

16. Blank Resume Templates & Samples available at http://www. psuactsci

17. Resources http://www.sa.psu.edu/career/assist.shtml
bin/cal/webevent.cgi?cmd=opencal&cal=cal13
See this site for numerous events hosted by Career Services
Last Updated on 3/17/17 by Shelley Shen

18. Resume Reviewing Pick up your resumes Ask for clarification
Stay for additional help