1. Resume & Interview Workshop
The Pennsylvania State University
Actuarial Science Club
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST
Club Website:

2. Agenda Career Fair is Coming!!!! Preparing Your Resume
Career Fair Tips
How to knock their socks off in the interview
Where to go for more help
Resume Reviewing

3. Career Fair is Coming Upload Your Resume!!
Mid-September in Business Building Atrium
35+ Companies Attending!!
Full-Time Jobs, Internships
Upload Your Resume!!
Smeal Students (non-senior) – Put your resume on Smeal Connect
Eberly Students and Smeal Seniors – Put your resume on NLCN
If you don’t know how, easy to Google and follow directions

4. Is your resume ready? If not, you are in the right place
Tonight we will focus on actuarial- specific resume building
Resources
Penn State Career Services (NLCN)
Smeal Corporate Connections
Club Website – Sample Resumes

5. Purpose of the Resume A resume is for getting an interview
An interview is for getting a job
Give highlights and relevant details, but don’t get bogged down – you can elaborate in the interview
Show value to the employer: put yourself in their shoes and ask yourself, “why do they care?”

6. What’s in a resume? Objective/Personal Profile – Who? What? (Optional)
Education – School, major, GPA, accomplishments
If your GPA is <3.0, strongly consider also listing your major GPA if it is higher
Do not round your GPA (a 3.46 is not a 3.5)
Exams – Passed and/or future sittings
Highlight this in its own section
Highlight VEEs underneath if you like
Work Experience – Internships and previous jobs
Don’t use bullet points to just list what you did – focus on communicating value to the employer
Leadership/ Service /Activities – Clubs, intramurals, and/or other interests
Demonstrates initiative, time management skills and personality

7. Resume Gap Analysis How can you become a stronger candidate?
Identify gaps in your resume early in college
Find opportunities at Penn State to fill them
Ex: Find a club that interests you and pursue a leadership role
Fill white space

8. FAQs If I passed an exam, where should I put that on my resume?
Make it stand out
In its own section or under “Education” with your anticipated Penn State degree, often the first section of your resume
Don’t forget to mention VEE credit too
If I have taken all of the courses required for VEE credit but have not yet applied to the SOA/CAS for credit how can I show that on my resume?
Use can the terms “met course requirements” or “completing course requirements”

9. FAQs If I have passed an actuarial exam, should I list my score?
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 I have registered for but have not yet taken an actuarial exam, how can I put that on my resume?
List the exam, then the term “sitting” and the date/month for which you are registered

10. FAQs If I failed an exam, should I still put the attempt on my resume?
If you are registered to take the exam again, we recommend that you mark on your resume that you are sitting for the upcoming exam…. Or don’t mention it at all.
If I am an international student with permanent residence, should I mention that on my resume?
Yes, if you are a permanent resident, 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.

11. 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

12. Resume Reviewing
Now is your chance to have your resume individually reviewed by an officer of the club

13. Career Fair Tips NEVER ask someone what their company does!!!
Research the companies that you’re interested in before the career fair, we will publish a career fair brochure in advance showing what companies are attending
Bring a portfolio with multiple copies of your resume
Ask intelligent questions and make conversation!
And remember, the career fair can be overwhelming but if you come prepared you will have all the confidence that you need

14. Purpose of the Interview
An Interview is for getting a job!
Show that you are more than some facts on a piece of paper – show off your personality!
Learn as much as you can about the company and position you’re interviewing for – you are interviewing them too!
You both want to see if the match will be a good fit
Show value to the employer: put yourself in their shoes – Why should they hire you instead of the next Joe Shmoe?

15. Before the Interview
Do your research on the companies you’re interested in
Dress for Success
During the Interview and Career Fair – Business Professional
This means Suit and Tie, Polished Dress Shoes
Don’t forget your socks…
During Info Sessions – Business Casual
Understand the difference!
Smart Casual ≠ Business Casual ≠ Business Professional

16. Researching a Company Go to the company’s info session
What is their internship program like?
Find aspects that make it stand out
Review the skills they are looking for
Company information
Lines of business
Recent initiatives
Ask good questions
Chance to show off your knowledge about company (without going over the top)
Evaluate whether the company is a good fit
Be ready for “why do you want to work for us?” question

17. Key to a Successful Interview
Anticipate the questions you’ll be asked!!

18. The Interview Traditional Behavioral Case Analytical
1st round: usually on-campus or by phone
2nd round: usually on-site

19. Traditional Questions
Tell me about yourself.
Why do you want to be an actuary?
What makes you interested in our company?
What accomplishment are you most proud of?
What are your strengths/weaknesses?
Where do you see yourself in 5 or 10 years?
Tell me about [something on your resume].
What was your preparation strategy for the last actuarial exam you took?
What was your favorite/least favorite course that you’ve taken?

20. Behavioral Questions Tell me about a time when you…
demonstrated leadership.
went above and beyond.
made a suggestion that was implemented.
worked on a team with someone who didn’t pull their weight.
made an unpopular decision.
made a mistake.
failed at something the first time and tried it again.
balanced multiple commitments.
solved a conflict.

21. Case Questions 30-45 min interview Presented with a business problem
Collaborate with your interviewer to arrive at a solution
Assesses your thought process in solving business issues

22. Analytical Questions How many taxi cabs are there in NYC?
Could I fit a stack of pennies as tall as the Empire State Building in this conference room?
How many windows are there in the business building?
You won’t know the answer – just talk through your reasoning!
They’re looking for your logic, not the final answer (but an answer that’s close definitely helps!)

23. Other Questions
Be prepared to talk about an industry trend, company news, or a popular topic in the company’s field.
Be prepared for: “Explain a concept you learned recently in class to someone who isn’t an actuary.”
This one is really common!

24. Professional Attitude
Respectful yet relaxed
Confident but not arrogant
No matter how qualified, you’re still an unproven entry-level candidate; act like it
Portray that you are willing to learn
“Would I want to work with this person?”
Make the interview conversational and personable

25. General Tips Pause to collect your thoughts
Give concise and detailed answers
Don’t ramble
Don’t complain or make excuses
Don’t speak negatively
Don’t fret if one or two questions don’t go well
Ask good questions
Mock Interview…Practice
Tell the interviewer if you have an outstanding offer deadline
Recruiters want you to be comfortable telling them if you have an offer deadline so they can arrange to get back to you before then.
Recruiters mentioned that it also makes you look better if you have another offer.
Communicate that to them at the end of the interview.

26. Thank You Follow-up
Send a “thank you” note/ to everyone who interviewed you
Remember to get contact information
Personalize each message – recruiters can spot canned responses
Be concise – recruiters are busy!

27. FAQs
If I already received/accepted an interview with my dream company, should I cancel a second round interview with another company?
We asked many recruiters, and in general, they responded that you should respectfully cancel a second round interview if you’ve already accepted somewhere else, but you should still attend (and show interest in) an interview if you have not accepted elsewhere. Who knows – maybe you’ll end up loving this company after all!

28. Recap Communication skills / Personality / Leadership
Extracurriculars – focus on transferrable skills
Leadership positions
Dedication to an actuarial career
“What made you want to be an actuary?”
Prior internships
Attempted exams
Major
Technical skills
Passed exams
GPA
MS Excel, MS Access, VBA, coding experience
Time Management (work-exam-life balance)
Responsibilities outside of the classroom (work, extracurriculars)
Evaluate Fit
Are you right for them?
Are they right for you?

29. References 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
tips.html
See our Resume page for sample resumes and templates
Last Updated on 3/18/16 by Steve Kowalski