New Resume Workshop

Editor's Notes

• #2: Lets get one thing out in the open - writing a resume is intimidating for everyone, so don't worry, you're not alone. What makes resume writing difficult is identifying what to include, what not to, what to highlight, what to de-emphasize, etc. HR professionals and hiring managers receive hundreds (if not thousands) of resumes for any given position; therefore, the bottom line is that they will spend about 10-30 seconds on yours. Organizing information incorrectly could cost you a shot at an interview, unfortunately it's a very common mistake made by job seekers
• #3: A chronological resume starts by listing your work history, with the most recent position listed first. Your jobs are listed in reverse chronological order with your current, or most recent job, first. This is probably the type you are most familiar with. This type of resume works well for job seekers with a strong, solid work history. A functional resume focuses on your skills and experience, rather than on your chronological work history. It is used most often by people who are changing careers or who have gaps in their employment history. (or students such as yourselves)
• #4: Narrative resumes don’t go to employers! These are more like facebook, myspace, twitter. Can be useful is used to talk up employers like on Linkedin, but be careful cause trashing your company, boss or even co workers on social utilities can get you fired! Screen name does not equal anonymity, and just because your profile is set to private does not mean your are “safe”! An electronic resume is not necessary for MSU’s Joblink, since JL converts the file for you. Use these with “cut and paste” formats so that it goes into their system readable and “pretty”.
• #5: Just as all the papers you have been doing or will be doing here at MSU, it all begins with RESEARCH. Once you know what you want to do, and what YOU are looking for it’s time to look for jobs that fit and so research. Where do you want to be hired, what companies hold the positions that you would be a good fit for? Because your resume needs to be tailored to the specific organization and job, you’ll need to research both before developing your resume. Use the job description as your primary basis but also check out the co website and company literature, career fairs are also useful by giving you the chance to talk to representatives from the company. Why do you want to do so much research into the company? This can help you identify KEY skills and qualifications that you will want to HIGHLIGHT in your resume. But you don’t just want to research the company, you need to research yourself as well. Before putting your pen to paper (or fingers to the keys), begin by determining your objective (do this prior to writing the resume).  (You may end up NOT including an objective section later in your resume, BUT for now this will help). You should clearly state what sort of a job you want, and know what kinds of skills and experiences are needed to do well in that job. Even if you decide to change your job objective later, it is very important that you decide on a temporary objective for now. After your objective is determined, you can structure the content of your resume around that objective.  As noted above, you have a very small window of time to get the interest of a hiring manager, therefore being general and scattered will insure that your resume is filed in the "circular file" - i.e. - the trash can. Therefore, it is essential that you take the time before you start your resume to form a clear and targeted objective. We mentioned qualifications; you need to review your own and how they meet the needs of the job/co your interested in. As your reviewing make note of examples that demonstrate specific skills so that you can use those in both the resume AND interview. You don’t just want to say I am a team player, you want to give examples that illustrate it. Get organized on next slide!
• #6: Believe it or not but you’re going to forget details about your past jobs that might be related to your current job search. Make sure you write down things that you did to improve your workplace no matter how small. Note any results. If you are able to give an estimate numerically or qualitatively (ex improved rate of hamburger production by 10%). This way you can easily go back and modify your resume accordingly in the future.
• #7: Conservative fonts and avoid script or elaborate type faces, normal size 10 or 12 (the size on power point is enlarged obviously) Short descriptions and bullets make it easier for the reader to skim. Therefore, having key phrases standing alone and bulleted will help the reader see the important information at a glance - while at the same time absorbing the most important information.  Do not worry about the specifics; you will go into the details during the interview. Don’t trust spell check, have a professor and a friend and a family member look it over. Then bring it to career services! White paper! Although you want your resume to be noticed, you do NOT want to do it with pretty paper, or (scented paper)
• #8: You DO NOT need to include them all! These are merely suggestions. Take what you will from this, you want to retain some creativity with it,
• #9: If you have an online resume, leave off your address as it is a way for predators to find you. Employer sites though are secure. Both phone and email should be professional, let’s avoid [email protected]! And do NOT answer unknown numbers to your cellphone while at the club or in a location where you cannot maintain professionalism. I have heard stories of employers calling cell phone numbers where the individual answered with screaming kids in the background and it came across disorganized and unprofessional. (She didn’t get the job). Beware your answer tones! It could be bad to have Rite Aid call you for an interview for that management training position you wanted and have to listen to “Let’s get it on” while waiting for you to pick up your phone. Also, your voicemail should be business like, now is not the time to leave the hilarious hello? Hello? Message. Tricking employers will not get you the interview, and that’s just plain annoying anyway. Avoid personal information, first no one wants to know about your weird rash least of all a potential employer. But also to avoid potential discrimination issues. If you include something that could hint toward discrimination it will ensure your resume gets a one way trip to the shredder!
• #11: A well thought out clear and concise (sentence or 2) that is tailored to the specific company and job shows that you understand the position requirements An objective is not always necessary. More important is changing careers. The bigger the company, the better to use an objective or if your job interest is different from your major.
• #12: In the beginning of your career, education is MOST important! This is your strength and so you want it to be read first! Masters listed first followed by Bachelors. If you are close to graduating, you can put down: May 2010, if not close then use “expected May 2050” They will check your transcripts nowadays! That means everything in this section is verifiable! Be sure to use the correct GPA, and the correct BS,BA,MS,MA. I have heard some say don’t put GPA on if it’s bad. Now do you think employers are stupid? They know that trick too and so be avoiding it you may make it look worse than what it is. I would recommend using the higher GPA but specify it (accounting GPA 3.0) DO NOT LIST ALL CLASSES that you’ve taken for your major. If you have relevant classes for the job, then state them. If you are trying to obtain an internship and you want them to know what classes you’ve had so far, then list them. Some employers like to know that you have worked through school (work ethic). Showing your hours worked or that you supported yourself may help buffer a not-so-stellar GPA. Workshops should be relevant to the job. THESE ARE MERELY SUGGESTIONS!
• #13: Again, think SKILLS AND ACCOMPLISHMENTS that you have to compete for the job. It may be that you have been a development officer for your fraternity or sorority and brought in new members. Just because you didn’t get paid, doesn’t mean you should leave it off your resume. SKILLS, ACCOMPLISHMENTS, AND IS IT REVELANT. Be able to talk about each skill and about previous jobs and experiences.
• #15: An opportunity to showcase skills you have gained. Many employers also look at a new grads activities to see how well-rounded they are.
• #16: Don’t just put down experiences and job descriptions. You can’t expect the employer to know what skills you came away with and what success you have. You have to convey what you got out of your experiences whether you were paid or unpaid. Don’t use the words “duties included”. Check reputable web sources for latest buzzwords in your field. It’s not cheesy, it’s being current.
• #17: Julia Hawkins, MS - University of Kentucky Once you have your skills and accomplishments on a database or card file, now start “word-smithing”. You will want to use professional words in YOUR FIELD. Employers want to know that you are a professional. There are many word lists in different fields to help you with this. Start looking at job descriptions and look at what words they use to describe jobs you might find interesting. Do you have the skills they want? If so, what did you do? How well did you do it?
• #19: Julia Hawkins, MS - University of Kentucky Try to use each precious line on your resume to state what you really did. Try to “think like an employer”. Here are some real phrases that I took from resumes. If you were an employer, would you know what this person actually did?
• #20: Julia Hawkins, MS - University of Kentucky Don’t forget to state some transferable skills, if relevant to the job. Everyone, whether Accounting, Nursing, or Engineering want people who can communicate both verbally and in written (email, memo, letter, report) form. If you took a communications course (ex. Conflict management) this would be the time to point it out. Do not just put “excellent communications skills”. You want to give an example such as handled customer complaints while maintaining 95% customer satisfaction ratings.
• #22: Make sure that your contacts know that you are using them as references and inform them of the position that you are applying for so they are best able to recommend you.
• #26: Career Fair is for everybody. Graduate schools and employers show up. Even if you’re not ready for a job yet this is a great way to network and learn more about potential employers. Dress for success. Have your resume checked at resume blitz or come on by. Check our website to see who is coming and who to Google. Come with 3 good questions for employers that you could not find the answer to online. Practice interpersonal and business skills.