RESUME BUILDING

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RESUME BUILDING

• Describing Yourself to Others Quickly

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STEPS IN WRITING A RESUME

• Review examples of other resumes
• Note your skills, accomplishments, and
  experiences
• Prepare a draft
• Have an experienced person critique
• Make revisions
• Print and distribute

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REVIEW OTHER RESUMES

• Example resumes can be found
• At the Career Center
• Online

Many formats are acceptable for a resume!
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Determining a Format

• What headings are most appropriate?
• How should my headings be ordered?
• What phrases should be used within each heading?
  
• How should my experiences described?
• How is white space used? Is the resume crowded
  or sparse?

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Example Resumes

• There are many websites for example resumes.
  Here are a few
• http//content.monster.com/samples/Archive.aspx
• http//careerdevelopment.brown.edu/careerresources
  /resumeweb.htm

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Example Topics

• Volunteer service
• On-campus activities
• Sports and Intramurals
• Awards and Honors
• Skills
• Interests

• Education
• Relevant courses
• Projects and presentations
• Study abroad
• Work experience or Internships

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EXAMPLE FORMAT

• Heading
• Objective
• Education
• Experience
• Skills
• Other Interests

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EXAMPLE FORMATHeading

• Full name
• College address
• Permanent addresses
• Telephone number (mobile, home) (no cute
  messages!)
• E-mail address

Warning Be ready for anyone to investigate your
MySpace and Facebook site
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EXAMPLE FORMATObjective

• Some say the objective is more appropriate in a
  cover letter
• If interviewing for a specific job, tailor your
  objective to that job
• If interviewing for a specific career, you may
  write an objective specific to that career.
  Example
• I seek a position with a multinational
• corporation as an internal auditor.

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EXAMPLE FORMATEducation

• Typically shown in reverse chronological order.
• Include
• Institution attended
• Graduation date
• Degree and major
• GPA (maybe not)
• Awards or Honors (example, magna cum laude)

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EXAMPLE FORMATExperience

• Typically in reverse chronological order.
• Use functional headings to focus reader on areas
  of qualifications.
• Leadership Experience
• Research Experience
• Writing Experience
• Teaching Experience
• Work Experience
• Business Experience
• Volunteer Experience
• Computer Experience

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EXAMPLE FORMATOther Interests

• Identify where you worked/volunteered, location,
  your job title, and dates.
• Include hobbies, athletic, and other activities
• Often the area that starts the interview

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Stated Interests Send a Message

• What do the following interests bring to your
  mind about a person?
• Outdoor / Extreme Sports
• Poker
• Body Art
• Volunteer Work
• Video Games
• Watching TV
• Shopping
• Competitive Sports
• Performance Arts

Are sleeping and partying considered interests?
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Critique Process

• First Proofread on your own
• Check punctuation and spelling.
• Review format
• Look for consistency in style
• Then Ask a friend to review your resume
• Later Ask an expert to review your resume
• Representative from Career Services
• Someone who has interviewed before

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Printing and Distribution

• Use a thicker stock paper
• Select a light, neutral color, like white or
  ivory.
• Print on a quality printer
• If sending, use similar envelopes and cover
  letters.

Note Many employers now ask for resumes in
electronic format.
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COMMON RESUME PROBLEMS

• Has typos or grammatical problems
• Lacks vital information
• Highlights duties, not accomplishments
• Too Long (lt 3 pages?)
• Contains inappropriate objective
• Busy visually
• Incorrect contact information

Warning Know your references they will be
called
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BOTTOM LINE

• Qualities of a good resume
• There are three BIG ones

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Qualities of a Good Resume

• Number ONE Does it adequately describes your
  qualities and attributes?
• Is it truthful?
• Are you comfortable discussing each point?

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Qualities of a Good Resume

• Number TWO Does it provide a basis of
  conversation during the interview?
• The interviewer is seeking subject matter for
  the interview
• Resumes provide the basis for initiating the
  discussion.

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Qualities of a Good Resume

• Number Three Does the resume distinguish you
  from other interviewees?
• Did you give the interviewer something to
  remember you by?