SEARCH DEVELOP ASSESS

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2 ASSESS (Freshmen and Sophomores) Complete a career assessment in your First Year Seminar course or on your own. Learn your values, interests, skills, and personality (VISP). Identify WMU majors that align with your values, interests, skills and personality (VISP). Visit a career staff member during drop-in advising or make an appointment. Create a profile in BroncoJOBS. Work part-time on or off campus (keep to hours per week) EXPLORE (Freshmen and Sophomores) Write a professional resume and cover letter. Use the one-click search in BroncoJOBS. Identify skills employers look for in candidates. Join a student organization; consider study abroad. Explore occupations through parttime jobs, informational interviewing, job shadows, and volunteering. USE: or DEVELOP (Sophomores and Juniors) Post your resume in BroncoJOBS for employers who offer internships. Practice job-specific skills through internships, service learning, study abroad, a student organization, leadership development, and on or off-campus employment. Attend events with employers and alumni, such as: Practice Interview Days, Get Prepared for Career Fairs, career panels, and networking sessions. Specific services, the calendar of events, and daily advising schedule is on our web page: SEARCH (Seniors and Graduate Students) Use websites for job searching. Identify job openings that match your degree. Prepare a personal commercial. Use campus job fairs to network and search for co-ops, internships, part and full-time positions. Connect with WMU alumni through social networks and professional groups. Negotiate job offers, salaries, and benefits. Complete the Graduation Survey when you secure a job. MANAGE (Your Career for LIFE) Maintain your job search skills. Develop and nurture a professional network. Maintain accurate and up-todate contact information with WMU profile in BroncoJOBS. Continue the career development process throughout your life for maximum success.

3 Table of Contents Assess Yourself Career Search Action Plan... 2 Assess Yourself with Strong.. 3 Assess Yourself with MBTI 4 Explore Careers Explore Careers through Experience Explore Careers through Informational Interviews.. 6 Explore Careers through Networking... 7 Introduce Yourself with a Personal Commercial.. 8 Engage in the Internship/Job Search Professional Etiquette Guidelines.. 9 How to Make the Most of Career Fairs.. 10 Resume Writing Communicating Your Knowledge, Skills and Abilities Action Verbs.. 13 Objectives, Summaries, and Profiles. 14 Resume Format. 15 Resume Before and After Advising 16 Reference List Guidelines.. 17 Resume Samples Federal Resume.. 18 Arts and Sciences Business Education and Human Development Engineering and Applied Sciences Fine Arts Aviation Health and Human Services Cover Letters Cover Letter Guidelines. 40 Cover Letter Example Cover Letter for an Unadvertised Position 42 Interviewing and Negotiating Interview Successfully Professional Interview Attire Guidelines Negotiating Salary and Benefits 50 Thank You Note Guidelines.. 51 Thank You Note Examples 52 Accept or Decline an Offer 53 Graduate School Graduate School. 54 Curriculum Vitae (CV) Guide CV Sample. 56 Career Development Guide Western Michigan University Career Network Staff Career and Student Employment Services 1401 Ellsworth Hall (269) broncojobs@wmich.edu The Career Center Haworth College of Business 3020 Schneider Hall (269) careercenter-hcob@wmich.edu Career Resources by College Below are links to online portfolios designed to assist students in the career development process. Use these portfolios to learn more about majors, view resume and cover letter examples, plus receive tips about interviewing, networking, etc. Arts and Sciences iwebfolio.com/public/arts_and_sciences Aviation iwebfolio.com/public/aviation Education and Human Development iwebfolio.com/public/education Engineering and Applied Sciences iwebfolio.com/public/engandappsciences Fine Arts iwebfolio.com/public/finearts Haworth College of Business iwebfolio.com/public/college_business iwebfolio.com/public/mba_career Health and Human Services iwebfolio.com/public/health_human_service

4 ASSESS Career Action Plan Assess Your Strengths Know your strengths and communicate them effectively. Learn about your values, interests, skills, and personality using assessment tools such as FOCUS, available at Values What matters to you? (e.g., money, feeling that you need to make a difference, being recognized for what you do, etc.) In what type of work environment would you be happy? Skills What are your strengths and weaknesses? What are your skills and abilities? What skills do you want to use on the job? What skills do you need to acquire? Interests What are you interested in doing? What activities have you enjoyed the most? What kind of people would you like to work around? What kind of job setting would you enjoy? Personality What personal qualities do you possess? How will your personal style influence your career choice? How will you get along with your supervisor/coworkers? Explore Careers List career paths related to your area of study using O*Net ( Research knowledge, skills, and abilities required for your careers of interest. Conduct informational interviews with professionals in your fields of interest. Gather information about potential careers and employers by attending career events. Consider job shadowing experiences. Engage in Skill Development and Job Search Develop transferable and job-specific skills through internships, volunteering, service learning, involvement in a student organization, participation in professional conferences, on-campus jobs, and offcampus employment. Write a professional resume and have it critiqued by Career Services staff. Learn to write customized cover letters. Update your BroncoJOBS account. Develop a personal commercial communicating your skills and interests. Practice professional communication, including following up on job leads, sending thank you notes, and ensuring a professional online presence. Create and expand your professional network by attending career events, using professional association membership lists, family, friends, advisors, professors, and networking websites such as Identify three to five professional contacts and ask them to serve as your references. Practice answering interview questions. Build your professional wardrobe, including a suit for interviews. 2

5 Assess Your Values, Interests, Skills, and Personality with Strong Align your Interests with WMU Academic Programs ASSESS Complete a self-assessment based on the Strong Interest Inventory to help identify your career interests and related majors. In each section, check ( ) all items you would enjoy most. Total the boxes you checked in each section to determine what academic programs align with your interests. R Section Repair a computer or radio Operate machinery Clean up a stream Explore a forest Arrest lawbreakers Plant a garden Build a house or deck Run a race Manage a farm or ranch Test mechanical parts = R I Section Study causes of disease Do a science project Study human anatomy Study insects Research solutions to environmental problems Collect minerals and rocks Study the solar system Do math problems Talk to a scientist = I A Section Sing before the public Design clothing Decorate a home or office Direct a play Write a story or play Design a brochure or poster Create a sculpture Arrange flowers Make videos Act in a performance = A S Section Teach children Care for a sick person Teach a friend Interview clients Help a person with a difficulty Volunteer in a hospital or school Mediate conflicts Help a charity Entertain people Supervise children = S E Section Sell an idea to others Speak in front of groups Supervise other workers Start a club Save money Develop an advertising plan Lead a meeting Take charge of a project Sell magazines door to door Raise money for a project = E C Section Maintain detailed records Run a mail merge Organize a work area Write checks; record balances Attend to details Balance a budget Create a spreadsheet Edit a document Create a filing system Maintain a computer system = C Academic Programs at WMU Below are examples of academic majors that correlate with each interest type. Most occupations are a blend of occupational themes. R (Realistic) Majors: Athletic Training; Aeronautical Engineering; Aviation Flight Science; Civil Engineering; Criminal Justice; Earth Science; Geography-Environmental Resource Management; Graphic and Printing Science (Imaging); Manufacturing Engineering Technology; Mechanical Engineering; Physical Education; Recreation I (Investigative) Majors: Anthropology; Biology; Computer Engineering; Chemistry; Chemical Engineering; Economics; Geographic Information Science; Geochemistry; History; Hydrogeology; Mathematics; Physician Assistant; Physics; Pre-Med; Psychology A (Artistic) Majors: Art; Art Education; French; Graphic Design; English; Film, Video and Media Studies; Food Service Administration; Interior Design; Journalism; Music; Spanish; Theatre S (Social) Majors: Elementary Education; Family Studies; Interpersonal Communication; Music Therapy; Nursing; Occupational Therapy; Religion; Secondary Education; Social Work; Sociology; Special Education E (Enterprising) Majors: Advertising and Promotion; Food Marketing; Management; Human Resource Management; Organizational Communication; Political Science; Public Relations; Sales and Business Marketing; Textile and Apparel Studies; Tourism and Travel C (Conventional) Majors: Accountancy; Career and Technical Education; Computer Information Systems; Computer Science; Construction Engineering; Finance; Integrated Supply Management; Secondary Education-Math; Statistics Source: Strong Interest Inventory by CPP, Inc. 3

6 ASSESS Assess Your Values, Interests, Skills, and Personality with MBTI Align your Personality with Careers Complete an abbreviated Myers-Briggs Type Indicator assessment to help you identify academic areas and career paths that align with your personality type. For each pair of statements, check ( ) the item with which you agree the most. Total the number of checks in each column. The columns with the highest number will form one of the four-letter codes listed below. How you interact with the world and where you direct your energy Prefer to work with others Need time to interact Think out loud Shorter attention span Background sounds help concentration Prefer teamwork or working meetings Want help in researching and writing papers = E (Extraversion) Seek specific information and details Like facts, tangible objects Like (and follow) directions Want faculty who give clear assignments Like to apply knowledge previously learned Work steadily with trusted methods Value practical knowledge = S (Sensing) = T (Thinking) Prefer to work individually Need time to reflect before acting Think things through Longer attention span Need quiet for concentration Prefer written requests or one-on-one requests Want help in public speaking and verbal expression = I (Introversion) What kind of information you naturally notice and remember Seek theories and meanings Like to use imagination to create possibilities Create your own directions Want faculty who encourage independent thinking Like to apply new knowledge Work with bursts of energy trying new methods Value language, symbols, analogies = N (Intuition) Whether you make decisions logically and impersonally or by using personal values Task-oriented Relationship-oriented Oriented to achieve Oriented to be helpful Motivated to master subjects Motivated by others Want objective material to study Want to relate to the material personally Like to critique new ideas Like to please instructors Learn by challenge and debate Learn by being supported and appreciated Want logical plans Want personal rapport = F (Feeling) The way you like to live your life: more structured (making decisions) or more spontaneous (taking in information) Prefer a set system of accountability Prefer a system with autonomy and choice Like to plan Like to be flexible Prefer formal guidelines for solving Prefer to solve problems informally problems Work spontaneously with bursts of energy Schedule time to work on assignments Shape a plan and stay open to new information Plan tasks and get them done Like to adapt to events Like to be in charge of events Want faculty to be entertaining and inspiring Want faculty to be organized = P (Perceiving) = J (Judging) 4 ISTJ Attention to detail and task Management, administration, law enforcement, accounting ISTP Hands-on with data or things Technical fields, law enforcement, military, skilled trades ESTP Action-oriented focus to attend to necessary details Marketing, business, law enforcement, applied technology ESTJ Use logic and organization of facts Management, law enforcement ISFJ Help people behind the scenes Education, healthcare, religious settings ISFP Gentle, service-related, attentive to detail Healthcare, business, law enforcement ESFP Outgoing nature to help with practical needs Healthcare, teaching, coaching ESFJ Provide personal service to others Education, healthcare, religion INFJ Facilitate human development Counseling, teaching, arts, religion INFP Use creativity and focus on values Counseling, writing, arts ENFP Creativity and communication to help others grow Counseling, teaching, arts ENFJ Help others with emotional growth Religion, arts, teaching INTJ Use intellectual and technical knowledge; analyze Scientific or technical fields INTP Use objective analysis of problems and technical expertise Scientific or technical fields ENTP Take on new challenges continually Science, management, arts ENTJ Strategic planning and organization to get task done Management, leadership Hammer, A.L. (1993). Introduction to Type and Careers. Tieger, P., Barron-Tieger, B. (2001). The Personality Type Tool Kit.

7 Explore Careers through Experience One of the best ways to explore a career is to gain experience doing it. Additionally, experience is a way to gain transferable skills in areas identified as crucial by professional employers. Some of the most effective preparation for a professional future happens by connecting outside of the classroom with employment, internships, volunteering, and participation in student organizations. According to NACE*, Seventy-two (72) percent of employers prefer to hire candidates with relevant work experience. Furthermore, when deciding between two equally qualified candidates, a very influential factor in making that decision is whether or not the candidate has held a leadership position. Full-Time or Part-Time Work On-Campus - Utilize the Universal Student Employment Application form available at positions may require you to apply in person. Consider working in academics, the Library, Dining Services or program offices throughout campus. Campus contacts can serve as references for internships and professional employment after graduation. EXPLORE Graduate assistantship information can be obtained at Some graduate assistantships are posted on BroncoJOBS as well. Off-Campus - Many area retail stores, restaurants and non-profit organizations seek student employees each year. If your current employer has multiple locations, ask about transferring to Kalamazoo. Co-ops and Internships Co-ops and internships are often integrated into an existing academic major/minor. However, even when they are not degree requirements, employers highly value applicants who have relevant experience. An internship can be pursued at any time depending on employer need, completed coursework, class schedules and curriculum requirements. Internships can be paid, unpaid, offer stipends or even provide housing. Many employers visit WMU to conduct interviews for co-op and internship candidates. Search for postings and sign up for interviews through BroncoJOBS ( Volunteer Opportunities There are many volunteer opportunities at WMU and in the Greater Kalamazoo area. Regardless of what you do, these opportunities are a great way to obtain professional references and practice and/or gain career skills and interests. Volunteer work can also be a great way to gain leadership experience. For details, visit: Registered Student Organizations Through the WMU Office of Student Activities and Leadership Programs, you can learn about the 300+ student organizations related to academics, culture, spiritual development, fine arts, Greek life, student government, service, media, political/social action, and sports and recreation. To connect with WMU s registered student organizations, visit: * National Association of Colleges and Employers: NACE Research; Job Outlook 2011 with permission of the National Association of Colleges and Employers, copyright holder. 5

8 Explore Careers through Informational Interviews EXPLORE Informational interviews are a process for gathering career information from reliable, inside sources. They are a way to gain firsthand knowledge about a career of interest to you by speaking with someone who is doing what you want to do. You can ask anyone who is knowledgeable about the career of interest to you ask friends, family, fellow students, WMU alumni, co-workers, and people you have never met. The Basics How is it different from a job interview? You are gathering information, not marketing yourself for a job You set the tone and direction of the interview Hiring, benefits and firing questions are acceptable at the first meeting You can ask questions about what type of people they want to hire You can ask for help on your resume Why do it? To generate a network of professionals in your industry, location, and/or occupation To gain a mentor specific to your goals To become an expert and build your reputation in a field Sample Questions The questions below are only a starting point. Create a list of your own questions to ask during an informational interview, and make sure to tailor them to the person and/or organization with whom you are speaking. About the Interviewee How did you get into this field? What has your career path been to get where you are today? What is a typical day like for you? What professional organizations, books, journals or writers have had the greatest influence on your work? About the Industry What are the typical issues faced in the work/industry? What are the best ways to learn more about the industry? What is the preferred degree or major for entry into this field where from? Are there exceptions? If you could improve one thing in the industry, your workplace, or your department, what would it be? Job/Occupation What are the typical entrance requirements for getting a job in this field/organization? What is the average starting salary for someone in your position? What is the advancement potential for your position? What are the most rewarding and least rewarding aspects of the job/occupation? What qualities and skills do you feel a person in this field should have/demonstrate? Going Forward Who would you recommend I talk with to further my knowledge? Can I tell him/her that you referred me? Would you look over my resume and let me know what you would recommend me adding, changing or improving? At what places would you recommend I observe, volunteer or intern? Why? What organizations would you recommend joining? What certifications do you recommend earning? 6 Adapted from careermomentum, Kalamazoo, MI

9 Explore Careers through Networking Networking is a tool to use to ask for career advice not a job. To be successful at networking you must learn to form mutually beneficial relationships with others. Networking involves both give and take. The number one way to secure employment in today s competitive market is through networking. NACE estimates that percent of available positions are never advertised but are filled through word-of-mouth or networking. Who belongs in my network? Everyone! Networking means developing a broad list of contacts. Initially, you will utilize your existing resources for contacts to spread the word that you are looking for a job. For college students and new grads, the best networking contacts are: Classmates and former classmates Fraternity brothers, sorority sisters, and Alumni, including recent grads professional student organization members Parents and parents of classmates and alumni Relatives Coaches or other administrators Professors, instructors and advisors Current and former co-workers EXPLORE How do I get started? Brainstorm for Contacts. There are three different types of contacts, and while you may begin with those contacts closest to you, eventually you will include all three types of contacts in your network. Hot contact: A person you know well and with whom you have a direct connection. Warm contact: A person with whom you have a connection, but you may not know them personally. Cold contact: A person with whom you have no connection. Prepare questions to ask. Networking is a conversation between two people, so it is best to have questions in mind when speaking with someone about their career. See the list of questions in Explore Careers through Informational Interviews to get started. Tips and Tools for Networking Professional Appearance and Presentation. Networking is often about first impressions. Dress well, polish how you speak, make eye contact, and present yourself to impress others. Practice your personal introduction and be prepared to use it. Follow Up. Follow up with every person you meet. A short note telling someone that you enjoyed meeting them will solidify your initial impression and help them remember you. Stay Connected. Networking will be an ongoing part of how you manage your career, so stay in touch with your contacts. When someone helps you, thank them. Organization and Tracking. Stay organized with a Rolodex, in a notebook, or in a database file on your computer. You can also use a contact management application if you have a smartphone. It is important to keep track of your contacts and your communication with them. 7

10 Introduce Yourself with a Personal Commercial A key aspect of networking is introducing yourself to others. A personal commercial (also known as an elevator speech, personal introduction, 30-second commercial, etc.) is a quick, yet effective way to make an impressive introduction. EXPLORE Why? Informs describe background, specific abilities, special accomplishments Builds Confidence and Reflects Competence show what you have to offer Summarizes keep it short and sweet; simple, concise, memorable Connects identify skills and strengths for listener s benefit or needs When? Informational Interview Career Fair or Networking Event Internship or Job Interview Classroom Introduction Social Situation (wedding, graduation, airport, etc.) Anytime you can market yourself What? Name and Education Present your class level, major, field of study, or current job title Functional Area of Interest Explain the occupational field or work setting that you are interested in being a part of in the future Specific Abilities Discuss your skills and abilities that make you stand out or align with the position/career you are seeking Goal Discuss the goal you have for the conversation (internship, job, networking information, industry information, etc.) Closing End with a question to the listener that continues the conversation Personal Commercial Examples Hello, I am Alexandra Hill, and I will be completing my bachelor s degree in finance in August. I have worked on a wide variety of projects that have allowed me to put what I ve learned in the classroom into use in a practical sense. For instance, I was selected to be part of a new course in which my peers and I managed $500,000 for the Western Annual Fund and I am now looking for a chance to apply that knowledge, as well as my other experience. For the last two years I have been a Finance Administrative Assistant at the Greater Kalamazoo Goodwill, and during that time I have assisted the Financial Director. In my role, I manage the daily journal entries and verify them with the general ledger. In addition, I handle accounts payable and receivable and create a monthly report that the director uses to complete the financial statement for the organization. I pride myself on being detail-oriented, analytical, and driven, and I noticed on BroncoJOBS that you are hiring an investment advisor. Could you tell me what qualities you are looking for in an ideal candidate? 8 Good morning, my name is Nirag Vashi, and I am a secondary education student at Western Michigan University with a focus in science. I grew up in a family of teachers and know that being a high school science teacher is my calling. My passion for helping others has been evident in my involvement in Kalamazoo Public Schools and as a camp counselor for the last three years. Through those experiences I have learned to interact with a diverse group of people, which has increased my ability to relate to others. I have also had the opportunity to create lessons for the campers that focused on life skills like teamwork, communication, and time management. This experience taught me what it takes to create an engaging lesson that reaches all students. I am truly looking forward to starting my internship at Loy Norrix High School in the fall. With that in mind, having been a teacher yourself, what things should I be doing now to prepare for my internship?

11 Professional Etiquette Guidelines Business Be on time timeliness contributes to success. A firm handshake and good eye contact demonstrate confidence. Be patient and listen; be remembered as a happy, relaxed person who shows interest in others. Emphasize what you can do to help; use tranferable skills to demonstrate how you would succeed in the position. Avoid filler words such as uh, you know, like; instead, use professional affirming responses such as thank you, I would be happy to, and you re welcome. Dress appropriately for the organization and industry. Watch what you say and how long you take to say it; responses should be between two and six sentences. Job Search Follow up on each job lead that interests you with a phone call or . Honesty and accuracy about your GPA, work experience, etc. is essential in the job search; it reflects your qualifications for the position. Always send thank you notes after interviews. Upon the receipt of a job offer, ask for a formal job offer letter. When offered a job, it is better to ask for more time to consider than to accept the offer and decline it later. Never burn a bridge; once you have accepted a job offer, you need to stop interviewing with other organizations. If you are interviewing with multiple organizations, you should inform all parties of any job offers. Do not forward communications (verbal or written) without consent. Phone Only answer the phone when you are available to take the phone call. Use a professional greeting such as Good morning, this is John Smith. Keep a professional voic message on your phone. Avoid using music as your ringtone. Be sure to talk slowly, clearly, and concisely. Keep messages brief and remember to leave your name and contact information. Return a phone call as soon as possible. When making a call from a cell phone, be sure to have a good signal and enough battery time to complete the call. Be aware of background noises. When possible, arrange to have phone interviews from landlines or make sure that the connection is reliable. Keep a copy of your job search folder (resume, cover letter, job posting, etc.) by the phone for easy reference. ENGAGE - JOB SEARCH Internet Treat your like any other business communication: watch your spelling, grammar, and verbiage. Fill in the subject line with concise, professional, and informative language. Be sure to use an appropriate address for all business communication (firstname.lastname@domain.com). Avoid using all capital letters; capital letters indicate shouting. Avoid using text speak (i.e. thru, u, etc.) and excessive exclamation points. Remember to read what you have written before you send the . Employment correspondence over is legal and official. Make sure that your profile and information posted online (Facebook, Twitter, etc.) is professional. Ensure that your privacy settings do not allow others to see your photos, videos, wall posts, applications, etc. 9

12 How to Make the Most of Career Fairs The success of a career fair depends not as much upon the employers as it does upon you. Determine your goals and set up a strategy to make the most of limited time. Benefits of Attending a Career Fair Learn about the variety of positions available to a college graduate. Talk to someone working in your field of interest. Gain networking and interviewing experience. Learn about internship and/or employment opportunities. Establish employment contacts and obtain referrals for job leads. Obtain employment. Employers indicate that career fairs and on-campus interviewing are among the top five ways they find new hires. ENGAGE - JOB SEARCH Before the Fair Know your objective. Decide whether you are seeking full-time employment, co-op, internship, or contacts. Create a personal commercial to introduce yourself and present your qualifications. Review the list of employers coming to the fair at Select the top five employers you are interested in and visit them first. Research employers before visiting their tables. Develop a short list of questions to ask recruiters. Prepare at least 20 copies of your resume on resume paper to leave with recruiters. Be prepared to interview on the spot, but do not expect an individual interview. Pack a pen, a notepad, and small breath mints (no chewing gum). Plan to arrive early while employers are fresh. Dress professionally. During the Fair Behave professionally, even in elevators, corridors, parking lots, and restrooms. If you come with a friend, separate at the door and approach each employer by yourself. Be organized carry a portfolio or briefcase; avoid digging in a backpack for your resume. Wait until the employer asks for your resume. Maintain professional space and behavior when approaching the employer s table. Avoid taking freebies until after your conversation. Use good eye contact, a strong handshake, and body language that projects confidence. Speak naturally avoid presenting your personal commercial like a speech. Ask open-ended questions; avoid obvious questions or questions about salary/benefits. Collect business cards and organizational literature. Ask the preferred way for you to follow up and thank the recruiter by name. Immediately after speaking with employers that interest you, document what you have learned to follow up appropriately. After the Fair Send a thank you letter or to employers you have a high level of interest in, not necessarily everyone you met. Follow up with a cover letter and resume to employers you are interested in. Mention you met their representative at WMU. File away the literature you have collected. It can be helpful later in writing cover letters or preparing for interviews. Improve your resume if you learned something that better reflects your qualifications or focus. Maintain contact with employers perseverance pays off. 10

13 Communicating Your Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities When you write your resume and cover letters, you need to communicate how your knowledge, skills, and abilities align with employers needs, and provide specific examples of your accomplishments. Identify Keywords Analyze job postings and highlight the skills, personal qualities, and knowledge required for the desired career. Use O*Net ( to identify additional competencies that employers desire. Brainstorm Experiences Brainstorm all the ways in which you have gained knowledge, skills, and abilities desired by employers. Remember that you do not need to get paid to gain from an experience. Think of all the skills you have acquired from work, volunteer activities, and coursework. Focus on Accomplishments In your resume and cover letters, communicate your accomplishments not tasks or duties. Effective accomplishment statements: are specific examples of something you are proud of because they contributed to the employer s or team s success start with an action verb tell the reader what you did, how you did it, or how well you did it highlight actions that you performed using your strengths include results of your activities Think about your accomplishments using the STAR method: S/T SITUATION / TASK What was the situation/task you were working on? What factors contributed to a particular challenge, e.g., budget cuts, tight deadlines, new goals from upper management, etc.? A ACTION What steps did you take to address the challenge or solve the problem? R RESULT What was the outcome of your actions? Did you save time or money? Did the employer adopt the solution you developed? Use numbers to highlight your accomplishments. Examples of accomplishment statements: Spearheaded three-year strategic plan and annual fund development program to ensure long-term financial stability; secured $10,000 grant from W.K. Kellogg Foundation for its launch. Designed and created brochures and guidelines that were adapted by the organization to increase volunteer recruitment. Monitored quality of water source, sewage, and drinking water to ensure compliance with state and federal regulations. Developed new testing procedures under U.S. Environmental Protection Agency regulations that made the analysis process more time and cost-effective. Collected and analyzed data and created comparative charts to assist units of local government in reviewing and revising a comprehensive plan for next decade. RESUME WRITING 11

14 Communicating Your Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities Focus on Skills When writing your resume you should focus on the transferable skills you used to complete your work. This is particularly helpful when your responsibilities are not directly related to your future career. An example of this would be working as a server with career aspirations of being a teacher. In this case it is helpful to an employer to understand the skills you used to do your work, because that means you could use those skills in the work they need you to do. Effective skill statements: start with an action verb tell the reader what you did and how you did it Examples of skill statements: Utilized knowledge of current products and pricing in order to assist customers and guarantee return business for the company Maintained termination files of temporary employees in a database using attention to detail and accuracy Utilized professionalism and excellent communication skills when interacting with customers on a daily basis Employed problem solving and sound judgment resolving conflicts among year old campers Managed multiple projects simultaneously using time management and organization Utilized Microsoft Excel and Access to track client appointments and confidential meeting notes RESUME WRITING 12 Desirable Skills in the Workplace What should you include on your resume to communicate your job skills? On your resume, balance two to five statements within the three areas below. Blend the three when possible. Example: What problem did you solve using your job-specific knowledge? Communication Skills & Human Relation Skills Critical Thinking Skills Technical Skills for Job Specific Knowledge Leadership Data Collection & Analysis Computer Skills Customer Service Problem-Solving Identify job or industryspecific Listening Sound Judgment knowledge, Rapport Building Time Management skills, and vocabulary Public Speaking Organization What has your major or Meeting Management Priority-Setting field of work experience Conflict Management Project Management prepared you to do? Writing Skills Decision-Making Coaching/Training Goal Setting Teamwork/Team Building Creativity/Innovation Adapted from Performance-Based Development System; Developed by Dorothy DelBueno, R.N., Ph.D

15 RESUME WRITING 13 Action Verbs MANAGEMENT/ LEADERSHIP SKILLS administered analyzed appointed approved assigned attained authorized chaired considered consolidated contracted controlled converted coordinated decided delegated developed directed eliminated emphasized enforced enhanced established executed generated handled headed hired hosted improved implemented increased initiated inspected instituted led managed merged motivated organized originated overhauled oversaw planned presided prioritized produced recommended replaced restored scheduled secured selected streamlined strengthened supervised terminated transformed COMMUNICATION/ PEOPLE SKILLS addressed advertised arbitrated arranged articulated authored clarified collaborated communicated composed condensed conferred consulted contacted conveyed convinced corresponded debated defined described developed directed discussed drafted edited elicited enlisted explained expressed formulated furnished incorporated influenced interacted interpreted interviewed involved joined judged lectured listened marketed mediated moderated negotiated observed outlined participated persuaded presented proposed publicized reconciled recruited referred reinforced reported resolved responded solicited suggested summarized synthesized translated wrote RESEARCH SKILLS analyzed clarified collected compared conducted critiqued detected determined diagnosed evaluated examined experimented explored extracted formulated gathered identified inspected interpreted interviewed invented investigated located measured organized researched reviewed searched solved summarized surveyed systematized tested TECHNICAL SKILLS adapted applied assembled built calculated computed conserved constructed converted designed determined developed engineered maintained operated overhauled printed programmed regulated remodeled repaired replaced restored solved specialized standardized studied upgraded utilized TEACHING SKILLS adapted advised clarified coached communicated conducted coordinated critiqued developed enabled encouraged evaluated explained facilitated focused guided individualized informed instilled instructed motivated persuaded set goals simulated stimulated taught tested trained transmitted tutored FINANCIAL/DATA SKILLS administered adjusted allocated analyzed appraised assessed audited balanced budgeted calculated computed conserved corrected determined developed estimated measured planned prepared programmed projected reconciled reduced researched retrieved CREATIVE SKILLS acted adapted began combined composed conceptualized condensed created customized designed developed directed displayed drew entertained established fashioned formulated illustrated initiated instituted integrated introduced invented modeled modified originated performed photographed planned revised revitalized shaped HELPING SKILLS adapted advocated aided answered arranged assessed assisted cared for clarified coached collaborated contributed cooperated counseled demonstrated diagnosed educated encouraged ensured expedited facilitated familiarized furthered guided helped insured intervened motivated prevented provided rehabilitated represented resolved simplified supplied supported volunteered ORGANIZATION/ DETAIL SKILLS approved arranged catalogued categorized charted classified coded collected compiled corrected corresponded distributed executed generated implemented incorporated inspected logged maintained monitored obtained operated ordered organized prepared processed provided purchased recorded registered reserved responded reviewed routed scheduled screened served set up submitted supplied standardized systematized updated validated verified Personal Qualities WORK ENVIRONMENT autonomous competitive conservative customer-oriented fast-paced flexible friendly highly-organized improvement focused innovative provide variety results-oriented structured supportive systematic team-oriented DIRECT, DECISIVE autonomous competitive decisive enterprising goal-oriented independent initiative quick results-oriented risk-taker SYMPATHETIC, SUPPORTIVE cautious consistent deliberate dependable listen patient reliable specialist team-oriented PRECISE, REFLECTIVE, RESERVED accurate analytical attentive to cautious detail diplomatic efficient fact-finder organized precise systematic OUTGOING, OPTIMISTIC assertive charismatic committed confident energetic enthusiastic intuitive motivated passionate people-oriented persuasive positive self-directed verbally articulate

16 Objectives, Summaries, and Profiles Writing objective statements, summaries, or profiles can be one of the most challenging parts of creating an effective resume. Statements are positioned after your contact information, and use sentence fragments or phrases with minimal punctuation. These statements establish a professional identity and summarize key qualifications and accomplishments while informing the reader of position(s) being sought or career goals. Consider the following two resume objectives. Which tells the hiring manager more? Sample #1: Seeking a position allowing me to utilize my knowledge and expertise in different areas. Sample #2: Enthusiastic management student in search of an internship with Target Stores that will utilize communication and customer service skills in a high-paced, team-oriented environment. An objective, summary or profile should answer the following questions: Who are you? What are your personal attributes and field of work? What type of position (part-time, internship, full-time) are you seeking? State the job title if applying for a specific position. What can you contribute (strengths, skills, areas of expertise)? Be specific and align with employer needs. What type of organization or work setting is of interest to you? Objectives Objective statements should be brief (2-3 lines), simple, and specific. Remember, a recruiter is more interested in what you can give the company than what you hope to get from it. Objectives work best for people who know what job they want, who have little experience in their field (i.e. student or recent graduate), who are making a significant career change, or career goals are not obvious from their career history. Creative and enthusiastic classroom leader seeks a 6-12 secondary English teaching position with Kalamazoo Public Schools where I can foster growth in students knowledge through inquiry-based learning while having the opportunity to participate in extracurricular activities including academic and athletic programming. RESUME WRITING Summaries Professional summaries highlight the most important experiences relevant to the position you are seeking, giving greater visibility to your most important strengths and talents. Summaries are often used by those with a variety of experiences and who want the flexibility to keep the summary generic about past experiences and customizing the cover letter or to express interest about a specific position. Four years of editing and writing experience for college and high school newspapers. Interned as an assistant account executive with copywriting responsibilities at local advertising agency. Sold advertising space, managed advertising sales, promotion, production, and circulation. Winner of the 2011 Western Michigan University Lawrence, Clara, and Evelyn E. Burke Journalism Scholarship. Profiles Profiles are similar to summaries; many use the two terms interchangeably. Profiles have opening statements packed with skills, abilities, personal attributes, and often bullet several accomplishments immediately following the profile. Based on your job-search situation, your profile may also include an objective. 14 Master s prepared candidate in engineering management searching for a space planner position with a global manufacturing organization. Two years experience in design, process management and space planning for large hospital system. Proficient in database design, process mapping and time studies. Excellent leadership, project management, and conflict management skills. Fluent in conducting business in Spanish and French. Redesigned an outpatient clinic that resulted in a 15 percent increase in productivity. Led a project team to evaluate space utilization in a pharmacy that managed over 3,000 medications. Utilized data, focus groups and process improvement teams to lead space utilization and process improvement initiatives with 12 food service employees.

17 Resume Format NAME Street Address, Apt. #, City, State, Zip, Phone Number, Address OBJECTIVE, SUMMARY or PROFILE Be specific and avoid cliché statements that lack substance. Inform the reader of what industry, field, or position you are interested in. Indicate what you can offer the employer (not what the employer can offer you or what you want out of the job) related to the position you are applying for; skills, experiences, or personal characteristics that support your job objective. EDUCATION Bachelor of Expected Graduation: Month Year Western Michigan University Kalamazoo, MI Major:, Minor: Major GPA: /4.00, CGPA: /4.00 RELEVANT COURSEWORK or ACADEMIC PROJECTS Course Name: Brief summary of skills gained, projects completed, research conducted, results and outcomes of case study experiences, presentations delivered, etc. The employer is interested in what you gained from this course so avoid inserting the course description or number here. Project Team: Describe purpose of project, your role on the team, materials or methods used, outcomes, presentations, etc. Your teamwork and leadership skills can be highlighted here as well as content or consulting skills. EXPERIENCE Position Title Month Year Month Year Company Name City, State Using action verbs, describe the scope of your responsibility. Avoid using, Responsibilities included. Use verb phrases rather than full sentences; provide concise statements without unnecessary words. Identify what you did, why you did it, and how/how well you did it. Begin with an action followed by a purpose, or a problem resulting in action, concluding with the result, e.g., Provided high level of customer service by thoroughly answering product questions, ensuring satisfaction and return business or Contributed to organizational stability by generating over $10,000 in new revenues. Provide examples of skills developed or enhanced, e.g., Gained valuable organizational skills by transforming a disorganized, inefficient filing system into an operation for easy retrieval and storage. Provide quantitative information when possible: how many, how much, how often, etc. Quantitative information begins to create a picture for the reader.e.g., Supervised cashiers, Managed a cash drawer of up to $, Describe the work environment or atmosphere, e.g., Excelled in fast-paced team-oriented work environment or Worked independently to meet deadlines. Position Title Month Year Month Year Company Name City, State HONORS and ACTIVITIES Treasurer and Member, Student Organization 2010 Present Intramural Athletics 2009 Present WMU Dean s List One page is most common although it varies by major and extent of experience. Print on resume paper. Recommended: clear simple font style font size side margins 1 inch top and bottom margins to 1 inch Include: Degree expected, graduation date, school name & location, major(s) & minor(s). Recommended: GPA if 3.0 or higher. Omit all high school data. Optional: Academic honors (e.g., Lee Honors College), study abroad, etc. List your jobs in reverse chronological order so your most recent experience is listed first. If currently employed, describe in present tense. If no longer employed in position, use past tense. Section can be titled: Related Experience, Professional Experience, Work Experience, Internship Experience, Employment History, etc. In most cases, it is best to have 3-5 bullet points that describe your work. RESUME WRITING A summary or profile, as well as an objective, can be used to catch the reader s attention and give clarity to the kind of employment you are seeking. Adding a Relevant Coursework or Academic Projects and Presentations section to your resume is a good way to highlight your skills and industry knowledge, especially when lacking related work experiences. This is an optional section that can be replaced with relevant work experience or leadership experience. This section is optional and alternative headings include the following: Academic Achievements, Awards, Computer Skills, Volunteer Activities, Organizations, Professional Memberships, Travel, etc. Be sure to include level of skill, type of involvement and/or dates of involvement. 15

18 RESUME WRITING 16 Jane Smith Resume After Advising JANE SMITH (248) Western Dr. Kalamazoo, MI OBJECTIVE A highly motivated individual seeking a sales internship for the summer of 2012 in order to apply my leadership skills and dedicated work experience to contribute to the success of your organization. EDUCATION Bachelor of Business Administration Western Michigan University, Haworth College of Business Major: Sales and Business Marketing Minor: Communications, General Business Kalamazoo, MI Graduation: April 2013 GPA: 3.6/4.0 SALES & BUSINESS MARKETING EXPERIENCE Enterprise Rent-A-Car Farmington Hills, MI Extern May 2011 Participated in The Business Externship Program, a collegiate level job shadow in the Haworth College of Business at Western Michigan University Shadowed a sales manager during three sales calls and observed up-selling, negotiations, and superior customer service Learned the importance of relationship building and communication in prospecting and maintaining a client base Access Medical, LLC Kalamazoo, MI Sales and Business Marketing Intern May August 2010 Developed a sales and marketing plan initiative for using organizational and planning skills Designed a system enabling company to track unbilled revenue and receive revenue faster Participated in accounts receivable process through making collections calls and processing invoices Established relationships with clinicians to expedite timely Certificate of Medical Necessity possession WORK EXPERIENCE The Career Center, Haworth College of Business Kalamazoo, MI Peer Educator January 2010 Present Design and distribute promotional flyers for career programs using Adobe In-Design and Adobe Photoshop Correspond with employers regarding program logistics and sponsorship using persistence and communication Developed a peer mentor program in collaboration with Career Center staff including an initial interest survey and mentor training Maggie Moo s Ice Cream and Treatery Assistant Manager/Customer Service Rochester Hills, MI April 2005 Present Promoted to Assistant Manager as the result of a strong work ethic and dedication Train new employees in store closing activities, product awareness, cleaning procedures, and cash register management Demonstrate knowledge of current products and pricing in order to assist customers and guarantee return business Utilize customer service skills when serving approximately 100 customers daily while tending to their needs and concerns HONORS/ACTIVITIES Member, Business Externship Program Advisory Committee, Western Michigan University May 2010 Present Phi Sigma Pi National Honor Fraternity January 2009 Present Resume Before Advising Note: This student worked to build her resume over the course of her time at WMU. She did not initially have all of this experience when she sought career advising Western drive jane.smith@wmich.edu Objective An internship to gain sales experience Experience Peer Educator Jan Present The Career Center, Kalamazoo, Michigan Create flyers for career programs Speak with employers about career programs Created a peer mentor program for students Asst. Manager/Customer Service April 2005 Current Maggie Moo s Ice Cream Treatery, Rochester Hills, MI Train new employees. Help customers with orders Responsibilities include: opening store, closing store, cleaning store, counting money, etc. Education Western Michigan University, Hayworth College of Business, Kalamazoo MI, GPA Major: Sales and Business Marketing Minor: Communications, General Business Activities/Interests Phi Sigma Pi National Honor fraternity, Watching movies, spending time with family, music, swimming. References References are available on request.

19 Reference List Guidelines Tips Select three to five people who can provide support for your abilities, accomplishments, potential, and performance. Possible references include past or present employers, faculty members, student organization advisors, and supervisors of volunteer experiences. Always secure permission before including names as references. Remember to send a note of thanks. Provide each reference with a copy of your resume and some idea of your employment goals. Include name, professional title, organization, complete address, phone number, and . References are usually contacted by telephone and need not write letters unless asked. List references in alphabetical order by last name. Repeat the same heading used on your resume, in the same font style, to present a uniform appearance throughout your application materials. Consider adding a line identifying the reference s relationship to you, e.g., Relationship: former supervisor. Michael B. Edgeley michael.b.edgeley@wmich.edu Present Address: (269) Permanent Address: 4302 Lake Street 2720 Treetop Drive Kalamazoo, Michigan Toledo, Ohio REFERENCES Dr. Roger Caman, PhD Associate Professor, Mathematics Department 3319 Everett Tower Western Michigan University Kalamazoo, Michigan (269) roger.caman@wmich.edu Ms. Gina Drake Director, Volunteer Services American Red Cross 5640 Venture Court Kalamazoo, Michigan (269) gina.drake@gmail.com Ms. Maggie Olsen 2 nd Grade Teacher (Mentor) Dundee Hills Reading Academy 1322 Learning Village Road Kalamazoo, Michigan (269) olsenmj@dundeehills.k12.mi.us RESUME WRITING Mr. Scott Vogel Supervisor, Information Systems Ralston Foods 437 Porter Street Battle Creek, Michigan (617) s.vogel@ralston.com 17

20 RESUME SAMPLE: ARTS & SCIENCES 18 Federal Resume Sample JENNIFER DAWSON 221 Oakland Drive Kalamazoo, MI Mobile: (269) To apply for federal government positions, you need to create a resume on You will be prompted to fill all applicable fields. As a result, your resume will look like this sample, with salary information, number of hours worked, supervisors names, and references. Your education section will be listed after work experience. Country of Citizenship: United States of America Veterans Preference: No Highest Grade: GS-05 equivalent Contact Current Employer: Yes AVAILABILITY Job Type: Permanent Temporary Promotion Federal Career Intern Work Schedule: Full Time DESIRED US-DC-Washington/Metro LOCATIONS US-VA-Northern US-MI-All Michigan WORK Michigan Cooperative Extension 9/2010 4/2011 EXPERIENCE Detroit, MI US Salary: 15 USD Per Hour Hours per week: 40 Program Coordinator - Oversaw three mentoring programs in limited-resource communities. - Recruited, trained, and managed 25 adult mentors and 30 youth. Tips on Applying for Federal Employment Great resource for finding and applying for federal opportunities! - Developed marketing and training materials for use in FMP programs and other country mentoring initiatives. - Wrote and managed program grants; hired outside contractors for grant implementation. - Communicated in Spanish with program participants and their families. (Contact Supervisor: Yes, Supervisor s Name: Clyde Jackson, Supervisor s Phone: ) Be prepared to provide this level of detail for your federal resume. Federal resumes should exceed one page. Submit Pay close attention to directions. Send only in the requested manner. Applications must be received not postmarked by closing date deadline. Review Complete every blank and be absolutely truthful. If you mail your resume, sign it on the bottom. Read each announcement carefully details are critical. Do not be concerned with length of resume, but if you have multiple pages, place your name and Social Security Number on each page. Eliminate all unnecessary information, abbreviations, and unexplained acronyms. Have Patience Applications must go through a lengthy process, especially if high security clearance is involved. It could take up to 12 months. Review and understand the process and procedures. Most applications are subject to a central review for primary qualifications before being returned to the hiring agency. Keep in touch with the agency of interest. Personal Information Include name, social security number, mailing address, alternate address, phone, , citizenship, veteran status, selective service status. Education Send transcripts only if requested; semester hours and student status if seeking summer or temporary position. Experience Include paid and unpaid related experience, name and address of employer, hours worked per week, and salary. List training, certifications and licensure, skills, honors, and activities. Be specific and relevant. Pay Rates General Schedule (GS) grades represent a standardized pay scale. GS 5 requires a Bachelor s degree, GS 7 typically requires a Bachelor s degree with two years of experience, and GS-9 requires a Master s degree. Applications Submit resume and supplementary forms if requested. Resumes should be created online at through your own account, which can store up to five versions. U.S. Consulate (Department of State) 6/2010 8/2010 Berlin, Germany Grade Level: NA Hours per week: 45 Political and Economic Section Intern, NA - Researched and wrote regional economic and political briefs for US Ambassador s Berlin consulate district visits. - Worked with German professionals in regional chambers of commerce, banks, NGOs, and government offices to compile briefs. - Utilized German language skills and political and cultural knowledge in a variety of settings. (Contact Supervisor: Yes, Supervisor s Name: Lisa Miller, Supervisor s Phone: State Department in Washington, DC) Department of State (Educational and Cultural Affairs) 9/2009 6/2010 Washington, DC US Grade Level: 02 Hours per week: 20 Intern; Public Affairs Assistant, GS - Wrote articles in Bureau newsletter and press releases. - Drafted memoranda for the Undersecretary of State. - Supervised contractors on communications projects. - Contacted and pitched media for program publicity. - Assembled financial and budget information for use in ECA material. (Contact Supervisor: Yes, Supervisor s Name: Nina Bishop, Supervisor s Phone: ) Visit for additional information on finding and applying for federal internships and career opportunities. EDUCATION Western Michigan University Kalamazoo, MI US Bachelor s Degree 4/ Semester Hours Major: Global and International Studies, German Language (double major) GPA: 3.50 out of 4.0 LANGUAGES German and Spanish Spoken: Advanced Written: Advanced Read: Advanced