How to Write a Resume

Transcription

1 How to Write a Resume Presented by: Northrop Grumman Corporation Updated 1/3/12

2 Why all the fuss about resumes? What Is a Resume? A resume is your commercial ad Job hunting tool to network and get interviews Provides opportunity for you to showcase your strengths A way to direct the interviewer s attention to specific accomplishments and experiences Impact of a Resume Makes the first impression, but doesn t guarantee the job May prevent you from getting the job if not done right Who Reviews Your Resume? Recruiters Hiring Managers 2

3 What is the MAIN PURPOSE of a Resume? To get an Interview Resumes help secure interviews Interviews help secure jobs 3

4 Quick Facts Recruiters typically spend 30 seconds or less reviewing each resume they receive If it is not well formatted or too wordy it may be discarded Why?... Time! A typical job opening within Northrop Grumman can attract between 50 to 300 resumes The average Recruiter has 30 open requisitions (1,500 9,000 resumes) The average Hiring Manager has 5 open requisitions (250 1,500 resumes) 4

5 Quick Facts (Continued) Recruiters look first for ways to exclude resumes, then for ways to rank the remaining resumes by qualification. 50 to 300 resumes/position 1 st Review» 1 in 10 survive 2 nd Review» 1 in 3 survive to Interview Interview» 1 in 3 receive an offer What Does This Mean For ME? Your resume must be on target and demonstrate that you are qualified! 5

6 What Do Employers Want? Accomplishments Thinkers & Problem Solvers Leaders vs. Managers Confidence Cultural Fit Communication Both Written and Oral Technical Skills 6

7 3 Tips to Start the Process Conduct a Self/Job-Assessment Draft using the three C s Clear, Concise, Consistent Request a Resume Review/Critique Good resumes take work! They are rarely perfect the first time around! 7

8 Conduct a Self/Job Assessment - Do Your Homework! Do a sample job search Evaluate job descriptions and qualities of a successful candidate. How does that relate to your own capabilities? Be honest in your self assessment Can you do the job? Are you qualified for the job? Take the time to know and understand your credentials and overall job objective and goal Use this information to help center the focus of your resume 8

9 Use the 3 C s Clear message with clean and simple language Concise statements allowing readers to quickly identify knowledge, skills and abilities Consistent easy to read format General Document Formatting Tips Use an easily read font/pitch Times New Roman or Arial No smaller than 10 pitch font Keep page borders at 1 inch No less than.5 inches at the bottom Use bold typeface, underlining, CAPITALIZATION, and/or italics sparingly 9

10 Request a Resume Critique Don t be too proud to ask for help! Ask to have people review & critique your resume Multiple sets of eyes allow for multiple perspectives/insight Resources Available: Career Services Faculty RA Internship Supervisor Friends Family 10

11 Getting Started: Resume Organization Contact Information Objective (optional) The 30 seconds Recruiters spend reviewing a resume is on the top 5 of the first page) Education Experience/Skills Recognitions/Awards Leadership/Organizations 11

12 Contact Information Name: include preferred name Address: both school and permanent Don t forget City, State and Zip Code Phone number: primary contact number with area code Make sure voice message greeting is appropriate address: avoid inappropriate words Website (optional): make sure content is professional or at least appropriate John Q. Adams 1234 America Way Nutley, NJ (555) (home) (555) (work) jqadams@gmail.com 12

13 Using an Objective Statement Pro s Clarifies what you want -- position and goal Can be tailored to fit the position you are applying for Con s Can close doors, rather than open them by sending the wrong message or unnecessarily narrowing your options Recommendation Use only if it clearly and succinctly meets your career needs Everything in your resume should support your objective 13

14 Using an Objective Statement (Continued) If you are going to use an objective: Be clear and concise Be specific about what you re looking for Summarize professional goal Don t be too general Examples: To obtain a challenging engineering position where I can utilize my design, analysis and programming skills. To obtain a full time engineering position involving RF/Microwave design testing. 14

15 Education List most recent education first List all PhD, Masters, Bachelors List school, degree and major List all degrees achieved Example, double major and minors List expected graduation date List GPA (always) Currently working towards a degree? Example: University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA MS, Computer Science Expected 2013 GPA:

16 Experience/Skills List employer, location, responsibilities Internships Related work experience Other work experience If possible, show relevancy to position applying to Relevant coursework Classes, projects, labs, etc. Don t list GE courses or course numbers Use action or power words Emphasize any leadership roles List computer skills Languages, OS, software, etc. Experience Must Include: Job Title Company Name & Location (City, State) Dates of Employment Responsibilities with Accomplishments Hardware skills Logic analyzer, soldering, oscilloscope, etc. 16

17 Experience/Skills (Continued) Making Tasks into Accomplishments Expectations/Tasks Monitor inventory levels Tested software code Responsible for surveying orders Led Robotics team PAR PAR Statements Describe Accomplishments P = The Problem, challenge, situation, or task you faced A = Specific Actions taken to resolve or improve the situation R = The end Results of your actions (quantify with numbers, percentages, or dollars when possible) Example: Redesigned service processes, increasing responsiveness 50% and reducing queues 50% Accomplishments Re-designed inventory tracking process. Lowered inventory levels by 20% Successfully completed testing of code for phases 1 and 2 allowing for timely delivery of product to customer Surveyed orders and made sure all repairs are done on schedule which resulted in 98% of repairs completed on schedule Led team of 5 in Robotics competition, placed 3 of 20 teams 17

18 Accomplishments & Awards Academic Distinctions Cum Laude and above Honor Rolls President s List, Dean s List, etc. Scholarships and Recognition Presidential scholars, merit scholars, etc. Honor Societies Eta Kappa Nu, Pi Tau Sigma, Tau Beta Pi, etc. Class Ranking 1st in class, top 10 students, etc. Competitions Best design project, school competitions, etc. Publications 18

19 Leadership & Organizations Engineering Societies SWE, ASME, IEEE, ASCE, SHPE, NSBE, etc. Community Services Religious Groups Tutoring Students Clubs and Organizations Robotics, Amateur Radio, marching band, etc. Intramural Sports Get involved! These things can really set you apart add uniqueness! 19

20 Summary: Things to Remember on your Resume Contact Information should be correct and complete Use Clear Fonts 10-12pt for body Sans Serif or Clear Type Fonts Print on plain white bond paper Use a bullet format listing the most important points first Begin with action words and keep tenses consistent Accomplishments over responsibilities or duties Numbers and quantifiers help showcase your accomplishments Mimic company language Use keywords from the job description 20

21 Summary: Things to Avoid on your Resume Fancy Paper or Fonts Bold, Italics, Underlining More than 2 Pages, if possible Typos and Grammar Errors Graphics and Photos Missing dates or information Passive Verbs Do not stress the obvious, stress the unique Buzz words, slang, acronyms Avoid embellishing or exaggerating work experience 21

22 Formatting Examples: Bad Resume Resume is too lengthy, wordy and the formatting is hard to follow! 22

23 Formatting Examples: Bad Resume Complex formatting will be problematic when scanning into applicant tracking systems 23

24 Formatting Examples: Good Resume 24

25 Formatting Examples: Good Resume 25

26 Bringing It All Together! Vocabulary Spelling, Grammar, Punctuation Short, crisp statements Error free Bulleted lists Consistent tenses/formats Appearance/Design Most relevant information on top Easy to read font Clearly labeled sections Ample white space Avoid slang Keep it simple Spell out acronyms Avoid repetition Voice Avoid using I or referring to yourself as Mrs. Jones Use active voice to express accomplishments Common Action Verbs Achieved Demonstrated Executed Identified Implemented Motivated Organized Pioneered Revamped Revived Revolutionized Started Volunteered 26

27 Cover Letter Address the receiving person properly Spell the name correctly Talk about Yourself Don t be too lengthy 2, 3 paragraphs max 1 st Paragraph-Purpose Statement 2 nd Paragraph-What sets you apart 3 rd Paragraph-Close Can be in format Check spelling and grammar Apply to jobs 27

28 Good Luck!