RESUME WRITING WORKSHOP

Transcription

1 RESUME WRITING WORKSHOP

2 Learning Outcomes After today's workshop you will be able to: Recognize the difference between a resume and a CV Explain when you would use a functional resume versus a chronological resume Identify proper the format of a resume and content to include in a resume Write a basic resume Recognize the three general types of cover letters

3 WHAT IS A RESUME? A summary of your qualifications Education Experiences (all types!!!) Skills Marketing tool an advertisement on you! Know your audience Be prepared to spend ample time preparing resume

4 HOW IS A RESUME USED? Most often used when applying for employment Can be used to apply for a co-op or internship or summer position, graduate or professional school or leadership positions in particular organizations A screening tool the second scan Resume Interview References Job Offer

5 WHAT IS A CURRICULUM VITA (CV)? Comprehensive biographical statement Usually 3 or more pages in length Emphasizes qualifications and activities Should address faculty roles such as teaching, research, service, professional associations and presentations

6 HOW IS A CURRICULUM VITA USED? In the United States, a curriculum vitae is used primarily when applying for academic, scientific, or research positions. It is also applicable when applying for fellowships or grants When seeking a job in Europe, the Middle East, Africa, or Asia, expect to submit a CV rather than a resume

7 HOW IS A CURRICULUM VITA USED? Overseas employers often expect to read the type of personal information on a curriculum vitae that would never be included on an American resume, such as: Date of birth and place of birth Nationality Marital Status Remember that US law on what information job applicants can be asked to provide does not apply outside the country

8 FORMATS Reverse Chronological Emphasizes work experience history around dates Highlights career progression Is what employers prefer Functional or Skills-Based Organizes information around functional headings which highlight skills & abilities

9 Formats (continued) Reverse Chronological Advantages: Easier to understand your job history Helps the name of a previous employer stand out Typically used when you are staying in the same field Disadvantages: Much more difficult to highlight what you do best Functional or Skills-Based Advantages: It will assist you in achieving a new goal or direction Skills stand out Disadvantages: Hard for employer to know exactly what you did in which job which could be a problem for conservative readers Past companies are not prominent

10

11

12 STYLE & APPEARANCE Stick to font size Times New Roman and Arial are standard fonts Use bolding, italics, all CAPS, underlining, etc. Use lines to separate heading/sections Use bulleted statements with action-oriented verbs ½-1-inch margins all 4 sides are standard Balance white space and text

13 STYLE AND APPEARANCE (continued) Use neutral, professional resume paper match to cover letter and reference page Use letter size, 20lb., white or light colored paper Use same style paper for resume/cv, cover letter and references

14 WRITING TIPS Spend ample time preparing your resume/cv Be prepared to write and rewrite One-page resume is usually sufficient, CV s are two or more pages Customize your resume/cv for each position Catch your reader s eye Accentuate the positive Use action-oriented verbs and quantify when possible

15 Examples of Action Verbs accommodated demonstrated handled marketed accomplished earned hired organized assigned edited honored participated assisted enhanced identified raised broadened established illustrated recommended budgeted exceeded implemented revised cataloged facilitated improved summarized chaired formulated led supervised coordinated founded learned trained created gained listened utilized decided generated made volunteered defined governed maintained won delegated grouped managed worked

16 WRITING TIPs (continued) Remember the three C s Clarity: make presentation clear and concise Consistency: do not mix categories and dates Conciseness: summarize and highlight - do not pad

17 WRITING TIPs (continued) How do I choose what will ultimately go on the final draft? What things are most relevant to the job? Which things are most recent chronologically? What things make you unique among other candidates?

18 THE BASICS OF RESUME CONTENT Categories used will vary based on your qualifications and/or intended goal Consider several versions of resume for different targets Describe more than duties/tasks performed indicate skills developed/demonstrated indicate value added accomplishments

19 RESUME CONTENT HEADING Cap the top of your resume with: Full name (can put nickname in parenthesis if you wish) Complete address (may include both permanent and present address) Phone number (can list work/cell phone number - designate each with an C H or W ) address

20 EXAMPLE HEADINGS Cecilia X. Sample 222 Strawberry Lane Columbia, South Carolina Cecilia X. Sample 222 Strawberry Lane Cola, S.C

21 OBJECTIVE The objective is an optional category that indicates the type of work you are seeking Employers prefer objectives that are specific and concise. If you know the exact position you are pursuing or field that you are considering, you may include an objective. Otherwise, you may omit this category

22 EXAMPLE OBJECTIVES OBJECTIVE An internship at Computer Sciences Corporation in computer programming. OR A management training position at Bank of America. OBJECTIVE An internship utilizing my skills and training. OR A position in financial services where I can learn and progress in my career.

23 EDUCATION Degrees should be listed in reverse chronology Include only those schools in which you earned a degree Names and locations of schools or programs Graduation date Degrees or certificates Major, minor or cognate Grade point average (if 3.0 or above) Awards/Honors/Scholarships (consider a separate section if more than 3) Study abroad experiences

24 EXAMPLE OF HOW TO SHOW YOUR EDUCATION University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC Master of Public Health, May 2010 Department: Health Promotion, Education and Behavior (HPEB) GPA: 4.0/4.0 James Madison University, Harrisonburg, VA Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences, May 2007 Concentration: Pre-Physical Therapy GPA: 3.4/4.0 Universidad de las Americas, Puebla, Mexico Summer 2006 Enrolled in language, cultural and science courses

25 RELATED COURSEWORK This category is optional and can also be part of the Education section Mainly used when you are lacking related experience but want to demonstrate specific knowledge List the titles of courses you ve taken that relate to the position for which you are applying RELATED COURSEWORK: Mathematics: Physics Calculus Statistics Science: General Chemistry Organic Chemistry Biology

26 EXPERIENCE Include full-time and part-time jobs, summer positions, volunteer work, military service, internships, self-employment, research projects, and even activities if they are directly related to the position In some cases you may wish to divide this category into two sections: one called Related Experience and one called Additional Experience

27 EXPERIENCE (continued) EXPERIENCE Clinical Pharmacist Assistant, 08/06 present Palmetto Health Richland Memorial Hospital, Columbia, SC Partner with and help doctors and professors in the Department of Neuropsychiatry and Behavioral Sciences Develop positive relationships with clients and co-workers Developed an archival system for patient data and information Trained 12 employees on the treatment of confidential documents

28 ADDITIONAL CATAGORIES HONORS, ACTIVITIES, RESEARCH, PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS You may specifically want to list: Activities or leadership positions that demonstrate job related skills Honors or awards (Scholarships may or may not be relevant)

29 ADDITIONAL CATAGORIES (continued) HONORS AND AWARDS Rotary Ambassadorial Scholarship, awarded August 2005 for Arabic language study at the American University in Cairo in Cairo, Egypt. Study period: January to May, 2007 Phi Beta Kappa Honor Society, 2006-present USC McKissick Scholarship, 2003-present Girl Scout Gold Award, 2003 Howard County Asset Ambassador, May 2003

30 ADDITIONAL CATAGORIES (continued) SKILLS We recommend a separate section listing computer skills. Be specific, listing product names and version numbers if possible Students seeking technology positions specifically should break this list down into subcategories such as programming languages, hardware, software, operating systems, databases, peripherals, etc. If you speak more than one language, you should also list them here, indicating your level of proficiency in each

31 ADDITIONAL CATAGORIES (continued) SKILLS Computer Languages: C++, java, HTML, CSS Applications: Eclipse, Microsoft Office, Putty, MATHLAB Machines: Unix, Linux, Solaris Languages Fluent in French and Spanish, Basic knowledge of German

32 Let s look at some other examples Resumes/bycollege.html

33 TYPES OF COVER LETTERS There are three general types of cover letters: The application letter which responds to a known job opening The prospecting letter which inquires about possible positions The networking letter which requests information and assistance in your job search

34 APPLICATION -COVER LETTER Should be specific to the position Explain the reasons for your interest in the organization and in the job you are applying for Explains how your skills relate to the criteria listed in the job posting

35 PROSPECTING -COVER LETTER Sent to prospective employers that may be hiring, but, haven't listed a specific job opening to apply for. Should contain information on: Why the company interests you Why your skills and experience would be an asset to the company How you will follow-up and where you can be reached

36 NETWORKING COVER LETTER Used to set up an informational interview Make your request clear Why the career interests you and what you expect to ascertain How much time are you requesting (20 minutes is typical) How you will follow-up and where you can be reached

37 FORMAT OF A COVER LETTER Use your resume heading as a letterhead Three basic paragraphs: 1. Why are you writing to them and who are you? 2. Why are you the best fit for their organization and this position? 3. How will you follow up with them from here?

38 REFERENCE TIPS Choose references carefully Ask references Gather accurate contact information Prepare references Keep references informed Thank references

39 Final TIPS Employers only look at a resume for seconds, make sure they get what you want them to from that glance! Always include a cover letter when mailing out your resume Paper clip, do not staple, your cover letter to your resume Use matching paper

40 CAREER CENTER RESOURCES Resume Critiques - On-Call Counseling from 1-4pm, Monday-Friday Resume & Cover Letter Writing Books, and Web resources ( Resume tip sheet ( Optimal Resume A web-based template/tutorial that provides resume writing and formatting assistance It is FREE for any current USC student Select Optimal Resume from the Career Center homepage Use USC address to get started

41 THANK YOU FOR ATTENDING THIS WORKSHOP!