Career Services Coordinator

Resume Writing

Carolyn ErslandCareer Services CoordinatorHuman Sciences Student Services

[email protected]

515.294.6466

131 MacKay Hall

Quick Guide to ISU Career Services

• Career services office and staff in each college

• Some have “walk in” hours for quick questions

• Others you will need to make an appointment• Centralized, online career management

service (ISU CMS)

• Career planning Self-assessment of strengths, personality,

interests, values, motivation and abilities Exploring career options Decision making

• Resume & cover letter reviews• Job search advising• Graduate or professional school advising• Interview preparation & mock interviews

Quick Guide to ISU Career Services

ISU Career Services Networkwww.career.iastate.edu

Agriculture & Life Sciences– 141 Curtiss Hall

Business– 1320 Gerdin

Business Building Design

– 297 College of Design

Engineering– 308 Marston Hall

Human Sciences– 131 MacKay Hall

Liberal Arts & Sciences– 351 Catt Hall

ISU Fall Career Fairs

Fall Career Day– Wednesday,

September 24– 12:00 noon - 6:00 pm– Hilton Coliseum– Co-sponsored by the

Colleges of Liberal Arts and Sciences and Business

– Wide variety of employers!

– Log in to ISU CMS for employer attendees

Agriculture and Life Sciences Career Day– Tuesday, October 21– 9:00 am – 3:00 pm– Memorial Union, Great

Hall– Sponsored by the

College of Agriculture and Life Sciences

– Log in to ISU CMS for employer attendees

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Iowa State Career Management Service ISU CMS

• FREE (even after you graduate!)• THE location where employers post internship

and full-time job listings• Extensive Employer Database for company

research and direct contact information • Career Fair information including employers

registered to attend and position information• Networking opportunities

Website:www.career.iastate.edu/

Click on link…SIGN ON: ISU CMS for Students

USERNAME:Your full ISU email

account *not your Net-ID*

Example: [email protected]

PASSWORD: Initially generated by

system“Forgot my Password” on

login page7

How to Access ISU CMS

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www.career.iastate.edu

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Once you’ve logged in…

• PROFILE Verify and update your Personal and Academic

Information Change your Initial PASSWORD

• DOCUMENTS Upload your RESUME

• EVENTS Explore CAREER FAIR and Employer Information

Session opportunities• JOBS OR EMPLOYERS

Search by keyword, major, etc. for your area of interest

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Remember…

ISU CMS • depends on YOUR ACTION to submit your

resume for listings and interviewsNOTE: Employers NEVER see your resume

unless you submit it to them!• is only one resource that can be utilized for

your job or internship search

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Skills & Qualities of Top Candidates

• Willingness & Ability to learn

• Basic computer literacy

• Communication skills (verbal & written)

• Analytical skills• Personal management• Teamwork• Leadership

• Honesty/Integrity• Adaptability• Functional or job specific

skills• Organizational Skills• Motivation/initiative• Problem Solving• Maturity• Professional Judgment• “Followership”• Strong work ethic

NOTE: Also know the specific technical skills employers seek for your industry!

Purpose of the Resume

Primary marketing tool to obtain interviews

Represents your experience and strengths

Highlights your competencies, accomplishments, and future capabilities

Format: DO’s

● ONE page and error-free● Prioritize order● Reverse chronological order ● Use action verbs (no –ing form)

Format: DO’s (cont’d)

● Be honest, concise, and positive ● Use industry buzz words● Consistent format and spacing● Visually attractive● References on a separate document

Format: DON’Ts

AVOID:● Personal information

NO height, weight, age, marital status● Personal photo● Health status● Abbreviations or acronyms

Anatomy of the Resume

Contact information Objective Education Experience

– Related– Additional

Skills, Certifications, Professional Affiliations

Community/Civic Involvement– Leadership– Volunteer

Activities, Honors or Awards

Contact Information

Joe Smith620 Lincoln St. [email protected] 40 High Road Ames, IA 50011 Newton, MA 02648 (515) 555-7890 (617) 332-6312

JOE R. SMITHJOE R. [email protected] [email protected] 620 Lincoln St. 620 Lincoln St. (515) 555-7890 (515) 555-7890 Ames, IA 50011Ames, IA 50011

JOE R. SMITHJOE R. [email protected] [email protected] ♦ ♦ 620 Lincoln St., Ames, IA 50011 620 Lincoln St., Ames, IA 50011 ♦♦ (515) 555-7890 (515) 555-7890

OBJECTIVE

Specific to position and work-centered, not self-centered

Stated on either the resume or cover letterExamples:

A part-time position that offers contact with the public and the opportunity to market a quality product or serviceA summer 2007 internship in technical design with Land’s End

EDUCATION

Institution name, city, state

– Degree, expected graduation date

– Major– Minor– Concentration– Option May (or may not)

include high school

OPTIONAL: ● Related courses● Honors and Awards● GPA (3.0 or higher)● Study abroad● Study tours● Research projects● Honors

HONORS or AWARDS

AwardsScholarshipsPrizesHonor SocietiesProfessional affiliations

Education Example #1

Iowa State University, Ames, IA Bachelor of Science, Expected May 20xxMajor: Apparel Merchandising, Design and ProductionClass level: FreshmanAwards: George Washington Carver Scholar

College of Human Sciences Scholarship, 2007-08

Humboldt High School, Humboldt, IAHigh School diploma, May 20xxTop 10% of graduating class

Education Example #2

EducationIowa State University, Ames, IA Bachelor of Science, Expected May 20xxMajor: Kinesiology and HealthOption: Health and Fitness ManagementMinor: Nutrition

EXPERIENCE

Most recent first– Employer name, job title, city, state, dates – Separate experience into different sections

(if applicable)– Use action statements to highlight

accomplishments Related vs. Additional Internships, practicum, volunteer, leadership

EXPERIENCE “LABELS”

Community Service

Related Experience

Leadership Experience

Volunteer Experience

ACTION VERBS

Begin phrases with action verbsStart with best action first; least

impressive action lastQuantify and qualifyProvide the context of your work

Use of Action Verbs

Avoid– Responsible for– Duties included– Assisted with

Active verb examples– Coordinated– Oversaw– Trained– Performed– Planned

Experience Example

ExperienceFloor Team Member, TargetAmes, IA, June 200x-present Assist customers with merchandise

selections Create and maintain merchandise displays Complete sales transactions

Experience Example

ExperienceSales Associate, American EagleDes Moines, IA, Summer 2006 Provided customer service Handled register transactions Maintained displays and restocked

merchandise as necessary Reconciled packing slips

Experience Example

ExperienceHost, Chili’s, Des Moines, IA, December 200x-

present Train new staff under direction of Restaurant

Manager Greet and escort customers to seating area Process orders and complete sales

transactions for Chili’s To Go carry out service

ACTIVITIES

Clubs and OrganizationsAthletic TeamsCommitteesVolunteer WorkService Projects

Activities Example #1

ActivitiesCommon Threads Learning Community, memberMODA, Iowa State University Fashion Club, memberTREND, ISU Fashion magazine Junior Journalism Editor Wrote and had two stories published for first issue

Activities Example #2

ActivitiesAlliance for Health and Fitness Professionals (AHFP)Nutrition ClubPeer Mentor, Kinesiology departmentIntramurals participant (flag football, dodgeball, broomball)

SKILLS

Foreign Language(s) Computer Skills Special Technical Equipment or Software Possible descriptive phrases:

– Fluent– Proficient– Conversational skills– Reading and/or writing ability– Working knowledge of – Familiar with

Skills Example

SkillsComputer: Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint,

PhotoshopProficient on Macintosh and PC

Languages: Fluent in SpanishConversational in French

REFERENCES

Separate page from your resume

Match “header” format and content for resume

Current or former supervisors

Avoid family members, unless you have worked for them

First and Last Name Title Street Address City, State Phone number Email address

References Example #1

Sam WilsonFormer employer/supervisorChili’sRestaurant Manager1505 Westown Parkway, Des Moines, [email protected]

References Example #2

Terri CarlsonAcademic Advisor / Peer Mentor SupervisorIowa State UniversityDepartment of Kinesiology205 Forker Building, Ames, IA [email protected]

RESUME QUESTIONS?

Cover Letters

Job Search Correspondence

Purpose of a cover letter

Used to introduce you and your resume Describe your experiences and qualifications

specifically in a way that relates to the particular position and/or employer

Should accompany your resume whenever you send it whether via the mail, e-mail or fax.

2 Types of Cover Letters

Letter of Application Use when you are

applying for a specific Tailor the contents of

this letter to the job description or employer

Letter of Inquiry More of a networking

letter Used to “inquire” about

the availability of a position requiring your skills

Very effective for the candidate who is geographically limited or focused.

1st Paragraph

Indicate the position you are applying for (or seeking)

The source from which the vacancy was discovered newspaper, personal contact, referral, or website If a referral, make sure your contact is well thought of by the

employer Conclude this opening paragraph with a sentence

about “why” this position or organization interests you.

2nd paragraph

Highlight your qualifications as they relate to the specific position you are applying for (or seeking)

Use the job description as an outline addressing each requirement in your letter

Expand on particularly relevant items in your resume without repeating your resume word for word

Emphasize why the employer should hire you by “selling” your unique strengths.

2nd/3rd paragraph

Incorporate the use of bullets to emphasize key points for a unique format:

Avoid the overuse of the word “I” especially at the beginning of a sentence.

Remember that the cover letter is a representation of the work you can do

Your cover letter should highlight your experience(s)

Don’t try to include everything from your resume Your goal is to move them from reading this

letter to reviewing your resume

Last paragraph / Closing

Close by indicating appreciation for reviewing your materials

Ask for an interview (“I look forward to discussing my qualifications!”)

Provide information for follow-up here or after your printed name below.

Sincerely, Signature  Your name typed Phone number (if not included above) Email address (if not included above)

ISU Fall Career Fairs

Fall Career Day– Wednesday,

September 24– 12:00 noon - 6:00 pm– Hilton Coliseum– Co-sponsored by the

Colleges of Liberal Arts and Sciences and Business

– Wide variety of employers!

– Log in to ISU CMS for employer attendees

Agriculture & Life Sciences Career Day– Tuesday, October 21– 9:00 am – 3:00 pm– Memorial Union,

Great Hall– Sponsored by the

College of Agriculture and Life Sciences

– Log in to ISU CMS for employer attendees

Actions for Career Fair Success

• Make a positive impression• Communicate your skills• Help employers know why they should

hire you• Ask good questions• Follow up after the Career Fair

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Career Fair Essentials

• Business professional dress

• Be prepared!• Don’t chew gum • Don’t bring in

beverages or food• Avoid perfumes,

colognes, scented lotion

• Carry a binder or portfolio/padfolio Resume Fair map Your questions Personal calendar Pen

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Career Fair Strategies

• Make your “A” list• Prepare your “30-60 second commercial”• Appropriate attire• Realize that you're being judged as soon as you

arrive• Allow plenty of time to be at the event• TURN OFF your cell phone or other electronic

devices!• Shake hands with a firm grip• Be yourself!• SMILE!

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Wrapping Up

• Clarify their timeline, next steps, and/or appropriate process for follow-up

• Ask for a business card or specific contact information

• Thank the recruiter for his/her time

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Career Search Checklist

Resume up-to-date, proofed, and edited Voicemail professional and “employer ready” Draft a letter of application Research organizations/programs of interest Interview prep advice received from advisors, peers,

employers, career services Create an email account specifically for your

career/internship search References requested and secured

For MORE individualresume assistance…

Visit your college’s career services website for

appointment scheduling or walk-in hours

www.career.iastate.edu