Jan 15, 2015- Developing a Professional Resume

DEVELOPING A DEVELOPING A PROFESSIONAL RESUME PROFESSIONAL RESUME

St. Edward’s UniversityCareer and Professional Development

Moody Hall 134512-448-8530

Workshop ObjectivesWorkshop ObjectivesUnderstanding a resume and its

purposeProper resume styles and formats

that employers preferResume content and categories -

what you should be includingTailoring the resume to match the

employers' needsDeveloping and tailoring effective

cover letters

WHAT IS A RESUME?WHAT IS A RESUME?The resume is an ever changing

document that communicates your contact information, transferrable skills, education and experience

Your resume represents and markets you as you apply for internships, jobs, scholarships, and graduate school

Students and alumni should update their resumes with each new activity, experience, job responsibility and career change

Be careful when using Resume Templates or "Resume Wizards"

Use Standard Font Styles and Sizes ◦10-12 (Garamond, Calibri, Candara,

Cambria)Emphasize Specific Information

◦Bold, italics, underliningUse bulleted statementsOne Page or Two?

DEVELOPING YOUR RESUMEDEVELOPING YOUR RESUMEStyle and Formatting TipsStyle and Formatting Tips

DEVELOPING YOUR DEVELOPING YOUR RESUMERESUME

Style and Formatting TipsStyle and Formatting Tips• Visually appealing: clear/concise • Easy to navigate and error free• Print on nice paper• Save as “First Last resume”• No photos• Limit use of color

DEVELOPING YOUR RESUME DEVELOPING YOUR RESUME Where to Begin:Where to Begin:

Think about :

Experience/Jobs (even babysitting!)

Education (course descriptions,

projects, etc.)

Skills (languages, leadership, etc.)

Activities (clubs, organizations, etc.)

Volunteer Work

Honors

Developing Your ResumeDeveloping Your Resume

RESUME SECTIONS

Heading:Heading:Contact information:

NameAddressCity, State ZIPPhone numberProfessional email addressLinkedIn link

Objective Statement Objective Statement (optional)(optional)Purpose: introduce yourself

Short, sweet and to the point◦50% employers like statements◦50% use the space for something else

Example Objective: Dean’s List Marketing major seeks

internship with Dell, Inc.

Summary Of Qualifications Summary Of Qualifications

Or ProfileOr Profile• Purpose: grab reader’s attention in 5-10 seconds, give an overview of how you qualify for the position• 4-8 statements summarizing your accomplishments, experience and skills• Tailored for every job/internship (use key words and phrases from the description/qualifications)• 1st resume – study job descriptions and list general qualities (communication, organization, technical, transferrable skills)

Sample Profile/Qualifications Sample Profile/Qualifications StatementsStatements• Motivated self-starter known for thriving under

pressure while meeting time sensitive deadlines• Quick learner committed to high quality work and

results• Strong oral and written communication skills; able

to present information in a clear, concise manner• Known for building and maintaining positive

working relationships with individuals at all organizational levels• Dedicated team player with exceptional

leadership abilities• Bilingual in English and Spanish• Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, Excel and Social

Media• Google “sample profile statements”

Example:Example:

SUMMARY OF QUALIFICATIONSTeam player with exceptional time management and multi-tasking abilitiesDependable and reliable professional known for thriving in fast-paced environments while meeting time sensitive deadlinesCommitted to providing high quality service; quick learner with superb decision making abilitiesExcellent communication skills; able to build and maintain positive working relationshipsBilingual in English and SpanishMicrosoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Social Media

This section can also be formatted in This section can also be formatted in paragraph style and may be called a “Profile”. paragraph style and may be called a “Profile”. Statements can be separated by a bullet, Statements can be separated by a bullet, diamond or symboldiamond or symbol

Example:

PROFILERich portfolio of leadership experience ♦ Communication style characterized as respectful and friendly ♦ Patient listener who

focuses on those who are speaking ♦ Caring, sensitive, and empathetic ♦ Matches communication style and teaching with

the needs of the clients ♦ Heightened sensitivity to confidentiality ♦ Highly involved in giving back to the larger community through service to others ♦ Experienced with a wide variety of therapeutic techniques and assessment tools

♦ Intent on helping others empower themselves

EducationEducationDegree (spell out in bold)

Expected graduation date

Name of University

GPA (3.5 or above)

Do not include:

• Other colleges you attended (unless it is

relevant)

• High school (after sophomore year)

Bachelor of Business Administration Expected: May 20__St. Edward’s University, Austin, TX

ExperienceExperience Include jobs, internships, class projects, volunteer work

Experience not something you got paid for

Think accomplishments (created, streamlined,

improved. etc.)

Quantify: goals, quotas, $, %...

Start statements with ACTION verbs

ORDER OF IMPORTANCENOTE: Job title first, in bold, name of company, city and

state and dates of employmentList in REVERSE chronological orderSeparate experience into 2 sections (functional)

◦ Related Experience (or Leadership Experience, etc.)◦ Additional Experience

Example:Example:

EXPERIENCE

Marketing Assistant Fall 2014-PresentVSA Arts of Texas, Austin, TX Assisted in the development of a marketing strategy to increase community awareness Created a distribution system for monthly releases Developed press kit for statewide distributors Compiled statistics for annual report

MORE POSSIBLE SECTIONSMORE POSSIBLE SECTIONS• Honors

• Affiliations

• Leadership

• Community Service

• Shadowing Experience

• Research Experience

• Activities

• Any category you feel is appropriate

TAILORING THE RESUME TO MATCH THE EMPLOYERS'

NEEDS

First do research:First do research:

Job/internship for which you are

applying

Qualifications for the position

Company you are applying to

LinkedIn (alumni, connections who

may work there)

Example Job DescriptionExample Job DescriptionJob Description: Marketing Intern• Planning and coordination of marketing events• Management of direct and bulk mail programs• Market data research (magazine, articles, press

clips, competitive info, etc.)• Other related duties as assigned by Supervisor

Qualifications:• Punctual, reliable and eager • Excellent verbal and written communication skills • Strong organizational and analytical abilities • Must be detail-oriented with good follow through • Willingness to take on some administrative tasks • Positive attitude and work ethic

InformationInformation Included In Included In ResumeResumeJob Description: Marketing Intern• Planning and coordination of marketing events• Management of direct and bulk mail programs• Market data research (magazine, articles, press

clips, competitive info, etc.)• Other related duties as assigned by Supervisor

Summary of Qualifications:• Punctual, reliable and eager • Excellent verbal and written communication

skills • Strong organizational and analytical abilities • Must be detail-oriented with good follow

through • Willingness to take on some administrative tasks • Positive attitude and work ethic

EFFECTIVE COVER LETTERSEFFECTIVE COVER LETTERS

What is a Cover Letter?What is a Cover Letter?

Purpose: Introduces you, sets you apart from other applicantsExplains your purpose for writing, highlights a few of your experiences or skills, and requests an opportunity to meet personally with the potential employer

Cover Letter ContentCover Letter ContentOne page, business style, clear and

concise, tailored to the job descriptionAssess the employer's needs and your

skillsTry to match them in the letter in a

way that will appeal to the employer's self-interest

Expand on one or two accomplishments in your resume that are relevant to the position

Cover Letter LayoutCover Letter LayoutMatch resume heading and font

(copy and paste from the resume)Add name of contact (if known),

business address, etc. (see example)

“Dear Hiring Manager:” (if you don’t have name of contact)

Use business style of writing, double space between paragraphs

Leave space for signature

Cover Letter SectionsCover Letter Sections

Opening Paragraph: State why you are writing, grab their attention, make reference to company/organization (knowledge of company, mission statement, etc.)

Paragraph(s) (2-3): Highlight a few of the most significant points from your enclosed resume◦ Show how your education and experience

suit the requirements of the position, and, by elaborating on a few points from your resume, explain what you could contribute to the organization (Your letter should compliment, not restate, your resume)

Cover Letter Sections Cover Letter Sections (cont.)(cont.)Closing paragraph: Stress action, politely request an

interview at the employer's convenience

Indicate what supplementary material is being sent under separate cover and offer to provide additional information (a portfolio, a writing sample)

Thank the reader for his/her consideration and indicate that you are looking forward to hearing from him/her

Examples:Examples:

• CAPD Sample Resume.docx

• CAPD Cover Letter.docx

• Google search: sample resumes, sample marketing resumes…

Questions?????Questions?????