Resume basics for blackboard

Resume Basics

Goals• What is a resume?• The Three Cs • Types of resumes• Preparing your resume

• Content Appeal• Visual Appeal

• E-resumes• Final Tips

What is a resume?

A resume is . . .

• A marketing piece.• Your advertisement.• A tool to open doors.• A point of discussion.• An on-going, working

document.

A resume is NOT . . .

• A dull re-statement of your work and education history.

• A 5-page document that illustrates everything about you.

• The clinching item that gets you the job offer!

Remember . . .

•The goal of your resume is to get the interview!

20 Seconds

• That’s the average time an employer spends reading a resume

• That’s why your resume must conform to the three “Cs”:• CLEAR• CONCISE• CORRESPONDING

Clear

• Neatly outline your work experience, education, skills, interests, and objectives.

• Make certain that the language is easily understood.

Concise

• Highlight critical aspects about you• Elevate the reader’s interest• Do NOT tell the entire story

Corresponding

• Focus your resume to the job you want• Illustrate relevant skills and

accomplishments that are of most interest to the reader

Format

• Chronological• Functional

Chronological Resume

PROS

• Easier to follow• Emphasizes work and

education accomplishments

• Highlights other important activities and interests

• Excellent for a new college graduate

CONS

• May emphasize time gaps if you have little or no work experience

• May emphasize “job hopping”

• Limiting to someone changing careers

Functional Resume

PROS

• Organizes and summarizes experiences

• Clearly focuses on accomplishments

• Good if you are changing careers or returning to workforce

CONS

• Does not tell employers how recently skills were used

• Does not tell the context of the skills and which jobs are linked to them

• Not for a recent graduate

When creating a resume, there are 2 major areas of focus . . .

Content Appeal• What your resume says

Visual Appeal• What it looks like

Content of the Resume• Heading • Objective• Summary of Qualifications• Education• Experience

• Related• Internships• Volunteer work

• Skills• Activities• Professional Associations• References

Heading

• Name• Permanent address • Phone• Email

Objective

• Optional• Can be specific

• Ex: Assistant Director of Marketing• General

• Ex: Entry-level accounting position that requires strong technical skills

Summary of Qualifications

• The “Keyword” Game• Use terminology related to the job

• Emphasize nouns for industry-specific terms (ex. Accountant instead of accounting)

• Just highlights• EXAMPLE:

• Leader and contributing member• Ability to propose new and creative ideas and

solutions• Social networking and blogging skills for product

visibility

The “Keyword” Game

• Use key action words & skill words that fit the job• Use key terminology related to the job• Highlight relevant accomplishments that are closely

related to the job• Emphasize nouns for industry-specific terms (ex.

accountant instead of accounting)

Education

• Montclair State University, Montclair, NJ• Degree: BS

– Show date of graduation or expected date• Major: Business Administration; concentration in

Management• GPA – only if above a 3.0• Honors• *If on track for 150 credits, can be listed here• Study Abroad• Relevant Coursework - should only be listed if you are

seeking an internship

Experience

• List the company name, city, state, your title, and dates• Bold either the organization’s name or your title• Use action words

• Current activities in present tense• Past activities in past tense

• Use terms that reflect skills needed in the job you are seeking

• Quantify your accomplishments• Use reverse chronological order

Action-oriented Statements

• Examples:• Increased sales by 15% annually by providing excellent

product knowledge and post-sales service.• Implemented a reduced-cost recruiting program by

focusing on local schools.• Organized an awareness campaign that increased

membership by 50%.

Skills

• Computer skills• Foreign language skills

According to the National Association of

Colleges & Employers (NACE) . . .

• Top 5 skills employers want:• Communication (written and verbal)• Strong Work Ethic• Teamwork Skills (works well with others)• Initiative• Interpersonal Skills

Activities

• Campus Organizations• Community Organizations

• Volunteer Work• Intramural Sports• Varsity Sports

Professional Associations

• Research the associations for your specific career

• Benefits include:• Professional contacts• Job postings• Networking events

References

• Optional• If used, it should be listed as “References

available upon request.”• Do not include your references here

Visual appeal

• Bullets vs. Paragraphs• Printing• Paper• Stylistic Tips

Bullets vs. Paragraphs

Bullets

• Can outline individual skills, accomplishments, and activities

• Less wordy• Most employers prefer

this style because it is easier to read

Paragraphs

• More information • Can be difficult to read

Printing & Paper

• Laser-printed• Heavier weight than regular copy paper• Conservative paper color• Select matching envelopes & stationery for cover

letters and mailing

Stylistic Tips

• Use at least .5 margins all around• Font size should not be smaller than point 10• Keep sentences to the point• Edit unnecessary words• Optimal Resume

What is Optimal Resume?• Web-based resume builder program • Available to ALL MSU students and alumni• Fee based

• Establish your account using your MSU email address• http://business.montclair.edu/career

Benefits• It is a tool you can use to:

• Create high-impact, interactive career materials based on your career goals

• Present your materials online — with the website builder — and in print, as you can download your materials in a number of formats

• Manage an unlimited number of career documents from one central location

• Share your credentials with your network on your own professional website and across social networking sites

Services Provided through Optimal

• Resume Builder• Cover Letter Builder• Interview

Preparation• Website Builder• Informational

Webinars

• Portfolio Builder• Skills Assessments• ResumeGPS • Resume & Cover

Letter Samples

Enter your Montclair State e-mail address here to create a new account.

This is where you can create a new document or manage your existing documents.

Click on this to create a new resume or cover letter

• Name your resume and click start to continue• You have an option to upload your resume if you already have one created

Once you name your resume, then you can select which format you want to use to create your resume.

For the purpose of this presentation, we will select “Browse Samples.”

Next Step• Select a resume sample that you

would like to use.• Each resume sample is separated

by an area of interest.• We recommend selecting the Business and Finance category.

Pick an experience level.

Once you select an experience level, you can choose a resume sample to use.

• Each section provides a list of action verbs that can be used on your resume.

• Action verbs should be used on your resume

E-resumes

• Used when an employer requires that you submit your resume through their web site, independent job posting web site, or in the body of an email (not as an attachment)

Typical formats for e-resumes

•Text•Rich Text•ASCII

Please refer to the E-Resume Handout for specific instructions.

Some final pointers• Write your resume to your job objective and the job

description• Be clear, concise, & corresponding• Emphasize accomplishments, results, and skills• Use relevant keywords and terminology from the field• Be honest – do not exaggerate your abilities but do promote

yourself• No spelling and/or grammatical errors• Do not include personal information: health, marital status,

gender, race, age, etc.

Viewing Verification• To earn the point for this Power Point, please email your

response to the following questions:

• What are the three “Cs” of resumes?• What is the preferred format of a resume for a college student?• What should your resume correspond to?

• Email your response to: [email protected] and indicate “BUGN-Resume Basics” in the subject line.

• Due: December 4, 2013• Questions: Please call 973-655-6965

BONUS• To earn an additional point for BUGN-310, please submit your

resume for a critique.• Email your resume to:

• [email protected] and indicate BUGN Critique in the subject line

• Due: December 4, 2013

References

• Dahlstrom, Harry (2010). The Job Hunting Handbook. Holliston, MA: Dahlstrom & Company, Inc.

• Stebleton, Michael & Henle, Michael (2011). Hired! The Job Hunting and Career Planning Guide. Boston, MA: Pearson Education, Inc.