getting started with your

Charlotte QuigleyManager, Career Services

Uh oh … a test

4 Questions:

Pre-workshop test

1. What is the role of your résumé in the job search process?

2. Before you start writing your résumé, what information should you gather?

3. What is the best résumé template to use?

Which is correct?

4. Your résumé is:

a)A marketing document

b)Intended to make you stand out

c)A summary of professional highlights

d)All of the above

Your résumé is a . . .

summary of your qualifications

brief history of your relevant professional experiences

tool to alert prospective employers to your skills

used to get you an interview

A marketing document

Your résumé is NOT . . .

Autobiographical dump of everything you have ever done

Created once for everything and all time

Supposed to look like everyone else’s (even tho it should follow guidelines)

Misleading. Ever.

Hermione Watson12 Grimmauld Place ∙ Town, NJ 06000 ∙ (732) 555-5555 ∙ hwatson7@middlesexcc.edu

Objective: Marketing Manager

Education: Middlesex County College, Edison NJMajor: English Literature; anticipated graduation May 2014Minor in Marketing3.5 cumulative GPA 3.6 GPA in major

Honors Dean’s List all semestersFoundation Scholarship, Academic years 2012 - present

Skills Technical: Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, Publisher, Adobe Photoshop CS3Languages: proficient in FrenchStrong writing and organizational skills

Marketing ExperienceMarketing Assistant and Newsletter Editor, Watson Inc., Phoenix, CT Summer 2013 • Created the layout and graphic design of the monthly company newsletter.• Interviewed, researched and composed articles for publication• Planned and organized the annual corporate party.• Assisted in the composition of numerous magazine advertisements for print.• Collaborated in the design of marketing products for upcoming 2009 tradeshow.• Designed motivational posters for workplace.

Other Work ExperienceHuman Resources Student Assistant, Saint Michael's College, Woodbridge NJ July 2012 - present• Opened and distributed incoming mail.• Filed payroll paperwork.• Entrusted with confidential information.• Answered phones and provided administrative support.

Nutritional Lab Assistant, Watson Inc., Phoenix, CT Summer 2011• Assisted in the preparing of lab tests. • Revised and organized lab files electronically.

General Resumé Tips ALWAYS 100% TRUTHFUL

Know your audience

Keep to a reasonable length based on your experience (1-2 pages – 1 page for entry level)

Format consistency throughout the document:

◦ Capitalization (summer/Summer)

◦ Abbreviations (NJ/New Jersey, St./Street)

◦ Years (four or two digits: 2009 or ’09) and months (spelled out, abbreviated or numbers: December, Dec., 12)

Résumé do’s and don'ts

Do’s◦ proofread thoroughly

◦ highlight experiences, both employment and volunteer

◦ use a standard print style and font size, easy to read font

◦ consistent format

◦ use action verbs and be concise

◦ Remember the 5 second rule

Don'ts:◦ no typographical

errors

◦ do not include personal information (height, weight, marital status, health, etc..)

◦ stay away from hard to read fonts

◦ information should not be difficult to find

◦ don’t exaggerate experiences

Read this:

Let’s Build a Résumé: new Grad or Current Student

Contact Information

Objective or Profile or Qualifications Summary

Education:expanded with courses and honors etc.

Work Experience

Skills

Certifications and Licenses

Community Service / Volunteer Activities

Relevant Experience (if any)

Let’s Build a Résumé:Career Changer

Contact Information

Objective or Profile or Qualifications Summary

Education

Work Experience … maybe

Skills & Competencies

Certifications and Licenses

Community Service / Volunteer Activities

Relevant Experience

Contact Information

Objective or Profile

Education:expanded with courses

and honors etc.

Relevant Experience

Skills

Work Experience

Certifications & Licenses

Community Service / Volunteer Activities

Contact Information

Objective or Profile

Skills & CompetenciesRelevant Experience # 1Relevant Experience # 2

Certifications & Licenses

Education

Community Service / Volunteer Activities

Work Experience - maybe

Résumé: New Grad Résumé: Career ChangerBuild your

“story” with the

most directly relevant

info at the top

Let’s Build a Résumé: How do you decide what goes where?

Contact information

• Name• Address(es)

▫ Current, temporary▫ permanent

• Phone number(s)▫ voicemail and

answering machines▫ Clearly label cell

number• email

▫ check regularly▫ professional email

address

Your Objective# 1 rule: write from the employer’s perspective!

#2 rule: tell ‘em what you want! Be clear - provide a definite objective Keep it short - don’t get too wordy, not more than one line

Don’t be too restrictive or too vague:“To obtain the Sales Division Trainee position with XYZ Company in Boston”

Objective Examples

•Entry-level accounting staff •Marketing position with an advertising

or public relations agency•An internship with a financial services

organization•A position in human resources working

with benefits administration•College student seeking part time

position in an office setting where my experience provides value to your customers

Education

•College Name and Location•Degree and Major•Date of Graduation•Minor, Concentration•GPA, Awards, Honors •Scholarships•Relevant Courses•Other Colleges, Study Abroad

Education

EDUCATIONMiddlesex County College, Edison NJ anticipated graduation: May 2012

Associates Degree in EngineeringGPA: 3.6 / 4.0

Relevant Course Work:

Skills: things of value to the employer that won’t show up anywhere else

Technical/Computer◦ Hardware◦ Software◦ Operating Systems

Bilingual/Multilingual◦ Proficiency Level

LaboratoryCommunication

Skills Examples•Software Applications

▫Dreamweaver, SPSS, Microsoft Office Suite, FrontPage, Exchange, Avid, PhotoShop

•Skills/Certs specific to your career field▫e.g. LexisNexis, AutoCAD, SafeServ

•Programming Languages▫HTML, C++, COBOL

•Foreign Languages▫Highly proficient in Spanish, Portuguese▫Bilingual: English/Urdu

Experience

• Employment vs. Relevant Experience

• Consistent format• Reverse chronological order in

each section• Bullet points vs. paragraph

format• Job descriptions: use ACTION

VERBS, not full sentences• ACCOMPLISHMENTS

Experience ExampleSales and Public Relations Intern, Fall 2011New Jersey State Theater, New

Brunswick, NJ▫Sold subscriptions and advertising space▫Composed press releases and public service

announcements to publicize events▫Oversaw production of posters, flyers and

programs for four major events▫Helped increase event attendance by 10%

Relevant vs. Other ExperienceRelevant

◦Experiences related to the position

◦Can be employment or volunteer

Target your skills and responsibilities to the job

Action verbs

Other◦highlight skills

that may be useful to any employer (communication, integrity, loyalty)

◦Shows consistent employment

Action verbs

Community Service, Volunteering, Campus Organizations

Campus Organizations

Athletic Involvement

Volunteer Experiences

Community Organizations

Artistic EndeavorsLeadership Roles

Community Service, Volunteering, Campus OrganizationsACTIVITIES Quo Vadis (student newspaper):

o editor-in chief (Spring ’11), o managing editor (Fall ’10), o staff reporter (Spring ’09 & ’10)

Colton English Club/Sigma Tau Delta (English Honor society):

o co-president (2010-11), o vice president (Spring ’09), o historian (2009)

Volunteer with Junior Achievement (taught business concepts to middle school students)

Freshman Student Orientation Leader College-wide library committee: student

representative

Interests

•Career related!•Demonstrate valuable skills

References

•NOT ON YOUR Résumé

•How many? Who?•Permission to use•Verbal vs. written

J ayne Wyatt 503 Center Street San Francisco, Ca

(415)555-012 Social Security Number - #555-00-0000 soccermomma@getmail.com

Objective: To gain experience in the Bay Area business environment that has a potential for growth and further responsibilities so I can increase my skill set and become more marketable.

Education: Stanford University, Stanford, CA, May,1981 Bachelor of Science Chabot College, Hayward, CA, May 1986 AA, Liberal Arts Hayward High School, Hayward, CA 1984 High School Diploma

Computer Skills: Microsoft Word, Excel, Powerpoint, Access, Outlook, Internet

Experience: Netriton Corporation, J ersey City, NJ 1999 - Present Executive Assistant I was responsible for supporting the CFO, CIO and CEO. Managed the front desk staff and created a procedures manual. Kept the calendars and made travel arrangements. Put together conferences and metings

Gillian and Associates, Newark, New J ersey 1995 - 1999 EA Reported to the President directly. Made sure calendars were up to date. Created business correspondence and special reports. Did all of the faxing, filing, mailings and answering the phones.

Hobbies: Golf, Skiing, Painting, Running, Knitting and taking care of my two children.

References Available upon Request

JAYNE WYATT 503 Center Street San Francisco, CA 91234 " (415)555-0123 " jwyatt@getmail.com

Experienced Executive Assistant with over eight years of demonstrated ability in supporting all levels of

Management

SUMMARY OF QUALIFICATIONS Extremely professional, positive attitude and a strong work ethic Strong verbal and written communication skills and interpersonal skills Excellent project management, meticulous attention to detail and good time management Ability to work independently with little or no supervision Superior ability in multi-tasking, adaptive to fast-paced and changing environment

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

Netriton Corporation, Jersey City, NJ 6/99 - Present Senior Executive Assistant

Provides direct support to CEO, CFO and CIO Managed front desk staff, created a procedures manual which saved $5000 annually Handles details with a high degree of confidentiality Interfaces with senior level executives, customers and vendors Prepare and execute presentations for management using Powerpoint Coordinated logistics of conferences and meetings Performed ad-hoc reporting and analysis on special projects Maintained executives schedules, appointments, meetings and travel arrangements

Gillian and Associates, Newark, NJ 10/95 - 6/99 Executive Assistant

Directly supported the President of Company Handled all calendar requests, meeting arrangements, travel and appointments Designed and executed Powerpoint presentations for monthly meetings Prepared reports using Excel to present to clients Draft business correspondence, proposals, contracts and special reports

Innotrate Incorporated, NY, NY 4/91 - 10/95 Executive Assistant

Supported three Senior Vice Presidents Managed the calendars, travel arrangements and meeting schedules

Questions?Questions?