Career Planning and Resume Building

Believe Belong Become

Seven Step Process

Explore selfExplore the workMake decisions and set goalsPlan EducationObtain career experienceConduct jobsearch or Plan for further

studyKnow how to survive in a changing

economy

Six easy to help u navigate for career success:

Why--- Identify your goalsWho--- network with peopleHow--- Learn the skills necessaryWhat--- Understand requirementsWhere--- Find out points of entryWhen--- Know when to start looking

Opportunity

Awareness

Being in a position to seize the opportunity

Self Awareness

Taking Action

Decision Making

Where does the time go?

Choosing a career

What do you offer?

SkillsQualitiesExperienceProcess and outcomesCompetence and capability

Opportunity awareness

EventsChance

Purpose of a Resume

A Marketing Tool:

To convince an employerTo call youFor an interview

You’ve got 30 seconds!!!

Select Me

Resume Myths

“I don’t need one until I’m ready to look for a job.”

“I can use one standard resume for the rest of my life.”

“I’m too young, there’s nothing to put on a resume.”

“My resume will get the job for me.”

Steps to Building a Resume

Laying the foundation.

Building the resume.

Finishing the resume.

Laying the Foundation

Assess Yourself on Paper

What are your Objectives?• Kind of job you are looking for and when you are

available

What have you accomplished?• Skills, Abilities, Work Experience, and

Extracurricular Activities/Leadership

Conti…

What Makes a Good Employee?? 1. IntegrityAbility to work with peopleResponsibilityJudgmentMotivation to succeedWork ethicIntelligenceCreativity/enthusiasmCommunications skills10. Technical competence

The Resume

Heading

Objective

Related Skills

Education

Experience

Activities

References

Building the Resume

Personal Data Section

Objective (Optional)

Education Section

Work Experience

Activities and Honors

Do Not List References

The HeadingPersonal Data Section

Preferably at the top in the center or right side

Name, address and phone numberEmailaccessible after graduation.Professional address

NOT: beerbongking@hotmail.com

NOT: Slacker_35@sbcglobal.com

NOT: needz_da_muney@zetzero.com

Personal Data Section Examples

Example #1

Ima T. Aggie1234 High St. 4321 West WayCollege Station, TX 77840 Houston, TX 77444Home: (979) xxx-xxxx (281) xxx-xxxxCell : (979) xxx-xxxx ita@tamu.edu

Example #2Ima T. Aggie1234 High St.College Station, TX 77840Home: (979) xxx-xxxx Cell : (979) xxx-xxxx ita@tamu.edu

Heading Examples

DO

DON’T

Objective

Always include an objective Apply to a specific position if possible

Stay off the soap box Be concise

Eg:CO-OP, Intern, Full-time? Operations, Business, Sales, Design, R&D, Consulting?CO-OPs and Interns – start date

Include the following: •Institution of study(s) • Degree(s) and Major(s)

• HonorsDo I have to include my GPA? • If absent, employers will assume GPA < 2.8 • If present, designate a scale i.e. 3.2/4.0 Do not use GPA in a major alone

Education Section

Work Experience

Job Title, Company Name, Location, Dates of employment

Job Description – Statements (not sentences)Using action words and showing results

Be Positive, Be Concise, Be PersuasiveList all work experience…within reason

Include accomplishments not just responsibilities

Have you been in the working world?

Hands up if you’ve professional experience

Activities and HonorsList them all and have a balance

Student/Professional organizations

Foreign languages, international experiences

Leadership positions

Scholarships,Dean’s List, etc.

Athletic groups

Hobbies

References

Keep it to three (Unless you choose RAUR)

One personal, scholastic and professional

Be sure they’re still there and reachable

Are they a good reference?

Finishing the ResumeBe ConciseAvoid Personal PronounsUse action wordsShow resultsReader FriendlyAvoiding common mistakes

• Spelling and grammatical errors.• Formatting, fonts, length, paper quality.• Translate “Aggie speak” to business English• LIES• Too long • Be ready to back up anything on the resume

Don’t include references

Use white or off-white paper (checkout resume paper at area copy centers, i.e. Kinkos, Copy Corner, or Graphics Center on campus)

Use 8 ½ x11-inch paper

Use a font size of 10 to 14 points

Black ink only

Use non-decorative typefaces

Choose one typeface and stick to it

Avoid italics, script, and underlined words

No horizontal or vertical lines, graphics, or shading

Do not fold or staple your resume

If you must mail your resume, put it in a large envelope

Contn…

Different types of resumes for different uses

There are four basic types of resumes: chronological, functional, combination, and curricula vitae (CVs). Choose a format that best fits your experiences and industry or one that you are comfortable with. Ultimately, the choice of resume format is up to you.

Chronological resumes present information in a time line approach. Typically, the most recent work or educational experience is listed first, followed by the next most recent. It illustrates how you have made progress towards your career objective through your employment history.

Functional resumes group work experience and skills by skill area or job function. Use functional resumes to point out your skills over your specific employment history. It highlights more relevant skills instead of position titles.

Combination resumes merge the chronological and functional styles. They present the knowledge, skills and abilities gained from work in a reverse-chronological order.

Curricula vitae (CVs) are very different from resumes and are only used in certain positions and industries. Curricula vitae provide a detailed statement of your qualifications. CV's are more biographical in nature and are often used in higher education, science, and medicine

In Conclusion….

Congratulations! You Did It!

Your goal is to get an interview

A resume is a window

It’s a brochure about you

The 8 second test

Brevity and readability

Activities and HonorsStudent/Professional organizationsLeadership positionsScholarships,Dean’s List, etc.Foreign languages, international experiencesReferencesDo not list on resumeBring separate page when you are interviewedPresent most marketable information firstUse brief, descriptive phrasesNo personal pronounsUse action verbs to describe experiences and accomplishments Be PositiveBe TruthfulYou Have the Right to Remain Silent