Creating an Effective Technical Resume

UWB Career Development Center

Preparing Your Resume

Jamie ShayJamie Shay

Career SpecialistCareer Specialist

JShay@uwb.eduJShay@uwb.edu

Resume - Purpose

• TO GET AN INTERVIEWTO GET AN INTERVIEW

• To sell yourselfTo sell yourself

• Present related work Present related work

experienceexperience

• To represent you when To represent you when

you’re not there.you’re not there.

•Market Yourself!Market Yourself!•Be concise & focusedBe concise & focused•Write specific to the purposeWrite specific to the purpose•Create a visually appealing pieceCreate a visually appealing piece•REMEMBER YOUR AUDIENCE!REMEMBER YOUR AUDIENCE!

Creating an Effective Resume

It’s Your First Impression

Who is Your Audience?

• Tired, overworked, stressed!Tired, overworked, stressed!• Maybe HR - technical or non-technicalMaybe HR - technical or non-technical• Maybe a recruiter – hopefully technicalMaybe a recruiter – hopefully technical• Maybe Manager – technical but no timeMaybe Manager – technical but no time

• Maybe a machine - can only make a matchMaybe a machine - can only make a match• All desperate to find the right person!All desperate to find the right person!

Effective Resume- The Basics

• Reviewed -10 to 30 secondsReviewed -10 to 30 seconds• Must make immediate impressionMust make immediate impression

• Overall appearanceOverall appearance• OrganizationOrganization• Spelling and GrammarSpelling and Grammar

• Use strong verbsUse strong verbs• Use descriptive termsUse descriptive terms

Parts of the Resume

• Top Portion is criticalTop Portion is critical• Indicates to reviewer that you may be Indicates to reviewer that you may be

the right personthe right person

• Includes:Includes:• NameName• ObjectivesObjectives• Qualifications/Skills/TraitsQualifications/Skills/Traits

Parts of the Resume - 2

• Middle SectionMiddle Section• Strongest supporting evidence firstStrongest supporting evidence first

• Education, maybe GPA and awardsEducation, maybe GPA and awards• Relevant Job ExperienceRelevant Job Experience• Technical summary for technical resumesTechnical summary for technical resumes• CertificationsCertifications

• Bottom (if there’s room)Bottom (if there’s room)• Incidental InformationIncidental Information

• Affiliations/ClubsAffiliations/Clubs• APPROPRIATE hobbiesAPPROPRIATE hobbies• LanguagesLanguages

Resume – AppearanceDONT GET CUTE!!• Organized & ConciseOrganized & Concise• Light-colored, 8.5 x 11 paper Light-colored, 8.5 x 11 paper • Single page if possibleSingle page if possible• Margins and Fonts Margins and Fonts

• Use white space to avoid fatigueUse white space to avoid fatigue• Font- san serif eg Arial, Tahoma, 11 Font- san serif eg Arial, Tahoma, 11

pt. pt.

General Guidelines - Content• ObjectiveObjective

• Specific to the position - customize!Specific to the position - customize!• Don’t sound selfishDon’t sound selfish

QualificationsQualifications• What makes you unique? – sell yourselfWhat makes you unique? – sell yourself• Tell them why you’re the best – match to job Tell them why you’re the best – match to job

descriptiondescription• Tell them what they want to hear!Tell them what they want to hear!

Resume Types

• Chronological Chronological

• Functional Functional

• CombinationCombination

Resume -Chronological

• Most commonMost common• Shows experience within the same field as Shows experience within the same field as

the job goal – highlights job progressionthe job goal – highlights job progression• Reverse chronological orderReverse chronological order• Advantage – show career growth if linearAdvantage – show career growth if linear• Disadvantage – shows all jobs, whether Disadvantage – shows all jobs, whether

good or badgood or bad

Resume – Sample Chronological

Modified Chronological – Relevant Work Experience• Relevant Work ExperienceRelevant Work Experience

• Software Tester, Microsoft DateSoftware Tester, Microsoft Date• Some descriptionSome description

• Backup Operator, MicrosoftBackup Operator, Microsoft DateDate• Some descriptionSome description

• Other experienceOther experience• Barista, CompanyBarista, Company DateDate• Tutor, QSC, UWBTutor, QSC, UWB DateDate

Resume -Functional

• Emphasizes skills Emphasizes skills • Limited or not relevant work historyLimited or not relevant work history• Career changeCareer change• Questioned by someQuestioned by some

Resume – Sample Functional

Resume - Combination

• Lists both function and workLists both function and work• Highlights projectsHighlights projects• Highlights transferable skillsHighlights transferable skills• New to fieldNew to field

Resume – Sample Combination

Resume Format- Digital

• Send in body of message-not attachedSend in body of message-not attached• Limit formatting- Limit formatting-

• Avoid word wrapAvoid word wrap• Each line 64-70 characters Each line 64-70 characters

• Send to self to testSend to self to test• Include a cover letter- single screen lengthInclude a cover letter- single screen length

Resume Format- Scannable

• Scanned for key words - Use theirs!Scanned for key words - Use theirs!• Avoid textured papersAvoid textured papers• Avoid graphics, bold and bulletsAvoid graphics, bold and bullets• Stack contact informationStack contact information

• One line for each part of informationOne line for each part of information

Keywords Scanned For

• KeywordsKeywords are the "hard" skills are the "hard" skills -"soft skills” -second tier of searched words-"soft skills” -second tier of searched words

• Developed Developed Oracle 9.0Oracle 9.0 database for marketing department database for marketing department • Wrote web based sales tracking application in Wrote web based sales tracking application in C++ on C++ on

Linux/Apache platformLinux/Apache platform• Managed Managed customer database (MS SQL 7.0), product customer database (MS SQL 7.0), product

updatesupdates, and , and upgradesupgrades. .

Technical Resumes

• Must match skills AND technologyMust match skills AND technology• E.g. developer on C++ vs FortranE.g. developer on C++ vs Fortran• Project manager on 727 vs MS WordProject manager on 727 vs MS Word

• Solution:Solution:• Use resume descriptive section for Use resume descriptive section for

activitiesactivities• Use technical section for technologyUse technical section for technology

Technical Section

• Can be a laundry listCan be a laundry list• Used forUsed for

• Job Description MatchJob Description Match• Database SearchDatabase Search

• Include important acronyms, abbreviationsInclude important acronyms, abbreviations• Avoids the Boeing or Army resume Avoids the Boeing or Army resume

syndromesyndrome

Technical Section parsing

• Possible headings:Possible headings:• Operating Systems: Linux/Unix, etcOperating Systems: Linux/Unix, etc• Languages: C/C++, JAVA, etc.Languages: C/C++, JAVA, etc.• Applications: MS Office Suite, etc.Applications: MS Office Suite, etc.• Database: Oracle, Access, MySQLDatabase: Oracle, Access, MySQL• IDEs: Visual Studio, EclipseIDEs: Visual Studio, Eclipse

• Depends on your experience!Depends on your experience!

Sample Technical Resumes

• Discussion:Discussion:• On first impression which one looks like On first impression which one looks like

you’d want to read it? Why?you’d want to read it? Why?• Which one is better organized?Which one is better organized?• Which one would you call for an Which one would you call for an

interview (if skills were equal)?interview (if skills were equal)?

Cover Letters-Format

• Single page- 2-4 paragraphsSingle page- 2-4 paragraphs• Tailored and conversationalTailored and conversational• Show your personalityShow your personality

Cover Letters- Format

First ParagraphFirst Paragraph• Identifies position & how you learned of Identifies position & how you learned of

itit

Cover Letters

Middle ParagraphMiddle Paragraph• What do you offer? Describe it!What do you offer? Describe it!• Mention internships and experienceMention internships and experience• Indicate the good match you areIndicate the good match you are

Cover Letters

• Last ParagraphLast Paragraph• Restate your interestRestate your interest• Request interviewRequest interview• Thank you and contact informationThank you and contact information

http://careerlab.com/letters/link002.htmhttp://careerlab.com/letters/link002.htm

Follow Up to Interview

• Send handwritten Thank You letter, if you Send handwritten Thank You letter, if you cancan

• Get business card from interviewer or get Get business card from interviewer or get name/address from the receptionistname/address from the receptionist

• Make it short and sweet – just to keep your Make it short and sweet – just to keep your name in front of the interviewername in front of the interviewer

• Do it on the way home – keep cards and Do it on the way home – keep cards and stamped envelopes in the car.stamped envelopes in the car.

Resume Resources• UWBUWB

• Career Development Center WebsiteCareer Development Center Website• Additional WebsitesAdditional Websites

• JobsJobs• www.quintcareers.comwww.quintcareers.com• www.monsterjobs.comwww.monsterjobs.com• www.jobstar.orgwww.jobstar.org

Technical Resume Wrap UP

• To make appointment in career centerTo make appointment in career center• www.uwb.edu/careerwww.uwb.edu/career• Select “Schedule Appointments” Career Select “Schedule Appointments” Career

AdvisingAdvising

• Questions?Questions?

The Career Fair Experience

Jamie ShayJamie Shay

Career SpecialistCareer Specialist

jshay@uwb.edujshay@uwb.edu

The Career Fair and You

• Why attend?Why attend?• EfficiencyEfficiency• Face-To-Face Contact OpportunityFace-To-Face Contact Opportunity• Variety of companiesVariety of companies

Getting Ready for a Career Fair

• Your resumeYour resume• Prepare yourselfPrepare yourself• Research, research, research!Research, research, research!

Getting Yourself Ready

• Establish your goalsEstablish your goals• Your AppearanceYour Appearance• Your introductionYour introduction

Set Your Career Fair Goals

What are your goals for this career fair?What are your goals for this career fair?• Meet potential employersMeet potential employers

• Face-To-Face contactFace-To-Face contact• Make quality contactsMake quality contacts

• Get a jobGet a job• Research job marketResearch job market• Get free stuffGet free stuff

Your Appearance

Your dress code will depend on:Your dress code will depend on:• Your desired positionYour desired position• Your industry or targeted employersYour industry or targeted employers• Type of Career FairType of Career Fair

• On campusOn campus• Professional/trade fairProfessional/trade fair

• You need to “fit in”You need to “fit in”

Your Appearance (continued)

• Be comfortable!!!Be comfortable!!!• Career fairs can be a hostile environment Career fairs can be a hostile environment

– heat, noise, cement floors.– heat, noise, cement floors.• You can’t be your best if you’re You can’t be your best if you’re

uncomfortable - especially your feet!uncomfortable - especially your feet!• Carry as little as possibleCarry as little as possible

• Be neat, clean, non-controversialBe neat, clean, non-controversial• Dress “one level” up to be safeDress “one level” up to be safe

Your Company Research

• Get participant list from sponsor or websiteGet participant list from sponsor or website• Research companiesResearch companies

• Company websites for backgroundCompany websites for background• Job PostingsJob Postings

• ““Newspaper” Newspaper” www.seattletimes.comwww.seattletimes.com• Job websitesJob websites• Monster, Yahoo, HuskyJobs, etc Monster, Yahoo, HuskyJobs, etc

Your Personal Introduction

• Quick “elevator” speech about you and what Quick “elevator” speech about you and what you’re looking for. you’re looking for. • NameName• Degree/SchoolDegree/School• Brief experience, if appropriateBrief experience, if appropriate• What you’re looking forWhat you’re looking for• Why you want to work for themWhy you want to work for them

• Make sure your handshake is goodMake sure your handshake is good• PRACTICE your speech!PRACTICE your speech!

Career Fair Logistics – The Room

• Working “the room”Working “the room”• Get map or layout of the fairGet map or layout of the fair• Plan your attack – get to right companiesPlan your attack – get to right companies• Budget your time – use it wiselyBudget your time – use it wisely

Career Fair Logistics -The Employer

• Why employers attend career fairsWhy employers attend career fairs• Hiring for open positionsHiring for open positions• Collect resumes for futureCollect resumes for future• Advertisement/ImageAdvertisement/Image

Career Fair Logistics – The Booth

• Booth layout – about company cultureBooth layout – about company culture• Reading the company cultureReading the company culture• Attitude of booth workersAttitude of booth workers• Booth design – commercial or amateur?Booth design – commercial or amateur?

Career Fair Logistics –The People

• Who is in the booth? You never know!Who is in the booth? You never know!• HRHR• Recruiters, Recruiters, • Managers, Managers, • Team Members and Team Members and • DrafteesDraftees

• How are they interacting with candidates?How are they interacting with candidates?• How are they handling resumes?How are they handling resumes?

Interacting with the Booth

• Who to talk to:Who to talk to:• Read the name badge (or no badge)?Read the name badge (or no badge)?

• NamesNames• TitlesTitles• Department Name only badges – managers?Department Name only badges – managers?

• Read the business cardsRead the business cards• Talk to people who are talking to othersTalk to people who are talking to others• Look for good conversations to join!Look for good conversations to join!

Interacting with the Booth-Part 2• Talk to them!Talk to them!

• Be friendly -- introduce yourselfBe friendly -- introduce yourself• Ask informed questions about open positions or Ask informed questions about open positions or

about the companyabout the company• Give them a resume and promise electronic Give them a resume and promise electronic

copy to follow-get email address!copy to follow-get email address!• Take literature and business cardsTake literature and business cards• Shake hands and thank them for their timeShake hands and thank them for their time

After the Career Fair

• Follow-up with contacts made - look for an Follow-up with contacts made - look for an excuse to them contact againexcuse to them contact again

• Send email or card thanking them for their Send email or card thanking them for their timetime

• Express continued interest in the companyExpress continued interest in the company• Send electronic copy of resume, “as Send electronic copy of resume, “as

promised”promised”

Questions?

Thank you for coming!Thank you for coming!

Missy and JamieMissy and Jamie