First Impression

Lasting Impact

What a résumé isn’tAn autobiographyA personal adA job descriptionA laundry listA journal entryA tweet

Résumé Reality Check

What a résumé needs to be

▣A concise representation of your most relevant skills and experiences

▣An action-oriented glimpse at your professional attributes

Make employers want to learn

more

The Goal

Résumé

Interview

Offer

Experience

30 secondsThat’s how long a reader will spend reviewing your résumé

Make a Strong First Impression

FormatDon’t distract with borders, mismatched fonts, narrow margins, funky colors.

Stand out with simplicity. Keep it easy to read.

FunctionDon’t describe the company, your boss’s job, the department’s role.

Show how you made an impact in your role using your skills.

FocusDon’t use wordy descriptions, acronyms, “SAT words”, or insider speak.

Use numbers to illustrate scope and provide context.

Job DescriptionThe intern will analyze and evaluate departmental budget requests to prepare budgetary documents, reports, and recommendations

Illustrate Don’t Describe

RésuméAnalyzed budget projections and results in excel for the past four years to estimate future spend needed to support departmental projects

1.

1. Action2. Scope3. Impact

2.

3.

Flair, no substanceHosted annual spring Fashion Show fundraiser featuring over 50 participants

Flair Must Have Substance

1.

RésuméEmployed social media outreach strategy to raise over $10,000 to fund group activities and travel, a 20% year-over-year increase

1. Action2. Scope3. Impact

2.

3.

So what?In-depth software and hardware consulting requiring teamwork and interpersonal skills

Pass the “So what!?” Test

RésuméProvided in-depth guidance on optimizing technical resources for 5 clients resulting in a 10% average reduction in costs

1.

1. Action2. Scope3. Impact

2.

3.

Résumé Sections

▣Name and Contact Info▣Education▣Work Experience▣Leadership & Affiliations▣Skills & Interests

No more and no less. Objective → not neededHigh school information → datedActivities → not high impactInterests → be careful

FormatBe clear, consistent, and error-free

FocusIllustrate with action verbs and quantified details

FunctionFocus on action, scope, and impact

‘’Over the past few years both Morgan Stanley and Goldman Sachs reported accepting less than 2% of summer program applicants

Source: Bloomberg News

SEO EDGEWe will help improve your oddsIf you have questions, just askseoEDGE@seo-usa.org

Well done!

You are on your way to creating a professional brand to help you stand out from the crowd