SELP Workshop: a presentation on Resumes and Cover Letters CLA Career Services 411 STSS building ...
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Transcript of SELP Workshop: a presentation on Resumes and Cover Letters CLA Career Services 411 STSS building ...
SELP Workshop:a presentation on
Resumes and Cover Letters
CLA Career Services
411 STSS building
www.clacareer.umn.edu
Joyce Halverson, Presenter(612) 624-7577
Basic Guidelines
Purpose of a Resume
A resume is your marketing tool designed to promote yourself to potential employers.
A resume should be an overview of your best qualities…used to capture an employer’s attention so that he/she will want to interview you.
The definition of “best qualities” may depend on what the employer wants…write to the job description!!
Resume Overview
Must be well written, clear, focused, and attractive (visually appealing).
Remember this equation…E = E + E + E which means…
Employability = Education + Experience + Extra-curricular Involvement
● It needs to highlight your qualifications in an “easy to read” format
Resumes that are effective…
Timeline: Start with the most recent first, and move backwards through time.
Informational: Describe the degrees you’ve earned, experience you’ve acquired (including international experience), skill sets, and work history.
Customize: Target it to a specific job.
There is not just ONE WAY to write a resume. Think about how best to market yourself.
Sections of a winning resume
Header - this is your contact information Education (this might also include study
abroad/international experience) Experience / Work History Extra-curricular Involvement (especially
LEADERSHIP - we’re looking for things like clubs & organizations, community engagement, volunteer, etc.
Specific skills that are relevant to the job
Header Name should be larger than
the other text Spell out all abbreviations Include contact info
Address Phone Email
Remove hyperlink Use professional sounding
Education Include University, degree, major(s), minor Expected graduation GPA if above 3.0 could include Learning Abroad Related Coursework
Education
BACHELOR OF ARTS in COMMUNICATION STUDIES – May 2015 University of Minnesota - Minneapolis, MN
Political Science Minor Study Abroad experience in Toledo, Spain (Spring 2013) GPA 3.28
Experience
Document paid or unpaid experience; especially if it is related to the desired position
Organize so most relevant info is at top 2-6 bullet statements per experience Do NOT include address, phone, supervisor You do not have to include every job you
have ever had, stick with the relevant ones
Describing Your Experience
Emphasize SKILLS, more than “tasks”
Prove that you have those skills by showing how you have used them
Cite examples
Get to results/accomplishments
Bullet StatementsSTRONG ACTION VERB + DETAILS + RESULTS
Let’s use the Transferable Skills worksheet to craft bullet statements for your Resume -- form groups of two and work in pairs…
-- what transferable skills do you want to highlight?
-- place those skills in a context employers can relate to and understand
Action Words Vary the words you choose and try not to use
the same word twice Put your skills in past tense unless speaking
about an experience in which you are currently involved
Identify what the company’s needs are and use action words that address those needs
Other Headings Leadership Community
Involvement Scholarships Volunteer
Experience Honors and
Awards
Professional Organizations
Internship Experience
Volunteer Recruitment
Civic Engagement
Philanthropic/ Fundraising
International Experience/ Study Abroad
Trainings & Certifications
Activities
Skills Highlights additional skills relevant to the
position: intercultural skills, language proficiency, active problem solving, computer skills, etc.
Heading can be specific “Language Skills” or “Computer Skills”
For languages - use your level of mastery: Conversational, Proficient or Fluent
Do Not: Use pre-formatted templates! Cram too much information on one page Include the statement “References Available
Upon Request” Salary or hourly wage information High School Information Use personal pronouns such as “I” or “My” Rely solely on “spell checker” to find errors
Remember… Use past tense for past jobs and present tense
for present jobs
Keep your resume to 1 page, if possible (2 pages maximum)
Most important information should be toward the top/left
You don’t have to include everything
Dates should be on the right side
Be honest! Employers do check.
PROOFREAD!
Appearance Keep the font size between 10-12 point
except for your name
Balance of text and white space
Clean, consistent format & punctuation
Use high quality “Resume Paper”
If your resume is not visually appealing, it doesn’t matter how well qualified you are – employers won’t read it.
Employer Comments
Too vague – it lacked specifics
Quality of writing (e.g., misspelling, grammar)
Poor visual appeal/hard to read format
Didn’t proofread
Too long; a 1-page resume is preferred for entry-level positions
Cover Letters Considered “very important” by about 33% of
survey respondents (especially the smaller organizations and many non-profits).
It should be an example of your “best writing.”
Explain how your skills, experience, and education/intellect will benefit THEM.
Do your research! It will be evident!
Thank you!
Remember, your resume is a work in progress… Keep it updated. Get feedback. An honest critique is invaluable. Use every resource available to you!