Transcript Crafting a Winning Resume - Indiana University Maurer

Resumes
Your Personal
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Office of Career & Professional Development
Indiana University Maurer School of Law
Why Important?
1st Impression – Reflects You & Your
Work Product
Think Strategically
- Who?
- What?
Market/Sell Yourself
Sections
Heading
Education
Experience
Activities
The Heading –
letterhead or masthead
Name
Current Address
Permanent Address
Single Phone Number - Home or Cell
E-Mail Address – Not Hyperlinked
URL – Professional Web Site
Michael Keller
[email protected]
211 South Indiana Avenue
Lane
Bloomington, Indiana 47403
60606
812-855-0258
0001
1234 Washington
Chicago, Illinois
312-555-
Michael Keller
211 South Indiana Avenue * Bloomington, Indiana * 47403 * 812-855-0258
[email protected]
Michael Keller
211 South Indiana Ave.
Bloomington, IN 47405
(812) 345-3030
[email protected]
Watch your Email!
• Use IU email
• Be consistent
• Be Professional
Education
Institution
Location
Degree(s)
Date Awarded (or Expected)
GPA & Class Ranking
Activities – Moot Court, Journal, Orgs
Honors/Distinctions
Coursework w/ Highest Grade
Your Degree
JD, Expected May 2012
JD Candidate, May 2012
Doctor of Jurisprudence, May 2012
Juris Doctor, May 2012
NOT Juris Doctorate, May 2012
NOT JD, August 2009 – Present
Your School
Indiana University Maurer School of Law
EDUCATION
Indiana University Maurer School of Law
J.D., expected May 2012
• Chancellor’s Fellow
• Inmate Legal Assistance Project
• Fundraising Chair, Women’s Law Caucus
• Environmental Law Society
College of Williamsburg, VA
B.A., cum laude, Major: Philosophy, May 2008
• Editorial Board Member, Time Goes By Literary Magazine, 2007
• Founder, Environmental Philosophy Reading Group
• President, Philosophy Roundtable
• Co-Chair, Host Committee, NAMES Project AIDS Memorial Quilt
University of London
Semester Abroad Program, Summer 2006
EDUCATION
Indiana University Maurer School of Law, Bloomington, IN
Juris Doctor Candidate, May 2012
• Chancellor’s Fellow
• Inmate Legal Assistance Project
• Fundraising Chair, Women’s Law Caucus
• Environmental Law Society
College of Williamsburg
Williamsburg, VA
Bachelor of Arts, cum laude, Major: Philosophy, May 2009
Independent Study Thesis: "Environmental Impact Statements: A Theory”
• Philosophy Department Honors
• Editorial Board Member, Time Goes By Literary Magazine, 2006-2008
• President, Williamsburg Chapter, Phi Sigma Tau Honor Society
• Founder, Environmentalist Philosophy Reading Group
• President, Philosophy Roundtable
• Silverstein Grant for Independent Study
• Co-Chair, Williamsburg Committee, NAMES Project AIDS Memorial Quilt
• University of London, Summer Abroad Program, 2006
Experience
Organization
Location
Title of Position Held
Dates of Association
List action statements of your duties
which show responsibility and skills
development
Experience – Alternative Headings
Legal Experience
Research and/or Writing Experience
Teaching Experience
Leadership Experience
Management Experience
Relevant Experience
Internship Experience
Volunteer Experience
DOES NOT HAVE TO BE “PAID WORK” EXPERIENCE
Activities
Organization & Location
Title – Office Held – Distinction Given
Dates of affiliation
Brief Description
Other Possible Headings
Technical Skills
Publications
Presentations
Licensure or Certification
Foreign Language Skills
Professional Affiliations/Memberships
Professional Service
Community Service
Special Skills
Travel Experience
Things To Leave Off
Objective
References
Availability
Personal Information
LSAT Score
Formatting Guidelines
Length – 1 page
Paper Quality and Color
Margins & White Space
Using Software & Templates
Font Size – 12 pt. (11 can work)
Font Choices
Font Choices – Yes or No?
Tahoma
Garamond
Times New Roman
SimSun
Arial
Courier New
Americana XBd BT
Vivaldi D
Bard
Century
Always print out to proof!
Common Blunders
Appearance
Not Spell Checking
Gaps or omissions
Filling in a Template
One Size Fits All Resume
Using Acronyms
Inconsistent Entries
Summary
1.
2.
3.
4.
Heading - no hyperlinks or unnecessary labels
No Objective
Indiana University Maurer School of Law
J.D., Juris Doctor, or Doctor of Jurisprudence
- Undergrad should follow same format
5. Consistent format for section headings
6. Organization, Location, Title, Dates, Description
7. Not a chronological diary – strategic marketing
These are taken from real resumes!
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“My intensity and focus are at inordinately high levels,
and my ability to complete projects on time is
unspeakable.”
“Proven ability to track down and correct erors.”
“I am very detail-oreinted.”
“An obsession for detail; I like to make sure I cross my
i’s and dot my t’s.”
“Handled customers and cashiered.” (To dismiss from
the armed forces because of misconduct.)
From Resumania™ (Robert Half International Inc.)
Questions on Writing Your
Resume?
Part II: Cover Letters
Serves as an introduction
Highlights desired skills
Shows your enthusiasm & interest in
the org and geographic location
Demonstrates your writing skills
Paragraph 1 – Intro
Why are you writing?
Where did you find this announcement or
who guided you to this job?
Overview of qualifications
Entice them to read your resume and
invite you to interview
Example
As a first year law student at Indiana University
Maurer School of Law, I write to submit my materials
for a 2010 summer clerkship with Jackson & Heller. I
enjoyed the opportunity to job shadow Ms. Marjorie
Johnson, an Indiana Law alumna who is an Associate
in your firm this fall. My past work experience has
empowered me with a high level of professionalism
and I believe I can make a contribution to your firm
as a summer clerk utilizing my skills in research and
writing.
Paragraph 2 – About You
In what ways do you meet their
qualification requirements?
What skills do you bring to the table?
What is your link to that geographic
area?
Example
As a permanent resident of Kentucky, I
plan to return to my home state to
pursue my legal career after
graduation. A summer clerkship with
your firm would allow me to work in the
Louisville legal community and
synthesize what I am learning in the
classroom in a practical setting.
Paragraph 3 – About Them
Why do you want to work for this
organization/firm?
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
Articles
Web Site
Practice Areas or Clients
Referrals
Specific Cases – But be careful
Example
After college I worked for two years as a Business
Analyst at Humana in Louisville earning significant
promotions each year based on positive evaluations
by my superiors. I believe my accounting and finance
background has provided me with transferable skills
and practical experience that will be an asset to your
firm. Although I don’t know definitively what practice
area I want to pursue at this early stage in my
academic program, I am interested in Mergers &
Acquisitions, which I know is a specialty area for your
firm.
Paragraph 4 - Closing
Indicate your desire for an interview
and willingness to meet them.
Give them your phone number and email address in case they want to
contact you.
Thank them in advance
Example
I plan to be in Louisville from March 1621 during my spring break and I would
appreciate an opportunity to meet with
you in person to discuss the summer
clerkship in more detail. I can be
reached at [email protected] or
(812) 855-2345. Thank you for your
time and consideration in reviewing my
materials.
Formatting
One page
Same paper and font style as your
resume
Sign in black ink
Unless you use a letterhead format,
don’t include your name in your address
block
Formatting - Spacing
Your return address block
1 Space
Date
1 Space
Employer address block
1 Space
Dear Mr./Ms. Smith:
1 Space
Spacing Continued
Body of letter with 1 space between
paragraphs
1 space
“Sincerely,”
4 Spaces
Your Name
Helpful Hints
Send to a specific person – if possible
Use NALP Directory to identify Hiring
Partner or Recruiting Coordinator
Avoid restating your resume
Give them a time frame that you will be
in their area and available
Common Errors
Generic Cover Letters: “. . . and I want to
work for a firm with the prestige and
reputation of (enter firm name here).”
Telling them about your skills instead of
demonstrating them
My name is…
The Informal E-mail
Failing to proofread
Too familiar – I would love to work in your
firm!
Final Thoughts
Read Your letters out loud.
Don’t copy Templates.
Questions?