Transcript Writing a Winning Resume - Frostburg State University

Writing a Winning Resume
A Presentation brought to you by:
The Office of Career Services
Frostburg State University
Resume Goals:
 To convince an employer to interview you in under
30 seconds.
 To summarize your skills, abilities, and interests in
a clear/concise manner.
 To write a resume that is targeted to a certain field
or position.
 To target the skills/experience listed in the position
that is being advertised.
The 3 R’s: Research, Research,
Research
 Research Yourself: Assess your skills, abilities, interests.
 Research the Position: Find out what the employer is looking
for so you can tailor your resume to show them you can meet
their needs.
 Research the Organization: Use the Internet or literature in
the FSU Career Center library.
Headings
 Most Common Headings:
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Objective
Education
Experience
Skills
Summary
 Additional Headings:
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Relevant Coursework, Research, Academic Honors & Awards,
Computer/Technical Skills, Languages…
Internships, Volunteer Experience, Travel...
Organizational Memberships & Activities, Significant
Presentations...
Experience Highlights, Professional Background, Publications
Resume Styles
 Chronological
-Experiences are in reverse, chronological order
-Good choice if you have solid work history
* Format most widely accepted by employers*
 Functional
-Concentrates on functional skill areas related to your job objective
-Usually focuses on three skill areas or more
-Work history section may only contain job titles
 Combination (Chronological/Functional)
-Has skills, relevant experience , and/or other work experience sections
* Most appropriate for recent grads*
Personal Data
Necessary Info: Name, Address, Zip, Phone, E-mail
Bob A. Cat
Email: bcat0@frostburg,edu
Current:
100 Braddock Road
Frostburg, Maryland 21532
(301) 687-7000
Permanent:
100 Constitution Ave
Washington, DC 2000
(555) 776-7890
Also include your personal web-site address if
available.
Career Objectives: Be Specific!!!
 A brief description of the position you wish to be
considered for - emphasize how you can help the
company.
 May be stated by the job title, by level or type of
responsibility, in terms of skills you wish to develop,
or a combination of all three.
 Avoid being overly restrictive or vague!
 Examples of Career Objectives
“Detail-oriented Business Administration/Finance grad with excellent
team and interpersonal skills seeking analyst position in public or
private sector.”
“Dynamic public speaker/presenter with advanced technical knowledge
seeking to leverage these strengths as an award-winning computer
instructor into an entry level software position where I can increase
sales.”
Education & Coursework Examples
EDUCATION
Bachelor of Science, Wildlife & Fisheries
Minor, Forestry
Frostburg State University
Frostburg, MD
May 2003
GPA: 3.5
RELEVANT COURSE WORK:
Environmental Planning
Ecology
Animal Physiology
Forest Science
Dendrology
Herpetology
Genetics
Plant Diseases
Hydrology
_____________________________________OR _______________________________________
EDUCATION
Bachelor of Science Degree in Psychology
May 2003
Frostburg State University, Frostburg, MD
GPA: 3.5
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Research: Female Eating Disorders and the Media, Attention Deficit Disorder in Elementary
School Students
Relevant Course Work: Research Methods I&II, Introduction to Counseling, Child and
Adolescent Disorders, behavioral Approaches to Human Problems, Social Psychology, Drugs
and Human Behavior, Health Psychology, Human Cognition
Skills/Strengths…Highlights
 Titles can be: Skills Summary, Highlight of Qualifications,
Strengths, Abilities.
 Skill sections that can be used: organizational, interpersonal,
managerial, communication, leadership, creative, and computer.
Examples:
Computer Skills:
-
Systems: DOS, Windows, NT
Software: Microsoft Suite, Netscape
Database Management: Access, Excel, FoxPro.
Skills Summary:
-Able to utilize communicative abilities to coordinate efforts in a team environment.
- Efficient in organizing and creating group activities to promote cohesiveness and
productivity.
- Act as leader to communicate delegation of group tasks in order to accomplish
goals established by company.
Experience…It All Counts!!!
 Experience can include:
- Jobs, fieldwork, internships, clinical work, student
teaching, volunteering, research or class projects.
- It can be paid or unpaid
 On your Resume include:
- Job/Experience Title, Company, City, State, No Zip,
Dates
 Emphasize Skills/Accomplishments in action
verbs
Sample Experiences
Relevant Experience:
Computer Science Tutor
Student Support Services, Frostburg State University
 Organized and scheduled tutor sessions for 50 students
 Designed practice exercises to help tutees problem solve
Teaching Internship
Meyersdale High School, Meyersdale, PA
 Maintained daily attendance and evaluation records
 Observed daily classroom activities for grades 8 and 9
 Monitored study halls
September 2001 - May 2003
January 2001- May 2001
Summer Volunteer
June 1999 - August 2002
Deep Creek State Park, Oakland, MD
 Conducted nature tours for groups of over 50 campers
 Implemented concept of “Leave No Trace” to park guests and employees to promote
park maintenance
The Reference Page…
References for Bob A. Cat
Name of Reference
Job Title
Name of Organization
Address
Work Phone Number
E-mail Address
* 3-5 references is an appropriate amount. Remember to ask
people whom you know will provide a good reflection of you and
in a timely manner. Remember to provide copies of your
resume and send thank you notes!
Resume Checklist
 Length: (Depends on Industry)
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One page for recent graduates
Two for experienced candidates
 Layout/Appearance: (Professional)
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Neat, concise, easy to read,
Balance of text and white space
Use of bolds, underlines, different fonts
(standard)
Absolutely NO spelling/grammar errors
 Content: (Dynamic, Persuasive)
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Action-oriented verbs, emphasize skills
Grammar, present/past tense
Lead w/ strengths/accomplishments
Electronic Resumes
 Employers now search a database, using
keywords. (i.e. an employer will type in “business
major” into the database and look at hits )
 Register with www.collegecentral.com/frostburg
and view your resume.
 Guidelines if it will be scanned or uploaded from
disk:
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Choose keywords and place in order of importance
Choose basic fonts
Avoid italics, graphics, underlines, bolds
Light colored paper is best