Resume
◦ Industry positions ◦ Concise (1-2 pgs) ◦ Focus on skills – What can you do?
Curriculum Vita (CV)
◦ Academic positions ◦ Detailed ◦ Research and teaching interests and experience
Both Resume and CV
◦ ◦ ◦ ◦
Professional affiliations / activities Publications / presentations Easy to read Error free
An individually designed document
A sales presentation of yourself
◦ Not a place for modesty
A marketing tool for opening the doors of prospective employers A screening device for selecting candidates for interviews
To state the type of employment desired
To present your academic training
To describe your work experience
◦ related and unrelated
To show involvement in activities
◦ campus, civic, volunteer, etc.
To show awards, honors, and/or special recognition / certifications
To get an INTERVIEW!
Chronological
Functional Skills Combination
/ Creative
Name Current & Permanent Address Phone Number
◦ Cell phone
E-mail Address Professional Web Site
Content ◦ Know your audience and from that understanding, create a resume Format
One of the top 5 items employers look for on a resume! First and most important step in designing your resume.
Indicates to a prospective employer the type of work you are pursuing.
State in terms of job title/field and special interests.
Problem
◦ Not having a clear, concise objective
Example
◦ To gain full-time employment with a growing organization where I can utilize my skills and educational background.
Solution:
◦ State your current objective. ◦ Why are you writing this resume? ◦ What do you want to do?
Statistician An Internship in the area of Nutrition with an interest in Community Health.
Begin with the current degree pursuing / most recent degree earned. List additional degrees in reverse chronological order. Include institution name, city, state, degree level, major(s), minor(s), and date of completion. Example:
M.S., Applied Economics, May 2008 Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, VA Thesis: “Framework for Economic Impact Assessment of IPMCRSP: a GIS application” Advisor: Dr. Robert Smith GPA: 3.9/4.0 B.S., Economics, Minor: Chemistry, May 2006 James Madison University, Harrisonburg, VA GPA: 3.6/4.0
Problem
◦ Virginia Polytechnical Institute ◦ Virginia Tech University ◦ VA Tech
Solution
◦ Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University ◦ Virginia Tech
GPA - to list or not to list Career Services recommends that you list your GPA on your resume for On-Campus Interviewing and for Career Fairs. List in-major, overall or both.
Problem
◦ Listing every class you’ve had in your area of study
Solution
◦ Remember that this is optional
◦ List 4-6 classes that are advanced or show diversity in your background. ◦ Make sure they support your objective
Problem
◦ Writing in complete sentences ◦ Being too formal
Example
◦ I was responsible for the professional enhancement of new employees.
Solution
◦ Trained five new employees.
Problem
◦ Listing items as you think of them ◦ Listing jobs by order of importance to you instead of reverse chronological order
Solution
◦ Have all sections in order of priority as they support your objective. ◦ Create additional headings if you need to highlight items out of chronological order.
Problem
◦ Attempting to make your resume stand out from the rest by using artistic fonts, graphics or a very unusual format
Solution
◦ Make your resume stand out by the incredible information you include about your experience and skills
Acknowledge the fact that your experience counts
Use the vocabulary of your chosen field whenever possible
Examine and narrate your out-of-class experiences through the “lens” of your career goals Convey what you learned as well as what you did in your job, internship, or activity Quantify your actions whenever appropriate Control the way your information impacts employers through sequencing and amplification
Problems ◦ May not provide best set-up
◦ Tend to be date driven
ex. May find address information at bottom of page
Solution ◦ Create your resume on a blank document using tables (See sample in Career Planning Guide)
Strive for a one-page resume. Two pages are acceptable if experience warrants Look for places to cut information or be more concise Don’t use a tiny font size just to fit more information on a page Remember - your resume only gets an initial 20 second glance!
Individualize Edit your writing
◦ Grammar, spelling and punctuation
Be yourself Matching paper Keep records
Letter of application
◦ Use when applying for a specific position
Letter of inquiry
◦ Use when you are writing to express interest in an organization but you are not sure if there are current openings
Explains why you are sending your resume Tells how you learned about the position or organization
Convinces the reader to look at your resume
Calls attention to aspects of your background
Reflects your attitude Provides specifically requested information
Indicates what you will do to follow up
Writing sample
Salutation: Use Office Title (Mr. Mrs., Dr. etc.) and last name followed by colon Opening Paragraph ◦ To capture attention, set the tone for the letter, and build a match of your qualifications with the employer’s needs Middle Paragraph(s) ◦ Communicates main selling points, proves that your skills match employer’s needs, creates interest, and illustrates personality
Closing Paragraph
◦ Reemphasizes strengths and makes a request for further action. ◦ State time line, specific follow-up information, and dates of availability
Signature
◦ ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦ (double space after closing) Sincerely, (Three spaces for signature) Typed Name Enclosure: Resume, References (etc.)
Sounds like a form letter
◦ “To whom it may concern” ◦ Not using the company’s name
Too long Not demonstrating how your background and skills are a fit for the position Using a stilted writing style
Usually 3 - 5 individuals Choose carefully ALWAYS ask first
Provide a copy of your resume
Keep references informed List references on a separate page
Be honest Don’t undersell yourself, but don’t exaggerate Graduation date should be the only “projected” item on your resume
Read and re-read all of your job search correspondence to check for errors
Have faculty review technical sections of your resume or letters Use Career Services’ walk-in critique service to have an advisor review your documents 12:00pm - 3:00pm M-F 1:30pm – 5:00pm Wednesdays in GLC-46
10 Steps to a Federal Job or Internship Wednesday, October 17 GLC-B Interviewing Skills Wednesday, October 24 GLC-B
Located on the corner of Washington St. and West Campus Dr. Office hours: 8:00 am – 5:00 pm, M – F Walk-in advising: ◦ 12:00 pm – 3:00 pm, M – F in Career Services ◦ 1:30 pm – 5:00 pm on Wednesdays in GLC – 46 To schedule an appointment call: 231-6241
Web site: www.career.vt.edu