Senior Job Search Group: Resume Writing

1. Senior Job Search Group: Resume Writing Dane Furfaro Career Services Intern Strommen Career and Internship Center

2. Strommen Career and Internship Center http://cswl.pbworks.com/

3. What is a Resume? • a document to market your skills, experience, education and accomplishments to employers • meant to get you an interview • NOT your life history • very concise and easy to scan for information

4. Basic Guidelines • use consistency in your presentation • utilize a 10 to 12 point, plain font • organize your information to make it easy to read • use your white space effectively • proofread to check for errors

5. Basic Guidelines • do not use high school information • place your most relevant information towards the top • include industry related keywords • target it to the career field you are entering • keep your margins even

6. Categories • Objective • Summary of Qualifications • Education • Honors • Related Coursework • Internships • Research • Related Experience • Additional Involvement • Volunteer/Community Service • Skills • Employment • Activities

7. Resume Statements • resume statements are used to describe what you did on the job • use past tense action verbs to describe what you did in each position or experience • be descriptive and specific – who, what, where, when, how, results • action verb + details + results = strong resume statement • look at job postings to get ideas • practice telling someone else what you did in each position or how you demonstrated each skill

8. Personal Information LEAH M. HELPER 2211 Riverside Avenue, Minneapolis, MN 55410 612.330.3333, helper@augsburg.edu

9. Introduction • Objective • states what type of position you are looking for and what you will bring to the position • Summary of Qualifications • highlights your related qualifications for the position

10. Education EDUCATION Bachelor of Arts, Augsburg College, Minneapolis, MN May 20XX Major: Psychology Minor: Communication Studies GPA: 3.7 Honors: Dean’s List, Psychology Honor Society, Augsburg Academic Scholarship Study Abroad: University of Galway, Galway, Ireland Spring 20XX

11. Related Experience RELATED EXPERIENCE Student Worker, Augsburg Admissions Office, Minneapolis, MN, Sept. 20XX – May 20XX • Promoted the college to prospective students by giving campus tours and providing them with college information • Provided administrative tasks including student mailings, filing, and data entry

12. Other Experience OTHER EXPERIENCE Server, Applebee’s, Minneapolis, MN, June 20XX – May 20XX • Trained new employees and evaluated their performance • Succeeded in providing excellent customer service to six tables of people by multitasking and prioritizing orders

13. Activities ACTIVITIES Student Orientation Leader, Augsburg College, Sept. 20XX – May 20XX • Served as a mentor for first-year students by introducing them to the college, showing them resources on campus and helping them meet new students • Coordinated large on-campus events for 400 students to participate in

14. Final Tips • have your resume reviewed by a career specialist • print on good quality paper • look at sample resumes to get help • http://cswl.pbworks.com/ • Practice resume

15. Questions?

16. Cover Letters

17. What is a Cover Letter? • is a letter that gives you a chance to elaborate on more skills you have that may not be specifically highlighted on your resume • is meant to get the employer to read your resume

18. Basic Guidelines • should always accompany a resume even when not requested • needs to be well-written and in a professional tone • do not start all of your sentences with “I” • customize each letter with a job description of the organization you are applying for

19. Heading • your name and address should come first • then put the date • next the employer’s name, title, and work address • always address your employer as: • Dear Mr. or Ms. Last Name:

20. Opening • indicate the position you are applying for and how you came to learn about the position • state why you are interested in the position • say something you know or admire about the organization • shows you have done your research

21. Middle Section(s) • highlight your experience as it relates to the position • provide them with the key skills you have that are mentioned in the job description • be specific about how your achievements and education have prepared you for the position • elaborate more in-depth than what is on your resume

22. Closing • reiterate your interest in the position and thank them for their consideration • state that you hope to discuss your qualifications in an interview • say when you plan to follow-up with them and then do so

23. Final Tips • sign your letter with sincerely and your signature • do your research on the employer • PROOFREAD! • use the same font and paper as your resume • show enthusiasm for the position • http://cswl.pbworks.com/

24. Questions?

25. Reminders • Strommen Career and Internship Center • Anderson Hall, Room 23 • 612.330.1148 • Monday – Thursday: 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. • Friday: 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. • www.augsburg.edu/cswl • http://cswl.pbworks.com/