Selling Yourself

2. Selling Yourself The Resume

3. Preparation • Learn How to Put a Resume Together • Consult with the Online Writing Lab • http://owl.english.purdue.edu/ • Read literature or consult the internet • Get Material for Your Resume • Keep active and involved • Document your activities and what you learned from them

4. Basic Guides • Limit it to a single page • Keep things simple and bullet pointed • Prioritize your achievements and only select a few you are most proud of • Do not lie or mislead • Do not list references, but make them available upon request • Have it proofread

5. Sections • Heading (name and contact information) • Objective • Qualifications • Job History • Achievements

6. Objective • Full-time or internship • If Full-time, state your preference of: • Insurance company or consulting • Property/Casualty or Life/Health • Example: • Bad • A job in the financial services industry • Good • A full-time actuarial position with a Property/Casualty insurance company where I can utilize my strong analytical skills and progress towards professional designation

7. Qualifications • Exams • Relevant Courses • GPA • Estimated Graduation Date • Computer Skills Order should emphasize strengths

8. Qualifications – Bad Example Relevant Courses Math 210 - Theory of Interest, Math 220 - Calculus I, Math 230 - Calculus II, Math 242 - Calculus of Several Variables, Math 408 - Actuarial Statistics I, Math 409 - Actuarial Statistics II, Math 415 - Linear Algebra, Math 469 - Methods of Applied Statistics, Math 471 - Actuarial Theory I, Math 472 - Actuarial Theory II, Math 476 - Actuarial Risk Theory, Math 477 - Survival Analysis, Math 478 - Actuarial Modeling, CS 105 - Introduction to Computing, CS 125 - Intro to Computer Science, Econ 102 - Microeconomic Principles, Econ 103 - Macroeconomic Principles, Econ 302 - Intermediate Microeconomics Theory, Econ 303 - Intermediate Macroeconomics Theory, Fin 221 - Corporate Finance, Fin 230 - Introduction to Insurance, Fin 300 - Financial Markets, Fin 321 - Advanced Corporate Finance, Fin 431 - Property-Liability Insurance, Fin 432 - Managing Fin Risk for Insurers, Fin 434 - Employee Benefit Plans

9. Qualifications – Good Example Relevant Courses • Mathematical Theory of Interest Macroeconomics & Macroeconomics • Multivariate Calculus Statistical Theory and Probability • Linear Algebra Actuarial Modeling • Differential Equations Introduction to Statistics • Introduction to Actuarial Science Probability and Models • C++ Programming Financial and Managerial Accounting Course number not as important as name or description

10. Job History • Internships • Tutoring/Teaching • Other • Emphasize • What you did • What you learned • Skills applied or improved

11. Job History – Bad Example Job History • Internship with XYZ Insurance Company I ran some data from the mainframe and put it into spreadsheet that was distributed to several people weekly. • Stockperson for The College Bookstore Stocked new inventory on shelves and reorganized books on shelves for customers who put them in the wrong place.

12. Job History – Good Example Job History • Actuarial Internship with ABC Insurance Company (June 2007-August 2007) Learned about the Auto line of business and basic actuarial techniques by performing rate reviews for the states of Illinois and Indiana. In the process, learned about the underwriting and market impacts of the proposed rate changes through meetings with the underwriters to discuss and refine the proposal. • Math Tutor (September 2006-May 2007) Helped students in the remedial Calculus class that were having difficulty understanding the concept in the way it is traditionally taught. Alternate methods were sought out to teach the subject until one was found that worked with the students. • Manager for The College Bookstore (June 2006-August 2007) Responsibilities included the training of new employees, developing weekly schedules for all employees to ensure proper coverage, and closing of the store three nights a week.

13. Achievements • Clubs • Activities • Awards Keep to a reasonable number

14. Activities/Achievements – Bad Example Activities/Achievements Member of Math Club Member of Actuary Club Member of Science Club Member of XYZ Fraternity Member of Chess Club Honor Roll (Fall 2006 to present) National Merit Scholarship Recipient

15. Activities/Achievements – Good Example Activities/Achievements • Member of the Science Club (August 2007 to present) • Redesigned the Club’s website to capture a calendar of events all members could reference, built an electronic mailing list of members, and created a group mailbox where members could submit questions/comments to the officers of the Club. • Member of the Chess Club (August 2006 to present) • As the Head of New Member Committee, put together an advertising campaign to drive interest in the Club, resulting in a 50% increase in membership over the past two years.

16. Selling Yourself Links Between Resume and Interview

17. Goals of Interview • Communicate your own needs and desires • Establish that you are qualified for the position • Differentiate yourself from other candidates

18. How Resume Helps you with the Interview • A well written resume gives you some control of the interview • Interviewer will most likely scan your resume and begin the conversation there • Resume should highlight key skills and experiences • When at a loss for a talking point, look to your resume for guidance • If you are not comfortable discussing something, DO NOT put it on your resume • Bottom line: Be able to discuss past experiences that convey leadership and other key skills

19. Contacts • neal.drasga@cna.com • john.raatz@cna.com • matthew.lange@cna.com