Resume Writing 101

1
Resume Writing 101

• Jennifer Matsuura
• Director of Recruiting Training
• jennifer.matsuura_at_hcvt.com

2
Outline

• Purpose of Cover Letter
• Cover Letter Overview
• Summary of Cover Letter Dos
• Resume Overview
• Summary of Resume Dos
• Questions and Answers

3
Why Do A Cover Letter?

• Captures your personality and interest for the
  position
• Provides deeper insights into what your resume
  does not say
• Measures your writing, communication skills and
  professionalism
• Demonstrates attention to detail and ability to
  follow directions

4
Overview of Cover Letter

• Address the recruiter
• First paragraph
• State the job youre applying for, include the
  exact title of the position
• Outline your purpose and goal
• Second paragraph (the most important)
• Sell your qualifications
• Provide in-depth explanation/story of some of
  your key achievements

5
Cover Letter

• Third paragraph
• Explain why you are a good fit for the firm
• Mention a recent firm event or something you
  heard about the firm
• Fourth paragraph
• Thank the recruiter, request an interview and
  reiterate contact information
• Enclosure (referring to your resume)

6
Cover Letter Dos

• Spend time developing one!
• PROOFREAD!
• Be concise, not longer than 1 page
• Personalize and customize
• Focus on the employers needs (dont use too many
  Is)

7
Resume Overview

• Personal Information
• Objective
• Education
• Experience
• Other Activities
• References

8
Resume Overview

• PERSONAL INFORMATION SECTION
• Ensure contact information is correct and that
  the information listed is where youd like to be
  contacted
• Clearly identify your phone numbers
• (i.e., cell/work/home)
• List professional/ appropriate e-mail address
• Greeting on voicemail should be professional

9
What is wrong with this section?
AMBER SMITH 1234 Street Avenue
566-1234 Los Angeles, CA lazy2work_at_hotmail.co
m
10
Ideal Personal Information Section
AMBER SMITH 1234 Street Avenue (310)
566-1234 Santa Monica, CA 90404
amber.smith_at_gmail.com
AMBER SMITH 1234 Street Avenue
Home [phone] Santa Monica, CA 90404
Cell [phone]

amber.smith_at_yahoo.com
11
Resume Overview

• OBJECTIVE
• Not necessary, particularly if you have a cover
  letter
• Should contain desired job title
• Stay away from objectives that state your working
  preferences (e.g., seeking organization that
  growth)
• No longer than a few sentences

12
What is wrong with this section?
OBJECTIVE Seeking a challenging position with a
company that fosters professional development.
13
Ideal Objective Section
OBJECTIVE Dedicated undergraduate pursuing an
entry level tax position at a public accounting
firm.
14
Resume Overview

• EDUCATION SECTION
• Should include
• School
• Degree (Bachelors or Masters)
• Major(s) and Minor(s)
• Expected Graduation Date
• GPAs Major and Overall
• Optional
• List accounting courses completed

15
What is wrong with this section?
EDUCATION CSUN, Northridge, CA B.S. in
Accounting Overall GPA 3.6
16
IdealEducation Section
EDUCATION CALIFORNIA STATE UNIVERSITY,
NORTHRIDGE Bachelor of Science in
Accountancy Expected Graduation June
2010 Overall GPA 3.2/4.0 Accounting GPA
3.6/4.0
17
IdealEducation Section
EDUCATION CALIFORNIA STATE UNIVERSITY,
NORTHRIDGE B.S. in Accounting (major)/Finance
(minor) Expected Graduation June 2010 Overall
GPA 2.89/4.0 Accounting GPA
3.1/4.0 Finance GPA 3.2/4.0
18
Resume Overview

• EXPERIENCE SECTION
• Include paid or non-paid work experience
• Disclose the number of hours worked, particularly
  if it is over 20 hours/week
• Emphasize your most important responsibilities,
  even if they werent your primary duties
• Focus on your accomplishments, not just job
  duties
• Quantify your accomplishments (i.e., use figures
  to show the amount of the budget you managed)

19
What is wrong with this section?

• Experience
• Accounting Society, Treasurer 1/08-12/08
• Managed the budget for student organization.
• Participates in all club events
• Organized the clubs fundraising activities

20
Ideal Experience Section

• Experience
• Accounting Society, Treasurer 1/08-12/08
• Managed a 200,000 budget for a 1,000 person
  student organization.
• Participated in 50 club events including monthly
  meetings, community service days, and
  fundraisers.
• Organized quarterly fundraising activities which
  raised 1,000,000 a record amount in the clubs
  history.
• Developed an on-line membership payment system
  and the number of paid members increased by 50.

21
Resume Overview

• OTHER ACTIVITIES SECTION
• Technical and computer skills
• Awards/certifications that youve received
• Community service activities
• Campus organizations
• Leadership roles
• Sports/hobbies
• Show off your diverse talents, but be
  professional!

22
What is wrong with this section?

• OTHER ACTIVITIES
• Proficient in all MS Office Applications
• Winner of the Rob Brown Award
• Plays in basketball, baseball, football fantasy
  leagues
• Attends annual tattoo convention

23
Ideal Activities Section?

• OTHER ACTIVITIES
• Proficient in all MS Office Applications
• Winner of the Rob Brown Award in Community
  Service
• Active in basketball, baseball, bowling leagues

24
Resume Overview

• REFERENCES
• Not necessary to have on resume, well ask for
  it!
• Be ready to provide three professional references

25
In Summary

• Spell check- know the spelling of the firm and
  recruiter
• Proofread, Proofread, Proofread!
• Have a friend/family member proofread your resume
  AGAIN!
• Highlight key areas such as teamwork,
  flexibility, detail-oriented, self-motivated
• Be consistent (i.e., periods, font size, tenses,
  etc.)
• Be professional in your cover letter, resume,
  voicemails, e-mails
• Know what the company asked for and do it!
• Site specific examples/quantify your
  accomplishments
• Develop a list of 3 professional references
• Be truthful

26
Questions??
Good luck!!
27
HCVT OCI Deadlines

• Summer Internship Submission Deadline
• Tuesday, February 10th at 1159 p.m.
• Employer Preselects
• Wednesday, February 11th
• Preselect Sign-up Deadline
• Sunday, February 15th at 1159 p.m.
• On Campus Interviews
• Tuesday, February 17th