Writing an Effective Resume

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Writing an Effective Resume

• Career Services
• 8 Kerr Administration Building
• 737-4085
• http//oregonstate.edu/career

2
Overview of Career Services

• Individual Career Counseling
• Drop-ins
• Workshops
• Career Assessment Tools
• Computer Lab
• Mock Interviews
• Career Resource Library
• Career Fairs

• Beaver Recruiting
• Job Listings
• Resume Match
• On-campus Interviews
• Co-op and Internship Program
• National Student Exchange
• Peace Corps
• Equipment/Classroom Usage
• VCR/DVD
• Flat Screen TV
• Digital Video Camera

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Agenda

• Purpose of a resume
• Resume formats
• Sections of a resume
• What not to include in a resume
• References

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Purpose of a Resume

• Introduction to employer
• Personal advertisement
• Get you an interview

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Basic Formats for Resumes

• Chronological
• Reverse Date Order
• Functional
• Grouped by Skill Category
• Combination
• Curriculum Vitae (CV)

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Components of a Resume

• Necessary Information
• Contact information
• Education
• Experience (tasks, skills learned)
• Optional Information

• Objective
• Course highlights
• Projects/research
• Computer skills
• Foreign languages

• Honors/awards
• Volunteer work / community service
• Activities/Interests
• Many more

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Contact Information

• Name
• Address Campus/Permanent
• Telephone number
• Email address

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Objective

• Convey a match between you and the position
• Communicate what you have to offer
• Identify skills that will benefit the
  organization/industry
• Tailor your objective to the job/field
• Example
• Seeking an internship with XYZ Corporation in
  which I can utilize my proven leadership
  abilities and recognized customer service
  skills.

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Education

• List formal education with the highest degree
  first

• Include
• Institution
• City, State
• Degree
• Major title
• Graduation date

• Optional Information
• Minor/Concentration
• Deans List
• Grade Point Average
• Exchange programs
• Dissertation or Thesis
• Honors, awards, scholarships

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Experience

• Full-time, part-time, volunteer, practicum,
  co-op, internship, clinical, and field
  experience
• List in reverse chronological order
• May use Related Experience section
• Need to include
• Name of employer
• City, State, and dates of employment/participati
  on
• Position titles
• Position description

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Position Description

• Demonstrate achievements, knowledge, skills,
  highlights, and responsibilities related to the
  position
• Use action verbs use past and present tense
  consistently and accurately
• Break up large blocks of texts with bullets

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Accomplishment Statements

• Two parts
• The results or benefits that came as a result of
  your work. These results/benefits should be
  stated in terms of the value added, and in as
  tangible and quantified a manner as possible.
• The action you took to achieve those
  benefits/results.  (What steps you took or what
  techniques you used)

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Accomplishment Statements

• Benefits
• Much better awareness of the skills and abilities
  that will be the foundation for your job search.
• Concrete credibility for everything you claim in
  the way of qualifications and abilities. You will
  have simple documentation of the value you can
  bring to an employer.
• Greater confidence in presenting yourself to
  potential employers. You will understand better
  that you are not "asking for a job," but rather
  you are offering a contribution to an employer.

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Accomplishment Statements

• Increased profits
• Reduced errors
• Reduced losses
• Improved teamwork
• Made things easier
• Sped things up
• Foresaw a problem
• Found an easier solution

• Received an award
• Found a new opportunity
• Accomplished more with the same
• Prevented a problem
• Provided new resources
• Developed a new procedure
• Overcame obstacles

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Examples

• "Saved 60 a year in service charges by proposing
  and acquiring a checking account at a new bank
  for College Council."
• " Instituted residence hall tutoring program that
  increased average overall GPA from a 2.9 to a
  3.3."
• " Increased membership in ABC student club by 50
  through creative advertising."
• "Presented training for new campus-wide email
  system to approximately 30 of the student body."
  

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Special Categories

• Course highlights
• Projects/research
• Research awards
• Certifications
• Computer skills
• Foreign language proficiency
• Special skills

• Volunteering / community involvement
• Leadership activities
• Honors, scholarships, awards
• Activities, interests

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Lets Practice

• Please take a minute and write an accomplishment
  statement using your own educational and/or
  professional experiences.

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Interests and Activities

• Association memberships
• Academic/social clubs
• Athletic teams
• Hobbies
• Include offices elected to and contributions made
  to the organization
• Select your interests and activities carefully

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What NOT to Include

• Salary requirements or previous salaries
• Name or contact information of supervisors
• Personal information (e.g. birth date, marital
  status, health status, picture, etc.)
• References - place them on a separate sheet
• Note if applying for jobs outside of the US,
  these may not necessarily apply do your
  research!

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Points to Remember

• Use vocabulary of your field or industry
• Use concise phrases
• Use numbers to quantify achievements
• Avoid long paragraphs
• Omit personal pronouns
• Action verbs

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Points to Remember (cont.)

• Use bolding, italics, and underlining to
  highlight or separate sections
• Margins should be ½ inch to 1 inch
• One page length is standard
• Use only one side of the paper
• Laser print on quality paper
• http//oregonstate.edu/career/students/careerguide
  2005.pdf

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References

• Have at least three references
• Ask before using someone as a reference
• Give resumes to your references and keep them
  informed of your progress
• Things to include on reference sheet
• Your contact information (same format as on
  resume is recommended)
• Name of reference, company or organization,
  address, phone number, and email address

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A Strong Cover Letter

• Targeted to employers and specific jobs
• Promotes your abilities
• Looks organized and professional
• Enthusiastic and conveys interest
• Clear and concise articulation of skills
• Error-free

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Components of a Cover Letter

• Your contact information
• Date
• Employers contact information
• Salutation
• Introductory paragraph

• Body of letter one or more paragraphs connecting
  your skills to employer needs
• Conclusion
• Closing
• Signature, if in paper format

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Opening Paragraph

• Why are you writing?
• What position are you applying for?
• How did you hear of the opening or organization?
• Example Dr. Anderson in the Anthropology
  Department at Oregon State University recommended
  that I contact you. I would like to apply for the
  archaeology internship available in your office.

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Middle Paragraph(s)

• Explain interest in working for this employer and
  reasons for desiring this position
• Do NOT iterate entire resume rather expand on
  one or two areas that reflect relevant skills
  learned
• Emphasize skills or abilities that relate to the
  job
• Express confidence and enthusiasm

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Final Paragraph

• Persistent, businesslike closing statement
• Indicate desire for a personal interview
• Example I will call you on date to discuss
  this career opportunity with name of
  organization.
• Thank you for consideration
• Closing
• Sincerely,
• Sign name
• Type name
• Enclosure

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Cover Letter Tips

• Address letter to a specific person if possible
• One page only
• Use industry buzz words
• Follow through with employer
• Let them know you have done your homework
• Say something flattering about the organization
• (e.g. Energy Plus has an excellent reputation
  locally for customer satisfaction, and I would
  like to become part of your customer service
  team.)

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Good Luck!

• Let us know how else we can help you!
• Career Services
• 8 Kerr Administration Building
• 737-4085
• http//oregonstate.edu/career