POWER RESUMES

1. POWER RESUMES HOW TO APPROPRIATELY DIFFERENTIATE YOURSELF FROM THE COMPETITION AND GET THE INTERVIEW

2. Recent Comments From Recruiters • Some WSU students’ resumes need work. • Main problem – students do not include or do not communicate well the things they have done.

3. GENERAL FORMAT • ONE PAGE ONLY!!!!!! • Professional - not ‘creative’ – not ‘cute’

4. Examples of interesting and cute • ‘Interesting’ layout with multiple boxes • Cougar logo • Name as a decorative item (font, size, placement) • Your photo • ‘About you’ in a story format

5. GENERAL FORMAT • To demonstrate minimum qualifications firms will expect to see: • Academics: • major(s), • GPA, • expected graduation date, • CPA exam eligibility (if applying to CPA firms). • To ‘seal the deal’ firms will expect to see: • Work Experience • Leadership/Professional Activities

6. Other • LinkedIn address but ONLY if your LinkedIn page is up to date and professional.

7. Academics (or Education)

8. Academics (Education) - Expected • The degree you are earning: • Bachelors of Arts in Business Administration (with a major(s) in X) • GPA (cumulative, upper division, accounting – truth in labeling) • Expected graduation date (when you will have completed 150 hours if applying to CPA firms) • If BA is your final degree - state whether you are CPA exam eligible at graduation. If not – when you will be and how you plan to do so.

9. Can also include in Education • Study abroad experience (describe if the program included significant formal interaction with individuals from study abroad country) • Computer, software, database skills (‘big data’ and/or higher level skills than basic Microsoft Office) • Self financing of education • Foreign language fluency • Sections of CPA exam passed • Writing Portfolio “Pass with Distinction” • Honors Thesis Title

10. EDUCATION • WASHINGTON STATE UNIVERSITY, PULLMAN, WA • Master of Accounting Expected Graduation May 2019 • G.P.A. 3.74 • Semester study abroad - Chengdu, China • Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration May 2018 • Major in Accounting • G.P.A. 3.4 • Summer study abroad Chaing Mai, Thailand 

11. EDUCATION • WASHINGTON STATE UNIVERSITY, PULLMAN, WA • Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration • Expected Graduation May 2019 • CPA exam eligible at graduation • Majors in Accounting and Management Information Systems • G.P.A. 3.44 • Worked part time during semesters to finance 50% of education costs

12. Work (and Leadership)

13. Work Experience - General • List jobs in reverse chronological order (most recent job/internship first) • Separate paid employment from leadership/volunteer activities • Be sure you can explain/discuss in an interview • Watch your tenses: • Current job = present tense • Past jobs = past tense

14. Job Descriptions • When describing work experience, steer clear of jargon & buzzwords • Similarly, your opinion of you is meaningless. • Focus on specific tasks and accomplishments that demonstrate the skills you have (not standard resume jargon).

15. From a variety of websites, words that ruin a resume (overused – and YOUR OPINION of you) • “problem solving skills” • “detail-oriented” • “hardworking” • “team player” • “proactive” • “excellent communication skills"

16. Forbes – best words to use on your resume (all indicate an accomplishment or measurable action item) • “achieved” • “improved” • “trained/mentored” • “created” • “won” • “negotiated” • “increased/decreased” • “resolved”

17. Examples • Instead of: Hardworking, or Motivated, or Goal Oriented • How about: Initially hired as server/busser, promoted to Food Expediter and then to Server. Advertised and reached out to potential customers to create a client base large enough for my business to become profitable within one summer.

18. Instead of: Excellent leadership and people skills • How about: Assisted rush chairs in recruitment process that led to signing over 30 new members. Organized volunteer tutors for introductory accounting classes, assisting an average of X students per week. (or X hours, or over the semester) Based on customer evaluations, won employee of the month award in 3 consecutive months.

19. How to use power words • Instead of: Excellent communication skills • How about: Collaborated with other team members to handle all customer relations issues in accordance with company policies. Redesigned promotional materials for organization, saw 20% increase in meeting attendance. Contacted customers for subscription renewals, winning award for highest percentage customer renewals

20. Instead of Responsible for • How about Managed budgets of $25,000 and $250,000. Review, analyze and reconcile financial data for research grants totaling over $65 million. Planned weekly events.

21. Unclear descriptions or vague resume jargon • Maintain the organization’s positive image and report its successes to……. • Execute the promotion of philanthropy events….. • Applied knowledge gained from business classes to execute various steps of starting a business.

22. Activities and Leadership

23. Examples • Student Clubs • Student Govt. • Greek System • Circle K • Mortarboard • Multicultural Center • Athletics • Bookie Board Firms are generally more impressed with ACTIVE involvement (officer, committee member) with a couple of organizations, rather than ‘membership’ in everything. Significant officer duties can be structured similar to employment descriptions.

24. Community Service • Focus on on-going activities and/or activities for which you took a major role, rather than 'one-off' events.

25. AWARDS(or…AWARDS & HONORS) • XYZ Scholarship (2013-2014) • Selected as a representative to the XYZ student conference (date) • Writing Portfolio Distinction (if not already in Education Section) • Golden Key member • Beta Gamma Sigma member • Dean’s List (6 semesters)

26. Unnecessary Items • Objective Statement (or Profile Statement) & References Available upon Request (or worse – actual list of references) • Not inappropriate if the goal is to fill space – otherwise unnecessary. • Courses Taken • Other than a couple of electives, Accounting majors all take the same classes, thus classes taken does not differentiate, but merely fills space. • If a firm asks for classes taken (for internship or leadership interviews) this can generally be included in a cover letter.

27. Unnecessary Items • Class projects – unless there is actual ‘real world’ measurable impact, class projects are merely ‘homework’ that most or all other accounting majors completed as well. • Examples of Real world impact: • Volunteer income tax preparation (outside of class), serving X (students, faculty, elderly, etc.) • Analysis of a local company’s internal controls, particularly if the company adopted one or more of your recommendations. • Setting up a small business with accounting software. • Preparing a business plan that is actually entered in a (non-class) business plan competition)

28. Unnecessary • Hobbies/interests • These are merely space fillers, unless unusual or exciting, a conversation starter, or something for which you’ve won awards • Playing intramural sports - ordinary • Competing in Iron Man triathlon – exciting • Singing karaoke - ordinary • Singing in a choir that performed overseas – exciting • Reading, playing video games, watching movies – ordinary AND not very social

29. Cover Letters

30. Introductory Paragraph

31. INTRODUCTORY PARAGRAPH • Identifies you and the job for which you are applying. • Should include • work availability • ‘name dropping’

32. Example • I am interested in applying for your posted full time (or internship) position in X (tax, audit, advisory). I am currently an accounting major at Washington State University and expect to graduate, with 150 credits, in May 2018. After speaking with Y at the recent Meet the Firms event in Pullman, I am very interested in the opportunities at (if stating name of firm be sure to change on applications to other companies)

33. Middle Paragraph (MAIN PARAGRAPH)

34. Do not repeat your resume, but identify highlights & then tie in with the specific skills you believe you have. • Read job posting to find out specific info requested by firm.

35. Interacting with Diverse Individuals • As indicated on my resume, I participated in a full semester study abroad in China, where I lived in an on-campus dormitory with both Chinese and American students. I also spent two semesters at WSU working as a tutor in the Multicultural Center. These experiences provided me many opportunities to interact with individuals from diverse backgrounds, increasing my awareness of different cultural perspectives in the workplace.

36. Achievement & Time Management Skills • My ability to maintain a 3.6 GPA, while working part time and being an officer in Beta Alpha Psi demonstrates both my motivation to succeed and strong time management skills.

37. Work Experience My internships have expanded my knowledge of accounting from textbooks to real world applications. While working at XXX I became proficient in (software, business forms, team work, etc.), particularly …. (perhaps some specific project you worked on??).

38. Closing Paragraph

39. CLOSING PARAGRAPH • This paragraph basically thanks the reader and ends the correspondence. If one is applying outside of the area (and not going through Career Services for the preliminary interview) this paragraph can also state availability for interviewing.

40. Tips for Recruiting Season

41. Applying • Submit ALL materials ON TIME • Read instructions (Is there a cover letter required? Is there another application required? Is there specific information to be included?) • Pay attention to details (NO typos, check recipient – don’t send a cover letter to PWC that is addressed to KPMG) • Do your homework - know the firm – is there anything you can include in your application materials that is particularly relevant to a specific firm? • If asked about legal problems (arrests, convictions, fines, etc.) be truthful – many firms have a zero tolerance policy for falsehoods on your application – do not assume it would be better to ignore now & ‘explain’ later.

42. Interviewing • Before the interview: • Do your homework - know the firm (are they international? Do they specialize in a particular type of client?) – Don't focus on your desire for international opportunities if the firm does not have offices in other countries. • Check for materials on the company website that provide helpful interview tips (some have lists of typical interview questions). • Keep in mind – for on-campus public accounting recruiting, the general expectation is that an internship is a ‘prelude’ to a full time job – not a random opportunity to get work experience

43. Outside of the interview room – (while waiting for your time) • If there is a greeter (generally a recent grad) in the interview waiting room, this person is there to answer your questions, ease your nerves AND evaluate your behavior. • If you ever mentally ask yourself “should I tell this story?” DON’T!!!! • Remember EVERYTHING counts – • Interactions at BAP and other on-campus events • Socials • Meals • The Interview • The post-interview

44. During the interview • Dress appropriately & be on time (or early) • Be enthusiastic & be able to explain why you are interested in and are the best candidate for this firm • Conduct yourself professionally –smile, shake hands, maintain good eye contact, watch what you say • NO cellphones – put them away, turn them off, if on vibrate don't check to see who’s texting until after you've left the interview. • HAVE GOOD questions for the interviewer (not something you could have read from the firm's website) • Keep negative comments about other individuals, past jobs, etc. (even if justified) to yourself • Ideally, the interview is a comfortable conversation

45. Outside of the interview room;pre-interview socials • If invited to a social the night before – ATTEND • If you have a conflict (defined as some activity that you cannot miss, such as work or a class, AND IS AT THE EXACT SAME TIME as the social), or if you are sick, be sure to contact the recruiter to let them know you can’t attend and why. • If you’re tired, busy, have an exam to study for – ATTEND THE SOCIAL ANYWAY (it's pretty likely your competition also is tired, busy, and/or has an exam to study for). NOTE: Being able to attend a 1-2 hour event when you are busy is a concrete example of "strong time management skills". • If you don’t really like, or are not very good at, social events ATTEND THE SOCIAL ANYWAY • Speak with as many of the firm representatives as you can without monopolizing anyone. If in a group of professionals and students, converse with the entire group. • If alcohol is served and you are under 21 – DO NOT DRINK it under any circumstances. If you are of legal age – you may drink IF you know your limit and can be sure not to come close to reaching it.

46. After the interview • Send thank you notes (at a minimum to individuals you had major contact with; or to everyone). Notes can be emailed (if written professionally and if time is of the essence), although handwritten notes add an ‘extra’. • Use the thank you to both be polite & perhaps reiterate why you would be a great fit for the job.

47. After the job offer/acceptance • Maintain your grades – offers can be rescinded • Act as a representative of your firm on campus • Promote the firm • Identify potential future hires from younger students • Enthusiastically touch base with individuals from your firm when they’re on campus • Stop by if they’re holding office hours • Bring a younger student & introduce him/her • Attend on-campus presentations sponsored by your firm