Resume Writing

1. Resume Writing The Good, the Bad, & the … Career Connection The Ohio State University 1640 Neil Avenue, Second Floor Younkin Success Center Columbus, OH 43201-2333 (614) 688-3898 http://www.careerconnection.osu.edu

2. Excerpts from Actual Resumes • Received a plague for leadership skills of the Year • Personal Interests: Donating blood. Fourteen gallons so far. • Instrumental in ruining entire operation for a Midwest child care center. • Marital Status: Often • Attended The Ohio State University from 1895 – 1999 • Am a perfectionist and rarely if if ever forget details.

3. Parts of a Resume I.Identifying Information - This first section of your resume should tell who you are and help prospective employers reach you quickly. Brutus Buckeye Steeb Hall, Box 356 70 West 11th Avenue Columbus, OH 43210 (614) 555-1212 brutus.2@osu.edu BRUTUS BUCKEYE CAMPUS ADDRESS PERMANENT ADDRESS Steeb Hall, Box 356 1500 Cool Street 70 West 11th Avenue Anytown, Ohio 43210 Columbus, Ohio 43210 (555) 555-1212 (614) 555-1212 brutus.2@osu.edu

4. Parts of a Resume II. Job Objective-This section summarizes the type ofwork you want to do, and the career field in which you are interested. Based on the above definition which one of the following do you think is the best job objective? 1. An exciting position within any state government agency doing interesting things. 2. To obtain a sales management position with a highly visible, multi-billion dollar, international, food distribution company located in the northeastern part of the United States, preferably New England. 3. Entry-level human services position where I can be promoted to a supervisory position. 4.To obtain a social work assistant position within a state government agency.

5. Parts of a Resume III.Education - For most graduates, the most important qualification they have to offer employers is their education. Therefore this section should be listed on your resume directly below your objective statement. • List the names and dates of degrees conferred in reverse chronological order along with the names of the degree granting institutions. • It is advisable to specify major and minor fields of study, and to list courses of particular relevance to your job objective. • Special achievements or honors can be included in this section or in a separate section (usually titled, Honors & Awards) • If you have a strong G.P.A., list it.At least above a 3.25

6. Parts of a Resume III.Education - Samples EDUCATION The Ohio State University Columbus, OH B.S. in Family Studies Expected June 20XX Area of Expertise: Child Development G.P.A. 3.5 EDUCATION B.S.B.A. in Finance, minor in Accounting August 200X The Ohio State University Columbus, Ohio Related Course Work: Corporate Finance, Financial Management, Effective Business Writing, Financial Accounting

7. Parts of a Resume IV. Experience - For each work experience, list your position title, the name of the organization your worked for, and the dates you worked. Then follow with a description of the work performed. Winning Formula: action + object + outcomes • The more that a past experiences is related to the work you are seeking the more space you should allot to its description. • When possible, note any achievements or key lessons learned from your experiences. • Highlight what you have done in a concise, powerful, action-oriented way. • Since position titles usually do not do justice to the work performed, it is advisable to highlight the functions for which you were responsible.

8. Parts of a Resume IV. Experience-Samples • Social Service Work Experience • Franklin County Children Services Columbus, OH • Social Service AssistantSummer 200X • Assessed families’ needs establishing their eligibility for benefits and services such as food stamps, Medicaid, Welfare and transportation. • Monitored and kept case records on clients from different ethnic backgrounds, reporting progress to supervisor and case manager. • Visited clients’ homes providing emotional support and making sure their services were being received. • Assisted children ages 5-8 in need of counseling or crisis intervention, making successful referrals.

9. Study Abroad Experience IES Business and Economics Program Dijon, France Exchange Student Winter 200X -Examined the business and finance environments in Europe while studying the French language and culture. -Developed awareness of global economic, political issues and realities of European Community Countries. -Lived with French family enhancing cultural awareness and sensitivity to customs and cultural differences. -Adapted to new environment working with students in cross-cultural teams. -Increased initiative and independence while dealing with uncertainty, ambiguity and traveling.

10. East of Chicago Pizza Company Columbus, OH customer Service Representative April 200X- June 200X • Sold Italian dishes to diverse customers on a daily basis increasing sales in 2% annually. • Managed $1000 daily balancing drawer at the end of the day. • Advertised, marketed, and recommended menus to customers resulting in a 100% customer satisfaction. • Communicated product knowledge to customers facilitating decision making. • Created a welcoming environment to customers providing a pleasure dining experience. • Trained and supervised 5 new employees on gourmet mission and goals to enhance customer satisfaction. • Assisted manager in daily operation dealing with customer complaints creating alternatives solutions and problem solving their needs.

11. Parts of a Resume V. Additional Skills -Summarize your academic skills, along with any related work skills in a “Skills” section on your resume. This will quickly show an employer a qualitative summary of the skills and experience you have to offer. COMPUTER SKILLS Microsoft Word, Excel, & Access, HTML, Dream Weaver, & SPSS • Additional Skills • Research skills, collect and analyze data utilizing SPSS for various Departmental child development research projects • Foreign Language skills, Intermediate level in Spanish • Computer skills, proficient in Microsoft Word, Excel, Front page.

12. Parts of a Resume • VI. Additional Section Headings • Community Outreach • Civic Engagement • Honors & Awards • Campus Activities & Awards • Awards & Activities • Honors & Activities • Americorps, Volunteer, Summer 200X • Tau Beta Pi - Women Honor Society, inducted 200X • Volunteered at the Red Cross Blood Campaign Program, 200X

13. Parts of a Resume VII. References • References are individuals who can attest to your qualifications for a particular position, people who can discuss your skills and attributes. • Create a separate page to use for listing your references. • You should select 3 to 5 people to serve as your references and list them in the order you want them to be contacted.

14. TIPS for a Successful Resume • Print your resume on quality bonded paper (best colors are lighter shades of white, ivory, off-white, and/or cream). • Use a readable font and print from a laser printer (best fonts are Arial or Times New Roman). • Proofread, make sure grammar and punctuation are correct. • Keep your resume to one page if you have limited work experiences. • Do not embellish, be truthful about your accomplishments.

15. Cover Letters Career Connection The Ohio State University 1640 Neil Avenue, Second Floor Columbus, OH 43201-2333 (614) 688-3898 http://www.careerconnection.osu.edu

16. Cover Letters • The purpose of a cover letter is to tell a prospective employer what you can do and why you feel you are qualified. • It is an opportunity to demonstrate your writing skills and it opens a window to your personality. • A good-well planned cover letter is just as important as an impressive resume, and together they form an important resource in your job campaign.

17. Keys to Effective Cover Letters • Tell the employers what you can do for the company, instead of what the company can do for you. • Find out about the employer’s needs, then emphasize what you can do to meet their needs. • Consider how your work experience, education, and/or personal qualities would be helpful to the employer.

18. Cover Letters Application Letters: • Used to get your resume read and generate interviews. • Used to respond to job advertisements and demonstrate that your qualifications fit the position. • Link major job dimensions with your related past performance, experience, interests, and education. • RESPONDS TO COMPANY”S NEEDS

19. Writing Style- Cover Letter • It’s addressed to a specific individual. • It’s grabs the reader’s attention in the first paragraph. • It sounds confident without being arrogant. • It’s no longer than one page. • It answers the question: “Why should we hire you?” • It’s action oriented. • It uses the first person (“I”) sparingly.

20. Cover Letter Format Your Street Address City, State, Zip Code Date Name of Person Job Title Company/Organization Street Address City, State, Zip Code Dear Mr./Dr./Ms../Mrs. XXXXXXXXX: Dear Hiring Representative:

21. 7007 Chestnut Street Columbus, OH 43210 February 4, 200X Dr. Rose Smith Villa Rosa 56 Northeast Avenue Dublin, OH 43444 Dear Dr. Smith:

22. FIRST PARAGRAPH: The beginning of your letter should catch the reader’s attention, but avoid catchy phrases and gimmicks. Also, tell why you are writing (e.g., name the specific position or type of work for which you are applying) and mention the resource used in finding out about the opening or company/organization. Introduce your second paragraph: Education, Experiences, Personality traits

23. It is with great interest that I am applying for the position of Volunteer Management within Villa Rosa. I learned about this opportunity from Kristen Hall, of your Volunteer Program, who highly encouraged me to apply. I believe that my educational background in Child and Family Development combined with my extensive experience at the Columbus YWCA and my excellent interpersonal skills make me a strong candidate for the position.

24. SECOND PARAGRAPH: (May break in two) “Flirt” a little, show them that you have done your research on them. Paraphrase their mission at a minimum. Explain why you are interested in working for that employer or in that field of work, and most importantly, what your qualifications are (e.g., academic background/training, work experience, personal skills). Point out achievements that relate to the field in which you are applying, without duplicating exactly what is included in your resume. Connect them to the company’s needs and show them you have researched them. (“Kiss” it)

25. What appeals to me about Villa Rosa is your wide range of vital services to young mothers and expectant mothers including a prenatal residential program and the Postnatal House. As you can see in my enclosed resume I have developed the skills that will make us a good fit. My Bachelor ‘s degree in Child and Family Development and my Volunteer Management course taken at the Volunteer Center of Columbus have acquainted me with the principles of volunteer recruitment, training, motivation, supervision, and evaluation. I have considerable experience in working with young women in a helping capacity, both through my position as a peer counselor at the Columbus YWCA, and as a camp counselor at a camp for behaviorally troubled adolescents. I can also offer you my experience in individual counseling, facilitating discussion groups, and teaching young people about health issues – all of which relate directly to the services which I would be training volunteers to provide within your organization. I enjoy working with youth and possess a strong desire to facilitate positive development in both the young women directly served by your programs, as well as their children. I believe firmly in the value of your services, and would like the opportunity to share my knowledge and experience with your organization.

26. THIRD PARAGRAPH: Refer the reader to the enclosed resume or other application instrument. Indicate that your resume summarizes your qualifications and background. Include any additional information you think is relevant for your future employer to know.

27. In addition to my related experiences in the field I also possess strong computer skills as well as proficiency in Spanish that may be very useful in your workplace and may add diversity to your work environment.

28. CLOSING PARAGRAPH: Indicate your desire for an interview. State that you will call on a specific day to see if an interview can be arranged at this person’s convenience. If you will be in the geographic vicinity on a certain day, stress the importance of setting up an interview on that day. Sincerely, Signature Your Name  Enclosure(s)

29. I will welcome the opportunity to discuss with you my suitability for this position. You can contact me at (614) 555-1212 or by e-mail to burckeye.1@osu.edu at your convenience. Thank you very much for your time and consideration. Respectfully yours, Brutus Buckeye Enclosure