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Update your Resume for Engineering Students. Leslie Rand-Pickett, Asst. Director Liaison to CSC & ECE departments 2100 Pullen Hall * 2112 EB2 515-2396 * www.ncsu.edu/career leslie_randpickett@ncsu.edu. How are resumes like newspapers or magazines?. My answer?.
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Update your Resumefor Engineering Students Leslie Rand-Pickett, Asst. Director Liaison to CSC & ECE departments 2100 Pullen Hall * 2112 EB2 515-2396 * www.ncsu.edu/career leslie_randpickett@ncsu.edu
My answer? • They both have a few short seconds to capture your attention • They utilize headings or headlines to engage readers • Their articles are written so that the most important information is first • They are aesthetically pleasing and well organized for quick reading • They reflect the interests and preferences of their readers
Quick Tips on Resumes Resumes should… • Be brief (probably one page) • You have 30-60 seconds to engage the reader • Display your most important qualifications at the top & to the left of the page • Be directed to the type of position for which you are applying
Objective/Summary Education Relevant Experience Computer or Technical Skills Course Projects Language Skills Volunteer Experience Honors Additional Work Experience Relevant Coursework Campus Activities Your Resume Might Include
A few samples… Sample Engineering Resume
A Few More Hints • Within each section, use reverse chronological order • When describing experience be sure to begin your phrases with action verbs • Focus on your accomplishments • Give ##’s and results when possible • If experience isn’t relevant, focus on the transferable skills used
Common Resume Issues • No relevant experience (intern/co-op, etc) • Solution: describe projects from classes, list relevant courses taken, and demonstrate transferable skills from un-related jobs • Resume doesn’t fit on one page • Solution: eliminate unnecessary information (old achievements or less notable items) or re-format. Use your horizontal space efficiently. Adjust margins to .75-1.00” ** use 10-12 pt. fonts
Suggestions for each section • Skills: be sure to organize this section, give it subheadings if necessary & make good use of horizontal space • Projects: use action verbs to describe what YOU did on the project. Incorporate technical terms to show application of skill. • Experience: use space to describe your accomplishments. Use varied action verbs
Resumes for On-line Applications • Copy & paste your “pretty” resume into a separate document • Justify all items to the left • Remove bullets, bold, italics and underline • Use only keyboard characters (* - ), ALL CAPS, and white space to show separation • Copy & paste the file into the text box on web applications • This can also be used when an employer requests you send your resume via email, but not as attachment
It’s all about BALANCE • Think critically about your own skills, experiences and qualities. • What will the EMPLOYER see as most valuable to their organization? • Choose to include information THEY will view as important, and ARRANGE it so that it is easily read & understood.
Test Yourself • Hold your resume out at arm’s length • What jumps off the page? • Do you quickly see your most important qualifications? • What impression does it make? • Trade with a friend to see if they can determine what your strengths are.
CV vs. Resume • Resume for business * CV for academia • Main difference, CV can be longer and includes more info on research, teaching, publications & presentations • CV’s should still follow some resume rules, like keeping the most important info first, and keeping details well organized & consistent
Sample CV’s available • http://chronicle.com/jobs/tools/cvdoctor/2006/ • Additional info on statements of teaching philosophy & other elements of an academic job search available @ • http://www4.ncsu.edu/~lcrandpi/index.htm
Upload & Publish to ePack • Allows you to apply for positions with on-campus interviews • Allows employers to find your resume, and for Leslie to refer your resume out to employers who contact the Career Center • Is a secure place to store your resume! • www.ncsu.edu/epack
For More Information • Visit the University Career Center • 2100 Pullen Hall • Or our website, www.ncsu.edu/career • Leslie’s walk-ins in EB2 2112 • Monday afternoons & Thursday mornings • Counselor Drop-In Hours in 2100 Pullen Hall • Monday through Friday 11-2 • Leslie is also available by appointment • call 515-2396 • Leslie’s website –http://www4.ncsu.edu/~lcrandpi/index.htm for today’s PPT and other tips just for tech students