Building Your Career

1. Building Your Career The Résumé

2. Your Résumé • Creates the first impression • Represents your character & style • Advertises your experience/skills & education • Includes only targeted information • Tailored objective for the positions requirements • Printed on quality resume paper • Accompanied by the cover letter

3. What to Include • DoNot Include • Marital Status • Height, Weight, • Age, Sex • Religious Affiliation • Race, etc. • Graphics of any kind (Recommended) • References (Upon Request) statement • Include • Name • Address • Phone Numbers • E-mail Address • Education • Objective • Experience/Skills/Work History • Optional • Qualifications Summary • Involvement, Activities, Affiliations, Honors • Interests

4. When to Toss Your Resume • Missing the objective • Reads more like a book than resume • Missing key word language • Verbs • Adjectives • Phrases/industry jargon • Headings • Poor styling/hard to read • Contains typos and misspellings • Lacks skills/experience summary

5. It’s all in how you say it! • Applicants frequently misrepresent themselves • Either over or understate their experiences • Some examples • Chemistry Laboratory Assistant • Maintained inventory of lab supplies. • Observed & assisted students with lab experiments. • Instructed students and organized university level chemistry lab experiments. • Research Psychologist Assistant: • Helped boss gather information • Assisted supervisor conduct public opinion polls

6. It’s all in how you say it! Verbs • Organized • Originated • Persuaded • Produced • Promoted • Recommended • Reported • Researched • Serviced • Solved • Sponsored • Studied • Supervised • Tested • Trained • Updated • Utilized • Achieved • Activated • Administered • Advertised • Advised • Attained • Balanced • Collaborated • Communicated • Compared • Compiled • Controlled • Coordinated • Created • Delegated • Designed • Determined • Developed • Educated • Eliminated • Established • Extended • Formulated • Guided • Illustrated • Increased • Interpreted • Investigated • Lectured • Managed • Minimized • Modified • Motivated • Negotiated • Observed • Operated

7. It’s all in how you say it! Adjectives • Proficient • Progressive • Reliable • Responsible • Resourceful • Sensitive • Skillful • Successful • Supportive • Thorough • Versatile • Accurate • Active • Adaptable • Analytical • Capable • Competent • Confident • Creative • Critical • Dependable • Determined • Diligent • Diplomatic • Effective • Efficient • Energetic • Forceful • Helpful • Imaginative • Industrious • Innovative • Insightful • Logical • Organized • Patient • Persistent • Practical • Professional

8. Be honest • Reasons not to lie on your résumé: • You may be asked to perform the tasks you listed • Your references may contradict your claims • Likely grounds for dismissal • A reputation tainted is hard to right What’s the worst that could happen?

9. References • Obtain their permission • Tell them about the position • Don’t direct their comments • In relation to the job, ask them how they perceive your • Strengths & Weaknesses • Skills & Abilities • Who to ask • Professors familiar with your work, in your program of study • Previous & current work supervisors • Supervisors/coordinators from volunteer organizations • Who not to ask • friends and family

10. Cover letter • Formal business letter • Modified for each position applying for • Three, possibly four paragraphs Paragraph one: Identify the position for which you are applying Paragraph two: Identify the skills & abilities that you possess as they relate to the position Paragraph three:(optional) Provides opportunity for you to briefly discuss your career achievements Paragraph four: Statement of availability for interview and a follow up time