Junior Career Planning and Preparation 9.29.09

1. JuniorCareer Planning and Preparation 9.29.09 Building Your Resume Cover Letter Basics Your Professional FOCUS Perfect Interview Building Your Network

2. Purpose of Resume To concisely organize your accomplishments To help you ‘tell your story’ To show your advantages relative to your competitors To help you earn an interview Resume is useful for summer job, internship, graduate school, and employment applications Military Resume: modified version, similar

3. Sample Resume Please refer to the resume handout For Resume Information, Construction Tips, and Samples, see www.citadel.edu/career_services/ResumeSamples.htm

4. Resume Format Create in MS Word (no template) Margins: set to .5 inches, all aspects Font Size: Use 11 to start (10-12 if needed) for all text other than your name (use 18-24 for your name) Font: Times Roman or Arial

5. One Page or More? Strive to keep your resume to one page Two pages are acceptable if needed Be sure to include all information relevant to your OBJECTIVE Your resume has approx. 10 seconds to succeed or fail

6. Chronological or Functional? Use Chronological format at this stage in your career Functional format may be better when you are more experienced For Chronological format, enter your experience in reverse order (most recent on top)

7. Resume Heading Include both School and Home phone and address, email address Be sure the information is accurate before sending your resume to an employer Update your resume as soon as contact information changes (and update your resume loaded into the resume database in The Gate)

8. Objective Statement Needed? Majority of Recruiters: Yes Needs to be Concise Do not use ‘Challenging, Utilize, or Field’ Good Example: Summer 2010 Internship in Accounting Good Example: Entry-level position in Sales Good Example: Admission to Duke MBA Program

9. Include GPA? • May include GPA • Cumulative and/or In Major? • May include only the highest GPA (identify) • Typically include only if 3.0 or higher

10. Skills/Training Section Important in Showing You Have the Skills Needed by the Organization Start with Most Relevant Skills/Training List in 3 Columns Example: Sales Management Presentation Teamwork Interpersonal Analytical Leadership Supervisory Spanish (Basic)

11. Validating Skills Claimed Have at least two examples ready for each skill claimed Interviews are often based on resume content You may also bring samples of your work to illustrate your claimed skills (Academic Portfolio)

12. Experience Section Include paid and unpaid experience Use reverse chronological order Use ‘bullets’ to segment your duties Use only positive phrases: not ‘Dealt with customer complaints’ but ‘Provided excellent customer service’ May include jobs while in high school Include volunteer experiences and study abroad (may justify a separate section)

13. Leadership Section Cadets often add a Leadership section Include positions held at The Citadel and possibly those in high school Specify duties and the number trained or supervised See samples from cadets on our web site Organization is similar to Experience section Typically placed after Experience section

14. Computer Skills Separate from upper Skills section, easier for recruiters Unbundle MS Office, list only those you know: MS Word, MS Excel, MS Access, etc. Add other relevant computer skills, esp. EE, CE, Comp Sci majors

15. Honors/Activities May include high school honors and activities, add (HS) after the entry Example: Football Team Captain (HS) Religious Activities: Typically may include Political Activities: Typically may include Scholarships: Include Academic Honors: Include

16. Interests Include to help find common interests with the recruiter Interests often discussed during interview Do not include interests which may be judged inappropriate Include at most 5 interests

17. Reference Statement Add to resume if space allows If requested, have your separate reference page available Include 4 references: 2 professors or staff members, 2 supervisors from prior jobs See sample Reference page at http://www.citadel.edu/career_services/ResumeSamples.htm

18. Academic Portfolio Statement Academic Portfolio is a binder containing 4 – 6 samples of work from your classes Examples: Research Papers, Business Plans, Projects, etc. To show potential employers your skills Print fresh (revised, if needed) unmarked copies for your Academic Portfolio Only list ‘Academic Portfolio Available’ on your resume if you have one ready See www.citadel.edu/career_services/info-students.htm for more on Academic Portfolios

19. Electronic or Paper Resume? You will often send your resume as an email attachment or copy/paste in online applic. If paper copy is needed, use a laser printer Use resume quality paper (office supply stores sell this) and matching envelopes Print envelopes via MS Word (do not hand-write addresses on envelopes) Use 20 pound white or ivory paper If watermark paper, print in same orientation as watermark

20. Some Resume Tips Proof carefully, after using spell check Be truthful Include information which supports your Objective Update your resume frequently See through the employer’s eyes: What skills do you bring to the firm? Use your resume to tell your unique story in a positive and convincing way

21. Resume Writing Guidelines Follow Resume Guidelines at www.citadel.edu/career_services/ResumeSamples.htm The Citadel Learning and Academic Retention Center provides writing assistance Specific questions? Please send to CareerCenter@Citadel.edu, attaching your resume

22. Your Resume & The Gate • The Gate contains a Resume Database • Register and load your resume, select ‘Resume Book’ so employers can see your resume • May upload more than one resume (only one appears in the Resume Book; select ‘Make Default’) • Details: www.citadel.edu/career_services/TheGate.htm#gatecadet

23. Cover Letter • Purpose: Introduces you and your resume • Use resume top as letterhead • Sample format: http://www.citadel.edu/career_services/Communication/AaronLCitadelCoverLetter.pdf • Answer 4 Questions: • Who are you? • Why are you writing? • What can you do for the firm (refer to resume)? • What will you do next (call for appt., etc.)?

24. Using FOCUS v.2 FOCUS helps you identify the jobs which best match your values and interests To use: Enter FOCUS at www.citadel.edu/career_services ‘Narrow and Refine’ your results, on the Main Menu, to see the best matches for you Best to also complete CAREER PORTFOLIO segment

25. Interview Preparation Use the Perfect Interview Program to practice and record interviews Access program and instructions: www.citadel.edu/career_services May use with or without a web cam Work stations with web cams available in The Citadel Career Center

26. Building Your Network Use the Online Mentoring Network To use: Register for access to The Gate at www.citadel.edu/career_services, then follow instructions for Mentees See profiles for alumni mentors, select and contact the one(s) of most interest, for advice Business Cards (free at www.vistaprint.com) GOAL: Build a network of at least 10 key contacts by the end of Junior year (from all sources) Use your network to help you make the best possible decisions for your future

27. Thank You! Best Wishes as you plan and prepare for life after The Citadel!