Resumé Writing. Career Development Centre

Transcription

1 Resumé Writing Career Development Centre

2 Learning Objectives Understand the importance and purpose of an effective resumé Understand how to create an effective resumé to demonstrate my skills and experiences Know how to target a resumé by reviewing a job description Become aware of the resumé resources and services available through the Career Centre to assist in my career planning and job search Your resumé is your marketing tool and you are the feature product!

3 Remember Your Audience

4 Your resumé is your advertisement

5 3 Parts of an Effective Resumé Part I Part II Part III Appearance Structure Appearance: Content - How Organization does it look? - Do I and want Selection: to read further? - Is - it Can Professional? Wording: I find what I Does need the quickly? - information Is the Effective necessary sound RELEVANT information Resumé and TARGETED? included?

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7 Primary Goal of Your Resumé Skills To demonstrate your FIT for the job Activities Employer Your Requirements Relevant Experience Education

8 Will the employer read your resume? 3 steps to screening and making an impression First Impression 5 Seconds 1. Appearance For How long? Second Look 15 seconds 2. Organization Content Review 30+ seconds 3. Content

9 Don t Let This Happen To You! Target your resumé! Use information obtained from the job posting and your research to target the content of your resumé

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11 Part I: Appearance

12 Key Appearance Components Needs to be attractive, appealing, and fit company/ industry style

13 Key Appearance Components Have a prominent header with clear contact information

14 Key Appearance Components Should be easy to read, and have consistent font, size/style

15 Key Appearance Components Be sure that your subsection titles stand out and are easy to locate

16 Key Appearance Components Be sure it is modern and professional; explore layouts to suit you & your target industry

17 Key Appearance Components Be error free! Remember I m Wilfrid, not Wilfred!

18 Part II: Organization

19 Part II Organization Choices of structure, order and layout impact the effectiveness of your resumé.

20 Targeted Organization Organize Sections to Target the Resumé Objective Profile Education Relevant Experience Additional Experience Interests

21 Education Reverse chronology Degree name in full, i.e., Bachelor of Arts, not BA Include name of school, city and province What about high school? What about listing courses or awards? What about the GPA?

22 Weighing in on Experience Focus on transferable skills and achievements, not specific tasks/duties Less Detail More Detail

23 Organizing Experience

24 Organizing Experience

25 Personal Details? Date of birth Marital/Family Status Disability information Country of Origin/Citizenship Ethnic background Languages spoken Religion Gender Check out the Career Resource Centre for: The Global Resumé and CV Guide, and Best Resumés and CVs for International Jobs: Your Passport to the Global Job Market

26 Interests Are They Interesting? Enthusiastic about helping youth increase their fitness level; former soccer coach and lifeguard A useful collection of over 1,000 photographs of Canadian heritage sites and geographic landscapes Active member of neighborhood association; co-created Canada Day bike parade event for 30 children Competitive swimmer currently training for first triathlon Write more than a word and explain the extent of your involvement and interests so that they distinguish you from other candidates.

27 Additional Training & Professional Development Focus on relevant training and professional development i.e., Certified Human Resource Professional Career Development Certificate Include seminars/lectures you attended which were not part of course work May include presentations or publications (if several, create a separate section) This section can be listed either in a separate section or in the Education section.

28 Content What you say and how you say it impacts the message you are sending the potential employer There are 3 main areas that need targeting: 1. Use your Objective to focus the resumé 2. Use your Profile to provide a big picture or snap-shot summary of your qualifications 3. Evaluate how you describe your Experiences (paid and unpaid) to support your candidacy

29 The Objective Should you add an objective? There is no agreement Be sure it is not generic! Consider using the following formula: Identify yourself, indicate the role for which you are applying, select relevant experience/skills/knowledge you can offer, and point out how you will contribute to the goals of the position/organization.

30 Targeted Objective Generic To obtain a sales position with a reputable organization Targeted Resourceful and collaborative psychology graduate seeking to secure the District Sales Team Lead position in order to leverage strong relationshipbuilding and analytical skills to foster new clientele in the Waterloo region

31 The Profile Is a big picture statement Keep bullets at a highlight level Entice your reader to view the rest of your resumé If you have 15 seconds to tell your employer about yourself, what do you want them to know? Consider the qualifications of the job as The Question and your Profile section as The Answer

32 Profile Components 4-6 point form summary statements: Experience Summary Relevant, targeted information about your background that is connected to the position Knowledge Highlight your applicable knowledge especially when you lack relevant experience Relevant Skills - Select skills that indicate your understanding of job requirements and how you will/have used the skill Key Achievements You may highlight the benefit of a relevant achievement Personal Qualities or Attributes Focus on qualities suitable to the target industry Key Certification or a Bonus Highlight - Identify other information that adds to your candidacy

33 Profile Samples Be sure to back up your claim to a skill and discuss it dynamically:

34 The Profile Notice how Alexa s Profile changes based on the distinct targets: Customer Service vs. Data Entry Clerk

35 Profile: Experience Statements Generic Strong customer service experience Targeted Progressive customer service experience gained within a consumer packaged goods company Targeted More than 2 years of experience delivering high quality customer experiences within an internationally recognized technology retailer

36 Profile: Knowledge Statements Generic Strong economic background Targeted Targeted Solid ability to comprehend complex and detailed information, including demographics and economic information for the purpose of developing recommendations and policies Strong familiarity with online marketing strategies including social media tools, Google analytics and Hootsuite

37 Profile: Skills Statements Generic Excellent interpersonal skills Targeted Proven ability to establish co-operative, professional relationships with customers, staff and administration through effective communication and interpersonal competence Distinguish yourself with unique statements!

38 Sample Bonus Certification or Bonus Highlight (1 line) Generic Targeted Targeted Interest in and passion for social media Anticipate summer 2015 completion of Google Analytics Training Part 1 Strong knowledge of social media trends through education, personal research, marketing related volunteering and student club membership

39 Experience Section - Targeting Re-focus descriptions to target each job to which you are applying Draw greater attention to the relevant aspects of your experiences If minimal relevance, stress transferable skills Be sure to use resultoriented statements

40 Targeting Job Descriptions Job Goal: Camp Counsellor Camp Counsellor Summer 2011,2012 Kid s Summer Camp Experience, Kitchener, ON Supervised children ages 8 16 at a summer camp Developed and lead activities including arts and crafts, nature exploration, swimming, water safety and canoeing Previous job as a Camp Counsellor Include details if they are relevant to the target job Ensured inclusive summer experience for children with disabilities (seasonal)

41 Targeting Job Descriptions Past job not directly relevant? Camp Counsellor Summer Kid s Summer Camp Experience, Kitchener, ON Co-ordinated and organized activities which involved preparing materials, creating schedules and managing multiple participants Job Goal: Junior Marketer Stress transferable skills when the job is less relevant to your target Liaised with the public to ensure exchange of information including negotiating special requests and answering concerns Collaborated with colleagues to plan and assign tasks and provided training and orientation to new employees

42 Targeting Job Descriptions Notice how the description of Zehr s changes based on the distinct targets. Data Entry Clerk vs Customer Service

43 Accomplishment Statements Differentiate yourself by HOW you describe your experiences Discuss points dynamically, in relation to the position to which you are applying Ask yourself when you have: Initiated something Achieved a goal Exceeded expectations Solved a problem Demonstrated Leadership Been selected for added responsibility/promotion Received praise/award

44 Writing Accomplishment Statements Action Verb Task (& Tools) (Relevant) Result (Impact, Purpose) e.g., Designed client database using MS Access resulting in 50% increased retrieval rate

45 BEFORE Accomplishment Statements Responsible for training new staff Performed customer service and cashier duties as required Stocked supplies and cleaned cash area AFTER Selected by management to train 5 new staff members to encourage consistent customer service Interacted professionally to successfully build customer relationships, resulting in repeat business Maintained an organized, efficient area to ensure brand standards were met

46 A Word About References Prepare on a separate page Only submit upon request Should have seen you within a related professional environment Professors Supervisors Directors Dean Colleagues Other Staff Key members of your job search team! Keep them informed of your progress.

47 Final Checklist Concise Easy to read Organized Error free Attractive Professional Position-relevant Formatted (PDF) Appropriately named! Targeted ALWAYS send a targeted cover letter with your resumé!

48 Resources Resumé and Employment Letters Guidebook wlu.ca/career Resumé Video Resumé & Cover Letter critiques: in-person, telephone, or Skype Resumé & Cover Letter proofreading service after a critique appointment For quick questions, visit our drop-in (Monday to Thursdays, 1 3 p.m.)

49 Connect with us! x 4495 careercentre@wlu.ca wlu.ca/career facebook.com/lauriercareercentre linkedin.com (Laurier Career Centre