PROFESSIONAL RESUMES

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2 PROFESSIONAL RESUMES

3 Purpose of a resume Purpose of a resume What employers look for in a resume What makes a great resume? Developing your skills list Format and content of resumes Improving your cover letter PAGE 3

4 Purpose of a resume To be selected for an interview Your resume is like good bait it has to be interesting enough to attract attention PAGE 4

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6 Purpose of a resume It is your marketing document promoting YOU It must be professional It can t be ordinary Write your resume so that the focus is on the prospective employer and what they need to know List the most important information first Showcase your achievements THINK what s in it for the employer? NOT what s in it for me? PAGE 6

7 No rules but many guidelines Easy to read Concise Clear objective List of skills Relevant experience Credible set of achievements Extra-curricula activities Consistent style Consistent format Perfect spelling Perfect grammar Demonstrates your individuality PAGE 7

8 First Impressions What employers say: Your resume is an extended business card and a bid for work The aim of your resume is to be invited to a job interview for a specific vacancy What is your point of differentiation? Make your resume stand out from every other graduate with a similar degree Formatting is critical Recruiters can make an assessment of your resume in under 30 seconds List your most recent and relevant information first. Page 1 contains critical information only Think about your content is each entry useful information to an employer? It s not an essay! Write 2-3 pages maximum and use bullet points It s polite to submit a cover letter as well, and be extra nice to the administration staff PAGE 8

9 Possible Headings Career Objective / Career Statement / Profile (optional) Education / Qualifications Practicums / Placements Awards / Achievements (optional) Skills summary (optional) Relevant / Other Work History Publications / Conferences / Research Grants / Performances (optional) Professional Development / Courses Attended / Relevant Training Professional Memberships Languages (optional) Residency Status / Work Visa (if applicable) Extracurricular Activities Interests (optional) Referees/References PAGE 9

10 SECTION TITLE GOTHAM NARROW BOLD 7PT Example 3/4/2017 PAGE 10

11 Page 1 What is appealing about this resume? Does it pass the 7 second test? What could be improved? PAGE 11

12 Page 1 Name, contact details Career Objective/Career Statement/Introduction Education/Qualifications Skill Summary PAGE 12

13 Page 2 Relevant Experience showing responsibilities and skills used Other Experience Describe each role in reverse chronological order PAGE 13

14 Page 1 Career Objective Format for a student or new graduate What you are currently doing i.e. work and study You long-term career goal and field/s of interest Your entry level expectations i.e. current goals What you can offer i.e. your key skills and abilities Your availability Be careful if you have high level qualifications PAGE 14

15 Career Objective I seek a challenging position in a progressive company that will allow me to use my skills and experience, grow in my career and contribute to the goals of the company. Poor PAGE 15

16 Career Objective To obtain a challenging career utilising and expanding my skills as a computer/network support administrator within a progressive, modern company, which challenges its people and uses state-of-the-art technologies while enhancing my leadership abilities and dedication to a motivated team. Poor PAGE 16

17 Career Objective To be employed in Human Resource Management utilising and building on my skills and expertise. Better PAGE 17

18 Career Objective I am an Information Technology graduate looking for a starting position in Information Management. I can offer strong academic grades, excellent database design and maintenance experience and an extensive customer service background. Much better PAGE 18

19 Career Objective Marketing Graduate with strong academic record and demonstrated customer service skills. Six months part-time experience in a local newspaper advertising sales. Very Good Enthusiastic and creative, keen to enter the retail industry as a Marketing Assistant. Available for full-time employment. PAGE 19

20 Career Statement Mature student in Health Science seeking part time administrative position in health related area to gain exposure to health systems in practice. Previous administrative experience in a busy office team. Very Good PAGE 20

21 Education Don t assume the degree speaks for itself B. Business & Commerce (Accounting & Information Systems) Western Sydney University, Parramatta campus Credit average Expected completion 2016 Key subjects Major projects PAGE 21

22 Skill Summary (Business & Marketing) Prepare business strategic plans Write competitor and situation analysis reports Research customer needs and product placement Design range of surveys and analyse data Manage promotional campaigns and events Demonstrated team, project and organisational skills Strong written skills eg. Reports, proposals, evaluations MS Office Suite: Word, Excel, Access, Powerpoint PAGE 22

23 Employment History Repeat format for each position, begin with your relevant experience Researcher ABC Chemicals Australia, Auburn Australian-owned company specialising in safe chemical disposal and storage, employing 80 people nationally December 2007 February week research project through UWS Cooperative Programs Responsibilities: Compared current OH&S procedures against international standards Analysed OH&S staff training and materials for conformity to standards Achievements: Prepares and implemented project plan and met deadlines Interviewed and observed over 50 staff in key positions Prepared business report outlining finding and recommendations for actions, including budget forecast Report and presentation received positively by CEO and staff, 5 to 6 key recommendations to be implemented Managed sensitive and confidential information appropriately PAGE 23

24 Be honest Accentuate the positives but DON T TELL LIES PAGE 24

25 What can happen if you write a misleading CV From the Sydney Morning Herald: Myer sacks star recruit Andrew Flanagan on first day Ben Butler and Eli Greenblat June 25, 2014 PAGE 25

26 A creative CV!!! Myer sacked Mr Flanagan on Tuesday, his first day in the job, after allegations that his CV did not stand up to scrutiny. The job Group General Manager of Strategy and Business Development Myer. This is one of the very top jobs in the whole of the retail sector in Australia. SAID he was MD and VP for Zara, Asia Pacific, COO of Tesco, China and had senior positions in Walmart. But... PAGE 26

27 Key Responsibilities Use verbs -...ing for current positions ed for past Managed Trained Organised Coordinated Supervised Researched Monitored Prepared Wrote Edited Designed Created Advised Analysed Implemented Surveyed PAGE 27

28 Key Responsibilities Identify the verbs you could use to describe your Resident Assistant responsibilities Manage Train Organise Coordinate Supervise Research Monitor Prepare Write Edit Design Create Advise Analyse Implement Survey PAGE 28

29 Achievements Promoted a level Coached or trained new staff Increased (sales, profits) Improved (quality, systems) Decreased (complaints, waste, turnaround time) Consistent contribution to team outcomes Received consistently positive feedback from employer/customers/peers Submitted work is well received, met standards Received positive staff performance appraisal Elected to a committee, represented group Given a leadership role (at work, sport or uni) Assisted with a community activity or event Volunteer work, fundraising, improved local facilities or services PAGE 29

30 Cover Letters Use a formal business letter style see Opening Tell them why you are writing I wish to apply for the position of (position title) advertised in (eg. Seek, SMH) on (date) Give a brief summarising statement about yourself Why Me Persuade them that you meet all the criteria for the job provide evidence! Match your skills, experiences, knowledge and personality to what has been stated in the job ad Why Them Explain your interest in the position and/or organisation Demonstrate your knowledge about the job/company Focus on what you can do for them rather than what they can do for you Ending Thank the reader for considering you application State your enthusiasm for taking process further PAGE 30

31 Cover Letters No longer than ONE page Prepare a basic design and content Tailor each letter for specific position and organisation NO errors: spell check and person check, ask a native English speaker to help you Keep the tone positive Avoid vague claims e/g/ hard working, fast learner First impressions count r-letter-guide-2015.pdf PAGE 31

32 Cover Letters PAGE 32

33 Your details Date Employer details Robert Smith 123 Liverpool Street, Penrith NSW PH: February 2016 The HR Manager Maurice Redford Lawyers Include title of position and reference number if applicable Why me? Write 2-3 paragraphs, be specific about your relevant experience Yours sincerely when addressed to a specific person, Yours faithfully when address to Dear Your Sir name or Madam Dear Sir/Madam XXXX position with Maurice Redford Please accept this letter, the accompanying resume and academic transcript as application for the XXXX position as advertised on your website on the 20 th January I am in the final year of a Law degree at the University of Western Sydney and have gained legal experience working as a Paralegal Volunteer in Nepean Community Legal Centre since June I currently manage approximately 100 client files, assisted by legal secretaries and senior lawyers. As a paralegal, I have been given the opportunity to operate both autonomously and as part of a team. My practical abilities and legal skills have developed considerably and in my role I am regularly expected to demonstrate leadership, manage and interview clients, draft submissions and correspondence, brief stakeholders as well as interpret and analyse policies and deeds. Feedback I have received from my supervisor and peers is that I demonstrate an ability to work efficiently in an unsupervised manner and that my attention to detail is noteworthy. I have always prided myself on my ability to communicate clearly and effectively (both verbally and written) and throughout my studies and work I have developed the ability to prioritise tasks, to plan effectively and to present myself to high standards in everything that I do. My tertiary studies, as well as my experience in a community legal centre, has shown me that the outcomes we achieve make a difference to the lives of our clients, giving me great satisfaction and genuine pride in the work I do. I intend to regularly volunteer my time as the firm s advocate in the community and with disadvantaged community groups. My desire is to develop my legal career with Maurice Redford because of the firm's reputation and established brand of fairness, equal opportunity and social justice. I am motivated to play a role in the firm s future of excellence and innovation and a firm that values diligence, loyalty and hard work. Thank you for considering my application. I look forward to being able to discuss employment opportunities further at an interview. Yours faithfully, Robert Smith Opening Why them? Ending PAGE 33

34 Warning bells are ringing I didn t get a response from an employer I m not getting any invitations to an interview I ve just posted out my resume to 100 companies PAGE 34

35 Do you need more help? elearning Career Modules (vuws) Resumes & Letters Selection Criteria Career Resources (CareerHub) Documents such as Resume Checklist, Addressing Selection Criteria, Cover Letter Guide/samples, Career Objective writing guide FAQs, News Discipline-specific brochures Job Vacancies (CareerHub) Part time & Casual jobs, Graduate jobs Volunteer opportunities Register for: Workshops, Expos, Career Consults Careers social media pages Writing a Business Letter- Australia Post Guide letterwriting/students/businessletters.html PAGE 35

36 Questions PAGE 36

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