go.gwu.edu/careerservices resume writing for international students
TRANSCRIPT
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Resume Writing for International Students
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Tell me about yourself
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Who wants to work in U.S.? During/after GW? Or both GW?
What do you know about U.S. resumes?
What is the purpose of a resume??
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International Student Career Programs: Fall 2015 (9/8 to 10/20/15)
Sep2015
6 7 8 9 10 11 12 3p Resume Writing
HOLIDAY Resume Madness ES 5:30 Dress for Success
13 14 15 16 17 18 19 3p Make Most of the
Career Fair Career Fair 1-5pm
20 21 22 23 24 25 26 3pm Job Search
Strategy 11a Curricular
Practical Training (CPT)
27 28 29 30 1 2 3 GWSB Fair 11a Occupational
Practical Training
Oct2015
4 5 6 7 8 9 10
11 12 13 14 15 16 17
3pm Networking 6pm International
Student Alumni Networking Night
18 19 20 21 22 23 24 3p Interview
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What do you think?Evaluate Today’s Program
• Check iPhone for link to program evaluation • Have you learned from the program today?– I have learned more about myself. – I have learned more about connecting with employers.– I have learned more about how to be a professional.
• Comments & Ideas
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Learning Outcomes
• Students will be able to :– Identify the purpose of a resume– Describe differences in US resumes – Write a standard resume with correct structure,
format, and language– Practice writing about work and relevant
experiences in a resume format – Identify services of the Center for Career Services
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Purpose of the Resume
• Marketing/branding tool • Highlight skills and accomplishments • Present academic and other achievements• Demonstrate value to employers• THE INTERVIEW, not a job
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US Resumes: Dos and Don’t’s DO THIS
• Personal information: full name, telephone, address, city, state
• Links: Website, Blog, LinkedIn• Education/GPA: Most recent
first• Relevant coursework (optional)• All employment and internships• Relevant experiences (optional)
• Research experiences• Course/independent projects• Student leadership• Volunteer/community service • Skills (language, computer, etc.)
DO NOT DO THIS • Personal information: age,
gender, marital status, race/ethnicity, home country
• Immigration status• Photographs• Religion• Language Skills section: “English” • International permanent address• TOEFL or SAT scores• Language:
• Misspelled words• Typos or grammar errors
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Types of Resumes
• Chronological Resume– Best for college students and people with limited
experience. Education and Experience sections is listed in reverse chronological order, most recent first.
• Functional Resume– Best for career changers, executives or who have gaps
in employment. Highlights skills, rather than jobs
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Resume Standards
• ONE PAGE! • Margins 0.5 – 1.0 inches • Font size: 10-12 point (headers may be larger)• Font type: Times Roman, Calibri, other traditional • NO, NO: Tables, charts, graphs, templates• NO: photos, social security #s, personal information• Standard English grammar
– International Student Career Ambassadors 1st Floor of School of Engineering Hall for 1st Review !!
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Structure of the Resume• CONTACT INFORMATION • EDUCATION • EXPERIENCE • SKILLS• Optional Sections Objective Skills and/or Technical Skills
Research Relevant Coursework/Projects Activities Leadership
Volunteer Awards
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Example: Contact Information
Martha Washington 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW 202-334-1000Washington, DC 20037 [email protected]
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Example: Education EDUCATIONM.S., Computer Engineering, School of Engineering and Applied Science, Expected May 2017
George Washington University, Washington, DC
--Relevant Coursework: Computer Architecture and High-Performance Computing, M
Microcomputer Systems Architecture, Introduction to High-Performance Computing
Honors: Tau Beta Pi Engineering Society
Oxford University, Oxford, UK, September - December 2011
• Completed courses in World History and British Culture; researched public policy
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Example: ExperienceEXPERIENCE (may include internship/work experience)US Department of State, Policy and Development Intern, Washington, DC, January 2014 - PresentMiddle East Democracies Project• Research the impact of social media on grassroots organizations and authoritarian governments in the
Middle East and presented 35-page research report and two page abstract to chief of division• Coordinate four meetings attended by more than 350 mid- and senior-level subject-matter experts during
day-long seminars• Organize online database of information, including scholarly articles and foreign news distributed worldwide
via DoS ConnectInfo
Global Public Policy Institute, Research Intern, Oxford, England, September 2014 - December 2011• Developed online questionnaire in English and German for a program on democracy • Analyzed questionnaire results and summarized findings with SAS statistical software
Institute for Security and Conflict Studies, The George Washington University, Student Assistant, May 2012 - May 2014• Organized research materials for 7 projects from 10 different researchers• Created new office manual for 8 incoming student assistants• Greeted visitors and fielded incoming phone and email correspondence daily
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Example: Optional Sections SKILLSComputer: Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, SAS Statistical SoftwareLanguages: German (Intermediate Written Proficiency) and French (Professional Working Proficiency)
LEADERSHIP Secretary, Circle K International, January 2012 - PresentMember, GW Independents, September 2009 - PresentMember, GW Diplomats Club, September 2009 - 2010
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Exercise: Draft Your Resume* • Contact Information• Education• Experience• Skills• Others
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Best Resumes . . . • Write your own resume. Do not use templates. • State objective facts
– Degrees, coursework, skills , experiences – State experiences clearly. Note results of work quantitatively. – What did you accomplish? What improved as a result of you?
• Tailor resume to each employer or position– Research employer and identify position/position description– Analyze description for required skills/education/experience – Describe how your skills/education/experience match the
requirements of the postion/employer
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Describe Your Experiences
• Be Concise: Don’t say too much at onceInstead of: “Led groups of prospective students on tours of campus while answering questions and encouraging them to apply, resulting more informed, excited applicants.”Say: “Led three campus tours weekly for more then 50 prospective
students and parents.
• Be Specific: Add descriptive words and numbers Instead of: “Showed leadership skills with group project”Say: “Led group of five students in team project by creating schedules and delegating tasks to supported team productivity and the completion of 25-page research paper.
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More Descriptions
• Use Action Verbs and Vary ThemInstead of: “Was responsible for answering the phones and did scheduling for students’ appointments”Say: “Answered phones and scheduled student appointments
• In Resumes: Fragments are OkayInstead of: “My work included managing two other student workers”Say: “Managed two other student workers”
• Don’t Use First-PersonInstead of: “Created complex spreadsheets based on my research”Say: “Created complex spreadsheets based on personal research”
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Center for Career Services CCS Assists You
• Share resources• Enhance resume/cover
letter/search materials• Refine your career goals• Facilitate networking• Produce career workshops• Offers 1:1 career coaching
But, CCS Does Not . . . .
• Provide an internship/job • Re-write resumes/letters’
English language/grammar• Direct you to a career• Make personal referrals• Customize individual events• Meet weekly
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• Career Coaching: Discuss resumes, cover letters, interviewing, job/internship search, career options, resources (TOP TEN)
• Career Workshops: Skill-building programs, industry panels, employer Information sessions*
• Self-Assessment: Workshops• *Career Fairs: Site Visits, Employer-in-Residence• Special Programming: International students
Center Services
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Top 10 Skills Sought by U.S. Employers*
• Ability to verbally communicate with persons inside/outside organization• Ability to work in a team structure• Ability to make decisions and solve problems• Ability to plan, organize, and prioritize work• Ability to obtain and process information• Ability to analyze quantitative data• Technical knowledge related to the job• Proficiency with computer software programs• Ability to create and/or edit written reports• Ability to sell or influence others
* National Association of College and Employers, Annual Survey of Employers, December 2013
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What do you think?Evaluate Today’s Program
• Check iPhone for link to program evaluation • Have you learned from the program today?– I have learned more about myself. – I have learned more about connecting with employers.– I have learned more about how to be a professional.
• Comments & Ideas
go.gwu.edu/careerservices
• Colonial Crossroads, Marvin Center 505• Careerservices.gwu.edu• [email protected]• 202.994.6495
Questions?
Connect & engage with the GW Center for Career Services