how to build a résumé - illinois state how to start a résumé •...

How to Build a Résumé

IT-191

1

Four simple rules of résumés

• 1. There are NO ABSOLUTES in résumé writing

o Discard old rigid rules of format & content

o Follow general guidelines with individual modifications

o Design to showcase your talents & achievements

o Different employers may want different things Career Center can help tailor a resume to specific

employers they work with

2

Four simple rules of résumés

• 2. Market yourself !! o Convince prospective employer that you are a

valuable commodity they want to spend money on

o Identify the traits/skills they are seeking for that specific job and match yourself up

Just like market research

Red Frog Events

3

http://www.redfrogevents.com/

Four simple rules of résumés

• 3. Do not hold back o No place for modesty

Let them see how good you are

If you can do it and do it well, let them know

o But, don’t “embellish” achievements

4

Four simple rules of résumés

• 4. DO NOT tell a lie o Note – this is the exception to rule #1 (above)

o Generally grounds for dismissal if discovered – even years later – regardless of accomplishments

MIT Dean resignation

5

//datastore01/taparme/ITK191/MIT Dean Resigns/MIT dean resigns in lying scandal - CNN_com.htm

Goals of a résumé

What do we want to accomplish with

our resume?

6

Goals of a résumé

• What do we want to accomplish with our resume?

Get a first interview

7

Goals of a résumé

• What do we want to accomplish with our resume?

• Get a first interview

How does our resume do that?

8

Goals of a résumé

• Get a first interview • How does our resume do that?

oDistinguish yourself from the rest as a good fit for this position Stand out from the herd!

Red Frog – how many resumes?

Need to make the right impression

9

Goals of a résumé

• Get a first interview • How does our resume do that?

oResumes are reviewed briefly, so you want your best points to jump out Your selling points that match what they are

looking to buy

Assignment #1!

10

Why aren’t there more goals?

• The proverbial “foot in the door” o Only a few may get in the door for an interview

50, 75 or More resumes = 5 – 6 interviews

• Once the interview process starts, you can expound or explain issues o Opportunity to dazzle them with your face-to-face

presence, personality, communication skills, etc

11

Why aren’t there more goals?

• Without that first interview, there won’t be an opportunity to dazzle them, and there won’t be a job offer

12

Résumés- a question of style

• Two primary style formats – different strategies o Chronological - we will focus on this one now.

o Functional – you may want this one at some point.

• Which style to use depends on the author’s background and history

o We will concentrate on Chronological style

13

http://www.itk.ilstu.edu/staff/parmenter/resume.htm http://jobstar.org/tools/resume/res-fu6.php

Chronological

• List most recent items first within sections o Actually reverse chronological o Reader sees most current info first o Most recent info generally considered most relevant

• Most common style o Generally used unless resume writer has specific

issues

o For our purposes chronological is our choice

14

Chronological

• Advantages o Easy to organize

o Focus is on job history

o Show a pattern of growth or improvement

• “Reverse-chronological” structure shows most

recent info first

o Most recent = most relevant

• Disadvantages o Highlights job “gaps” in

your employment history

My resume – “student”

o Multiple “lateral” moves become emphasized in

listing

Why is it perceived as a

negative?

• Chronological

15

http://www.itk.ilstu.edu/staff/parmenter/resume.htm

Functional

• Focuses on professional achievements and skills • More suitable after you have accumulated some

experience in the field o May be more suitable later in career when you are applying

for upper level positions

o Employers are looking for different qualities for experienced vs entry level positions

Job experience and achievements in field vs minimum qualifications and aptitude

16

Functional

• Advantages o Allows the author to focus

on their skills and achievements - later in career vs entry

o Focuses the reader’s attention on your selling points

o Provides a method to obscure employment history

Why?

 Dismissal

 Lateral moves

 Fresh start

• Disadvantages o Some readers like to be

able to “re-construct” a person’s career

Pattern of advancement?

o Reception is based on the reader’s interpretation

• Functional

17

http://jobstar.org/tools/resume/res-fu1.php

Life expectancy of a résumé

• How much time do we have? o What is the life expectancy of a resume when it

hits the hiring manager’s desk?

18

Life expectancy of a résumé

• EXTREMELY SHORT o 30 to 45 seconds for first review

Keep for review or trash

Points have to jump out to get to next review

o Maybe two to five minutes for next review More detailed read

Probably start to select interviewees

19

Attributes of effective résumés

• Ease of digestion for the reader o Well organized - logical

Info grouped – education, work, activities, etc.

Reader can find what he’s looking for

Related items reinforce your message, not disjointed

o Clear and concise wording – not verbose prose “Resume & Narrative Statement of Key Qualifications,

Life Work – It’s Cumulative Personal Result”

May take some minor liberties with English

o Avoid overly ornate fonts 20

Attributes of effective résumés

• Control the eye of the reader (scanner). o Use your formatting choices to guide the reader to

what you wish to emphasize

Layout

 Similar to outline with major points followed by supporting

information

 Bolding & italics of headers and sub-headers

 Make major points stand out on initial scan

 Supporting info follows for second review

21

Attributes of effective résumés

• Control the eye of the reader (scanner). o Use lists, bullets to your benefit

Can get lots of info in little space – tech skills, certifications

Be mindful of document scanning issues

 Will discuss specifics later

22

How to survive the cut

• Need to make a good first impression o What are my most desirable qualifications

Education?

 GPA, relevant course work (technical skills)

Activities?

 Student/campus organizations, public service

Experience?

 Summer jobs, campus jobs, internships

Personal skills?

 Group projects – plays well with others

 Accomplishments, awards

o Make them stand out! 23

How to start a résumé

• Evaluate job description o Identify key elements of job description

Assignment 1

o What are they looking for Identify all key elements

Look in all sections of listing for clues

• Job/Intership Fair – no specific job o What you think are key elements for type of job

you would like to have 24

How to start a résumé

• Evaluate yourself o Identify your skills / education / experience that

match up with identified key elements

o If you don’t have a direct match for a key element, try to identify something you do have that

demonstrates the aptitude to learn/perform

Demonstrate it, don’t just say it

 Projects, activities, student organizations, work experience

25

How to start a résumé

• Construct a résumé to showcase your education/skills/experience that match up

o Prioritize items Education, activities, experience, skills, etc.

Organize your resume to present the items you feel are

most important to prospective employer or that present

you in the best light

For our purposes – Education always first section

26

How to start a résumé

• Remember – the need for a résumé begins with a specific position that needs filled

o Showcase your attributes that make you a good fit for that specific position

o Yo