Resumes STAND OUT FROM THE CROWD

Presented by Kelly Allgeier, MA, NCC, BCC Career Counselor ▪ UNLV Career Services

Purpose of a Resume §  Marketing tool to highlight relevant skills, training and experience (qualifications)

§  Secure an interview Note: the employer will likely “Google” you before your interview. Be aware of your online resume.

Hook the Employer’s Attention

§  How long will your resume be viewed before it is placed in the yes, no, or maybe pile?

§  Make your resume well-organized, free of errors and reader-friendly.

§  Make it as easy as possible for the employer so see that you have what they are looking for!

Resume Formats Chronological

• Most common layout • Timeline of your experience in reverse chronological order

Functional

• Focuses on relevant skill sets (not specific positions) • Used when experiences are unrelated to field, and/or

dates may be widespread

Chronological

Functional

Organization

§  Resumes are typically one page for recent graduates, two pages maximum.

§  Use HEADINGS to divide sections •  Tailor your headings for target positions

§  Create a “flow” to your resume – bullets, bold, italics •  Be consistent throughout the document

§  Avoid large blocks of text and hard to read fonts •  Paragraphs often get overlooked

Content §  Use short, action-oriented statements (Rebel Resume Tips)

• Begin your bullet points with an action word •  i.e. Created, Initiated, Maintained, Monitored, Presented

• Achievements • Quantify (#, $, %) • Do not list “job duties” • Past positions written in past tense

§  Use keywords and phrases - speak the language of the industry and company (job description, company website, LinkedIn)

• Applicant Tracking System (ATS)

Standard Headings §  Contact Information – Keep it basic and professional (name, address optional, phone, email, LinkedIn URL)

§  Education – Institution, degree, major, date of graduation (Relevant Coursework:…)

§  Experience – FT/PT/Summer work, internships, volunteer, projects, campus involvement

Additional Headings Technical Skills Languages Certifications Courses & Projects Professional Development Honors & Awards Campus Involvement Leadership Military Volunteer

Create HEADINGS to reflect your background

References §  Not necessary to include references on your resume

§  Have 3-5 professional references listed on a separate page

• Provide references to employers upon request •  Include: name, title, relationship, organization, contact

info.

§  Ask permission to be used as a reference

Keep references informed of your job search activities!

Resume Tips §  Proofread your documents out loud & have your documents proofread by somebody else

§  Avoid exaggerating or lying

§  Keep your documents on-brand and up-to-date

• No cookie cutter resumes! • Stay away from templates

We Can Help! Resume and Cover Letter Critiques

By individual appointment and Walk-in (Monday-Friday 9a – 4p)

Mock Interviews Will video tape if requested

Career Assessments

Job/Internship Search Assistance

Backpacks to Briefcases Handbook

Career Events

Student Services Complex, A 201

(702) 895-3495 │ careerservices@unlv.edu

Visit hire.unlv.edu to learn more about UNLV Career Services.

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@UNLVCareer