SENIOR JOB SEARCH GROUP:

RESUME WRITING

Dane Furfaro

Career Services Intern

Strommen Career and Internship Center

STROMMEN CAREER AND INTERNSHIP CENTER

http://cswl.pbworks.com/

WHAT IS A RESUME?

a document to market your skills, experience, education and accomplishments to employers

meant to get you an interview NOT your life history very concise and easy to scan for information

BASIC GUIDELINES

use consistency in your presentation utilize a 10 to 12 point, plain font organize your information to make it easy to

read use your white space effectively proofread to check for errors

BASIC GUIDELINES

do not use high school information place your most relevant information towards

the top include industry related keywords target it to the career field you are entering keep your margins even

CATEGORIES

Objective Summary of

Qualifications Education Honors Related

Coursework Internships Research

Related Experience

Additional Involvement

Volunteer/Community Service

Skills Employment Activities

RESUME STATEMENTS resume statements are used to describe

what you did on the job use past tense action verbs to describe

what you did in each position or experience

be descriptive and specific – who, what, where, when, how, results action verb + details + results =

strong resume statement look at job postings to get ideas practice telling someone else what you

did in each position or how you demonstrated each skill

PERSONAL INFORMATION

LEAH M. HELPER2211 Riverside Avenue, Minneapolis, MN 55410

612.330.3333, helper@augsburg.edu

INTRODUCTION

Objective states what type of position you are looking for

and what you will bring to the position Summary of Qualifications

highlights your related qualifications for the position

EDUCATION

EDUCATION

Bachelor of Arts, Augsburg College, Minneapolis, MN May 20XX

Major: Psychology Minor: Communication Studies GPA: 3.7

Honors: Dean’s List, Psychology Honor Society, Augsburg Academic Scholarship

Study Abroad: University of Galway, Galway, Ireland Spring 20XX

RELATED EXPERIENCE

RELATED EXPERIENCEStudent Worker, Augsburg Admissions Office, Minneapolis, MN, Sept. 20XX – May 20XX

• Promoted the college to prospective students by giving campus tours and providing them with college information

• Provided administrative tasks including student mailings, filing, and data entry

OTHER EXPERIENCE

OTHER EXPERIENCE

Server, Applebee’s, Minneapolis, MN, June 20XX – May 20XX

• Trained new employees and evaluated their performance

• Succeeded in providing excellent customer service to six tables of people by multitasking and prioritizing orders

ACTIVITIES

ACTIVITIES

Student Orientation Leader, Augsburg College, Sept. 20XX – May 20XX

• Served as a mentor for first-year students by introducing them to the college, showing them resources on campus and helping them meet new students

• Coordinated large on-campus events for 400 students to participate in

FINAL TIPS

have your resume reviewed by a career specialist

print on good quality paper look at sample resumes to get help http://cswl.pbworks.com/

Practice resume

QUESTIONS?

COVER LETTERS

WHAT IS A COVER LETTER?

is a letter that gives you a chance to elaborate on more skills you have that may not be specifically highlighted on your resume

is meant to get the employer to read your resume

BASIC GUIDELINES

should always accompany a resume even when not requested

needs to be well-written and in a professional tone

do not start all of your sentences with “I” customize each letter with a job description

of the organization you are applying for

HEADING

your name and address should come first then put the date next the employer’s name, title, and work

address always address your employer as:

Dear Mr. or Ms. Last Name:

OPENING

indicate the position you are applying for and how you came to learn about the position

state why you are interested in the position say something you know or admire about the

organization shows you have done your research

MIDDLE SECTION(S) highlight your experience as it relates

to the position provide them with the key skills you

have that are mentioned in the job description

be specific about how your achievements and education have prepared you for the position

elaborate more in-depth than what is on your resume

CLOSING

reiterate your interest in the position and thank them for their consideration

state that you hope to discuss your qualifications in an interview

say when you plan to follow-up with them and then do so

FINAL TIPS

sign your letter with sincerely and your signature

do your research on the employer PROOFREAD! use the same font and paper as your resume show enthusiasm for the position http://cswl.pbworks.com/

QUESTIONS?

REMINDERS

Strommen Career and Internship Center Anderson Hall, Room 23 612.330.1148 Monday – Thursday: 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Friday: 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. www.augsburg.edu/cswl http://cswl.pbworks.com/