Presented by John BeckAssistant Director of Career Development

University of Kentucky, College of Engineering285 Ralph G. Anderson Bldg., Lexington, KY 40506 (859) 218-1685

email: john.beck@uky.edu website: www.engr.uky.edu/careers

Getting Your Resume Ready…

Maximizing the effectiveness of

your resume

What is a Resume?

Simply, a resume is…a marketing document

about you.

It describes your abilities,your education,

and your experiences(paid and/or unpaid).

The Functions:

Self-inventory

Extended calling card

Agenda for an interview

Memory jogger

Get the interview!

The Resume

The Resume

Is there a special type of resume format that I can

use to show my experience?

•NO…

• You should chose a type of resume is appropriate for this field and that highlights and markets your experiences, skills and major tasks performed.

Desirable Resume Characteristics

Honest

Positive

Brief

Easy to skim

Without Error!!

The Resume

EssentialResume Components

Name, address, phone number, email

Education

Experiences Work and/or Volunteer

The Resume

Objective

Summary of Qualifications or Skills

Relevant Coursework

Work History

Extracurricular Activities

Internships/Co-ops

Resume Headings

Resume Headings

You may also include headings such as:

Leadership Experience Achievements Honors and Awards Professional Associations Training and Professional

Development etc…..

Logistics Only 1 page at this point in

your college career Focus on relevant experiences

& skills Easy to read, pleasing to the

eye Approximately 1 inch margins 10-12 point font Short bulleted lists, no paragraphs Consistent use of bolding, underlining,

spacing, capitalization, etc.

Have minimum of 2 people proofread your resume

The Resume

ACTION VERBS

accomplished consolidated explained maintained remodeledachieved contained extracted managed repairedacted contracted fabricated marketed representedadapted contributed facilitated mediated researchedaddressed controlled familiarized moderated restoredadministered coordinated fashioned monitored restructuredadvanced corresponded focused motivated retrievedadvised counseled forecast negotiated revitalizedallocated created formulated operated savedanalyzed critiqued founded organized scheduledappraised cut generated originated schooledapproved decreased guided overhauled screenedarranged delegated headed up oversaw setassembled demonstrated identified performed shapedassigned designed illustrated persuaded solidifiedassisted developed implemented planned solvedattained devised improved prepared specifiedaudited diagnosed increased presented stimulatedauthored directed indoctrinated prioritized streamlinedautomated dispatched influenced processed strengthenedbalanced distinguished informed produced summarizedbudgeted diversified initiated programmed supervisedbuilt drafted innovated projected surveyedcalculated edited inspected promoted systemizedcatalogued educated installed provided tabulatedchaired eliminated instigated publicized taughtclarified enabled instituted published trainedclassified encouraged instructed purchased translatedcoached engineered integrated recommended traveledcollected enlisted interpreted reconciled trimmedcompiled established interviewed recorded upgradedcompleted evaluated introduced recruited validatedcomposed examined invented reduced workedcomputed executed launched referred wrote

Resume Do’s

Choose appropriate paper and color

Type clear and error free

Consistency in layout and composition

Proofread

White space

Resume Don’ts

Use photographs

Place in folder or binder

Print with colored ink

Use copier/thin paper

List personal information (age, marital status, religious affiliations, etc.)

Include salary information (unless requested)

3 Different Resume Formats

Chronological Functional

Com

bina

tion

Format #1

Reverse Chronological Most common for college

students Organized job by job, in

reverse chronological order (the most recent position listed first)

Bullets describe skills, accomplishments & outcomes of the job/position

The Resume

Chronological

Format #2Functional / Skills

Places more emphasis on skills acquired rather than the experiences and dates

Used by career changers, networking or at a career fair

Organized skill by skill, with bullets showing proof of skills (projects, tasks, etc) from different classes and jobs

The Resume

Functional

Format #3

Combination This resume type is just like it

sounds like – a combination of both the chronological and functional resume styles

Divide your "Experience" section into multiple sections

This resume style has been gaining popularity with employers

The Resume

Combination – Chronological

Combination – Functional

• Focuses attention on your strengths and accomplishments.

• Highlights all relevant experience, including volunteer work or significant class projects.

• It shows your ability to learn and accept challenge, and exhibits how your skills will transfer in a new field.

In ClosingA Great Resume…

Cover Letters

What is a Cover Letter?

Cover Letters:Introduction

Cover letters are where you make your all-important first impression.

Most often they determine whether a recruiter decides to continue on and review your resume.

You have less than 30 seconds to convey compelling information that will catch and keep the reader’s attention.

The purpose of a Cover Letter is:

Introduce yourself

Elicit interest in you

Highlight one or two exceptional and relevant skills on your résumé

Show a particular interest in the organization

Cover Letter Components:

Your cover letter should be written in business format and addressed to a particular individual.

It should be clear, concise, brief (one page), and flawless! This represents you at your best, after all.

Use your own words – be natural. Your cover letter should reflect your personality and style.

Don’t sound like something out of a book. Employers are looking for knowledge, enthusiasm and focus.

Show that you know something about the organization. Your research experience could definitely come in handy here.

Samples

Cover Letters

Nine Tips for Creating a Winning

Cover Letter

1. Keep it short.2. State the position. 3. Explain why you want the job. 4. Clearly describe ways you will

contribute.5. Match, but don’t reiterate, your

resume. 6. Don’t say you’re not qualified. 7. Keep the tone and content

professional.8. Tell the reader what you’re going to do

next.9. Proofread.

It serves as an introduction to the

résumé.

Think of the résumé as being about you and the cover letter as an opportunity to talk about your fit with the employing organization.

It is another chance to show, in your own words, what and how you can contribute to them!

You can expand your résumé and go into greater detail about yourself, your education, and nonprofessional experience in the cover letter.

A cover letter should always accompany a résumé, even if one is not specifically requested.

In review, Cover Letters…

Will at their best, stand-out cover letters are strategic, persuasive, and concise. Ideally, cover letters will achieve three objectives. They will:

Provide an effective introduction to and compelling context for your resume.

Engage the reader so that he or she will want to find out more about you by reviewing your resume and hopefully, inviting you for an interview.

Help position you as a strong contenderand a viable good fit versus the numerous candidates applying for the job.