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: [email protected] 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.
