1 A guide to creating a résumé recruiters read.Résumé Guide A guide to creating a résumé recruiters read. Office of Career Services Middle Georgia State University

2 Preview This presentation covers: Understanding job postings.Developing a résumé employers will read. Skills and qualities employers look for. Personal and professional references. Cover letters.

3 Don’t waste your time… Read the job posting carefully.Do you have the required and/or preferred skills? Does the job sound like something you’d want to do? Is it legit or too good to be true? Does it require upfront investments, fees, divulging information that could be used for identity theft? How do you apply? Online? Fax? Mail? In person? Where? When? Gather information. Transcripts, lists of jobs and job duties, relevant courses, skills. Start putting together a résumé that shows how well you qualify for that specific job.

4 Combined Functional FormatUsually best for students and new graduates with little relevant experience. Shows basic information recruiters need to see: Contact information Personal Summary Education Relevant upper-level courses Skills – Technical skills, soft skills, certifications Work experience, transferrable skills Volunteer experience, community service Leadership development

5 Create a Word File Open a document in MS Word and choose “No Spacing” style. Do not use a template or online résumé maker. Some force you to leave odd blank spaces on the page. Some use complicated tables. Use a 3/4” or 1” margin on all sides. Use a consistent standard typeface like Arial in 12 pt. font. Save your résumé to your thumb drive and it to yourself for quick and easy access.

6 Your Contact Information Positioned flush left or centered; be consistent with headings. Use a consistent style for cover letter, reference page Your name should be larger than the other text and bold Information about you: Name and address Address Phone number with voice mail option or answering machine Courteous, professional voice mail message address. Must be professional Should contain your name Update this information regularly. Sample see example on the next slide.

7 100 Lakeview Drive, Apt. 204 Macon, GA 31205Example Headings John R. Knight 100 Lakeview Drive, Apt. 204 Macon, GA 31205 If you need a little more vertical space on the page, put city, state and zip on the same line as street address. John R. Knight 100 Lakeview Drive, Apt. 204 Macon, GA This style is safe because it is left aligned rather than centered or flush right, so it will very likely appear correctly on the receiver’s computer.

8 Step 4-Type of OrganizationObjective Must clearly state why you sent your résumé. Good for changing careers or for those little or no experience. Four Easy Steps to a Powerful Objective Step 1-Opening Step 2-Relevant Experience Step 3-Job Type & Level Step 4-Type of Organization To contribute [or "transfer" if you're changing careers] X years of progressive experience in the ____ field  to an entry-level ____ position  with an organization that values ____  To apply  a solid X-year education in X, along with ____  to a ____ position in ____   in a growing business than can benefit from ____  To build upon the expertise and skills gained during X years in the ____ industry in a responsible role as a ____ for an established firm that needs ____ (Purdue Univ OWL) Julie O’Malley

9 Personal Summary Short statements about yourself and your work outcomes. Quantify statements whenever you can. Ten best words Ten overused words Created Increased Reduced Improved Developed Researched Accomplished Won On-time Under-budget Outstanding Effective Strong Exceptional Good Excellent Driven Motivated Seasoned Energetic Careerbuilder.com May 2012

10 Personal Summary ExamplesReduced client wait times by 30% by modifying layout of customer service area. Reduced waste of perishable items by modifying shipping and receiving procedures. Developed a project management system that brought in a $3 million project on time and under budget. Researched and selected a software application to track outgoing shipments. Created a marketing plan for use of digital media using Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn and updated web site. Implemented new training standards to increase productivity and retention of employees.

11 Education Name(s) of degree(s) stated correctly.A.S. – Associate of Science, Information Technology B.A. – Bachelor of Arts, Communication B.S. – Bachelor of Science, Applied Biology Date degree conferred or anticipated. Show most recently conferred or anticipated degree first. Name of college, city, state. Not U.S. Postal Service abbreviation GA, but Georgia. List academic scholarships (not HOPE) and recognition. Omit high school unless your course of study or specialized program is related to the job for which you are applying. Include cumulative GPA or Major GPA IF 3.0 or higher. GPA: 3.5/ OR Major GPA: 3.5/4.0

12 Example Education SectionBachelor of Arts, Psychology Anticipated May 2015 Middle Georgia State University Major GPA: 3.7/4.0 Macon, Georgia President’s Scholarship recipient Chosen Outstanding Student by business faculty Associate of Science, Psychology Conferred May 2012 Middle Georgia State College Macon, Georgia GPA: 3.8/4.0

13 Relevant Courses List upper-level classes, not core courses, successfully completed that are directly related to the job for which you are applying. Serves as an alternate to list of relevant skills and experience for those with little or no work experience. List names of courses, not course numbers. Consider including a brief description of major projects and/or research. As part of an interdisciplinary team, assessed the feasibility of installing solar-powered lights to a section of The River Walk in Macon, Georgia. Worked with chemistry faculty to develop a handbook with safety protocols, emergency procedures, supplies, etc.

14 Example of Relevant CoursesRELEVANT COURSEWORK Principles of Accounting I & II Microeconomics Macroeconomics Intercultural Business Legal Environment of Business Use tab key or columns, not space bar, to keep entries aligned.

15 Skills and Abilities Skill: A great ability or proficiency, expertness that comes from training, practice, etc. (Webster’s Dictionary). Read the job description carefully, then show in your résumé that you have the required and/or preferred skills. Include transferrable skills obtained from previous jobs, classes, and/or professional training. Computer skills: Hardware, software, programming, etc. Use bullet format and develop statements to highlight ways you are a good fit for the job; show outcomes when appropriate. relevant skills.

16 Skills Employers Seek Communication skills – oral, written, presentation, listening Analytical, critical-thinking, problem-solving skills Teamwork skills Technical skills Strong work ethic Adaptability Eagerness to learn Source: Job Outlook 2015 Survey, Nat’l Assn of Colleges & Employers

17 Slide 9 shows the see best and worst words to use in the section.Types of Skills Job related – Related to a particular type of job or job field. Used Excel to develop and maintain order history database for 11,000 clients. Used Publisher to design and produce high-quality advertising for a medium-sized insurance agency. Transferable – Useful in a variety of jobs. Used event planning skills to provide educational and recreational activities for small groups of children ages 8 to 12. Used oral and written communication skills to respond to customer inquiries. Used critical thinking skills to plan schedules and work flow. Self-management Manage time well by setting goals and assigning priorities Strong work ethic Adaptable Eager to learn Slide 9 shows the see best and worst words to use in the section.

18 Slide 9 shows best and worst words to use in the section.Other Types of Skills Communication Active listening and critical-thinking skills. Multicultural communication experience. Languages other than English. Writing and presentation skills Research and planning Identify problems, track trends. Set priorities and follow through. Proven project management skills. Data Analyze and interpret … Audit, budget, monitor Improve, increase, decrease … Slide 9 shows best and worst words to use in the section.

19 Slide 9 shows the best and worst words to use in the section.Other Types of Skills Human relations Active listener Motivated Effective negotiation skills Work well in groups or teams Organization Detail oriented Coordinate Manage projects Leadership Implement decisions Enforce codes and/or policies Follow established protocols Developed through practical work experience Slide 9 shows the best and worst words to use in the section.

20 Formatting Lists Typically a bulleted list.Clear, short, concise statements (like this one). Be specific; avoid generalities. Focus on what you have to offer to the position. Include strong nouns, adjectives, adverbs, action verbs. Use the bullet tool in Word or Insert Symbol command. Use sparingly to highlight only the most important things. Look at your résumé as .pdf file and attachment. Be sure bullets and formatting appear as you intended. Some bullets print or are viewed as question marks.

21 Example Bullet StatementsFor research assistant job Assisted with research project by conducting interviews as part of a longitudinal study of health challenges of underprivileged students between the ages of 8 and 14 years old. For government contracts job Prepared bidding and proposal documents for design and build projects valued at more than $1 million. For accounting job Create profit and loss reports for companies with more than $6 million in assets. Manage accounts payable and accounts receivable for a firm with national and international clients. Monitor monetary exchange rates for clients.

22 More on Skills & QualitiesEmployers use GPA to gauge ability and look at work experience for evidence a candidate can do the job. For a new college graduate, experience is usually gained through an internship, summer job, part-time job. Tip: The most competitive graduates completed more than one internship in their chosen career field. Good communication skills or a strong work ethic are not likely to make up for a poor GPA or lack of experience. Employers look for well-rounded candidates, so the candidate who can offer evidence of that have a bit of an advantage. Leadership roles in campus organizations or in community. Volunteerism. Source: Job Outlook 2010 Survey, National Association of Colleges and Employers

23 Are You Qualified? Conduct research to see the most valued skill sets needed to enter your chosen career field. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Occupational Outlook Handbook Develop skill sets before you graduate. Elective classes Community service, volunteering, internships Student organizations on campus Internships, shadowing, volunteer or civic activities Informational interviews with professionals; mock interviews Keep business cards, info from workshops or special programs, names of speakers, etc. For interviews, be prepared to give specific examples of the skills listed on your résumé.

24 Develop/Improve Soft SkillsFind ways to develop the soft skills most desired by employers. Strong work ethic – on time, on task, honest, loyal Positive attitude Communication skills – written, oral, presentation, listening Time management skills Team player Self-confidence Ability to accept and learn from criticism Flexibility/adaptability Work well under pressure Appreciation of diversity – culture, age, race, disability

25 Experience Experience - The knowledge gained by observing, demonstrating, or teaching a concept or idea to others. Possible titles for section: Professional Experience Related Experience Volunteer Experience Other Experience Show current or most frequent positions or internships listed first. Start with position titles, company names, cities, states, and dates. Use action verbs to describe what you did; outcomes

26 Example Experience SectionStaff Writer Mirror Publishing, Atlanta, Georgia Sep 2015 – Present Edit and revise articles and ads for community events included in local and regional newspapers and magazines. Work with graphic artists to design covers and layouts. Use action verbs here to describe what you do. Marketing Intern Cherry Blossom Festival, Macon, Georgia Sep 2013 – May 2014 Use action verbs here to describe what you did. Be careful with present tense and past tense verbs.

27 Other Possible SectionsVolunteer Experience Awards/Honors Notable Achievements Certifications Publications Required information mentioned in job ad

28 Proofreading Use the Spell Check and Grammar Check features of your word processor. Remember, Spell Check doesn’t spot all words that sound alike but are spelled differently. Read your résumé three times. Check for spelling and grammatical errors. Check for awkward or unclear wording. Be sure skills listed fit the job description; list first the required/preferred skills the employer seeks. Ask two people to review it and give you honest feedback. Edit and make corrections, then save the file as a Word doc and as a pdf file.

29 Final Résumé Tips Be honest and accurate.Remove jobs you do not want to use as references if omitting them doesn’t leave an unexplained gap in your work history. Target the résumé for each position for which you apply. Make your transferrable skills evident. Show you have and how you use required/preferred skills. Try not to repeat information. Try to keep it to one page – short and concise. Print on high-quality white or cream résumé paper.

30 Cover Letter Always send cover letter if the application requests it.A thoughtful, professional cover letter must target a specific job or organization. Shows your passion and fit for organization and job. Requires good research on the company beforehand. See samples at on the Career Services webpage (www.mga.edu/cs).

31 References Use a separate page for references.Use the same header information/margins on résumé. Double space; add Personal and Professional References Have least three professional references. Ask each one if they will be your reference. Send each one a copy of your résumé. References must know you well enough to speak about your accomplishments, character, work ethic. Be sure their job titles and/or business affiliations make it obvious their opinions matter. Avoid using family or clergy.

32 Example Reference PageLooks nice if it matches contact info/header from résumé and cover letter. John R. Knight 100 Lakeview Drive, Apt. 204, Macon, GA 31206 Personal and Professional References Name of reference Position title Company/organization City State Zip Phone

33 Summary You’ve seen information about:Understanding the job postings you read. Assessing whether you are qualified for a specific job. Developing a résumé employers will read. Skills and qualities employers/recruiters seek. Personal and professional references. Cover letters.

34 Ask For help Computers available for student use in Career Services, Suite 254, Student Life Center, Macon Campus. 8:00 AM – 5:30 PM, Monday through Thursday 8:00 AM – Noon on Fridays Summer hours: 7:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Thursday, closed Friday. When you finish developing your résumé, cover letter or reference list, have it reviewed in Career Services. as a Word document to Call 478/ to make an appointment.

35 Call 478-471-2714 to make an appointment.Career Services Middle Georgia State University Suite 254, Student Life Center (Macon Campus) Suite 112, Sanford Hall (Cochran Campus) Call to make an appointment. Ms. Heather McIntosh, Administrative Secretary Dr. Melinda Robinson-Moffett, Director