Preparing Your Resume

There are two things that need to be taken into consideration when preparing your resume:

Content Appeal
Visual Appeal

Content Appeal
Content appeal refers to what the resume says. It includes basic information about you as well as what you have done. This information includes:

Name, Address, Phone Number, E-mail Address

Use your legal name or the name on your school records, checkbook, social security card, etc.
Use your local address.
You may include a permanent address if there is a reason for a potential employer to contact you at that address. In most cases, a local address is most appropriate.
Include your phone number---an employer must be able to reach you!
Note: Your voice mail message must be professional and business-like!
Include your e-mail address if you’d like employers to contact you that way.

Objective
This piece is OPTIONAL and should be used only if …

It is employer focused – state what you can do for them (not the other way around).
It matches the job the company has posted. If your objective is very specific (i.e. “to obtain a position in the investment banking industry”) be sure to change it before sending your resume for a corporate finance position. If you don’t customize your objective for each job, you may eliminate yourself from consideration.

Education
For most students their education is a critical component of their marketability. We recommend it as the next major item on your resume.

List your college and its location.
Show the degree you’re working on, expected completion date, and major(s).
Include your cumulative GPA if it is 3.0 or higher. Your CSOM and your major GPA may also be shown (list if they are higher than your cumulative GPA).
Coursework may be listed if there are particular courses you want to emphasize. Show relevant courses only!
Academic honors, scholarships, papers, etc., may be listed in this section or in a separate section.
Study abroad can be listed here or in a separate section.
You may list the school from which you transferred into CSOM (if applicable).
If you are earning a degree outside of CSOM, list that school, the degree you will receive and the major (i.e. “College of Liberal Arts, Bachelor of Arts, Economics major).

Experience
Work experience, paid or volunteer, comes next.

***All experience is important. Do not discount any experience that you have had!***

Before you start to write this section of your resume ask yourself these questions:

What major skills have I developed through work experiences or activities?
What skills are needed to succeed in the jobs I’m looking at?
What work experiences or activities have I had that match those skills?

A worksheet like the following can help you connect these components:

SKILLS I POSSESS	EXPERIANCES WHERE YOU DEMONSTRATED THIS

Cataloging your skills like this will help you orient and write the “Experience” section of your resume to the kind of jobs you are pursuing. After making this list, develop the specific examples and information in each category and write them into your resume.

Important!!! Important!!! Important!!! Important!!!

List work experience in reverse chronological order (current or most recent position first).
Current position should be in present tense; former positions in past tense.
Use strong, results-oriented terms when you write your descriptions
List your achievements!

Write about the skills and duties that relate to the position you are applying for first. Remember, a prospective employer will only call you in for an interview if he/she thinks you are good and have the skills to do the job!

***THINK OF YOUR SKILLS AS TRANSFERABLE SKILLS.
IN OTHER WORDS, SKILLS LEARNED ON ONE JOB MAY BE USED IN OTHER JOBS.
For example, customer service, organizing and teamwork skills are often attainable in part time jobs and may be required for a professional job setting.****

Note: Use the Resume Word List (found in related files section) and the Keyword List (in the next section 'Electronic Resumes') to help you write your Experience section narratives!

Even More Important!!!

Accomplishment Statements – Use Them!!!
Think in terms of the value you bring to the potential employer. All of the following examples have one thing in common - they all affect the profitability and productivity of a company.

Increased productivity and quality . . .
Improved service . . .
Improved communications and information flow . . .
Streamlined operations . . .
Developed new administrative procedure that . . .
Implemented a new program in . . .
Reduced cost of . . .
Increased sales . . .

Any time you can QUANTIFY your results (i.e. “increased sales by 50% or “improved retention by 25%”) you should. It gives your statement more power.

***You need to prove that you can contribute to the organization by ADDING VALUE. Statements that are specific and show how you will add value will increase your chances of being selected for an interview.***

Don’t Forget About “OTHER” Categories!!!

“Other” categories are VERY IMPORTANT!!! You can call them “Activities,” “Honors,” “Awards,” or “Leadership,” for example. These categories show the development of transferable skills and abilities.

“Other” categories that you may want to consider having in your resume include:

Computer skills
Activities
Honors
Professional associations
Relevant specialized skills
Travel (especially abroad)
Languages
Special training
Committees
Scholarships
Certifications
Community Involvement
Interests*

If your experience in a particular category is substantial, you may want to format that section as you would the Experience section, with a description of what you did. Otherwise, just a listing of the activity, honor, etc. is usually sufficient.

What about the “References Available Upon Request” Statement?

It is a “given” and does not need to be stated
Only use it if you need to fill space

*Interest section – Some recruiters think that an “interest” section is a worthwhile section to include on a resume. However, it must add value (i.e. state that you are an amateur athlete, that you compete in piano competitions, etc.). Stating that you have traveled abroad several times may add value to the company who has international operations. You probably want to stay away from statements that convey a hobby only (i.e. read books and watch movies). Keep the section short if you include it.

***Recruiters view extracurricular activities as important indicators and evidence of your skill development and possible leadership experience. Get involved in these activities and add them to your resume!***

BCC-UGH, Resume Word List 2004

Keywords for Resumes