The 2009 Springfield Collegiate Career Fair is coming up in just a matter of weeks, and it is now time to start thinking about what you are going to prepare for the career fair. The most essential item that you can bring would be your portfolio.
The portfolio itself needs to be a simple durable container. You can specifically find them near the writing supplies aisles in most department stores and they often are as cheap as ten dollars. Inside your portfolio you will keep all the documents that will be helpful for you at the career fair. Some things to include in your portfolio include:
1. Resume
2. Cover Letter
3. Networking Cards
4. Transcripts
5. Certificates, Awards, or other Special Commendations
Your resume and cover letter are two very important items for your portfolio that you should begin revising or creating now. Since by now you should have a list of employers that you wish to specifically visit, you will be able to customize your resumes to each position. You will also be able to write a cover letter for each employer as well.
Each one of your resumes will at least need to have personalized objective statements for each employer, and at most, will be a completely remodeled resume in regards to your skills. You will want to examine job descriptions from the companies, call the companies for information, visit their websites to do research, or even set up an informational interview with the company to find out what kinds of jobs they are offering to see if they match your interests.
Alongside all of your resumes, you will also be writing well crafted and personalized cover letters for the employers. The cover letters will show your dedication and interest in their companies by showing off your knowledge of their company and how your specific skills will be perfect for the jobs they will be hiring for.
There are many other items you can include in your portfolio. If you think that something shows off your skills, include it. You will also want to make sure that you have up to date and accurate Networking Cards in your portfolio. Details on Networking Cards will be the subject of our next article as well.
If you have any questions about what to include in your portfolio, how to put together a resume or cover letter, or have any career fair related questions in general, the UIS Career Development Center is here to answer your questions. Email us at careerservices@uis.edu, call us at 206-6508, or come in and visit us at SAB 50.
Showing posts with label Resume. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Resume. Show all posts
Friday, January 23, 2009
Wednesday, December 17, 2008
Resume 101 - Revision
By now you have been through the entire resume creation process once and have an excellent resume, or at least you did some time ago. Some time has passed, you have gained new skills, and now you need to add those skills to your resume. Because you continue to gain new experience and skills throughout your life, it becomes necessary to regularly update your resume.
The easiest way to do this is to go through a similar process to which you created your resume. In general, you will brainstorm for your new skills, evaluate if your resume needs any big changes, write out these new skills in detail, and then integrate those skills into your resume. This is an excellent chance to replace current skills with new, more important, and more relevant skills. This entire revision process, from personal experience, usually takes an hour or two if you are updating your resume monthly.
Your resume could take longer to revise if you decide to switch which resume format you are using or if you find a position you want to apply for which is different from which your resume is currently aimed at. Depending on how drastic the change you make, the resume revision process may feel more like when your resume was first created. However, if you have saved all of your old brainstorming ideas or kept an in-depth master resume, making large changes can happen quickly.
After you think you are done revising, there are a few details that should get a final look. Go over your entire resume making sure items like your address, phone number, and email address are all up to date. All dates on your resume should be double checked to make sure they are still accurate, and also check the older bullet points for jobs you still have since something may have changed. Last, proofread thoroughly. Nothing is worse than introducing grammatical errors into an otherwise perfect resume. After the final proofread, you are done with this revision and are one step closer to landing an interview.
And if you are ever unsure of your current revision, the UIS Career Development Center is available for advice and assistance. The UIS Career Development Center is located in SAB 50 or you can contact us at 206-6508 or careerservices@uis.edu.
The easiest way to do this is to go through a similar process to which you created your resume. In general, you will brainstorm for your new skills, evaluate if your resume needs any big changes, write out these new skills in detail, and then integrate those skills into your resume. This is an excellent chance to replace current skills with new, more important, and more relevant skills. This entire revision process, from personal experience, usually takes an hour or two if you are updating your resume monthly.
Your resume could take longer to revise if you decide to switch which resume format you are using or if you find a position you want to apply for which is different from which your resume is currently aimed at. Depending on how drastic the change you make, the resume revision process may feel more like when your resume was first created. However, if you have saved all of your old brainstorming ideas or kept an in-depth master resume, making large changes can happen quickly.
After you think you are done revising, there are a few details that should get a final look. Go over your entire resume making sure items like your address, phone number, and email address are all up to date. All dates on your resume should be double checked to make sure they are still accurate, and also check the older bullet points for jobs you still have since something may have changed. Last, proofread thoroughly. Nothing is worse than introducing grammatical errors into an otherwise perfect resume. After the final proofread, you are done with this revision and are one step closer to landing an interview.
And if you are ever unsure of your current revision, the UIS Career Development Center is available for advice and assistance. The UIS Career Development Center is located in SAB 50 or you can contact us at 206-6508 or careerservices@uis.edu.
Wednesday, December 10, 2008
Formatting Your Resume
So now that you have made it through most of the resume steps it’s important you do not settle for what you have before doing some formatting. Formatting choices come down to what the individual chooses however we have some great suggestions for you!
Some common suggestions include
• Make your name and contact information large! You want the employer to be able to read it, or even glance and the top and have it stand out. Don’t be scared to personalize it a bit, maybe pick a different font for your name…let it become your own personal letterhead. Include this heading on your cover letter, resume, and references page (yes these are all documents you will need and most definitely they are all separate, this means no references on your resume!)
• Avoid white space. White space on a resume give the appearance of it being empty, use up all that great space you have. If you need to change your margins a little bit do so (try not to go smaller than .5 around).
• Another helpful hint is that changing your font to a minimum of 11 size font and the margins will allow you to use your paper to the max. Not only are you avoiding the dreaded white space but you also are more likely to fit your information onto one page, the ideal length (unless you have excessive relevant experiences).
• Aligning all your dates along the right margin looks great. Not only is this eye catching but it also makes it easier on the employer when they are looking over your information, this will give your some brownie points!
• With that said bullet points work wonders! Avoid writing in paragraph form, its likely the employer will not take the time to look at it (remember a resume is only looked at for about 45 seconds…its purpose is not to get you the job but an interview!
• Use the same format for your dates throughout, using months is always the most ideal!
• When including dates arrange things in reverse-chronological order (starting with the most recent).
• Use past tense action verbs when writing abilities, skills, and competencies from previous positions. Notice: I wrote abilities, skills, and competencies NOT duties from past experiences!
• When handing in a resume use resume paper. This paper is a little heavier than normal copy paper and comes in different colors (ivory, white, off white, beige, etc.)
Need help?
Stop by the Career Development Center. Our walk-in hours are 11-1 Tuesday-Friday. If this window doesn’t work for you simply call 206-6508 and set up an appointment!
Some common suggestions include
• Make your name and contact information large! You want the employer to be able to read it, or even glance and the top and have it stand out. Don’t be scared to personalize it a bit, maybe pick a different font for your name…let it become your own personal letterhead. Include this heading on your cover letter, resume, and references page (yes these are all documents you will need and most definitely they are all separate, this means no references on your resume!)
• Avoid white space. White space on a resume give the appearance of it being empty, use up all that great space you have. If you need to change your margins a little bit do so (try not to go smaller than .5 around).
• Another helpful hint is that changing your font to a minimum of 11 size font and the margins will allow you to use your paper to the max. Not only are you avoiding the dreaded white space but you also are more likely to fit your information onto one page, the ideal length (unless you have excessive relevant experiences).
• Aligning all your dates along the right margin looks great. Not only is this eye catching but it also makes it easier on the employer when they are looking over your information, this will give your some brownie points!
• With that said bullet points work wonders! Avoid writing in paragraph form, its likely the employer will not take the time to look at it (remember a resume is only looked at for about 45 seconds…its purpose is not to get you the job but an interview!
• Use the same format for your dates throughout, using months is always the most ideal!
• When including dates arrange things in reverse-chronological order (starting with the most recent).
• Use past tense action verbs when writing abilities, skills, and competencies from previous positions. Notice: I wrote abilities, skills, and competencies NOT duties from past experiences!
• When handing in a resume use resume paper. This paper is a little heavier than normal copy paper and comes in different colors (ivory, white, off white, beige, etc.)
Need help?
Stop by the Career Development Center. Our walk-in hours are 11-1 Tuesday-Friday. If this window doesn’t work for you simply call 206-6508 and set up an appointment!
Wednesday, December 3, 2008
Resume 101 - Organizing Information
After you have all of your content typed up on the page, you will want to consider which points should go where. Often, students simply follow a template when they organize the information. While this often works just fine, some students may find that they wish to emphasize different parts of their resume to cater to a specific employer.
There are a few easy ways to emphasize information to an employer:
There are a few easy ways to emphasize information to an employer:
- Separating Information
- Changing the Location
- Using Headings
- Quantifying Information
Separating information helps to organize information by letting the employer know where each point begins. A great way to do this is with bullet points. By separating out each task into a bullet, you make it much easier to skim through and find information. Bulleting works especially well when you start off with action verbs, because this puts the most important part of your sentence at the far left. Also, bulleting helps the employer get an idea of which skill area you may have a lot of experience in- their eyes will be drawn to the sections with more bullet points, because those would seem more important.
The location of information also has an impact on how the employer will read your resume. On a resume, the most important information should go to the top of the section, likewise the most important sections should go to the top of the page. This means that your name, which is the focal point of your resume, should be right at the top of the page, followed by the objective. The other sections are more flexible, but typically for recent graduates, the education section becomes the next most important.
Headings also help the employer to be able to skim your document. Make sure that they are easily visible to the naked eye. In my opinion, headings should be either one or two font points bigger, or perhaps bolded, and they look better when they are aligned to the left (they tend to get lost in the center unless they are accompanied by decorative lines). Another note- make sure the headings are accurate and straightforward.
If you still can’t figure out which information to put first, think about the quantities attached to them. If you spent more of your time on customer service tasks than on clerical tasks, that may help you decide where to put things. Employers will typically assume that the points near the top are the most recent and/or most important.
Need some advice on which skills or qualifications you should emphasize? Call 206-6508 to schedule a 20-minute quick stop appointment at the CDC, or drop by our walk in hours, Tuesday – Friday from 11 – 1 in SAB 50.
Wednesday, November 26, 2008
Resume 101 - Writing Content
Writing the content of your resume is one of the most time consuming steps in the resume-writing process. However, if you work strategically, the process may seem to go a lot faster.
The first piece of advice I have is to start writing from the “skeleton” of the resume. The most difficult part of writing is getting started. If you come up with an outline first, writing the resume will seem much less like a huge task, and more like a simple worksheet to fill out. The sections in your resume may vary between formats (chronological vs. functional) or even between different career fields. A good place to start is with your Contact Info, Objective, Profile, Education Information, and Work Experience (or Relevant Skills). Keep in mind that these titles are not set in stone, they can be renamed and adapted to your liking.
Another tip: start with what you know. Obviously, your personal information will take only minutes to complete, and writing it down will help make visible progress. Likewise, feel free to skip around and fill in the different sections out of order. For example, writing the job titles out before you write the skill bullet points will help you organize your thoughts. (And if you’re working in chronological format, it gives you a nice outline to work in.)
One common tough spot is the bullet point section that describes the skills you learned at a particular job or volunteer activity. There are three keys to remember that will help you help your resume make a good impact on the employer: Quantities, Results, and Responsibilities. If you find yourself simply listing the duties you had, you may wish to revise them with these three things in mind.
For example, maybe your main task at your previous job was answering phones. To make this point more interesting, tell how many, what happened, and what sort of responsibility you had in that situation. You might come up with something more like this: “Responded to around 30 phone calls per day and streamlined the client intake process.” This shows that not only did you answer phones, but you took proactive actions to improve the efficiency of your workplace while managing your time in a stressful and busy environment. Instead of simply seeing that you can answer a phone, the employer sees that you have several transferable skills: communication, time management, customer service, organization, and the ability to function under stress.
And as always, it’s good to have a second pair of eyes look over your resume. Call 206-6508 or stop by the CDC (SAB 50) for a quick critique, and personalized advice on tailoring your resume to your target employer.
The first piece of advice I have is to start writing from the “skeleton” of the resume. The most difficult part of writing is getting started. If you come up with an outline first, writing the resume will seem much less like a huge task, and more like a simple worksheet to fill out. The sections in your resume may vary between formats (chronological vs. functional) or even between different career fields. A good place to start is with your Contact Info, Objective, Profile, Education Information, and Work Experience (or Relevant Skills). Keep in mind that these titles are not set in stone, they can be renamed and adapted to your liking.
Another tip: start with what you know. Obviously, your personal information will take only minutes to complete, and writing it down will help make visible progress. Likewise, feel free to skip around and fill in the different sections out of order. For example, writing the job titles out before you write the skill bullet points will help you organize your thoughts. (And if you’re working in chronological format, it gives you a nice outline to work in.)
One common tough spot is the bullet point section that describes the skills you learned at a particular job or volunteer activity. There are three keys to remember that will help you help your resume make a good impact on the employer: Quantities, Results, and Responsibilities. If you find yourself simply listing the duties you had, you may wish to revise them with these three things in mind.
For example, maybe your main task at your previous job was answering phones. To make this point more interesting, tell how many, what happened, and what sort of responsibility you had in that situation. You might come up with something more like this: “Responded to around 30 phone calls per day and streamlined the client intake process.” This shows that not only did you answer phones, but you took proactive actions to improve the efficiency of your workplace while managing your time in a stressful and busy environment. Instead of simply seeing that you can answer a phone, the employer sees that you have several transferable skills: communication, time management, customer service, organization, and the ability to function under stress.
And as always, it’s good to have a second pair of eyes look over your resume. Call 206-6508 or stop by the CDC (SAB 50) for a quick critique, and personalized advice on tailoring your resume to your target employer.
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
What’s the Best Resume Format for Me?
Chronological, Functional, and Combination are the most common formats to a resume. With all these choices how do you know which one is right for you? To market yourself to the fullest read the following to determine when to use each format!
Chronological: A chronological resume is a traditional resume that begins with listing your most recent experience. This style is most effective for individuals who have quality work and employment. The chronological resume shows past employers and titles that are notable. It draws attention to promotions and other elevation in your work history.
- Pro: This resume matches your work history to your skills and abilities because the employer is able to see exactly where you got each skill from and how long you have been using it!
- Con: If you do not have that practical experience, then it will draw attention to that. Your work history may not have relevant experience. Not to worry! A Functional or Combined resume style may be right just right for you!
- TIP: This resume style works best for those individuals with work experience in the field of the job they are applying for.
Functional: In the functional resume style skills and qualifications are categorized by function. These are the most effective in stressing skills established through a non-work experience (volunteer, class, etc.). A functional resume is easier to navigate around overlapping work and allows you to use experiences that have been gained in the classroom; after all we do spend a significant amount of time there and are learning a great deal! A functional resume is used when applying for a position in which you have no direct experience.
- Pro:This style highlights all your skills you have to offer an employer even if it was gained through a non-relevant experience. Oh the wonders of transferable skills!
- Con: This does not tell the employer what skills were gained from each of the specific positions held. However, if you have one or two positions that pertain to the field you are entering and would still like to highlight those great skills you have from other places check out the Combination resume!
- TIP: Students commonly use this resume style because of the skills and information learned through school and the number of part-time jobs. Many of the positions held may not relate to your field of choice but you will be surprised the skills that can transfer over! Remember those volunteer opportunities and the number of skills and abilities taken away from them!
Combination: The combination resume merges the two prior formats, catering to your skills. It is used when the employer needs your work history and related skills. This format is good when your most recent work is not your most relevant.
- Pro: It still allows you to include certain positions in full detail while still including the skills from class, volunteer, or other unrelated positions.
- Con: An employer may not know exactly where the skills were gained from, but after all the resume is to get you the interview where you can answer any questions they may have!
- Tip: When you have held jobs that are not related to the position or field but you had one great internship that is related to the position a combination resume would be great. You are able to give details about the internship and still include all the skills from your past jobs and experiences.
Need help?
Stop by the Career Development Center. Our walk-in hours are 11-1 Tuesday-Friday. If this window doesn’t work for you simply call 206-6508 and set up an appointment!
Wednesday, October 22, 2008
Resume 101 - Brainstorming
What do I put on my resume? What kinds of things have I done? What skills do I posses? Which of these should I put on a resume?
These questions are very common when anyone is creating, or even revising, their resume. Many people quickly become frustrated at being faced with summing themselves up in a single page that has to be perfect. It is normal to be overwhelmed; however there are some things that you can do to make brainstorming easier.
First, do not worry about limiting yourself to one or even two pages while you are brainstorming. Building a large resume now and trimming it down later is much easier than building a perfect sized resume. If you can list pages of material about you, it will come in handy later when you are writing and focusing content, organizing your resume as a whole, or revising your resume for other positions.
Related to the first point, list anything and everything you have ever done even if you do not think initially that it is important. At this point, it also does not matter how specific or well defined something is. The point of brainstorming is to just come up with ideas and write them down, expand them, and if possible, develop them. At this point, aim for a large amount of varied ideas over a few specific and refined ideas.
Finally, wording, at this point, is unimportant. If you are trying to break things down into many skills and you get stuck, then it is fine to use a general sentence. While brainstorming, it is okay not to have a clear idea of what your resume will look like. It is okay not to know how things will fit together. Brainstorming is just the creation of ideas. The later steps of resume creation exist to help you put these ideas together.
When you have all of your ideas together, and you think you have a complete picture, then you can move onto the next step of building your resume.
And remember, you can always contact the UIS Career Development Center by phone, 206-6508, by email, careerservices@uis.edu, or in person, SAB 50, with your questions about anything regarding resumes.
These questions are very common when anyone is creating, or even revising, their resume. Many people quickly become frustrated at being faced with summing themselves up in a single page that has to be perfect. It is normal to be overwhelmed; however there are some things that you can do to make brainstorming easier.
First, do not worry about limiting yourself to one or even two pages while you are brainstorming. Building a large resume now and trimming it down later is much easier than building a perfect sized resume. If you can list pages of material about you, it will come in handy later when you are writing and focusing content, organizing your resume as a whole, or revising your resume for other positions.
Related to the first point, list anything and everything you have ever done even if you do not think initially that it is important. At this point, it also does not matter how specific or well defined something is. The point of brainstorming is to just come up with ideas and write them down, expand them, and if possible, develop them. At this point, aim for a large amount of varied ideas over a few specific and refined ideas.
Finally, wording, at this point, is unimportant. If you are trying to break things down into many skills and you get stuck, then it is fine to use a general sentence. While brainstorming, it is okay not to have a clear idea of what your resume will look like. It is okay not to know how things will fit together. Brainstorming is just the creation of ideas. The later steps of resume creation exist to help you put these ideas together.
When you have all of your ideas together, and you think you have a complete picture, then you can move onto the next step of building your resume.
And remember, you can always contact the UIS Career Development Center by phone, 206-6508, by email, careerservices@uis.edu, or in person, SAB 50, with your questions about anything regarding resumes.
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