Resume Writing September 19 2012 Jeanette Hickl VCU

Resume Writing September 19, 2012 Jeanette Hickl VCU University Career Center Division of Student Affairs Virginia Commonwealth University

Agenda n Resumes – Purpose – Formats – Content – Organization and Appearance n Cover Letters – Purpose – Format – Content

Purpose of a Resume n Goal: ? an interview n A resume is a strategic personal marketing tool to sell your relevant experience, education, skills, accomplishments and qualifications to potential employers

Resume Formats n Resume – – – n Chronological Resumes Functional Resumes Combination Resumes Curriculum Vitae

Resume Content *Use the categories that fit you CORE CONTENT AREAS: Research Experience n Name and Contact Information Publications & Presentations n Objective or Professional Interest Professional Organizations Statement Computer/Technical Skills n Education Skills Summary n Experience Additional Experience n Scholarships/Honors/Awards Professional Development – training, professional organizations, workshops, ADDITIONAL CATEGORIES: conferences n Student Organizations n Certification/Licensure n Community Service/Volunteer n Selected Coursework/ n Foreign Languages Projects/Presentations n n n n

Name and Contact Information Do not write “Resume” or “Curriculum Vitae” on your resume n On top of page: n – – Name – slightly larger font size (14 or 16) Contact information – legible font size (11 or 12) Address Phone number(s) (cell – screen calls, professional voicemail) – Email address (remove hyperlink, professional)

Name & Contact Information ~Examples~ Jamie T. Student 907 Floyd Avenue ▪ Richmond, VA 23284 ▪ 804. 123. 4567 ▪ studentj@vcu. edu ________________________________ Jamie T. Student Current Address: 907 Floyd Avenue ▪ Richmond, VA 23284 Permanent Address: 123 Lovely Lane ▪ Fairfax, VA 32145 804. 123. 4567 ▪ studentjt@vcu. edu ________________________________ Current Address: 907 Floyd Avenue Richmond, VA 23284 Jamie T. Student studentjt@vcu. edu 804. 123. 4567 Permanent Address: 123 Lovely Lane Fairfax, VA 32145

Objective n Optional n If you have one, be specific n Avoid clichés or general statements n Focus on how the employer would benefit, not on how they can help you n Consider targeting your objective for each resume you send out

Objective ~Examples~ OBJECTIVE To obtain a position as a Victim Advocate. OBJECTIVE Seeking a Co-chair position with International Women’s Alliance through the 2012 conference. OBJECTIVE (PROFILE) Recent gender studies graduate with interest in victim’s advocacy and experience as a certified grant writer seeking victim advocacy.

Education n n List all degrees in reverse chronological order Abbreviating degrees is appropriate; writing them is preferred GPA is recommended (3. 0 or above) Indicate graduation with honors Do not include high school graduation

Education ~Examples~ EDUCATION Bachelor of Arts in Gender, Sexuality, and Women’s Studies, May 2013 Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU), Richmond, VA EDUCATION Virginia Commonwealth University Richmond, Virginia Bachelor of Arts in Gender, Sexuality, and Women’s Studies May 2013 GPA: 4. 0

Experience n n n n n Focus on relevant experience Include other relevant experience Can include unpaid experience, internships or volunteer work Begin descriptions with strong action verbs Include complete but succinct descriptions Avoid the use of personal pronouns Avoid the use of articles (a, an, the) Focus on skills and accomplishments rather than including a comprehensive list of job duties Quantify accomplishments whenever possible (for how many? how often? etc)

Action Verbs § Use strong, descriptive action verbs to describe your experience § If it is a current experience, use the present tense § If it is a previous experience, use the past tense § Avoid gerunds (-ing) § Vary your action verbs (refer to action verb list in resume guide) § Avoid “duties include” or “responsible for” § Refrain from using “handled” or “dealt with” when referring to people

Examples of Advocate Descriptions n n n n n Keep records or prepare reports for owner or management concerning visits with clients. Submit reports and review reports or problems with superior. Interview individuals or family members to compile information on social, educational, criminal, institutional, or drug history. Provide information or refer individuals to public or private agencies or community services for assistance. Consult with supervisor concerning programs for individual families. Advise clients regarding food stamps, child care, food, money management, sanitation, or housekeeping. Oversee day-to-day group activities of residents in institution. Visit individuals in homes or attend group meetings to provide information on agency services, requirements, or procedures. Monitor free, supplementary meal program to ensure cleanliness of facility and that eligibility guidelines are met for persons receiving meals. Meet with youth groups to acquaint them with consequences of delinquent acts.

Experience ~Example~ RELEVANT EXPERIENCE Feminist Student Network Richmond, VA Advocate May-July 2012 n Provided information or refer individuals to public or private agencies or community services for assistance. n Interviewed individuals or family members to compile information on social, educational, criminal, institutional, or drug history. n Consulted with supervisor concerning programs for individual families.

Honors n n n Honor Societies Scholarships awarded Other awards Alphabetical or reverse chronological order Include graduation with honors in Education section (cum laude, magna cum laude, summa cum laude)

Honors ~Example~ HONORS n VCU Scholarship, awarded 2011 n Golden Key International Honour Society, inducted 2009 n Virginia Commonwealth University Dean’s List, all semesters

Organizations n Focus on relevant organizations n Highlight leadership positions n Include memberships in professional organizations and student organizations related to field n Include years of membership n Can be combined with Honors or another section n List in reverse chronological order or alphabetically

Outreach n Include relevant volunteer experience or community service n Consider elaborating on this experience; organize just like experience section

Organizations/Outreach ~Example~ ORGANIZATIONS/OUTREACH n Co-founded Feminist Student Network at CU-Boulder n Planned three International Women’s Week (IWW) conferences n Co-chair, International Women’s Alliance, coordinated 25 th Annual IWW XXXX n Team Captain for XXXX Race for the Cure n Coordinated campus effort for the National Breast Cancer Coalition’s “Campaign 2. 6”

Resume Organization and Appearance Consistent organization is critical to an effective resume n The appearance and organization of the resume is just as important as the content n n Skim … in less than 5 seconds - ATS

Resume Organization n n Avoid templates Consistent organization Use horizontal space Balanced page Fill the page White space in between sections and entries Use tabs, not space-bar to indent Use “print preview” Resumes should be one page in most cases A second page is justified if it includes relevant, significant information If you use more than one page, make sure you include “Name, Page #” & avoid stragglers on all subsequent pages n n n n n Use bold, CAPS, italics and underlining strategically and sparingly Be consistent with heading style and margins Use one font style and size (except for your name and/or headings) Font: Times New Roman or Arial Font Size: no smaller than 10 in Arial or 11 in Times Margins: at least 0. 5 inches Avoid paragraphs Use bullets, not dashes Avoid numbering your secitons

Resume Appearance - Proofread n Use all periods or no periods at the end of sentences n Dashes used in dates – consistent size, consistent spacing n Check for spelling and grammatical errors n Spellcheck does not check words in all caps n Avoid personal pronouns and personal information

Resume Appearance - Final Copy n Avoid graphics, pictures, color ink n Print on laser printer n Use high quality, 100% cotton paper in white or off-white n Don’t staple or fold n Don’t print on both sides of paper n If mailing, use large envelope

References n n n n List 3 -5 professional references on a separate document following the resume Copy and paste your contact information at the top of the page When listing references include name, title, organization/institution and department, business address, phone number, and email Don’t write “References available upon request” on your resume ALWAYS ask permission from person giving you the reference Offer your references a copy of your resume Inform your references of the positions you’re applying for so they are prepared

References ~Example~ REFERENCES Janet R. Hutchinson, Ph. D. Professor of Public Policy Chair, Department of Gender, Sexuality & Women's Studies Virginia Commonwealth University Crenshaw House, 919 W. Franklin Street Richmond, VA 23284 -3060 Phone 804/828 -8041 jhutch@vcu. edu

Cover Letters Why write one? Purpose: n Introduce yourself/your resume n Indicate the position you are seeking n May take the place of the objective n Highlight your qualifications n Tailor letter to the job

Cover Letter Format Business letter format: (Left justify everything) n n n n n Your address Today’s date Employer’s name, title, organization, address Greeting Body Closing (Sincerely, Yours truly) Your signature Your typed name Enclosure(s): resume, application, references. . .

Cover Letter Format Simplified format: Leave off greeting and closing n Use this option when you are not writing to a specific person n Allows you to avoid generic greetings (To whom it may concern; Dear Sir or Madam) n

E-mailing a Cover Letter Two options: 1. Your e-mail is the cover letter, attach your resume – – Leave off return address, date and employer’s address Follow basic cover letter writing guidelines for the body of your e-mail E-mail cover letters should be briefer than traditional cover letters Spell check and proof read your e-mail prior to sending 2. Write a brief e-mail, attach your cover letter and resume – Follow traditional cover letter writing guidelines – Spell check e-mail and cover letter prior to sending

Content: First Paragraph n n Introduce yourself and state why you are contacting the organization Indicate the specific position of interest and how you learned of the position Include degree you are seeking and when it will be awarded You may wish to quickly summarize your experience/qualifications in one sentence

Content: Body Paragraphs Explain why you are interested in this position and this organization – demonstrate that you have done your research n Address each skill or qualification in the position description and explain how you meet the organization’s needs – be specific n Provide examples that demonstrate your skills n Do not just repeat your resume n

Content: Concluding Paragraph n n Reiterate your interest Invite the employer to contact you and repeat your contact information (it should already be listed at the top) Indicate how and when you will follow up (if you have the contact information to do so) Thank the employer for their time and/or consideration of your application

Cover Letters Other information to include: Request information or interview n Explain gaps in employment, why you are reentering the job market, or why you are changing the focus of your career n If you were informed of the position by an employee of the company, include their name n

Tips For A Stellar Cover Letter n n n n Address letter to a specific individual, when possible Be specific when discussing your career goal and qualifications Give supporting evidence of your skills Try not to start many sentences with “I” Write no more than 3 or 4 paragraphs Write simply and clearly Cover letter should complement, not repeat your resume Let your personality come through

Resources n Go to www. students. vcu. edu/careers n Scroll down and click on “Resume Guide” and “Job Search Correspondence Guide ” on the bottom/center of the page

VCU University Career Center Jeanette Hickl jwhickl@vcu. edu 804 -828 -4846 University Student Commons Monroe Park Campus www. students. vcu. edu/careers Hours: Monday – Friday, 8 a. m. – 5 p. m.