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little-known details that can make a resume stand out over the comFrom PAGE 5 petition. Abdur-Ra’oof said the first thing he notices about a resume is its students need to highlight only the formatting, while Carlin Watkins, most pertinent skills at the top. a recruiter for life insurance and Finding out which skills are most financing company Northwestern important to your career field will Mutual, said she notices the name at the top first. take a bit of homework. “[Students] need to research the industry to see what skills are consistently sought,” said Becky Weir, a university Career Center assistant director. “If you don’t include relevant information, your judgment will be questioned.” Every job and industry is different, but a few highly sought-after skills in today’s workforce include: — Fluency in a second language. For many industries, having bilingual or multilingual employees is vital for working with some clients or in especially ethnically diverse locations. — The ability to effectively use social media, including Twitter and blogging outlets. — Electronic communication skills. These are quickly becoming essential in a variety of fields, from business to public relations. — Communication skills in general, whether through writing or public speaking. — Proficiency with data processing programs such as Excel. — Social and relational skills. However, it is not enough just to write out a list of skills; you have to prove you can and have applied them. Several experts said applicants should focus more on showcasing experiences that demonstrate their abilities and positive personality traits. For instance, a student can highlight a project that involved analyzing data using spreadsheets and other software or a team presentation for which the student took on a leadership role. “[Employers are] looking for individuals who have initiative, who are coachable, dependable and willing to work hard,” said Aziz Abdur-Ra’oof, student welfare and career development director. Besides the skills section, employers say there are a few other
THE DIAMONDBACK | spring career guide | monday, february 25, 2013
“I get so many resumes. I’m sifting through them, and if yours stands out in any way, that’s the first thing I notice,” she said. In the end, it is important for an applicant to remember that by the time an employer has read half of your resume, they have already formed their initial opinion of you
and your likelihood of getting the job. Therefore, it is important to make every element shine. “Think of your resume as halfway down,” Weir said. “If you don’t have something to make them keep reading, they won’t.” newsumdbk@gmail.com