Workshop: Resumes for the 21st Century

12/14/2007

Resumes for the 21st Century 134 Mary Gates Hall (206) 543‐0535 (206) 543 0535 ccscnslr@u.washington.edu careers.washington.edu

Overview • Purpose & role of the resume • Employer’s perspective • Identifying & linking skills to jobs • Resume formats • Cover letters • Resources

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Purpose of Resume • To get an interview

The Silent Question • All the questions employers have in mind are really the same question: • “How can you be valuable to me?”

• “Value” = skills, education and experience • Successful job seekers understand their unique combination of skills, education and experience and articulate their value to employers.

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Role of the Resume in Job Search

Throughout the job search….

• Your …

Resume…

Cover letter…

Job interview…

ALL need to demonstrate how your value matches the employer’ss needs…in the employer needs in the “language” language they understand. they understand • Skills are the language of the job search.

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Where to find your skills •

In your education – ((major and other coursework, individual and group j d th k i di id l d assignments and projects, research, training, special knowledge)

• In your experience – (full and part‐time work, internships, volunteering, community service, student and professional organizations, student activities, sports, travel, study i i d i ii l d abroad & exchanges, leisure activities, hobbies)

Kinds of Skills • Self Management Skills Self Management Skills • Transferable Skills • Work Content Skills W k C t t Skill

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Skills Link to Jobs • Value increases with the degree of match between your skills and how an employer between your skills and how an employer views the position • It’s best to target one’s resume to each p position

The Job Description…

• …Is the key to targeting your resume • Find the skill words – Often described as “key” words

• Use Use these skill words that match with your these skill words that match with your background on your resume.

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Job Description with Targeted Resume Gary Gutenburg 2733 NE 95th Street Seattle, WA 98105

Internet Services‐Information Technology Internship – Wells Fargo The Information Technology Internship Program allows you to participate in three project‐based rotations in the Internet Services Group in order to prepare you for a permanent placement as an IT professional. Typical assignments after the program include work as a web developer, Internet programmer and quality assurance analyst among other functions.

OBJECTIVE: Internship in Information Technology with Wells Fargo utilizing OBJECTIVE I t hi i I f ti T h l ith W ll F tili i my excellent interpersonal and programming skills

QUALIFICATIONS *Coursework in programming skills (C, C++,Java) and web development (HTML, JavaScript, XML, Perl) *Operating system experience with UNIX or NT *Strong interpersonal, analytical and problem‐solving skills *Demonstrated leadership ability *Experience in a technical field such as computer science or CS engineering or CS engineering *Relevant work experience in application development or front‐end web design *Pacific Rim language a plus *Able to move from one project to another with ease and effectiveness

EDUCATION: University of Washington, Seattle, WA BS in Informatics GPA: 3 5/4 0 June 2009 BS in Informatics, GPA: 3.5/4.0, June 2009

SUMMARY OF QUALIFICATIONS: • 3 years experience in application development and operating systems • Demonstrated customer service experience in various settings • Highly adaptable and flexible in changing environments • Work well independently and in team projects • Japanese: fluent reading and listening; basic conversational skills • Computer Skills: Proficient in C/C++, HTML, XML, Microsoft Office, Windows NT, LAN, web design

Coursework includes study of information systems and technology with a human‐centered approach: Informatics Fundamentals, Database Management, Information Retrieval, Information Systems Analysis and Design, Research in Informatics, Computer Networks, Distributed Applications Study Abroad: Keio University, Tokyo, Japan, Spring 2004 – Winter 2005 One‐year exchange program, resided with host‐family

Job Description with Targeted Resume Communications Specialist King County Library System Position Description: Responsible for the organization, development and copywriting of external and internal communications for community and system‐ wide programs, projects, Promotions and marketing activities. Coordinates and trains diverse staff regarding communication activities with entities such as the media, public officials and others as necessary. Assists in editing, proofreading and ensuring that brand standards are followed in all KCLS communications. Performs research and writes content for all KCLS publications.

Duties and Responsibilities: Produces, writes and directs the distribution of the KCLS weekly memo and monthly newsletter. Assists with the planning and implementation of special projects in and implementation of special projects in collaboration with others. Directs special events and prepares activities related to library openings and dedications. Coordinates communication with system‐ wide multi‐cultural staff and branches.

Coordinates information for the KCLS Intranet.

RUMI TSUCHIHASHI 3240 West Boston Street, Seattle, WA 98195 Objective: Communications Specialist with the King County Library system Background Summary Two years experience in organizing developing and coordinating Two years experience in organizing, developing and coordinating the Delivery of communications systems. Team player with experience in cross‐ cultural training, program coordination, and customer service. Excellent writing and editing skills Native fluency in Japanese.

Experience Cross‐Cultural training Designed and conducted workshops on Japanese patterns of Communication and student study abroad program.

Researched and assembled a cultural diversity information packet, as part of a training for educators.

Program coordination Effectively managed program participants of diverse backgrounds.

Designed and edited monthly program calendar and newsletter, which aided internal communication.

One program accelerated its application process by more than 50% after a complete revision of the program information packet and forms.

Customer Service Served as liaison between volunteers and clients by exercising active listening skills, successfully mediating many interpersonal conflicts and problems of miscommunication.

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Employers’ First Review • Time taken to view a resume the first time – ranges from 5 to 60 seconds ranges from 5 to 60 seconds – 10 to 30 seconds on average

• Most significant part of the resume – top half of page top half of page – must give evidence of a good “match”

Formats • Reverse Chronological Resume – most common – past experiences listed with most recent first – works well if past experience is within the same field and supports your current job goal

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Formats • Summary of Qualifications with Reverse Chronological Resume Chronological Resume – best when targeting a job description – highlights match between job requirements and applicant’s qualifications

Format Characteristics 12/14/2007

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• Education – “Expected Expected Graduation Graduation” or or “Anticipated Anticipated Completion” – GPA?

• Experience – Bullets – Action Verbs – Readability

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Format Categories 12/14/2007

• Typical Categories – Education Ed ti – Experience • “Work Experience” vs.

“Experience” • Relevant (or Related) Experience

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• Potential Categories – Obj Objective ti – Summary of Qualifications** – Honors and Awards – Volunteer Experience – Additional Activities

• Additional Experience

Formats • Functional Resume – emphasis is on presenting skills and strengths emphasis is on presenting skills and strengths – used with a short work history, or…

• with a recent educational degree, or…

• when several jobs used similar skills

– good format for career changers

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Formats • Combination Resume – lists both functional skills and past work lists both functional skills and past work experience – good for highlighting projects and transferable experiences – use when just starting out in a field without much related experience or in career change related experience, or in career change

Emailing Resumes • Send in the body of an email message even if employer indicates they will accept attachments – it’s okay to do both

• Avoid fancy formatting • Send it to yourself and a friend first to test the formatting • See UWCC gold Career Guide

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Employer Online Resumes & Applications • Be sure to follow directions on the web page • Use their resume builder or copy/paste your resume (text only) into their system • Key Key is to describe your skills and how they is to describe your skills and how they match with open positions and the organization

Web Based eResume • Provides added flexibility when formatting your resume (clickable text images) your resume (clickable text, images) • Demonstrates technical ability to employers • Include a link to your web based resume in the body of your email • Optimal Resume at the UW Optimal Resume at the UW – visit our website visit our website

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Resume Key Points • It’s a marketing piece not a history piece • Best if targeted to a particular position B if d i l ii • Read job descriptions carefully for key words • In general, keep your resume to one page • Try to avoid resume templates T id l • Proofread your resume & have someone else proof it – (UWCC Walk‐in advising; Monday ‐ Friday, 1:30‐4:30pm)

Cover Letters • Purpose and role – to let employer know how you learned of their position – to begin to show value and match – to request an interview

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Cover Letter Format • Business letter format – 1 page – 2 ‐ 4 paragraphs in length

• First Paragraph – identify position or department or organization and how you heard about it – emphasize your value and how well you emphasize your value and how well you ‘match’ match their their needs – indicate interest and enthusiasm in the field, position and/or organization

Cover Letter Format • Middle Paragraph(s) – emphasize what you have to offer emphasize what you have to offer • include education, experience and strengths that you bring • mention any related future internship or experiences that you will be doing

– indicate the good match you will be for the position

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Cover Letter Format • Last Paragraph – reaffirm your interest about the position – request an interview (i.e., “I would appreciate the opportunity to meet with you to further discuss how my qualifications might match with the ________ position.”

– thank thank the employer for their consideration of your the employer for their consideration of your application – indicate phone and email contact information

Resume & Cover Letter Websites • careers.washington.edu – Resume Resources page p g – Optimal Resume

• www.collegegrad.com • http://jobstar.org/index.cfm http://jobstar org/index cfm • http://careerlab.com/letters/link002.htm

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Resumes for the 21st Century 134 Mary Gates Hall (206) 543‐0535 (206) 543 0535 ccscnslr@u.washington.edu careers.washington.edu

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