Elements of an Effective Resume

Not all resumes are created equal! A resume is designed to get the reader's attention and to land an interview.  The job market is very competitive and in order to be one of those chosen for an interview your resume must convince the employer that you have what they are looking for. Here are some points to keep in mind when creating your resume.

• Did you read the job description carefully? Your resume should address the requirements of the position you are applying for. Focus on key words from the job description to include in your resume.
• Your resume should support your ability to fulfill the duties of the position. Do not just create a list of all of your past accomplishments. Focus on those achievements/skills that support the position requirements.
• Keep your resume to one (1) page if at all possible. Your ability to be concise, but thorough is appreciated by a reviewer.
• Spelling, grammar, and formatting is important! All an employer has to judge you by is the document in front of them. This is also the first demonstration of the quality of your work.
• Lengthy paragraphs are not a good match for an effective resume. Bullets and short sentences that get your point across make for an easier read and allow the reviewer to quickly find relevant information.

Verizon Wireless On Campus

Staff members from Verizon Wireless will host an Information Session on March 20th at 1:15 and March 21st at 12:45. The sessions will be in building 410 room 212. Take advantage of this opportunity to listen to their presentation on landing an interview and getting the job. These skills are valuable for any position you pursue, not just at Verizon Wireless.

• Tuesday, March 20th 1:15 p.m.
• Wednesday, March 21st 12:45 p.m.
• Building 410 Room 212
• Resumes - "What an employer looks for"
• Interviewing - "How to be the best"

Be sure to RSVP through your Career Connection account (preferred) or send an email to the Student Employment office requesting a seat.

Planning for a Career Fair

Why attend the Spring Career Fair? To access approximately 100 employers in one location! This is one of the largest employer fairs in the area each year. All students and graduates should make an effort to attend if possible. Even if you are not presently looking for employment you will be able to speak with company representatives to prepare yourself once you are in the market for a career. Making the most of the career fair.

1. Dress accordingly. Showing up in shorts and flip flops does not make a favorable impression. You are meeting with company representatives, dress to impress! Your first meeting could leave a lasting impression (good or bad). You do not necessarily have to wear a suit, but dress to look professional. Example: Males - consider khaki's and a nice polo shirt or dress shirt and pants. Females - consider slacks and a blouse.
2. Come alone. Do not bring family members. This is a professional event, not a family outing. If you have children, arrange for care. An employer sees someone with a stroller as someone who may have child care issues and would not be a safe hire.  It also presents the image that you are not a serious candidate if you cannot dedicate all of your focus on the recruiter.
3. Bring copies of your resume. Not all employers will accept a resume at the fair, but those that do will be impressed that you are prepared. It will also be a chance to get some feedback for future resume updating.
4. Have some questions prepared. Don't just wander around! Know what you want to ask employers ahead of time. Prepare some questions to ask before you go.
5. Do not discount any employer based on their name. Too often I hear that there were no employers who represented "_________" industry. Most companies hire many different occupations. Example: Roper hospital not only needs medical personnel, but also computer technicians, accountants, office staff, air conditioning and refrigeration technicians, and many others.

Attend the Spring Career Fair and make the most of your opportunity!

Increase Your Chance for an Interview

With the unemployment rate at 8% or higher, the competition for vacant positions is very high. To improve your chances of landing an interview, here are a few suggestions:

1. Only apply for positions that you are actually qualified for. You should have either education or work experience to meet the position requirements. Applying for openings that you are not really qualified for will only increase your frustration when you do not receive a call for an interview.
2. Do not send generic resumes/cover letters/applications. Your package should be specific to the position requirements. Tailor your resume to address the skills and requirements as listed by the employer.  Write your cover letter for the position you are applying for, not a generic letter for all employers.
3. Read the position description! To improve your chances of landing that interview, you must address the needs of the employer. In most cases, the advertisement will tell you what the employer needs. Do not ignore this.

Keep in mind that you are trying to fill an employer's needs. Put yourself in their shoes and see if your application package addresses those needs. If it is not clear on paper that you are a good fit, you probably will not move to the interview phase.

How do I gain the experience employers want?

Good question.  When many students graduate from college, they only have their education to highlight on their resume.  Many employers are seeking work experience, so how do you get both?

1. Consider internships.  While you are completing your education, you may be able to work as an intern in your field of interest. Many times the work experience will count towards your degree (consult with your academic advisor about this).
• Positives - this is your chance to actually work in your field and learn from professionals in a real world environment.  This is actual experience you can document on a resume.
• Negatives - the only real negative is that many internships are not paid positions. Just consider that the time invested is as valuable as your degree and will pay off in the long run.
2. Volunteer.  There are many non-profit agencies that are very short-handed and rely on volunteers to support their efforts.  Similar to an internship, this counts as experience and can be listed on your resume.  The biggest difference is that there is usually not as much structure and you may be doing many tasks that are unrelated to your major as well as relevant work.

First Impressions

I am sure that most of you have heard the expression "you can't judge a book by its cover".  I would suggest that isn't entirely true!  Perhaps you a cannot judge a persons character, values, or intellect by their outward appearance, but there IS a lot of information you can assume from outward appearances.

For instance, how a person grooms themselves can tell you a lot about them.  Does he/she need a haircut? Untrimmed nails? Facial hair need trimming? If the answer to any of these is "yes", then you can generally assess that the person does not spend much time on detail, is uncomfortable or inexperienced in formal settings, is not concerned with other peoples opinions, and making a positive impression is not at the top of their priority list.

How are they dressed? "Loud" colors? Can come off as being over confident or difficult to work with. Clothing not pressed or looks like they spent two minutes getting dressed? This will generally say the person doesn't usually put forth their best effort or produces mediocre work. Too much makeup, cologne/perfume, or jewelry?  Can be considered a person who has questionable priorities and decison-making ability.

These are just a few examples of how others perceive your appearance. Does this mean that everyone who makes one of these mistakes is doomed in the hiring process? No, but be aware that you have an uphill battle if your first impression is not top notch. When you arrive for a job interview you should have put 100% into the process.  Making a favorable first impression is critical.

Research Your Career

Not sure what career path you would like to pursue?  Do some research on possible careers before making a decision.  A common mistake made by college students is to pick a major before investigating the employment possibilities upon graduation.  This is especially important if you are restricted to living in a certain geographical area or are seeking a specific salary level.  Your wants and needs in these categories may not match up with your career interest.  It is better to have that information prior to beginning your education than after graduation. 

An excellent source of information is the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.  This agency provides detailed information on all occupations as well as regionally specific data. Click the image below to get started.

Summer Jobs

Looking at the thermometer probably won't get you thinking about a summer job, but actually, many organizations will start their hiring process for summer positions when the weather is the coldest! The lowcountry offers many recreational activities and a large number of employees in this industry are college students. If you think you would like to get a job with a park, pool, or recreation service, now is the time to research the requirements to update your resume. (Example: a lifeguard is always a high demand position and lessons are taught locally at several of the indoor pools)

Over the next few months we will have recreation departments from different counties, as well as the local military bases, on campus to recruit for the summer. Keep an eye on this blog and on Career Connection for dates/times of their visits. Some will also be attending the March Career Fair, but many positions will be filled by that time.

Seasonal Work

Job seekers sometimes shy away from accepting a seasonal employment opportunity because it is generally short-lived and not usually in their field of interest.  My advice is to reconsider.  Many times these "temporary" jobs can lead to a full-time position with the company if you perform at a high level. Consider these opportunities a chance to audition your skills. 

Also keep in mind that many of these jobs work with the public, and you never know who you may meet. Every contact is a potential lead to the position you are seeking.  Everyone remembers competent, helpful, and likeable employees they meet.  One of these contacts just may be looking for someone to fill an open position!

Interview Like a Pro

What makes one candidate better than another in the interview process? Do some people just have "it"? In a way, yes.  The "it", however, may not be what you are thinking.  Preparation is what the best applicants possess.  A good interview is imperative in landing the job you want and requires your very best effort.

Characteristics of a great applicant

• Well dressed, well groomed, smiles, professional demeanor
• Answers questions thoroughly and relates to the position description
• Appears prepared for questions and not easily flustered
• Asks well thought out questions at the end of the interview

4 Questions to prepare for

1. Would you tell me(us) a little about yourself?
• No personal information. Spend about two minutes discussing your qualifications that match up with the position description. This is your best chance to lay your best cards on the table.
2. What are some of your greatest strengths?
• Describe an asset that lines up directly with a desired/required skill from the position description.
3. Where do you see yourself in 3 years?
• A major concern for employers is hiring someone that is looking for a layover on their way to a better opportunity. Always include the employer in your plan and make sure they feel you are commited to them for at least the timeframe in the question.
4. Do you have any questions for me(us)?
• As you can probably guess, the only wrong answer is "no". Research the company to develop well thought out and relavent questions. You should always have between three and five questions.

Being well prepared for these questions will give you confidence and keep you focused on selling yourself to the position description, which is the goal.