A good resume gets the job
A good resume can get a foot in the door, and a bad one doesn't get a second glance, some employers say.
Kesume and cover-letter writing can be a major cause of students' stress. The chances of getting that dream job or internship are often determined by the difference between a well-developed resume and a mediocre one.
Michael Heuring, assistant director of the University Placement Center, said that the earlier students began developing a resume the better were their chances of getting ahead in the job market.
To begin building resumes early in college, students should participate in different activities, internships and jobs that could be included in resumes, Heuring said. Students should also put important credentials down on paper throughout college rather than waiting until their senior year and trying to remember everything they were involved in.
While there is no magic formula to resume and cover-letter writing, there are several basic steps that students can take to improve their resumes. Students should begin by compiling a list of things that they have accomplished, participated in and learned during college, Heuring said. Next students should select which items would be the most important to
include, and then to begin grouping them into categories.
the categories.
Heuring said that students should make sure the information they include in the resume is relevant to their main objective.
Rather than simply listing job experience or work history, students should detail experience and skills that would be transferable from a previous job to the new one.
By listing related experience, students can show a correlation between past experiences and future career goals as well as show what abilities they can bring to the company.
Rather than just listing all the jobs a student has held, they should include what relevant duties they performed at the job.
information into a resume format about one page long. Numerous manuals and handouts are available to give suggestions about how to design the make-up of a resume. It is important to make sure the information provided is organized.
the job and what they accomplished while working there.
Information provided is organized. Fred Madaus, director of the Business School Placement Center, said that following the organization stage, it was advising the organization stage, it was advising
A resume's effectiveness often is enhanced by using key action verbs.
A resume's effectiveness often is enhanced by using key action verbs. Compiled, formulated, organized and synthesized are good examples. It is important to show the employer what the applicant has accomplished and learned through his or her experiences.
The next step is to compile all of this
able to get an evaluation of the resume. The Placement Center offers free resume consultations provided that a student brings in a rough draft of his or her resume.
Madaus said that it was also important for students to spend some time developing their resumes. Several drafts will probably be needed in order to refine a resume.
When printing the final draft, special paper can be used to help the overall look of a resume and to make it more appealing. Neutral shades or heavier bonded paper can add a professional look.
Heuring warned students to use the same style of paper for their cover letters as they do for their resumes. Bright colors do not necessarily make a resume stand out, rather the content of the resume is
what will catch an employer's attention.
Like the resume, cover letters should be concise while still communicating relevant information to the employer. Cover letters should be individualized for each company. Students should include their current status in school and the degree for which they are in pursuit. Where the student got the idea to apply to that company through an advertisement.
— through an advertisement, a friend, or personal interest — should also be included. Madaus said that a student should always close a cover letter by asking the prospective employer for an interview.
One of the biggest problems with most resumes is that they are not tailored to the job for which students are applying.
Heuring said that students are often mistaken when they assume that once they have one copy of a resume that they are through with the writing process.
The Placement Center offers free resume writing workshops several times each semester and once in the summer. The next workshop will be at 3:30 p.m. Thursday, June 20 in room 149 of the Burge Union. While it is not mandatory to register for this workshop, the Placement Center asks students to sign up inside the center prior to the workshop.
App to the workshop.
Students can also access more information on resume building via the Internet net home page for the Placement Center at http://kuht.cc.ukans.edu/cwis/units/sydfacts/upcfacts/upc_main.html.
Jenny & Sons
LA FAMILIA MEXICAN RESTAURANT
Invites you to spend your GRADUATION DINNER with us
Voted the #1 Mexican Restaurant in Lawrence!
733 New Hampshire
Carry Out
749-5622
Dine In
749-0105
Now accepting VISA/MC
HOME FINDERS FREE ASSISTANCE TO YOU!
WE OFFER
- Studios, one, two & three bedroom apartments
- Two, three & four bedroom duplexes
- One to four bedroom homes & condominiums
- Excellent locations throughout Lawrence area
- Full-time maintenance
- Tell us your needs and price range
- Furnished and unfurnished
Call(913)841-6080
Professional management by: KAW VALLEY MANAGEMENT, INC. 808 W.24th St.
23
Lawrence, Kansas 66044
Graduation
May 1996 The Hill