Wednesday, February 7.2001
The University Daily Kansan
Section B · Page 5
Résumés should explain to potential employer applicant's strengths, qualifications for job
By Jennifer Hall
Kansan correspondent
A resume represents the first handshake between an employer and a prospective worker.
It describes a worker's abilities and shows that the person is truly interested, ready, willing and able to be employed.
The goal of any resume should be to give the employer written evidence of education, skills, accomplishments and experience of the prospective worker, which makes a key first impression on a company.
The words should be bold, confident and exciting, but in intelligent, common language. Résumés should always be honest, but include positive characteristics that can be defended and explained.
"A résumé is a snapshot of you," said Patricia Noland, KU career development coordinator. "It tells the employer about you, your qualifications and why they should hire you."
An effectively designed résumé is important. It should be filled with facts about yourself and the job that you want. Experts advise that résumés should not be modest, but should magnify the potential employee's qualities, including what makes that person special.
Visual presentation is just as important as content. A high-quality resume should be clearly organized and display information neatly.
"Résumés are the only exposure some companies may have to your achievements. A great résumé can result in several opportunities."
opportunities."
Alison Hult
Omaha, Neb. sonhomore
Omaha, Neb., sophomore
Most importantly, the facts should be accurate and correct, and the résumé should be reviewed several times for inconsistencies or mistakes.
"Follow the general guidelines," Noland said. "List all education, experience, honors, activities and references. This is a reflection of you and who you are. It should use a consistent format with a well-written cover letter that is easy to read and clear."
Before writing a résumé, it is important that students do a self-assessment by outlining and listing their skills and abilities, work experience and extracurricular activities.
A good résumé can help to present any potential employee in a positive light and open doors for the individual.
"Having an impressive résumé is very important," said Alison Hult, Omaha, Neb. sophomore. "Résumés are the only exposure some companies may have to your achievements. A great résumé can result in several opportunities."
TIPS FOR WRITING A RESUME:
List honest information
Clearly organize the résumé and display information neatly.
List honest information.
- Include a permanent address, telephone number and e-mail address at the top of the page, along with your full name.
Following the contact information should be an objective summary, which explains the job desired and your objective as an employee.
List all educational information, starting with the most recent and including any degrees earned, majors, academic honors, names of schools and grade point averages.
List all work experience, and demonstrate to the employer what your skills are.
Include places of employment, titles of the positions, dates of employment and a description of the work. Use action words to describe past duties.
Finally, include a list of references with a note stating, "references furnished upon request," instead of references' information. Be sure that your references are aware that they may be contacted.
Don't forget to spell check and edit your résumé for mistakes.
Some say benefits outweigh salary
Passionate workers a plus for non-profits
By Melissa Cooley
By Melissa Cooley
Kansan correspondent
Students hoping to enter a career in non-profit organizations must deliver more to employers than can be read on a résumé.
Non-profit employers seek an unselfish mindset that cannot be summed up in a bulleted list of accomplishments. For these students especially, job preparation involves more than accumulating credentials.
"Students should have a genuine desire to make a difference and see that difference in the community," said Ann Hartley, associate director of Career and Employment Services.
Becky Price, co-executive director of Big Brothers/Big Sisters of Douglas County, said she considered volunteer experience more important than work experience when evaluating resumes. She said her organization looks for students with a degree in social welfare or a related field.
Price advised students to pay attention to the little things when applying for jobs. Small things, like the quality of paper
on a résumé or personal appearance at an interview, can make a difference. But a lot of it, she said, has to do with the outlook of the applicant.
"Nobody's in it for the money," Price said. "If they don't have a true passion, then they won't work."
Melissa Long, Wichita senior,
has that passion. She works at
the Center for Community
Outreach and has gained experience
as its University relations
director.
She said she hoped this experience and her positive attitude would help her land a job doing public relations for a non-profit organization after she graduated.
"I want to feel good about what I do at the end of the day, and I think non-profit is the way to go." Long said.
Students such as Long, who hope to enter careers at nonprofit organizations, must sacrifice high pay for a chance to change people's lives. Price said. The entry-level salary at Big Brothers/Big Sisters is $22,000.
She said she realized that not all students could afford to go the non-profit route, but if they could, the students would receive immeasurable rewards.
"I feel like daily I change lives, and there is nothing more gratifying than that," Price said.
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