Building Your Resume

1. Building Your Resume

2. Resume General Guidelines • Resumes should be quick and easy to read and about one page. • Use simple, easy-to-read fonts. • Avoid including “cutesy” clipart or stock photos. • Be organized and have specific reasons for your structure. • Think about how someone’s eye will move over your document

3. Resume General Guidelines • Update your resume after every position or significant freelance assignment. • Start statements with action words like: Managed, directed, oversaw, won, increased, delivered, purchased, built, etc. • Pay attention to details - Have your resume proofed by several people. Don’t rely on spell check.

4. Resume “Pet Peeves” • Missing or inaccurate dates or gaps • Missing or unprofessional contact info (drunkatwork@gmail.com) • Long resumes - over 2 pages • Long paragraphs as opposed to bulleted information

5. More Resume “Pet Peeves” • Personal info not relevant to the job (i.e. enjoy working out, Will Ferrell movies, long walk on the beach, etc.) • Lying or misleading info/inflated titles and responsibilities • Meaningless or vague summaries • Poor font choice or style • And the #1 Pet Peeve….

6. Resume “Pet Peeves” • TYPOS!!! Grrrrr…I hate typos more than kitties!!

7. Resume Structure • Heading • Summary • Skills • Work Experience • Education • Awards & Affiliations

8. Resume Structure • Headings include: • Full name • Mailing Address • Telephone number • Professional e-mail • Website address • For example: Michelle A. Smith 12856 Camino del Artista San Diego, CA 92108 p 619.555.1234 msmith@fashionista.com www.msmithfashion.com

9. Resume Structure Summary A brief description that captures your strengths as they relate to the position you are applying for. For Example: "Hard working, self-motivated, high achieving sales professional with eight years experience in the telecommunications industry, including work with key/hybrid systems and high end PBX systems. Recognized for excellent ability to build and maintain relationships through long and short sales cycles.”

10. Resume Structure The Summary • Keep your it short and sweet. Your objective should be as specific as possible including job title, function, or industry. • DO show the benefits the company will receive by hiring YOU – It’s not about what YOU want, but what THEY are looking for. • DON’T state the obvious, like “I want an exciting position that uses my skills and knowledge”. Well, duh. • DO be results-oriented. DO show what you can bring to the table. DO use concrete language.

11. Resume Structure Skills Section • Examples include: Photoshop, Illustrator, Hand Drafting, 3D Studio Max , Microsoft Office, PC and MAC platforms. Spell the software titles correctly. • List skills most desired by the employer first. • Check job ads similar to the ones you seek to determine sought-after skills. • Do you speak a foreign language? • Do you have specialized training in something relevant?

12. Resume Structure Employment History • List your title, company name, location, dates and at least three bullets of what you did while you were there. • For example: Michael Smith Interior Design, Solana Beach, CA Design Assistant September 2003 to May 2007 -Assisted design team with various tasks including finish and furniture selection, programming -Maintained resource library and worked with vendors -Developed space plans for existing and new customers

13. Resume Structure Education • Display your degree, where you went to school and date degree was or will be completed. • Recent graduates should highlight their education first, since likely your degree is your greatest achievement.* • If you are an experienced candidate – highlight what you’ve accomplished first, and then your education. * However, you might want to project you are more than just a student and have real-world experience by listing your work experience if you have it.

14. Resume Structure Affiliations & Awards • ASID, AIGA, Deans List, President of the Graphics Club, IIDA, etc. • Best of Portfolio Show, Student Winner of the International Advertising to Youth Award, etc. • The things you have done outside of work and school say a lot about the type of person you are. Also, an affiliation with a professional organization shows you are learning how to network within your industry.

15. Resume Structure “REFERENCES AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST” • Well, of course! It’s assumed you have references. Totally optional to put this. • Prepare, instead, a professional reference list in case it is asked for during the interview. • Make sure the people on your reference list know someone may be contacting them.

16. Getting Started • Identify the key qualities and skills employers in your field will be looking for. • Structure your resume to highlight skills employers in your field most desire. • Have Career Services look over your resume and show you samples • Start with an outline of what should be included and fill in the blanks.

17. A final thought.. • A good resume: • Helps you stand out from the rest which in return gives you the invitation to more interviews. • Helps you better compete in a highly competitive marketplace. • Gets your foot in the door to be able to show off your skills and more in-depth coverage of your portfolio.

18. And now some good examples…

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25. Got Questions? Visit Career Services: South Building, 1st Floor