Peer Review: Resumes

1. Peer Review: Resumes Krystle Forbes Career Services Coordinator forbeskr@umich.edu

2. Let’s get started Why do we write resumes?

3. Session Outline Formatting Customized Content Building Better Bullet Points Final Check

4. FORMATING

5. Let’s get started Resume or CV?

6. Formatting What is an employer looking for? Highlights work achievements, volunteer activities, and academic background related to desired work position Typically does not include marital status, age, race, gender or religion

7. Formatting What is an employer looking for? • Neatness • Strong organization • Accuracy of facts • Brief, concise, focused style In the 30 to 60 seconds that an employer initially takes to scan a resume, s/he/they will make important first judgments about a candidate.

9. Quick Review Clean, attention grabbing header Check for priority. Most important should be 1st Font size: 10-12 Single space Font style: professional style Margins: at least an inch all around Easy to read headers Length: 1-2 pages Consistent formatting Easily scanable sections Dates should be aligned right

10. Formatting The Header • Your Name • First (Given) Name, Middle Name (or Initial) - optional and Last Name (Family Name) • Using an American name or Shortened Nickname? • Ex: Afshinamibaka (Afshin) Mohapatra • Ex: Susan Xiao • Current Address • Current Phone Number • Email Pro Tip • Need more space? Move your name/contact info into Word’s header section • Adding a LinkedIn?(check out options for customizing your URL)

11. Formatting The Header Q. What should not be on the top of your resume? A. Name B. Address C. Phone Number D. Email E. LinkedIn Profile and/or E-Portfolio Link F. Photo G. None of the above

12. Formatting Education • Spell out the degree • Optional to include “candidate” after degree • Until you have your degree, keep ‘expected’ or ‘candidate’ qualifiers

13. Formatting Education • Spell out the degree • Optional to include “candidate” after degree Pro Tips • Adding your GPA? • Include the scale • Need more space? • Highlight honors & awards in bullets under degree • Combine honors and GPA on same line • Until you have your degree, keep ‘expected’ or ‘candidate’ qualifiers

14. Formatting Experience

15. Formatting Experience What should not be included in your work experience? A. Company Name B. Your Title C. Supervisor Name and Phone # D. Dates E. Location (City, State)

16. Formatting Additional Notes • Bullet points are strongly encouraged • Stick to one page, unless you have 2+ years of full-time experience • Many consulting positions only allow 1 page • Federal Government resumes are much longer • Sometimes possible to group sections to emphasis different skill sets

17. Peer Review ** Please, note visual/structural components **

18. CUSTOMIZED CONTENT

19. Customized Content • What are your Unique Selling Points? • Can be paid and unpaid jobs that are relevant to gaining experience in the field • Sometimes you can tailor the experience section by grouping • Think about how your experience is most related to the position. Was it for a similar organization, industry, or job function? • Order of bullets or skills is important

20. Customized Content Tailor Each Resume • Review job description and research company • Note key words, actions, and results • Highlight relevant experience • Remember experience is not just paid work • Start with your ‘strongest’ information • Use headers to your advantage • Infuse with the keywords from your research

21. BUILDING BETTER BULLET POINTS

22. Bullet Points Follow and A-C-R Format Resource: UM Ross Career Services Guide

23. Bullet Points

24. Bullet Points • Verb Tense • Current position/work= present • Past experiences= past tense • Strong descriptor of work done • Align with job description • Demonstrate transferable skills • Leadership • Critical thinking • Problem solving • Add variety

25. Bullet Points Ask yourself: • Significance – Why did this matter? • (e.g. to expand visibility, to streamline procedures, etc.) • Constraints – Why was this project a challenge? • (e.g. limited budget or staffing, tight deadlines) • Scope – How big? How many people? Cost? Assume the reader is unfamiliar with your organization or activity

26. Bullet Points Ask yourself, “What happened? What improved?” 2 Types of Results • Quantitative – (E.g. reduced cost by $x, increased participation to x, increased accuracy of model x%) • Qualitative – (E.g. enabled client to do x, proposals were adopted by manager, awarded x prize) Tips • For current tasks, include expected results. • Make sure your results are accurate and connect to the action.

27. Bullet Points

28. Customized Content Additional Sections • Leadership Activities • Publications & Presentations • Skills • What about Hobbies?

29. [Resume] FINAL CHECK

30. Final Check • Did you only include relevant information? • Did you adequately infuse the buzzwords listed in the posting? • Were you honest and truthful about your experiences • Did you draw that connection between the skills you have and the skills they need? • Do you sound results-oriented? • Is it error-free, concise, and well-written?

31. Peer Review ** Select 1-2 entries to review and revise in terms of specific content **

32. Questions? Krystle Forbes Career Services Coordinator forbeskr@umich.edu