Winning Resumes
Presented By: Career Services
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Introduction
Pressed for time?
 Want to get started
 These tips can help the beginner and the
more advanced resume writer
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Agenda
The basics will be covered
 You will have the tools needed to start
writing
 Success will be maximized when you
return for a critique (individual
appointment)
 EXPECT REVISION
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Reasons for Procrastination
Perfectionism
 Myths: “I have no relevant skills.”
 Swirling Ideas – can’t organize them
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Idea
Ide
a
Idea
Idea
Idea
Idea
Idea
Ide
a
Idea
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Tip 1
Think deeper when brainstorming
 Brainstorm everything you have done
since high school in the following areas:
volunteer work, paid work, academic or
research projects, fieldwork, internships,
travel
 WRITE it all down without editing
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Tip 2
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Think of what position you are applying for and
circle or highlight everything that seems most
related or relevant
Scan time for resumes is 30 seconds to one
minute
May need more than one resume for very
different positions
For right now, concentrate on writing one resume
that is most related to the field or job your are
seeking
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Tip 3
AVOID THE FOLLOWING:
 High school activities (few exceptions)
 Hobbies or personal information that has
nothing to do with the position
 GPA below 3.0
 Jargon that the average person in your field
would not understand
 Typos and grammatical errors of any kind
 Lying
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Tip 4
Choose a format: consistency more
important than style
 Reverse chronological order
 Try for one page, but limit to two
 Clear objective
 Examples of formats in samples provided
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Tip 5
The EXPERIENCE section is often under
utilized
 Find buried treasures
 Expand where necessary
 Dispel the myths (you probably did more
than you think)
 Take a look at sample resumes for ideas
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Tip 6
Tell me what you did
 Use active verbs
 Think of highest level of activity
 Dates
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Tip 7
Proofread three times – you and two other
people
 Visit Career Services for final critique
 Update every six months
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Tip 8
Create a Cover Letter

Letter is introduction of you and why you
are interested in the position
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Write RELEVANT info. – make the reader
want to look at your resume
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Business format, same paper as resume
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Cover Letter Content
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Opening paragraph: why you are writing,
why you are interested, and source of
information
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Body paragraph: describe skills and
achievements RELEVANT to employer’s
needs
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Closing paragraph: Request interview,
provide contact information, say thank you
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Tip 9
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Proofread everything again
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Visit us soon and read the website for
upcoming workshops and events!
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