City Year Resume Workshop
This information is confidential and was prepared by Bain & Company solely for the use of our client; it is not to be relied on by any 3rd party without Bain's prior written consent.
Agenda
• Why do I need a resume now?
• What makes a resume ‘good’?
• How do I create a great resume?
• What is a cover letter?
BOS 090307 City Year resume & cover letter presentation
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This information is confidential and was prepared by Bain & Company solely for the use of our client; it is not to be relied on by any 3rd party without Bain's prior written consent.
An effective resume is necessary whether you
are applying to college or for a job next year
College
Job
• Colleges / scholarships
may ask you to submit your
resume
• Serves as your introduction
to a potential employer
• Brainstorming tool that
can help in completion of
applications
- Organizes your activities
and achievements
• At college, you may end up
applying for a job
• Showcases your
accomplishments and skills
• Does not guarantee you a
interview, but a poorly
constructed resume can
guarantee that you don’t
get a job
• Resumes often serve as a
guide for interview
Start building your resume now,
regardless of your plans for next year
BOS 090307 City Year resume & cover letter presentation
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This information is confidential and was prepared by Bain & Company solely for the use of our client; it is not to be relied on by any 3rd party without Bain's prior written consent.
To stand out against other resumes, yours must
be organized and written for maximum impact
When reading resumes, employers often:
• Spend less than 60 seconds on average, so you need to
make a good impression quickly
-Some estimates claim time spent is as low 10 - 30 seconds!
• Look for mistakes as frequently as they look for great
achievements
• Give less attention to, or stop reading,
resumes when information is not
well-organized
Source: http://www.fotosearch.com
BOS 090307 City Year resume & cover letter presentation
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This information is confidential and was prepared by Bain & Company solely for the use of our client; it is not to be relied on by any 3rd party without Bain's prior written consent.
Agenda
• Why do I need a resume now?
• What makes a resume ‘good’?
• How do I create a great resume?
• What is a cover letter?
BOS 090307 City Year resume & cover letter presentation
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This information is confidential and was prepared by Bain & Company solely for the use of our client; it is not to be relied on by any 3rd party without Bain's prior written consent.
What makes a resume ‘good’?
What makes a resume great can be subjective, but below are some common
characteristics associated with the ‘great’ resumes:
• Honest
• Organized
- Not a one-page block of text
• Concise and appropriate language
- Sufficient detail to convey experiences
- Eliminate ‘fluff’ language or unnecessary words, and replace
with more powerful action words
- Example: “The team’s project was centered around increasing the revenue of
Business unit A”
“Collaborated with team to increase revenue of business unit
by 20%”
• Experiences are well-communicated and convey that you have the
skills for the job
- Explicitly explains what you did and what the results were
- Calls out instances of leadership, initiative, teamwork, etc.
• There are no holes
• Interests
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This information is confidential and was prepared by Bain & Company solely for the use of our client; it is not to be relied on by any 3rd party without Bain's prior written consent.
More detailed tips to ensuring your resume is
fabulous!
Key point
Rationale
Contact
information
• Include all relevant contact info at
• Potential employer needs to be able
top of resume (email, phone number,
to contact you
address)
• Employer may judge you by a weird
• Work-appropriate email address
address
Formatting
• Use one normal font throughout
resume
• Use a font between 10 and 12
• They have a lot of resumes to read
– don’t make it even more difficult
on their eyes!
• Organize resume into sections to
provide structure and flow
• If resume is difficult to read or
follow, employers won’t bother
Honors
• Include honors and awards you have
received, but make sure that they
are significant and timely enough
to include
• Although they are not work
experiences, they do speak to your
achievements and abilities
Proofreading
• Proofread, proofread, PROOFREAD!
• Resume mistakes can immediately
decrease your credibility and give
the wrong first impression of your
abilities
• Stick to one page (reduce margins if • Some people will not read beyond
first page
necessary)
• Look for spelling and grammar
errors, ensure vocabulary is at
appropriate level
BOS 090307 City Year resume & cover letter presentation
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This information is confidential and was prepared by Bain & Company solely for the use of our client; it is not to be relied on by any 3rd party without Bain's prior written consent.
Agenda
• Why do I need a resume now?
• What makes a resume ‘good’?
• How do I create a great resume?
• What is a cover letter?
BOS 090307 City Year resume & cover letter presentation
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This information is confidential and was prepared by Bain & Company solely for the use of our client; it is not to be relied on by any 3rd party without Bain's prior written consent.
So what are the steps to developing this
great resume?
•
1
Gather information
•
2
Brainstorm
•
3
Determine format and organize information
•
4
Revise
•
5
Obtain feedback from others
•
6
Revise (and repeat previous step)
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This information is confidential and was prepared by Bain & Company solely for the use of our client; it is not to be relied on by any 3rd party without Bain's prior written consent.
1
Start off easy, gathering some of your
education info first
• GPA from various educational experiences
- If you had a concentration or major, and your grades were higher in those
courses, include that GPA as well
• List of relevant courses
- May provide additional credibility and show you have experience in subject
matter
- Example: If applying for a business position, you may want to call out that you
have taken courses in Economics, Math, Communications or Marketing
- Ensure these courses are actually relevant to position, and keep this section
updated for the various types of jobs you apply for
Example:
BOS 090307 City Year resume & cover letter presentation
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This information is confidential and was prepared by Bain & Company solely for the use of our client; it is not to be relied on by any 3rd party without Bain's prior written consent.
2
Brainstorm around, and write down, your
experiences and activities…
High level:
Detailed:
• Awards, honors, extra-curricular activities, clubs /
organizations, volunteer work, your own business, major
academic projects, student govt, certifications, publications
• Within these activities and organizations, brainstorm
projects you have been involved in, or positions you have
held, that demonstrate your capabilities
•What
E.g.
•What
E.g.
•What
E.g.
was your role / what did you do?
led team, performed analysis
capabilities did you exhibit?
leadership, initiative, analytic abilities
was accomplished / the outcome?
raised $X for charity
BOS 090307 City Year resume & cover letter presentation
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This information is confidential and was prepared by Bain & Company solely for the use of our client; it is not to be relied on by any 3rd party without Bain's prior written consent.
2
“What if I don’t have experience?” You
have GREAT experience – City Year!
• Leadership opportunities / initiatives
• E.g. CYFK, Recruitment A team, participating in roundtables, Love and Joy
Crew, etc.
• Community projects
o What activities have you participated in, planned or lead?
• Curriculum at local schools
o Have you planned and / or led student exercises and activities?
o How many students do you mentor or teach each week?
• After school programs at the schools
o Have you planned and / or led after school activities?
o How many students do you mentor / tutor each week?
• Consider City Year training you have received and / or led
• Awards or honors received at City Year
As before, consider what your role was in
these activities, what capabilities you
exhibited and what was accomplished
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This information is confidential and was prepared by Bain & Company solely for the use of our client; it is not to be relied on by any 3rd party without Bain's prior written consent.
3a
A•
General structure of resume is comprised
of 3 (to 4) parts
Heading
- Name, address, phone, work-appropriate
email
- Multiple addresses: pick one or put one on
each side of the page
- Include area code on phone number and
ensure voicemail is appropriate
Eh• Objective
- Brief, detailed statement of your career goal
as related to position you are applying for
- Often a source of mistakes on resume and I
do NOT recommend using it
- E.g. “To obtain a position as X where I can
contribute my X and Y skills”
B•
A
B
C
Education
- School, location, major, expected or actual
graduation date
- List all schools attended, including high
school, even if you did not earn a degree
C•
Skills and abilities
- Organization of this category will vary, but is
the ‘meat’ of the resume
- Overviews your leadership and teamwork
experiences, and highlights your
communication, computer, language and
other relevant skills
BOS 090307 City Year resume & cover letter presentation
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This information is confidential and was prepared by Bain & Company solely for the use of our client; it is not to be relied on by any 3rd party without Bain's prior written consent.
3b
Based on your experiences, determine
which resume format type is best for you
Chronological
Overview:
• Organize achievements
by date
- Include company name,
your position, location,
date
- Below, describe duties &
responsibilities, skills
gained, and elaborate on
experience in concise way
Good for:
• Emphasizes employment,
extra-curricular activities
and academic-related
experiences
Functional
Combination
•Organized into 2 sections: • Mix of chronological and
“Summary of Experience” functional elements
- Lists 3 – 6 skills relevant to
job sought (e.g. leader-ship,
communication skills)
•“Work History”
- Lists employer information,
positions held and dates
• More emphasis on skills
acquired than where or
when experience was
gained
- E.g. Work experience
section organized chronologically, and a leadership
section highlighting
leadership roles not
captured under work
experience
• Emphasizing
experience and key
skills acquired
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Source:
http://jobsearch.about.com/od/sampleresumes
This information
is confidential and was prepared by Bain & Company solely for the use of our client; it is not to be relied on by any 3rd party without Bain's prior written consent.
4/5
After you organize your activities and skills
into a first draft, revise it again!
 Does resume contain the key pieces of information?
- Name and contact information
- Education (including any honors/awards received)
- Experiences / skills
- Interests (optional)
 Is it free of spelling and grammatical errors?
 Is it formatted so that resume structure is easily understood (i.e.
reader can easily differentiate employment versus education sections, or
employer name versus position held)
 Is word choice powerful, with each line beginning with an action verb?
 Are phrases concise and to the point?
Once you have checked off these items,
seek input of teacher, advisor, mentor
or parent for a new perspective
BOS 090307 City Year resume & cover letter presentation
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This information is confidential and was prepared by Bain & Company solely for the use of our client; it is not to be relied on by any 3rd party without Bain's prior written consent.
Review of successful resume characteristics:
What helps a resume stand out! (1 of 2)
Word Choice
Sufficient Detail
•
•
•
•
•
Short, powerful sentences beginning with action verb
Variety of word choice (don’t start with the same word more than twice)
Avoid personal pronouns (I, me, my) – write in third person
Use appropriate tense (if something happened in past, use the past tense)
Avoid acronyms, contractions (e.g. don’t, can’t), abbreviations or slang
• Sell yourself because applicants you are competing against are doing the
same!
• Explain what you have done clearly enough, so that someone who has no
idea what your job entailed can understand it
- Having others read your resume is a good test
• Quantify and note results wherever possible
- Can significantly increases your credibility
- Example: “Increased membership and led fundraiser”
“Increased membership by 30% and led 10 peers in bake sale fundraiser
to raise $4,000 for our organization” (then elaborate a bit more on what
you did to achieve this
• If organization is not well-known, it can be helpful to describe in a few
words what your employer did to acquaint reader with industry / market
BOS 090307 City Year resume & cover letter presentation
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This information is confidential and was prepared by Bain & Company solely for the use of our client; it is not to be relied on by any 3rd party without Bain's prior written consent.
Review of successful resume characteristics:
What helps a resume stand out!
(2 of 2)
Prioritization
• Focus on your achievements and do not be shy to call out what you have
accomplished or recognition you have received
• List most important experiences / skills first (even if doing a
chronological resume, there are times you may want to deviate from
structure)
- E.g. If you are applying for a position at a bank and you interned at a loan office in the
summer of 2005 and served as waitress in 2006, list the loan office experience first
Formatting
• Poor formatting will almost guarantee your resume does not get the
attention it deserves!
• Use bolding, italics, underlining and spacing appropriately to provide
structure and organization – but do not go overboard
• Look at other resumes for examples and ideas
Example:
BOS 090307 City Year resume & cover letter presentation
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This information is confidential and was prepared by Bain & Company solely for the use of our client; it is not to be relied on by any 3rd party without Bain's prior written consent.
Participating in one-on-one review is another
step toward making your resume stand out!
Resume
Description:
Workshop
• Discuss importance and
key characteristics of
resume, and how to
make it stand out
• Provide step-by-step
process for resume
creation, with examples
Timing:
• Today
Resume draft
deadline
One-on-one
resume review
• Draft of resume is
due to Program
Manager if you would
like to participate in
one-on-one workshop
• One-on-one resume
reviews with a Bainie
• Friday, March 20th
• Friday, March 27st
• Potential for follow-up
meetings and assistance
• Stress “dos and don’ts” • Encourage you to draft • Detailed, personalized
of resumes
and refine your resume!
feedback discussion
• Initiate brainstorming • Resume is a
of your activities and
graduation
achievements
requirement
• Get you started!
• Opportunity to ask
questions and get an
objective set of eyes
on your resume
BOS 090307 City Year resume & cover letter presentation
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This information is confidential and was prepared by Bain & Company solely for the use of our client; it is not to be relied on by any 3rd party without Bain's prior written consent.
Agenda
• Why do I need a resume now?
• What makes a resume ‘good’?
• How do I create a great resume?
• What is a cover letter?
BOS 090307 City Year resume & cover letter presentation
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This information is confidential and was prepared by Bain & Company solely for the use of our client; it is not to be relied on by any 3rd party without Bain's prior written consent.
What is the purpose of a cover letter?
A cover letter is your sales pitch to the employer
• Gives you the opportunity to highlight the skills and
experiences from your resume
• Tailors your application to a specific position and/or company
• Establishes a personal connection with the reader
• Tells the company why they should hire YOU!
We won’t be reviewing cover letters in the one-on-one
workshop, but here is a quick primer to get you started
BOS 090307 City Year resume & cover letter presentation
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This information is confidential and was prepared by Bain & Company solely for the use of our client; it is not to be relied on by any 3rd party without Bain's prior written consent.
What makes a cover letter ‘good’?
• Tailor each cover letter to the specific company
-Address the letter to specific company and individual
-Show that you know something about the company and the industry
-Explain why you are qualified for this position
• Highlight your most relevant accomplishments
-Pick out the most relevant qualifications listed in your resume and
discuss them in detail
-Do not just list everything from your resume!
• Reflects your personality
-Write it in your own words
• No spelling or typing errors. Not even one.
BOS 090307 City Year resume & cover letter presentation
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This information is confidential and was prepared by Bain & Company solely for the use of our client; it is not to be relied on by any 3rd party without Bain's prior written consent.
What do I write about in my cover letter?
Introduction
• States job you are applying for and how you learned
about it
• Mentions any personal contacts you have with the
company
• Briefly explains your general qualifications for the job
Body
• Expands upon your qualifications and interest in the
position
• Highlights your most relevant accomplishments
• Demonstrates how your background and experience
qualifies you for the job
Conclusion
• Requests an interview
• States how, when, and where you can be reached
• Thanks reader for his/her time
BOS 090307 City Year resume & cover letter presentation
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This information is confidential and was prepared by Bain & Company solely for the use of our client; it is not to be relied on by any 3rd party without Bain's prior written consent.
Q&A
BOS 090307 City Year resume & cover letter presentation
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This information is confidential and was prepared by Bain & Company solely for the use of our client; it is not to be relied on by any 3rd party without Bain's prior written consent.
Resume Basics & Examples: Contact info
Key advice: Ensure email address and voicemail message are work-appropriate, and be
sure to include all pieces of contact info (address, phone number, etc)
One address:
1
2
Two addresses:
3
4
BOS 090307 City Year resume & cover letter presentation
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This information is confidential and was prepared by Bain & Company solely for the use of our client; it is not to be relied on by any 3rd party without Bain's prior written consent.
Resume Basics & Examples: Education
Key advice: Be sure to include any honors / achievements, GPA, concentration / major, and
relevant coursework (optional)
1
2
3
BOS 090307 City Year resume & cover letter presentation
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This information is confidential and was prepared by Bain & Company solely for the use of our client; it is not to be relied on by any 3rd party without Bain's prior written consent.
Resume Basics & Examples: Experience /
Activities
Key advice: Use actions words to concisely summarize your experience. Quantify results
whenever possible to increase credibility.
1
2
3
BOS 090307 City Year resume & cover letter presentation
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This information is confidential and was prepared by Bain & Company solely for the use of our client; it is not to be relied on by any 3rd party without Bain's prior written consent.
Resume Basics & Examples: Other info
Key advice: Include other capabilities, such as computer or language skills. Listing a few of your
interests (nothing too crazy or inappropriate) can be helpful in rounding out your
resume and providing an ice breaker during interview.
1
2
3
4
BOS 090307 City Year resume & cover letter presentation
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This information is confidential and was prepared by Bain & Company solely for the use of our client; it is not to be relied on by any 3rd party without Bain's prior written consent.
Cover Letter Basics & Examples: Introduction
Key advice: Address cover letter to specific company and individual. State who you are, what job
you are applying for, and how you learned about the position.
Nonprofit Federation of Metropolitan Chicago
1 S. Franklin
Chicago, IL 60606
Dear Mr. Williams:
I am writing to express my interest in the Domestic Affairs Program Director position. I am a
senior at ABC University graduating in May with a degree in public policy, a certificate in
health policy, and a minor in political science. I believe that my experiences over the past
four years, as well as my demonstrated professionalism uniquely qualify me for the large
responsibilities held by the Domestic Affairs Program Director.
Trinity Consultants
5100 1st Avenue
Long Beach, CA 00000
May 5, 2006
Dear Ms. Jones:
I am writing to express my interest in your entry-level environmental compliance consultant
position in Long Beach, CA. I discovered the opportunity at careerbuilder.com and would
greatly value the opportunity to work and grow in your company. The majority of my
undergraduate study and work experience has been geared towards a career in the
environmental sector, and I believe environmental consulting is an ideal field for me.
BOS 090307 City Year resume & cover letter presentation
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This information is confidential and was prepared by Bain & Company solely for the use of our client; it is not to be relied on by any 3rd party without Bain's prior written consent.
Cover Letter Basics & Examples: Body
Key advice: Expand on your qualifications and interest in the positions. Highlight your most
relevant accomplishments
Explain how you are
qualified:
In addition to my academic coursework, my work experiences
have given me the leadership skills necessary to be a project
leader ABC company. For example, as a team leader for the
We Are Leaders organization, I organized and led a community
service day for 500 participants.
Show that you are
interested:
Serving as a research assistant to a climate change lab at
Duke, I received a broad introduction to environmental
testing, data collection, and trend analysis, with more specific
applications to soil testing. My knowledge of environmental
testing grew through studying marine invertebrate collection
and analysis at the Marine Lab.
Tell the reader who
you are:
I am proud of the fact that I have financed my entire
education through scholarships and summer jobs related to
my field of study. This work experience has enhanced my
appreciation for the education I am pursuing.
BOS 090307 City Year resume & cover letter presentation
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This information is confidential and was prepared by Bain & Company solely for the use of our client; it is not to be relied on by any 3rd party without Bain's prior written consent.
Cover Letter Basics & Examples: Conclusion
Key advice: Ask for an interview and thank reader for his/her time.
I would very much appreciate the opportunity to discuss with you my other
experiences and how they uniquely qualify me for this position. Attached is
my resume for your further review. Thank you for considering my
application and I look forward to hearing from you.
I have attached my resume, which demonstrates my strong academic
background. I would be delighted to speak with you about how the Legal
Assistant position would work for an enthusiastic, capable, and hardworking
college graduate. I look forward to interviewing with ABC firm.
I will be home for Winter Break and will call you next week to arrange a
convenient time in early January when we can meet to talk about summer
opportunities for me at ABCD.
BOS 090307 City Year resume & cover letter presentation
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This information is confidential and was prepared by Bain & Company solely for the use of our client; it is not to be relied on by any 3rd party without Bain's prior written consent.
Helpful action words to incorporate into your
resume
• accomplished
• designed
• formulated
• mediated
• achieved
• determined
• founded
• operated
• analyzed
• developed
• headed
• organized
• assessed
• devised
• identified
• presented
• attained
• directed
• implemented • proposed
• completed
• eliminated
• improved
• recommended
• concluded
• established
• initiated
• solved
• conducted
• evaluated
• launched
• strengthened
• coordinated
• forecasted
• managed
• supervised
BOS 090307 City Year resume & cover letter presentation
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This information is confidential and was prepared by Bain & Company solely for the use of our client; it is not to be relied on by any 3rd party without Bain's prior written consent.
Some web resources as you get started on
your resumes!
•
http://www.rockportinstitute.com/resumes.html
-
•
http://www.quintcareers.com/action_verbs.html
-
•
Variety of sample resume formats that can be helpful if you
are looking for different ways to present your information. Be
aware that not all of these formats are spectacular and use
your judgment!
http://hotjobs.resumeedge.com/students/index.php
-
•
Lists of useful action words to increase impact of your resume
http://www.resume-resource.com/samples.html
-
•
More detail and tips on completing your resume
Look at some of the ‘After’ resumes for ideas on how to
organize and convey your experiences
http://www.resumania.com
-
Some humorous examples of what NOT to do
BOS 090307 City Year resume & cover letter presentation
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This information is confidential and was prepared by Bain & Company solely for the use of our client; it is not to be relied on by any 3rd party without Bain's prior written consent.