Resume Writing & Interviewing
Sam Houston State University
Career Services
The Resume
Your Resume
Marketing piece
Tool for communication
Emphasis on things done well
Stress aspects that make you the
better candidate
Not an autobiography
Items to Include in Your Resume
Name, address,
phone number, & email
Education
Licenses & certificates
Skills & accomplishments
Work history
Job objective
What Not to Include in Your Resume
Age
Marital status
Height, weight, etc.
Race
Religion
Reasons for termination
Photos
High school information
Resume Components
Objective
Education
Experience
Internships
Skills
Honors
Affiliations
References
Objective
Focus your objective
Be specific
Do NOT mention
“opportunities for
advancement”
Target particular positions
JAMES DAVIS
919 Bearkat Blvd.
Huntsville, TX 77341
(936) 294-1713
student@shsu.edu
OBJECTIVE
Seeking an entry level position in the field of finance
Education
List degrees in reverse order
GPA
Associate Degrees
Relevant coursework
Honors
Certifications
JAMES DAVIS
919 Bearkat Blvd.
Huntsville, TX 77341
(936) 294-1713
student@shsu.edu
OBJECTIVE
Seeking an entry level position in the field of finance
EDUCATION
Sam Houston State University, Huntsville, TX
Bachelor of Business Administration in Finance, 3.60
Minor in Management
Coursework:
Strategic Management
Business Finance
Business Law
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Business Communications
Labor Economics
Operations Management
Experience
Include volunteer or unpaid experience
List company, location, dates of
employment, job title & relevant duties
Use action verbs
List duties in phrases
Use past tense for past experiences
Be clear
Bullet job duties
JAMES DAVIS
919 Bearkat Blvd.
Huntsville, TX 77341
(936) 294-1713
student@shsu.edu
OBJECTIVE
Seeking an entry level position in the field of finance
EDUCATION
Sam Houston State University, Huntsville, TX
Bachelor of Business Administration in Finance, 3.60
Minor in Management
Coursework:
Strategic Management
Business Finance
Business Law
EXPERIENCE
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Business Communications
Labor Economics
Operations Management
The Dow Chemical Company, Midland, MI
Finance Intern, Summer 2000
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Reviewed current Cash Flow reporting process and prepared 2Q99
Cash Flow statement using current process
Designed, tested, and implemented new process for Cash Flow
reporting
Researched Securities and Exchange Commission’s “Plain
English” rule, and rewrote large portion of Dow’s 1999 10K in
“Plain English”
References
Use 3-5 professional references
List the reference’s BUSINESS address and
professional title
List references on a separate page
Include a reference category heading on resume
– “References available upon request.”
Notify the references that you would like to use
Optional Categories
Honors and Activities
Professional
Organizations
Computer skills & other
skills relevant to the job
Publications
Research
JAMES DAVIS
919 Bearkat Blvd.
Huntsville, TX 77341
(936) 294-1713
student@shsu.edu
OBJECTIVE
Seeking an entry level position in the field of finance
EDUCATION
Sam Houston State University, Huntsville, TX
Bachelor of Business Administration in Finance, 3.60
Minor in Management
Coursework:
Strategic Management
Business Finance
Business Law
EXPERIENCE
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The Dow Chemical Company, Midland, MI
Finance Intern, Summer 2000
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HONORS &
ACTIVITIES
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REFERENCES
Business Communications
Labor Economics
Operations Management
Reviewed current Cash Flow reporting process and prepared 2Q99
Cash Flow statement using current process
Designed, tested, and implemented new process for Cash Flow
reporting
Researched Securities and Exchange Commission’s “Plain
English” rule, and rewrote large portion of Dow’s 1999 10K in
“Plain English”
Dean’s List: Spring & Fall 2000
President’s Honor Roll: Spring 2001
The Dow Chemical SHSU Alumni Scholarship recipient
Habitat for Humanity
National Collegiate Scholar
Available upon request
The Resume
Length
– 1 page for recent graduates
– 1-2 pages for advanced degrees
– 2-3 pages for senior executives
Paper Guidelines
– White or neutral, 24 lb. Paper
– Standard: 8 ½ x 11 inches
– Matching cover letter and envelope
One Page
Resume
The Interview
The Purpose of the Interview
Employers need to assess:
Objective
Compatibility
Motivation
Enthusiasm
Intelligence
Adaptability
Maturity
Commitment
Communication
Assertiveness
Follow-though
Types of Interviews
Face to Face – Traditional
Structured
On-Campus *
On-Site
Panel-group interaction
Behavioral *
The On-Campus Interview
Opportunity for you to begin the formal interview process
Employers seeking SHSU graduates for entry-level
positions
Types of On-Campus Interviews
– Open Interview Schedule
– Pre-Select Interview Schedule
The On-Campus Interview
JOBS 4 KATS System
– Create your own account
– Upload your resume
Eligible for:
– On-Campus Interviewing
• Open and Pre-Select schedules
– Resume Referral Service
– View Job and Internship Listings
The Behavioral Interview
Based on the idea: “The best way to predict
future behavior is to determine past behavior.”
Focuses on actions & behaviors rather than
subjective impressions
For more information on Behavioral Interviewing,
read handout
How to Prepare for an Interview
Review the companies
requirements
Prepare yourself
– Be prepared to provide
examples of your skills,
abilities, interests, etc.
Research the company
Formulate questions
First Impressions
Handshake
Smile
Good posture
Eye contact
Appearance
Business Dress for Women
Suits – navy, gray, black
Skirts – below knee
Classic leather pump shoes
Leather handbag
Small, simple jewelry
Pull hair away from face
Subtle fragrance
Business Dress for Men
Suits
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Classic, conservative style
Navy or dark gray
White shirt
Tie
Shined black shoes
Good quality watch
No jewelry
Subtle cologne
Interviewing Etiquette
Timing
Secretaries
Seating
Privacy
Names
Habits
The money issue
Farewells
Thank-you notes
Career Services
Sam Houston State University
919 Bearkat – Box 2238
Huntsville, Texas 77341-2238
Telephone: (936) 294-1713
Fax: (936) 294-3616
www.shsu.edu/careerservices