Last Job Search Guide - Page 271 of 356

4. Education - Start with your most recent degree. Date of degree - if graduating this year, put month and year. If not graduating this year, put “Expected Graduation: month and year”. Freshmen and sophomores can mention high school if graduated with honors or received special awards, scholarships. When you get to your junior year - leave out the high school information and concentrate on more recent accomplishments.

Rule of thumb on GPA - only mention it if it's 3.0 or better. If your overall GPA is under 3.0 but your GPA in your major is 3.0 or better, provide that information only. Example: Accounting GPA 3.5, or GPA in major - 3.5.

If you are financing part or all of your education expenses, mention that here (e.g. “Financing 80 percent of educational expenses through part-time employment”).

You can list courses taken for now, but limit them to those relevant to your objective.

5. Employment - list most recent first and work backwards.

First line - include employer name and location (city and state only), no street addresses, zip codes or phone numbers).

Second line - either list, or put in paragraph form, your job functions. Include your accomplishments (positive results of what you did, recognitions, promotions, etc. Start each job function with an action verb like “initiated” or “developed”, etc. What did you do that got the job done? You organized, you developed, etc. Include key skills words that show off your accomplishments - what you did and what you can do. (Employers often look at past accomplishments to predict future accomplishments).

6. Honors and Awards - list scholarships, Dean's List, honor societies, recognitions, awards, etc.

7. Activities/Interests - list any clubs or organizations you belong to. Include any offices you've held, leadership positions, community work, sports, hobbies, etc. Future recruiters/employers will look at your extra-curricular activities as evidence of your ability to balance both academic and personal life (time management skills), and also as evidence of your leadership and teamwork skills. Strong GPA isn't enough anymore. Employers want more.

8. Additional Information - include language skills, computer skills, etc. You can also use a separate heading “Computer Skills” if you want to. List any special licenses you may have, associations, professional affiliations, accreditations, etc.

If a possible problem/question could arise regarding your eligibility to work in the U.S. , you may want to consider including “U.S. Citizen” or “Permanent Resident” on your resumé as additional or personal information.

9. “References Available Upon Request” - this isn't necessary as it's a given. If an employer wants your references because they are considering you for a job, of course you will provide them. Use the space to better advantage.

You don't have to strictly follow the sample resumés attached, but you should limit your resumé to one page, and include the traditional headings (i.e Objective, Education, Experience, etc.). And don't forget - don't rely solely on spell checkers. Use “people checkers”. Once you get a draft resumé put together, have several people review and critique it, especially your college career center if one is available .

 

The above is an excerpt from The Last Job Search Guide You'll Ever Need: How to Find and Get the Job or Internship of Your Dreams, which is available for sale for $19.85 in our bookstore or $27.00 at Amazon.com but for free to those who subscriber to our free career newsletter. This hot new book contains job search secrets of the most experienced, most knowledgeable and most respected career experts. Learn career planning, job hunting tools and tactics, interviewing, cover letter and resume writing (lots of samples!), networking, and how to find an internship. Written by 149 career experts. To receive a free copy, subscribe to our free career newsletter.

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