Resume Tips

• Ask others to read your resume and provide feedback
• Read it out loud to yourself
• Spell check will not catch when you use the incorrect form of a word (e.g. “they’re”, “their”, “there”)
• Do not include an objective statement - this feature is no longer in style
• Include a “Qualifications” or “Summary of Qualifications” which is approximately 3 to 5 bullets
  • Summarize your relevant skills, accomplishments, and education
  • Do not waste space with statements such as being quick learner, being a team player, being a hard worker, etc. – those are given expectations for all applicants; instead, demonstrate those qualities in bullets that describe your accomplishments
  • If seeking a career transition, say so in the first bullet. For example, if you have worked in nursing home and just got a degree in IT: “Ready to apply the same attention to detail used to care for elderly and rehabilitating patients to ensuring complex information systems remain secure and available for users”
• Email address:
  • Consider the impression your email address will give someone who does not know you. Consider if you need to create a more professional email address such as “This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.”
  • A professional email address used only on your resume and applications is a good way to avoid accidentally overlooking messages from potential employers
• Do not include references – keep references with contact information in a separate file
• Bullet statements are preferable over paragraphs
• Use a mix of statements that describe your responsibilities and statements that describe and quantify your accomplishments; do not exaggerate but don’t oversimplify
• Use present tense in the bullets for your current position and past tense in your previous positions
• Tailor your resume for each position you apply for
  • Rearrange your bullet statements in both the Qualifications summary and the Experience summary to emphasize the more relevant aspects of your experience and skills; put the more relevant bullets above the less relevant bullets
  • Add more details for the more relevant experience and shorten or delete details for less relevant experience
• Make your resume “pop” with appropriate (but not overdone) use of bolded headings and underlining
• Dig into your educational or volunteer experiences, especially if you have little or no experience for the position you seek. For example:
  
  • Cite a short list of classes taken that show relevance to a position
  • Describe term papers or class projects that demonstrate experience and knowledge applicable to a position for which you are applying
  • Describe volunteer activities that show skills and leadership experience

Professional Dress at Career Fairs and Interviews

Employers' primary feedback to us about our career fair is that many attendees do not arrive dressed for success.  Make a good first impression. Dress professionally and separate your social image from your professional image.  Here are some tips below for dressing at career fairs and interviews.

Men:

• Suit (conservative solid color - navy or dark grey) – see business casual below if the position does not require business attire
• Long sleeve shirt (white or coordinated with the suit)
• Tie (conservative color, no logos or graphics)
• Belt (solid color - dark blue, black, or brown)
• Dark socks, conservative leather shoes (solid color - dark blue, black, or brown)
• Little or no jewelry
• Neat, professional hairstyle
• Limit the aftershave and cologne
• Neatly trimmed nails

Women:

• Suit (conservative solid color - navy, black or dark grey) - see business casual below if the position does not require business attire
• Skirt or dress should be just above the knee or longer
• Simple, conservative blouse or top (no sparkles or bright colors)
• Low heel closed in shoes (dark blue, black, or brown)
• Limited jewelry (one ring per hand, no dangling earrings or arms full of bracelets)
• No jewelry is better than cheap jewelry
• Professional hairstyle (natural color and conservative cut)
• Neutral pantyhose
• Light makeup and perfume
• Neatly manicured clean nails (no bright colored nail polish or designs)

Business Casual

It is important to look professional even when you are not wearing a suit.

Women:

• Khaki, twill or cotton pants or skirts, neatly pressed
• Blazers, cardigans, blouses, polo/knit shirts
• Solid colors (avoid bright colors and patterns)

Men:

• Khaki or cotton pants neatly pressed
• Solid colored shirts with a collar (button-down or polo shirt, tucked into pants)
• Leather shoes and belt
• Tie (optional)

Do Not Wear

• Sandals, flip-flops or sneakers
• T-shirts
• Shorts
• Jeans
• Pants that are too baggy or too tight
• Hats, caps or scarves
• Mini Skirts
• Low cut or cropped tops (don't show your cleavage or your belly).
• Underwear that shows (this includes bras, bra straps, briefs, boxers, thongs, etc.).

Tips for Interviews and Career Fair Attendance

• Research employers and know something about the company; ask informed questions about the company
• Bring several copies of your resume in a portfolio or briefcase
• Bring pen and note pad; use it to take notes
• Show enthusiasm
• Present a well groomed, professional appearance
• Make sure shoes are polished
• Be polite to everyone; speak to all you come into contact with – the hiring manager will likely ask the administrative assistant and human resources person about their impression of you
• Shake hands and smile
• Maintain good posture and eye contact
• If in a group interview; make eye contact with the person who asked a question but also make quick eye contact with the others at the table while providing your response
• Don’t chew gum
• Don’t have food or drinks or use phone while talking to employers
• Make sure tattoos are covered
• Remove piercings except small earrings (men may want to remove earrings)
• Thank people verbally for talking with you
• Send written thank you notes after each interview (at least an email, a hand written thank you card is better)
  
  • At the career fair
    Treat it as an interview and dress professionally
  • Research the companies that will be in attendance
  • Don’t overlook employers that may not seem relevant at first glance. For example, a fast food chain may be looking for managers, IT people, marketers, accountants, etc.