5. Create and Outstanding and
Effective Resume
• The first and perhaps the most vital step in preparing
yourself for a successful job search is to create a
powerful resume that will open doors and generate
interviews.
• You’ll want a powerfully effective and attractive
resume because:
“On average, most recruiters spend about 30
seconds scanning a resume and cover letter
before sending it to the “yes” or “no” pile.”
6. Top Ten Skills Companies
are Looking for in YOU!
1. Co-Op/Internship/Project Experience
2. Communication Skills (both written and oral)
3. Strong Work Ethic
4. Teamwork and Interpersonal Skills
5. Computer and Technical Skills
6. Motivation and Initiative
7. Problem Solving/Analytical/Ingenuity
8. Flexibility/Adaptability
9. Accomplishments/Achievements
10. Confidence in your own character and skill set
7. Evidence
Use your resume to provide
evidence of those skills companies
are looking for.
Provide detailed examples.
If you don’t have many of those
skills, start developing them NOW!
8. First things first…
Contact Information
• Make it easy for recruiter to find you
• Include name, permanent and/or school
address, telephone number, e-mail address
• Avoid information that is about to expire
• E-mail address should be civil, business-like
• URL of personal webpage may be included,
if only professional information and images
9. How do I create a resume?
Consider the following categories…
Objective
Education
Co-Op/Internship Experience
Project Experience
Research Experience
Computer/Technical Skills
Leadership Experience
Volunteer Work
Accomplishments
Honors/Awards
Work History
10. How do I create a resume?
Consider the following categories…
Objective - what you want to do, who you
want to work for
Examples:
To obtain a full-time position within the field of
Business and Accounting
To obtain a full-time position with Caterpillar
11. How do I create a resume?
Consider the following categories…
Education - schools, locations, degrees, dates,
GPAs
Examples:
Michigan Technological University Houghton, MI
BS Degree Expected May
2010
Minor: Spanish
Concentration:
Focus:
GPA: 3.85
Pleasantville High School Pleasantville, MI
AP Coursework: English, Calculus, Physics, Basketweaving
2009
University of Barcelona Barcelona, Spain
Spanish Language Studies Fall 2009
12. How do I create a resume?
Consider the following categories…
Experiential Education
Co-Op, Internship, Enterprise, Senior Design, Coursework, Extra-Curricular
Example Formats:
Company Location
Title (IT Analyst Co-Op, Manufacturing Intern, Accounting Intern) Date
Action
Action
Action
Action
SAE Enterprise
Project:
Objective:
Worked on a team of 6
Action
Action
Action
Results: Earned first place in International SAE Competition, 2009
13. How do I create a resume?
Consider the following categories…
Work Experiences - paid, unpaid, volunteer
Examples:
Applebee’s Houghton, MI and Grandville, MI
Waitress 2006 - Present
• Marketed new menu items, developing sales skills
• Successfully interacted and communicated with diverse customer base
• Developed team work and team business system skills
Strohl Farms Escanaba, MI
Part-time Heavy Equipment Operator/Maintenance June 2005 – Present
• Skid Loader • Tractor • TMR • Field/Harvesting Equipment
Camp Counselor Flat Rock, MI
Band Camp Woodwinds Instructor Summer 2009
Dunham’s Bellville, MI
Sales Associate Summer 2009
14. How do I create a resume?
Consider the following categories…
Skills - Computer, Technical, Language
Computer:
Operating Systems
Programming Languages
Networking
Software
Technical:
Asphalt Testing
Soil Borings
Operating large equipment: skid, tractor, backhoe, paver, harvester
CNC and Manual Lathe
Welding
GPS
GIS
Laboratory:
Microscope
Slide prep
Titration
15. How do I create a resume?
Consider the following categories…
Leadership
Project Leadership Experience
U2Explore Enterprise
Project Manager
Led a team of 5
Scheduled and executed meetings with team members
Developed task schedules, timelines, and deadlines
Assigned tasks according to team member strengths, skills, and abilities
Motivated high performance and adherence to timelines
Liaison with advisor
Coordinated and edited project technical report and oral presentation made to professional
corporate
and academic audience
ABC Fraternity
President
Vice President
Membership Chair
16. How do I create a resume?
Consider the following categories…
Accomplishments - don’t be shy
Scholarships
Awards
Honors
Certifications
4-H
Honor Society
Boy Scouts
Athletic Teams
Missions
Church Youth Group
Martial Arts
Aviation
Entrepreneurial Experience
17. How do I create a resume?
Consider the following categories…
Miscellaneous
Michigan Technological University Varsity Football Team
4 year Letter Winner
• 2-semester daily practice commitment
• Balanced 3 hour daily practice and bi-weekly game travel with full-class schedule
• Studied, learned, and executed numerous systems
• Learned and practiced troubleshooting and problem solving techniques in high stress, real-time competition
environment
• Developed teamwork, communication skills, time management/prioritizing skills, competitive
character, highly disciplined work ethic, and performance excellence
United States Air Force Oklahoma City, OK
• Airborne Computer Display Maintenance Technician 1990 – 1994
• Successfully completed electronics and specific system training
• Successfully completed survival and prisoner of war training, including
• land navigation and water survival
• Operated early warning radar and communication computer and
• data processing for E-3 AWACS
• Troubleshot, reconfigured, and repaired aging system mid-mission
• Worked successfully within diverse team to accomplish missions
18. REFERENCES
This will be a separate page
No less than 3 and no more than 5
Match references with work experience if possible
REFERENCES
Name
Title
Department
Company/University/Organization
Address
Address
Phone
email
19. MISCELLANEOUS
Ensure it’s typo free!!!
Perfect spelling and grammar mechanics
Ask professional acquaintances to proof it for
style and comprehension
Invest in some heavy resume paper and
envelopes
Add an interesting and engaging cover letter
21. It’s NEVER too early…
For YOUR Career Development
Why? Because professionally, academically,
and personally developing, and gaining
hands-on corporate and industry
experience are the most important things
you can do NOW that will help you get the
job of your dreams later
22. Research Shows…
That students who use their Career Services
are more successful at finding an
internship, co-op, or full-time position
and…. are far more successful at landing the
job of their dreams
23. Career Services Professionals
Provide one-on-one help with all your career
development needs:
Choosing your optimal career – MyPlan
Guidance for co-curricular participation
Resume and cover letter writing
Interview coaching and practicing
Career Fair Preparation
Job Search Strategies including our new on-line
recruiting software - NACElink
On-campus interview scheduling
Offer negotiation and benefits evaluation
Business etiquette advice
24. Career Services as a
valuable resource…
Visit Career Services physically for an easy,
friendly, valuable one-on-one Career
Development appointment.
Attend our large event seminars
Visit Career Services electronically for valuable, up
to date information:
Pay close attention to:
www.career.mtu.edu
Career Services emails
NACElink
25. Connect with companies who want YOU…
with YOUR recruiting software NACElink
This software will help you manage and publish your
resume, search job postings, and connect with hundreds
of employers from around the world.
Upload your new or updated resume to NACElink soon!
Go to www.career.mtu.edu
26. A lot to think about…
It’s never too early to start thinking about
and planning for your future.
You’re not alone…we’re here to help you.
Choose to use your Career Center
Resources.
27. Visit Career Services
Harold Meese Center
Office Hours: Mon-Fri 8 am – 5 pm
Call ahead for an appointment - 487-2313
Check out our website – www.career.mtu.edu