Resume WorkshopASE 201

October 22, 2001

Engineering Career Assistance Center

ECJ 2.400

www.engr.utexas.edu/ecac/

Your resume is...

• Your ticket to an interview

• First impression employer has of you

• Your personal advertisement

• 10-to-30 second presentation

• Error-free document

• Scannable

Purpose of a Resume

• Obtain an interview

• Create a positive first impression

• Who you are

• What you have learned

• What you have accomplished

Resume Sections

• Personal

• Objective

• Education (including coursework)

• Experience

• Skills

• Activities/Honors

Resume Tips

• Personal Information– Keep your address and phone number updated– Include your e-mail address– Keep objective general

• Education– Bachelor of Science, Mechanical Engineering, May 2005– GPA or not GPA?– Related courses: a good idea in moderation

Work Experience

• Utilize action verbs to begin descriptions

• Paint a picture of your work experience– Give some specific responsibilities or duties– Provide adequate detail of your actions

• Non-engineering work goes on resume

See the Difference?

• Waitperson, Joe’s Restaurant– Wait tables

• Waitperson, Joe’s Restaurant– Work in fast-paced environment– Interact with customers and take food orders– Resolve customer concerns with orders– Coordinate with waitstaff to serve customers– Train new employees

Skills and Accomplishments

• Skills– Technical, including computer, skills– Language skills– Transferable skills

• Accomplishments (Activities/Honors)– Academic awards and special recognition– Memberships and leadership activities– Volunteer activities

Does High School Count?

• Education and honors– Graduate, Texas Academy of Math and Science– Valedictorian, LBJ Science Academy

• Work experience

• Activities– Member, Student Council– Team member, varsity football– President, Spanish Club

Resume Appearance

Bond paper (25% cotton) White or off-white color Font: Nothing Fancy or Unusual Point size: 10-12 point White space or blank lines Emphasis: Bold (sometimes bullets) NO ERRORS!

Resume Elimination Factors

Misspelled words Incorrect grammar Too many pages False information Salary requirements Very specific objective Scanner unfriendly

Scanner Friendly Resume

• Use standard font styles & sizes

• Avoid extras (italics, underline, boxes, etc.)

• Put name at top

• Avoid most abbreviations

• Use keywords, including industry keywords

• Format and print resume for the scanner

General Keyword Examples

• Ability to…(supervise, delegate, etc.)

• Leadership skills

• Oral/written communication skills

• Interpersonal skills

• Problem solving skills

• Public speaking and presentation skills

• Team/teamwork skills

EngineeringCo-op and Intern Fair

• Friday, February 1, 2002

• 10am-4pm

• Frank Erwin Center

• Last year:98 companies

Additional Sources

• Electronic Resume Revolution by Joyce Lain Kennedy (book in ECAC)

• Resume and Cover Letter Workshop– Thursday, September 13, 4pm, RLM 4.102– ECAC Web site streaming video

• ECAC Web site– “Job Search Links” link– “Articles” link

ECAC Resources forAll Engineering Students

• ECAC Library

• Counseling

• Workshops

• Informative Website

Benefits of Registering• Participation in on-campus interviews• Online resume

– User friendly– Printable and presentable– Resume e-mailer– Searchable database

• Program eligibility• When to register

– Early spring 2002– Attend orientation session