Resume Tips
Writing a resume is a skill. And just like any other skill, it has to be learned. If you're writing a resume for the first time (or the fifth!), remember that we in Career Development are here to help. Take a look at the resources here, write a draft, and contact us to get it reviewed!
If you want a resume review, you can:
2) Email careerdevelopment@augustana.edu
3) Upload your resume to Augie Hub. We review the first resume that a student uploads, and we'll get in touch with you about it.
Resume Resources
Resume Recommendations packet An in-depth look, including examples
Action Verbs Using the right verb makes your bullet points much more effective
How to Format Your Resume See directions on how to add lines, bullet points, etc. using Microsoft Word.
What do Employers Want to See?
A recent survey by the National Association of Colleges and Employers gathered information from 500 major corporations about the qualities and attributes they seek in new employees. Listed below are their responses. When writing your resume and cover letter, be sure to emphasize the following qualities, attributes, and skills:
- Willingness to accept responsibility
- Willingness to work hard
- Initiative/drive/resourcefulness
- Confidence/self-reliance
- Motivation
- Ability to handle stress
- Self-discipline
- Desire to succeed
- Team player
- Interpersonal skills
- Flexibility
- Oral communication skills
- Personality
- Genuine interest in job
- Organizational/planning skills
- Personal experience
- Leadership
- Creativity/imagination
As you begin to create your resume, remember . . .
- The person who gets the job is not always the one who can do the job best, but the one who knows how to get the job!
Your resume requires your meticulous attention. You can be screened out on the basis of a poor resume or cover letter.
- Employers don't read resumes; they skim them in about 15 seconds.
Think of your resume as an advertisement, not an article. Leave plenty of white space.
- Resumes should be one or two pages.
Anything longer borders on being your autobiography. Resist the temptation to overwhelm employers with information. This is not a transcript.
- Emphasize your skills that transfer from one situation to another.
If you coordinated a student event, you can probably coordinate other things. Think about what you have learned to do through your experiences.
- Highlight your relevant experiences.
Always give the most space to the jobs or experiences that are most relevant to the job for which you are applying. Tailor your resume to the type of job you are seeking. You guessed it - if you apply for different types of jobs, you will need to have more than one resume. It's a cruel world.
- Use action verbs.
Throw out opening phrases like "I did. I was. I am.." Use verbs like "initiated, created, developed, supervised." Banish the overworked phrase "Responsible for..."
- Focus your resume.
Employers do not want to make career decisions for you. Use a clear objective if you have one. However, never use an objective unless your resume is targeted to that job or occupation.
Have a question? Email Career Development at careerdevelopment@augustana.edu
