In honor of National Transfer Student week, Tau Sigma National Honor Society hosted “Get Career Ready!” with special guest host Teresa Martinez from the Career Development Center on Oct. 20. Martinez shared services available to students who are preparing professional resumes.
Martinez started off by detailing a few notes to start with when creating a resume. Your name, address, email, phone number and a LinkedIn profile are important. Your name should be large, in 16 to 22 font and bold. Address, email and phone number can be in 12 font and it is noted to abbreviate the state so it takes up less space.
It is not necessary to write “email” or “phone” either. However, if you have two numbers such as a home and cellphone, it can be abbreviated as “hm” and “cell” to take up less space.
A LinkedIn profile can be added as long as it is appropriate and professional. The url can be customized as well on the site, if you look under profile, then edit profile.
Education should be next after listing your name and contact information. The following can be listed under education: community college, military school, study abroad, minor/concentration, GPA and any relevant coursework or classes.
Martinez did note the first school that should be listed first and in bold is California State University, Monterey Bay since this is now the highest education institute one is currently in. If there is any relevant course that pertains to your major or concentration that sounds impressive, it can be noted as well to support your education field or future job field. After listing the most recent school, everything else can follow.
After listing education, all your work experience comes next. When writing experience down, it should be in chronological order starting with the most recent position then working your way down.
Martinez highlights the importance of using action words, ensuring past jobs are used in past tense, any organizations listed should be in bold, only list city and state and to be sure to include dates. In addition, not only jobs can be listed, but any relevant internships or volunteering.
If you did not have a specific “title” for your position, one can be made up that best fits the work you did. Martinez also added that she has assisted students in coming up with appropriate position names. While listing experience, any notable systems that were utilized within the position can be named as well.
The final step in completing your resume is to include a reference page. For the heading, you will keep it the same as your resume. Adding this shows employers that you have references ready and available. It is good to list at least three to four qualified people. It is key to ask them prior for their permission and may even help to send them your current resume, depending on the relationship with said person and how long it has been since you have been in contact with them.
When listing the reference, be sure to include their name, title, organization, contact information and your relationship to them.
Taking it step-by-step and ensuring you add only what is relevant and important will be the key factors in supporting your resume.
For any question or further assistance, the Career Development Center can be reached at (831) 582-3845 or you can stop by to meet with an adviser!