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Obtaining a job after graduation requires a lot of hard work. Some people describe it as a job in-and-of itself. With preparation, though, the process can go much quicker and smoother.
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*accomplishments |
*career goals |
*likes/dislikes |
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*abilities |
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*academic goals |
As you begin to organize your resume, it is essential for you to consider your audience and what you want to tell them about yourself. The amount of time an employer might spend reviewing your qualifications can be very short; therefore, it is critical that your resume be an effective marketing piece. If, at this point, you do not clearly and concisely let the employer know what your skills, accomplishments and levels of responsibility have been, chances are the employer will not pursue your application. Remember, the employer is most interested in how and what you can contribute to that organization.
There are two resume formats that are commonly used: chronological and functional. A chronological resume is best used when your experience and education are clearly related to the type of position you are seeking. A functional resume is best used when your experience and education are not directly related to the position, you have gaps in work history, or you wish to emphasize particular skills and abilities.
Resume Tips
- Keep your resume to one page if possible, certainly no longer than two pages.
- Layout is just as important as content. Avoid excessive punctuation and allow for plenty of white space in the margins.
- Be clear and concise, avoid a narrative format. Employers view resumes very quickly. Make sure every word on your resume is important and contributes to your goal of obtaining an interview.
- You may choose to include a brief career objective on your resume. If you do not, be very specific in the letter of application as to the position you are seeking and why you are qualified for the position.
- Emphasize special skills you possess which are particularly relevant to the position you are seeking.
- Academic honors and honorary societies should be noted.
- Indicate if you financed a major portion of your education.
- Emphasize promotions, recognitions and evidence of leadership.
- Summer and part-time experience may be summarized.
- Highlight strong points and minimize limitations through effective resume construction techniques.
- Exclude information which might be misinterpreted or form a negative impression.
- If you have particularly good references, it can be beneficial to include them with your resume.
- Prepare several rough drafts of your resume. Have your friends, references and the Career Services staff review your rough draft. The more input the better!
- DO NOT: use abbreviations, state salary requirements, indicate race, religion, or political affiliation, indicate a narrow geographic preference, or give reasons for changing past employers.
The cover letter is a critical part of the resume package you submit to a prospective employer. An effective cover letter should add to your resume.Both the cover letter and resume should contribute to your professional image and be an expression of your written communication and organizational skills. Since the cover letter is what introduces you to a potential employer it should always accompany a resume.
A cover letter usually takes one of two forms:
- An application letter: a direct response by the applicant to a specific publicized opening, allows the prospective employee to get to the point by addressing specifics about the job. You need to make a list of the qualifications a particular position requires. Then make a list of your accomplishments that relate directly to the particular position in which you are interested.
- A letter of inquiry: an attempt to determine any openings which currently exist or which may exist in the future, requires that you do research on the company.
Cover Letter Format:
Opening Paragraph: Attract attention, state the position you are applying for and mention how you learned about it (mention any contacts you have). Reveal your knowledge about the company. Make the employer want to read on!
Second Paragraph: Describe your qualifications. Outline the qualifications that you possess that match the requirements of the position. Indicate when and from where you will be graduating. State why you are interested in working for the company and specify your reasons for desiring this type of work.
Third Paragraph: Make reference to your enclosed resume, but do not restate the information it contains. Point out college or work experience which might be of particular interest or contribute to the company.
Closing Paragraph: Show appreciation and ask for action, i.e., request an interview and state when you would be available. Suggest when you will follow up instead of leaving it up to the employer to contact you. Briefly thank the prospective employer for their consideration.
Cover Letter Checklist:
- Is the letter original and not a mass-produced copy?
- Have you addressed the letter to the right person and spelled the name correctly?
- Have you checked the gender of the person to whom you have addressed the letter?
- Will the letter capture the readers attention?
- Is the format attractive, neat and organized?
- Have you checked for spelling and other grammatical errors?
- Is it less than one page in length?
- Is the language concise?
- Have you taken advantage of contacts? Mention this referral in the sentence.
- Have you included hard-hitting statements of accomplishments using action verbs?
- If you are responding to an ad, does the letter address specific requirements of the position?
- Have you specified what you want to do for the company rather than what you want them to do for you?
- Have you selected the same quality paper as for your resume, with a matching envelope?
- Did you avoid repeating details from your resume in your cover letter?
- Did you specify when you will contact them?
- Does your letter reflect that you are confident -- but not arrogant?
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Career Development Guide - Job Search, Resume writing, Interviewing, The Workplace
Researching companies is crucial to a successful job search. Employers perceive researching a company as a critical factor in the evaluation of applicants because it reflects interest and enthusiasm. In the interview, it shows that you understand the purpose of this process and establishes a common base of knowledge from which questions can be asked and to which information can be added. It enables both applicant and interviewer to evaluate the position match more accurately. You will want to do some employer research to:
- See if you are interested in working for that particular company or organization
- Find out about different types of jobs or work that you may be hired to do
- Prepare for an interview
What type of information should you look for?
- History and potential growth for the employer and the industry
- Restructuring, downsizing, reengineering activities
- Products and services
- Locations
- Annual sales the past year(s) compared to industry trends
- Employer's major competitors
- Ownership of organizations; impact of family ownership on possible advancement potential
- Management style, corporate culture
- Number of employees
- Training and development programs
Where to research companies:
- Company Links Site
- Career Services Office
- Internet
- State directories of manufacturing and service companies
- Local newspapers
- Chamber of Commerce
- Contact the company itself and request information such as brochures, annual reports, and other literature
- Thomas Register of American Manufacturers
- Business Index, Information Access
- US Industrial Outlook, US Department of Commerce
- Business Periodical Index
- Hoover's Handbook of American Business
- Hoover's Guide to Private Companies
- Directory of Foreign Manufacturers in the US Georgia State University Business Press
- World Business Directory, Gale Research, Inc.
- Business International Index
Following are the steps to take in finding a job outside the Fox Valley, although the process is essentially the same if looking for a job locally. Prepare for at least 4-6 months to complete the search.
Step 1: Determine your objective
- What city would you like to live in
- Are there other areas in the vicinity that you would like to live in
Step 2: Register for P.J. Scout, a job search agent.
You can specify the location you want to work in plus occupation and salary. On a weekly basis, applicable job openings will be sent to your e-mail account.
Step 3: Develop a time frame to complete all steps of your action plan
- Obtain yellow pages for the new location
- Develop an effective resume and cover letter
- Networking
- Develop a contact list of people you can talk with about potential job opportunities (name, phone, company, title, e-mail, how you know this person, etc.)
- Career Services can provide contacts for some geographical areas
- Contact local networking contacts for site visits
- Contact companies you are interested in
- Arrange meetings with local contacts
- Do informational interviews with local contacts
- Send resumes and fill out applications
- Complete any on-site errands such as apartment hunting
Step 4: Decide the types of positions/careers/fields you would like to work in
Step 5: Decide which companies you would like to work for
- Write down why you are interested in these companies
- Research these companies according to the previous section (Researching Companies)
Step 6: Gather any resources on the company and the geographical area it is located in
- Local newspapers
- Electronic/Internet resources
- Job/Career Fairs in the area
- Local University Career Services Offices
- Staffing agencies to work through
Step 7: Determine your travel/air fare resource needs
Step 8: Make a "To Do" List which may include some of the following:
- Start a file for all printed resources
- Read local newspaper weekly
- Request copies of transcripts from UW Oshkosh
- Solicit feedback on resume from at least 5 people and update as needed
- Get a map of the new location
- Look into moving expenses
- Obtain a local voice mail
- Develop a budget, including projected bills, etc., for your first year
- How to Make a Budget plus other relevant tutorials
- Save money for the move and several months of rent, food, etc.
- Have car tuned before driving to the new location
- Send letters to friends to advise of the move ahead of time (address/phone, etc.)
- Update address with credit cards, banks, etc.
- Open checking account in new location
- Make copies of outstanding samples of previous work
Step 9: Prepare for potential interviews by working through the "Behavioral Interviewing Guide" found in Career Services, Dempsey 230.
Step 10: Keep database of all meetings, phone calls, e-mails, interviews, etc. with companies and contacts. Be sure to include the following:
- Name
- Company
- Office Location
- Phone Number
- Date of E-mailed thank you
- Date of written thank you
- Date of last contact
- Date of next contact
The following sites give you information on relocation and human resource issues such as transfer activity and costs, home sale and purchase, relocation policy development, calculators to let you compare salaries between geographic locations, on-line rental databases, and real estate directories, etc.
The Virtual Relocation Company
Regional Jobs . . .
- City of Madison Employment Opportunities
- P.J. Scout/NationJob
- Search by State
- Chicago Area
- California Jobs
- Career Professionals-Twin Cities Jobs
- Colorado Jobs
- Colorado Jobs
- Local, National, Company Links
- US & International Jobs
- Back Door Jobs
- Can search by city, state, keywords
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| | 230 Dempsey Hall | | 800 Algoma Blvd. | | Oshkosh, WI 54901 | |
Phone: 920-424-2181 | | Fax: 920-424-1000 | |
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