The Career Fair is Fast Approaching! - Is Your Resume Going to Make a Good First Impression?

Resumes and Online Applications

The UO Fall Career Fair is coming November 12, and NOW is the time to create or tune up your resume. Especially if you are a junior or senior, think about this important marketing tool.  As you begin the process of searching for a job or internship, you’ll want to have a well-crafted resume to impress potential employers.  It can also be helpful if an employer directs you to fill out an online application - your information has already been carefully organized on your resume!

Basic Guidelines for Writing a Strong Resume: 

• It should be one full page; organized, easy to read and not overly full.
• The margins can be from ¾” to 1” all around.
• The type size should be 10, 11, or 12 point, (although your name may be in 14 point font). 
• It should be free of spelling, grammar or punctuation errors.  
• Your resume should accurately summarize your education, skills, and accomplishments. 
• The most popular resume format, and the one preferred by most employers, is reverse chronological – listing your most recent education and experience first.  
• The section headers should be in all CAPS and BOLDED.

The resume sections you must include, in order, are:

Contact Information: your name, address, phone number and e-mail address. DO NOT use e-mail addresses that may be inappropriate (EX:  “partyboy@yahoo.com”).

Education: Begin with the degree you are pursuing and your expected graduation date. Include the name of the University, the city, state (abbrev), your major, minor, and GPA (optional). You may also include relevant coursework, study abroad, and honors.

Experience:   Start with your most recent or current experience first.  You can include paid work, internships, leadership roles (in student government, campus or community groups, sports teams), and volunteer positions. The first line for each entry is the position, organization, city, state and dates. It is followed by bullet point statements describing the skills you used and your accomplishments.

Optional sections on your resume include SKILLS (Computer, Languages, Special Equipment, and Certifications), ACTIVITIES, and INTERESTS.

You can find much more information and several examples in the Career Center downloadable Resume and Cover Letter Guide at here.

REMEMBER: Your resume alone won’t get you a job, but it may get you an interview. The Career Center is hosting a special Pre-Career Fair Resume Workshop on Monday, November 9 from 4 to 6:30 p.m. in the Career Center Conference Room. Please register today.

You can also schedule an appointment at the Career Center before the Career Fair to have your resume reviewed. Contact us anytime Monday – Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. at (541)346-3235.

What if you work really hard to craft your resume, take it to the Career Fair and a recruiter tells you to fill out an online application?  Don’t worry, this is common. Asking you to submit your information to online databases is how many employers today manage applicant information.  Having your resume ready will make it easier to fill out these applications. Bringing several copies of your resume with you when you attend the Career Fair shows employers you are prepared – the first step in making a good impression!

Photo from Flickr by Mooganic