Resume Workshop

08.30.13

Recruiters usually spend around 5 seconds reviewing resumes for the initial maybe pile.
Important information should jump out at a glance
*Target resume: make several versions for different audiences
Components
o Name, contact info (can include permanent and local address)
o Education, candidate for, graduation date
o Study Abroad
o Experience
o Activities, campus involvement, leadership
o Skills and interests (Photoshop, social media, etc). In interests, be very specific. Use as
tool to set yourself apart.
o Honors: dont have an entire section devoted to it. Only need 1 page per resume. Might
have an honors line under education at Penn.
Qualifications summary, work experience, skills. BREVITY.
Action verbs. Cut to the chase, dont use responsibilities include but rather coordinated,
organized, etc. Add things that measure your contribution (for ex, recruitment manager who
increased attendance to fraternity by 55%)
o Short, specific bullet points
Margins should NOT be smaller than 0.65 inches
Dont use I statements. Remove articles (the, and). Quantify when possible!
Resume formats
o Chronological: traditional, stresses more recent experiences, continuity/growth
o Functional: highlights SKILLS vs JOBS. Designed to hide things :o viewed suspiciously..
o Mixed: chronological, with functional subsections
Sample resume
o Objective: not really helpful for specific positions
o *List GPA exactly as it appears on PennInTouch. DONT ROUND
o If list major gpa, state # of classes that go into it

Cover Letters
WHY are you writing? Why are you best for this job?
Emphasize: INTEREST, ATTITUDE
Purpose of a cover letter
o Introduce/reintroduce self
o Qualifications
o Paragraph 1: introduce self (without saying name) tell employer why youre writing, and
briefly why youre interested. (Im a senior at Penn interested in the blah). Say how
you heard about the job. If you have a connection to the company, make sure you
mention it here! Include job title, if applicable. MAKE IT SPECIFIC! As a native of
Washington DC, I have long been drawn to your company make sure you cant swap
out names
Name-dropping: emphasize what you can LEARN from person youre
mentioning, so you dont sound arrogant.
o Paragraph 2: answer the question of why you would be good for the job. DONT REPEAT
YOUR RESUME. Connect the job function to your skills.
What can you reference from your resume to prove your proficiency? Look for
evidence. one of my proudest moments was when I did this
Address the concerns on the job description
Be enthusiastic
Be positive (DONT say, although I dont have experience). Dont want to put
spotlight on the negatives.
Backing up your skills. Skills-focused, not experience-focused.
o Paragraph 3: Why you are excited about this company/position. Show that you know
something about the organization and position. RESEARCH!!! Dont be vague (Id like to
work in a challenging environment). Can omit if you covered this in paragraph 1.
o Closing: I hope to have the opportunity to meet with you when you interviewPlease
feel free to contact me with questions.Thank you for your time and consideration.
Could follow up, just dont forget to do it
**Check Penn alumni network. Join groups on LinkedIn (can message within the website)
Cover letter pitfalls: