Update your résumé now! Joyce’s Career Tip of the Week

It’s probably a safe bet that you are well aware that the fall semester begins August 17, 2017. Whether you are finishing an internship, volunteering at E2 or enjoying a final summer vacation, I’m sure that you are busy.

Do you know that the Fulton Schools Fall Career Fair is only five weeks away? Graduate student day on the Tempe campus is Tuesday, September 12, 2017 and the undergraduate student day on the Tempe campus is Wednesday, September 13, 2017. The Polytechnic campus Fulton Schools Career Fair is Thursday, September 14, 2017.

If you already have an effective résumé that has worked for you, take the time now to update it. What did you do this summer? Was it an internship, community service, research, an independent project, employment or a campus leadership position? Add the activity (or activities) to your résumé with some strong bullets. Be sure to articulate the skills you used and show what you accomplished.

Look over your résumé’s section on “Academic Projects.” Have you included those that are your strongest and most recent? Remember to write about your role and contributions rather than describing the purpose of the project.

As you add your most recent information, you might have to delete some items to keep your document to one page. Deciding what to keep and what to cut can be a challenge. As you review each section and every bullet, think about what you are saying. Can the reader get a good idea about the level of your technical skills? Have you used examples of activities and accomplishments that illustrate interpersonal skills? Finally, ask yourself this question: Is this something that will be a benefit to a potential employer?

If you have not yet created a résumé, or are not pleased with the one you have, look for presentations and opportunities for résumé reviews over the next few weeks. You can start now with the résumé PowerPoint on the Fulton Schools Career Center website.

We are looking forward to having you back on campus. As you start to fill out your calendars and planners, make sure to include Fulton Schools Career Center prep sessions and events!

 

Joyce Donahue is a Career Counselor in the Fulton Schools of Engineering Career Center. She is a nationally certified career counselor and holds “Master Career Counselor” membership status in the National Career Development Association.