Happy New Year, and welcome to the Career Development Center's electronic newsletter: Working Beyond Expectations! We hope that you find this newsletter both informative and useful as you prepare for the next level of your life.
Quote of the Week
Career News
Coming Up! Join Us!
IUP Featured Alumnus
FR/SO/JR/SR Tip
Let's Hear What Your Colleagues Are Doing!
Did You Ever Consider a Career In...
Arm Yourself With a First-Rate Resume
Note from the Director
Editor's Note
Quote of the Week
by: Jamie Guilford, Graduate Intern
Career Development Center
Saturday Night Live character Stuart Smalley's mantra, ‘I'm good enough, I'm smart enough, and doggone it, people like me,’ may have been a joke, but it's not that far off from what you should be thinking before you walk into an interview. Psychologists call this ‘positive self talk.’
—Kayleen Schaefer, CareerJournal.com,
The Wall Street Journal Executive Career Site
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Career News
by: Jamie Guilford, Graduate Intern
Career Development Center
Career Development Center Spring 2008 Workshop Series
- What the Career Development Center Has to Offer You!
Presenter: Ms. Kate Cook
- Embarking on a job search? Need help writing a resume? Thinking about applying to graduate school? Attend this workshop to find out what resources the Career Development Center has to offer! Wednesday, February 6, 6:00 p.m., 305 Pratt Hall
- Getting into Graduate School
Presenter: Mr. Ruben Henao
- Planning to attend graduate school? Application materials got you down? Can’t think about how to market yourself on paper? At this workshop, learn how to increase your chances of being accepted at a graduate school of your choice by improving your professional writing skills. Wednesday, February 13, 6:00 p.m., 305 Pratt Hall
- Resume and Cover Letters, Part I
Presenter: Mr. Shane Barbini
This workshop will introduce you to the world of resume and cover letter writing. Attendants of this workshop will have the opportunity to view professional examples and receive tips on how to write an effective resume and cover letter. Wednesday, February 20, 6:00 p.m., 305 Pratt Hall
- Resume and Cover Letters, Part II
Presenters: Mr. Shane Barbini and Ms. Casey Vargo
Students who attended the “Resume and Cover Letters, Part I” workshop will have the opportunity to have their resume and cover letter reviewed by skilled Career Development Center staff members. Wednesday, February 27, 6:00 p.m., 305 Pratt Hall
- Interviewing Skills and Etiquette
Presenters: Ms. Mallory Bower and Ms. Emily Tamosauskas
Nervous about an upcoming interview? Don’t know what to do in a business dinner interview? Come to this workshop and learn more about the secret to success in an interview. Also, we will prepare you with proper dining etiquette and interviewing techniques that will help you land your dream job. Wednesday, March 19, 6:00 p.m., 305 Pratt Hall
- Making a Career Fair Work for You
Presenter: Ms. Casey Vargo
Planning on going to an upcoming job fair? Network your way to success by learning how to market your skills to employers and to get the information you need for future decisions. Wednesday, March 26, 6:00 p.m., 305 Pratt Hall
- Job Searching
Presenter: Ms. Jamie Guilford
Job Hunting? Update that Voicemail Message!
While many people consider their cell phones an extension of themselves and like to have components of their phone be reflective of their individuality or personality, have you considered what your voicemail message really says about you?
Knowing that your friends enjoy listening to Kanye West while waiting to respond to your, “What’s up? It’s John--Leave a message!” voicemail message is one thing. But during the job hunt when potential employers are calling, you want to project a greater overall professional image. Your voicemail message is one of the small details that those potential employers will notice.
By following these simple steps as outlined by www.ehow.com, you can update your voicemail in a way so that it can be used as another effective marketing tool in your job hunt:
Functionalize Your Message
§ Listen to your current voicemail message. If anyone you know has commented on how fun or wacky it is, you should update it.
§ Begin with "Hello." Clearly state your first and last name, followed by your number (with area code). Say that the call is important to you and that you'll return it as soon as possible. End with a mention of thanks.
§ Do not feel compelled to adhere to a specific format for your voicemail message. Just keep in mind that when you're job hunting, you are the equivalent of a business searching for customers. Have an appropriate message to retain the interest of important callers you'd like to impress.
(Retrieved from www.ehow.com/how_2030852_have-appropriate-voicemail.html?ref=fuel)
Don’t forget to change your call waiting music! Classical and jazz would be savvy music selections that are not only appropriate, but reflect maturity and appreciation of the arts as well.
By projecting a professional image through all possible avenues in which you could come into contact with potential employers, you can attract serious interest and increase the chances of getting your foot in the door for an interview or even receiving that dream job offer.
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On-Campus Recruiting/Interviewing Program
by: Maggie Babco, Recruiting Coordinator, Career Development Center
Looking for a full-time, permanent position after graduation or an internship? The Career Development Center invites you to participate in the on-campus recruiting/interviewing program. Career Development has partnered with College Central Network (CCN) to provide both the student and employer with a convenient way to access the on-campus recruitment program. The interview management system of CCN offers students the entire pre-interview process electronically. On-line instructions are provided.
Employers have the option of recruiting candidates through individual interviews, information sessions and information tables or any combination. Employers contact the Career Development Center, and once a recruiting date has been established it is placed on the CCN website.
To participant in the on-campus interviewing program, you must be registered and have a current resume uploaded on CCN. To begin the process, go to www.collegecentral.com/iup and follow the on-line instructions. To view the listing of organizations recruiting on campus, go to your “Welcome” screen and select the “Search for On-campus Recruitment Jobs” option. If searching for a particular company, enter the company name and select “Begin Search.” If you wish to view the listing of companies who are scheduled to recruit, leave this screen blank and select “Begin Search.” This will provide you with the entire listing of companies at that point in time. To view a job description, select the red Job ID number. For interview consideration for that position, select “Submit Resume” located at the bottom of the screen. The resume is submitted directly to the recruiter for the pre-selection process. If pre-selected you will receive a notice on CCN, so be sure to check the site often. Interview locations are 302 Pratt Hall and 301 Eberly. The location of the interview is posted on the interview schedule screen.
Honor all interview appointments that you schedule. It is your responsibility to notify Maggie Babco (724-357-2235) in the Career Development Center if you are not able to keep your scheduled interview. In case of an emergency, you must make every reasonable effort to telephone the Career Development Center at least one hour before the scheduled appointmet so notice can be given to the recruiter. Failure to not show up for an interview can result in your suspension from any future interviews conducted through the Career Development Center.
Job Fairs
Please visit the website for additional information.
Summer Job and Internship Fair
Wednesday, February 27, 2008
11 a.m. – 2 p.m.
HUB Ohio Room
www.iup.edu/career/SummerJobFair/student.shtm
Criminology and Government Career Fair
Wednesday, March 26, 2008
Noon – 5 p.m.
HUB Ohio Room
Link to website coming soon!
WestPACS Spring Job Fair
Thursday, April 3, 2008
10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Pittsburgh ExpoMart, Monroeville, PA
www.westpacs.org
The Technology Fair
Monday, April 7, 2008
3 – 6 p.m.
Folger, Crimson Event Room
Link to website coming soon!
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Let us “Link” you to our services:
- Service Learning and Volunteer Opportunities
- Internships
- Part-time Student Employment Opportunities (On and Off Campus)
- Choosing a Major
- National Student Exchange
- How to Write a Resume and Cover Letter
- Job Fairs
- University Testing Services (ACT, CLEP, GMAT, GRE, FLCT, LSAT, MAT, PRAXIS, TOEFL)
- Preparing for Full-Time Job Search
- Preparing for Graduate School
- Employer Directory - Lists 12 Million Potential Employers - ReferenceUSA
- Post Your Resume and Gain Access to Job Listings (CCN)
- Education Majors: PA-Educator.net and PAREAP.net
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Coming Up! Join Us!
Select to view a flyer containing activities-at-a-glance for the office.
Professional Week! (January 28 - February 1, 2008)
Select to view a complete listing of the week's activities. Begin thinking about your future career today. Have you considered working for the Federal Government? There is a workshop today, Tuesday, January 29, from 3-4 p.m. on Ten Steps To A Federal Job. Tonight at 6:00 p.m. there is a workshop on How to Gain Admissions to Highly Competitive Graduate Programs. Please review the complete listing of the week's activities. These workshops will help you determine what your next step will be. We look forward to seeing you.
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Volunteering is a great way to boost your resume. It shows employers that you are willing to have new experiences, you are driven and that you care about your community. It can also give you valuable experience that you can’t get from the classroom experience. Recent college graduates may have little of the experience that employers are looking for, volunteering is great way to “enhance your tool belt” of skills. Just because you are not being paid does not make the skills you’ve gotten any less important. If you are interested in finding volunteer opportunities in the Indiana Community come to the community involvement fair with over thirty local non profit agencies attending.
Community Involvement Fair/Student Success Fair
Wednesday January 30, 2008
11-4
HUB
For more information check out our website:
www.iup.edu/servicelearning
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IUP Featured Alumnus
by: Kate Cook, Graduate Assistant
Career Development Center
Meet: Chrysa Malosh
Indiana University of PA
Honors B.S. Chemistry, '02
M.S. Biological Chemistry, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center '06
Share your undergraduate experience and/or graduate experience:
As a freshman, I thought I wanted to work in the field of forensic sciences. So I started college as a biochemistry major and applied for research experiences that would expose to me the field. However, while engaging in a separate research experience with Dr. John Wood of IUP’s chemistry department, I found that I had a stronger interest in organic chemistry. It was a great learning experience as I worked on several different grants and got experience not only in conducting research but in teaching as well. It also gave me exposure to several unique career opportunities.
Did you work while you were a student?
Yes. I was employed my freshman and sophomore years as an office assistant in the Robert E. Cook Honors College. During my junior and senior years, I was a research assistant with Dr. John Wood where I worked on chemistry utilizing microwaves to develop new synthetic methodology. I also worked on the SPIRAL and WMD-REALITI programs at IUP, the latter of which I was employed as an intern with CTC of Johnstown. It was through my work experiences as a student that I found a love of teaching and working with students. Through my research studies in Weyandt Hall, I found that I liked the daily challenge of being presented with a problem or unexplained occurrence and searching for an answer. I have to admit I spent more time in Weyandt than I did anywhere else on campus during my career at IUP. While in graduate school, I was paid a stipend to conduct my research.
What are you doing now?
I am an Organic Chemist with Eli Lilly and Company. I work in the Discovery Chemistry Research and Technology Group. I help design and make experimental compounds targeting unmet medical needs. I work with a team of scientists, biologists, chemists, and pharmacologists, to name a few, on a specific target. While a large portion of my day is spent in the lab doing bench work, I am also able to contribute to the group as a whole through discussions and strategy planning sessions for our team. My graduate studies in understanding the collaboration between biology and chemistry really helped prepare me for these interactions. The research is both challenging and rewarding.
In my free time I teach several labs and recitation sections in organic and general chemistry at Indiana University Purdue University of Indianapolis. This gives me the opportunity to work with and mentor students in chemistry. I love working with students because they are so eager to learn. They are full of dreams and hope about their futures. If I can help them reach their goals, whether it be through helping them pass organic or giving them a lead on an internship or shadowing opportunity, it is definitely worth it.
In my spare time I can usually be found on a bike of some sort. I commute to work by bike, I race mountain bikes, and I am a volunteer for the Hoosier Mountain Bike Association, which is an advocacy group that helps maintain and build trails in Indiana.
How did your experiences (both academic and/or work related) assist you in deciding what to do post graduation?
Obviously, my research experience is what got me started in choosing my career. The knowledge that I wanted to do something that was a benefit to others is what helped me decide to engage in pharmaceutical research.
Through my internships at IUP I found I had a knack for teaching. One interaction in particular I will always remember. I was helping to assist in a laboratory class and I had a student who was struggling. That student came to me for extra help after class and in the course of an hour, just by me talking with him and explaining some of the concepts, he finally understood it. I was able to really make a difference for him in both his understanding of the subject, but also in the impact that his studies would make in his career. I found I really enjoyed it as well. That’s why I decided to get involved with teaching in my free time.
Where do you see yourself five years from now?
I learned a few years ago to never answer this type of question. Why? Because the answer I am going to give will most likely prove false. If someone told me five years ago that I would be sitting at my desk at the corporate headquarters of a large pharmaceutical company I would have laughed at them. But here I am. I’m happy with where I have been, and where I am. I’ll be happy with where I am going, and if at some point I find I am not, well then I’ll adjust my path so that I am happy. Remember that you always have a choice and plans change. Embrace it and enjoy the journey.
What would be one piece of advice?
Try to expose yourself to as many different types of research experiences as you can while a student. Engage in a different internship experience each summer. Work in a different area of research. Get experience in both industrial and academic settings. Start early. You can begin doing research the summer after your freshman year, and in some cases during your freshman year. Take advantage of that.
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FR/SO/JR/SR Tip
by: Mallory Bower, Graduate Assistant, Career Development Center
Freshman Tip
Explore your options. Don't feel pressured to make a hasty decision about a career or a major. College is the time for you to really discover who you are, what you enjoy doing, what you're good at, and what you want to be. It's not a race; take your time and enjoy exploring your options. Also know that it is completely normal and acceptable to change your major along the way! If you need help choosing a major, make an appointment with your advisor or stop in the Career Development Center.
Sophomore Tip
Get to know your campus. It is crucial for new students to actively explore the different buildings and departments on campus. Be aware of the locations of the following offices: Financial Aid, the Bursar, the Registrar, Payroll, Admissions, the Career Development Center, Student Life, Judicial Affairs, and your advisor! Becoming familiar with these departments will help you to learn more about the college process and will help to make your four years of undergrad go so much more smoothly.
Junior Tip
Meet with your advisor. Discuss the course requirements you have already met and those you have yet to fulfill. There is nothing worse than thinking you are set to graduate, only to find out that you have one course left to take after your “last” semester has already begun. This is also a great opportunity to discuss potential career options and the job market outlook. Career options can also be explored further at the Career Development Center.
Senior Tip
Reward yourself. After four long years at college, most people think that things will wind down. However, this is when real life creeps in and starts to take over! Your last year of school will be filled with networking opportunities, job fairs, job searches, graduate school searches and résumé writing. After spending time on your career goals, it is important to take the time to reward yourself. Relax, have fun, and enjoy your last few months at school!
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Let's Hear What Your Colleagues Are Doing!
by: Kate Cook, Graduate Assistant
Career Development Center
Current Student: Nicole Morozowich
Indiana University of PA
B.S. Chemistry
Senior
How would you describe yourself?
I would describe myself as organized, persistent and dedicated. Through my undergraduate career, I have shown the ability to balance class, homework, tutoring, research, community service activities, physical activities, meetings, work and friends, a process which would not be successful without organization, persistence and dedication.
At what point did you choose your career and why did you choose this career?
When I was a junior in high school, it was required that every student take a general chemistry class. I enjoyed the class very much, at least more than all my other classes. When I was a senior, I decided to take AP chemistry; that was when I decided that chemistry was what I wanted to study in college. Chemistry had one attribute that most other subjects did not, which was my main interest, the chance to work in the lab. Working in a lab was like being free of all the noise around you, no thoughts, no worries, and no cares. As I began my undergraduate career it was hard and it just kept on getting harder. When I saw my friends getting to go out and I had to stay in because of all my homework, I resented what I was doing. Although, as time went on, the resentment disappeared and I actually began to enjoy the things I was learning about. At the end of my sophomore year, I started individual research and absolutely fell in love. I have worked on various research projects from organic synthesis to crystal engineering, all of which I have enjoyed and am very dedicated to.
What motivates you to put forth your greatest effort?
There are certain things in my life that I want and I will do anything to obtain them. Love, happiness and heath may be harder to control, but my success will be governed by my choices and my strengths. My main strength and motivator is my inability to fail. For me, failure is not an option, it is a choice made after giving up and I do not give up.
Who is your favorite professor and why?
Dr. Abourahma is without a doubt my favorite professor. She is my advisor, my research advisor and I had her for Organic Chemistry II. When I become a professor, she is the type of professor I want to be like; not the kind that hands you everything, but the kind that makes you work for your grade and will help you whenever necessary along the way. Within our research, she taught me the fundamentals of crystal engineering and why it was so important, without which I would not have been able to find a summer internship position. She is there not only as my advisor but as a friend. As I applied to graduate programs this past semester, she helped revise my essays, write recommendations, provide advice on schools and professors which I should consider and most importantly- she provided support.
What are your standards of success in school and what have you done to meet these standards?
My first goal entering my undergraduate career was to maintain a 3.5 QPA. Chemistry is a very demanding subject and if I was able to maintain that QPA while participating in other activities and working part time, that to me was considered successful. Each semester I began to take on something new, such as tutoring or joining a club, to determine my limitations and I have yet to reach them. To have this kind of drive and hard working nature is very important within the field of chemistry.
In addition to your academic course load, what activities, memberships, jobs, etc. do you maintain?
I work part time at ESL- Environmental Service Laboratories testing water samples for various chemical entities. I also work part time as a chemistry tutor (General) and a Supplemental Instructional Leader (Organic, General) for the Learning Center at IUP. Activities on campus that I participate in are Alpha Chi Sigma (ΑΧΣ), the chemistry fraternity, and the American Chemical Society (ACS). Outside of IUP I am a member of North American Karate and Fitness in Greensburg, PA and I currently hold a black belt in Tang Soo Do.
In addition to completing the academic courses required for my major, I participate in other outside-of-the-classroom activities that exemplify working beyond expectations. They are...
I am currently involved in a research project with Dr. Abourahma. A brief synopsis of our project is: Co-Crystallization as a Strategy to Improving Solubility of Theophylline
Crystal Engineering is a rapidly expanding field that relies on the understanding and exploitation of intermolecular interactions for the design of solids with specific properties. Since the physical properties are directly affected by the solid state, crystal engineering allows for modifying properties of a substance by exploiting non-covalent interactions. Co-crystals are multi-component crystalline materials of two or more solids. Co-crystals of active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) are new composition of matter with new physical properties that are different than the pure components of the co-crystal. 60% of pharmaceutical compounds in development and marketed drugs are poorly soluble; co-crystals of APIs offer a way to modify the physical properties of the API without making or breaking covalent bonds. Theophylline, a muscle relaxant used in long acting bronchodilators, has relatively poor solubility (1g/120 mL). Our strategy to improve the solubility and bioavailability of theophylline is to co-crystallize it with complementary co-crystal formers.
What are your plans after graduation?
I have applied to various PhD programs in chemistry. My fields of interest are material science and organic chemistry.
What advice would you give to an IUP student in order to have a successful experience at IUP?
Go to class is the most important. Next is talk to your professors, this is also very important! If you plan to go to graduate school or want to apply for a job after graduation, references will be required… One other thing that you can do to get ahead is get involved with something relating to your field. For example, I am involved in a research project and have had various research internships; this experience that I have gained during my undergraduate career will help me tremendously during my graduate studies.
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Did You Ever Consider a Career In...
by: Kate Cook, Graduate Assistant
Career Development Center
. . . Chemistry?
Chemistry touches your life every day. From the foods you eat to the clothes you wear; from the air you breathe to plastics you recycle. There are many career paths that begin with a degree in chemistry, including:, pharmacy, medical school, patent law, forensic science, food science, disaster response science, agricultural product development, oenology, environmental policies, teaching (both high school and college) and all manner of chemical research in government and private sectors.
Chemistry impacts every facet of life. A chemistry degree provides a foundation for your success in many of today’s most important technological occupations. Scientists now involved in today’s high growth industries, like drug design, nanotechnology, biotechnology, materials development, and green chemistry (finding environmentally friendly industrial processes) began their careers with a bachelor’s degree in chemistry. And while no one can be sure of what tomorrow’s growth areas will be, you can be sure that chemists will play a major role in its development.
We offer the following degrees in chemistry:
- Bachelor of Science in Chemistry (certified by the American Chemical
Society)
- Bachelor of Arts in Chemistry
- Bachelor of Science in Chemistry Education
- Bachelor of Science in Chemistry, Pre-Med
- Bachelor of Arts in Chemistry, Pre-Med
- Masters of Science in Chemistry
- Masters of Arts in Chemistry
Each of our chemistry classrooms is outfitted with a media podium, allowing for enhanced visual and audio teaching aids above and beyond the chalkboard. We also have a computer lab for chemistry students. The equipment and instrumentation in the Chemistry Department allows for hands-on training and excellent research opportunities, affording invaluable skills sought by employers. These include: AA Spec., HPLC, GC/MS, FT-NMR, FT-IR, and both powder and single crystal X-ray Diffractometers.
Students in the Department of Chemistry are a diverse group. They come from all walks of life, from different states and different countries and with different interests. When they leave, they go on to careers just as diverse. The common point for all of them is the quality and breadth of education they receive here at IUP.
Class sizes are small, and students gain a strong sense of community and ownership in the department. Undergraduate-level research is encouraged, and several of our students have presented their research at local, regional, and national scientific meetings. Likewise, many students have had their work published in peer-reviewed scientific journals. During the summers, several internship opportunities throughout the U.S. are available.
After graduation, our students have gone on to graduate school at research universities, secured positions at major corporations, or started their teaching careers in high schools across the U.S. We currently have Chemistry Department alumni at: Penn State, Harvard, Caltech, Eli Lilly, Frito-Lay, F.B.I., Novartis, Merck, PPG, GlaxoSmithKline, Los Alamos National Labs – just to name a few!
Our world-class faculty consists of 19 full-time Ph.D.s in a multitude of chemical specialties including: analytical, biochemical, computational, education, inorganic, organic, and physical. The majority of faculty conduct research in their specialty area and encourage undergraduate research leading to presentations at local and national conferences and publications in leading chemical journals.
Students spend part of their time here volunteering time and chemical expertise to help others. We have an active Student Affiliate chapter of the American Chemical Society (which won an ACS Honorable Mention Award in 2007) and a colony of the Alpha Chi Sigma service fraternity, both of which give students the opportunity to serve their university and local communities through tutoring, elementary school visits, science expositions for Boy Scouts and high school students, and fundraising.
When you choose chemistry at IUP, you choose a unique framework on which to build a successful career. Whether you plan to continue to graduate school, professional or medical school, or plan to enter the work force in industry, education, or government, IUP Chemistry provides the tools necessary to compete and to shine. Our A.C.S. approved curriculum lays the foundation of solid chemical knowledge, while our special topics and graduate classes add diversity and depth. Unlike many programs, we also encourage our students to be active in research starting their freshman year.
Throughout your academic career in the Chemistry Department, there are several opportunities for academic scholarships and awards. These include scholarships for incoming freshmen, graduate assistantships, and several awards granted for academic excellence and university service.
For more information, please contact the Chemistry Department at (724)357-2361 or Dr. John Woolcock, Department Chair at woolcock@iup.edu.
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Arm Yourself With a First-Rate Resume
by: Malaika Turner, Interim Assistant Director for Employer Relations and Development
Career Development Center
“It is crucial that your resume provides the employer with a positive view of what you can do and offer to their organization. In the last few weeks, I’ve worked with students revising their resumes, and I find that it’s difficult for students to sell themselves. Well hopefully the article below by Jeannie Kim will help you develop a resume that puts you in a position to be quite marketable to today’s employers.”
Malaika M. Turner
Arm Yourself With a First-Rate Resume
By Jeannie Kim
Your resume has only a few seconds to impress - or to end up in the trash.
A strong resume needs a solid foundation, and no amount of trickery can mask poor organization. Start with these basics.
Contact Information: List your contact information at the top of the resume. Include your full name, mailing address, phone number and e-mail address. If you have a personal Web site, include the URL only if the site shows off your skills or applies to your career goals.
Objective: The objectives section gives recruiters an immediate sense of who you are and what you're looking for, without forcing them to wade through the entire resume. If you decide to include an objective, stress what you'll add to the company, not what you're looking to take away.
Experience: List your experience chronologically, with your most recent job first. If your latest experience wasn't the most impressive, arrange your list by importance. Include the company name, location, your title and dates of employment. Also, give a brief description of your accomplishments.
Remember these tips:
- Emphasize your most important responsibilities even if they weren't your primary duties.
- Use active voice. Strong sentences are those in which a subject performs an action (active voice) as opposed to an action being performed on the subject (passive voice). "I planned an event," creates a stronger impression than "An event was planned by me."
- Impress employers with cause-effect relationships and tangible results. Quantify your achievements with percentages and numbers like "increased enrollment 20 percent" and "supervised three-person staff."
- Use descriptions to highlight your sense of initiative. Paint yourself as a "go-getter" with strong verbs like "proposed," "launched" and "managed."
Skills/Interests: Today's workers are more tech-savvy than ever, so make sure you mention your technical and computer skills. List programming languages, software programs and operating systems you've used as well as certifications you have. Don't forget "soft skills" like foreign languages and public speaking.
Always include memberships in professional organizations, because it shows you're serious about your career. Mentioning your interests is optional. Listing activities and hobbies can portray you as a well- rounded person, but it can raise eyebrows, too. Be careful what you list. (You should probably keep your passion for professional wrestling to yourself.)
Education: List your most recent education first and work backward. State your degree, major, minor, dates of attendance and the school's name and location. You may also want to add your GPA (if 3.0 or higher).
References: Don't waste valuable space on references. Employers assume you'll provide them upon request.
Finishing Touches
- Create several versions of your resume, each tailored to the type of position you're applying for. Writing multiple resumes can be time-consuming, but it's a small price to pay for the job you want.
- If you're applying for a specific job, research the position and company. Pay attention to the job requirements, and highlight your qualifications as they reflect the hiring company's needs.
- Be concise. Stick to one page. Make sure every word is meaningful.
- Choose fonts that are easy-to-read, clean and consistent. Don't use non-traditional or overly creative fonts.
- Read, edit and re-read your resume to make sure it's well written, clear and typo-free. Do it again. Then, ask your friends and family to do the same.
- If you use an online resume, consider saving a text (".txt") version that will look good on any computer. Send your resume as an attached file and also paste the text into the body of the e-mail just to be safe. Online resumes should also include plenty of keywords, since they may be searched.
With some self-evaluation, careful organization and savvy choice of words, your resume will rise to the top of the pile on any recruiter's desktop.
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A Note From the Director
A Note from the Director, Mr. Mark Anthony: "You came to college to get a good education that leads to a good job or admission to graduate school. But, there are no guarantees. The Career Development Center can help you prepare by obtaining the skills, abilities, opportunities, experiences, and tools to achieve your goals. This newsletter will keep you informed of how we can help you."
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Editor's Note
Editor: Tracy VanHorn-Juart, Career Development Center
We hope you enjoy the bi-weekly publication of Working Beyond Expectations! Its intent is to inform readers of the events and services that are available through the Career Development Center, as well as, to encourage the reader to explore the multiple opportunities that are available to them through employment, careers, and academic programs and services at IUP. The newsletter is designed specifically to enhance the educational experience and to prepare the student for their next level of achievement. Whether the next level be freshman to sophomore, classroom to internship, undergraduate studies to graduate studies, or student to full-time employee, the Career Development Center will assist in making smooth and prepared transitions.
If you have any questions , or, if you have recommendations for enhancing this resource, please contact me via email at tracyvan@iup.edu.
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