Resume and Curriculum Vitae BASICS

Amanda Dumsch, MA Career Consultant, GW Career Center November 16, 2009

Top Ten Tips to Revitalize Your Resume & CV

Our Goals For Today
Resume & CV Basics Cover Letter Rules The Importance of Your Audience Top Ten Tips for Resume & CV Enhancement

A Few Rules
Formatting is key the average employer spends just 10-20 Seconds reviewing each resume submitted. Margins no less than .5 Use font sizes ranging from 10 14 Use a consistent font Avoid using templates

CREATING A RESUME
What to Always Include: Contact Information Education Experience: Paid, Unpaid, Volunteer, PartTime/Full-Time, Leadership Roles

Optional to Include:
Objective Honors and Awards Publications Presentations Activities Skills (Computer and Language) Qualifications Summary Industry-Specific Information

CONTACT INFORMATION
YOUR NAME HERE
123 Alpha Betical St. Apt. 123 Washington, DC 12345 (202) 123-1234 yournamehere@gwu.edu

YOUR NAME HERE

(202) 123-1234 yournamehere@gwu.edu Current Address Address 123 Alpha Betical St. Apt. 123 Betical Alpha St. Washington, DC 12345 12233 Permanent 321 New York, NY

EDUCATION
EDUCATION: The George Washington University, Washington, DC May 2013 Doctor or Medicine Candidate New York University, New York, NY May 2004 Bachelor of Science, Biology/Chemistry, GPA: 3.8 Federal University of Parana, Curitiba, Brazil to May 2003 Study Abroad January

You may include GPA if it is 3.0 or higher No Reference to High School

EXPERIENCE
EXPERIENCE: National Institute of Health, Bethesda, MD Sept. 2006 Present Associate, Office of Human Resources Distribute employee benefits information to over 1000 employees Process benefits applications for all managerial positions Plan and implement benefits orientation for 200 new hires

Use present-tense for jobs you are still employed and past-tense for past jobs Avoid using I Statements or Pronouns Include Quantitative Data if Possible

EXPERIENCE
WHAT DOES EXPERIENCE INCLUDE?

Paid Unpaid Volunteer PT/FT Leadership Roles

CV vs. Resume: Whats the Difference?

Purpose
Resume = Marketing tool CV = History of You

Content
Resume = succinct and relevant to reader CV = broader in content but should maintain relevancy

Page Length
Resume = 1 page CV = 3 pages and up

CV vs. Resume: When should I Send a CV? In the U.S. CVs only tend to be used when applying for academic/educational and/or science/research positions. Also applicable when applying for fellowships and grants.

CV vs. Resume: When should I Send a CV?

USE a CV if: Youre seeking employment in academic or research communities You dont want to be tied to stricter resume guidelines regarding format and length You want to highlight a specific focus, research or academic interest You are seeking employment abroad

CV vs. Resume: Sample CV Category Headings

PROFESSIONAL ACTIVITIES PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS RESEARCH EXPERIENCE RESEARCH INTERESTS PUBLICATIONS SERVICE ACTIVITIES ACADEMIC PREPARATION CERTIFICATIONS COURSES TAUGHT CONSULTING ASSISTANTSHIPS/ FELLOWSHIPS INTERNSHIPS/ PRACTICA PRESENTATIONS

Do Not Include!
MARITAL STATUS CITIZENSHIP CITY/COUNTR Y OF BIRTH STATE SALARY REQUIREMENT S HEALTH PHOTO HEIGHT/WEIG HT BIRTHDATE REASONS FOR LEAVING PREVIOUS EMPLOYERS

DO Highlight Transferable Skills

Examples:

I led customers to their seat and took meal orders at a restaurant Greeted and provided excellent customer service to restaurant patrons. I was responsible for maintaining an appointment database. Managed an appointment database of over 500 clients.

Cover Letter Rules

Customize Each Letter to a Specific Position Do Not Repeat Your Resume Expand Upon It Business Letter Format (Block Style) Three to Four Paragraphs One Page Single Space Between Line, Double Space Between Paragraphs

REMINDERS
Follow the Formatting Rules Print Out and File Your Resume Edit and Proofread
48-Hour Critique Service: http://gwired.gwu.edu/career/resumecritiqueform/

Keep Your Resume Updated

Top Ten Tips

Remember Your AUDIENCE

Top Ten Tips

ALWAYS tailor your resume

Top Ten Tips Quantify and Qualify all Experiences

Top Ten Tips

Sending out MORE resumes isnt always

Top Ten Tips

Opportuni ty Knocks at Inopportu

Top Ten Tips

Target Skills Employers Want

Top Ten Tips

HONESTY is always the best policy

Top Ten Tips Spelling, Grammar, Formatting, and Structure can MAKE or BREAK

Top Ten Tips

Focus on Accomplishments and Problems Solved

Top Ten Tips

Showcase Leadership Throughout Your Resume By Projecting Confidence and

Questions?

Contact Us With Additional Questions

The GW Career Center 1922 F Street NW, Old Main (202) 994-6495 http://gwired.gwu.edu /career Monday to Friday 9:00 am to 5:00 pm