Three "A's" to Succ
Ability
With the spring semester in full swing, many students have begun to worry about
what to do after graduation. For some students the answer is graduate school, but
for most students this is crunch time to line up a job that will put their degree to
use and put them on the fast track to a career.
There are three key factors to consider for job hunting success: ability, appear
mice and attitude. The first factor, ability, is initially recognized in a person's
resume. When it comes time to meet the employer. appearance will make a last
ing impression. Finally, attitude translates into good interviewing skills, that
demonstrate that a candidate will make a good - fit - within the company. By
knowing what employers are looking for, students will have the upper hand when
it is hiring time.
To get started_ students need to prepare a well-written. well-presented resume. ft
is the first representation of the candidate that an employer sees_ and althomth a
good resume will not get the student the job, a bad resume could cost the appli
cant the interview.
A resume should begin with a heading that contains name. address. telephone
number. and email address. if a student is away at school, include both the school
and permanent addresses and telephone numbers. Use a professional e-mail
address. avoiding things like babe_aticious@aol.corn. It is also a good idea to use
Carrot Address:
Young Grad House #1602
West Lafayette, IN 47906
(765) 555.5555
OBJECTIVE
To obtain an internship in the field of Human Resources
EDUCATION
Perdue Linlewdly, School of Nianagenteat, West Lafayette, IN
Bachelor of Science in Managenteat, Minor in Haman Renames
(iPA: 3.5/4.0
Relevant Course Work:
Personnel Menagement Labor Religions, Organizational Behavior, Seabees,
Public Speaking, Accounting, Finance
Computer SM.
Miausoft Access, Excel, Power Point sod Word
WORK EXPERIENCE
Haman Resources Intern
SEARS COMPANY, Troy, MI
• Analyzed workfixte &geographies; projected future staffing needs
• Planned and conducted employee feedback sessions involving all staff
• Assisted with the implementation of Diversity and Affirmative Action programs
• Loomed advanced sales training techniques at company training workshops.
Senior Saks Amoebae
SCARS COMPANY, Troy, MI
• Trained 12 new sake people
• Delegated tasks such as arranging displays and tagging kr sales
• Served as department manager while manager on vacation
Sales Pena*
FOREST LAKE COUNTRY CLUB, Bloomfield Hills. MI
• Sold golf equipment and merchandise
• Won award for Most Productive Salesperson
ACIIVITIES AND HONORS
Trawler. Society for Human Resource Managers Habitat for Humanity
Rush Chairperson for Alpha Chi Omega Purdue Varsity Soccer Team
Presidential Scholarship Award Recipient Reader for Student with Disabilities
An example of a resume for a student with little to no prior
work experience. Student resumes should not exceed one
page and focus mainly on the student's educational back
ground.
By JODI PREISLER
Copy Editor
Martha Jones
Appearance
Permanent Address
4334 Lake Street
Tiny, M 1 28956
{888) 1234567
May 2001 August 2001
Mky 2000 - August 2000
May 1999—August 1999
May 1998 —August 1998
courtesy of Purdue University
an e-mail provider
other than the one
provided by the
school, since a stu
dent will likely
lose access to the
e-mail after gradu
ation.
Avoid using
descrip-
vague
lions. fancy type
face. and excei
ive bold and ital-
ie.., Most impor
tantly. make SUIT
there are no
veiling, punctua
tion or erammati-
error
Employers might
gel hundreds of
resumes for a Sin-
de job so jug one
cum is likely to
TeSUMe M
the trash without
considiesation
Some career
counsekors recom
mend potting an
objective on the
resume. This will
show the employer
that the student
has a good grasp
on the position he
or she is applying
for.
Students with lit
tle or no wort
experience should
use their education
history in place of
employment histe
ry. The education
section should
include the name
of the school, the
student's major
and minor, if
applicable, and the date the degree was received.
A high GPA is a good way for a student to sell himself to an employer.. But a stu
dent with a less than stellar (WA might consider excluding it_
- GPA is a valid predictor of success, - said Karl Martz, coordinator, Career
Services. "Good grades mean good skills:
The resume should also include things such as work experience, honors and
awards, activities and scholastic clubs in which the student has participated. A
student's resume should be no longer than one page.
For the well-seasoned student the body of the resume should focus on work expe
rience. Tailor the content to relevant experience specifically for that job. Other
work experience should still be listed but kept to a minimum so that more relevant
experience is the main focus. An experienced applicant may have a two page
resume, but never mote than two.
- We are finding that clients are being very specific and their job requirements
Attitude
Industry standard attire for men is a well
pressed business suit with a conservative
tie and collared dress shirt.
courtesy of Purdue University