Re-Careering Resumes for Alumni

The KSU Department of Career Planning and Development

• Preparing your Recareering resume

• Content and structure

• Your Resume Toolkit

• Making Your Move

• 10 Tips to Successful Recareering

• Let us Help

Overview

• Name

• Degree

• Career Goals/Reason you’re here

Introductions

Your Resume• Think of it as a research paper...about you.

– Highlight skills, strengths, and accomplishments.

• It should be designed to get you an interview, but it could rule you out if poorly written.

• C.O.D.E. your resume

Clear – information is concise and easy to read

Organized – layout has a smooth flow of information

Dynamic – action verbs and descriptive statements

Error free – illustrates the quality of your work

3/13/2017 6

Chronological• Most widely used.

• Easier to write

• The focus is on jobs and experience

• Could highlights breaks in work history.

Resume Formats

3/13/2017 7

Combination

• Highlights both skills and work history

• Highlights transferable skills as well as job history and related employment

3/13/2017 8

Functional• Emphasizes skills and accomplishments

• Organizes a variety of experiences – paid or unpaid

• Highlights areas of expertise

• Skill areas can be rearranged to create targeted resume

• Requires introspection to recognize skills

Formatting Basics• Functional vs. Chronological?

• How many Pages should it be?

• Font and font size

• Margins

• Style choices: bold, italics, and s p a c i n g

Preparing your RecareeringResume

1. Perception Drives Resume Reality

What position are you seeking?

Industry preferences?

Geographic limitations?

How do you want to be perceived by

prospective employers?

Be prepared to “reweight” the information to be more

relevant to the NEW position.

Preparing your RecareeringResume

2. Do your homework prior to writing.

Research skill and competencies

Develop a feel for “lingo”, technology

Schedule informational interviews with industry

professionals in your target industry. Find job

descriptions online and read industry publications.

Preparing your RecareeringResume

3. Include the right keywords.

Use research conducted in Step 2 to sprinkle your

resume with relevant KEYWORDS.

Write out a focused professional profile using

keywords found during your research. Use this at the

top of the resume, and also in your LinkedIn Profile.

Preparing your RecareeringResume

4. Showcase achievements that brand you effectively to the new target.

Come up with career achievements or career success stories, in general,

AND THEN…

Translate these success stories into a language that a hiring manager in a new field can understand.

Follow the Problem, Action, Result (PAR) format and construct your stories as follows:

Problem: What was the problem or challenge that was going on at the time?

Action: What actions did you take to solve the problem?

Result: What was the result of your efforts?

Your Challenge: How can you translate this into something that will work for a reinvention target?

Content and Structure

Top 3rd

HR to Sales

Content and Structure

Bottom 2/3

• Resumes (yes, more than 1)

• Cover Letters

• References or Letters of Recommendation

• Work Samples/Portfolio

Your job search materials should be tailored to each job you apply for!

Career Services Center

KSU Career ServicesLinkedINGoogle SearchSchool WebSite

Career Services Center

References

• Include 3-4 references on a separate document and submit with the resume and cover letter.

• Include any letters of recommendation written on your behalf

• References should include Name, phone number, email, company/school, job title/position, and relationship (personal, professional, academic).

Making your Move

• Include 3-4 references on a separate document and submit with the resume and cover letter.

• Include any letters of recommendation written on your behalf

• References should include Name, phone number, email, company/school, job title/position, and relationship (personal, professional, academic).

1. Use your network2. Be a translator3. Avoid cliché answers to cliché questions.4. Be specific5. Do your research6. Stay organized7. Get out there8. Have a career-change “advisor”9. Talk to everyone you know; meet new people10. Ask about next steps

Successful 'Recareering'

Let Us Help!!

Whether you're about to graduate, switching jobs, looking for an internship

or just a freshman looking for networking experience, this event is really

something that no student at KSU can afford to miss.

March 22nd, 12-4pm - Dr. Betty L. Seigel Student Recreation & Activities

Center (Kennesaw)Professional Dress & Photo ID Required for entry. Watch the video below for more information.

All-Major Career Fair

Let Us Help!!

Let Us Help!!

Questions?Tarrance MosleyKennesaw State UniversityThe Career Services Centertmosle10@Kennesaw.edu470-578-6555