4/25 - How specific should I be when listing skills?

This week's question is a common one - too often, students attempt to compact pages worth of information and end up flooding their resume with many unnecessary components.  Today, Career Counselor R.J. Davis tackles the question...

QUESTION

In listing my skills, especially computer skills, should I just say that I have “computer skills” or “Microsoft Office Suite” or should I list each software program I have used?

ANSWER R.J. Davis randy.davis@tamucc.edu Career Counselor

When listing skills, which are the value you bring to an employer, you should be very specific.  List each software program you can use with a level of proficiency.  Too often, employers or human resource personal will scan resumes and then use a keyword search program.  Just like websites, you wants as many hits as possible.  Companies that search resumes in this manner also use a formula to decide whether or not to advance a resume.  The more hits you get on your resume, the greater the probability or your resume being advanced.

04/15 - What should I do when I haven't heard back from any of the jobs I applied for?

This week's question comes from a graduating senior who hasn't had any luck receiving feedback from their applied jobs...Career Counselor Nancy Salinas responds:

QUESTION

I am a senior graduating in May. I have applied to several jobs and haven’t heard back yet. It’s been several weeks already. What should I do?

ANSWER Nancy Salinas nancy.salinas@tamucc.edu Career Counselor

If you have been applying to jobs online there may be an area on employers’ website where you can check on the STATUS of your application. It may say for example:  NOT HIRED – Maybe you didn’t meet the minimum requirements of the position. Or it could say IN PROGRESS – meaning you are still being considered for the position. When applying for a position in person, when you turn in your application and credentials ASK: When do you expect to conduct interviews? And if you do interview for a position you can ask, When do you expect to make your decision?

04/12 - How Do I Prepare My Resume for the Teacher Job Fair?

As students are gearing up for this semester's Teacher Job Fair (Wednesday, April 13, 2011), Career Services has received several questions regarding what is and what isn't appropriate resume content.  Associate Director of Career Services Terri Howe explains why its important to include what is expected and to exclude what isn't...

QUESTION

How do I prepare my resume for the Teacher Job Fair?

ANSWER Terri Howe Associate Director terri.howe@tamucc.edu

A resume should only be one page.  This is especially important for submitting to a job fair!  Recruiters have to take all those resumes back with them to their ISDs.  So, they really don’t want to be hauling a bunch of extra pages if it’s not necessary! Also, the resume should have important information about you as a teacher- your degree, expected date of graduation, expected date of completing your teacher cert exams, relevant work experience (including your student teaching and field base experiences).  It shouldn’t have personal items on there, like your picture, your date of birth, your gender, weight, hobbies, etc.   In fact, most recruiters will not accept a resume if it includes your picture or any of the personal stuff listed above!