e-Learning and Career Services host online chats
By Tiffany Cullen
Every quarter SCAD e-Learning hosts online group chats on various subjects that affect students.
This week for the first time, Career Services joined with SCAD e-Learning to provide student with in depth training on resume building. Sara Pitts, eCampus Coordinator for SCAD e-Learning and Career Development Specialist Gregory Renda hosted the online forum.
The chat sessions discussed the importance of formatting and items to include in winning resumés. Using a split screen, Renda showed examples of good resumés compared to unclean resumés.
Resumés
Renda explained how the resumé filtering process might be divided into two tiers depending on the company. The first thing resumé processors look for is a resumé that does not meet the basic requirements of the job description. Processors also look for spelling and grammatical errors.
Renda suggested a good layout with clear headings, a consistent font and hierarchy. Your resumé and cover letter should represent a consistent theme.
When sending a resumé to a company, always include a cover letter. Even if the job description only asks for a resumé, it is automatically assumed that a cover letter will accompany the resume.
Processors, usually human resource employees who wrote the job description, take about 10-30 seconds to view resumés. Depending on what your major and field is, having a flashy resume with a variety of fonts, bolds, underlined, italics and watermarks may not increase your chance of success.
Often, resumés are photocopied and those elements create a hazard when trying to gather information for the resumé.
Cover Letters
Renda suggested cover letters have cohesion with resumés in case the two documents are ever separated. Cover letters should follow a basic formula.
Header
Salutation
Opening paragraph- Why you are writing
Body paragraph – Why they should select you
Closing paragraph – Follow up
In cover letters, always use a left aligned block business form. This allows the reader to easily read over your cover letter.
Tips
• Have a cohesive resumé and cover letter
• Although it takes time, tailor both resumé and cover letter to the job description
• Have a professional e-mail address and professional phone message
• Always keep resumé and cover letter copy clean and crisp.
For more information on creating successful resumes, contact career services at (912) 525-4653 or e-mail careers@scad.edu
SCAD e-Learning will host another chat session October 28 at 8 p.m. on the topic “Who’s Hiring.” The session will teach students how to conduct a successful job search and locate potential employers in this fragile economy.
