Your College to Career Journey

First of all, as a reminder - Send your resume to careeraftercollege@gmail.com to get it edited for FREE!

I recieved an email asking the question, "What are some specific ways that introverted/shy people can network?" I thought the question was important enough to make the answer public.

First of all, no one who has ever had a conversation with me would label me as the shy or introverted, perhaps because of these two facets of my belief system:

1. If you don't voice your opinion, no one can hear you. Even if you dont have
the most fascinating opinion at the table, but one thing is for sure. Most of the time, its better to say something and have your thoughts challenged than have your presence forgotten. So, practice the tips below to work past the shyness.
2. If people don't like what you have to say, there are a LOT of other people who will. Thats not to say that you should not give careful consideration to your audience and their importance; Its just that most people worry too much about what other people will think of them; Relax and be yourself - Chances are you will be more well-liked any way.

I'm not asking you to subscribe to my belief system, but I know this much is true - Getting a job is as much based on how well liked you are, as it is on your skill. Most of us have been taught similar lessons within the same major in college, so whats your differentiator for getting a specific position? Even in a major like Computer Science, which initially calls for you spending many many hours by yourself in a cubicle programming, most recruiters still ask the question: Is this the kind of person I want to see at work every day?

So, answer that question for the person considering working with you, by having an upbeat positive attitude! Being shy and keeping all those brilliant thoughts to yourself makes it very hard for them to make that judgment. Here are some things you should do to stop being shy, and reach out:
1. Send 5 emails to people you think are JUST FABULOUS - whether its bloggers your read, authors of books, people who have jobs that you aspire to, or even just fascinating people, EMAIL THEM, and ask them questions you are dying to know- Ask them anything (stay appropriate)! The point is you are going out of your comfort zone! Trust me - If they are as awesome as you think they are, they will want to reach out and get to know you too!
2. Tweet, Link yourself in and Start a blog - Doing all these things online makes SHYNESS just an excuse. Use the online tools, and start letting other people in on your thoughts.
3. Make Eye Contact - Proper (not the creepy kind) of eye contact shows that you are confident and comfortable with yourself. Looking down when talking to someone makes someone else think less charmingly of you.
4. Ask Questions - Shyness could be mistaken for a lack of interest in the person you are talking to. So, if you dont want to say something right away, ask the other person to talk about themselves and what they do(we all love it, dont we?)- it feels like cheating and it works. Focus on making someone else comfortable, and soon, you will be comfortable!
5. Deliberately meet the friends who make you uncomfortable - Everyone has comfort friends and everyone has friends who make them intimidated or, less than comfortable. Work on this skill and meet them for coffee/lunch! Its really hard at first,but it gets a LOT easier a LOT faster than you think.

Bottom Line - If you dont reach out, talk, and understand the person recruiting you, you may just find yourself without a job. Making your personality known makes the answer to the question "Do I want to work with this person in the future?", a LOT easier.

Last Night, I read the book, "The Power of Nice" (Thaler/Koval) and it really inspired me to do something for others first thing this morning. In that light, I want to offer my awesome readers a chance to get their resumes looked at, redone, or just re-polished.

2 Rules for Contest Entry -
1. You must subscribe to the blog.
2. You must send me a pdf (no docs) of your resume to careeraftercollege@gmail.com (dont worry - im not going to sell your email address or anything), before March 28th, 2009.

I have been receiving a bit of criticism lately about how my blog is becoming very resume-centric, and that there are a lot of blogs that do that already. Many people do provide resume ideas, so I am going away from that a bit and showing you the whole picture- what really matters.

1. Attitude - Here's a bit of perspective - 600,000+ people are UNEMPLOYED (if you missed econ that day, it means WILLING and ABLE to work- so, it doesnt include anyone whos not actively looking for a job). You are not in any of this alone - its the nature of our cyclical economy and I believe that the economy WILL get better. So, stay positive, actively work on your job search, and still try enjoy each day as much as you can - you are not getting it back.

2. Network - Who you know may not help you keep your job, but now more than ever, it will help you get one. Even if you aren't entirely comfortable with the idea, talk to everyone you can. Engage yourself in real life and online conversations everywhere - you really will be surprised at how someone may be able to help you. Join job-clubs, go to conferences, stay in touch with campus visits, and keep learning about new opportunities.

3. Experience - I already blogged about the things you can do to gain experience - Now's the time to create your own projects, research for a professor, go abroad to work, or do some probono work! Or here's an interesting one - Start a [Click Here for Continued Article]

I was watching the last season of 24, when I was inspired to include this important resume lesson! Can you just imagine what [the "previous experience" portion of] Jack Bauer's resume would look like?

Unless you are Jack Bauer, You don't need so many bullets!

One of the sure signs of an amateur resume is saying TOO much. We all know that Everyone Likes a Good Tease, but I cant emphasize enough the value of saying just what is needed, and nothing more.

Bottom Line - Do not include 4 bullets on your resume for each position, especially if what you did there is self-explanatory (yes, waitress-ing and cashier-ing is considered self-explanatory)- Include as little information as possible to convey the HIGHLIGHT of that accomplishment.

* For a technical position, list the technology (or languages) you used, and include one statement on the main objective of your work at that institution.
* For other positions or any other position, state on your main objective from your work at that institution, and include as many significant numbers as you can take credit for (for example, "I improved product sales by over 6%", or "I handled over $500,000 worth of products through the site I supported/created")!

For each bullet you write, ask yourself if its really necessary. Chances are, you are just filling up space! And, Filling up space is not a good objective - instead add to your experience, get a new certification, or add an "interests" column on your resume.

Here are some other resume rules to remember:

1. GPA Rule - If its above a 3.0, write it on your resume (Otherwise, just prepare to be asked about it if and when you get a call for an interview)!
2. Include a Professional Email Address, and Voicemail - Its better to play it safe, and have a professional (ie, firstname_lastname@...com) email address and voicemail to avoid bad first impressions.
3. Dont include your references - Whoever interviews you is a professional - They know that they can request references, so don't say so, and more importantly, don't include their names or contact information.

Main Moral: Use less bullets, and convey just enough.

Applying Online is time consuming and fairly frustrating. Whats worse? Because of the thousands of applications that come in for each position, its very possible that your resume wont even be looked at! To make sure that your time is well spent, and to maximize your results when applying online for jobs, here are some wonderful tips you need to succeed - Click Here to View my Article!

As promised, for our first interview for the 1000 Hires (should be 10,000 hires), I interviewed Wells Fargo's college recruiter, Susanna Lee. Before this interaction, I had been interviewed by her for their famous rotational technology program, and know firsthand, that she is very professional, knowledgeable about assessing candidates and has done interviewed people like me many times before. So, I know you'll find something valuable in this interview:

1. What do you look for in a candidate applying to Wells Fargo?
Ans - First of all, we look to make sure that candidates meet minimum requirements. Candidates always seem to think that they can "get by" without having what we ask for, but it usually doesnt happen. Next, we look for those who can grow and eventually, be leaders of this organization.

2. So, tell us, what is the process then for selection of a candidate?
Ans - First we screen all the applicants (based on their resumes) and if a candidate's qualifications match what we are looking for, we invite them for an phone/campus interview. If we like them after that, we invite them to our Headquarters in San Francisco for their 2nd round of interviews, where they meet their possible managers. Then we gather all the feedback from those managers and narrow the candidates down to the best ones.

3. What is the top 2 mistakes that candidates do when they apply to Wells?
Ans - People dont always follow all of our instructions in applying (ie, they dont apply through our online system when we tell them to, or apply when they need visa sponsorship, etc), and candidates still make many many mistakes on their resumes - We get approx over 590 applicants for each position, and close to half of the candidates make some mistake in applying.

4. How can candidates who apply online be successful in getting a phone interview?
Ans: First of all, If we don't come to your campus, APPLY online! We do look through every resume- really. Just remember to highlight the skills that match what we are looking for, and make it easy to read. Add a cover letter- Although it is not a requirement, it could serve you well, and make us understand you better.

5. What are some tips (other than the ones from previous blog) to add experience on your resume?
Ans: You can take some classes (especially if you are applying for something technical), get a part-time job and internship (even if its unpaid), or create a website utilizing your skills and showcasing your work.

6. Any advice for people deciding what to do?
Ans: Well, it is really important to think about your career development holistically, so don't get too hung up on salary- If an opportunity seems great, then just go for it! Try to think about the big picture, and explore different options (especially if you can go through a rotational program, do it!)

So, hopefully, you learned something from Susanna. If you have more questions for her, please let me know, and I will try and get a response for you! Thanks.

Hi All,

So, here is the blog entry on CV's as promised. Its on my Examiner Page, so please click here to view the article! It has useful tips for research and what is often needed to get a research project...which is a Curriculum Vitae (or CV). Click here to learn More!

I am launching a new series called, a "1000 hires- Straight from a Recruiter". Occasionally, this blog will feature guest interviews from recruiters and HR Managers who have hired (or considered) over a 1000 candidates. It will provide really valuable advice straight from the source, and will give you guys the opportunity to ask them any questions you would like. We launch that series this week with an awesome recruiter from Wells Fargo!

To help this series along, please send/comment about any questions you would like to have answered from hiring managers, and a request (if you have one) for any companies in specific that you would like to see here.

One of the cool (and best kept secrets from undergraduates) things you can take advantage of when you are in college is research opportunities! Research opportunities give you a chance to test out your passions, and stay abreast of the most cutting edge work in the field. Also, it will give you a glimpse of what grad school in a certain subject may feel like. So, why not invest the time, get the experience, and maybe even publish a paper or two while you are at it?

Now, don't run out and look for applications from your favorite department...most of the time, these positions are advertised as being "for Graduate Students Only", and more often than that, they are just plain unadvertised. In this post, I want to show you how you can safely ignore that and still walk away with an awesome research opportunity.

1. RESEARCH - ironic, but seriously, do it. Go through subjects you like, and shortlist a few professors whose work you find naturally interesting. Then read some of the papers they have written; afterall, you need to understand their specific interest in a field (this is where Google Scholar comes in handy)

2.CONTACT THEM - Email them or better yet, attend their lecture and speak with them after! Dont explain everything right then and there. Just ask your professor for a time when you can learn more about their work.

3. C-Wat? - People in academia often use only CVs and dont find that resumes share all the big picture ideas. So, prepare a CV - which is a detailed account of your coursework, interest, and background. (More about CVs on my Examiner page- link will be up later tonight)

4. MEET THEM - Send a confirmation the night before, Be on time (should I even say that anymore?), and bring your resume, CV and if you are a good student, a transcript. Instead of telling them you want to join their team, tell them about your background, the relevant papers you have read, and what was interesting to you about those papers. As the discussion progresses, and if the work still interests you, you should mention that you are interested in pursuing this field, and ask for advise on how to get started on learning more.

5. LEARN MORE - If they didn't offer you a way to work on their team right away, don't fret. Go back to those resources he/she gave you and go through it all. Then meet them again, and elevate your discussion with intelligent and relevant questions. Now, if they don't offer it to you, you may ask them if there would be any way to join his/her research team. Offer them suggestions of ways you can help and what your background will add to the table.

6. THANK THEM - Whether you get a position or not, thank him/her for their time (they are busy people!). If you don't have luck with one person, keep trying! If you try hard enough and in the right direction, some one could use your background and help. So, keep emailing and meeting professors and instructors!

And because I know I am going to get asked - If a professor is able to provide you with money for your work, then of course, take it. Otherwise, once a position is offered, ask if it is a paid position (NOTHING wrong in asking). If its clearly not a paid position, depending on your time and your passion for this work, consider taking this opportunity. For me, the experience alone was worth it! Hopefully, some of you will feel the same way.

It sometimes seems like a chicken and the egg deal when it comes to finding your first job/internship -- employers want someone with experience, but you cant have experience until you have...an employer. So, whats the best idea in this situation? Here are the top 5 ideas for making up for the lack of experience in your resume!

1. Research - Since you are reading this blog, its assumed you have some connection to your university...USE IT! Email professors from your university (even if you are not sure if they will remember or know you) who are possibly doing work in a subject you are interested in. Offer to be their research assistant. Once they know you are doing awesome work, you can let them know that you are interested in a full time position in this subject...chances are, they will have some connection who may help you get your foot in the door! (Next post, I will tell you the best tips in getting research opportunities).

2. Get Out! Out of the Country that is. Either move to a country you wanted to live in, or find a service to help place you in a full time position abroad. Also, read the job bulletins on most job search engines, and apply, apply apply!

3. Create Opportunity ! Find local start-ups, and look at their business model (or what they reveal about it), and see if there is something that you may be able to help them out with. Email as many people from the company, tell them about your suggestions, and small ways in which you believe you may be able to help. Somebody, somewhere can use your help! (Especially if you dont expect money from this however).

4. Fight for a Cause! Work on a project that seems interesting to you. Whether you are raising money for environmental cause in your area, or whether you go to South Africa to help children with AIDS, spend this time doing something you enjoy. That way, when asked in an interview, what you do with your time off, you have an exciting answer ahead!

5. Be there, Everywhere! Look up industry events, or scholarly lectures at local universities, professional organizations, or even on google search, and attend AS many AS YOU CAN! Even if you have to pay to get in (makes sense given that people spend a lot of time on organizing these events and have to pay the speakers), it'll most likely be worth both the knowledge and networking!

Do any one of those things, and take action towards getting ahead. Use your connections wisely, and let everyone know that you are looking for a position! Once you do those things, you are that much closer to riding out these times, and cracking the chicken-and-the-egg problem. Good Luck! Next Post - Getting Research!

First of all, as most of you can tell, I am revamping the blog, so please excuse the broken links for a few days. This Week, I have several posts about research, searching for a job online and interviewing, so stay tuned!

Now - the blog entry -
Most people don't realize it, but an interview IS a two way street! Every one answers interview questions, but great interviews do something different...they ASK great questions. Asking thoughtful questions shows that you are interested in their company and how you will fit into it, and MOST IMPORTANTLY, you are interested in your interviewer as a person(not just a potential employer). So, don't be afraid to ask questions at the end of your interview.

WORDS OF CAUTION - We have all heard our instructors say that there is no such thing as a bad question <- They were not thinking of your life as a young professional when they said that! THERE ARE BAD QUESTIONS. In an interview, do not ask about:

• salary, benefits, hours, or anything related (all of this will be addressed once you get an offer)
• someone's personal life (other than maybe an occasional question about how they made the decision to work in this field or at this place)
• about office gossip/drama
• information YOU SHOULD HAVE READ ABOUT before coming to the interview - (ie, asking about what the company does or about what products they have released)
• HOW YOU ARE DOING IN THIS INTERVIEW

• How has the current economic situation affected the way you do business?
  
• In what ways do you feel that the company philosophy and culture transcends to you on a daily basis? (Asking them for their take on the management philosophy and culture not only gives you something to think about, it may show you the interviewer's candid thoughts)
  
• What would be my career path if I joined as a [your position]?
• How does your company encourage/support further education?
• How does the team's dynamic work when it comes to major projects?
• What is the technology I should familiarize myself with, if I were to have this position (if accepted)?
  
• Always end with the question - Is there any other questions you have for me?
  

I, and most people I know, never apply for a position that I really want without a cover letter. If there is one thing that shows that someone is serious about a position, its a well written, well researched cover letter attached to your resume.

Why? Because its saying that you are going beyond expectations, doing all the company research up front, and because you are conveying your (hopefully, impeccable) communication skills! So, spend a few hours when applying to your most desired companies, and come up with a cover letter to show that your serious.

How do you make a cover letter?

1. Research - Learn about the company you want to join, and find out what makes them different from their closest competition, and get ready to mention how working there would be in line with your career goals and general philosophy. Not only will this help tell the employer that you are detail oriented, but it will also give you a perspective about what your experience in the company might be!

2. Reflect - Think about what aspect of yourself is not presented, but should be highlighted from your resume or previous experience, that you feel will be of interest to the person at the other end. For example, you can mention how "your quantitative ability combined with excellent team working skills will make you a valuable contribution for company X.", or how "your creative energy, as shown from the work you have done, sparks other people's drive for their own work, thereby making you an effective team leader." Think about your strengths and mention how you can bring that to the metaphorical table.

3. Write - Write/Explain

• Your Name, major, school and the position you are applying for in the first line.
• Second paragraph (split it up if its longer) - About you, your background, and why they should look at your resume (ie, your reflections from above)
• Third Paragraph - Open Up! Be brave and mention that given all the reasons above, that you feel you are the best applicant for this position, and that you look forward to speaking with them further. Mention that if they would like to learn more about you, or speak to your references, that they can contact you at their convenience.
• Fourth Line- Thank them for the time they spent reading your resume.
• Lastly -- Sign it (either online or personally or both).

Its really unfortunate for us college graduates that there is no course in networking (or any other real life skill, actually). But if there was such a course, I'm sure you would have to know all of the following to get an A+:

- ANY-TIME IS NETWORK TIME - A few days ago, I was standing in line in the cafe I usually go to, and in front of me was this really cute kid, and his father. When the boy's dad saw me, I mentioned how cute his son is, and he replying with "He looks cute now, but hes a handful!". The conversation continued as I stated that maybe I will only know how much work they are, when I become a parent, many many years from now. This remark naturally led to him asking me about what I do... Soon enough, he gave me his business card to contact him if I wanted to do any consulting work for his start-up! The lesson? stay professional and talk to as many people as you can. You never know where the next big job offer may be!

- GIVE, AND YOU SHALL RECIEVE! Although I generally like volunteering for the sake of giving, I cannot tell you how many highly qualified and extremely successful people I meet when I spend time volunteering. Getting involved with a charity or a community event leads to important connections and positive sustained relations, while helping an important cause that you and the people you connect with believe in.

- STAY IN THE LOOP! - I always feel like college students do not do this enough, but join both the campus organization and the local chapters of professional organizations that are in your major! You may have to pay a small fee (pls check if there is a student discount), but it will be worth the investment!

- TWO WORDS THAT COULD GET YOU A JOB! Send your follow up emails (two words- THANK YOU), and connect with them on linked-in and twitter! Even consider adding recruiting managers from companies you really want to join as linked-in contacts (most people wont reject you). Word of Advice - Check to make sure you have nothing too unprofessional (ie, wild party pictures) on your myspace or facebook before adding them!

Look this list over, and make sure that you are doing everything you can to ensure that you are casting the widest networking net you can at this time! It takes a lot of time, and seems like busy work, but it has its grand payoffs that you wont regret!

Next Entry- As promised, COVER LETTER BASICS!

Forbes recently released their annual "100 Best Companies to Work For" and it has changed quite a bit from the past few years in that now, (perhaps for obvious reasons) there is less focus on the big 4 accounting firms (3 of which were on the top last year), and a greater focus on technology oriented companies. Here are the top 10 companies and the reasons they ranked so high in the list!

1. Netapp - good management, paid volunteer service days and even adoption money?
2. Edward Jones - hiring strong despite the economy
3. Boston Consulting Group - good for minorities, great benefits, great pay
4. Google - not surprising!
5. Wegman's Food Markets- family owned, great discounts and employees are treated well
6. Cisco Systems - great management (which I can attest to, having worked there!)
7. Genentech - retention bonuses and (get this...) awesome severance!
8. Methodist Hospital System - all around growth
9. Goldman Sachs- not surprising! (although their reason for being so high was that a few of their high ranked officers are taking smaller bonuses this year).
10. Nugget Market - have NEVER laid-off ANYBODY (in 81 years)!

So, why did I post this list? Because, its a great place to get started on your job search! I am not saying that your list should end here, by any means, or that these really are the 100 best companies to work FOR YOU, but why not apply to companies that are hiring (and even growing) as part of the job search? You will not regret the time spent applying, especially if you get in!

Hi All,

I should be back and blogging later on today. I have been a bit busy doing research for the book (and yes, the next few blog entries). You should hear from me soon, but in the meantime, why not have your valentine take a few minutes and double check for typos in your resume?

Here is 2 awesome article links I came across-

This one reveals the trends that managers are gravitating toward to find differentiators between seemingly equal candidates.

This link is from one from one of my favorite authors Malcolm Gladwell (author of Tipping Point, Blink!, and Outliers) - Its an interesting piece, especially for those interested in going into education, and for those who want to know what it takes to be more effective in the class room.

Its useful to read articles like these to be in the know about changes in management and interview styles, as it could affect you very soon.

I hope that things are going well, and that everyone is still managing to stay afloat despite our daily dose of dismal economic news. The topic for today...you guessed it!

Since most schools (and cities) have great resources, they set up some form of a career fair to help their students meet recruiters. I got my main internship offer from a CF, and so I really hope that you attend and give it a chance.

Here are things to take to the career fair:

Recently, one of the blog readers sent me an important question that gets asked a lot. So, I felt like posting up the answer to help anyone who may be in a similar situation:

" I feel like I understand the technical knowledge that the job requires, but whenever it comes to facing an interviewer or meeting someone at a career fair, I feel like I dont connect well to the person across from me, which may be the reason I am having a hard time getting any [interview] callbacks. What are some ways I can improve my communication skills?"

Again, good question. Experts from every magazine from the "Harvard Business Review" to "Self" emphasize that if there is one component that could keep you from getting what you want is your ability to communicate your thoughts effectively. In my experience (in computer science/engineering where, unfortunately, some people don't bother learning to talk to anyone else) the key differentiator between those who get a job offer (or close a deal) and those who do not is an individual's ability to connect well with others. Here are some tips I use, and some tips I ran into during my research:

*Is anybody there? - There is a high chance that the person in front of you is trying to understand you, and will be able to pick up if you are genuinely reaching out of your comfort zone to speak with them. Use your facial expressions, body language and attentive mannerism to show a genuine interest in the person's thoughts and ideas.
*I'm sorry, I'm a bit nervous - If you are a bit nervous and find yourself stuttering a lot, its okay to say that you are nervous(and infact perfectly natural in first impression situations). Pause (read: breathe) and then continue. Just remember the point you are trying to convey, and continue with that point in mind.
* Hey Fool, leave a message, aite? Peace! - If your voicemail is nothing but funny, or worse, obscene, make sure you change it to something that communicates your name, and your maturity. If your myspace or facebook picture is not something you could show your (conservative) GRANDFATHER, it shouldn't be your profile picture. Being unprofessional can seriously turn off your employer.
* Is there something you suggest?- If you are meeting someone, do not ask what they can do for you. Tell them about your problem, and ask if they have any advice or suggestions for you, and they will automatically be eager figure out new ways to help solve your problem! Try it.
* Follow Through - An important part of communication is what you do after- write those thank you letters (within 24 hours), send a general email connecting (if they could use your help with something you talked about, mention it here), and connect with them on linked-in! Just follow through.

If you are having a hard time, practice communicating professionally with your friends (you will get over how lame it is eventually)-If nothing else, it will make you more comfortable during more professional encounters. Good luck :)

So, whether you are going to your college career fair, a seminar, or were just introduced to someone new, chances are that someone will ask you about what you do or about your background. Don't get caught garbling words, repeating yourself or ranting to figure out what to say. Use an elevator pitch (that is pretend that you have the time span of an elevator ride to convince an executive to hire you) as a well planned "commercial" of who you are and what you offer. Your elevator pitch must answer all of the following questions:

- What is your name?
- What is your major and school (unless its obvious)?
- What is your experience? (personal/professional relevant background)
- Why are you qualified to work for them or their company?
- Why should they hire you? (This one is always underestimated - Be Bold (either they will like you or you will never see them again), and give them something they will remember)

Here is a well done script for an elevator pitch that you may like-

[Firm Handshake] "Nice to meet you. My name is [first name] [last name]. [Hand Them Resume] I am working on (or completing) a [degree] in [subject], and am hoping to work in [subject/company] after I graduate. Currently, I am looking for a [full time/internship] where I can utilize my [subject-specific] skills and contribute to a [challenging/fulfilling] project. I am [talented/hardwork,ambitious - pick any two adjectives that describe you], and [know/feel] that I will be a great asset to [their company]. [Ask them a thoughtful question now, or ask if they have any questions for you]."

The above pitch has worked well for myself and many people I know. Practice, Personalize and Perfect your elevator pitch, and you will have one leg up on your competition! If you have any questions, feel free to email me. Good Luck!

For those of us whose mom or dad doesn't run his own FORTUNE 100 company, the first encounter that we have with representatives who decide whether we will ultimately decide our fate with the company will be through the resume.

If you can imagine the thousands of resume they get each month (sometimes even each day), it is not hard to see why they usually do not spend over 60 seconds deciding which pile (to call back or not) your resume belongs in. That means you have 60 seconds to make the best impression and get them to call you back to discuss a position further. So, don't get caught making the same mistakes as every one else with your resume!

Here are the 5 most common mistakes (and lesser known) and how to fix them now.

1. Resume uses a Microsoft Office Template (or any other template).
They are considered templates for a reason - it USED TO BE (maybe as far back as the dot com days) that you can plug in your strengths and experience, and some one will look at it, and give you a job. These days, using a "cookie-cutter" resume, is almost a sure way to ensure that your resume wont be given the needed attention.

The Lesson? Look at multiple resumes formats to see how they are formatted, but be original and create your own format. With that said, Include all the necessary information, but don't use the same hundred templates EVERYONE has access to. Your potential head-hunter will thank you for the change.

2. Your resume is printed with your passport photo and fancy Cursive font to show off just how creative you are.

Bad Idea! Yes, its important to be original, but this is hardly the occasion to show off your knowledge of all the fancy cursive fonts. First of all, most resumes will be read online. If it gets uploaded, all that creativity in paper choice will surely be a waste of time (and money), and all that creativity and designs on the resume may just make your resume hard to read.

The Lesson? Don't Be too Creative (unless you are looking for a position that requires a creative resume). Print your resume in regular 8.5 X 11 sheet of paper (unless you have over a decade of experience, you shouldn't require more than one page of paper), avoid any non-normal fonts (ie, use Arial, Verdana or Times New Roman). and please do not put a picture of yourself or something (worse: someone) you like. When it comes to formatting--Keep it simple and focused.

3. Your resume lists your accomplishment as an 10th Grade Associated Student Body Class Representative.

It often looks unprofessional to employers if you are well into your college years, and still mention all your high school accomplishments. It makes them wonder if you are trying to take up space, or more importantly, if you have lost creativity and leadership skills in the last few years. It begs the question of why you are not as involved now, and may actually work against you.

The Lesson? Although many of us have done (some) things we are proud of in high school, it is time to let it go, and reposition ourselves. Now that you are in college, list your accomplishments in college. You should work on joining clubs or working on short term projects to boost your resume so that you can cut the high school umbilical cord. Not sure you have enough material? List your interests and relevant course experience, emphasize what you have gained in your previous jobs (in a proper bullet-es fashion), or even state your relevant project experience. When applying to my first position in programming, I stated two projects I worked on and helped lead in the classroom setting, and the skills I gained from that. It helped me a lot, and I think it can help you!

4. Half your resume looks like an essay and the other half of the page is empty.

Most recruiters mention that they see this all the time....Either the margins are too big (which makes them wonder if you dont have enough information and are trying to trick them), or the resume ends abruptly, leaving over half the page empty. Do not show a lack of organization and thought by scrunching up all your information or not including what matters.

The lesson? First of all, dont try any crazy margin tricks (stick with the 1 inch margin all around)-- employers have seen every trick in the book, and its likely that they will pick up on yours. Second, I know that you must have enough material to format your resume properly and still use as much of the prime real estate in your resume as you can. See the previous point to find our tips on what to end if you dont have enough in your resume.

5. Your resume is not accomplishment-driven and rather, is project driven.
Its really important to remember that employers are human beings and they need to know that you are too. At the end of the day, they want to know that you pay attention to detail, work hard and learn from your past experiences (and hopefully, they will want you to have a decent sense of humor)! So, telling them all the details of your project or drowning them in technical jargon is likely to get your resume dropped from the list, so be careful.

The lesson? List things that you have learned in a subtle way. For example, instead of stating that you programmed the DTL design management protocol for the ABC, state that you used XYZ tool to complete a project that will allow users to do "A, B, C". Even if your employer or hiring manager is not familiar with the tools you are using, they know what you have helped make possible or even better, what you have helped lead.

Welcome!

Hopefully, here you will find stories and advice, some familiar and others brand new, to make your college to career transition easier! Like I said, email me any time with suggestions of what you would like to see more of in future posts, any questions you have or any comments you would like to share. I would love to hear back!

Thanks,
Maithreyi