Resumes, Introductions, And Career Fair Prep

Resumes, Introductions,and Career Fair PrepMichael Laughtermichael.laughter@gatech.eduBriana Edwardsbriana.Edwards@gatech.eduGeorgia Tech Career Center

Today's Topics:1. Craft a Resume2. Prepare for the Career Fair3. Create Introductions2

Resumes

What Does a Resume Do?1.2.3.4.Shows what you're good at and where you've beenHighlights both technical and essential skillsAnswers some questions recruiters have about your experienceContains keywords and only noun and verb phrases to facilitate a"1-minute scan"5. Provides sections of information in reverse chronological order toshow highest levels of achievement first4

Heading and Education1.2.3.4.Heading: name, phone, email, LinkedIn, portfolio/github (if applicable)Education: reverse order, including transfer institutions and GPA ( 3.2)Include certifications, study abroad, honors/awardsAim for up to 3 bullets per school, remove HS after freshman year6

Expertise (Grad Students Only)1.2.3.4.5.Sets the tone for resume, typically 3 areas of competencyShould show bundles of technical/essential skill useMay contain topic(s) of researchCan correspond with job postingReplaces Summary of Qualifications7

Experience1. Work for compensation, both in your field and otherwise2. Shows implementation of skills, duties, tasks, use verb phrases3. Will be second resume section once you've had an internship, co-op,research assistantship, or shadowing experience8

Skills1.2.3.4.Two types: technical and essential (human) skillsOrganize into relevant categories, focus on 'keywords,' nouns onlyInclude procedures, protocols, abilitiesList skills as soon as you begin to learn them (day 1 of class)9

Research (Grad focused, otherwise optional)1.2.3.4.Shows further knowledge in field and labReveals combined work/study/directionContains data/analysisAdds depth and nuance to knowledge base10

Projects1.2.3.4.5.Shows implementation of skills, usually from classShowcase tasks, depth of work in topic areaCan be self-driven or assigned, group or individualList as soon as you begin, update each semesterGenerally focused on your major or area relevant to job you are seeking11

Leadership1. Volunteer work, campus or community involvement2. Showcases essential skills implemented in club or community positions3. Exhibits 'people skills' and humanity12

Resume Writing Tips1. Be concise and focus on quality over quantity. While a two-page resumecan be needed as you gain more experience, you should be able toprioritize your experiences to include only those necessaryto communicate your value proposition.2. Your resume is how you market yourself. Every word takes up real estate.Never use complete sentences, focus on WHAT/HOW you did something,with less on setting context. Focus on keywords.3. Avoid standing out with fonts, formatting, or colors. Recruiters/hiringmanagers often give a one-minute scan. You want them to easily locaterelevant information in a familiar format.4. Work to continually expand your experience but remember to focus yourresume on exposure not just expertise.5. Tailor your resume content for specific jobs, as needed.13

Career Fair Prep

Georgia Tech Career Center All-Majors Virtual Career FairDate: January 25 (Monday) and January 26 (Tuesday), 2021Time: 12:00pm -6:00pm ESTLocation: Virtual – Via CareerBuzz1. Log In to your CareerBuzz account and REGISTER2. Research companies attending3. Research jobs posted by companies of interest4. Plan to attend a Career Fair Virtual Platform Demo in JanuaryDateEventTimeBlueJeans Link, if Virtual1/13/21Career Fair Virtual Platform ister/tubjrzuw1/19/21Career Fair Virtual Platform ster/petqyeku1/20/21Career Fair Virtual Platform Demo11:00amThe Bill Moore Student Success Center (in person)1/21/21Career Fair Virtual Platform Demo4:00pmThe Bill Moore Student Success Center (in person)15

Get Ready To ShineDo Your ResearchTailor Your ResumePrepare Yourself and YourSpace Research company businessmodel/mission Identify the company’sclient(s) Examine outcomes, services,goods produced Analyze all tools/skills usedby company Make notes aboutsimilarities betweenyou/them Compare company needsand your strengths Make changes toresume accordingly toillustrate how you possesstheir desired qualifications Prioritize your contentaccording to company needs Set up your area with: Printed copy of resume Paper/Pen Bright light on your face Minimal background Dress the part, head to toe Look at the camera, SMILE,make it a conversation Don't speak in paragraphs16

Introductions

Two Components of Your IntroductionGoal: Make a good first impression and communicate your skills and experience that makeyou someone worth rememberingPart I: Initial GreetingShould share some information about you, but only a low-level sales pitch.1. Name, Major, Year2. Brief explanation of interest/skills related to major OR industry company is a part of3. Brief request:1."Interested to learn more about opportunities at . (company name)2."Interested to learn more about . (position you know they are hiring for)18

TMAY (Tell Me About Yourself)Part II – ResponseMore thorough, when asked to introduce yourself or asked a follow up after initialgreeting (skip any items you've already shared).1. Name, major, year2. Why you chose your major (don’t overthink it)3. Technical skill, illustrate how/why/what you’ve done with it4. Essential skill, illustrate how/why/what you’ve done with it5. DISTILLATION: Describe yourself with pair/trio of skills1.“I can put with and , which means. . .”6. Ask what the company has available for someone with your skillset19

Always Say Thank You1. Always write down names/titles/emails during conversations2. Use a three-sentence model for your note Thank the person in your first line and remind them the specifics ofyour conversation. State “I remain interested in this position because I have , ,and , which you’ll need.” Finish with brief good will sentiment, “Hope to hear from yousoon/If you have any questions. . .”3. Send it within 24 hours20

Upcoming Events and Additional ResourcesUpcoming Events:Career Fair Bootcamp II – December 10th 5:00pmBy attending this workshop, obtain necessary insight on how to develop your cover letter and receive interview tips. The CareerFair Bootcamp is a three-event series.Career Fair Bootcamp III – December 11th 5:00pmBy attending this workshop, obtain necessary insight on how to evaluate a job offer, and negotiate a salary coming out of theCareer Fair. The Career Fair Bootcamp is a three-event series.Stay tuned, we have a whole set of new events coming your way to prepare you for theSpring Career Fair January 25th and 26th. More details to come soon!!Follow the Georgia Tech Career Center:LinkedIn GT Career CenterInstagram GT Career Center21

Questions22

Appendix

TMAY Formula Option1. Hi, I’m , a year, majoring in . I chose my major/research because. [I want to make an impact in the field of by .]2. In my research/internship/co-op at , I used (technical skill) to , for thepurposes of . (Provide another sentence of details here as needed.) I was partof a team that . We also used (another technical skill) to (task). Iresearched by and used to . (Add another sentence of details.)3. I also picked up (essential skill, such as communication or leadership) atand was able to use it to (task).4. I can be an effective addition to your team because I can put the technical skills ofand with a needed skill such as (essential skill).5. What do you have for someone with my (emerging) abilities?24

TMAY Example 11. Hi, I’m , a third year CS major. I chose my major because I really wanted to learnhow computers can create new possibilities for solutions to some of society’sproblems. I am conducting research in the field of AI, specifically by working withconfiguring networks.2. In my internship/research assistantship at , I used Java and JavaScript to createa debugging app that would eventually be for external users. I was part of a team thatcollected relevant data in order to streamline the debugging process. The dataportion of our work took months, and I am crafting the final report.3. I have picked up important communication skills because I am writing a report thatwill be read by a non-technical audience.4. Distillation: I can be an effective addition to your team because I can use Java andPython and my knowledge of data analytics, along with a much-needed skill, which Ihave: report writing for a large audience.5. What do you have for someone with my (emerging) abilities?25

TMAY Example 2I’m a mechanical engineer because I want to know how things work; I like the logic ofit. (WHY?) I’m interested in robotics, which began when I was in a high school projectcreating a robotic arm. (SKILL) I also taught myself to code two summersago. (SKILL) And I’m an excellent writer, and also speak conversationalSpanish. (SKILL)I’m open to all types of engineering, but I especially am interested in sustainability, and Iwant to use mathematical principles and logic to solve energy renewal problems.(ADJUSTED ASPIRATIONS)I think all of that work means I can benefit you as an intern. May I provide you with moredetails?26

Resumes, Introductions, and Career Fair Prep. Today's Topics: 2 1. Craft a Resume 2. Prepare for the Career Fair 3. Create Introductions. Resumes. 1. Shows what you're good at and where you've been 2. Highlights both technical and essential skills 3. Answers some questions recruiters have abo