10 Things to Leave Off Your Resume

By Kelsey McWilliams, Marketing Intern at CU-Boulder Career Services

Resume writing can be an incredibly daunting task. What experience should you include from before college? Which previous jobs should you include? Is listing your GPA necessary? Read on for 10 things that you should leave off of your resume.

1.     Spelling mistakes and grammatical errors: Your resume is an employer’s first look at you as a job applicant. Make a positive first impression by ensuring that there are absolutely no spelling or grammar errors on your resume. Many employers will immediately disregard resumes that include these critical mistakes.

2.     GPA: Your grade point average is not necessary to include on a resume, but it can be nice. If you have anything below a 3.0 GPA then you should leave it off your resume. If your major GPA is significantly higher, then feel free to list that if it pertains to the job you’re applying for.

3.     Objective: Resume objectives are fairly outdated. In addition, they are mistakenly about what you want when they should be about what the employer wants. Include information about how much you want the job in your cover letter.

4.     False information: Do not lie on your resume. Don’t claim you graduated college if you didn’t; don’t say you still work at a company that fired you; don’t pretend you’re fluent in Spanish if you’re only a beginner. Your employer will inevitably find out that the information is false, so just tell the truth in the first place.

5.     High school accomplishments: Once you’re well into college and beyond you want to take off any mention of high school activities. Even if you have a long list of accomplishments from high school, your more recent experiences are much more important.

6.     Interests and hobbies: As much as you love rock climbing or listening to music, these interests probably are not relevant for employers. If it’s an interest like cooking, which would be applicable for a position as a chef, then make sure to highlight your particular skills, not just your interest.

7.     Your photo: Your appearance is irrelevant to your potential as an employee. Unless you’re applying for a job in modeling, acting or possibly broadcast news, your photo isn’t necessary. Save your photo for your LinkedIn profile or website.

8.     Multiple pages: Your resume should be just one page, so don’t go beyond that. If you need help cutting it down try reformatting, shortening your text, widening your margins or making your font as small as 10 pt. If you’ve been in the industry for a while, a two-page resume is acceptable, but keep it as concise as possible.

9.     References: References should be given only upon request, so there’s no point in mentioning them on your resume. It is implied that you will be able to provide references if an employer asks for them, so save that room for something else. On that note, make sure that you have a few references available in case employers do ask! Refer to our previous post for etiquette guidelines on asking for references and letters and recommendation.

     10.  Fancy designs: Your resume format should be fairly simple; make sure the text is clear and easy to read. Feel free to add some of your own touches, but we strongly advise against pink and scented like Elle Woods’ resume.

Overall, when it comes to resume writing, less is more. Remember: employers spend only a matter of seconds on each resume, so you want them to focus on the most impressive and pertinent information. Leave out all of the fluff, so that you can highlight what is important.

Happy Thanksgiving!

By Kelsey McWilliams, Marketing Intern at CU-Boulder Career Services

Happy Thanksgiving! We hope you’ve all been enjoying the holiday break and spending time with family and friends. Among the many things we should all be thankful for, Career Services has several to add to your list!

Be thankful for...

• 360 active internships on Career Buffs, our online job and internship database. These employers are just waiting for CU students like you to apply for these internships.
• 847 active jobs on Career Buffs. These include temporary, part-time, seasonal, full-time: entry level, full-time: 2-5 years of professional experience, and full-time: 5+ years of professional experience, so be thankful that there are positions for everyone.
• Be even more thankful that these numbers of active jobs and internships on our site are about to increase significantly. Employers are less likely to post during the hectic holiday season, so check back around January 1^st for many more opportunities.
• In addition, be thankful that the job market is improving. According to a CNBC article, 114,000 new jobs were created last month, and the U.S. unemployment rate finally fell below 8 percent. Things are slowly but surely looking up, so take advantage and start applying!

We at Career Services are thankful for you, the students and alumni who keep our office running. We’re open five days a week and eager to help you, so schedule an appointment online or come by our office in the Center for Community, Room N352.

Using LinkedIn to Research Job Opportunities

By Jason Radman, Career Counseling Intern at Colorado State University

When it comes to job searching, it’s easy to get stuck in a rut, continuously checking the same job boards with little to show for it.  This type of passive search is often not only ineffective, but also immensely frustrating.  LinkedIn can help create a more active strategy, and it has the potential to help you find great numerous job opportunities.

LinkedIn has a wealth of resources for job searchers.  Here are a few tips and strategies to get you started:

           

Target your search

Use the “advanced” search to find member profiles that are in your targeted field.  Search based on title, industry, or even relevant keywords.  Utilize these profiles to research career paths of others and create a list of potential companies to pursue.  Or, utilize the profile to connect with someone for an informational interview.

Start joining groups

Groups are great for connecting with others in your desired field.  Search for groups relevant to your industry.  Get involved with group discussions.  Keep your ears peeled: groups are often a great way to hear about job openings and opportunities!

Search the Jobs tab

Use this tool to search posted jobs on LinkedIn.  The website also uses your profile’s information to suggest openings that you might be interested in.  If these suggestions don’t appear to be a fit for you, take that as a subtle hint that your profile could use some tweaking to better match your field of interest.

Find more tips for job seekers in the LinkedIn Learning Center http://learn.linkedin.com/job-seekers/.

Preparing for Grad School

By Dylan Mark, senior sociology major at CU-Boulder

As an undergraduate, it’s never too early to prepare yourself for grad school.  If you’re planning on attending grad school after your degree, here are a few tips that will help you along the way. 

• Excel in academics and extracurricular life to strengthen your grad school application. Graduate programs are extremely competitive.  Ensure that you’re application stands out by getting involved on campus through clubs and organizations. It’s also great to have internship experience while maintaining a strong academic resume. Graduate programs may also ask for interviews, references and placement exams for their applications. 
• Take classes to prepare yourself. Some graduate programs have specific prerequisite classes while other programs may encourage you to take introductory classes in your field. Make sure you research the prerequisite qualifications, so that you’ll be prepared when it comes time to apply.
• Get to know your professors. They are often the gatekeepers of the best opportunities.  Professors may know of programs tailored to your interests and can be used as references in your applications. Most importantly, professors have gone through the trials of grad school and have advice that you can’t get from anywhere else.
• Research the graduate school professors. While you may like a school’s program, your professors will largely impact your experience and education. Before applying, get to know the school’s professors and see if their interests and experience align with yours.
• Know when applications are due. Graduate programs often call for applications far in advance of their start date. These application due dates vary by major and university, so keep up to date on when they are and what you will need for your application. 

With these quick tips you'll be well on your way to grad school. Don't forget to stay on top of deadlines and start preparing now! It's never too early to start thinking about your future.

Interview Preparation

By Ethan Vernon, senior international affairs and Chinese major at CU-Boulder

Interview skills are developed slowly overtime as you gain experience interviewing. As they say, practice makes perfect! In the meantime, check out these useful tips to help you get started.

There are many types of interviews to prepare for. Sometimes the interview atmosphere will seem very casual, and your interviewer may seem a step outside of the professional sphere. Be careful to retain your professionalism, as interviewers may use this technique to get your defenses down and find out your dirty secrets. Conversely, employers find out how well you do under pressure if they feel that there is a tense atmosphere in the room. Breathe, relax, and remember that it is only an interview.

Outside of the scenarios above, most interviews can be approached with the basics in mind. Your attire should be of the same level or one step higher than the attire worn on the job. Typically, business and business casual are both respectable options. Attitude is also important. Although it may vary by the job, generally employers want someone who is comfortable and personable. Smiling, maintaining eye contact, and controlling your speech are all things to keep in mind. Also, if you’re nervous, posture can be a dead giveaway. Sit up, put your feet out in front of you, roll your shoulders back, and lift your chin.

 

Two topics are undoubtedly going to come up in interviews: strengths and weaknesses. Strengths should be thrown in whenever possible. Most interview questions can be turned into a reference to a job task, a skill used or exemplified by that task, and the outcome of your effort. Try to have at least a few of these on the ready. Weaknesses also come up in almost every interview. Identify your weakness, why it exists, and what you can do or are doing to make up for it.

If you’re looking for some additional interview preparation, be sure to come in and see us at Career Services in the C4C! Our Career Counselors are trained professionals in the skill of interviewing, and they would love to help you get ready to land your next job opportunity.