Resume Writing for the Recent
College Graduate
Office of Career Services
Housekeeping Notes
• “Use Phone” audio select “I will call in” from
the drop-down menu and then a toll free number,
access code, and participant ID number will be
provided to you. Use the speaker on your phone
to listen to the webinar.
• “Use Computer for audio” select “Call using
computer”; you may use your computer speakers
for the webinar (a microphone is not necessary).
Join the audio portion that works for you:
More Housekeeping Notes
• Webinar Support:
Office of Career Services: 407-646-2195
• Q&A: Please send questions to presenter.
• Quick Survey, PowerPoint slides, online
resources, and any additional materials
will be made available after webinar.
In today’s webinar…
We will help you develop a resume that is…
• visually attractive
• easy for employers to review
• targets relevant/transferable skills and
experiences
• demonstrates enthusiasm and interest in a
specific career field
Resume Function
• The purpose of a resume is to progress you to the
next step in the hiring process, usually an interview.
• A poorly planned and sloppy resume can sabotage
an otherwise well qualified candidate.
• A well organized and well thought out resume can
overcome other deficiencies in your application.
• Generic resumes are hardly ever appropriate in
today’s job searches.
Step 1
It is easy to feel overwhelmed by the many components
of a resume when first writing a professional resume. It
is best usually to start by focusing on what you want to
share with the employer about yourself. Remember,
the key is to develop a resume that looks like it was
specifically designed for a specific position or position
type rather than a generic resume that could be used
for anything and is specific to no field. Begin by
looking at the job description and description of the
employer.
Focus on Content
Job postings, as well as
company information, can
provide a good insight
into what the employer is
looking for and what you
should highlight on your
resume.
Often, you can find
specific skill sets,
education and experience
that the employer is
seeking under the
qualifications section as
well as in the job
description itself.
Key Points to Address on
Resume
• Sales
• Event Planning
• Experience
• Fundraising
• Experience with TV, Radio or
other media
• Marketing strategy
Other Relevant Information
• This position seems focused
on local advertisers in the
Orlando market
• You will be applying to the
station manager
Since we now have a list of what the employer is
looking for, our task is to think about…
• Of all the “things” the employer is looking for, which
do I have, and
• How do I best show this on my resume
• You may also be able to discern other key
qualifications that are not apparent in the job
description but that you feel are important in the
career field or industry.
Align Resume with Job Posting
So, you think you have no “relevant” experience?
• Consider skills/knowledge you developed when
working previous jobs, organizational involvement or
volunteering
• Is any of this transferrable to the position for which
you are applying?
• Consider how you can described those skills, that
knowledge or experience that is most transferrable
from your previous experience to the job for which
you are applying.
A Word About Relevant Experience
Step 2
• Develop your section heading titles appropriate to
your content
• Be mindful of the order of your sections. You will
want your most relevant/impressive information to
come first.
• Consider the length appropriate for your resume.
This may dictate what information to include or what
information to omit.
Create the Framework
While the terminology may be changed, most all
resumes will have the following standard section
headings.
• Objective
• Education
• Work Experience
• Skills
Standard Section Headings
You may choose to include other section headings as
well. While there are no limits to what they could be,
you will want them to be somewhat relevant to the job
for which you are applying. Common additional
headings include the following.
• Related Experience
• Career Field Specific Experience
• Community Involvement
• Leadership Experience
• Honors and Recognitions
• Certifications
Alternative Section Headings
Step 3
Pull information together to support your section
headings, keeping in mind that…
• Across the sections, you should format information as
consistently as possible.
• Within each of the sections that include dated material that
everything is in reverse chronological order.
• Supporting information under each entry (bulleted
descriptions) should be ordered from most relevant to least
relevant, keeping your target audience in mind.
Developing the Sections
Identification/Heading
Cynthia Ladle
cladle@go.com
2349 Bluebonnet
• Houston, Texas 77030 • (713) 669-3309
Cynthia Ladle
2349 Bluebonnet
Houston, Texas 77030
713.669.3309 (cell)
cladle@go.com
The Objective
OBJECTIVE
An events coordinator position with Eileen Gillian and Associates that utilizes my experience in marketing,
writing and special event planning.
OBJECTIVE
An entry-level position in public relations utilizing public speaking skills as well as sales and management
background.
OBJECTIVE
A challenging position where I can help people and help the company succeed.
OBJECTIVE
To obtain an entry-level position in a Fortune 500 company.
Education
EDUCATION
Rollins College, Winter Park, FL, May 2012
Bachelor of Arts in International Business; Minor in Australian Studies
• GPA 3.35
• President’s List and Dean’s List
• Omicron Delta Kappa (National Leadership Honor Society)
• Rollins in Sydney Program Participant, Sydney, Australia, Summer and Fall 2010
.
EDUCATION
Rollins College, Winter Park, Florida, May 2012
Candidate for Bachelor of Arts in Sociology; Minor in Communication
• GPA: 3.2
• Accelerated Management Program participant (Anticipated MBA graduation: April 2013)
Sydney University, Sydney, Australia, June 2010 – July 2010
Coursework included Australian art, Aboriginal studies, Australian politics and economics
.
Work Experience
WORK EXPERIENCE
Dillard’s Department Store, Sales Associate, Orlando, FL, Summer 2009 - Present
• Sell over $3,000 in men’s apparel per week
• Greet over 200 in-store guests per day
• Record receipt of, price and stock merchandise in the men’s furnishings department
Wells and Rogers Public Relations, Special Events Intern, Orlando, FL, May 2012 – July 2012
• Coordinated receptions and business meetings for two Fortune 500 companies
• Wrote press releases and created public service announcements
• Published and distributed monthly employee newsletter
• Designed direct mailing advertisements for clients with a combined target audience of over one million
Stone Mountain Parks and Recreation, Tennis Instructor, Houston, TX, Summers 2009 and 2010
Joe’s Crab Shack, Server, Houston, TX, Summer 2008
Related Experience
RELATED EXPERIENCE
Massey Persons Brinati Communications, Events Intern, Maitland, FL, August 2011 – Present
• Write press releases for clients and compiled publicity packets
• Assist in design and maintenance of company’s web site – www.mpb.cc
• Research prospective clients and create marketing plan with other interns
• Accompany account executives during client presentations
• Co-presented public relations campaign for Kimberly’s Closet – a specialty-clothing store
Winter Park Art Festival, Public Relations Volunteer, Winter Park, FL, Fall 2011
• Designed press releases and media packets for members of the Central Florida media
• Wrote copy for flyers and newsletters distributed to local colleges
• Assisted Promotions Director with pricing and organizing events
• Acquired new sponsors by meeting with Winter Park business owners
• Negotiated parking permits with Rollins College and local vendors
Rollins College Office of Admission, Student Diplomat, Winter Park, FL, August 2009 – May 2011
• Served as student representative for prospective students and their families
• Led tours of the campus to college visitors
• Hosted prospective students during weekend stays
• Participated in information panels for prospective students
Community Involvement,
Activities & Leadership
COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT & LEADERSHIP
Rollins Outdoor Club, Winter Park, FL, August 2009 – May 2012
• Served as Vice President, coordinating meetings and supervising various social, recreational and outdoor
educational programs for over 125 members
• Served as Activities Chair (October 2009 – May 2010), organizing recreational events such as canoeing,
snorkeling, camping, and cycling
• Represented Rollins at the NSEE national convention in Miami, FL
Varsity Tennis Team, Captain (2010-2011), Rollins College, September 2008 – March 2011
Habitat for Humanity, Volunteer, Winter Park, FL, Spring 2010
• Collaborated on a team dedicated to constructing a home for qualified family within the community
• Assisted in raising over $5,000 to help provide home furnishings
Good Shepherd Soup Kitchen, Volunteer, Houston, TX, Summer 2009
Skills
SKILLS
Computer: Experienced in MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, Access and Adobe PageMaker
Language: Proficient in Spanish
SKILLS & CERTIFICATIONS
Computer: Advanced in Microsoft Word, Excel, Publisher; Adobe Photoshop; C++, Java, BASIC
Language: Proficient in Spanish
Other: Certified to administer and interpret the Myers-Briggs Type Inventory (MBTI)
Step 4
Now that your resume is put together with content,
structure and organization in place, you will want to
review it. To help gain a more objective perspective,
step away from it for a while then come back and re-
read it. Try to look at it from the perspective of the
hiring manager for the position. Do you see anything
that needs to be changed?
Review
• Format counts
• Use a 10-12 font size for the
body of the resume
• Don’t use unique or overly
stylized fonts
• The structure should be one
that helps the employer identify
key information quickly
• Have others proofread your
resume before submitting it
• Resume should fit on one or two
pages
• Save as PDF before emailing or
uploading
Alumni Resume
Review Service
Alumni are more than welcome to have their draft
resumes reviewed by the Office of Career Services
staff.
• Send resume, in Word format, to careerservices@rollins.edu
• Reviews by email typically take 48 hours
• If possible, send description of position along with resume
Questions
