Crafting Effective Resumes and LinkedIn Profiles

Aug 25, 2024

Resume and LinkedIn Profile Overview

Purpose of a Resume

  • A one-page marketing piece about yourself.
  • Outlines qualifications, skills, and accomplishments.
  • Aims to attract the attention of potential employers.

Key Components of a Resume

  1. Personal Information

    • Full name
    • Email address
    • Phone number
    • Optional: home address, website, LinkedIn link
  2. Professional Objective

    • Summary of who you are and what you seek in a role (3-4 sentences).
    • Example:
      • "I am an enthusiastic, self-motivated, reliable person... looking for a role to manage complex projects."
  3. Education

    • Name of institution, degree earned or in progress, area of study, dates of attendance.
    • Include leadership positions, awards, scholarships.
  4. Experience

    • List of jobs, internships, volunteering, independent projects.
    • Focus on accomplishments and transferable skills.
    • Tailor content to the desired job based on job description.
    • Use action verbs in bullet points for descriptions.
      • Example:
        • Without Action Verb: "I answered customer questions..."
        • With Action Verb: "Identified technical issues for clients and offered solutions."
  5. Skills

    • Include both technical (e.g., Microsoft Office, Google Workspace) and soft skills.
    • Optionally include leadership and volunteer work.

Presentation Tips

  • First impression matters.
  • Proofread and use spellcheck.
  • Ensure consistency in font style, size, and margins.
  • Resume should be easy to review and no longer than one page (for less than 10 years of experience).

LinkedIn Profile Setup

  1. Join LinkedIn
    • Go to LinkedIn.com.
  2. Basic Information
    • Name, location, current job title ("Student" is acceptable).
  3. Profile Picture
    • Use a professional, high-quality photo.
  4. Headline and Summary
    • Briefly summarize your professional experience and goals.
  5. Education and Work Experience
    • Include current and past job titles, companies, dates, responsibilities, and accomplishments (use bullet points for clarity).
  6. Additional Information
    • Skills, certifications, volunteer experience.
  7. Customize Profile URL
    • Make it easy to remember and share.
  8. Networking
    • Connect with friends, colleagues, and industry professionals.

Conclusion

  • Both resume and LinkedIn profile are essential for showcasing qualifications and unique attributes.
  • Properly set up, they enhance chances of attracting employers and securing job interviews.