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Career Services
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Resumes are often an employer’s first impression of a candidate. Here are some Career
Services tips to help your resume get into the hands of hiring managers and leave a positive impression:
1. Keep it Concise
A one-page resume is preferable. You do not need to list your entire work and
education history, keep the information most relevant to the job you are
applying for. If you have a degree beyond high school, you can omit high
school details. Likewise, if you have extensive experience in your field, you
may not need to include earlier and less relevant part-time jobs.
2. Organize Information Thoughtfully
Organize your information in a logical, concise, and readable format with the
most important information at the top. List your education and professional
experiences first, followed by your technical/language skills, volunteer
experience, extracurricular activities, and awards at the bottom. The details
in each section should be listed chronologically with the most recent on top.
3. Use Active Language and Include Quantifiable Achievements
- Avoid passive language and personal pronouns. Instead of saying “I helped
customers in the customer service department at the bank,” use an active
voice: “Provided customer service by resolving concerns, explaining bank
services and policies, and leveraging financial planning knowledge, resulting
in increased customer satisfaction.” Active language clarifies your
contributions and their impact, helping employers understand how you
could contribute to their team.
- Whenever possible, include numbers to highlight your accomplishments.
For example, if you supported an initiative that increased productivity by
12%, mention that figure. Quantifying your successes adds credibility and
demonstrates your value.
4. Do Not Use Templates
- While resume templates can be helpful for structuring your document, they
may not be compatible with Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS), which are
often used by employers to screen resumes. These templates can make it
difficult for the ATS to properly scan your resume, potentially causing
important details to be missed.
- As a current SSU student, you can use Quinncia to have your resume
reviewed by an AI platform, scanning your resume the same way an ATS will.
This tool provides valuable feedback to ensure your resume is optimized for
readability by both ATS and hiring managers. For more information on
accessing Quinncia or to schedule a resume review, contact Career Services
or book an appointment through Handshake.