Marketing
yourself
Rachel Moten, posted Nov. 2, 2006
Most
students at MU want to be productive in some way, and getting
that top position or internship is a way to show that. Providing
a resume and cover letter is what most students have in mind
when applying for a job. On Oct. 26, CAFNR held a resume workshop
to help student perfect their resumes. “The purpose
for the resume workshops is to help students create resumes
that will allow them to effectively market themselves to employers,”
Erin Sappington, CAFNR career specialist. “These one-on-one
workshops allow students to design a resume tailored to them
that showcases their unique talents and experiences.”
There is usually a resume workshop once a month, but students
can also schedule appointments each week.
Ashley Nelson, an MU student, said she takes full advantage
of the resume workshops and other activities that go on when
it comes to critiquing resumes. This year, she has visited
the CAFNR Career Services office specifically pertaining to
her resume four times.
“The resume addresses the top three unique qualifications
and it communicates who you are and what you have to offer,”
said Stephanie Chipman, director of CAFNR Career Services.
“A resume is a chance to get an interview, so spend
the time to do your resume right.”
As a career specialist, Erin Sappington’s job is to
look over students’ resumes and cover letters and tell
them how they can alter or improve them. When it comes to
Sappington critiquing a resume, she is not as nice as students
think she would be according to Nelson, who said she loves
the constructive criticism.
Nelson said she believes these workshops are beneficial “because
these guys rip right into it [the resumes]. They’re
not nice about it either, and I like that because I want my
resume to be perfect.”
Nelson visits the office frequently, so she is able to develop
a bond with the staff. “Keeping in contact with Stephanie
Chipman helps because employers call her, and if she knows
you, she will personally refer you to employers,” Sappington
said. “She’s a great person you should know.”
“If your resume is sloppy, the employers will think
you are sloppy,” Nelson said.
“The resume workshop is one of the numerous resources
to help you create a resume that will represent you professionally,”
said Chipman.
When should students begin strengthening their resumes and
cover letters? “It’s better to get in early, so
they [career specialists] can give you fresh ideas on your
resume,” said Meagan Perry, CAFNR student recruiter.
“The more eyes on it, the better it will be.”
“Definitely come in as a freshman because once you get
here, you’re not the only one with the best resume anymore,”
Nelson said. “Now you have to present your resume at
the collegiate level, and everyone is competing for an internship.”
Before one of the career fairs, Nelson spent two nights working
on her resume. “What took me the longest [was] finding
descriptive, powerful verbs to use and not using the same
verbs when I was expanding on my job experiences,” Nelson
said.
More resources are available for students who need help with
their resumes or cover letters. According to Chipman, MU has
Resumes 101, where students discover the purpose of a resume
ranging from a self-assessment to reference information. The
Connections Career Mentoring Program is also available for
CAFNR active students, where they review students’ resumes
from an industry perspective. Another resource is HireMizzouGrads.com,
where there are tips about resumes on sample templates.
