Resume Writing & Interviewing

Sam Houston State University

Career Services
The Resume
Your Resume

Marketing piece
Tool for communication
Emphasis on things done well
Stress aspects that make you the
better candidate
Not an autobiography
Items to Include in Your Resume

Name, address,
phone number, & email
Education
Licenses & certificates
Skills & accomplishments
Work history
Job objective
 What Not to Include in Your Resume

Age
Marital status
Height, weight, etc.
Race
Religion
Reasons for termination
Photos
High school information
 Resume Components

Objective
Education
Experience
Internships
Skills
Honors
Affiliations
References
 Objective

Focus your objective

Be specific
Do NOT mention
“opportunities for
advancement”
Target particular positions
 JAMES DAVIS

919 Bearkat Blvd.

Huntsville, TX 77341
(936) 294-1713
student@shsu.edu

OBJECTIVE Seeking an entry

level position in the field of finance
 Education

List degrees in reverse order

GPA
Associate Degrees
Relevant coursework
Honors
Certifications
 JAMES DAVIS

919 Bearkat Blvd.

Huntsville, TX 77341
(936) 294-1713
student@shsu.edu

OBJECTIVE Seeking an entry level position in the field of

finance
EDUCATION POLTEKKES KEMENKES SEMARANG
Diploma of Environmental health, 3.60

Coursework:
<Strategic Management < Business Communications
<Business Finance < Labor Economics
<Business Law < Operations Management
 Experience

Include volunteer or unpaid experience

List company, location, dates of
employment, job title & relevant duties
Use action verbs
List duties in phrases
Use past tense for past experiences
Be clear
Bullet job duties
 JAMES DAVIS

919 Bearkat Blvd.

Huntsville, TX 77341
(936) 294-1713
student@shsu.edu

OBJECTIVE Seeking an entry level position in the field of finance

EDUCATION Sam Houston State University, Huntsville, TX
Bachelor of Business Administration in Finance, 3.60
Minor in Management
Coursework:
< Strategic Management < Business Communications
< Business Finance < Labor Economics
< Business Law < Operations Management
EXPERIENCE The Dow Chemical Company, Midland, MI
Finance Intern, Summer 2000
< Reviewed current Cash Flow reporting process and prepared 2Q99
Cash Flow statement using current process
< Designed, tested, and implemented new process for Cash Flow
reporting
< Researched Securities and Exchange Commission’s “Plain
English” rule, and rewrote large portion of Dow’s 1999 10K in
“Plain English”
 References

Use 3-5 professional references

List the reference’s BUSINESS address and
professional title
List references on a separate page
Include a reference category heading on resume
– “References available upon request.”
Notify the references that you would like to use
 Optional Categories

Honors and Activities

Professional
Organizations
Computer skills & other
skills relevant to the job
Publications
Research
 JAMES DAVIS

919 Bearkat Blvd.

Huntsville, TX 77341
(936) 294-1713
student@shsu.edu

OBJECTIVE Seeking an entry level position in the field of finance

EDUCATION Sam Houston State University, Huntsville, TX
Bachelor of Business Administration in Finance, 3.60
Minor in Management
Coursework:
< Strategic Management < Business Communications
< Business Finance < Labor Economics
< Business Law < Operations Management
EXPERIENCE The Dow Chemical Company, Midland, MI
Finance Intern, Summer 2000
< Reviewed current Cash Flow reporting process and prepared 2Q99
Cash Flow statement using current process
< Designed, tested, and implemented new process for Cash Flow
reporting
< Researched Securities and Exchange Commission’s “Plain
English” rule, and rewrote large portion of Dow’s 1999 10K in
“Plain English”
HONORS & < Dean’s List: Spring & Fall 2000
ACTIVITIES < President’s Honor Roll: Spring 2001
< The Dow Chemical SHSU Alumni Scholarship recipient
< Habitat for Humanity
< National Collegiate Scholar
REFERENCES Available upon request
 The Resume

Length
– 1 page for recent graduates
– 1-2 pages for advanced degrees
– 2-3 pages for senior executives
One Page
Paper Guidelines Resume
– White or neutral, 24 lb. Paper
– Standard: 8 ½ x 11 inches
– Matching cover letter and envelope
The Interview
 The Purpose of the Interview
Employers need to assess:
Objective Maturity
Compatibility Commitment
Motivation Communication
Enthusiasm Assertiveness
Intelligence Follow-though
Adaptability
 Types of Interviews

Face to Face – Traditional

Structured
On-Campus *
On-Site
Panel-group interaction
Behavioral *
 The On-Campus Interview

Opportunity for you to begin the formal interview process

Employers seeking SHSU graduates for entry-level
positions
Types of On-Campus Interviews
– Open Interview Schedule
– Pre-Select Interview Schedule
 The On-Campus Interview

JOBS 4 KATS System

– Create your own account
– Upload your resume
Eligible for:
– On-Campus Interviewing
• Open and Pre-Select schedules
– Resume Referral Service
– View Job and Internship Listings
 The Behavioral Interview

Based on the idea: “The best way to predict

future behavior is to determine past behavior.”
Focuses on actions & behaviors rather than
subjective impressions
For more information on Behavioral Interviewing,
read handout
 How to Prepare for an Interview

Review the companies

requirements
Prepare yourself
– Be prepared to provide
examples of your skills,
abilities, interests, etc.
Research the company
Formulate questions
 First Impressions

Handshake
Smile
Good posture
Eye contact
Appearance
 Business Dress for Women

Suits – navy, gray, black

Skirts – below knee
Classic leather pump shoes
Leather handbag
Small, simple jewelry
Pull hair away from face
Subtle fragrance
Business Dress for Men

Suits
– Classic, conservative style
– Navy or dark gray
– White shirt
– Tie
Shined black shoes
Good quality watch
No jewelry
Subtle cologne
 Interviewing Etiquette
Timing
Secretaries
Seating
Privacy
Names
Habits
The money issue
Farewells
Thank-you notes
Career Services
Sam Houston State University
919 Bearkat – Box 2238
Huntsville, Texas 77341-2238
Telephone: (936) 294-1713
Fax: (936) 294-3616
www.shsu.edu/careerservices