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 Make a positive and lasting impression By Rebecca Blaho In just a week, there will be many new graduates of the Savannah College of Art and Design. There also will be many new graduates of a number of other colleges as well. One thing all of these graduates have in common is that the job hunt, if not already started, will start with a bang. Finding a job isn’t the easiest thing in the world. In an ever-changing economy, the job seeker has to make himself stand out among all the others. Because the résumé and cover letter are the first things the prospective employer sees, the job seeker must take great care in making these items the best he can be. According to Nickie Green, staffing coordinator for SCAD Group Inc., there are several things that an effective résumé must cover. “A résumé should consist of contact information, employment objective, work history, education and a skills section. It’s also a good idea to have a section for special achievements, awards, volunteer or organizational involvement. If a job is in a specific industry, additional sections may be necessary. For example, if looking for a job in a museum, a gallery section would be beneficial,” Green said. The cover letter offers the job seeker and opportunity to effectively explain his or her skills in a different manner than the résumé. While the cover letter should not simply restate the information contain in the résumé, it should focus on why the person would be a good match for the company. One tricky part for all new graduates is the work history section. For those who may be concerned with this section, it’s not something about which to obsess. According to Green, the job seeker’s skills and qualifications can be showcased elsewhere. “With new graduates, work history is usually not a large section, so the other sections help highlight specific strengths and work-related skills that employers seek.” Little details can speak loudly. Remember to make sure that the résumé and cover letter contain complete and correct contact information. Thoroughly check for spelling errors, typos and any grammatical mistakes. Mistakes such as those mentioned can cause a prospective employer to question the applicant’s job skills. Unless someone has an extensive work history, the résumé and cover letter should be kept to one page each. Keep them clear and organized. Use a universal typeface — remember not everyone’s computer has the same capabilities for fonts. At first glance the résumé and cover letter should say “professional and organized.” “Obviously, job candidates want to be noticed and remembered to stand out from the other hundreds of résumés. Putting their own twist and approach to the résumé is definitely a way to do that, but it should be done with clear communication of information being a priority,” Green said. “If the résumé looks good but is difficult to decipher, it could be more harmful than helpful. A portfolio or additional materials can be submitted along with the résumé and will get much more attention and be a better representation of the candidate’s true artistic abilities than a fancy résumé.” Remember that this is the company’s first impression of the job applicant. “Your résumé is a snapshot of your professional career,” Green said. “It will either open or close doors of opportunity. When making career decisions, remember they will change the picture prospective employers see. You control the camera.” Blaho is in charge of the college’s mailing list. |
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