application – The Western Howl

Tips to improve your resume for career applications

Mollie Herron | News Editor

Contact the author at howlnews@wou.edu

The 2021–22 school year is coming to an end, which means that for many students the next step is applying for “real jobs.” As students start applying for more prestigious jobs, their resumes need to reflect their new education experiences. Here are some tips to improve a resume to impress future employers.

The most important role of a resume is to showcase the most relevant information and skills of an applicant. Many people graduating from college have experience in a wide variety of jobs including retail, customer service, fast food and coaching. If someone has worked in all of these different positions but is applying for something specifically food-related, it might not be as important to include the retail or coaching experience. The fast food and customer service experience would be a great description to include in the past employment section due to the requirements.

While it may feel strange to omit a school from a resume, high school education does not need to be listed. Unless having a diploma from a specific high school increases the chances of getting the job, there is no need to include it in the education section. This would be most helpful in positions like coaching or teaching, where a connection to the community is valued in employees.

At the beginning of every resume there should be a brief summary or profile of the applicant that provides a brief introduction as well as the relevant qualifications that fit the job they are applying for. Later in the resume, the specifics of the qualifications can be listed in the form of bullet points so that more information can be included.

A resume is all about the applicant, so it may be tempting to use the word “I” when describing oneself. The bullet points make it easy to avoid using “I” and to explain all requirements of past jobs.

Western offers many resources to help students looking to prepare for future applications. Visit the Service Learning & Career Development Center for help with all career advising needs. Career counseling, resume critiques, workshops and more are offered in person and even more are offered online. Drop in the Werner University Center room 119 or visit wou.edu/slcd for more information.

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Time to revitalize those resumes

Tips for updating the resume in 2021

Allison Vanderzanden | Lifestyle Editor

Summer time, for some, means summer jobs. Though we aren’t quite to summer break, now is the perfect time to start preparing for job hunting, including updating the resume. The resume is the ticket to an interview, meaning it can make or break one’s chance at getting hired. Follow these tips for creating a resume that will stand out among the rest this year.

Start by choosing a desirable format. According to indeed.com, the two most popular resume formats are chronological, which focuses on consistent employment history, and functional, which focuses on relevant skills. Whichever layout is chosen, be sure to organize the information using clear headers above each section and a readable font.

Some resume tips learned back in high school could be outdated by now. For example, in most cases, it is no longer necessary to include a mailing address since everything is digital nowadays. Objective statements have also gone out of style — after all, employers know what an applicants’ goal is. Additionally, be careful to not overload the resume with too many items; pick and choose relevant work, volunteer and education experiences based on the job.

2021 has been eye opening, including for employers. According to writingguru.net, some common skills jobs will be looking for in 2021 include adaptability, versatility and innovation ⏤ especially in the face of COVID-19. Technological literacy is also increasingly important, as are strong online and in person communication skills.

Keep in mind, however, that each job will value different skill sets. Study the specific job description being applied for, and include relevant keywords and skills on the resume. This is also important in the face of applicant tracking systems, which are pieces of software that automatically filter through resumes based on keywords. Many companies rely on ATS technology to sift through the dozens of applications they receive. Be sure to include some keywords from the job description, but be honest: make sure all included skills are demonstrable when it comes time for an interview.

Contact the author at avanderzanden19@mail.wou.edu

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Getting a head start on scholarships

By: Sadie Moses
Freelancer

The WOU General Scholarship Application has opened up, which means it’s that time of year to start thinking about applying. Natasha Roman, Scholarship officer at Western, recommends starting on applications as early as winter break. This year, don’t procrastinate on that essay—it could be the very thing that saves you $1,000 in loans.

“The scholarship essay is really important. I always tell students that your grades and your activities and your work, they all speak for you, but your essay is your chance to speak for yourself,” said Roman. The judges of these scholarship essays have to read hundreds a day.

Roman makes sure to point out that it is your passions that catch the reader’s attention. “Find something that’s really special about you, and try to match it to the scholarship question,” she said. If you can write a great essay you can use it for multiple applications with minor tweaking. Most of the essay topics are very similar.

Another key part of having a solid essay is having solid grammar and spelling. “If you do not spell ‘scholarship’ right, no one will give you a scholarship!” said Roman. One great resource she recommended for help is the writing center, located in the Academic Programs and Support center, room 301. Their hours are 9-5 Monday through Thursday and Friday 9-3, or by appointment.

The Financial Aid Office is also looking to do some workshops with students in the upcoming months. These aim to help students recognize the important things they can pull into their essay to make them stand out.

In addition to the WOU General Scholarship, the OSAC application is another great resource. According to their website, they have over $18 million in scholarships and that’s not just for freshmen students. Anyone at any time in their college career can apply. Besides these, each department on Western’s campus has their own unique scholarships students can also apply for.

Don’t give up before you’ve even applied. “There are so many different scholarships for so many different students,” said Roman. They’re not just for ethnic or low-income people. Anyone can get them. And even if you don’t win because of unmet circumstances, you might be a finalist, which can still be used on a resume later on.

“At the end of the day, when you have your degree in hand, you have to face up to all those loans and all that interest,” said Roman. Five hours of time could save you $1,000 in loans. Start working on that essay today.

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How to improve your resume

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