Mount Hood

How to improve your resume

Tips to improve your resume for career applications

Mollie Herron | News Editor

resume

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.

Interviewing tips and techniques

Four tricks to leave a good impression on potential employers

Sarah Austin | Lifestyle Editor

The need for a job becomes apparent for just about everyone at some point in their life. One of the most important things about a job can be the interview — it sets up not only the opportunity for employment, but also for one’s path as they progress at said job. Here are four of the most important focusing points to help land the job.
Dress for the job being interviewed for. According to Jill Hurd, broker at Taylor & Taylor Realty Co. in Lincoln City, “It shows the person’s motivation and determination.”

It is safer to overdress for an interview than to underdress. If applying for a job where the dress code is casual, go business casual if possible. Dress up an outfit that is already owned with small details such as adding jewelry like a watch or earrings, accessories like a portfolio or purse and wearing a clean pair of shoes. Make sure to also be well groomed. 

Dressing for success in business casual wear is a great way to impress potential employers.

First impressions are important, so make sure you show up prepared for the interview. Know who is conducting the interview and memorize their name. Bring a resume copy and any references to the meeting. This shows organization and gives the appearance of professionalism. Research the company as well so if a question arises the ability to answer will be quicker and the interviewer will be more likely to remember you. Lastly, read the listed job post, and look up the resumes of other people with the same title. This is a great way to tune up a resume with skills that may not have previously been considered. 

Eye contact with the interviewer is proven to convey confidence and self esteem which are important qualities in an employee, according to Fusion Career Services. This can be a difficult task for many, but try to remember to look them in the eye at least 50% of the time, or try focusing on one eye and switching while they talk. 

“Eye contact is the number one thing for me,” said Jody Gaver, guidance director at Taravella High School in Florida. “I always tell my students that. If you can’t look in my eyes to talk to me and show interest and are looking around everywhere, I would be concerned you can’t do your job well.”

Tardiness to an interview can foreshadow later punctuality issues. Not only will arriving 10 – 15 minutes early to an interview allow time to decompress and prepare, but will also indicate to the employer that their time is valued and can earn respect. 

“I have always been praised for showing up early to interviews and making it a talking point before exiting at the end that being on time is something I pride myself in,” said Caitlyn Kessinger, former nanny in Dallas.

Contact the author at lifestyleeditor@thewesternhowl.com

Learn all about adulting this spring term

Student Success and Advising hosts “#Adulting” seminar series

Allison Vanderzanden | Lifestyle Editor

This spring term, Student Success and Advising is hosting a seminar for Western students called “#Adulting.” Starting on April 9 and recurring every Friday through week nine, different life skills will be explored over Zoom sessions. 

Each seminar will involve a discussion period of the week’s topic and a range of material, including worksheets and activities students can keep for future reference.

“It’s going to be interactive so we can make sure everyone is getting exactly what they need,” Academic Success advisor Gabbi Boyle added.

This series was originally offered as a first-year seminar class in 2020, but it was converted to be available for all students due to its success. Boyle said they are excited to teach any and all students some new life skills.

“Anyone can learn new things or new ways of approaching ‘Adulting’ from the topics we are covering,” Boyle said.

From skills such as time management and self-care, to major and career exploration, to financial information, the “#Adulting” series covers a wide variety of important things for college students to learn as they begin navigating through life. Aptly timed, the first seminar will cover time management as students jump into the new term. The final three weeks of the seminar — which cover finance topics like budgeting, debt and investment — will host a special guest financial coach to provide professional advice.

In the future, based on the success of this term’s seminar series, Student Success and Advising is considering hosting similar seminars and workshops in person as health guidelines permit.

The “#Adulting” seminar series will be held every Friday of weeks two through nine this spring term from 2 to 3 p.m. on Zoom. Find the full schedule of events on the Student Success and Advising page, wou.edu/advising. Contact Gabbi Boyle with questions a boyleg@mail.wou.edu.

Contact the author at avanderzanden19@mail.wou.edu