Megan
How do you recommend to build your resume?
I am a sophomore accounting major and want to build my resume and LinkedIn profile. Do you have any tips or things to include in a resume? Additionally, do you have any ways to go about getting some of these positions? #business #accounting #internships #resume-writing #evaluating-resumes #executive #job-application
6 answers
Micayla Strickland, CPA
Micayla’s Answer
All great advice. One tidbit I would add is that your experience doesn't have to directly relate to accounting. I think, most importantly, employers want to see that you have job experience. When I was in college, I took summer jobs that ranged from an internship at the local Parks and Recreation department to a field worker at a blueberry farm. If anything, these jobs stood out and were often highlighted during my interviews.
Often times, I think there can be a lot of pressure associated with getting a job directly related to your field of interest, but it doesn't have to be. The important thing is gaining job experience and showing a history of maintaining responsibilities.
Daniela Silva
Daniela’s Answer
Hi Megan,
Here it is some tips:
- Contact Information
Contact information should be placed on top of your resume. It should be easy and quick to read.
Name and address
E-mail address. Avoid using unprofessional e-mail address such as banana_buns or hottie4u.
Phone numbers. Remember to check your outgoing voice mail message for loud background music, slang, or improper language.
Include the address for your website or online portfolio.
- Objective Statement
An objective statement clearly states the purpose of your resume. Not every resume has this. Use it to let an employer know your specific job or career goal. Tailor your objective to the type of job to which you're applying. If you decide not to include it in your resume, be sure to state an objective in your cover letter.
Example: "To obtain a challenging position as an administrative assistant in the financial services industry."
- Summary Statement
A summary statement grabs the employer's attention by highlighting your qualifications. It is used in place of an objective statement. An employer may not read your entire resume. A summary will give them a snapshot of your work experiences, achievements, and skills. To be effective, it should be very brief (4-5 lines of text). It should also be written for the position you are applying for. Use keywords and resume verbs when creating your summary statement.
Example: "Resourceful planner/coordinator with extensive knowledge of inventory control and online inventory systems. Recognized by management for innovation and initiative in implementing JIT techniques as well as interdepartmental communications and supervisory skills."
Employment History
You can present your work experience in a variety of ways. The most straightforward way is the chronological format. List your current or most recent job, and work backwards in time. Include your job title, your employer's name, the city and state in which it is located. Also list the start and end dates (month and year) of your employment. For each position, add a summary of your responsibilities and accomplishments.Education
List your educational accomplishments, starting with your most recent or highest degree. Include the name and location of the institution attended, your degree, and field of study/major.
Other Information
Include relevant information that relates to the job to which you are applying. This may include memberships to organizations, volunteer work, military experiences, computer skills, awards, and hobbies. Avoid mentioning religious, political, or controversial affiliations unless they directly relate to the job you want.
Don't include references on your resume. Employers assume that you can provide them with these. Learn how to select references.
The practical examples of each tip you can get on:
https://www.careerwise.mnscu.edu/jobs/resumecontents.html
What to Include in Your LinkedIn Profile
One of the most important parts of LinkedIn is your profile. That's what you use to connect with people in your network and your profile is how you get found on LinkedIn, because it contains information about your skills and experience.
Here are tips for how to make your LinkedIn profile stand out from the crowd:
- LinkedIn Profile Tips
It's important to be sure that your LinkedIn profile is complete and detailed. In fact, you can consider your LinkedIn profile your online resume. It should have all the same information that is on your resume including your qualifications, your experience, and your skills.
You can add a photo (a headshot) to your LinkedIn profile. Do be sure the photo represents the professional you and isn't too casual.
- LinkedIn Profile Summary
The Summary section of your LinkedIn profile is a great way to highlight your experience.
Don't forget the headline, because that's right at the top of the page when someone views your profile. Also include certifications, languages, and other skills you may have. Select an industry, because recruiters often use that field to search.
- Linkedin Profile Experience
To quickly create a LinkedIn profile, review your resume and copy/paste the relevant information into your profile. It's important that your resume matches your profile because prospective employers will check.
- Volunteer Experience and Causes
LinkedIn survey reports that volunteer experience can give job candidates an edge with hiring managers. 41% of the professionals surveyed stated that when they are evaluating candidates, they consider volunteer work equally as valuable as paid work experience. 20% of the hiring managers surveyed have made a hiring decision based on a candidate's volunteer work experience.
- What Not to Include in Your LinkedIn Profile
When you're creating a LinkedIn profile, it's important to stand out from the job searching crowd. You don't want your profile to read exactly like everyone else's profile. Here are the top 10 terms that are overused by professionals based in the United States, courtesy of LinkedIn.
Motivated
Creative
Passionate
Driven
Extensive experience
Organizational
Strategic
Track record
Responsible
Problem-solving
Read the full article on:
https://www.thebalance.com/tips-to-make-a-better-linkedin-profile-2062332
Best of luck!
Simeon Snow
Simeon’s Answer
David Belt
David’s Answer
I remember sophomore year being one of the most frustrating times- you are seeking experience, but nobody will give you experience without first having experience.
To counter this, it is helpful to have a job and highlight experience within the position that in any way relate to accounting. For instance if you work at a store, highlight that you've performed inventory counts. Additionally, get involved in student organizations and try to get a leadership role. Being heavily involved in one organization carries more weight then being a passive member in many. Lastly, use this time to network! Talk to recruiters and develop relationships - if you're persistent you might get an interview as a sophomore, otherwise they'll remember you as a junior, when companies most often begin to hire interns. Lastly, take advantage of the leadership programs many of the firms offer. They're an excellent opportunity to network and line up internship offers for the upcoming year. Most firms tend to recruit for these in the fall.
shane eversole
shane’s Answer
When a hiring manager goes through a large number of resumes for potential hires they are looking for differentiatiors. What differentiates you from the rest of the pack in the stack.
What have you done that makes you special or that they would want to talk / learn more about you.
Make sure to include:
- Your contact information - that is a biggie and believe it or not a lot of folks forget.
- Leverage Key Words - there are lots of ways to say things, so say them with impact
-Provide Career Summary
- Training (especially if you have Industry) and Education
- Fill out as much as you can if on line application - the more information, the better - so that no one's time is wasted (yours or the hiring company)
Kim Igleheart
Kim’s Answer
Megan,
You got some good advice above, so I will simply add a little to it.
Website for building a resume: gotresumebuilder.com is the best I have seen. It is free, and easy to use. Very professional looking resumes!
Work experience: When applying for jobs with businesses, remember that the purpose of business is to make money. Every employee can help make or save money. Focus on this, and it will guide your thinking and writing. Examples: safety, regulatory compliance. . . proper storage and rotation of food products, putting out wet floor signs before mopping, "carding" when selling alcohol, proper lifting techniques, handling of confidential customer information (credit card numbers), following policies and procedures, etc.
Customer service is very important. If you work for an accounting firm, your business will grow by word-of-mouth.
Since you are young and just starting out, I encourage you to have a folder where you keep all notes, compliments, performance evaluations, etc. The last time I was looking for work, I was able to use my "brag folder" by taking short excerpts from each document, making a double column page with all of these excerpts on it, showing date and who said it. For example, one said "Thank you for being professional, in spite of my lack thereof." I attached this page to my resume. It worked beautifully! Why? because the normal resume is that person saying they are "great." My resume now had lots of other people saying how great I was. Much more convincing!
One last thought. Because you are going into accounting, which requires perfection, make sure your resume is perfect. No misspelled words, etc.
Also, if you have limited experience, I would encourage you to try to find school clubs or nonprofits where you can be the Treasurer.
Best of luck to you!