INTERNATIONAL EXPERIENCE RESUMES How to Reflect Travel and

INTERNATIONAL EXPERIENCE RESUMES How to Reflect Travel and Study Abroad in Professional Documents SANDY BROWN, MA, CRC ~ CAREER COUNSELOR ~ Career Services Center Western Washington University

CAREER SERVICES RESOURCES Six months free service post-grad! • 1 -on-1 counseling ▫ Mock Interviews & Interviewing Skills ▫ Resumes, Cover Letters & Job Search Assistance • Optimal Resume • Viking Career. Link • Job Search Resources • Employment Surveys • Special Events • Peace Corps & Grad School Info Today’s Topics: q. Resume Building q. Skills & What Plus q. International Experience q. Paperwork Tips q. Upcoming Events

RESUMES: WHAT’S IMPORTANT? � Marketing Tool of your skills relevant to desired employer � Highlights what the employer wants/needs (skills) to know about you, built from the duties you fulfill � Translates what you have done in the past as it relates to your future goals or to the job description � 3 areas of Consideration when evaluating your resume: Overall Appearance, Organization & Content � Build on Optimal Resume for a quality result: www. wwu. edu/careers/ Select Optimal Resume link in center (free; easy to tweak & clone)

WHERE DO YOU START? Make a List— 1. Where did you travel? 2. What did you study? 3. What were some key experiences? 4. Who did you meet? 5. What were challenges & successes? 6. How did you change? Where Does it Go? Many Ways: § A Teaser in “Key Skills” § “Developed ability to relate well to people from very diverse backgrounds” § Coursework under Education § Key Courses: Art & Culture of Europe, Intermediate Spanish, History of Spanish. American Relations § Study Abroad Listing with Bullet Points § “Cultivated network of international contacts § Implemented adaptability in responding to fluid circumstances and environment” § Separate Section

2018 Skills Employers Seek Employers Rate these attributes in order of importance: 1) Ability to Work in A Team & Problem-solving Skills (Tied) 6) Communication Skills (Verbal) 2) Communication Skills (Written) 8) Detail-Oriented 3) Leadership 4) Strong Work Ethic 5) Analytical & Quantitative Skills 7) Initiative 9) Flexibility & Adaptability 10) Technical Skills Source: Job Outlook 2018, National Association of Colleges and Employers

SKILLS DEVELOPED IN INTERNATIONAL EXPERIENCE • • • Cultural Understanding Creative Problem-Solving Multicultural Engagement Language Skills Networking Communication Skills Multidisciplinary thinking Empathy Teamwork • • • Self-Management Presentation Skills Coaching & Mentoring Adaptability Responsibility Initiative Perseverance Emotional Balance Maturity

STARTING YOUR RESUME HIGHLIGHT OF QUALIFICATIONS • Short 4 -5 bulleted summary of skills, experience and knowledge directly related to job requirements • Fluent in Spanish with ability to adjust communication effectively accounting for cultural differences EDUCATION Bachelor of Arts, Spanish, Minor: International Studies, Western Washington University (WWU), Bellingham, WA, Expected June 2018 Study Abroad, AIFS, Buenos Aires, Argentina, Fall 2017 -Spring 2018 APPLIED INTERNATIONAL EXPERIENCE • Topics studied; skills gained and utilized RELEVANT EXPERIENCE Administrative Intern, Employer, City, ST, Month/Year-Month/Year • Utilize Spanish language skills to communicate informatively with incoming clients • Start with verb to describe related experience OTHER EXPERIENCE Job Title, Employer, City, ST, Month/Year – Month/Year • Collaborated with team to…. Start with verb to describe related exp.

WHEN CONVEYING ACCOMPLISHMENTS USE THIS FORMULA! Experience What Did I Do? How did I do it. What skills did I use? Results and accomplishments Accomplishment statement Dog Walker • • Communication • Organization • Designed flyers • Time management/ meet deadlines • Client Relations • Promoted business through flyers, social media which generated 6 clients who used services weekly • • Walked dogs for 45 minutes Marketed my business Followed up with contacts • Generated 6 clients who used my services weekly Marketing materials, social media

WHAT PLUS: FOCUS ON SKILLS, DEVELOPED FROM DUTIES… �Nanny: “Provide care for two active children” to Ø“Communicate proactively with parents about charges’ discipline and behavior” �Barista: “Prepare coffee orders to customer specifications” becomes Ø“Collaborate with team members to provide quick, pleasant and accurate service” �Cannery: “Fileted and shipped frozen fish worldwide” is Ø“Conversed in Spanish with co-workers using culturally sensitive strategies”

PAPERWORK POINTERS… v TARGET v v v v Resumes & Cover Letters Talk about skills, not duties Generally: Keep to one page (with exceptions) Use clean, consistent layout & formatting Be brief, easy to read, plenty of white space Job objectives are optional—they’re in the cover letter! Don’t include personal information or references Use good quality paper and printer, if relevant! Proofread, edit, have someone else proofread Career Services Center ~ OM 280 ~ M-F ~ 8: 00 -5: 00 ~ (360) 650 -3240

JOB SEARCH LETTERS • Many types of Job search letters: Letter of Application, Cover Letter, Letter of Inquiry, etc. • Look in Virtual Viking Career Center on www. wwu. edu/careers in “Prepare: Resumes and Cover Letters” for extra information and samples • One way to differentiate: Resume is organized by job; Cover Letter is organized by skill or required qualifications

ELEMENTS OF THE COVER LETTER… • Business letter format: flush left • 11 -12 point type, on “nice” paper in neutral tone • About 3 -4 paragraphs on 1 page, addressed to specific person ▫ Seize Attention: In one, short, bold sentence tell them what you want, why you are writing. ▫ Pique Interest: Describe qualifications as related to position requirements, providing evidence of your related experiences and accomplishments. ▫ Get Down to Business and Show Your Stuff: Show that you have the personal qualifications and motivation to perform well in the position. ▫ Wrap it Up: Indicate your availability for an interview. • Relate to the job description: answers questions from resume

CAREER BUILDING EVENTS… SEE EVENTS CALENDAR AT: WWW. WWU. EDU/CAREERS EVENTS INTERNSHIP & VOLUNTEER FAIR OCTOBER 24 TH, NOON-4 PM REC CENTER-MAC GYM FALL BUSINESS CAREER FAIR NOVEMBER 1 ST, 1 -5 PM REC CENTER-MAC GYM WORKSHOPS RESUME CLINICS OCTOBER 23, 3 -5 PM, HH 233 OCTOBER 30, 3 -5 PM, HH 233