Career Center’s Tips

For this Medium post I met with the UMBC career center and had an advisor go over my resume and cover letter which I had prepared as if I was going for a specific job advertisement I had chosen. The job ad I picked was a Public Relations specialist for Stanley Black and Decker, working out of there Towson office. I chose this job as it is a company I like as far as products and branding and it appears to require tasks and skills which I feel confident enough to perform well enough but would also present a challenge. In short, I shot a little above what I probably should have but it was done on purpose, and as they say: “You miss 100% of the shots you don’t take.” I prepared my resume and cover letter on my letterhead, newly designed for MCS 404, using things learned and class and some websites. I also got some tips on how I should approach this critique in order to get the most out of it.

For my resume I was told I had done fairly well. My editing and formatting could be cleaned up to improve clarity and make it easier for the eyes to fall on what I want them to see. By bolding and using space in the right way I can hopefully make any potential employer see the most important things first. Also my objective/value statement could be improved. I was told I would want to try to stand out and that without being outlandish I wanted to make myself seem unique yet capable. For some tips and pointers on how to update that I found this link useful.

Similarly, for my cover letter I was told I need a stronger display of my values and call to action. This would help to show potential employers what I offer. While I expected my resume to hopefully communicate this, the advisor made clear that not all recruiters or interviewers will look at both. Sometimes they examine just the resume or just the cover letter. I should attempt to communicate as much in both without being repetitive or boring. My cover letter’s introduction could also use a rework in order to help me stand out and ensure that I am not forgotten or glanced over.

I did get good comments on my letterhead, as it is clean and simple as to not distract from the content, but sleek and stylish enough for the “high-tech,” “on the forefront” type of industry I wish to get into. Overall I feel good about my resume and cover letter and will feel even better after instituting the recommended changes.