On Wednesday Oct. 11, Madison College Career Readiness Program Advisor, Sarita Field, hosted a workshop regarding the importance of writing a solid resume. Field shared strategies ranging from the importance of first impressions to long-term career planning. She pointed out to workshop attendees the value of writing a “well-organized, error-free resume.”  

“A resume is often the first thing potential employers see, and it’s your opportunity to make a strong first impression,” explained Field. “A well-crafted resume can help you stand out from the competition.” 

Field then described how employers use an “applicant tracking system.” To work around this, she emphasized the use of keywords, which are specific words the applicant tracking system recognizes that match what the employer seeks. The goal she shared with attendees was getting past the applicant tracking software and into the hands of the recruiter.  

Some recommendations Field had were: 

• Highlight your relevant skills, experiences and accomplishments, stressing the idea that you are a strong candidate. 
• Structure your resume with a competitive advantage layout to, “increase your chances of being selected for interviews and landing job offers.” 

• Access helpful resources like O*Net Online. 

Additionally, continuously updating resumes emphasizes the candidate’s new experiences and skills, which Field explained is “crucial for personal and professional growth,” and helpful to stand out with recruiters. Field illustrated that long-term career planning requires a well-maintained resume that, “can be a helpful tool for mapping out your career path and identifying areas for improvement and growth.” The workshop information shared the importance of self-reflection, which requires developing an awareness of relative skills and experience. 

“A resume is not a static document but an evolving one that should be continually updated as they gain new experiences and skills,” Field shared. “Encourage them to seek feedback from professors, career counselors, and peers to create the best possible representation of their qualifications.” 

Field encourages students to reach out to the Career Readiness Program for additional information. The third workshop is scheduled for Wednesday Oct. 18, and will cover the topic of knowing disability rights. Please follow the link and register online.