Expert Tips for Crafting Effective Resumes and Cover Letters
Learn about different resume formats, essential do's and don'ts for resume writing, and best practices for showcasing your skills and experiences to stand out to potential employers. Understand how to tailor your resume, avoid common mistakes, and present your information effectively to increase your chances of landing your dream job.
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Resumes, Cover Letters and Websites Presented By Jim Rivers Hiring Manager
What is a resume? Definition: A summary of a candidates educational and work experience, for the information of possible future employers.
Resume formats Functional Resume The functional resume is used to emphasize a focus on skills that are specific to the type of position you are seeking. This format directly highlights specific experience summaries and professional achievements as its primary means of communication.
Resume formats Chronological Resume A chronological resume enumerates a candidate's job experiences in reverse chronological order, generally covering the last 3 - 5 years or industry related experience. The main body of the document is the Professional Experience section. The chronological resume works to build credibility through experience, while demonstrating career growth over time.
Which one works for you? Functional resume If you lack Industry experience but have solid school, modding or internship experience this is a great option. Chronological resume If you have Industry experience and you want to showcase your career growth over time.
What should I put on my resume? Do s Tailor your resume to each company you apply too Keep your resume limited to 1 page unless you have the experience to back it up Make downloading easy WORD .DOC or .PDF Formats Make sure that you spell check EVERYTHING and then have other people check it again Make sure you have your web link on your resume Keep updating the information and style of your resume
What should I not put on my resume? Don ts Do not bulk up your resume because you lack experience No logos or artwork on your resume No crazy FONTS Veranda, Arial and Times New Roman is fine Do not send your resume as a .JPEG or .AI Put the wrong companies name on your resume Hobbies, Marital status, Political Status, Social Security Number, Drivers License Number, Birthday or Picture of yourself
What should I put on my resume? Contact Information Should always be at the top of the page and include the following: Name Avoid using nick names Address Simple Email Your name @ Whatever . Com Website Keep it professional Phone Have a professional answer
What should I put on my resume? Objective or Summary ? Objective Your objective should be simple, specific and brief and relate to the position you are applying for No more than two or three lines It should highlight what you have to offer the company, such as a specific skill or experience A recruiter is more interested in what you can give the company than what you hope to get from it Summary A summary statement is a one- to two-sentence overview that captures the essence of your skills and experience. It highlights what makes you a qualified candidate as well as what makes you different (and better) than other applicants.
What should I put on my resume? Skills Listing skills can help you stand out. It can also add important keywords to your resume. Hiring managers often use skills as keywords when searching resume databases. Helpful tip: Use tables to organize and categorize your skills then you can hide the edges for a better appearance. Example: Programs: Engines or Editors: Never Winter Unreal Hammer GECK ZBrush Photoshop Softimage XSI 3D Studio Max
What should I put on my resume? Achievements An achievement is the successful completion of something. An achievement that has been accomplished by your hard work, ability, or perseverance in previous jobs or activities. Try to summarize your achievements in no less than 5 but no more than 10 bullet points. Example: Created, animated or designed a level or scene Responsible for the day-to-day mentoring of new artist s Built a level 70 character in World of Warcraft in under a week
What should I put on my resume? Industry or Work Experience List your experience chronologically Your most recent job first Include your title (Title should be in bold), the company name, location, and dates of employment. Titles you have worked on (if applicable) A brief description of your accomplishments with bullet points Example: Level Designer Obsidian Entertainment, Irvine CA 2003 Present Titles completed: Alpha Protocol, Neverwinter Nights 2 Create immersive, innovative, and gameplay-driven environments using a proprietary tools and in-house assets Bring life to levels through lighting, effects, dynamic events, and scripting Define the creative vision and fun factor while executing design and working through design revisions
What should I put on my resume? Education List your most recent education first and work backward. State your degree, major, minor (Spell it out) Start and completion dates of attendance School's name and location We don t need to know your GPA Example: Bachelor of Science in Gaming Simulation, 2002-2006 ? University of Whatever City, State
Example Resume: Chronological John Doe 1515 Imaginary Way #C Huntington Beach, CA 92646 Cell: 714-555-1212 jdoe@gmail.com www.johndoesdesigns.com Objective or Summary I am striving to be the best game designer in the industry. Skills Software 3D Studio Max Maya Photoshop ZBrush Engines or Editors Never Winter GECK Unreal Hammer Languages C/C++ Open GL Direct X Visual Basic Industry Experience Level Design Internship Obsidian Entertainment, Irvine CA 2009 Present Title worked on: Alpha Protocol Terrain sculpting and painting, placement of game objects on the world map Creation of secondary locations Education Bachelor of Science in Gaming Simulation, 1996 University of Whatever City, State
What is a Cover Letter? Definition: A cover letter is an accompanying letter or email that introduces you and your resume to a potential employer indicating your interest in the position or company.
What should I have in my Cover Letter? Do s Passion for what you do Fan-boy a bit but don t go overboard Research the company you are applying too Be confident What can you bring to the team
What should I not have in my Cover Letter? Don ts Life story Put the wrong companies name on your cover letter Don t beg or plead No more than 1 page
Example - Cover Letter Date Your Name Address City/State/Zip Employer's Name Employer's Title Company Name Address City/State/Zip Dear, Introduction : Create interest; attract attention! The Body: Discuss why you want to work for this company Closing: State that you would like an opportunity to be interviewed Sincerely, Your Signature Your Name Printed
Websites Definition: A collection of related web pages, images, videos or other digital assets that are addressed with a common domain name
What should I have on my website? Your name and contact information What are you Designer, Artist, Animator or Programmer Links to your resume (Downloadable please) in .PDF or Word .DOC formats Easy accessibility Your best work
What should I NOT have on my website? Works in progress Work that is not yours Work that SCREAMS COLLEGE or your MOM said it looks great Quantity over quality Work that does not apply Anime Don t make us hunt for your work!
What should I have on my website? Artists What type of artist are you Concept, Environment, or Character Galleries Organized by type or genre Fantasy Sci-Fi Current Period 2D 3D Modeling Rigging Concept Artists What is the difference between being a Concept Artist or a Illustrator?
What should I have on my website? Animators Single compiled reels are outdated Make a variety of individual clips by type Run cycles, Action cycles and conversations Showcase the 12 principles of Animation Most current and best work on top Please have your videos in QuickTime Make your videos easy to open
What should I have on my website? Designers What kind of designer are you? Creative, Level, Systems or Scripter Top down maps QuickTime fly thru or screen shots Documentation What you did on the project Level designer, systems or creative Overview of game Systems or scripts Link to Mod site
What should I have on my website? Programmers What kind of programmer are you? Gameplay, Engine, AI, Graphics or Tools Links to games made QuickTime examples of your programs in action Links to blogs you participate in about programming
Special Thanks to Lindsey McQueeney Big Huge Games/38 Studios Stacey Frias Foundation 9/Double Helix Angela Baker - Insomniac Games Sumer Ortiz Blizzard Entertainment Tina Cruz-Williams Foundation 9/Backbone Wendy Jones Ncsoft/Carbine Studios
