Compacting four years worth of collegiate activities and experiences into a single-page document may sound difficult, but Career Development Services makes it its job to help students with resume and other job-finding issues.
The CDS resume Review Fair, near the Foy Information Desk, was an opportunity for students to speak to a career counselor about resume and resume building. Though the fair lasted Sept. 8-10 and Sept. 14-17, interested students can still get resume assistance.
"I will actually continue to have hours in the Student Center at the same spot every Monday from 2 to 4 p.m.," said Katie Mantooth, a career counselor for CDS.
Mantooth reported seeing 18 students during the first six days of the fair. Among students' primary concerns was how to make themselves stand out in a tough job market.
"A resume needs to communicate a student's skill set through past successes rather than being a list of tasks completed," Mantooth said. "Also, it needs to be error-free."
Resources from CDS are listed on the Web site www.auburn.edu/career, but Mantooth said the Career Handbook is the most popular tool students utilize.
"An alum called this week because she had spilled apple juice on her 2004-2005 handbook she has utilized and shared with her friends for the past four years and wanted to know if we would mail her a new one," Mantooth said.
Mantooth regularly posts tips on the CDS blog, http://tigersprepare.blogspot.com.
"If I run across an article, tip or strategy that isn't in our handbook, it is posted on the blog," Mantooth said.
Updates from CDS are also available on the group's Twitter account, @AUCDS.
CDS also has a Facebook fan page, AU Career Development Services, that helps keep students abreast of job search strategies, career-related events and companies recruiting on campus.
Karen Pruett is also a career counselor for CDS.
"Start thinking about (your resume) as early as freshman year," Pruett said. "Ask yourself if you're doing things that reflect your skills and abilities."
Pruett also said not everything on a resume has to be a paid position.
"Include activities that help demonstrate your abilities," Pruett said.
According to their Web site, CDS provides free career counseling and coaching to Auburn University students and alumni. They accept walk-ins Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. in 303 Mary Martin Hall. Appointments can be scheduled Monday through Friday, 7:45 a.m. to 4:45 p.m., by calling 334-844-4744.
Another feature CDS offers is E-Resume Review. Students e-mail their resume via the link on the CDS Web site and receive a copy with suggested revisions from a career counselor within 48 hours.
The career blog at CDS discusses a number of topics related to career development, which include "Top Intern Employers of 2009" and "No Cover Letter: It's like the PB&J without the Peanut Butter."
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