Résumé Tips
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This page is intended to serve as a reference for corporate related information, stressing the necessary preparations before the job hunt. This page is NOT intended to teach you how to find a job or where to look for a job. This page has been built with two assumptions in mind. Please keep them in mind as you read this page:
- The audience has a clear idea of the type of job they want
- The audience is aware of the skills that they possess, but would like tips on how to communicate this across in the job search.
The first step in finding a job is having a resume that effectively communicates to potential employers why they should hire you. Unless you know someone in a company, the resume serves to get you an interview which gets you the job. As the saying goes, the resume gets your foot into the door. . .
In your resume, you want to emphasize certain things about you that will make someone want to hire you – whether it would be lots of prior experience, a special skill, or your ability to learn and adapt quickly. With this in mind, you must target your resume to the appropriate audience. You are selling yourself in your resume, cover letter and on the interview. To effectively accomplish this, you must know your audience. Do your research and know as much as possible about the job (responsibilities and qualifications), the company (main product, the big cheese, etc), and the industry (trends, mergers, etc).
It pays to put in the extra effort to make multiple resumes, each for a different type of position or industry. For example, many Stern undergraduates target the Information Systems and Finance industry; it would be most effective to have a resume customized for each industry, to stress the different skills of each. With these thoughts in mind, let's get to the resume!
Resume Format
Your resume should be pleasing to the eye and should have a natural flow. Too much white space is not good, but at the same time, you don't want to clutter your resume. There are many different styles of resumes that you can choose. The easiest way to select a format is to look at lots and lots of other resumes for ideas. I like my resume in a chronological order, with relevant sections grouped together. Don't bother putting in locations unless they are unique such as an international location or a difference between jobs that may need to be highlighted.
Some resume formats to consider:
EXPERIENCE- Description line here. Try to write to fill up the entire line if possible.
- Description line here. Try to write to fill up the entire line if possible.
- Description line here. Try to write to fill up the entire line if possible.
- Description line here. Try to write to fill up the entire line if possible.
OR . . .
EXPERIENCE Company Name, Your Title, Your DepartmentDate • Description line here. Try to write to fill up the entire line if possible.
- Description line here. Try to write to fill up the entire line if possible.
- Description line here. Try to write to fill up the entire line if possible.
- Description line here. Try to write to fill up the entire line if possible.
- Description line here. Try to write to fill up the entire line if possible.
Make sure that the phone number that you put down won't be answered by a maniac and preferably has an answering machine. Beeper numbers should NOT be included; however, cell phones with an appropriate voicemail are ok.
The Heart of the Resume Contact InformationThis section should include all the information necessary to contact you, whether it is by phone, snail mail, email or internet. Include the following:
For each job description, answer these questions:
What did you do and why did you do it?Include the following:
- Major accomplishments (quantify, if possible)
- For example, if you received an award, then say something like 5 of 100 to receive award Main responsibilities
- Skills acquired, improved, and utilized
- Any special knowledge gained
I find it helpful to answer the following questions:
- What did you do? (execute corporate mergers & acquisitions)
- How? (building and developing sophisticated models)
- Incorporate specific tools utilized (comps, pre-paids, dcf, break-up, etc)
Another example:
- What did you do? (design and build internet linked database system)
- How? (analysis business process and design workplan)
- Incorporate specific tools utilized (ODBC, SQL, VB, etc)
Use the Action Verb List.
These are powerful verbs that emphasize certain points and strengthen your resume.
Last LineActivities
While some view this section as optional, I tend to view this as mandatory for a well-rounded resume, reflecting a well-rounded person. You definitely do not want to come off as all work and no life. Companies look for a well balanced person. Do note that some companies / industries such as Comp Sci, who just might be looking for people who can write code and don't care about anything else. Do your research. Target your resume
Include any of the following activities, as applicable to your situation and level of experience:
- Officer / Executive Board of any clubs / fraternities
- Membership in any clubs / fraternities
- Student government related activities
- Volunteer work and community service
- Athletic teams
Skills / Computer Skills
In today's digital world, it doesn't make sense not to include any computer skills that can make you more marketable. Include language skills, computer skills, other technical skills, such as typing, etc...
Interests / Personal
This section is optional, but I feel that it is important in a well-rounded resume. Be prepared to talk in depth about whatever you write in this section. If you include golf, you should be able to talk about your handicap or I'll know you're bullshitting. If you include pool/billiards, you should be able to tell me what English is, at the VERY least, or else don't include it.
Action Verb List
These are powerful verbs that emphasize certain points and strengthen your resume:
accelerate |
collaborate |
enhance |
instill |
revise |
accomplish |
collect |
enlarge |
perform |
revitalize |
achieve |
combine |
enrich |
pinpoint |
salvage |
acquire |
communicate |
establish |
pioneer |
save |
activate |
compile |
increase |
plan |
schedule |
actuate |
compose |
incur |
prepare |
segment |
adapt |
compute |
inform |
present |
select |
address |
conceive |
initiate |
preserve |
sell |
administer |
conceptualize |
innovate |
preside |
serve |
advise |
edit |
inspect |
prevent |
service |
affect |
elect |
inspire |
process |
|
allocate |
eliminate |
instigate |
procure |
|
clarify |
employ |
instruct |
produce |
|
close |
encourage |
insure |
revamp |
|
co-author |
engineer |
install |
review |
|
Don't forget built, create, develop, design and structure!!!
-Hamilton Lin
Hamilton Lin, CFA, Founder & CEO of Wall St. Training, has a broad background in investment banking and mergers and acquisitions. His responsibilities have included analyzing, structuring and negotiating mergers & acquisitions

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