Tag Archives: graduate admissions

Resume Tips: How to stand out on paper

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Creating your resume can be difficult. It’s especially frustrating when the Microsoft Word templates restrict formatting (or is it just me?). With job markets in the state that they are, it can be stressful searching for a job, but I decided to gather a few tips and tricks to show an employer why you would be their best option. Show them how great you are!

1.) Use buzzwords - Be creative in describing your accomplishments and talents. If you want to go above and beyond for your interview, research the company. If they have a slogan or words that are used more than once on their website, steal them and put them on your resume. It’s not cheating, it’s edging out the competition. It will make the company realize that you’re a great asset to them. Keep it professional and don’t be ridiculous.

Photo Credit to understanding.com

Photo Credit to understanding.com

2.) Add quirky facts or accomplishments – Everyone in your line of work will have similar resumes, similar school backgrounds, jobs, and internship history. Adding an interesting fact – maybe you won a spelling bee. Maybe you won a hot dog eating contest. Maybe you’ve hiked the 46ers or met the mayor. Not only do these diversify your resume, they are great conversation starters. You’ll have something to break the ice and something the interviewer will remember.

3.) Keep all of your jobs – This is a relative statement. If you had 8 different jobs while you worked your way through college or high school, they might not all be necessary. But if you include jobs that are only related to your field, it may be a short resume, and the employer may realize that you have no jobs listed before you were 25. Even silly jobs like babysitting or restaurant jobs say something about you. Seemingly unimportant jobs like these show you’re a hard worker and can deal with a wide variety of people. Just don’t go overboard. There are a lot of articles throughout the internet that tell you the various lengths that your resume should be. There is no right answer. Keep your resume as long as you need it. You don’t want to miss out on a job because you omitted a job from your resume.

4.) Use effective job titles – Employers notice job titles right off the bat. Spice up your titles to make them pop on the page. For example, I had two internships while working on my undergraduate studies that were related to my field. Instead of writing “Internship” as my job title, I said “Assistant Editor” and “Managerial Intern”. Emphasize the importance of your role in past positions. Make your achievements the focus of your resume.You don’t need a long, drawn-out list of what you did every day,but  include your accomplishments. Brag about yourself!

5.) Try alternative resume formats – If you’re a graphic designer or an artist, play with the design of your resume. Refrain from using colorful fonts or colored paper, but make the page visually appealing. Maybe try a video resume. People have been uploading video resumes to YouTube and allowing employers to find them that way. In the age of technology, why not give it a try?

Do Not:

  • Use funny fonts – Comic Sans was only okay when you were using AIM. Stick with Times New Roman, it’s classic and professional.
  • Make jokes – Jokes and sarcasm don’t work well in interviews and they definitely don’t work on paper. You don’t want to risk the chance of sounding offensive or immature.

  • Use colored fonts or paper. This isn’t Legally Blonde. Pink scented paper is unprofessional.
  • Include personal views and opinions. Things such as political views and religious views just shouldn’t be there.
  • Lie. You don’t want to get trapped in a lie. It could potentially lose you the job opportunity and if not, you may get stuck with tasks you’re unable to do.
  • Assume you’re perfect. You need to proofread! Proofread! Proofread! There is nothing worse than handing your interviewer a resume with misspelled words.

Lastly, get your resume critiqued at the Career Center on the 3rd floor of Saint Joe’s. Note that Walk-ins are 15 minute quick meetings for resume, cover letter and quick questions.

Don’t forget to attend Resume Critique Week from  March 25-28th. Get in there and ask how you can make your resume better!

Everything you need to know about a Graduate Assistantship

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Need help paying for your graduate tuition? Saint Rose is here to help. In April, Graduate Assistantship (GA) positions will be posted on the Career Center’s page. There are about 100 positions campus wide. Possible placements include the Career Center, the Community Service Office, and the Office of Alumni Relations. Students can also work as a GA in an academic department, where the nature of the work is heavily dependent on the faculty or Dean’s needs. For example, a GA in Alumni Relations may help develop the alumni newsletter and plan events, whereas a GA in the English department may serve as a research assistant to English faculty members.

Throughout the assistantship, students get to know the inner workings of their department or office throughout the year, gaining work experience and learning new skillsGA. One of the main benefits of working on campus is that supervisors understand students’ responsibilities, so they are usually flexible with scheduling your work hours. Graduate assistantships are also a key form of financial aid. Students who successfully complete their graduate assistantship are awarded a $3,200 tuition grant each semester.

Graduate Assistants will be required to work 150 hours throughout the semester. That adds up to about 10 hours a week.

Before applying for a graduate assistantship, make sure you meet the eligibility requirements:

  • Be unconditionally admitted to a master’s degree program
  • Be enrolled full-time (at least 9 graduate credits)
  • Maintain a minimum overall GPA of 3.0
  • Not be registered for full-time student teaching, internship, practicum, or field placement during the term of position
  • Not have accepted other institutional aid or tuition benefit (i.e. Scholarships, PEF/CSEA discount, etc.)

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Deadline Reminder!

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Don’t forget that the application deadline for the Counseling (Mental Health & School) and the College Student Services Administration (CSSA) programs for the Fall is April 15th!  

The application requirements for the Counseling Programs, both Mental Health and School Counseling include:

  • A completed Saint Rose graduate school application
  • A baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution
  • Official transcripts from all colleges/universities attended
  • An undergraduate grade point average of at least 3.0

    Photo Credit to www.jocosob.com

    Photo Credit to http://www.jocosob.com

  • A current resumè demonstrating work and volunteer experience in the field
  • A personal essay discussing objectives and motivation for pursuing a graduate degree in counseling, an understanding of the preferred concentration, and a discussion of how this degree will meet the applicant’s professional development plans.
  • Attendance at an  admissions workshop
  • At least two letters of recommendation: one that addresses the individual’s character and potential to be a counselor, and one
    that addresses the individual’s scholarship/academic ability (and is written by a professional qualified to make that assessment).
  • Completion of nine hours of psychology coursework taken no more than five years prior to admission to the master’s program in counseling.

Admissions requirements for the CSSA program include:

  • Photo Credit to www.123rf.com

    Photo Credit to http://www.123rf.com

    Completion of application for graduate study.

  • Completion of a bachelor’s degree. (Minimum of 9 credits of Psychology beyond Introduction to Psychology; these classes may be completed after acceptance into the degree program).
  • Undergraduate GPA of 3.0 or higher.
  • Two letters of recommendation, one which addresses character and your potential to work in the field of student services, and one that address your ability to complete graduate level work (written by a professional qualified to make this assessment).
  • Essay discussing your objectives and motivation for pursuing a degree in College Student Services Administration along with how the degree will meet your professional development plans.
  • Resume demonstrating work experience, volunteer experience and campus involvement.
  • Attendance at an Admissions Workshop.

For information on how to finance your education, contact the Office of Financial Aid. E-mail them at finaid@strose.edu or call at (518) 454-5464. Don’t hesitate to schedule a meeting to explore your payment options.

If you have any questions about graduate school or the admissions process, please call Graduate Admissions at (518) 454-5143 or email grad@strose.edu.

Graduate Open House – March 5th

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Attend the upcoming Open House on Tuesday, March 5th to learn more about the graduate programs that Saint Rose has to offer. Counselors and College representatives will be available throughout the event to answer questions regarding our programs, financial aid, and explain the application process.

The Open House consists of a short presentation, Q&A session, and the chance to meet one-one-one with a Graduate Admissions staff member who will help answer any questions you may have about the program, the staff, or the area.

Open House begins at 6:30pm in the Carondelet Symposium on the third floor of the Lally School of Education.

This is a general Open House, meaning that it is open to all prospective students, bearing in mind that students interested in applying to the Communication Sciences and Disorders program may prefer to attend our specialized CSD open house. Check back for dates.

Can’t make it on the 5th? The next Open House event is May 2nd.

If you’re planning on attending the event, please RSVP. If you have any questions about the open house, please contact Graduate Admissions at (518) 454-5143 or  grad@strose.edu.