Tag Archives: graduate

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!

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.

Alumni Angle: MBA graduate, Andrea Lomanto

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Andrea Lomanto currently resides in Voorheesville, NY. She received her BS from Boston University in 2005 followed by an MBA from Saint Rose in 2007. After graduation, Lomanto earned a job on the Saint Rose staff, where she is now Director of Alumni Relations. In her free time she enjoys making jewelry, gardening, attempting to knit, cooking, and traveling. Her favorite movies are anything horror and anything directed by Woody Allen. Meanwhile, she loves to listen to Jeffrey Foucault, The Stray Birds, and M.R. Poulopoulos (her talented boyfriend).

What did you get your degree in? And why did you choose it?

Andrea Lomanto: I chose communications at BU because I wanted to work in advertising, specifically as a copywriter. I was initially attracted to the glamor of advertising. After an eye-opening internship, I saw how not-glamorous and cut throat the environment could be. I didn’t give up on the idea of advertising, though. My first job out of school was with a small ad shop in Schenectady. I found out rather quickly that it wasn’t the Andrea Lomanto Picturecreative outlet I thought it would be. Fortunately, I’d enrolled in the MBA program at Saint Rose to continue on a more general marketing and management path. Another motivating factor for earning my MBA was the shockingly low starting salary for an entry-level advertising employee. I like to think I dodged burnout and bankruptcy!

How did your education at Saint Rose help with your career choice?

AL: I developed lasting relationships with the faculty during my MBA program and appreciated the intimate and nurturing classroom setting. It was a very positive experience for me. During the program, I interned at the Albany Institute of History & Art (AIHA) where I had my first not-for-profit experience. The internship program showed me a new path I hadn’t considered, and that was the world of development. I eventually ended up back at AIHA where I worked in Corporate Development. That position prepared me for my position as Assistant Director of Alumni Relations & Annual Giving. After some department reorganization and a promotion, I’m Director of Alumni Relations today.

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New Online MSED in Instructional Technology

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The College of Saint Rose has recently instated a new online Master of Science in Instructional Technology program. The program appeals to students who are considering entering an educational technology field beyond the K-12 school setting. Since the program is entirely online, students are able to learn to navigate technology on their own, without having to lean on professors or other classmates for support. It allows the College to reach out to a wider range of students and show them the Saint Rose difference. I recently corresponded with Dr. Travis Plowman, Associate Professor of Educational Psychology, over e-mail and was able to ask him questions about the new program.

What exactly does this program entail?

Travis Plowman: The program focuses on instructional technology knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to develop, design, implement, instruct, and evaluate curriculum integrating technologies with an emphasis on adult learning theory. It attracts students who are interested in instructional technology as well a online courses.

What does the new online program consist of? How interactive is it?

TP: This accredited online degree program consists of 30-credit hours of graduate level instructional technology, research, program evaluation, and an internship focused on adult learning settings. The program is primarily asynchronous and uses two different course management systems for delivery (Blackboard and Moodle) to provide a very diverse learning experience for students.

What are the benefits of receiving a degree in Instructional technology?

TP:The market for instructional technologists to develop, design, implement, and teach integration technologies is an ever-growing field. Higher education has embraced online learning and with that paradigm, a growing field for instructional technology is producing jobs as professional development specialists, course management administrators, online course designers, and online student and staff support engineers.

Why is the online degree a preferable choice for this program?

TP: An Instructional Technology program emphasizes learning different technology tools for integration into educational settings. What better delivery method than to immerse the student into the technologies and deliver that instruction using similar technologies that the student will use when they graduate? Students get an immersion experience by this delivery method. It is also a green delivery method for those who are finding fuel prices challenging.

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