Just log-in to your Banner account. Click on the tab labeled "Career Services" and find the OptimalResume link. You can also find this tool on the Career Services website, but the link will simply direct you to your Banner account.
After a quick and painless registration for which you need an email address (does not have to be your college address), log-in for easy access to the best résumé builder I've ever used. This tool will not only format your résumé (which, let's face it, Microsoft Word is too time-consuming for this process), but also provides sample résumés, suggestions for each section, and action words for your bullets. You can even research careers on *ONET through OptimalResume.
Résumés are not the only necessity when applying for jobs. Most of the time you will need a cover letter as well to show your interest in the position and catch the employer's eye. Luckily, OptimalResume has a tool for letters as well, including:
- Cover letters
- Thank you letters
- Broadcast letters
- Employer inquiries
- Networking letters
- Reminders
- Follow-up letters
- Acceptance letters
- and, Reference letters
I am writing to apply for the [position name] position listed in [publication/website name]. I am interested in contributing my experience in [career field] to [company name].Notice how the tool encourages users to incorporate specific details about a company. This will personalize the letter so employers feel that you are writing directly to them instead of sending mass letters to any company you can find. It shows you're interested in working for their company and their company only.
Another useful tool is the website option. Once you've completed a résumé and/or cover letter, you may turn it into a website! This is so simple that anybody can do it. Simply click "New Website" and name your file. A new window will pop up prompting you to choose which resume and letter (if desired) you'd like to display. The next step asks for a passkey. This allows for you to choose who can see your website. Only those with a passkey (even if they have the URL) may view your site. Make sure this is appropriate and not too personalized because you will be sharing it with employers. The last step is the style of your site. While this won't be wildly personalized, colors are a good way to represent yourself. For example, people who wear red to interviews are thought to be more confident. Likewise, people who wear earth tones are thought to be more relaxed and calm.
Resume/cover letter websites are extremely beneficial in this technology age. Employers will see that you're comfortable with computers and the internet, something almost every job needs. Besides, it's an easier way to get your resume out to many employers, especially those who are anxious about opening attachments on their work computers. You can simply provide them with the link and passkey to your website!
The other nice aspect of using a website is the Infobyte. This gives you a way to advertise more about yourself without bogging down your résumé. Employers will pass the mouse over the I on the screen and a pop-up with reveal that extra information. This is useful for bragging about portfolios, details on projects, etc. again without having too many bullets on your résumé. In order to have an Infobyte on your website, you must input the information in your résumé then click save. Each time you update your résumé, the website will also be updated.
Don't forget: you may have your résumé and/or cover letter reviewed by a professional at Career Services just by emailing it to csresume@brockport.edu. Please email it as an attached Word document. This will allow the professionals to easily include comments and suggestions. They will review and critique your résumé quickly, usually returning it within 24 hours. If you'd rather work with a professional face-to-face, please drop in any weekday between noon and 2pm.
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