Last week’s Resumania, the first of its kind organized by Edwards Career Centre, was a huge hit. Over 100 students brought their resumes in to be critiqued by Human Resource professionals from 13 businesses.

Organizer and Career Development Manger Maryann Ross was thrilled with the response from both students and the local business community. “When I put the call out to employers, I was overwhelmed by the response,” she says. “My initial goal was eight human resources professionals – I quickly received offers to participate from 13, which meant we could expand and include more students in the event.”

And the students definitely appreciated the opportunity to participate. “Resumania was awesome,” says Joloraine Naeg. “I signed up because I wanted feedback on how to make my cover letter and resume more effective. The most important thing I took from my experience was ‘confidence.’ You have to be confident with your resume and know it inside out; know what you can offer to show that confidence during the job interview.”              

Samantha Dearing had a similar experience. She said the event “not only helped me in creating a better resume but it also increased my confidence with the resume and job application process.”

Duane Tinker, Career Counsellor at SIGA, says that a thoughtfully prepared resume is key when responding to job competitions. “We often find resumes do not meet the requirements we seek in an employee.  This does not necessary mean that they do not meet the qualifications; however, key pieces of information are not noted on the resume,” he says.  “In these instances, the potential candidate will get screened out.”

Students also learned the importance of extracurricular and volunteer activities.  “The HR advisor from TD noted that employers want to see people that are involved in the community. Such activities demonstrate what kind of person you are outside of work and showcase that you're motivated to go above and beyond to give back to the community,” says Naeg.

Tinker was impressed with the students he met, and felt the four-day initiative was worthwhile. “It was nice to see the commitment of students and the dedication they have to their careers,” he says. “They were truly engaged with the information I provided them and were connecting to the feedback they received.”        

Human Resources Manager of Brandt Industries, Graeme Taylor, participated in a similar session when he was a student and appreciated having the opportunity to give back. “It was an event that stood out for me in my career and educational development,” he says. “Events such as Resumania give seasoned professionals the opportunity to provide back to those just embarking in the transition from student to employee.”

Students unable to participate in Resumania this year needn’t worry. The success of the 2012 event has insured there will be future dates. “The feedback from participants has been fantastic – definitely an event we will offer again, perhaps hosting a few sessions each year.”

For information on regular drop-in sessions for resume and cover letter assistance, contact Edwards Career Services at careers@edwards.usask.ca.