PHI THETA KAPPA International Honor Society of the Two Year College

Looking for tips on writing a resume? A quick online search will give you more than 2 million possible websites. And any bookstore or library will have shelves full of printed guides to producing a topflight resume.

But Phi Theta Kappa members have a “resume edge” that they might not be fully utilizing.

“Don’t just list ‘Phi Theta Kappa’ on a resume, and think that will convey the entire Phi Theta Kappa experience to potential employers,” advised Pete Boyle, a longtime communications and public relations executive.

“From an employer’s perspective, Phi Theta Kappa should be more than just a line on your resume. You don’t want to just list that you were a member, but expand on how membership made you a better job candidate.”

“The benefits Phi Theta Kappa can provide set Society members apart, both in an interview and in the real world of job performance,” Boyle said. “Take advantage of the fact that you have experiences other students aren’t getting.”

“When listing Phi Theta Kappa membership on a resume, state that membership is based on overall academic performance, but also list ways that membership provided leadership development and service opportunities,” he said.

“If, through Phi Theta Kappa, you were part of a Relay For Life team, include that. If you were involved in starting a team, or starting anything that helped your college or community, make sure your prospective employer knows.”

“Any company is looking for leaders, for innovators, for persons who work will on a team and leading a team,” Boyle said. “That can include being selected an as chapter officer or an International Convention delegate – but be sure you explain how the experience made you grow.”

Boyle urged members to take advantages of Phi Theta Kappa’s opportunities for personal growth and development, to make themselves more marketable when they enter the workforce. “If you are a member of Phi Theta Kappa, you have a chance to be a part of something larger than yourself.”

And the resume is the first step, but the interview itself is the most important. “Talk about yourself to potential employers – not just about where you come from and what you like to do, but be sure to communicate your strengths.”

Many job-seekers neglect an important aspect of the process when preparing for interviews, Boyle noted. Job candidates may be ready to answer questions but falter when they are invited to question their potential employers.

And employers often consider the quality of the questions a job candidate asks during an interview. Some tips to follow include:

Don’t ask your potential employers questions that could be easily answered by checking the company’s website, or in the materials that may have been provided to you. Take the time to do some research.

Ask yourself why you want to work at that institution and come up with questions that reflect your enthusiasm.

Always prepare questions in advance, and ask them – otherwise you are sending a message that you have no curiosity or commitment to the prospective job.

Some typical questions might be:

What are the day-to-day responsibilities of this job?

Could you describe your company’s management style?

Does the company regularly send employees to seminars, workshops and training sessions to update skills or learn new ones?

How would you describe an ideal employee?

“Your Phi Theta Kappa experience, when properly presented, can make your resume stand out in the crowd of applicants,” said Boyle. “And your experiences can also give you the confidence to make a strong impression in the interview.”