At our recent event on Marketing your Resident Assistant (RA) Position, we provided the resident assistants with valuable insights into effectively marketing their experience as RAs both in the process of resume-writing and interview preparation. Specifically, we discussed the strategies for identifying technical and personal skills, highlighting these skills in resumes, and effectively demonstrating these skills during interviews. Here are the top three takeaways from the event:
We shared with all the RAs valuable insights into the role of an RA and practical strategies for showcasing this experience to potential employers.
- Understanding the Role of an RA:
The role of an RA encompasses three main areas of responsibilities: counseling students, organizing community-bonding events coordination, and serving as a liaison between Public Safety/Residential life and the student body.
administrative responsibilities.
Additionally, RAs are in charge of upholding college policies, maintaining confidentiality, and governing their residence hall.
responsible for adhering to college policies, maintaining confidentiality, managing time effectively, and governing their residence hall.
- Translating RA Experience into Marketable Skills:
Being an RA equips individuals with a diverse set of transferable skills, such as time management and event coordination, applicable to various professional settings.
In the process of writing resumes, it’s crucial to think about the personal and technical skills you gained from performing RA duties, the impact you created within the communities, and your personal growth. Additionally, remember to use action verbs with detailed descriptions and concrete examples to showcase your skills as an RA and a well-rounded individual. entailed duties/responsibilities, accomplishments, and transferable skills acquired as an RA.
Use action phrases starting with verbs, and be descriptive and quantifiable in showcasing RA experiences on resumes.
- Mastering Interview Techniques Using the STAR Method:
While discussing the Interview Process, we learned about the STAR Method
During interviews, we recommend students use the STAR Method (Situation, Task, Action, Results), a strategy that helps them to effectively respond to behavioral-based interview questions by giving specific examples of the situation, task, action, and result of the situation.
Practice answering common interview questions such as “Tell me about the time you made a mistake” and “an occasion when you had a conflict with friends,” with examples deriving from your RA experience. from RA experience.
Lastly, remember to utilize the Career Center Office’s resources, including mock interviews and Career Fellow Drop-in Hours, to improve and perfect interview skills to effectively highlight your RA experience.
In conclusion, effectively marketing your RA experience involves not only understanding the role itself but also articulating and demonstrating the derived skills and experiences. By leveraging these insights and strategies, we hope that you can confidently position yourself for future success in your post-RA endeavors.
