Systems Analysis -- FAQ

Systems Analysis FAQ
Resume Assignment
Some FAQ's and their answers have been provided by former students.
If some advice seems inconsistent with what Dr. Sauter has said in class, please contact her for clarification.

I have never done a web page! How do I begin?
There are two sites available to help you. First, there is the HTML Primer which walks you through the development of web sites. Or, you can view the video that uses UMSL procedures. You can find more help from some of the references on the Links to HTML page.

How do I get my page on the Internet?
You move the document to your thatcher drive and make sure it is located in the public_html directory. The drive will probably be named the L drive. If you are off campus, you will need to use a secure shell FTP client.

How much will this assignment be graded on the sophistication of the HTML coding?
As with any assignment, I expect this assignment to be produced neatly, clearly and attractively. This is possible with a minimum of skill in HTML, all of which is explained in the HTML Primer.

How will the assignment be graded?
The goal of the assignment is to assess what you have learned about the core of systems analysis skills. In fact, this is your first analysis of a system -- the system you will learn to know as your group this semester. We will discuss many of the functions necessary in systems analysis, as well as the importance of well balanced teams. This is an exercise in you reflecting on those discussions and applying them to a real problem.

What should I include on my resume?
Your resume should describe what assets and liabilities you bring to the team. The resume must include the following items: computer education and experience; business education and experience; self-rating of your ability to coordinate team projects; strongest asset you bring to the team; weakest asset you bring to the team; days and times when you cannot meet with the team (including course and work schedules); city (or geographical area) in which you live. All of these need to have section titles. In addition to this, you need to add anything that you feel relevant and worth telling. Take into consideration all of the skills and traits we concluded in class that were the most important.

But what other skills do I provide?
Look at want ads and see what they are seeking. Some want ads for systems analysis are provided. Look also what one class thought were the most important skills after reviewing a number of systems analysis want ads.

How much "fancy" HTML do I need to have in my resume?
You only need to focus on the sophistication of the page if you are claiming that is your strength you bring to the class.
Examples of past resumes to illustrate the amount of HTML Programming you need include: Example 1, Example 2, and Example 3 (do not focus on the content ... these are not good examples of quality content.

Can you tell me more about how will you grade this?
What I am asking you to do is to reflect on the book, reflect on the lectures, reflect on the assignments. These are all intertwined. We talked about exactly what you should do in class. Analysis is the process of breaking things down. Systems have a goal. You must focus on those things to be successful -- and that is exactly what I intend for all of you to be. I am not big on "regurgitation answers".... what I want is "reflective answers" that show me you can APPLY the material we are learning. The fact of the matter is that applying the material will be how you are judged in the "real world" We are just starting a little early.

Should I gear my resume to our client?
You should include things that would be an asset to our client. But, also things that would be relevant to the team and team atmosphere.

What do you mean by self-rating? How do I rate myself?
How you self rate yourself is your decision. If you would like to give yourself a number rating, explain what level is lowest and highest and why you gave yourself this rating. If you give yourself for example a poor or Good or Excellent, etc. rating, then explain why you gave yourself that rating.

Why is it important to rate your skills?
Because it will help the person looking at it, figure out your abilities and strengths.

How do I organize my resume?
You may organize your resume however you want to, however, I suggest making each of the topics required is the resume heading. I also recommend making your resume as easy to ready as possible. When you do your group forming exercise, each student has to read and evaluate all the students in the class' resumes. The more readable your resume is, the easier it will be to evaluate.

Can I get away with one or two word answers for the required sections?
All answers (apart from facts about you, like your location) should have sufficient justification.

Is the resume suppose to be one that we could hand to a company?
The web-based resume should be one that you would had a company along with your paper resume. When a company visits your web-based resume it should tell the company a little more about you then the paper one did. Some examples are: your creativity, your story telling, in-depth work experience and so on.

Should I model my resume after employment resumes?
No, employment resumes are written as pithy, condensed testaments to your abilities and qualifications. Later, you expand on these resume items during the interview. In this resume, you need to provide substantial detail in describing your qualifications and characteristics. Use paragraphs to discuss these items rather than bulleted lists as mere citations of them. Think of it as a paper interview wherein you provide answers to potential interview questions.

Is there a length limit on the resume (# of pages)?
No there is no length limit on the resume but make sure all of the information in the resume is relevant to the project at hand. And remember that if you were applying for a job and your resume were too long or wordy a boss who is reviewing it would probably reject it. If your resume is one that would be rejected for being to long with no enough content or relevant information that may adversely affect your grade.

What sections are weighed the heaviest?
Relevance to the project, relevance to analysis, and the overall presentation.

Is this resume to resemble a real world resume?
No, this resume is specifically designed to help with the group forming project. You must see who has what skills and or experience and in what field or discipline and how they will aid the group with such experience/ skills/ discipline.

What can I do to personalize my web page?
Add a few graphics that illustrate your strengths and personality.

How in depth and specific does the resume have to be?
Be as specific and in depth about every requirement as possible, more than 1 or 2 sentences.

Do I need to provide evidence for my claims?
No directly; your resume will demonstrate your organizational skills, your ability to comprehend and follow instructions, and your overall attitude. Don't lie, but focus on making your web page on presenting your assets more than proving your claims.

How will the resumes sort us into our groups for the final project?
These resumes will be used by each student and myself to sort the class into the groups for the final project. These groups will need to be evenly sorted based on all the attributes I have asked you to include, such as computer experience, business experience and so on. Therefore, what you put in this resume will need to describe the skills you possess and the weakness you have that will help or hurt your group. These attributes will the be balanced with your classmates to ensure even groups.

What are some guidelines?
Make it brief and easy to read, avoid using personal pronouns, Use discretion with special efforts such as bold, italics, capitalization and large fonts.

Do I have to code straight HTML or can I use an web page developing application?
You can use whatever is at your disposal. This assignment is based more on the content of the resume than the means to which you create your page.

What do you consider computer education and experience?
Any classes you have taken, programs you are familiar with, or programming languages that you know. Anything you may have used a computer for in your personal life and anything you deem as relevant to the current project.

How detailed do my responses to each section of the resume have to be?
It is important to provide as much detail as possible when completing your resumes. Each section should have a description to it. Thorough descriptions and lots of detail are necessary to assess what you will bring to the project. Your resume should be relevant to analysis and the project. Your goal is to demonstrate that you are qualified to be a systems analyst and that you are capable of bringing a variety of skills to your group. Be as descriptive as possible without repeating yourself. List everything that is related to each field and give support and examples for each claim you make.

How should I set up my page as far as aesthetics?
Your page should be easily readable to everyone. You need not fill up your page with elaborate graphics. This idea is not to dazzle the eye, but for you to convey the necessary components to the class in an organize, easily decipherable, well thought out fashion.

A resume is a brief overview about what you are. How much detail do you want on the resume?
This resume focus is on analyzing yourself. The more detailed information you can provide reflects the true person you are.

Do I have to use the UM-St. Louis domain that is given to students?
No, you may use any domain that you wish. As long as you e-mail me (Dr. Sauter) the URL for your resume.

Is there any other way then HTML to create a resume?
Yes, you can use Dreamweaver, which is available in the Lab. Or you can use Kompozer which is available in the labs and classrooms.

How do I get my own web site?
Your admiral account already has space set aside on the UMSL web site for students. If you don't have an admiral account you can get a site free on www.geocities.com.

How would you like our answers? Would you like them to be organized in list or in paragraph form?
They can be organized either way. They just need to be well organized and complete.

How specific should I be when describing my qualifications and in my ratings?
You will be forming groups from these resumes so make sure that another individual reading your resume understands your positive and negative attributes. Also be sure to include anything important that you can give to a team. The more specific you are the better another classmate will be able to determine a group for you.

How much justification do I need for each part?
As much that is needed to clearly state why you gave yourself the rating that you did and why your skills are pertinent to the task at hand.

Can we use links, colored back ground and Graphics in our resume?
Yes, you can make your resume fancy by adding links and graphics or anything that you think is relevant and will help explain your skills and qualification better.

How to get a high scores?
You should include everything in the resume assignment on the BA215 web site, and other sections you perceive to be relevant.

Why are listing other skills related to the project important?
It creates a larger skill bank to select from.

How does the resume relate to the group forming exercise?
The resume that you create will be read by the other students in the class and used as the basis for placement in groups during this exercise.� You should include everything that you think will accurately portray your skills.

Does �layout� of our resume matter?
Yes. Your resume must be easy readable, clear and understandable. Also, check grammar and spelling.

What should I put for the where I live section?� Should I just put the city in which I live?
�No.� If you just list the city in which you live, you will not receive full credit.� The best way to answer the question would be to list the city and describe the surroundings of your place of residence. i.e. Near Popeye's on Natural Bridge Rd in Bel Nor.

Do we need to add anything extra to the resume that you haven't outlined already?
If there is something you wish to add, that doesn't directly fit a category, it should be contained in "other information."

Is the graphical content of each students resume going to enhance the grading of that student resume?
No.� The resume will be graded on content that each student shares on his or her resume.

How would I rate myself on my analytical skills?
I would demonstrate my analytical skills by explaining � my interpersonal, problem solving, and organizational � skills through previous or current work environments/experiences.

I have little or no experience in one of the categories, will this count against me?
Yes, unless you can find a way of justifying what little experience you do have. You get points for expressing your experience in every category, you must address all categories to get full credit even if you have little or no experience.