Creating Cover Letters and Resumes
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CREATING COVER LETTERS AND RESUMES
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Creating Cover Letters and Resumes. Do Your Research. Know Thyself Skills Values Goals Experience. Know the Company & the Position Mission Culture Responsibilities. Cover Letters. Straightforward, brief business letter which introduces you and your resume - PowerPoint PPT Presentation
Transcript of Creating Cover Letters and Resumes
CREATINGCOVER LETTERS AND
RESUMES
DO YOUR RESEARCHKnow Thyself
SkillsValuesGoalsExperience
Know the Company & the Position
MissionCultureResponsibilities
COVER LETTERSStraightforward, brief business letter
which introduces you and your resume
Expand upon and highlight your accomplishments and relate them to the job
Balance professionalism with your own personality
THE BASICSMaria Bates
56 Park Ave, New York, NY, 10021 (212) 545-2345 [email protected]
May 12, 2009
Ms. Sandra DavisInvestment Management Human ResourcesMorgan Stanley1221 Avenue of the AmericasNew York, NY 10020(212) 349-9494
Dear Ms. Davis:
Maria Bates
56 Park AveNew York, NY, 10021(212) [email protected](212) 545-2345
May 12, 2009
Ms. Sandra DavisInvestment Management Human ResourcesMorgan Stanley1221 Avenue of the AmericasNew York, NY 10020(212) 349-9494
Dear Ms. Davis:
Start with a proper business block The body of the letter should be single spaced, include spaces between each
paragraph and no indentations.
PARAGRAPH #1: INTRODUCTION
In the opening you want to express:
1. Why you are writing
2. How you heard about the position
3. Why you are interested the: Company/mission Location Type of work
Dear Mr. Samson:
Please accept my letter as an application for the Project Team Associate position, as posted on Barnard College’s NACELink.I am particularly interested in this opportunity because of your company’s mission to exceed your client’s expectationsand aspirations by offering a customized and structured approach to wealth management which is congruent with my values, interests and education.
Paragraph #1 Example:
Avoid saying, “I am writing to…”
PARAGRAPH #2: EDUCATION
Expand on your educational background
Describe how your liberal arts degree makes you stand out
The 2nd and 3rd paragraphs should attempt to match your skills to the requirements of the job you are applying for
Example 1:My current and past academic and work experiences have provided me with the skills needed for the research your department conducts. For the past two years, I have worked extensively in a lab conducting research work on language acquisition and memory…
Example 2:
I will earn a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Economics and a minor in Sociology from Barnard College, Columbia University in May 2009. My degree program has prepared me to think analytically and approach complex problems from multiple perspectives. This dichotomy between economics and sociology has thus prepared me to operate successfully in diverse situations, think outside the box and adapt accordingly.
*Provide examples of how your experience will benefit the employer
PARAGRAPH #3: EXPERIENCE
Show what you have achieved outside the classroom:
Consider:Places you have interned and workedActivities you have participated inSkill sets you have developed
PARAGRAPH #3 EXAMPLE
In addition to my education, I have a unique and varied set of internship experiences that have given me the financial skills to qualify for this position. While working at Oppenheimer Funds, I had the opportunity to see investing first hand. My knowledge of investing and finance expanded during my internshipsas I took initiative, assumed responsibility, and stayed organized to complete projects – attitudes essential for a Morgan Stanley Analyst.
4TH PARAGRAPH: WRAP-UP
Begin with a summary statement that reiterates that your skills and background make you a strong candidate
You can also thank the reader for his/her:1. Time2. Consideration3. Reviewing of your qualifications
You will also want to say what will happen next
WRAP-UP
Example:Attached is my resume detailing my education and experiences. I welcome the opportunity to apply my skills as a Project Team Associate with UBS. Thank you for your consideration and I look forward to hearing from you in the near future. If you need any additional information, please contact me at (201) 580-0987.
Sincerely,
(Your Signature)
Maria Bates
Enclosure or Attached
SIGNATURE
RESUMESBrief summary of your experience and
skills
Strategically consider how each piece of information contributes to your overall attractiveness to the employer
Research on the company and position will allow you to create a fit with your resume
APPEARANCE
Reverse chronological order
Use standard font style, 10-12 point size
Margins should never go below .5
Keep on 1 page
Avoid colored paper, unless appropriate for industry
Create a simple format for online applications that require them
CATEGORIES ON YOUR RESUME
Essential Categories:Contact Information
Education Experience
Additional Categories:Relevant CourseworkHonors & AwardsInternshipsLeadership Experience Volunteer ActivitiesProfessional OrganizationsSkillsInterests
Prioritize information to get resume on 1 page
HEADING
Beth Goldberg89 Madison AvenueNew York, NY 90879
(201) [email protected]
Beth Goldberg
Temporary Address Permanent Address
64 Riverside Drive 89 Cherry Hill Road New York, NY 86749 Santa Cruz, CA 90777
(212) 986-0987 (763) 485-9759 [email protected]
*Make sure your email address is appropriate
Beth Goldberg5881 Altschul, New York, NY 10027 ♦ (616) 531-2741 ♦
EDUCATION
Barnard College, Columbia University, New York, NYBachelor of Arts, May 2015Major: Film Studies; Minor: EconomicsGPA: 3.3/4.0, Dean’s List 2012-present
Barnard College of Columbia University, New York, NYBachelor of Arts in Political Science, Major GPA: 3.9, GPA: 3.6, May 2015
HonorsStudent Academic Fellowship, spring 2014 Women in Science Award, fall 2014
(include study abroad and other colleges here)
*Awards need to be merit-based if included on the resume
Include GPA if above3.0, SAT if it supports or enhances GPA
EXPERIENCE SECTION
Include:CompanyPositionLocation Duration
Macy’s, Buyer Intern, New York, NY, Fall 2011-Present
Macy’s, New York, NYBuyer Intern, September 2011-Present• Examine, select, order, and purchase at the most favorable price
merchandise consistent with quality, quantity, specification requirements and other factors
• Negotiate prices, discount terms and transportation arrangements for merchandise
• Analyze and monitor sales records, trends and economic conditions to anticipate consumer buying patterns and determine what the company will sell and how much inventory is needed
Keep in the1st person
AppropriateTense
EXPERIENCE SECTION
Make each bullet succinct and clear.
Start each bullet with a strong action verb:Analyzed and reviewed drug labels for compliance
with federal regulations and informationDesigned production line for each item in
accordance with safety regulations
EXPERIENCE SECTION
Quantify when possible:Supervised 90 students in development of small
businessesAllocated budget of $9,000 for student activities
Provide qualitative results when possible:Solely reorganized communication network and
increased efficiency of inter-office correspondenceCounseled middle-school students and improved
follow-through of behavioral contracts
TRANSFERABLE SKILLS
These are broad skills you have acquired during any activity in your life such as: jobs, classes, projects, sports
Consider : CommunicationLeadership/relationship/team buildingCritical and analytic thinkingProblem solvingResearch, development and project management
*Show how these skills would be applicable to the job
ALSO INCLUDE:
Involvement in off campus organizations
Volunteering
Skills: Computers Languages Personal Special Programs or Certifications Related to Field
SELECT CONTENT WISELY
To avoid confusing employer, chose experiences that fit the position
Your resume should fit the job description (take a look at O*Net Online)
Consider having a large resume that you will cut down every time you apply to a job
QUESTIONS
