Resumes and

Cover Letters

Key Points

• Preparation

• Resume Formats

• Importance of Cover Letters

• Cover Letter Format

Resume• A brief account of one’s professional or work

experience and qualifications, often submitted with an application. (thefreedictionary.com)

• First glimpse that employers have of you.

• Advertisement of what you can offer to the employer.

Preparation

• It takes time to create a strong resume.

• Gather information before you start the writing process. – Your Contact Information– Educational Background– Work Experience– References

Preparation

Take time to understand the business or organization you are applying to.

• Study the job announcement• Check out their website• Visit their location

Resume Formats

• The Basics

• Reverse Chronological

• Functional

Basics• Usually 1-2 pages. – Include contact information on multiple pages.

• Choose Simple Fonts: – Times New Roman, Ariel, Verdana

• Be consistent with formatting and bullet points.

• Use bold words to your advantage.

• Take advantage of white space.

Basics

• Choose statements over full sentences.

• Focus beginning your statements with action verbs and vary your vocabulary.

• Avoid the first pronoun.

Reverse Chronological Resume

• The most common resume layout in use.

• Highlights your work experience.

• Starts with your most recent employment and goes back through your succession of previous positions.

When to Use a Reverse Chronological Resume

• If you have past experience in the field that you are applying for now.

• If your most recent employer is a respected name in the industry.

• If your work record does not have any major lapses in time.

Reverse Chronological Format

• Contact Information• Objective• Summary• Professional Experience • Education• Activities/Interest

Contact Information

• First and Last Name

• Address

• Phone Number

• Email

Objective or Summary…That is the question!

Objective: Self-centered. States the position you want.

• Project Manager (Job Title)

• Objective: Administrative position with a privately held hospice services provider.

• Objective: An opportunity to apply technical skills and communications ability in a Sales or Customer Service position.

When to Use an Objective

• When you know the position being offered.

• If you are entering the workforce for the first time or after a long leave of absence.

Summary: Employer-Centered. States what you have to offer.

• A detail-oriented, high energy art teacher with the ability to motivate students to work at optimum levels while maintaining a comfortable, creative environment, and keeping a clear perspective of goals to be accomplished.

When to Use a Summary

• When you have widely applicable skills. • When you have already devoted time to a

specific career.

• When you know that your resume is headed to a database.

Professional Experienceand Accomplishments

Job Title Employer, Location Dates• Statement starting with an action word

describing relevant skills/achievements. • Statement starting with an action word

describing relevant skills/achievements. • Statement starting with an action word

describing relevant skills/achievements.

Examples of Achievements

• Increased revenues• Saved money• Increased efficiency• Cut Overhead• Improved Service• Increased Sales• Designed programs

• Improved safety• Purchasing

Accomplishments• New products• Increased productivity• Successful advertising • Effective budgeting

Education and Professional Training

• New graduates give more detail on course work.

• Omit high school or prep school if you have a college degree.

• Also list relevant seminars, workshops and conferences.

Functional Resume

• Focused on what the job-seeker can do for the employer.

• Attention is directed to specific Skill Sets, rather than Employment History.

When to Use a Functional Resume

• If you’ve changed careers multiple times.

• If you’re a recent graduate, ex-military personnel, or contract worker.

• If you’re re-entering the workforce after a long period of absence.

Functional Format

• Contact Information• Objective• Summary• Skill Sets• Employment History• Education • Activities/Interests

Functional Skill Sets

• First Skill Set– An achievement illustrating this skill. – A second achievement illustrating this skill. – A third achievement illustrating this skill…

• Second Skill Set– An achievement illustrating this skill…

• Third Skill Set– An achievement illustrating this skill…

Proofread, proofread, proofread!

• Don’t trust your own eyes to catch mistakes. • Print out copies of resumes to read and mark-up. • Have someone else proof-read it.

Resume Blooper Hall of Fame– Received a plague for Salesperson of the Year.– Experience: Stalking, shipping & receiving.– Duties included cleaning the restrooms and seating the

customers. – Languages: English and Spinach.

Follow Directions…

• If responding to a job posting, carefully follow their directions for submitting your resume.

• If you have the chance to drop off your resume in person, do it!

Plain Text Format(ASCII)

• Plain-text resume is an online document constructed without formatting.

• Saved as a plain-text file format.

• Bullets, bold, and underlined font will not appear in plain text documents.

Saving as Plain Text in Word 2010

• Click File

• Click “Save As”

• Click the bar by “Save as Type”

• Choose “Plain Text”

– Allows you to express yourself in writing.

– Demonstrates your knowledge of the business/organization.

– Sets yourself apart from those who don’t take the time to write one!

Why bother with a Cover Letter?

Cover Letter—Greeting

• Make an effort to use the name of the person who will receive your letter.

• Look online• Ask a current employee• Call human resources

• If you can’t locate a name, use a gender-neutral title. – Dear Hiring Manager or Staff Selection Team.

Cover Letter

• First paragraph

– Introduce yourself.

– Mention how you became aware of the position.

– Mention any referrals.

Cover Letter

• Second Paragraph

– Focus on what you bring to the table. Give 2 or 3 examples of job-related achievements.

– Share your knowledge about the company. • Mention changes in structure, growth, or current challenges

and how you can help.

– Allow the employer to see why you are passionate about the position.

Cover Letter

• Third Paragraph

– Reiterate your interest in the position.

– Convey your enthusiasm towards meeting in-person.

– Thank the employer for their consideration.

More Resume and Cover Letter Examples:www.resume-resource.com

References• Resumes for Dummies, by Joyce Kennedy Lain.

Wiley Publisher, 2011.• http://www.gcflearnfree.org. Careers-Cover

Letters, Goodwill Community Foundation 2012.