Writing Effective Resumes Writing Effective Resumes and Application Lettersand Application Letters

Writing in CSDWriting in CSD

How not to get the job/How not to get the job/How not to get acceptedHow not to get accepted

Little or no knowledge of the Little or no knowledge of the company/organization/programcompany/organization/program

Unprepared to discuss skills and Unprepared to discuss skills and experienceexperience

Unprepared to discuss career plans and Unprepared to discuss career plans and goalsgoals

Limited enthusiasmLimited enthusiasm Limited eye contactLimited eye contact

Application Letters and Application Letters and ResumesResumes

Usually the initial contact with the potential Usually the initial contact with the potential employer; sometimes required by schoolsemployer; sometimes required by schools

Your opportunity to link your skills and Your opportunity to link your skills and experience with what the company is experience with what the company is looking for or what the program offerslooking for or what the program offers

Must be crafted carefully and contain no Must be crafted carefully and contain no grammatical/spelling errorsgrammatical/spelling errors

Application LettersApplication Letters

IntroductionIntroduction Purpose of letterPurpose of letter Overall qualification for job/programOverall qualification for job/program

Body paragraphsBody paragraphs Key qualifications – be selective and detailedKey qualifications – be selective and detailed

ConclusionConclusion Thanks the reader for considerationThanks the reader for consideration Indicates interest in position/program Indicates interest in position/program Provides contact infoProvides contact info

ResumesResumes

Vital stats: Name, address, phone, emailVital stats: Name, address, phone, email EducationEducation ExperienceExperience References (optional)References (optional)

ResumesResumes

Should be visually appealingShould be visually appealing Should be easy to readShould be easy to read Should be updated oftenShould be updated often Should be tailored to the situation each Should be tailored to the situation each

time you send it outtime you send it out