RESUMES, REFERENCES, & COVER LETTERS

1. RESUMES, REFERENCES, & COVER LETTERS MicahWilleford & Jennifer Greenwood Career Specialists

2. RESUMES Tips and Tricks

3. RESUMESGENERAL PRACTICES • Keep a file of everything! • Use bulleted lists • Never use abbreviations or acronyms • Keep resume in the correct tense • Highlight your strengths • Use keywords from the job posting • White space is good • Stick to the basics (paper, color, font, etc…) • Spell check!!

4. RESUMESTHINGS TO INCLUDE • Your contact information • How professional is your e-mail address? • [A summary] • Current school information • Related work experience • Extracurricular activities • Honors, Awards, Recognitions • Skills, Abilities • References • Professional, not just personal

5. Tell me what you notice. What do you like? What do you not like?

6. Tell me what you notice. What do you like? What do you not like?

7. Tell me what you notice. What do you like? What do you not like?

8. Tell me what you notice. What do you like? What do you not like?

9. Tell me what you notice. What do you like? What do you not like?

10. RESUME EXAMPLE

11. SAMPLEACADEMICRESUME What is different? Where is the focus?

13. What you can get from OKCareerguide

14. COVER LETTERS What should you include?

15. COVER LETTERS • Include your contact information • Consider using a similar header for your cover letter and resume • Employer Contact information • Greeting • Dear Mr./Mrs./Ms. Last Name • Dear Hiring Manager • Try to avoid “To Whom It May Concern” Why? • First Paragraph • Include information on why you are writing. Mention the position you are applying for and where you found the job listing. Include the name of a mutual contact, if you have one. • Yes, tactful name dropping is okay! • Middle Paragraph(s) • Describe what you have to offer the employer. Mention specifically how your qualifications match the job you are applying for. • This should not be your resume in paragraph form. Just hit the high points.

16. COVER LETTERS • Final Paragraph • Thank them for considering you for the position • Let them know you’re looking forward to hearing back from them, or that you welcome an opportunity to further discuss your qualifications/interest in the position. • Let them know how you will follow up. • Are you calling next week? Are you planning to wait it out, letting them make contact first? Will you send a follow up email? • Closing • Sincerely, • Thank you, • Respectfully yours, • Signature • Handwritten, if possible. • Type your name below where you plan to sign

17. COVER LETTER

18. REFERENCE REQUEST LETTER What should you include?

19. Reference Request Letter • Ask early -in person if possible • Be prepared for the person to say ‘no’ to your request. • Provide the potential reference with your resume, information about the scholarship, and an envelope you have already addressed and stamped • Information about the scholarship would include things such as criteria, the focus of the scholarship [service, academic, etc.], the name of the person or group to whom the letter should be addressed, and the deadline. • Waive your right to see the letter. This will encourage a more candid letter from the teacher, counselor, employer etcand such a letter will carry more weight. • After the process is over, send a thank-you note to the person, and let them know the result.

20. Reference Request Letter • Include your contact information • Consider using a similar header for your cover letter and resume • Greeting • Dear Mr./Mrs./Ms. Last Name • Try to avoid “To Whom It May Concern” Why? • The Letter • Include your purpose for writing. • Give information about the scholarship or job. • Thank them andgive them a way to contact you. • . Closing • Sincerely, • Thank you, • Signature • Handwritten, if possible. • Type your name below where you plan to sign

21. REFERENCE REQUEST LETTER

22. SAMPLEACADEMICRESUME What is different? Where is the focus?

23. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME! Want to discuss further? Come see me! Micah Willeford & Jennifer Greenwood MHS-Freshman Office WHS-C3SHS-Counseling Office