Resumes and Cover Letters

1. Resumes and Cover Letters

2. Key Points • Preparation • Resume Formats • Importance of Cover Letters • Cover Letter Format

3. 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.

4. 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

5. Preparation Take time to understand the business or organization you are applying to. • Study the job announcement • Check out their website • Visit their location

6. Resume Formats • The Basics • Reverse Chronological • Functional

7. 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.

8. Basics • Choose statements over full sentences. • Focus beginning your statements with action verbs and vary your vocabulary. • Avoid the first pronoun.

9. 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.

10. 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.

11. Reverse Chronological Format • Contact Information • Objective • Summary • Professional Experience • Education • Activities/Interest

12. Contact Information • First and Last Name • Address • Phone Number • Email

13. Objective or Summary…That is the question!

14. 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.

15. 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.

16. 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.

17. When to Use a Summary • When youhave widely applicable skills. • When you have already devoted time to a specific career. • When you know that your resume is headed to a database.

18. Professional Experienceand Accomplishments Job TitleEmployer, 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.

19. 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

20. 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.

21. Functional Resume • Focused on what the job-seeker can do for the employer. • Attention is directed to specific Skill Sets, rather than Employment History.

22. 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.

23. Functional Format • Contact Information • Objective • Summary • Skill Sets • Employment History • Education • Activities/Interests

24. 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…

25. 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.

26. 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!

27. 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.

28. Saving as Plain Text in Word 2010 • Click File • Click “Save As” • Click the bar by “Save as Type” • Choose “Plain Text”

29. Why bother with a Cover Letter? • 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!

30. 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.

31. Cover Letter • First paragraph • Introduce yourself. • Mention how you became aware of the position. • Mention any referrals.

32. 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.

33. Cover Letter • Third Paragraph • Reiterate your interest in the position. • Convey your enthusiasm towards meeting in-person. • Thank the employer for their consideration.

34. 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.