Resume Writing

Purpose of a Resume

To get an interview not to get a job

A brief snapshot of your skills and qualifications (the story of you!)

To provide enough information for the employer to evaluate your qualifications & suitability for the job

Types of resumes

Chronological Traditional, most often

used Lists work history in

reverse order Most useful for people

who do not have breaks in their employment

Functional Presents your experience,

skills, and job history in terms of functions that you actually performed

Most useful for people who are changing careers

Good for highlighting skills

Common elements of resumesIdentifying information Name Address Telephone Number E-mail

Example:Jane Q. Public123 Down Rd.

Anywhere, USA 12345(123) 456-7890 (mobile)public08@newpaltz.edu

Resume contact information

YOUR NAME Campus address: Home address: SUNY at New Paltz 123 Elm Street New Paltz, NY 12561 Rye, NY 10555 (854) 123-4567 (Mobile) me@newpaltz.edu___________________________________________

Common elements of resumes

Objective A brief statement of your target position.

Examples: A Summer 2009 internship as a computer engineer. To obtain a position as a part time software developer.

Common elements of resumesEducation Schools should be listed in reverse order. Required Information

Name and location of school Month/year of Graduation Degree/certificate awarded G.P.A. 3.0 + Relevant courses (optional)

ExampleSUNY at New Paltz, New Paltz, NY May 2009Candidate for Bachelor of Arts (or Science) degreeMajor: Business Minor: Spanish

Common elements of resumes

Experience Work experience is not only gained through

paid employment. Internships, volunteer activities, fieldwork,

and class projects are important

Example for a Chronological Resume:Engineering Intern, May 2008 - presentCentral Hudson, Poughkeepsie, New York Research components of energy efficiency in heating systems.

Common elementsof resumes

Work Experience Previous places of employment Required information

Your Job Title Name and location of company (city, state) Dates employed (month and year)

Example:Banana Republic, Poughkeepsie, NY June 2008– presentAssistant Manager

Building blocks of a good resume

Name, Address, and Telephone Number employers need to know how to contact you

Job Objective A statement targeting a specific position

Education Experience/Work History Licenses and Certifications (if any) Professional Association (if any) Awards (if any)

Things not to include on your resume

Age Marital Status Race Religion Height, weight, or

body measurements Photos Salary history or

requirements

Personal pronouns Spelling or

grammatical errors Hobbies unrelated to

the job activity White-out Handwritten

comments Erasures

Adding action verbs to your resume

Advised Assessed Built Coordinated Created Directed Edited Handled

Initiated Managed Planned Solved Strengthened Supervised Trained Utilized

Paper Color

Good Bad

Cover Letters

Cover Letters

A cover letter is used to announce your availability and introduce your resume.

The cover letter should indicate that you have researched the organization and are clearly interested in a position there.

Should be individually typed for each job desired or sent with an emailed resume.

Short and to the point.

Cover Letters

The opening paragraph should contain why you are writing and how you became interested in the company.

The second paragraph should briefly summarize your experience and what you have to offer.

The final paragraph should make arrangements for setting up an interview.

Rules for writing a cover letter

Always address the letter to a specific person by name and title.*

Introduce yourself in the first paragraph.

Elaborate briefly on your qualifications in the second paragraph.

Refer the reader to your resume for further information.

Rules for writing a cover letter

Ask for an interview. Tell the reader how to contact you. Say thank you. Sign off nicely.

“Sincerely” “Yours truly”

Ways to wreck a cover letter

Spell the name of the company incorrectly. Send the letter to the wrong address. Send the letter to the Personnel Director

without getting the exact name and title of the person you are contacting.*

Address the letter “Dear Sir:” even when the hiring authority is a woman. Get a name.

Ways to wreck a cover letter

Misspell words or typographical errors. Use wrinkled paper. Use poor grammar. Forget to enclose your resume. Leave out your phone number. Tell them that you will follow up and wait

for them to call you.

Thank You