Intro to Resume and Cover Letter Writing
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Transcript of Intro to Resume and Cover Letter Writing
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Introduction to Resume WritingHost: Career and Student Services CoordinatorMs. Sarah-Lynn [email protected] Ext:220
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Overview of Student Success Center
• Individual Career Counseling• Drop-ins• Workshops• Career Assessment
Tools• Mock Interviews• Career Resource Library• Career Fairs
• ITU RecruitingJob ListingsResume MatchOn-campus Interviews
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Agenda
• Purpose of a resume• Resume formats• Sections of a resume•What not to include in a resume• References
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Purpose of a Resume
• Introduction to employer• Personal advertisement•Get you an interview
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Basic Formats for Resumes
• Chronological • Reverse Date Order• Functional •Grouped by Skill Category
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Components of a Resume
Necessary Information:• Contact information• Education• Experience (tasks, skills
learned)
Optional Information:• Objective• Course highlights• Projects/research• Computer skills• Foreign languages• Honors/awards• Volunteer work /
community service• Activities/InterestsMany more…
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Contact Information
•Name•Address: Campus/Permanent• Telephone number• Email address
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Objective• Convey a match between you and the position• Communicate what you have to offer• Identify skills that will benefit the organization/industry• Tailor your objective to the job/field
Example: “Seeking an internship with XYZ Corporation in which I
can utilize my proven leadership abilities and recognized customer service skills.”
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Education
• Include:– Institution– City, State– Degree – Major title– Graduation date
• Optional Information:– Minor/
Concentration– Dean’s List – Grade Point
Average– Exchange
programs*– Dissertation or
Thesis*– Honors, awards,
scholarships*
List formal education with the highest degree first
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Experience
• Full-time, part-time, volunteer, or internship• List in reverse chronological order• May use “Related Experience” section• Need to include:
Name of employer
City, State, and dates of employment/participation
Position titles
Position description
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Position Description
• Demonstrate achievements, knowledge, skills, highlights, and responsibilities related to the position• Use action verbs: use past and present tense consistently
and accurately• Break up large blocks of texts with bullets
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Accomplishment Statements
Two parts: • The results or benefits that came as a result of your
work. These results/benefits should be stated in terms of the value added, and in as tangible and quantified a manner as possible. • The action you took to achieve those benefits/results.
(What steps you took or what techniques you used)
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Accomplishment Statements
• Benefits• Much better awareness of the skills and abilities that
will be the foundation for your job search. • Concrete credibility for everything you claim in the
way of qualifications and abilities. You will have simple documentation of the value you can bring to an employer. • Greater confidence in presenting yourself to potential
employers. You will understand better that you are not "asking for a job," but rather you are offering a contribution to an employer.
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Accomplishment Statements - Increased profits- Reduced errors- Reduced losses- Improved teamwork- Made things easier- Sped things up- Foresaw a problem- Found an easier solution
-Received an award-Found a new opportunity-Accomplished more with the same- Prevented a problem- Provided new resources- Developed a new procedure- Overcame obstacles
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Examples• "Saved $60 a year in service charges by proposing and
acquiring a checking account at a new bank for College Council." • " Instituted residence hall tutoring program that increased
average overall GPA from a 2.9 to a 3.3." • " Increased membership in ABC student club by 50%
through creative advertising." • "Presented training for new campus-wide email system to
approximately 30% of the student body."
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Special Categories
• Course highlights• Projects/research• Research awards• Certifications• Computer skills• Foreign language proficiency• Special skills• Volunteering / community involvement• Leadership activities• Honors, scholarships, awards• Activities, interests
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Interests and Activities
• Association memberships• Academic/social clubs• Athletic teams• Hobbies
• Include offices elected to and contributions made to the organization• Select your interests and activities carefully
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What NOT to Include
• Salary requirements or previous salaries• Name or contact information of supervisors• Personal information (e.g. birth date, marital status,
health status, picture, etc.)• References - place them on a separate sheet
Note: if applying for jobs outside of the US, these may not necessarily apply – do your research!
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Points to Remember
• Use vocabulary of your field or industry• Use concise phrases• Use numbers to quantify achievements• Avoid long paragraphs• Omit personal pronouns (I, we, he, she, you)• Action verbs
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Points to Remember (cont.)
• Use bolding, italics, and underlining to highlight or separate sections• Margins should be ½ inch to 1 inch• One page length is standard• Use only one side of the paper• Laser print on quality paper
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References
• Have at least three references• Ask before using someone as a reference• Give resumes to your references and keep them
informed of your progress• Things to include on reference sheet:• Your contact information (same format as on resume is
recommended)• Name of reference, company or organization, address,
phone number, and email address
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A Strong Cover Letter
• A Strong Cover Letter are targeted to employers and specific jobs• Promotes your abilities• Looks organized and professional• Enthusiastic and conveys interest• Clear and concise articulation of skills• Error-free
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Components of a Cover Letter
• Your contact information• Date• Employers’ contact information• Salutation• Introductory paragraph• Body of letter: one or more paragraphs connecting your
skills to employer needs• Conclusion• Closing• Signature, if in paper format
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Opening Paragraph
• Why are you writing?• What position are you applying for?• How did you hear of the opening or organization?
Example: Dr. Anderson in the Anthropology Department at International Technological University recommended that I contact you. I would like to apply for the archaeology internship available in your office.
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Middle Paragraph(s)
• Explain interest in working for this employer and reasons for desiring this position
• Do NOT iterate entire resume; rather expand on one or two areas that reflect relevant skills learned
• Emphasize skills or abilities that relate to the job• Express confidence and enthusiasm
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Final Paragraph
• Persistent, businesslike closing statement• Indicate desire for a personal interview• Example: I will call you on [date] to discuss this career
opportunity with [name of organization].• “Thank you” for consideration
Closing:Sincerely,Sign nameType nameEnclosure
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Cover Letter Tips
• Address letter to a specific person if possible• One page only• Use industry “buzz words”• Follow through with employer• Let them know you have done your homework• Say something flattering about the organization
(e.g.: “Energy Plus has an excellent reputation locally for customer satisfaction, and I would like to become part of your customer service team.”)
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Good Luck!
Let us know how else we can help you!
Student Success Center
Host: Sarah-Lynn Brunner
http://csc.itu.edu/