COVER LETTER & RESUME WRITINGthat will get you noticed!

PART 1: Cover LettersPART 2: Resumes

PART 1: COVER LETTERSWhy a Cover Letter?

A resume without a cover letter is like a hamburger without a bun.

A well written cover letter distinguishes your application & helps you stand out.

Cover Letter Basics

Keep it to one pageFont size between 10 & 14Use business letter formatKeep it to 3-5 paragraphsHigh Quality Paper if printingConvert to PDF if sending electronicallyPROOFREAD! PROOFREAD! PROOFREAD!

Cover Letter FormattingRETURN ADDRESS – keep it the same as your resume. It should look like letterhead.

Examples:

Cover Letter FormattingReturn address is followed by the DATE.

Write out the date in proper form.

Examples:

Notice that the date is NOT writtenMarch 12th, 2014!!

Leave off the “th”, “st”, “nd”, etc.

Cover Letter FormattingReturn address, date & then Employer Contact Info.

Contact Name (if you have it)Contact’s TitleName of CompanyStreet Address or PO BoxCity, ST 12345

Examples:

Cover Letter FormattingDouble Space after the employer contact info to begin the Salutation.

• Use Mr. or Ms. when addressing the sendee.• If you do not know a name you could address it to a title or selection

committee.• It is best to take the effort to CALL & find out who you should address your

letter to.• You can include “Dear” or leave it off.

Examples:Dear Mr. Miller,Dear Human Resource Manager,Selection Committee,

Cover Letter FormattingBody of Your Letter

PARAGRAPH 1:• State the purpose of your letter. • Express your excitement about the opportunity.

PARAGRAPH 2:• Site specific examples of hard skills, knowledge, experience, education,

accomplishments.

PARAGRAPH 3:• Describe your soft skills and personal goals. • Site specific examples

PARAGRAPH 4:• Express your excitement again• Ask for an interview• State what your next step will be.

} Hard & Soft skills will be discussed in more detail later.

Body of Your LetterExample

Paragraph 3:Soft skills

Paragraph 4:ExcitementNext Step

Paragraph 2:Hard Skills

Paragraph 1:PurposeExcitement

ALWAYS SAY THANK YOU!

To make this example stronger, I would site SPECIFIC examples, not just restate what’s on your resume.

Cover Letter FormattingCLOSING• Say thank you.• Use a closing, quadruple space, & then type your name.• If you print the letter you will need to sign between your closing & name.

Example:

Signature goes here.

Hard Skills:What specific knowledge or expertise do you possess?• Foreign language• Computer skills &

program experience

• Leading a group, giving instructions

• Assembling, Documenting, Computing, Compiling, etc.

• Technical Skills• Content Knowledge• Skills required to do a job

Examples of Hard Skills on a Resume

Do not underestimate the power of your soft skills!

Forbes reported that 5% of companies are struggling to fill jobs due to lack of available talent. Among the top reasons for these talent shortages, 19% of employers say “lack of workplace competencies (soft skills)” is a primary reason they’re having difficulty filling jobs.

93% of CEOs agree that, “A candidate’s demonstrated capacity to think critically, communicate clearly, and solve complex problems is more important than their undergraduate major.”

Soft Skills:refer to a cluster of personal qualities, habits, attitudes and social graces that make someone a good employee and compatible to work with.

What specific personal qualities, habits, & attitudes do you possess?

• Work Ethic• Attitude• Communication Skills• Creativity

• Time-Management• Problem-Solving Skills• Teamwork• Ability to Accept & Learn

• Flexibility & Adaptability• Working Well Under

Pressure• Handling Change

Cover Letter Assignment• Fill out a Mind Map for your cover letter.• You will write a Cover Letter for a fictional job

as an expert.

I have provided you with a Mind Map template for your cover letter. Page 2 is an example of how it could be filled out. Page 3 shows you how to use all of the information you have learned about cover letters and convert your Mind Map to an actual letter that will get you noticed.

PART 2: RESUMESWhere’s the beef?

A resume is the main dish of your job search package and should contain lots of “meat”.

A recruiter may decide in only 30 seconds whether you are worth meeting.

You need to be concise, relevant, & effective.

Resume TipsDesign matters – do not use a templateMake it reader friendly by using bulleted listsTry to quantify your accomplishments & job

descriptionsUse action verbs when describing your past work

experienceUse key words that they employer is looking for.Review lots of examples to find a format that

works for you & the job that you are applying forHigh Quality Paper if printingConvert to PDF if sending electronicallyPROOFREAD! PROOFREAD! PROOFREAD!

Common Resume Sections

• Objective• Summary of Qualifications• Educational Background• Work Experience• Honors & Accomplishments• Activities• Computer Skills• References

Keep it to 1 PAGE!

Resume Assignment

• In order for you to learn more about building an effective resume you need to review & fill out the following resume worksheet.

• You will build your own resume as an expert.