Definitions Résumé—a detailed list or outline of a job applicant’s work history and other qualifications/skills Headings Lists Not complete sentences Overview, at a glance, of your qualifications Your sales brochure

Application Letter (Cover Letter)—a letter that accompanies the résumé and that provides a persuasive introduction to the résumé Letter format Three-part structure Paragraphs, full sentences Review and explanation of your key qualifications Your sales letter

Facts Most good jobs require a college education (good in terms of pay, stability, opportunities for advancement). US Dept. of Education: 62% of jobs in 2009 and a projected 75% in 2020 will require a four-year degree, two-year degree, or certification. Most of these good jobs will be filled based on three things: application (cover) letter, resume, and interview.

Goals of this Unit Help you write a resume and application letter. Help you enhance the resume and application letter you already have on file. In either case, you leave with a resume and application letter you can use and adapt to help you land an interview and a good job.

Initial Tasks Identify a specific job or position for which you plan to apply. Identify skills and qualifications to include on résumé.

Finding a Job Listing IVCC Career Services (www.ivcc.edu/cs) Job and Career Opportunities (CCJobNet) Internships Employment websites Monster CareerBuilder See p. 126

The Matching Game Lazarus Center for Career Development, Smith College, Northampton, MA “Sample Resumes, Cover Letters, and Position Descriptions” http://www.smith.edu/lazaruscenter/pdf/resume-samples.pdf

Questions to Consider What type of resume would best highlight my qualifications for this job (chronological, functional, combination)? Within that type, what headings should I use and in which order should I put them to draw the most attention to my most important qualifications for this job?

Headings to Consider Summary Education Work Experience Related Experience Military Experience Skills Credentials Licenses/Certifications Honors Awards Activities Community Service

Letterhead Name Address Phone Number E-mail Address NOTE: No personal information, such as birth date, race, religious affiliation, marital status, social security number, height, weight, health, etc.

Career Objective Brief statement of career plans Be specific in noting your goals, strengths, and even reader-benefit A full-time position as an English Instructor. A full-time position as an English composition and business/technical writing instructor A full-time position as an English composition and business/technical writing instructor in a comprehensive community college serving a diverse student population.

Use an objective for résumés designed for specific jobs or positions. NOTE: May be unnecessary/obvious or limit effectiveness of résumé if your objective is not a match with employer’s needs

Education Name and Address of Institution(s) Program/Degree/Certificate Dates of Attendance/Degree Classes/Projects President’s Honors (3.75 in 12 or more hours) Academic Honors (3.25 in 6 or more hours) GPA 3.0/4.0 NOTE: Typically, no high school

Experience Job Title Dates of Employment Name and Address of Employer Job Duties (Use ACTION Verbs) Pay attention to verb tenses Teach Composition I and business/technical writing courses. Taught a variety of survey literature courses. Revised technical marketing materials

Military Experience Branch Dates Highest Rank Noteworthy Travel, Duty, Accomplishments, and/or Honors

Specialized Skills or Credentials Licenses Certifications Foreign Language Technology Skills Any other skill that doesn’t fit elsewhere

Honors and Awards President’s Honors, Academic Honors Merit Citations Medals Safety Awards Scholarships, etc. Also may place under education or experience.

Community Service Volunteer Work Membership in Clubs, Organizations, Churches Dates Offices Held Accomplishments

References 3-5 Professional, Positive References Provide name, title, organization, address, phone number, e-mail Supervisors, Teachers, etc. Ask Permission Send upon Request NOTE: Generally, no relatives or friends

Guidelines for Résumés Make Résumés Visually Attractive Typed, quality print 8 ½ x 11, resume quality paper White, ivory, possibly light gray paper Creative, professional use of CAPS, boldface, and white space.

2) Clearly Label Information Education, Experience, Honors, Community Service, etc. Use boldface, CAPS, etc. Use lists, especially bullets Consistent presentation 3) Include All Necessary Details Names, addresses, dates, etc. BE HONEST.

Typically Limit to One Page 4) Use Reverse Chronological Order Education Experience, etc. Typically Limit to One Page

6) Make Mechanically Perfect No Grammar Errors No Sentence Structure Errors No Spelling or Punctuation Errors No Typos No Spacing or Format Inconsistencies

Organizational Patterns for Résumés Chronological Highlights Education and Work History in Reverse Chronological Order Functional Highlights Skills/Areas of Competence Combination Highlights Skills and Includes Chronological Detailing of Background

When Should I Use the Chronological Pattern? Do I already have experience in my field? Does my job history show progressively more responsibility and accomplishment? Am I seeking the same type of job that I have held previously? Are my previous employers well-known?

When Should I Use the Functional Pattern? Do I have a lot of different work experience that is not all in the same field? Have I changed jobs or careers frequently? Do I have frequent gaps in my job history? Am I new to the job market?

When Should I Use the Combination Format? Do I have a lot of different work experience that is not all in the same field? Have I changed jobs or careers frequently? Do I have frequent gaps in my job history? Do I want to target my skills toward a specific job while still highlighting my work history?

General Organizational Guideline Place the Most Impressive Part of Your Background First.

Application Letter Accompanies each copy of a résumé A persuasive introduction to the résumé Often read first, before the résumé Can distinguish applicants by the quality of the writing and the way in which it customizes the résumé

Guidelines Uses full block format Typed, quality print 8 ½ x 11, standard bond, white paper Length of one page—maximum Addressed to a specific person, position, or department Include Enclosure line Mechanically perfect

Components First Paragraph (One to three sentences) Your purpose: applying for the job (specific title or position) How you found out about the job Why you want the job (what skills and background you bring to it)

Middle Paragraph(s) Summary of your experience, education, and other qualifications Provide details not included on the résumé Highlight noteworthy qualifications that might set you apart from other applicants Explain special circumstances Connect your qualifications to the employer’s needs and/or values (use a reader- centered perspective) Show that you have done your research about the company.

Closing Paragraph Thank the employer for considering your application Request an interview Include any necessary contact information