Resume Writing Career Counseling and Support Services 1640 Neil Avenue, 2nd Floor Younkin Success Center (614) 688-3898 ccss.osu.edu

Excerpts from Actual Resumes Career Counseling and Support Services Excerpts from Actual Resumes Received a plague for leadership skills of the Year Personal Interest: Donating blood. Fourteen gallons so far. Instrumental in ruining entire operation for a Midwest child care center. Marital Status: Often Attended The Ohio State University from 1895 – 1999 Am a perfectionist and rarely if if ever forget details Accents: British, French, Australian

Career Counseling and Support Services Parts of a Resume Identifying Information – This first section of your resume should tell who you are and help prospective employers reach you quickly. Brutus Buckeye Steeb Hall, Box 356 70 West 11th Ave Columbus, OH 43210 (614) 555-1212 brutus.2@osu.edu Campus Address Permanent Address Steeb Hall, Box 356 1500 Cool Street 70 West 11th Avenue Anytown, Ohio 43210 Columbus, Ohio 43210 (555) 555-1212 Brutus.2@osu.edu

Pick the best job objective Career Counseling and Support Services Parts of a Resume II. Job Objective – This section summarizes the type of work you want to do, and the career field in which you interested (OPTIONAL) Pick the best job objective An exciting position within any government agency doing interesting things. To obtain a sales management position, multi billion dollar, international, food distribution company located in the northeastern part of the United States, preferable New England. Entry-level human services position where I can be promoted to a supervisory position. To obtain a social work assistant position within a state government agency.

Career Counseling and Support Services Parts of a Resume III. Education – For most graduates, the most important qualification they have to offer is their education. Therefore this section should be listed on your resume directly below your objective statement List the names and dates of degrees conferred in reverse chronological order along with the names of the degree granting institutions. It is advisable to specify major and minor fields of study, and to list courses of particular relevance to your job objective. Special achievements or honors can be included in this section or in a separate section (usually titled, Honors & Awards) If you have a strong G.P.A., list it. At least above a 3.25

Parts of a Resume III. Education – Samples EDUCATION Career Counseling and Support Services Parts of a Resume III. Education – Samples EDUCATION The Ohio State University Columbus, OH B.S. in Family Studies Expected June 20XX Area of Expertise: Child Development G.P.A. 3.5 EDUCATION B.S.B.A. in Finance, minor in Accounting August 20XX The Ohio State University Columbus, Ohio Related Course Work: Corporate Finance, Financial Management, Effective Business Writing, Financial Accounting

Winning Formula: verb + subject + outcomes Career Counseling and Support Services Parts of a Resume III. Experience – For each work experience, list your position title, the name of the organization you worked for, and the dates you worked. Then follow with a description of the work performed Winning Formula: verb + subject + outcomes The more that a past experience is related to the work you are seeking the more space you should allot to its description. When possible, not any achievements or key lessons learned from your experiences. Highlight what you have done in a concise, powerful, action-oriented way. Since position titles usually do not do justice to the work performed, it is advisable to highlight the functions for which you were responsible.

Social Service Work Experience Career Counseling and Support Services Parts of a Resume III. Experience – Samples Social Service Work Experience Franklin County Children Services Columbus, OH Social Service Assistant Summer 20XX Assessed families’ needs establishing eligibility for benefits and services such as food stamps, Medicaid, Welfare and transportation. Monitored and kept case records on clients from different ethnic backgrounds, reporting progress to supervisor and case manager. Visited clients’ homes providing emotional support and making sure services were being received. Assisted children ages 5-8 in need of counseling or crisis intervention, making successful referrals.

Study Abroad Experience Career Counseling and Support Services Parts of a Resume III. Experience – Samples Study Abroad Experience IES Business and Economics Program Dijon, France Exchange Student Winter 20XX -Examined the business and finance environments in Europe while studying the French language and culture. -Developed awareness of global economic, political issues and realities of European Community Countries. -Lived with French family enhancing cultural awareness and sensitivity to customs and cultural differences. -Adapted to new environment working with students in cross-cultural teams. -Increased initiative and independence while dealing with uncertainty, ambiguity and traveling.

Parts of a Resume III. Experience – Samples Career Counseling and Support Services Parts of a Resume III. Experience – Samples East of Chicago Pizza Company Columbus, OH customer Service Representative April 20XX- June 20XX Sold Italian dishes to diverse customers on a daily basis increasing sales in 2% annually. Managed $1000 balancing drawer at the end of the day. Advertised, marketed, and recommended menus to customers resulting in a 100% customer satisfaction. Communicated product knowledge to customers facilitating decision making. Created a welcoming environment providing a pleasure dining experience. Trained and supervised 5 new employees on gourmet mission and goals to enhance customer satisfaction. Assisted manager in daily operation dealing with customer complaints creating alternatives solutions and problem solving needs.

Career Counseling and Support Services Parts of a Resume V. Additional Skills – Summarize your academic skills, along with any related work skills in a “Skills” section on your resume. This will quickly show an employer a qualitative summary of the skills and experience you have to offer. COMPUTER SKILLS Microsoft Word, Excel, & Access, HTML, Dream Weaver, & SPSS Additional Skills Research, collect and analyze data utilizing SPSS for various Departmental child development research projects Foreign Language, Intermediate level in Spanish Computer, proficient in Microsoft Word, Excel, Front page. Customer Service, worked as a server at Macy’s . Columbus OH 20xx

Parts of a Resume VI. Additional Section Headings Honors & Activities Career Counseling and Support Services Parts of a Resume VI. Additional Section Headings Community Outreach Civic Engagement Honors & Awards Campus Activities & Awards Awards & Activities Honors & Activities Americorps, Volunteer, Summer 20XX Tau Beta Pi - Women Honor Society, inducted 20XX Volunteered at the Red Cross Blood Campaign Program, 20XX

Parts of a Resume VII. References Career Counseling and Support Services Parts of a Resume VII. References References are individuals who can attest to your qualifications for a particular position, people who can discuss your skills and attributes. Create a separate page to use for listing your references. You should elect 3 to 5 people to serve as your references and list them in the order you want them to be contacted.

Tips for a Successful Resume Career Counseling and Support Services Tips for a Successful Resume Print your resume on quality bonded paper (best colors are lighter shades of white, ivory, off-white, and/or cream). Use a readable font and print from a laser printer (best fonts are Arial, Garamond, or Times New Roman). Proofread, make sure grammar and punctuation are correct. Keep your resume to one page if you have limited work experiences. Do not embellish, be truthful about your accomplishments

Career Counseling and Support Services Cover Letters

Career Counseling and Support Services Cover Letters The purpose of a cover letter is to tell a prospective employer what you can do and why you are qualified. It is an opportunity to demonstrate your writing skills and it opens a window to your personality. A good well planned cover letter is just as important as an impressive resume, and together they form an important resource in your job campaign.

Keys to Effective Cover Letter Career Counseling and Support Services Keys to Effective Cover Letter Tell the employers what you can do for the company, instead of what the company can do for you. Find out about the employers’ needs, then emphasize what you can do to meet their needs. Consider how your work experience, education, and/or personal qualities would be helpful to the employer.

Cover Letters Application Letters: Career Counseling and Support Services Cover Letters Application Letters: Used to get your resume read and generate interviews. Used to respond to job advertisements and demonstrate that your qualifications fit the position. Link major job dimensions with you related past performance, experience, interests, and education. Responds to Company’s Needs

Writing Style - Cover Letters Career Counseling and Support Services Writing Style - Cover Letters It’s addressed to a specific individual. It grabs the reader’s attention in the first paragraph. It sounds confident without being arrogant. It’s no longer than one page. It answers the question: “Why should we hire you?” It’s action oriented. It used the first person (“I”) sparingly.

Career Counseling and Support Services Cover Letters - Format Your Street Address City, State, Zip Code Date Name of Person Job Title Company/Organization Street Address Dear Mr./Dr./Ms./Mrs. XXXXXXXXXXXXX: Dear Hiring Representative:

Cover Letters - Format 7007 Chestnut Street Columbus, OH 43210 Career Counseling and Support Services Cover Letters - Format 7007 Chestnut Street Columbus, OH 43210   February 4, 20XX Dr. Rose Smith Villa Rosa 56 Northeast Avenue Dublin, OH 43444 Dear Dr. Smith:

Cover Letters – First Paragraph Career Counseling and Support Services Cover Letters – First Paragraph The beginning of your letter should catch the reader’s attention, but avoid catchy phrases and gimmicks. Also, tell why you are writing (e.g., name the specific position or type of work for which you are applying) and mention the resource used in finding out about the opening or company/organization. Introduce your second paragraph: Education, Experiences, Personality traits

Cover Letters – First Paragraph Career Counseling and Support Services Cover Letters – First Paragraph It is with great interest that I am applying for the position of Volunteer Management within Villa Rosa. I learned about this opportunity from Kristen Hall, of your Volunteer Program, who highly encouraged me to apply. I believe that my educational background in Child and Family Development combined with my extensive experience at the Columbus YWCA and my excellent interpersonal skills make me a strong candidate for the position.  

Cover Letters – Second Paragraph Career Counseling and Support Services Cover Letters – Second Paragraph “Flirt” a little, show them that you have done your research on them. Paraphrase their mission at a minimum. Explain why you are interested in working for that employer or in that field of work, and most importantly, what your qualifications are (e.g. academic background/training, work experience, personal skills). Point out achievements that relate to the field in which you are applying, without duplicating exactly what is included in your resume. Connect them to the company’s needs and show them you have researched them. (“Kiss” it)

Cover Letters – Second Paragraph Career Counseling and Support Services Cover Letters – Second Paragraph What appeals to me about Villa Rosa is your wide range of vital services to young mothers and expectant mothers including a prenatal residential program and the Postnatal House. As you can see in my enclosed resume I have developed the skills that will make us a good fit. My Bachelor ‘s degree in Child and Family Development and my Volunteer Management course taken at the Volunteer Center of Columbus have acquainted me with the principles of volunteer recruitment, training, motivation, supervision, and evaluation. I have considerable experience in working with young women in a helping capacity, both through my position as a peer counselor at the Columbus YWCA, and as a camp counselor at a camp for behaviorally troubled adolescents. I can also offer you my experience in individual counseling, facilitating discussion groups, and teaching young people about health issues – all of which relate directly to the services which I would be training volunteers to provide within your organization. I enjoy working with youth and possess a strong desire to facilitate positive development in both the young women directly served by your programs, as well as their children. I believe firmly in the value of your services, and would like the opportunity to share my knowledge and experience with your organization.

Cover Letters – Third Paragraph Career Counseling and Support Services Cover Letters – Third Paragraph Refer the reader to the enclosed resume or other application instrument. Indicate that your resume summarizes your qualifications and background. Include any additional information you think is relevant for your future employer to know.

Cover Letters – Third Paragraph Career Counseling and Support Services Cover Letters – Third Paragraph In addition to my related experiences in the field I also possess strong computer skills as well as proficiency in Spanish that may be very useful in your workplace and may add diversity to your work environment.

Cover Letters – Closing Paragraph Career Counseling and Support Services Cover Letters – Closing Paragraph Indicate your desire for an interview. State that you will call on a specific day to see if an interview can be arranged at this person’s convenience. If you will be in the geographic vicinity on a certain day, stress the importance of setting up an interview on that day. Sincerely, Signature Your Name Enclosure(s)

Cover Letters – Closing Paragraph Career Counseling and Support Services Cover Letters – Closing Paragraph I will welcome the opportunity to discuss with you my suitability for this position. You can contact me at (614) 555-1212 or by e-mail to buckeye.1@osu.edu at your convenience. Thank you very much for your time and consideration.    Respectfully yours,   Brutus Buckeye Enclosure