RESUMES, COVER LETTERS AND INTERVIEWING

What is a Resume? A marketing tool that summarizes your qualifications, education, experience, and skills Beginning your resume early allows you to keep track of all activities and experiences throughout college!

Where do I start? Contact info! Name, school address, permanent address, phone number, and email address. Choose from a variety of formats – see www.careers.appstate.edu for details on options

Examples Susan Student Susan Student________________________________ Current Address: Permanent Address: ASU Box 1234 susan@hotmail.com 122 Ash Way Boone, NC 28608 Your City, NC 28111 (828) 555-5555 (306) 555-5555 Susan Student________________________________ susan@hotmail.com 122 Ash Way Your City, NC 28111 (306) 555-5555

TIPS! DO NOT USE A TEMPLATE!! Type out your resume in a Word document using a format that you like Your name should be the biggest item on the page Make sure to keep information current and correct Do not include personal information, photos, birthday, etc.

Objective Gives the resume organization, coherence, and direction Tells employers who you are in terms of your goals and skills May be different depending on positions you are applying for! Objectives are OPTIONAL

TIPS! Objective can be left off if you are aiming at a diverse group of positions, are unsure about what type of position you are seeking, or passing out your resume at a career fair If you use an objective, then tailor it specifically to a job/internship

Good Examples Internship – tell how the EMPLOYER can help you! A summer internship in a publishing company where I can learn the business and practice my editorial skills. Job – tell the employer what YOU can bring to them! A position as an Editorial Assistant, where strong communication skills and attention to detail will be useful in proofreading manuscripts.

Poor Examples A position in publishing where I can advance rapidly I would like to obtain a position that will utilize my English degree

Education Include: School name & location Degree working towards Expected graduation date Major(s), concentration (if applicable), and minor(s) GPA (optional) Not necessary to list schools from which you did not earn a degree Don’t list high school information!

Education Optional: Dean’s List/Chancellor’s List & semester earned Other honors and scholarships Certifications (CPR, Childcare, etc.) Related coursework Study abroad

Example Education: Appalachian State University, Boone, NC Bachelor of Arts Degree in English, May 2011 Concentration: Creative Writing GPA: 3.25 Minor: Sociology Dean’s List: Spring 2007, Fall 2008 Recipient of the Truman Capote Scholarship

TIPS! Use bolding and italics to highlight degree Spell out BS and BA – looks more professional Put Education after Objective if you are currently enrolled in a program Include month and year of graduation

Experience Sections Types of experience: Decide what is MOST relevant! Paid work experiences Volunteer work Internships Assistantships Co-ops Student organization involvement Important class projects Decide what is MOST relevant! You may want to highlight RELATED experiences in one section and create additional sections and headings for other experience

Experience Sections What to include: Job title Name of the organization Location (city & state) Dates of employment/involvement (month & year) Include duties & responsibility, but ALSO…. Accomplishments, achievements, skills developed, and knowledge gained!

Experience Example Macmillan Publishing/Tor Books, New York, NY Editorial Intern Summer 2008 Explored the process of publishing a book at every stage, from contract request to catalogue to finished book Researched facts to ensure accuracy of books and materials before publishing Read and evaluated unsolicited manuscripts Proofread publications for errors

What is wrong with this example? Poor Example MacMillan Publishing/Tor Books, New York, NY 2008 Responsibilities included reviewing materials. Acted as an editor. Reading manuscripts I organized and submitted error reports. What is wrong with this example?

TIPS! Do not list years only. Consistency in periods and tenses. Stay away from phrases like “responsibilities or duties included.”

MORE TIPS! Include job titles for all experiences. Do not use “I” statements. Use bolding and italics to emphasize words. Why? Try reading 50+ resumes with the same style of font throughout.

MORE TIPS! Use clear concise phrases, not complete sentences. Use power words. Do not over or under describe. Use numbers when appropriate.

EXAMPLE I organized and submitted error reports. VERSUS Organized and submitted three different weekly reports on errors found within manuscripts, magazines, and advertising, and distributed to each responsible department within the company.

Sample Headings Relevant Experience Work Experience Related Projects Volunteer Activities Technical Skills Training & Certifications Honors & Awards Professional Involvement Activities Languages Skills & Accomplishments Any other headings that highlight your experience!

SKILLS Many resumes include “Skills” Other titles include: Skills and Competencies Related Skills Related Competencies

SKILLS Include most relevant skills for job Example: Skills and Competencies Proven communication skills gained from constant public interaction in past and present work. Excellent time management and organizational skills demonstrated by working in fast paced environments where accuracy is essential. Ability to write clearly and effectively accomplished by completing press releases, news articles and staff reports.

PROJECTS AND COURSEWORK It is OK to list completed coursework in some cases, but it is often a space filler. Instead, turn coursework into Related Projects, Research Projects or Skills and Competencies.

EXAMPLES Related Project Marketing Research ASU, Boone NC Fall 2007 As a team, researched the effect of the university student population on new product line at local art store Conducted focus groups and surveys Input and analyzed data Documented and reported results

FINAL TIPS! Have your resume reviewed several times to ensure that it is error-free! Make sure that your resume is consistent, in look and content. Even if you aren’t close to graduation, start out with your basic resume and keep adding to it each semester! It is easier to keep up with your activities as they happen, rather than trying to think about your entire college career at one time.

FINAL TIPS! Watch tenses – keep them consistent! Avoid any negativity Don’t overuse the same adjectives, adverbs or verbs Conservative font, not fancy – make sure that it is easy to read!

FINAL TIPS! Spell out acronyms A separate page is needed for references – No need to put References Available Upon Request Use all of the paper, eliminate empty white space Do not overcrowd-use spaces between sections Use an 11 or 12 point font if possible

Cover Letters Usually three paragraph format – introductory, middle, and closing paragraph Address to a specific person – Do NOT use Dear Sir or Madam: OR To Whom It May Concern: PROOFREAD, PROOFREAD, PROOFREAD!

Cover Letters First Paragraph : State WHY you are writing WHAT you are applying for WHERE you heard about the opportunity (Name drop if you were referred!) Say something that shows your INTEREST in the company/agency

Cover Letters Middle Paragraph : WHY you are interested in the employer Indicate WHAT you can contribute to the employer, and WHAT you hope to learn Explain how your academic background makes you qualified Give an overview of HOW your skills/abilities match what the employer is looking for

Cover Letters Closing Paragraph : Reaffirm interest in position Refer to enclosed resume/other materials Bring attention to your contact information Thank person for consideration State if/when you will be contacting them

References References should always go on a SEPARATE page from your resume 3-5 references is the norm. Faculty members or job/volunteer/club supervisors who know you well are usually your best bet- NO FAMILY MEMBERS OR FRIENDS! Include name, title, organization, address, phone #, email GET PERMISSION BEFORE USING YOUR REFERENCES! LET THEM KNOW YOU HAVE INCLUDED THEM! No need to list “References Available Upon Request”

Interviewing Basics The purpose of an interview is to present your qualifications Be prepared to talk about your skills, abilities, experiences, and personality effectively and persuasively

Interviewing Basics Prepare for the interview BEFORE you go – Do your homework! Look at websites, brochures, talk to people, learn what you can about the company Anticipate and practice potential questions Prepare questions for the interviewer Bring extra copies of your resume and references