Cover Letters and Resumes By Chris Kimball November 26, 2007

What is a cover letter?  Precedes the resume  Gives you a chance to entice your potential employer to read your resume  Makes a first impression  Presents briefly your qualifications and why you are right for the job

What is a good cover letter?  No spelling errors  Displays evidence that you know something about the company  Put in your own words  Concise  Begins the process of selling yourself to the potential employer

Parts of a Cover Letter - Introduction  Basic Information  Personal Information – address, phone number, address…etc  Company information – Organizations name, address…etc

Parts of a Cover Letter - Body  Greeting – Dear Mr./Mrs. ……..  2-3 paragraphs long  Tries to catch the potential employers attention  States briefly your qualifications

Parts of a Cover Letter - Closing  A paragraph explaining your future plans with the employer  Closing Sincerely, thank you  Signed Signature  Cover Letter Outline Cover Letter Outline Cover Letter Outline

What is a Resume?  Sells yourself to a potential employer  Displays qualifications and past experiences that qualify you for a job  Shows motivation and objectives  Relatively brief and concise (1-2 pages)

Parts of a Resume  Personal Information  Objectives  Qualifications/Summary  Educational Background  Work History  Certificates, Awards, References

Tips for Writing a Good Resume  Be concise and to the point  Use appropriate words that can appeal to the employer  Sell yourself through the specified areas of the resume  Write name on top of resume in bold or appropriate size font  Sample outline of a resume resume

True or False – Cover Letters  A cover letter should not exceed a page in length?  TRUE  A cover letter should briefly display your qualifications?  TRUE  A cover letter should display something that you know about the company?  TRUE  I love you is an appropriate closing in a cover letter?  FALSE

True or False - Resumes  Where a cover letter cannot exceed a page it is common for a resume to be 3-4 pages?  FALSE  A resume is a key component when selling yourself to an employer?  TRUE  A few spelling errors will not effect your resume?  FALSE  A resume should display your objectives but not go into further detail on qualifications since they were discussed in the cover letter?  FALSE

What Part of the Cover Letter or Resume?  This part of the Cover Letter includes 2-3 paragraphs, states qualifications, and attempts to catch the employers attention  The Body  This part of the resume discusses your goal if you are hired  Statement of Objectives  This part of the resume discusses why you are skilled for the job  Qualifications/Summary work history is also acceptable

Continued  This part of the cover letter explains your future plans with the employer and your signature  Closing  This part of the resume includes basic information (name, phone number, address)  Personal Information  This part of the resume discusses your past employment  Past Work History

Next Class  Display the template from the websites of the cover letter and resume  Guide students through each section and have them write a mock cover letter and resume  Have open discussion of what they have learned

References  Jobstar.org. (2007). Jobstar central resume and cover letter index. Retrieved November 21, 2007, from