Resume and Cover Letter strategies Career Connection Younkin Success Center 2nd Floor 1640 Neil Avenue

 Great resumes Focus on great content first Parts of a resume  Great cover letters It’s all about the employer Taking out the mystique of writing them Resumes and Cover Letters

 Targeted  Tailored (Employer-focused)  Relevant  Specific  Concise Resume key points

1. Determine job target 2. What is needed for this target job? Skills Knowledge Experience Steps for Resume Writing Tip: Look at the job description as a guide (Resource: O*Net)O*Net

3. List your strongest skills or abilities that make you a good candidate for the target job Example: Target job: To obtain an actuary position with an accounting firm. Relevant skills: Analyze Calculate Determine Steps for Resume Writing

4. Think of several accomplishment statements for each key skill Concise, powerful, action-oriented statements Winning Formula = Action verb + subject + outcome Outcome:  Connecting words (to, for, resulting in, improving)  Quantify  “Made, saved, achieved” Steps for Resume Writing

Step 4 examples:  Designed insurance policies, pension plans, and other financial strategies to ensure that the plans were maintained on a sound financial basis.  Developed and used spreadsheets and databases as well as standard statistical analysis software to estimate the amount expected to pay in claims. Steps for Resume Writing

5. Choose a resume format that fits your situation – remember the rule of relevance Functional – more emphasis on skills Chronological – more emphasis on job titles Combination Steps for Resume Writing

Resume Writing Identifying information Job objective Education Experience Additional skills Optional sections References

Identifying information  Name (should be prominent)  Present address  Alternate or permanent address (if you’re moving within the next 6 months)  Phone number(s)  address (use your OSU account or other professional looking address)  ***Do not include age, marital status, religion, or other personal information. - spell out everything

Job Objective/Summary  Answers the question, “what do I want to do?”  State the type of position you are seeking or the actual job title  Consider including how you will benefit the employer – not what you are seeking from the employer To obtain a reporting position within the newspaper industry, utilizing my excellent writing and interpersonal skills.

Education  Name and location of institution(s) attended in reverse chronological order  Degree(s) awarded  Anticipated or actual dates of graduation  Majors and minors  GPA (if 3.25 or higher)  Study abroad experiences

Experience oName and location of employer oDates of employment oTitle of job position oKnowledge, skills, and abilities developed on the job as well as accomplishments oUse present tense for current job responsibilities and past tense for previous responsibilities oAny experience that is particularly relevant to the job for which you are applying should be given more space for its description. Winning Formula: action + object + outcomes

Additional Skills  Computer hardware and software with which you are familiar  Foreign languages  Work-related training or workshops attended  Academic skills that are related to the job (research, leadership, etc.)

Optional Sections Relevant Coursework Honors/Awards Community Service Volunteer Experience Extracurricular Activities Professional Memberships Publications/Presentations Licenses/Certifications

References  List on a separate page  Copy your identifying information at the top of your reference page  Use the same format for references as the other sections  Balance of academic and professional  Consider supervisors from volunteer experiences and internships  No family members

Characteristics of a successful resume  Shows purpose and direction  Consistent (verb tense, format, etc.)  Factual  Visual appeal (material is balanced on the page and there are sufficient margins)  Well-organized  Reads like a good newspaper story - with headlines and leading phrases  One page (in most cases)  Write your own resume – avoid templates  Zero typographical errors

Why proofread? Excerpts from actual resumes  Received a plague for pharmaceutical sales representative of the year  Personal Interests: Donating blood. Fourteen gallons so far.  Instrumental in ruining entire operation for a research drug facility in Dayton.  Marital Status: Often  Attended The Ohio State University from 1895 – 1999

 Targeted  Tailored (employer-focused)  Relevant  Specific  Concise Resume key points

Cover letters: general guidelines  Always submit with resume  Tell a prospective employer what you can do for them and why you are qualified to meet their needs  It is an opportunity to demonstrate your writing skills and it opens a window to your personality  Not a rehashing of the resume  Tailor to EACH position  Address to specific person when possible  One page - keep at 3 to 4 paragraphs  Focus on what you can do for them

Elements of a cover letter  Your return address and today’s date  Employer’s contact information  Greeting  Introductory paragraph  Main paragraph  Closing paragraph  Signature

Your Street Address City, State Zip Code Date Name of Person Job Title Company/Organization Street Address City, State Zip Code Dear Mr./Dr./Ms../Mrs. XXXXXXXXX (an actual name vs. “To Whom It May Concern”): FIRST PARAGRAPH: SECOND PARAGRAPHH: CLOSING PARAGRAPH: Sincerely, Your Name Cover letter format

Introductory paragraph  Get the reader’s attention, but avoid catchy phrases and gimmicks  Tell why you are writing (e.g., name the specific position or type of work for which you are applying)  Mention the resource used in finding out about the opening or company/organization  Include when you’re graduating from The Ohio State University and with what degree, and future career plans (only if they’re related to the position)

 Include certain skills you want to highlight that are mentioned in the job posting  Where and how you developed those skills (academic background/training, work experience, personality traits)  Achievements that relate to the field in which you are applying, without duplicating exactly what is included in your resume  How you would make a good fit in the company based on its mission, goals, and current projects Main Paragraph

 Your resume is included  You’d like to further discuss the job opportunity  How you can be reached (phone number and ) to answer any questions  Thank the person for his/her time and consideration  ***If the employer is far away and you plan to visit the area soon, consider writing that you will be in the geographic vicinity on a certain day and will call to see if an interview can arranged at this person’s convenience on that day Closing Paragraph

Questions?  Resumes?  Cover letters? Career Connection Younkin Success Center, 2 nd Floor