Welcome to “How to Write the Best Résumé and Cover Letter” Led by Jean Wyer, Career Services Program Coordinator The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio To ensure the best audio recording quality, all phones lines have been muted. You may type your questions into the chat log on the left side of the screen. If you lose your connection, consult the instructions provided to you at the time of registration and re-enter the webinar using those directions. If you need additional assistance, please contact or call

How to Write the Best Résumé and Cover Letter Presented by Jean Wyer Career Services Program Coordinator College of Education and Human Ecology The Ohio State University

Three components of an employment application Résumé Cover Letter Application Form Each has a different purpose Each should be able to stand alone

Résumé Purpose: Quickly communicate information relevant to the desired job, resulting in an invitation to interview Key Elements: Format – Above the fold, consistent placement Content – Informative, matches the job, accurate Appeal – Organized, bullets

Format “Above the fold” - most relevant information Summary (if there is room) Contact information (personal letterhead) Education (with license and graduation date) Teaching experience (start above the fold) Consistent placement of data fields: Organization NamePosition/Title City, StateDates

Content Informative: Tell me something I don’t already know Action + Object + Reason or Results Matches the job: Transfer skills and experiences to the desired job Use professional terms: methods, technologies, etc. Accurate: Grammar, punctuation, verb tense, dates, name

Appeal Organized: Descriptive labels (Ex: Teaching Experience) Limited embellishments (bold, CAPS, italics) Professional (no photos, clip art, limited color) White space with justified margins Bullets: Action phrases that start with a verb One thought or sentence per bullet

Elizabeth A. Student ________________ 123 East Main Street, Columbus, OH Cell: SUMMARY As a licensed teacher of French and Spanish, with experience living and learning abroad, I am able to teach all grade levels of foreign languages with pedagogical and applied perspective. EDUCATION Master of Education in French and Spanish with K-12 Teaching License June 2012 The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio Bachelor of Arts in French and Spanish June 2011 Syracuse University, Syracuse, New York Summer Session AbroadMay-August 2009 University of Dijon, Dijon, France TEACHING EXPERIENCE Student Teacher, Urban Valley High School, Urban Valley, OhioMarch-June 2012 Assume teaching of French I, French II, and Spanish I classes Serve as faculty advisor to French Club and Spanish Club to encourage continued understanding of the cultures Implement a cooking project to explore cuisine of French and Spanish speaking countries around the world Practicum Student, Best Ever Middle School, Columbus, Ohio January-March 2012 Developed long range unit and lesson planning skills for beginning French and Spanish classes Assisted with annual Spanish culture arts festival Aided teacher in general classroom activities such as setting up instructional technology, monitoring group work, and assisting with individual verbal skills

Cover Letter Purpose: Demonstrate writing ability and spotlight the most important messages Key Elements: Introduction Body Close

Introduction: Similar to résumé summary Include how you’ve been introduced to them Body: Write for the reader (limited use of “I”) Consider two experiences that best meet their needs Closing: Thanks and recommended next steps

Elizabeth A. Student_________________________ 123 East Main Street, Columbus, OH Cell: March 20, 2012 Mr. Jack Hermmann, Director of Personnel City Public Schools Farmington Road Best City, MI Dear Mr. Hermmann: I recently read of Best City Schools’ decision to expand the foreign language program to the newly created grades 4-6 buildings. Please consider this letter and the attached resume as my application for a foreign language teaching position. As a licensed teacher of both French and Spanish, who has studied and lived abroad, I am able to provide the enthusiasm and experience needed to play a role in the start of this exciting new program.

Application Form Purpose: Employer determines the information to be submitted in a standardized format Key Elements: Data the employer requests Behavior-based questions Teacher Insight Ventures for Excellence Keyword search: “Teacher Interview Questions”

For additional examples, action words, and Dos and Taboos of Résumé Writing, visit: documents.php Q & A

This webinar was brought to you by Educational Horizons, the official magazine of Pi Lambda Theta. Questions?