Resumes/Cover Letters and Interviewing WELCOME!

FORMATTING A RESUME Keep to One Page – No More Than Two Heading - Bold – Centered at top of page – No Artsy Font – Spell Everything out (e.g. Street, Lane, Drive) – Use Ariel 12 point – Name is 14 point – Other contact info below it are 12 point – Include address (Use a professional name)

RESUME HEADINGS - GOOD JANE BROWN TH Street, Apt. C-5 Phoenix, Arizona (H) (C)

RESUME HEADINGS – NOT GOOD JANE BROWN TH St, C (h) Phoenix AZ (c)

RESUME CONTENT Show Summary of Qualifications First Avoid meaningless cliches (Unless specifically asked on the job announcement) – Demonstrated Hard Worker – Team Player – Work well in fast-paced environment

RESUME CONTENT In Summary include Facts Related to Job Sought – 5 years experience in call center customer service – Current Commercial Drivers License – Certificate of Completion in Computer Technology – 7 years experience managing staff – Keywords, Keywords, Keywords

RESUME CONTENT Employment Section – Heading should be bold and 12 pt either centered or justified left – Do not go back more than years unless you worked at the same place all those years. – List employer name, city, and state on left in bold – List dates of employment on the right (non-bold) – Under employer, list job title in bold

RESUME CONTENT List accomplishments in employment section. Use short concise statements of job duties Do lot list menial tasks, such as “filed reports” unless it is a keyword in the job description Get as many key words in here as you can legitimately do so based on key words in the job description Do NOT lie. If you do not have all of the KSAs, don’t let that discourage you. Show the ones you have

RESUME CONTENT When entering job duties in employment section, stick to job duties. Avoid vague cliches: – Self-starter – Team Player – Love working with people – Work well under Pressure

RESUME CONTENT Education Section – Heading must be consistent with employment heading (font, type-size, position) – List most recent (higher education first) – Include special training (e.g. technical certificates) in this section but only if relevant to this job. – List institution, location, degree of education, date completed if within past five years – If only some college, summarize courses taken

COVER LETTER FORMAT Always use three short paragraphs centered on the page. The first paragraph is why you are writing and to thank them for considering your application The second paragraph gives you the chance to relate your skills and experience to the employer’s goals. How do you bring value?

COVER LETTER CONTENT Use the cover letter (second paragraph) to interweave your qualifications and experience, but do not repeat your resume. “According to the job description you need someone with an excellent phone voice and not take it personally if a difficult customer calls. My five years of experience in call centers has been a great training ground for not only providing excellent service but also for defraying difficult customer encounters.”

COVER LETTER FORMAT NEVER, EVER discuss your disability. But the third paragraph is a great place to explain the gap in your work history and how you have kept your skills current. Usually, the explanation will be that you were handling a “personal matter.” The third paragraph is usually just a closing, thanking them again for their consideration and give them the phone number to call you on for an interview NEVER, EVER make a statement, “I’m sure I will be an asset to your company.”

COVER LETTER FORMAT After the 3 rd paragraph, skip two lines and enter “Sincerely,” The leave yourself four more lines for your signature. Type your name at the bottom of these four lines.