Definitions Résumé—a detailed list or outline of a job applicant’s work history and other qualifications/skills Application Letter (Cover Letter)—a letter that accompanies the résumé and that provides a persuasive introduction to the résumé

Facts Most good jobs require a college education (good in terms of pay, stability, opportunities for advancement). Most of these good jobs will be filled based on three things: application letter, resume, and interview.

Goals of this Unit Help you write a resume and application letter. Help you enhance the resume and application letter you already have on file. In either case, you leave with a resume and application letter you can use and adapt to help you land a good job.

Initial Tasks Identify a specific job or position for which you plan to apply. Identify skills and qualifications to include on résumé. – Career Objective – Personal Information – Education – Experience/Military Experience – Specialized Skills or Credentials – Honors and Awards – Community Service – References

Career Objective Brief statement of career plans Example: To secure a rewarding position in a stable marketing firm. Example: A full-time position as a staff accountant. Use for résumés designed for specific jobs or positions. NOTE: May limit effectiveness of résumé

Personal Information Name Address Phone Number Fax Number Address NOTE: No birth date, race, religious affiliation, marital status, social security number, height, weight, health, etc.

Education Name and Address of Institution(s) Program/Degree/Certificate Dates of Attendance/Degree Classes/Projects Honors GPA NOTE: Typically, no high school

Experience Job Title Dates of Employment Name and Address of Employer Job Duties (Use ACTION Verbs)

Military Experience Branch Dates Highest Rank Noteworthy Travel, Duty, Accomplishments, and/or Honors

Specialized Skills or Credentials Licenses Certifications Foreign Language Technology Skills Any other skill that doesn’t “fit” elsewhere

Honors and Awards Dean’s List Merit Citations Medals Safety Awards Scholarships, etc. May place under education or experience.

Community Service Volunteer Work Membership in Clubs, Organizations, Churches Dates Offices Held Accomplishments

References 3-5 Professional, Positive References Supervisors, Teachers, etc. Ask Permission Send upon Request NOTE: No relatives or friends

Guidelines for Résumés 1)Make Résumés Visually Attractive – Typed, quality print – 8 ½ x 11, standard bond, white paper – Creative, professional use of CAPS, boldface, and white space.

2) Clearly Label Information – Education, Experience, Honors, Community Service, etc. – Use boldface, CAPS, etc. – Use lists, especially bullets – Consistent presentation 3) Include All Necessary Details – Names, addresses, dates, etc. – BE HONEST.

4) Use Reverse Chronological Order – Education – Experience, etc. 5)Typically Limit to One Page

6) Make Mechanically Perfect – No Grammar Errors – No Sentence Structure Errors – No Spelling or Punctuation Errors – No Typos – No Spacing or Format Inconsistencies

Organizational Patterns for Résumés Chronological – Highlights Education and Work History in Reverse Chronological Order Functional – Highlights Skills/Areas of Competence Combination – Highlights Skills and Includes Chronological Detailing of Background

When Should I Use the Chronological Pattern? Do I already have experience in my field? Does my job history show progressively more responsibility and accomplishment? Am I seeking the same type of job that I have held previously? Are my previous employers well-known?

When Should I Use the Functional Pattern? Do I have a lot of different work experience that is not all in the same field? Have I changed jobs or careers frequently? Do I have frequent gaps in my job history? Am I new to the job market?

When Should I Use the Combination Format? Do I have a lot of different work experience that is not all in the same field? Have I changed jobs or careers frequently? Do I have frequent gaps in my job history? Do I want to target my skills toward a specific job while still highlighting my work history?

Application Letters Accompanies each copy of a résumé A persuasive introduction to the résumé Often read first, before the résumé Can distinguish applicants by the quality of the writing and the way in which it customizes the résumé

Guidelines Uses full block format Typed, quality print 8 ½ x 11, standard bond, white paper Length of one page—maximum Addressed to a specific person, position, or department Mechanically perfect

Components First Paragraph (One to three sentences) – Your purpose: applying for the job (specific title or position) – How you found out about the job – Why you want the job (what skills and background you bring to it)

Middle Paragraph(s) – Summary of your experience, education, and other qualifications – Provide details not included on the résumé – Highlight noteworthy qualifications that might set you apart from other applicants – Explain special circumstances – Connect your qualifications to the employer’s needs (use a reader-centered perspective)

Closing Paragraph – Thank the employer for considering your application – Request an interview – Include any necessary contact information