Resume And Cover Letter Techniques For The Graduating Senior

John Montemayor Career Center Coordinator Bachelor of Science Degree in Economics from the W. Paul Stillman School Of Business, Seton Hall University Bachelor of Science Degree in Economics from the W. Paul Stillman School Of Business, Seton Hall University Hired by USC-Upstate on June 2003 Hired by USC-Upstate on June Years of Experience in Human Resource Management, Staffing, and On- Campus Recruiting 10 Years of Experience in Human Resource Management, Staffing, and On- Campus Recruiting

What Not To Do In Your Senior Year Did not go to the Career Center until 2 weeks before on-campus interviews started Did not go to the Career Center until 2 weeks before on-campus interviews started Did not have a resume until a week before my first interview Did not have a resume until a week before my first interview Did not have any mock interviews Did not have any mock interviews Rejected by all 8 companies that interviewed me Rejected by all 8 companies that interviewed me

The Cover Letter Important because it is read first!! Important because it is read first!! Captures the reader’s interest Captures the reader’s interest Brief, precise, and professional Brief, precise, and professional

Introduction Use the person’s name and title Use the person’s name and title Never include “To Whom It May Concern,” Dear Hiring Decision Maker,” or “Dear Sir or Madam.” Never include “To Whom It May Concern,” Dear Hiring Decision Maker,” or “Dear Sir or Madam.”

–August 29, 2007 –Mr. Daniel Snyder –Director of Human Resources –Coloplast Corporation –1955 West Oak Circle –Marietta, Georgia 30062

First Paragraph Introduce yourself Introduce yourself State the position that you are applying for State the position that you are applying for Describe how you found out about the opening (website, newspaper, etc.) Describe how you found out about the opening (website, newspaper, etc.)

Mr. Snyder: My name is John Montemayor and I will be graduating from University of South Carolina Upstate in December 2007 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in English. I am responding to the September job posting for Marketing Communications Specialist on Monster.com.

Second Paragraph Sell Yourself!! Sell Yourself!! Emphasize related experiences and accomplishments related to the job opening Emphasize related experiences and accomplishments related to the job opening

I am currently in a marketing internship with The Peace Center for The Performing Arts in Greenville, South Carolina. In this capacity, I am instrumental in the analysis of attendance trends by demographic group and income level. In addition, I assist in the development of promotional material of upcoming shows. I have also served in various customer service positions in both the retail and restaurant industries.

Third Paragraph Pave the way for an interview Pave the way for an interview Indicate flexibility to meet at “Their” convenience Indicate flexibility to meet at “Their” convenience Indicate easiest way to contact you Indicate easiest way to contact you

I hope you agree that my experience stated above and in my resume would make an excellent fit as a Marketing Communications Specialist with your organization. I would welcome the opportunity to discuss my qualifications further with you at your convenience. Please feel free to call me at home at (864) or me at if you have any questions. I hope to hear from you soon. Sincerely, John Montemayor

August 29, 2007 Mr. Daniel Snyder Director of Human Resources Coloplast Corporation 1955 West Oak Circle Marietta, Georgia Mr. Snyder: My name is John Montemayor and I will be graduating from University of South Carolina Upstate in December 2007 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in English. I am responding to the September job posting for Marketing Communications Specialist on Monster.com. I am currently in a marketing internship with The Peace Center for Performing Arts in Greenville, South Carolina. In this capacity, I am instrumental in the analysis of attendance trends by demographic group and income level. In addition, I assist in the development of promotional material of upcoming shows. I have also served in various customer service positions in both the retail and restaurant industries. I hope you agree that my experience stated above and in my resume would make an excellent fit as a Marketing Communications Specialist with your organization. I would welcome the opportunity to discuss my qualifications further with you at your convenience. Please feel free to call me at home at (864) or me at if you have any questions. I hope to hear from you soon. Sincerely, John Montemayor

The Resume Heading Heading Objective Objective Education Education Work Experience Work Experience Honors/Affiliations Honors/Affiliations Skills Skills

The Heading Spell out everything, no abbreviations Spell out everything, no abbreviations Include home and cell phone numbers Include home and cell phone numbers Make sure you have a professional address Make sure you have a professional address

John J. Montemayor 608 Forest Glen Road Silver Spring, Maryland Home Phone - (301) Cell Phone – (301)

The Objective Gives your resume focus and indicates to the employer the type of position you are seeking Gives your resume focus and indicates to the employer the type of position you are seeking The objective can be as specific or as general as you want it to be The objective can be as specific or as general as you want it to be

Objective:To pursue an entry level position in sales or marketing with Erwin-Penland, Inc.

Education List all majors and concentrations and include GPA if over a 3.0 List all majors and concentrations and include GPA if over a 3.0 Spell out everything (Bachelor of Science instead of BS) Spell out everything (Bachelor of Science instead of BS)

Education: University of South Carolina Upstate Bachelor of Arts Degree in Communications Concentration in Journalism Anticipated date of graduation, December 2007

Work Experience Start with most recent job Start with most recent job Include dates, responsibilities, duties, and accomplishments Include dates, responsibilities, duties, and accomplishments Utilize action verbs such as: created, directed, provided, etc. Utilize action verbs such as: created, directed, provided, etc.

The Peace Center, Greenville, South Carolina The Peace Center, Greenville, South Carolina Aug Present Aug Present Marketing Intern Research and compile list of potential theater patrons Research and compile list of potential theater patrons Evaluate attendance trends and zip code analysis Evaluate attendance trends and zip code analysis Determine different groups (ethnic, demographic, etc) to attend other that the current base Determine different groups (ethnic, demographic, etc) to attend other that the current base Create promotional material marketing theater shows and performances Create promotional material marketing theater shows and performances

Honors and Affiliations Only mention those that you are currently active Only mention those that you are currently active Include any offices held and accomplishments Include any offices held and accomplishments Include dates when listing awards Include dates when listing awards

Affiliations:Sigma Pi FraternityFall 2003-Present PresidentFall 2007-Present TreasurerFall 2006-Fall 2007 Awards:Fall 2005 and Spring 2006 Dean’s List Affiliations:Sigma Pi FraternityFall 2003-Present PresidentFall 2007-Present TreasurerFall 2006-Fall 2007 Awards:Fall 2005 and Spring 2006 Dean’s List

Skills Tangible skills only. Leave out adjectives such as hard worker, team player, and excellent communicator Tangible skills only. Leave out adjectives such as hard worker, team player, and excellent communicator Only list computer skills if you are totally proficient Only list computer skills if you are totally proficient

Skills:Word, Excel, PowerPoint

Objective:To pursue an entry level position in sales or marketing with Erwin-Penland, Inc. Education:University of South Carolina Upstate, Spartanburg, South Carolina Bachelor of Arts Degree in Communications Concentration in Journalism Anticipated date of graduation, December 2007 Experience:The Peace Center, Greenville, South CarolinaAug Present Marketing Intern Research and compile list of potential theater patrons Evaluate attendance trends and zip code analysis Determine different groups (ethnic, demographic, etc) to attend other that the current base Create promotional material marketing theater shows and performances Verizon Wireless, Spartanburg, South CarolinaAug Aug Customer Service Associate Ranked as top wireless sales associate in Sept., Oct., and Dec Created most efficient wireless calling plan to present and future cellular customers Suggestively sold wireless phones and accessories Wild Wing Café, Greenville, South CarolinaMay 2003-Aug Wait Staff Ensured pleasant shopping environment for restaurant patrons Recommended dining and beverage specials Assisted with back of house staff as needed Affiliations:Sigma Pi FraternityFall 2003-Present PresidentFall 2007-Present TreasurerFall 2006-Fall 2007 USC-Upstate Marketing ClubFall 2003-Present Awards:Dean’s List Fall 2005 & Spring 2006 Skills:Word, Excel, PowerPoint John J. Montemayor 608 Forest Glen Road Silver Spring, Maryland Home Phone - (301) Cell Phone – (301)

Do’s and Don’ts Invest in some professional resume paper for your resume AND cover letter Invest in some professional resume paper for your resume AND cover letter Omit any personal information Omit any personal information Create a separate reference sheet Create a separate reference sheet

Questions?

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