Writing Skills n Résumés and Letters of Application

The Functions of the Résumé n Focuses the interviewer’s attention on Your strongest points n Gives you full credit for all of your achievements, whether you were paid or not n Guides the interviewer toward positive things to discuss about you n Lets you see yourself in a more focused and positive manner

Résumé Organization n Principal headings: Education and Experience n Other minor headings: Academic Affiliations Professional Affiliations Skills n Simpler is Better—no more than four sections per page n No Objective when applying for a specific position, which is the case here

Résumé Letterhead n Begin with your letterhead. n Use Professional Appearance.

Résumé Letterhead Meredith Sands 4732 B 32nd Street Gainesville, Florida

Résumé Education Section n The education section is organized chronologically by degree earned. Each item has four elements and should follow this format: Degree (not abbreviated), Date of Graduation School, Location of School Master of Business Administration, 2002 University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida

Résumé Education Section You may include additional information, such as GPA or Honors, as subdivisions of your degree headings: Bachelor of Science in Finance and Marketing, 2000 Syracuse University, Syracuse, New York GPA: 3.8 Minor: Spanish Honors: President's List, Fall 2000 President, Business Honor Society, 1999 Study Abroad: Syracuse University London Centre, England, Spring 1996

Résumé Experience Section Each item in the experience section should contain a four-element heading. One common style positions the elements in this pattern: Title, Date in Position Company or Organization Name, Company Location CREDIT ANALYST, Gainesville State Bank, Gainesville, Florida

Résumé Experience Section A Bulleted list of accomplishments should create a hanging paragraph. You may also provide a general description of the position below the heading: CREDIT ANALYST, Gainesville State Bank, Gainesville, Florida Developed and implemented system for annual review of $70 million loan portfolio to determine credit strengths and weaknesses. Worked with loan account officers on overall customer relationships.

Résumé General Information n Do not abbreviate. n Include experience whether or not you where paid--research and volunteer work are very convincing. n Do not include items totally unrelated to the position for which you are applying. n Generally, do not include experiences before college unless they are truly exceptional, and in no case should you refer to high school directly. n Graduate school and business résumés should be no more than one page long. n Make use of various type styles, such as boldface and italics, to distinguish headings and subheadings n But stick to one font type, such as Times Roman.

Letters of Application n Business Letter Format

Letters of Application Organization and Content –Catch the Reader’s Attention: The Opening –Convince the Reader: Your Assets and Experience –Cause the Reader to Take Action: The Closing

Letters of Application The Opening n Orient the reader to your purpose and to the product: you n Name your contact or mention the advertisement n Tailor your response to the company’s need by using the language of the ad

Letters of Application The Evidence Your aim is to get an interview. n Link facts of your experience to the needs of the company. n Begin with strongest points. n Be truthful, but.... n Support every assertion with specific details from your experience.

Letters of Application The Closing n Tactfully suggest an interview. n Perhaps leave room for you to make the next move.

Letters of Application Style and Tone n Professional and Personable n Authoritative and Courteous

Letters of Application n Some Examples

Letters of Application n Workshop: Draft a letter of application, responding to the job advertisement that you brought in.

For Next Class n Due: Letter of Application, Résumé, Job Advertisement n Workshop: The Hiring Committee Selects the Best Candidate

Writing Skills