RESUMES and Letters of Application

What is a Resume? A personal data sheet. A personal data sheet. Short summary of important facts about you. Short summary of important facts about you. Will determine whether or not you get the interview. Will determine whether or not you get the interview.

Sections of the Resume The Heading The Heading Objective Objective Education Education Work Experience Work Experience Extra-Curricular Activities Extra-Curricular Activities Special Skills Special Skills

The Heading Includes: Includes: –Full Name –Complete Address –Telephone Number – Address

Objective Express your objective in the fewest possible words. One sentence is all that is needed. Express your objective in the fewest possible words. One sentence is all that is needed. Focus on what you can do for the company. Focus on what you can do for the company. Don’t get specific. Don’t get specific. State EXACTLY the job title you seek. State EXACTLY the job title you seek.

Education Reverse order of education: Reverse order of education: –Most recent first. Place at beginning of resume. Place at beginning of resume.

Work Experience If you have no experience, then brainstorm on what experience you have had. (volunteer, no pay, relatives) If you have no experience, then brainstorm on what experience you have had. (volunteer, no pay, relatives) Readers are usually weary of resumes without work experience. Readers are usually weary of resumes without work experience. List in reverse chronological order: List in reverse chronological order: –Most recent first.

Extra-Curricular Activities Inform your reader of your accomplishments. Inform your reader of your accomplishments. This is where you can shine! This is where you can shine! –Show leadership –Awards –Involvement in school and the community

Special Skills Other things at which you are good: Other things at which you are good: –Experienced in Publisher, Word, PowerPoint, etc. –Good communication skills. –CPR certified. –Anything extra that pertains to the job for which you are applying.

Layout One page in length. One page in length. Bold or Underline section headings. Bold or Underline section headings. Use either Times New Roman or Arial type font. Use either Times New Roman or Arial type font. Traditional is usually more acceptable and professional than fads. Traditional is usually more acceptable and professional than fads.

Length of Resume Use only one page. Use only one page. The only time you would want to add an additional page would be if you had extensive work experience or information that relates to your career. The only time you would want to add an additional page would be if you had extensive work experience or information that relates to your career.

Personal Information Employers, by law, cannot be concerned with personal characteristics such as weight, sex, or age. Do not worry about this information. Employers, by law, cannot be concerned with personal characteristics such as weight, sex, or age. Do not worry about this information. NEVER attach a photograph to your resume. Employers are interested in the skills you possess and the contributions you can make to their organization. NEVER attach a photograph to your resume. Employers are interested in the skills you possess and the contributions you can make to their organization.

Grammar and Spelling Typos and poor grammar are signs of carelessness and lack of professionalism. Typos and poor grammar are signs of carelessness and lack of professionalism. Make sure you have someone else proofread it. Make sure you have someone else proofread it. NO cross-outs or handwritten parts. NO cross-outs or handwritten parts.

Printing the Resume Use good quality paper. Use good quality paper. White, ivory, or off-white. White, ivory, or off-white. Each copy of your resume should be crisp and clean; no bent corners, ink smudges, blurs, marks, or ink streaks. Each copy of your resume should be crisp and clean; no bent corners, ink smudges, blurs, marks, or ink streaks.

Leave Out Availability Availability Reason for leaving Reason for leaving –This will be asked in an interview. References References –They will be expected later. –Use a separate sheet of paper. Salary Salary Weaknesses Weaknesses

Letter of Application It should: It should: –Answer the question of why to hire you. –Grab the employer’s attention. –Point out why you should be contacted for an interview.

Letter of Application Continued Look professional—no errors, block style, appropriate format (personal business). Look professional—no errors, block style, appropriate format (personal business). Avoid sentences that begin with “I.” Avoid sentences that begin with “I.” Be printed in black ink; no colored ink. Be printed in black ink; no colored ink. Be free of spelling, grammar, or punctuation mistakes—these are out of the question! Be free of spelling, grammar, or punctuation mistakes—these are out of the question!

Letter of Application 3 paragraphs: 3 paragraphs: –1 st -Tell why you are writing, how you found out about the position, and the position for which you are applying. –2 nd -Why you are qualified. Highlight experiences and qualities. Use examples. –3 rd -Refer to enclosed resume, tell the best way to contact you, and request an interview!

It’s your future & It is important to you!