1. RESUMES, COVER LETTERS, AND INTERVIEWING
Micah
Willeford
Jennifer Greenwood
Career Specialists
RESUMES, COVER LETTERS, AND INTERVIEWING

2. RESUMES
Tips and Tricks

3. RESUMES GENERAL PRACTICES
Keep a folder of everything!
Use bulleted lists
[Never] use abbreviations or acronyms
Keep resume in the correct tense
Highlight your strengths
Use keywords from the job posting
White space is good
Stick to the basics
Spell check!!
Strengths: Do you know a second language? Are you proficient with any programs or certain aspects of technology? Do you take on leadership roles that result in success?
Hint: What do you hear consistently? What do you fall back on to be successful?
Keywords: Some resumes, especially when submitted electronically, are sent through a scanning process. There are a set of keywords the agency searches resumes for - if your resume doesn’t have some of them, your resume may be overlooked.
Basics: Colors, intricate fonts, designs are less professional
Specific: List the skills and responsibilities from past employment or volunteer work that you think applies to the responsibilities and tasks of the position for which you are applying 3

4. RESUMES THINGS TO INCLUDE
Your contact information
How professional is your address?
[A summary]
Current school information
Related work experience
Extracurricular activities
Honors, Awards, Recognitions
Skills, Abilities
References
Professional, not just personal

5. SAMPLE RESUME Tell me what you notice. What do you like?
What do you not like?

6. SAMPLE RESUME Tell me what you notice. What do you like?
What do you not like?

7. SAMPLE RESUME Tell me what you notice. What do you like?
What do you not like?

8. SAMPLE ACADEMIC RESUME
What is different?
Where is the focus?

9. RESUME EXAMPLE

10. COVER LETTERS
What should you include?

11. COVER LETTERS
Include your contact information
Consider using a similar header for your cover letter and resume
Employer Contact information
Greeting
Dear Mr./Mrs./Ms. Last Name
Dear Hiring Manager
Try to avoid “To Whom It May Concern” Why?
First Paragraph
Include information on why you are writing. Mention the position you are applying for and where you found the job listing. Include the name of a mutual contact, if you have one.
Yes, tactful name dropping is okay!
Middle Paragraph(s)
Describe what you have to offer the employer. Mention specifically how your qualifications match the job you are applying for.
This should not be your resume in paragraph form. Just hit the high points.

12. COVER LETTERS Final Paragraph Closing Signature
Thank them for considering you for the position
Let them know you’re looking forward to hearing back from them, or that you welcome an opportunity to further discuss your qualifications/interest in the position.
Let them know how you will follow up.
Are you calling next week? Are you planning to wait it out, letting them make contact first? Will you send a follow up ?
Closing
Sincerely,
Thank you,
Respectfully yours,
Signature
Handwritten, if possible.
Type your name below where you plan to sign

13. COVER LETTER Tell me what you notice. What do you like?
What do you not like?

14. REFERENCE REQUEST LETTER
What should you include?

15. Reference Request Letter
Ask early -in person if possible
Be prepared for the person to say ‘no’ to your request.
Provide the potential reference with your resume, information about the
scholarship, and an envelope you have already addressed and stamped
Information about the scholarship would include things such as criteria,
the focus of the scholarship [service, academic, etc.], the name of the person or group to whom the letter should be addressed, and the deadline.
If possible, it’s better to waive your right to see the letter. The scholarship
committee assumes that this will encourage a more candid letter, and such a letter will carry more weight.
When the process is over, send a thank-you note to the person, and let
them know the result -especially if it’s good news!

16. Reference Request Letter
Include your contact information
Similar header for your resume, cover letter, & reference request...
Employer Contact information
Greeting
Dear Mr./Mrs./Ms. Last Name
The Letter
Quick intro
Information about the scholarship
Thank them and provide a way to contact you
. Closing
Sincerely,
Thank you,
Signature
Handwritten, if possible.
Type your name below where you plan to sign

17. REFERENCE REQUEST LETTER

18. SAMPLE ACADEMIC RESUME
What is different?
Where is the focus?

19. INTERVIEWING
Dos and
Don’ts

20. INTERVIEWING EVERY INTERVIEW WILL BE DIFFERENT THAN THE NEXT
INTERVIEWING EVERY INTERVIEW WILL BE DIFFERENT THAN THE NEXT. THAT CAN MAKE IT DIFFICULT TO PLAN AHEAD, OR TO KNOW WHAT TO EXPECT!
What to Wear
Casual
Business Casual
Business Attire
What to Bring with you
Anything they requested
An additional copy/copies of your resume and cover letter
Questions you have for your potential future employer
Paper to jot down things you want to remember
How to Act
Be professional
NO: cell phones, chewing gum, or profanity
Use formal rather than informal register when speaking
Be yourself
Yes, you want to make a good impression. Yes, you will be nervous. HOWEVER, you also want them to know who you are.
Casual –Even if your work environment is casual (you could wear jeans, will be working outside, etc), dress nicer than you will once you are (hopefully) hired. It shows that you are taking the interview seriously.
Business Casual- Some companies will indicate that dress is business casual. This generally means, for men, slacks or khakis and a collared shirt. If you want to make a statement, wear a tie! For women, that would be slacks and a conservative blouse or a women’s button up shirt. Either way, be sure your clothes fit well and you wear appropriate shoes –no sneakers, Chucks, Vans, Sperry’s, flip flops, etc.
Business Attire- Wear a suit. There really isn’t much room for discussion on this one. When you select a suit, keep in mind that neutral colors are more versatile and more professional. Classic suits are less likely to go out of style.
Men, a button up shirt and tie is a must. So are dress shoes and DARK socks. Ladies, you can wear a skirt suit or a pant suit. If you do not wear a button up shirt, but instead wear a camisole or a sleeveless top, do not remove your jacket during the interview. If you wear a skirt suit, it needs to cover your thighs when seated. Also, plan to wear pantyhose.
Interview attire doesn’t have to be boring, but also never confuse party attire with business attire. If you would ever wear that top “out,” it is probably not appropriate to wear to an interview OR to work. You can wear a colored shirt or tie, just be careful with colors and patterns.
If you plan to bring a bag with you, select a nice, understated tote bag or briefcase. No backpacks, beach bags, oversized purses, cartoon characters, or anything inappropriate.
Be freshly showered, well groomed, and well rested. Try to avoid dramatic hairstyles or makeup, wear minimal perfume/cologne –or none at all!, have fresh breath, and clean fingernails. Whatever you decide to wear, it should be clean, pressed, and mended. 20

21. INTERVIEWING QUESTIONS YOU CAN EXPECT
Tell us about yourself.
Be ready to give about a 2 minute speech about yourself. Mention anything you’re comfortable with, including:
General information about your family or your hometown
Where you go to school, any activities/organizations in which you are involved
Why are you the best candidate for the position?
How do you handle conflict (or another job-specific example)?
Tell me about a time that you failed and what you learned from it.
What experience have you had?
What is your work ethic like?
How do you handle criticism?

22. INTERVIEWING QUESTIONS YOU CAN EXPECT
What do you know about our company?
What are you looking for in a supervisor? Co-workers?
What did you like/dislike about your previous job?
What are your greatest strengths/weaknesses?
What motivates you?
Questions about teamwork and working alone…
What can you contribute to this team?
Where do you hope to be in 5 years?
What can this job teach you?
Do you have any questions about our company or this position specifically?

23. SOCIAL MEDIA
How many of you have Facebook? Twitter? Tumblr? Four Square? Instagram?
Social networking can influence your career, not just your safety
Are you posting vulgar images or using profanity? Are your friends posting those things on your wall, or tagging you in them? Are you drinking or smoking, taking inappropriate pictures, or even complaining about your teachers, parents or current boss?
What are your privacy settings?
If a potential boss wants to find information on you, they will. Maybe your friend who already works there shows him your page, thinking they’re helping you…
There are endless examples. Just think about it.

24. ARE YOU JOB-READY?
In a recent committee meeting, we asked employers what they wanted from an employee, and how they could improve their chances of being hired. Here’s what they said:
Be on time
Dress professionally
No cell phones
Be ready to learn
Have a good attitude
Be a self-starter: Work ethic, Initiative
Know how to fill out an application
Be respectful
Know how to make change, do basic math

25. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME! Micah Willeford Jennifer Greenwood
Want to discuss further? Come see me!
Micah
Willeford
Jennifer Greenwood
Career Specialists
Room C1
THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME!