1. Resume Tips

2. Tips Make your resume the best presentation of yourself
Sell yourself, but do not lie or exaggerate!
Focus on relevant information and skills

3. Experience and Skills
Use STRONG verbs that show what you have ACCOMPLISHED.
Don’t just list your “duties”. Describe your accomplishments
Focus on Transferable Skills: Skills that can be utilized in different work places or situations
Ability to deal with obstacles
Ability to communicate clearly
Ability to motivate or lead others
Ability to attend to detail

4. Experience and Skills
If you haven’t had work experience, focus on school involvement
Employers (and colleges) appreciate leadership, extracurricular, and community service.
Include (relevant) Achievements and Honors
Eagle Soar, Athletic honors, scholarships etc

5. Revising Resume
Weak:
Cashier/Sales Associate, Wal-Mart, Greenville, PA
-Worked cash register, made change, helped customers
Better:
Managed cash register, dealt with customer service concerns, assisted in other store departments as needed
Best:
Cashier/Sales Associate, Wal-Mart, Greenville, PA
- Efficiently managed cash register and utilized strong communication skills in daily interactions with customers. Listened to and responded quickly to customer needs and concerns, dealing efficiently and quickly with conflicts and difficult situations.

6. Typical Jobs for Teens Baby sitting Pet sitting/dog walking
Lawn and yard work
Shoveling driveways
Homework help/tutoring
Camp counselor
Cashier
Child care assistant
City or town summer jobs program
Fast food or restaurant
Hospitality - hotels, resorts
Lawn/yard maintenance
Lifeguard
Retail
Resort jobs - ski resorts, vacation resorts, amusement parks
Office Assistant

7. Cover Letter
A supplement to your resume that EXPLAINS your qualifications.
EXPLAINS how your SKILLS will benefit the company
Again, you are presenting the best version of yourself. Highlight what makes YOU a great candidate for THEM

8. Cover Letter: Structure
Header: Your Address and contact Info (Business Letter format)
Salutation: Dear ______ or To Whom it May Concern
Introduction
State job you are applying for (Ex: Entry level sales position)
State where you heard about the opening (newspaper want ad, online job posting, current employee)
State how your skills/previous experience fit the qualifications

9. Cover Letter: Structure
Body Paragraph(s):
Explain why you are interested
EXPLAIN specific ways that you are a good candidate. Give specific EXAMPLES of how the traits you already have would be beneficial.
Don’t just restate your resume, EXPAND on it
Closing paragraph
Restate skills that make you a strong fit for the company
State that you would like the opportunity to interview or discuss opportunities.
Signature

10. Basic Tips Use GOOD GRAMMAR
Be Thorough and clear, but don’t be verbose
3 paragraphs is good. No more than And should NOT be more than 1 page

11. Basic Tips Address to SPECIFIC PERSON (if known)
Address: To Whom it May Concern
Personalize your cover letter for EACH JOB you apply for
Use KEY WORDS
Ex: Job posting mentions that individual should have strong computer skills and strong written communication skills
Use these “buzz words” in your resume!