1. Definitions
Résumé—a detailed list or outline of a job applicant’s work history and other qualifications/skills
Headings
Lists
Not complete sentences
Overview, at a glance, of your qualifications
Your sales brochure

2. Application Letter (Cover Letter)—a letter that accompanies the résumé and that provides a persuasive introduction to the résumé
Letter format
Three-part structure
Paragraphs, full sentences
Review and explanation of your key qualifications
Your sales letter

3. Facts
Most good jobs require a college education (good in terms of pay, stability, opportunities for advancement).
US Dept. of Education: 62% of jobs in 2009 and a projected 75% in 2020 will require a four-year degree, two-year degree, or certification.
Most of these good jobs will be filled based on three things: application (cover) letter, resume, and interview.

4. Goals of this Unit Help you write a resume and application letter.
Help you enhance the resume and application letter you already have on file.
In either case, you leave with a resume and application letter you can use and adapt to help you land an interview and a good job.

5. Initial Tasks
Identify a specific job or position for which you plan to apply.
Identify skills and qualifications to include on résumé.

6. Finding a Job Listing IVCC Career Services (www.ivcc.edu/cs)
Job and Career Opportunities (CCJobNet)
Internships
Employment websites
Monster
CareerBuilder
See p. 126

7. The Matching Game
Lazarus Center for Career Development, Smith College, Northampton, MA
“Sample Resumes, Cover Letters, and Position Descriptions”

8. Questions to Consider
What type of resume would best highlight my qualifications for this job (chronological, functional, combination)?
Within that type, what headings should I use and in which order should I put them to draw the most attention to my most important qualifications for this job?

9. Headings to Consider Summary Education Work Experience
Related Experience
Military Experience
Skills
Credentials
Licenses/Certifications
Honors
Awards
Activities
Community Service

10. Letterhead Name Address Phone Number E-mail Address
NOTE: No personal information, such as birth date, race, religious affiliation, marital status, social security number, height, weight, health, etc.

11. Career Objective Brief statement of career plans
Be specific in noting your goals, strengths, and even reader-benefit
A full-time position as an English Instructor.
A full-time position as an English composition and business/technical writing instructor
A full-time position as an English composition and business/technical writing instructor in a comprehensive community college serving a diverse student population.

12. Use an objective for résumés designed for specific jobs or positions.
NOTE: May be unnecessary/obvious or limit effectiveness of résumé if your objective is not a match with employer’s needs

13. Education Name and Address of Institution(s)
Program/Degree/Certificate
Dates of Attendance/Degree
Classes/Projects
President’s Honors (3.75 in 12 or more hours)
Academic Honors (3.25 in 6 or more hours)
GPA 3.0/4.0
NOTE: Typically, no high school

14. Experience Job Title Dates of Employment Name and Address of Employer
Job Duties (Use ACTION Verbs)
Pay attention to verb tenses
Teach Composition I and business/technical writing courses.
Taught a variety of survey literature courses.
Revised technical marketing materials

15. Military Experience Branch Dates Highest Rank
Noteworthy Travel, Duty, Accomplishments, and/or Honors

16. Specialized Skills or Credentials
Licenses
Certifications
Foreign Language
Technology Skills
Any other skill that doesn’t fit elsewhere

17. Honors and Awards President’s Honors, Academic Honors Merit Citations
Medals
Safety Awards
Scholarships, etc.
Also may place under education or experience.

18. Community Service Volunteer Work
Membership in Clubs, Organizations, Churches
Dates
Offices Held
Accomplishments

19. References 3-5 Professional, Positive References
Provide name, title, organization, address, phone number,
Supervisors, Teachers, etc.
Ask Permission
Send upon Request
NOTE: Generally, no relatives or friends

20. Guidelines for Résumés
Make Résumés Visually Attractive
Typed, quality print
8 ½ x 11, resume quality paper
White, ivory, possibly light gray paper
Creative, professional use of CAPS, boldface, and white space.

21. 2) Clearly Label Information
Education, Experience, Honors, Community Service, etc.
Use boldface, CAPS, etc.
Use lists, especially bullets
Consistent presentation
3) Include All Necessary Details
Names, addresses, dates, etc.
BE HONEST.

22. Typically Limit to One Page
4) Use Reverse Chronological Order
Education
Experience, etc.
Typically Limit to One Page

23. 6) Make Mechanically Perfect
No Grammar Errors
No Sentence Structure Errors
No Spelling or Punctuation Errors
No Typos
No Spacing or Format Inconsistencies

24. Organizational Patterns for Résumés
Chronological
Highlights Education and Work History in Reverse Chronological Order
Functional
Highlights Skills/Areas of Competence
Combination
Highlights Skills and Includes Chronological Detailing of Background

25. When Should I Use the Chronological Pattern?
Do I already have experience in my field?
Does my job history show progressively more responsibility and accomplishment?
Am I seeking the same type of job that I have held previously?
Are my previous employers well-known?

26. When Should I Use the Functional Pattern?
Do I have a lot of different work experience that is not all in the same field?
Have I changed jobs or careers frequently?
Do I have frequent gaps in my job history?
Am I new to the job market?

27. When Should I Use the Combination Format?
Do I have a lot of different work experience that is not all in the same field?
Have I changed jobs or careers frequently?
Do I have frequent gaps in my job history?
Do I want to target my skills toward a specific job while still highlighting my work history?

28. General Organizational Guideline
Place the Most Impressive Part of Your Background First.

29. Application Letter Accompanies each copy of a résumé
A persuasive introduction to the résumé
Often read first, before the résumé
Can distinguish applicants by the quality of the writing and the way in which it customizes the résumé

30. Guidelines Uses full block format Typed, quality print
8 ½ x 11, standard bond, white paper
Length of one page—maximum
Addressed to a specific person, position, or department
Include Enclosure line
Mechanically perfect

31. Components First Paragraph (One to three sentences)
Your purpose: applying for the job (specific title or position)
How you found out about the job
Why you want the job (what skills and background you bring to it)

32. Middle Paragraph(s)
Summary of your experience, education, and other qualifications
Provide details not included on the résumé
Highlight noteworthy qualifications that might set you apart from other applicants
Explain special circumstances
Connect your qualifications to the employer’s needs and/or values (use a reader- centered perspective)
Show that you have done your research about the company.

33. Closing Paragraph Thank the employer for considering your application
Request an interview
Include any necessary contact information