1. Resume & Cover Letter Writing
Career Services Presentation
October 14, 2016
Rebecca Leaman
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Welcome
- Slides will be ed to the students so they can review the links and resources

2. Why do I need a resume?
Summer jobs, internships & full time employment
Apply for graduate programs
To build LinkedIn page & other social media
Detail relevant skills, strengths, experience, interests
Create interest and help you secure an interview

3. Comments From an HR Manager
Your resume may not be the only “first” impression any more – clean up social media profiles and create a LinkedIn account
Please make it easy to access/open/read/print (hint: save as a .pdf file!)
Research & target your resume for each position – form letters and resumes are obvious and are ignored
Any grammatical mistakes are an excuse to toss your application – PROOFREAD carefully

4. Most common resume sections for an undergraduate
Header/Personal Profile
Activities and Interests
Skills Summary
Awards and Scholarships
Education
Skills: Laboratory Skills, Technical Skills, Scientific Instrumentation, Languages
Work Experience
Volunteer Experience
The sections you use will depend upon your objective, your experience, the type of job you are applying for, etc. There is no ‘one-size-fits-all’ resume.

5. How to build a good resume
Not a list of job descriptions, rather a list of success, skills, strengths
Focus more on how you did your job, not what duties you performed
Balance people and technical skills/qualifications
Balance between detail and brevity – 1-2 pages typically
An Academic Curriculum Vitae (CV) may be longer
Visually pleasing: Consistent, concise, professional, uncluttered
Always accompanied by a cover letter!

6. How to build a good resume (2)
Do not include:
References (unless requested) or they link you to the organization
Age
Photo
Personal details
Small font size (i.e. no less than 10 pt.)
Excessive/irrelevant information/detail
Reasons for leaving a past job

7. Make sure it’s targeted
Analyze each point listed in the job description: what are they looking for and how do they describe it?
Pull out key words – “power words” – and use them in your application; resume & cover letter.
Applicant Tracking Systems: At large organizations, your resume may first be reviewed by software, looking for matching words, not a person
Prove you’re the best candidate for that particular job

8. Power words to keep in mind
(from resumetemplatetop.info)

9. Examples

10. Header: large (16+ font), contact info, visually separated from body
Visually clean, good font, not cluttered, consistent layout between sections, relevant sections

11. Relevant sections, targeted for marketing position (relevant experience up front, less relevant education later), great use of ‘power words’/keywords (e.g optimized, increased, improved, developed etc.)

12. Creative, non-tradition, targeted for marketing position
Creative, non-tradition, targeted for marketing position. Shows individuality. Very well done, but use with caution – format/informality may not be appropriate for all (most) situations.

13. Formatting Recommendations
Use a standardized font
Keep the important RELEVANT info at the top
Page rules are more flexible – 2 pages
PDF – cover letter & resume = 1 document
Use headings like your own personal letterhead – consider using it on your cover letter too to make a cohesive application

14. Cover Letters Always include a cover letter
Add value & expand on your resume
Your introduction using your own voice
Be clear and concise. Don’t use overly formal language.
What can YOU do for THEM?
NEVER SEND A FORM LETTER
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Show examples here

15. Cover Letter Format
Business/formal format: header, address, date and salutation (find a name to address it to!)
Paragraph 1:
Introduce yourself and your interest in the organization
Showcase the research you’ve done. Make allusions to the company’s values & goals and how it fits with your aspirations.
Paragraphs 2 & 3:
Highlight specific experiences that align with the job you’re applying for.
Include successes and soft skills
Closing Paragraph:
Reiterate your interest, develop a strong closing statement that proves you’re the best candidate
Signature
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Show examples here

16. Cover Letter Format ----- Meeting Notes (13-01-18 15:16) -----
Show examples here

17. ----- Meeting Notes (13-01-18 15:16) -----
Show examples here
Both examples are formatted as a formal letter, demonstrate research of prospective employer, outline relevant skills/experience, convey personal suitability, are positive and professional

18. Summary
Cover Letters and Resumes should showcase your skills, but also your personality
They should be targeted, ensure that relevant experience is highlighted
Prove to the hiring committee that you’re the best candidate for the job
Resumes are living documents. They will and should change, not just as you add new experiences, but depending upon the type of positions you are applying for
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