SAMPLE RESUMES & COVER LETTERS
THE RESUME The resume has two primary functions: It introduces your skills and experience to potential employers, and it reminds the potential employer of you after your interview. As a result, great care should be taken in selecting the format you will use in the formal presentation of your skills. The Format Resumes come in three COMBINATION.
generally accepted formats: CHRONOLOGICAL, FUNCTIONAL, and
The CHRONOLOGICAL resume is a listing of your work experience and education history in chronological order. Major categories usually include Education, Work History, Special Skills, and Affiliations and Awards. This type of resume tends to be used by individuals who are entering the job market as well as those who are changing jobs within a career field, which requires documentation of continuous activity. The FUNCTIONAL resume organizes your experience according to specific skills or functions. Some major categories are Technical Abilities, Work History, and Education. The Technical Abilities category allows you to demonstrate your capabilities through your various experiences. This format is appropriate for the individual who is changing careers or for a person who is reentering the work force after a period of absence. This resume is especially effective for the individual with a lengthy work history. The COMBINATION format merges elements of the Chronological and Functional approaches. Both the job changer and the career changer can use this format to present capabilities and transferable skills combined with work experience. This is probably the most common and most effective format. THE COVER LETTER The cover letter is the introduction to your resume. Studies indicate your cover letter has a life expectancy of about eight seconds, so it must be brief yet informative. The letter should have three recognizable parts: the opening, which explains why you are writing; the main body, which lists two or three of your major accomplishments and gives the reader a good reason to want to interview you; and the closing, which expresses a desire for future communication. Your letter should draw a connection between the needs of the current job opening and the skills you can bring to the job. The following pages contain samples of resume formats as well a sample cover letter.
GENERAL OUTLINE FOR A COVER LETTER
Applicant’s Address Applicant’s Phone Number Date of Letter Use complete Title and address If possible, address it to a Particular person By name Employer’s Name and Title And Address Salutation:
Opening Paragraph: State why you are writing, name the position or type of work for which you are applying and mention how you heard of the opening or organization. Make the addressee want to read your Middle Paragraph(s): Explain why you are interested in working resume. Be personable and be for this employer and specify your reasons for desiring this type of work. If you have had relevant work experience or related enthusiastic education, be sure to point it out, but do not reiterate your entire resume. Emphasize skills or abilities you have that relate to the Be brief but specific; your resume job for which you are applying. Be sure to do this in a confident manner and remember that the reader will view your letter of contains details application as an example of your writing skills. Top and bottom margins should be Closing Paragraph: You may refer the reader to your enclosed resume (which gives a summary of your qualifications) or equal. whatever media you are using to illustrate your training. Interests and experience. Have an appropriate closing to pave the way for the interview by indicating the action or steps you will take to initiate an interview date. Always sign letter Sincerely,
Your name typed
If a resume or other enclosure is used, Enclosure note in letter
Name
Address
Date
Addressee’s Name Position/Title Company Name Company Address
Dear Addressee’s Name: In June 2002, I will be graduating from the University of California, Irvine with a degree of Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering. I am writing to explore the possibility of employment as a control systems engineer at your San Diego facility. Early in my course work at UC Irvine I seriously began considering future employment with Hewlett Packard. We use a number of your products in our laboratory work, and their design, precision, and reliability are impressive. More recently, however, I noted in a professional computing journal that you are undertaking a new project to apply microcomputers in automatic control systems. Many of my electives were in the fields of control systems and computers, and I worked for three summers in microcomputers applications. I believe that I am well qualified to begin my career employment on your new project; I know that it is directly related to my interests. I have enclosed my resume, which provides additional information about my undergraduate work and campus activities. I would appreciate the opportunity to meet with you to discuss how my education and experience would be consistent with your needs. I will contact you by phone within ten days to discuss the possibility of an interview.
Sincerely,
Your Name
INFORMATION TO INCLUDE INYOUR RESUME
NAME
Street City, State, Zip Code
(A. C.) Home Phone (A.C.) Message Phone
CAREER OBJECTIVE:
State briefly, your short and long-range career goals (optional- you may wish to omit career objective from the Resume and zero in on an objective pertinent to a particular position on your cover letter).
EDUCATION:
List most recent first, state name of university attended, degree received, major field of study, option, minor, certificate awarded. Begin with most recent first, dates, job title, name of organization, address, description of duties. Include action verbs that are transferable to the work your are seeking. State position or office held, organization, dates of involvement, and describe your activities. Language fluency, knowledge of computers or other office machines, special equipment or other special talents that are relevant. State “Furnished upon request” or list name, titles and addresses of several business, academic or character references.
WORK EXPERIENCE:
HONORS AND ACTIVITIES:
SPECIAL SKILLS:
REFERENCE:
CHRONOLOGICAL RESUME
Your Name Address email Phone #
JOB OBJECTIVE: EXPERIENCE:
Desired Position/Title Company Name/Location Position Title/Department/Length of Employment List Job Duties and any other related tasks List any skills gain at job Company Name/Location Position Title/Department/Length of Employment List Job Duties and any other related tasks List any skills gain at job Company Name/Location Position Title/Department/Length of Employment List Job Duties and any other related tasks List any skills gain at job
EDUCATION:
School Name, Location Degree Earned/Year of Completion List Areas of Study School Name, Location Degree Earned/Year of Completion List Areas of Study
REFERENCES:
List or make Available upon request
FUNCTIONAL RESUME
Your Name Address email Phone#
OBJECTIVE:
A position at a commercial radio station.
SKILLS AND ACCOMPLISHMENTS: * Assisted in the management of a college radio station. * Helped to direct and supervise staff. * Established music format guidelines. *Wrote and edited budget proposals. *Assisted in financial matters. *Created and implemented new music format. *Planned and organized performances by artists at local venues in conjunction with the station. *Served as on-air personality. *Trained a staff of disc jockeys.
EMPLOYEMENT HISTORY: Company Name, Location Position/Title, Dates of employment Company Name, Location Position/Title, Dates of employment Company Name, Location Position/Title, Dates of employment EDUCATION: School Name, Location Degree Earned, Date Completed School Name, Location Degree Earned, Date Completed References provided on request