How to write a Resume and Cover Letter IMPORTANT: Make sure you print your resume on high quality white or off-white watermarked/bonded resume paper. Make sure you use the same kind of paper for your cover letter. Make sure you sign your cover letter! Make sure you USE THE SAME FONT on your resume and your cover letter! RESUME TIPS (For more information and multiple examples visit http://www.ccl.sbc.edu/csc/Resumes.html)
Key Points
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Make resume professional, attractive, and easy to read. Place most important information first. Bold, italicize, capitalize, or underline critical facts. Do not include personal information (birthdate, race, etc.). Stress results, skills, and accomplishments rather than performed duties. Use the correct tense when describing past/present activities. Proofread for misspelled words and grammatical errors. (Have someone else proofread your resume). Use resume to market yourself. Choose headers to highlight your individuals strengths (Leadership Skills, Computer Skills, Relevant Coursework, etc.). Begin sentences with action words. Avoid personal pronouns (I, me, my). Confine your resume to one page if possible. Do not use abbreviations, slang, or jargon. Laser print on good quality white or off-white resume paper.
Resume Categories Name
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Include your name, permanent and local addresses (include zip codes), phone (include area code), email address, and WWW homepage if applicable.
Objective
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Brief statement summarizing the type of work you want to do and a career field in which you are interested. Let reader know your specific interests; provide a focus for the rest of the resume. Focus on skills; begin with active verbs such as "seeking," "desire," or "to obtain".
Education
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Summarize your educational achievements (colleges attended, their locations, graduation dates, certificates, academic majors, minors, and course concentrations). Start with most recent degree awarded and work backwards. Do not list high school or earlier education unless exceptional or relevant in some way. GPA is optional, include if you feel it will enhance your resume. Include any relevant coursework (specific to your objective) or training (laboratory techniques, computer skills, etc.). If you had paid for part of your college expenses through scholarships or work, you may include that in this section.
Experience
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Any experience relevant to your stated job objective, whether paid or unpaid, is significant and should be included in this section. You may include full-time or part-time work experience, volunteer jobs, internships, or cooperative education placements, and clinical experiences relevant to your field. Focus on transferrable skills (communication, analysis, teamwork, research, leadership, writing).
Activities
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Emphasize any significant activities you participate in outside of work (community service, extracurricular, etc.). List activities that demonstrate leadership ability, initiative, good communication skills, and perseverance. Highlight leadership roles you have held.
Honors and Awards
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If award or organization is well known, listing your honors/awards may be sufficient. If not well known, write out identifying information or qualifications for award.
References
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For most resumes, it is sufficient to state "References available upon request." You will need to create a separate reference page that should include the person's name, title, address, and phone number. Ask individuals (supervisors, professors, advisors) if they will serve as a positive reference for you.
Additional Information
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Areas of Knowledge: special qualifications, language skills, military experience, etc. Publications and Presentations
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Personal Data (only if it relates to position you are applying for).
COVER LETTERS (For more information and multiple examples visit http://www.ccl.sbc.edu/csc/CoverLetters.htm)
Specific Type of Cover Letters
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Letter of inquiry: letter written about opportunities or request general information about a company. Letter of application: letter written to apply for a position within the company.
General Guidelines
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Use block or modified block business letter format; keep the wording professional. Send each letter to a specific person; make it personal. Individualize the letter by incorporating information you have acquired through researching the company; do not use a form letter. Laser print the letter on high quality paper that matches your resume.
Purpose of A Cover Letter
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Gives you the opportunity to convince an employer to read your resume. Allows you to express your interest and enthusiasm in the position and the possibility of working for the company. Enables you to target your resume and highlight your transferable skills. Strengthens your chances of securing interviews. Demonstrates your written communication skills.
Parts of A Cover Letter Introductory Paragraph
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Briefly give some background information about yourself. Be sure to capture the employer's interest in the first few sentences. If sending a letter of application: state the specific job title of the position for which you are applying and mention how you heard about the job opening. If sending a letter of inquiry: specify your reason for writing; indicate if you are inquiring about employment opportunities and indicate your knowledge and/or interest in the organization.
Body Paragraphs
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Mention how your career plans, skills, education, and/or experience are relevant to the position and/or how they coincide with the organization's needs. Highlight your strengths and qualifications. Use specific examples to provide evidence of skills, experiences, and accomplishments. Make a good first impression; this is your chance to sell yourself! Avoid restating your resume.
Concluding Paragraph
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Indicate what actions you would like to happen next. State your desire for a personal interview, if that is your intention. Express your appreciation for the employer's time and consideration.
The Next Step Be sure to contact the organization within 2-3 weeks. This is to ensure they have received your materials and it will remind them of your interest in their organization. GENERAL OUTLINE OF A COVER LETTER Use complete title and address. If possible, address it to a particular person. Date 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 resume, be personable and enthusiastic. Middle Paragraph: explain why you are interested in working for this employer and specify your reasons for desiring this type of work. If you have had relevant work experience or related education, be sure to point it out, but do not reiterate your entire resume. Emphasize skills or abilities you have that relate to the job for which you are applying. Be sure to do this in a confident manner and rememer that the reader will view your letter of application as an example of your writing skills. Closing Paragraph: you may refer the reader to your enclosed resume (which gives a summary of your qualifications) or 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. Sincerely, Your Name Signed
Your Name Typed Enclosure