RÉSUMÉS AND COVER LETTERS First and foremost, an employer is looking for an indication that a candidate has a documented track record of success using the skills needed to do the job. This means that you must have a strong career vocabulary, along with the ability to express your qualifications in powerful and fluent industry terms. Knowing what employers want, and giving it to them, is the essence of strong résumé writing. Proper format, font, length, paper choice, and content are all decisions that the writer should make from the employer’s point of view. Résumé Styles Chronological: This résumé reflects your career history from your most recent position to your earliest job. It is best used when you have a long track record and a series of related career advances and promotions. Functional: A functional résumé groups your experience into skill sets. For example, you may have a Public Relations section that lists your expertise from school, work, or volunteer projects. This type of résumé is best suited for people with limited experience, those who are changing industries, and workers with gaps in their work history. Combination: Résumés commonly combine the traditional chronological résumé with the crafty functional résumé. You could begin your résumé with a summary of your qualifications, also known as a value statement, and then go into a chronological format for your work experience. Ultimately, there is not one universal way to write résumés Résumé Sections 1. Contact Information: Formal name, suitable email, and/or web URL 2. Value Statement: Your personal ad. A summary of core competencies and strengths. Often the statement begins with a job title, and appeals to the needs of your job target. What do you have to offer that will contribute to the success of your potential employers? How would your former boss or coworkers describe your work? The value statement takes the place of the outdated “Objective.” The objective has lost favor because it describes what the candidate wants rather than focusing on what the organization needs. 3. Key Skills/Strengths: Consider making a bulleted list that highlights key skills (language, software, certifications, etc.) gained from your experience and education.
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4. Education: List your institution, major, and graduation (or anticipated graduation) date. Because the job field has become so competitive, you should also include your GPA and/or your Major GPA. When you have a lot of professional experience, you may want to move this section below your experience section(s). 5. Professional Experience: Whenever possible, do not simply list your duties. Instead, try to tie them to your accomplishments that contributed to your organizations success by using the “Problem, Action, Result” method. • What problem did you solve? • What action did you take to solve the problem? • What were the results? For example: Reorganized the weekend shift, resulting in a cost savings of more than $3,000 a year. You should also attempt to quantify (put into numbers) your experience whenever possible. If you can express what you’re saying in terms of numbers, do so. Notice the dollar figure in the above example. Below are more ways you might consider quantifying your experience: • Company size (locations, assets, employees) • Number of customers served/hr/day/year • Number of individuals under your supervision or management • Clientele increase since your hire date • Years of experience • Number of successful projects Finally, note that internships can and usually should be included in your experience section. 6. Volunteer Work, Membership and Affiliations, Awards and Recognition: Be creative and create your own section headings specifically tailored to your experience. Résumé Dos Format • Do use indentations, bold, bullets, and italics to visually organize your résumé. Strive for a clean, crisp look. Clutter is your enemy. • Do write a one-page résumé, unless you already have extensive experience in your job field. Content • Do create concise phrases using keywords and high-impact phrases. • Do set aside your humble nature and articulately express pride in your expertise. Communicate the skills, abilities, and potential that make you the best candidate for the position.
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Résumé Don’ts Don’t use a template! That is why we haven’t included one in this packet. Find examples online and in books if you must, but don’t model them too closely. Don’t include your references on your résumé. You should not provide your references unless they are specifically requested. Often this will not happen until after a first or second interview. When you do provide a list of references, do so on a separate page. It’s considered bad résumé etiquette to send the personal contact information of your references to everyone you contact about a job. Don’t include a salary history unless it is specifically requested. Don’t lie. Background checks are cheap and easy, even for the smallest organizations.
Accelerate Direct Honor Organize Teach Catalog Expand Lead Verify
Demonstrate Negotiate Obtain Encourage Budget Ensure Troubleshoo t Prepare Program
Action-Driven Adaptable Analytical Bilingual Bold Communicative Conscientious Creative CustomerDriven Dependable
Action Verbs Guide Motivate Head Qualify Question Stimulate Tabulate Realign Enforce Initiate Invent Pilot Plan Retrieve
Purchase Sold Analyze Improve Participate Resolve Launch
Separate Advance Earn Oversee Regain Transfer Command
Acquire Draft Implement Recapture Train Classify Finalize
Review Satisfy
Contract Mediate
Forge Promote
Maintain Write
Unite Generate
Personality Catchwords Devoted Innovative Participatory Driven Intelligent Persevering Eager Judicious Poised Efficient Keen Practical Energetic Leader Proficient Expert Loyal Reliable ForwardMature Resilient Thinking High-Potential Motivated Savvy Honorable Notable Sharp Important
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Strategic
Tactful Technical Truthful Unrelenting Upbeat Valuable Vigorous Well-Versed Wise Zealous
Cover Letters
Your Name 555 Any Street • San Marcos, TX 78666 512.555.5555 • name@email.com
Today’s Date Contact Name Contact’s Job Title Company Name Company Address Dear Mr. or Ms. Contact: What is my purpose for writing? What is the job title? How did I hear about the job? Carefully consider an attention-grabbing statement that is as specific as possible. Research your potential employer as thoroughly as possible. Use this information to show the hiring manager that you are familiar with her/his organization by highlighting the appropriate skills and experience gained from your job history and education. Why do my skills, experience, and education make me the perfect candidate for this particular job? (Think in terms of accomplishments and quantify your success as often as possible.) Why am I applying for this position? Would it help me meet a personal goal? Conclude with a call to action. You will follow up with a phone call and/or would like to discuss your résumé and qualifications in person. (Ask for an interview!) You can also thank your potential employer. Sincerely,
Your Name
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