Standing Out in a Competitive

Job Market

Career CenterJulie Law

Alejandra Toribio

The Cover Letter

• Introduces and personalizes your résumé• Motivates employer to read your résumé• Tailored sales tool• Demonstrates your interest in the position

and company• Showcases written communication skills• Exhibits what you can offer the employer

The Cover Letter

Basic Cover Letter Components

• Sender/your contact information • Date of letter• Employer’s contact information & Title• Company name• Address• Salutation• Opening paragraph: make the match• Middle paragraph: make the case• Closing paragraph: make the close• The signature line

Quick Tips1. Avoid “To whom it may concern” or templates

-Personalize with Mr._____/Ms._____

2. Use a friendly opening-Try to arrange contact prior via email or phone

3. Make presentable - Left justified business format, consistency in font/style with résumé

4. Have résumé and job description handy- Tailor to position, industry, and company- Include key words from job description

5. Know your relevant skills, qualifications, and experience- Don’t reiterate your résumé

The Résumé

What to Include? • Header• Objective• Education• Summary of

Qualifications • Internship Experience• Relevant Experience• Work Experience • Skills i.e. computer &

technical • Languages • Relevant Projects

• Honors & Awards • Clubs &

Organizations • Professional

Memberships • Community Service • Key words • Action oriented

descriptors • Utilize Bullets • Highlight Special

Projects

Résumé Don’ts

• put your résumé in a fancy binder or folder

• list an unprofessional email • No “I” statements • include the complete

addresses of employers, or supervisor names

• include salary information (For Salary History see page 40, of the Career Guide)

• No references (see page 58 of the Career Guide

• Go back more than 10 years

• highlight problems• state the obvious• include photographs • disclose personal

information: age, sex, religion

• use jargon or slang• over explain things on your

résumé • use conjunctions

Résumé Do’s

• Use high quality or résumé paper

• Standard paper size 8 ½ x 11 inches

• Tailor your résumé to the job• Contact information should be

current • When using an objective do

make sure it applies directly to the position

• Do only go back 10 years in your work history

• List your GPA if its 3.5 or higher

• Be consistent with your layout and composition

• Be honest• Use bullet marks • Use past tense for previous

activities, experiences or acquired skills

• Limit your résumé to 1 page• Proof read your résumé• Continuously update your

résumé

Listing Your Education

Example

EDUCATION

California State University, Fullerton Expected May 2012

Bachelor of Science, Health Science

General Rules

• List only colleges or universities where you will receive or have received a degree/credential/certificate etc.

• GPA should be at least a 3.0 if listed (3.5 Preferred)

Use Action Words • Don’t list duties: or responsibilities: • Instead use action words

Think of … – Action – Purpose – Result

Use Page 46 of the Career Guide Examples: • Collaborated with physical therapists by providing patient care

including transfers, exercise, and other duties as requested • Provided group instruction in weight training/body conditioning• Developed schedules and arranged officials for intramural

competitions•

Formatting Your Résumé

• Most Frequently Used is Reverse Chronological • Be Concise & Specific • Include Only Pertinent Information• Omit Personal Pronouns such as “I” & “We”• Use Action Words• Limit to 1 page if possible• Use .75” - 1” margins all around • Use The Same Font throughout the résumé• All Margins Should Be Well Aligned • Use Caps OR Bold To Emphasis Categories or

Headings- DO NOT OVER UTILIZE • Use 11” or 12” font

Award Winning Résumé

What makes an Award Winning Résumé?• It is presented on nice professional paper• It is well organized and put together• Easy on the eyes, easy to read and follow• The information provided is easy to find, self

explanatory and without spelling errors• Gives a good summary of your experience• Dates follow in a chronological order • Accomplishment statements are action oriented• Highlights your skills strengths, interests, and talents

12 Common Résumé Mistakes

1. Font is too small/too big or hard to read2. Spelling mistakes3. Repetitive words4. Leaving out dates5. Inconsistent layout of résumé6. Using someone else’s words7. Just having one version of a résumé8. No Cover Letter9. Unprofessional email address10. Cluttered information11. Including personal Information12. Applying use of abbreviations or contractions

• Log into www.fullterton.edu/career• Go to the Virtual Career Center • Click on the link• Choose “Access the All New Titan Resume Builder” • Log in to your portal• Click on create new resume

Resume Assistance– Drive-Thru Hours- No appointments needed – Monday-Thursday 10 a.m. to 2:45 p.m.

The Job Search Process • Get Focused & Have a Purpose • Learn the Job Search Etiquette • Begin Networking • Research the Industry-

– Ferguson – Eureka,– O*net Online,

• Gather Your Marketing Materials-Tailoring is HUGE– Resume-Titan Resume Builder– Cover Letter – References– Contacts

• Practice Interviewing – InterviewStream– Mock Interviews– Interview Attire

• Follow-Up• Keep Track- have a system• Be Proactive & have a positive attitude

The Hidden Job Market

• Research shows that 80% of jobs are found through networking

• Make contact lists• Informational Interviews (pg. 68 of Career

Guide)• Keep accurate records (pg. 33 of Career

Guide)• Goal is to acquire valuable “inside” field

information, clarify career options, get feedback, and meet other professionals

Job Search Resources

• Networking is #1 (friends, family, professors, staff)• Titan Connection Jobs Database and NaceLink• Fergusons Career Guidance Database• O*Net online • Internship & Job Fair• Employer Information Sessions • Informational Interviews (pg. 68 of Career Guide)• Industry Specialist• Job Search Engines: www.indeed.com, simplyhired.com,

www.juju.com

Communication Tips

• When posting your resume on-line• Spell and check grammar on your resume• Have a Career Services staff member review your resume• Have a professor review your resume

• Have a professional email addressGOOD: elmunoz@fullerton.eduBAD: funny.gurl@yahoo.com

• Have a professional Voice MailGOOD: “Hi, you have reached Elizabeth Muñoz, I am away….”BAD: “Yeah, you dialed the number, you know what to do.”

• Do not use ring tones, recruiters find them annoying– Keep it on silent or if needed, use vibrate mode

Career Center Services

• Drive-thru Advising– No appointment needed– 10 minute session with a counselor– Résumé/Cover Letter review– Career Questions– Assistance with online resources

• Industry Specialist Meeting– Schedule appointments for:

• Résumé/Cover Letter review• Job Search Assistance• Mock Interviews

Take 5 Workshops

• Career Networking: Online & Face-To-Face• Marketing Your Leadership and Transferable

Skills• Overview of Careers in Non-Profit and

Government Sectors• Getting Into Graduate School• Interview for a Real Job• Powerful First Impressions that Lead to Career

Success• Business Survival Skills

Contact Information

Elizabeth Muñoz

Education, Health, and Non-Profit Specialist

elmunoz@fullerton.edu

(657) 278-2032

Langsdorf Hall (LH 208)