cover letters and resumes - rush university medical center · 2020. 9. 21. · title: cover letters...

Rush University Medical Center

The Job Search: CreatingImpactful Cover Letters andResumes

Career Development

Presented by: Talent AcquisitionHuman Resource Recruitment Department

Rush University Medical Center | 9/21/20 ‹#›

• Career Planning

• Self Assessments

• Cover Letters

• Resume

• Job Search

• Networking

• Summary

‹#›Rush University Medical Center | 9/21/20

Research & DevelopmentJust as businesses review market data before creating new products or moving into new sectors, you should reviewlabor market data to maximize your job search.

• Career Planning involves reviewing current labor market data to understand job market changes and trends, and tolearn about the various opportunities within a given industry to maximize the roles you may apply for.

• Use self assessments to learn more about yourself, your interests, skills, and abilities to identify and research potential

employment paths. Consider your personal values, education levels, and current and potential barriers during yourexploration. Complete a personal SWOT analysis.

• You can use various online tools to assess your skills, personality, and explore career industries.

https://www.careerinfonet.org/skills/default.aspxhttps://www.onetonline.org/https://www.illinoisworknet.com/https://www.16personalities.com/free-personality-testhttps://www.amazon.com/StrengthsFinder-2-0-Tom-Rath/dp/159562015Xhttps://www.linkedin.com


Marketing and SalesBusinesses spend millions of dollars inmarketing and advertisement. Theyknow this helps to attract stakeholders’attention and investment. This is the same concept with yourcover letter and resume. These are yourmarketing tools to attract employers toyour professional talents.

• What is your Brand Identity?• What is your Value Add?

These should be reflected in your coverletter and resume.


Cover LettersCover letters provide detailed information on why you are qualified for the job. It isnot repetition of your resume, but rather an opportunity to provide a high levelaccount of how your qualifications match the requirements for the position. In your cover letter it’s important to convey how your character, interests,motivations, knowledge, skills and experiences equip you to excel in the job.

• What’s your value add? Showcase it here• Include a cover letter even if the job does not require one• Make it job specific and personalize it to the manager• Keep it Concise• Pay attention to the details


Cover Letter BasicsThere are three general types of cover letters. Choose a type of letter that matches your reason for writing.

• The application letter which responds to a known job opening• The prospecting letter which inquires about possible positions• The networking letter which requests information and assistance in your job search

• Customize your letter to the organization, position, and find the contact person’s information-LinkedIn is

a great source for this• Choose a basic font and format, which is easy for the reader to scan your letter for a match• Keep it short and simple, highlighting your most relevant skills and how they qualify you for the job• Leave some white space, use bullets to emphasize accomplishments• Close with a follow up plan and provide a reference• Check for typos and grammatical errors• Do not include personal information, or elude to compensation. Stick to how your professional qualities

are a best fit for the job Review additional cover letter resources https://www.thebalancecareers.com/cover-letters-4161919 https://www.thebalancecareers.com/things-not-to-include-in-cover-letter-2060284


Creating an Impactful ResumeResumes are more than a list of task you have done. It should advertise the benefitof an organization to hire you. It is…

• A Professional Advertisement targeted toward your future boss, with the goal toland an interview for a job that you can succeed in. – Ladders Resume Guide 2019


Resume Key Components➢ Contact

informationUse a professional email address andinclude LinkedIn profile link

➢ Professionalbranding statement

Grab the employer’s attention with asummary statement of skills andqualifications

➢ Education &Training

List highest level completed and anycertifications relevant to the job

➢ Job Experience List position duties using keywords Includeoutcomes and numbers to reflectachievements

➢ Skills Include all skills related to job andtransferable skills

➢ Honors, awards, &volunteerism

Reflects your accomplishments


• Don’t over exaggerate your skills or experience

• Customize your resume to specific jobs and the audience it is intended for

• Chose the correct format• Professional, functional vs. chronological, depending on your work experience• Don’ t cram your information onto one page or have multiple fonts. 12 pt. font and Times New

Roman is standard• Don’t use graphics

• Use powerful action words

• Don’t make your resume a list of your job duties — show the accomplishments and results of yourwork and skills put into action

• Play up your strengths

• Having a powerful opening summary or statement sets you apart from the thousands of otherapplicants

• Edit and proofread mercilessly

• Misspelled words, grammatical errors, and stains are a kiss of death in a resume• Have a second pair of eyes review your resume

• Do not include personal info• Do not include your age, marital status, race, hobbies, or political affiliation

Creating an Impactful Resume


Job Search OperationsThink quality over quantity during your job search. Have a structured mode ofoperation to maximize application time to positions you are most interested inand qualified for. • Get organized• Stay visible to employers• Use top job search sources• Research companies• Understand job descriptions• Follow employer directions in applications• Be persistent and patient with the process• Leverage your network for company contacts and referrals


The Art of NetworkingNetworking is a critical part of the job search. Developing and leveraging relationships to achievedesires goals are the results of good networking skills. Key administration and technology skillsnot only increase success within the workplace, but also assist in developing a strong networkingplan.


• Creating a successful job search strategy does not have to be an intimidating process, itrequires planning and consistent execution

• It is an opportunity to showcase your business acumen, with you being your first client

• Use key business fundamentals as a guide to structure your goals and actions plans to

maximize obtaining your “best fit” job opportunity

• Take notes along the way of things you could have done better and what you’ve learned

• Master communication and networking skills; continuously add to your repertoire of skillsthrough training, certification, and research

• Know what you want and be open minded about the path to get there

• Career success is not a linear process, but rather a carefully crafted summation of all

your experiences

Summary

Creating impactful Cover Lettersand Resumes

cover letters and resumes - rush university medical center · 2020. 9. 21. · title: cover letters...

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