Definitions

• Résumé—a detailed list or outline of a job applicant’s work history and other qualifications/skills

• Application Letter (Cover Letter)—a letter that accompanies the résumé and that provides a persuasive introduction to the résumé

Facts

• Most good jobs require a college education (good in terms of pay, stability, opportunities for advancement).

• Most of these good jobs will be filled based on three things: application letter, resume, and interview.

Goals of this Unit

• Help you write a resume and application letter.

• Help you enhance the resume and application letter you already have on file.

• In either case, you leave with a resume and application letter you can use and adapt to help you land a good job.

Initial Tasks• Identify a specific job or position for which you

plan to apply.• Identify skills and qualifications to include on

résumé.– Career Objective– Personal Information– Education– Experience/Military Experience– Specialized Skills or Credentials– Honors and Awards – Community Service– References

Career Objective

• Brief statement of career plans• Example: To secure a rewarding position in

a stable marketing firm.• Example: A full-time position as a staff

accountant.• Use for résumés designed for specific jobs

or positions.• NOTE: May limit effectiveness of résumé

Personal Information

• Name• Address• Phone Number• Fax Number• E-mail Address• NOTE: No birth date, race, religious affiliation,

marital status, social security number, height, weight, health, etc.

Education

• Name and Address of Institution(s)• Program/Degree/Certificate• Dates of Attendance/Degree• Classes/Projects• Honors• GPA• NOTE: Typically, no high school

Experience

• Job Title• Dates of Employment• Name and Address of Employer• Job Duties (Use ACTION Verbs)

Military Experience

• Branch• Dates• Highest Rank• Noteworthy Travel, Duty, Accomplishments,

and/or Honors

Specialized Skills or Credentials

• Licenses• Certifications• Foreign Language• Technology Skills• Any other skill that doesn’t “fit” elsewhere

Honors and Awards

• Dean’s List• Merit Citations• Medals• Safety Awards• Scholarships, etc.• May place under education or experience.

Community Service

• Volunteer Work• Membership in Clubs, Organizations, Churches• Dates• Offices Held• Accomplishments

References

• 3-5 Professional, Positive References• Supervisors, Teachers, etc.• Ask Permission• Send upon Request • NOTE: No relatives or friends

Guidelines for Résumés

1) Make Résumés Visually Attractive

– Typed, quality print– 8 ½ x 11, standard bond, white paper– Creative, professional use of CAPS, boldface,

and white space.

2) Clearly Label Information

– Education, Experience, Honors, Community Service, etc.

– Use boldface, CAPS, etc.– Use lists, especially bullets– Consistent presentation

3) Include All Necessary Details

– Names, addresses, dates, etc.– BE HONEST.

4) Use Reverse Chronological Order

– Education– Experience, etc.

5) Typically Limit to One Page

6) Make Mechanically Perfect

– No Grammar Errors– No Sentence Structure Errors– No Spelling or Punctuation Errors– No Typos– No Spacing or Format Inconsistencies

Organizational Patterns for Résumés

• Chronological– Highlights Education and Work History in Reverse

Chronological Order• Functional– Highlights Skills/Areas of Competence

• Combination– Highlights Skills and Includes Chronological

Detailing of Background

When Should I Use the Chronological Pattern?

• Do I already have experience in my field?• Does my job history show progressively more

responsibility and accomplishment?• Am I seeking the same type of job that I have

held previously?• Are my previous employers well-known?

When Should I Use the Functional Pattern?

• Do I have a lot of different work experience that is not all in the same field?

• Have I changed jobs or careers frequently?• Do I have frequent gaps in my job history?• Am I new to the job market?

When Should I Use the Combination Format?

• Do I have a lot of different work experience that is not all in the same field?

• Have I changed jobs or careers frequently?• Do I have frequent gaps in my job history?• Do I want to target my skills toward a specific

job while still highlighting my work history?

Application Letters

• Accompanies each copy of a résumé• A persuasive introduction to the résumé• Often read first, before the résumé• Can distinguish applicants by the quality of the

writing and the way in which it customizes the résumé

Guidelines

• Uses full block format• Typed, quality print• 8 ½ x 11, standard bond, white paper• Length of one page—maximum • Addressed to a specific person, position, or

department• Mechanically perfect

Components

• First Paragraph (One to three sentences)

– Your purpose: applying for the job (specific title or position)

– How you found out about the job– Why you want the job (what skills and background

you bring to it)

• Middle Paragraph(s)

– Summary of your experience, education, and other qualifications

– Provide details not included on the résumé– Highlight noteworthy qualifications that might

set you apart from other applicants– Explain special circumstances– Connect your qualifications to the employer’s

needs (use a reader-centered perspective)

• Closing Paragraph

– Thank the employer for considering your application

– Request an interview– Include any necessary contact information