presenting me! resumes and cover letters

8/14/2019 Presenting ME! Resumes and Cover Letters

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Presenting ME!Resumes and Cover Letters

Presented by: Mark R. MartellOffice of Career Services

http://careers.ocs..uic.edu(312)-996-2300


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OCS Services Individual Counseling

Drop-In Advising

Career Seminars

Career Exploration Center Videotaped Mock Interviews

Career Fairs

UICCareers.com

More information http://careers.ocs.uic.edu


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Workshop Outline Resums

Cover Letters

Interview Preparation

Upcoming Events

Q&A and Comments


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What is a Rsum?A document describing your qualifications, education,and relevant work experience.

What is its purpose?To market yourself!


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How long will an employer initiallyspend looking at your resume?

A. 30 seconds

B. 1 minute

C. 2 minutesD.5 minutes

Pop Quiz!


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Before a Rsum

Invest enough effort in preparation.

Conduct an assessment of your skillsand experience.

Pick the appropriate rsum format.


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Rsum FormatsChronological Rsum: Lists experience in reverse

chronological order, most recent first.

Functional/Skills Rsum: Lists skills in order of

importance, highlights qualifications and accomplishments.Perfect when one has limited experience, gaps in history, or

changing career fields.

Combination Rsum: Mixture of both styles.


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Standard Sections Personal Information All of this

information goes at the top of the resume.

- Name: put your name (in bold or capitalletters or different font) on the 1st line.

- Contact Information: Address, City, State,Zip Code, Telephone, and Email Address.

SAMPLE 1: Tracy Q. Graduate sample in Resume Tips packet.

SAMPLE 2:MARK R. MARTELL

1200 West Harrison, Suite 3050 * Chicago, IL 60607 * [email protected] *312.996.2300


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More Standard Sections Education Name of school, city, state, name of

degree, major, minor, graduation date (or dates ofattendance if a degree was not completed), GPA.For example:

University of Illinois at Chicago Chicago, IL

Bachelor of Arts in Health Sciences(Pre-Dental Concentration)

Expected Graduation Date May 2010

GPA 3.7/4.0

Skills Computer skills, foreign languages, laboratorytechniques, etc.Experience Paid, volunteer, internships, military, etc.

- Use ACTION WORDS/VERBS: words that create a strongimpact

on the reader. They increase the strength of your skills and

experience and make potential employers take notice.


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Importance of Action Verbs

Dental Experience ABC: Coordinated outreach program. Attended to dentals needs of children. Volunteered at homeless shelters. Learned advanced clinical services.Dental Experience XYZ: Spearheaded outreach program addressing the unique oral

health care needs of healthy seniors at senior community

centers. Attended to dental needs of children and provided a safe and

inviting environment. Provided oral health care services to the underserved

population of Chicago, IL such as esthetic anterior andposterior composites, amalgam restorations, digitalradiographs, dental cleanings, and non-surgical extractions.

Performed advanced clinical services such as surgicalextractions, clinical crown lengthening surgeries,fixed/removable prosthodontics, basic restorative work,rotary filing, and the placement and restoration of implants.

With whom are you more impressed. . . ABC or XYZ?Who would you hire?

Present Tense vs. Past Tense


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Optional Sections

Objective Keep it brief, but not one-sided.

For example:

To work as a dentist in a progressive family practiceor community dental clinic.

versus

Seeking for opportunities in an established practicewhere I can learn and excel as well as incorporate myown ideas and utilize two years of dental experience.

Relevant Coursework List the actual name ofthe course and not code, i.e. Introduction to DentalWaxing not IDW 200.

Projects List any research or school relatedprojects with dates and titles of projects.


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More Optional Sections Honors/Awards

Example: Honor Award,April 2003

Affiliations/Memberships Example: Phi Beta Sigma, Member August 2005-present

Certifications/Licenses

References You may include the phrase references available

upon request. Make sure you inform your references before yougive their names out.


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Guidelines to Keep In Mind Your resume should have a focus. Use action verbs (see key words list). Avoid the use of I or My. Use pronoun-less third

person. Avoid personal evaluations such as learned a great

deal from this experience. Rather than telling what

you did, SHOW what you did! Give numbers,percentages, accomplishments, etc. Try to avoid acronyms: UIC versus University of Illinois

at Chicago (UIC). Abbreviate all states for the locations of your employer

and schools: IL not Illinois Keep dates consistent by format and location: 1991-

1993 is preferable to 1991-3 or try using themonth/year format 05/01-08/03; May 2001-August2003.

Edit and proofread for possible errors! Collage vs.College!


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Who is the author of this

book?


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What is a Cover Letter?A paragraph form of your resume thatintroduces yourself, qualifications, andinterest in the job. Elaboration of who you

are, what you have done, and how you fitthe company.

What is its purpose?

To get them to read the resumefurther and to remembersomething about you. To score aninterview!


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Pop Quiz

What is a common cover letter mistake?

a. A salutation of To Whom It MayConcern.

b. Telling what the company can do for yourather than what you can do for them.

c. Failing to be proactive with requesting an

interview.


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Salutation Always use surnames.

Avoid To Whom It May Concern or DearSir/Madame

Try to get a name. Research! After researching and a name is still not

available, use a title (To the SearchCommittee Chair, Dear Director ofPersonnel)

Never assume Mrs., use Ms. instead.

For bi-gender names like Pat Patterson.Safe to use To Pat Patterson.


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First ParagraphIntroductory ParagraphThis paragraph should be concise and grab the readers

attention. State the position for which you are applying and what

makes you the best candidate for this position. Be sure to

mention the source from which you learned of the position such

as the newspaper, a friend, or the internet.


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Second ParagraphDescribe how you will contribute to this company and why youare interested in this position. Show your knowledge of the

company and how your qualifications will benefit the company.Be concrete and specific. Use quantifiable information anddetails that show how your history or accomplishments makeyou stand out from other candidates. Avoid catch phrases andremember to keep it short and to the point.


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Final Paragraph and ClosureFinal Paragraph

Use this closing paragraph to request an interview. Indicate thebest way to contact you (phone or e-mail) and the times thatyou can most easily be reached.

ClosureSincerely,(Signature)Your Name

Enc. Resume and Cover Letter


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Cover Letter Tips Do not use contractions ("I will" instead of "I'll"; "do not.)

Be creative with the language you use. Mix it up. Find interestingways to describe what you did. Do not start every sentence withthe same word. Use Action Words.

Be specific. By how many percentage points were you able to

increase productivity at your last job? How did you do this? Focus on positives only. Don't admit lack of experience or other

shortcomings.

Show genuine interest in the job. Dont be arrogant oroverconfident.

Proof for typos/spelling errors. College versus Collage


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Questions and

Commentsuicocs.posterous.com

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