the first step toward landing your next job€¦ · the first step toward landing your next job...
TRANSCRIPT
THE FIRST STEP TOWARD LANDING
YOUR NEXT JOB
Writing The Effective Resume/Cover Letter
Writing An Effective Resume
● What information should be in a resume?
● Characteristics of a successful resume.
● Functional or Chronological.
● Scannable resume.
What Information Should Be in a Resume?
● Identify Yourself
● Education
● Continuing Education
● Work or Professional Experience
● Volunteer Experience
● Activities
● Computer Skills
● Professional Associations
Optional Sections
● Objective
● Special Skills and Abilities
● References
HEADING
● Full name (middle or middle initial).
● Accurate address
● Phone number (with area code).
● Email address-appropriate and one you check often!
SAMPLE HEADING
JOHN T. SMITH
12541 East Penwall Street
New York, New York 00112
(578) 568-4517
Job Objective
● List what position you are seeking-be specific.
● Not in complete sentences.
● Change objective for different positions.
● Example: A position as an administrative assistant in a business office.
Education
● Most important in your resume at this time.
● Name of school / accurate address.
● Graduation date / special courses.
● School activities, clubs / job related skills
● GPA (only if favorable)
Sample Education Section
Sept 2011- Present William Ford High School
23457 Sorto Street
Clearwater, Florida 54154
GPA: 3.0/4.0 Diploma: June 2017
Classes: Spanish III, Advanced Marketing, Advanced Geometry, Technical Drawing III
Skills: Microsoft Powerpoint, Advanced Solidworks, Quickbooks PRO
Extracurricular Activities: Volleyball (3 years), Marching Band (2 years), Extreme Science Club (1 year), President of Key Club (1 year)
Experience-professional/volunteer
● Name of organization / organization information.
● Employment dates (be accurate) / reverse chronological order.
● Job title/job duties.
● Use active verbs (past or present tense)
ACTIVE VERBS
achieved handled performed served
analyzed helped planned scheduled
arranged improved prepared sold
assembled installed presented solved
assisted learned processed sorted
built maintained produced studied
coordinated managed provided trained
demonstrated operated recorded won
designed organized repaired worked
developed participated selected wrote
Sample Experience Section
October 2010-Present CVS Pharmacy 6895 Fort Street Lincoln Park, Michigan 48190 Cashier / Clerk, part-time
● working with customers ● helping customers solve problems ● stocking shelves ● doing inventory
April 2009-June 2010 Taco Bell 234851 Telegraph Road Taylor, Michigan 48101
Cashier / Customer Service Representative
● worked with customers ● helped customers solve problems ● trained new employees
Reference Page
● List your complete heading at the top
● List references on this page only (separate from resume)
● Reference information must be complete:
● Full name, title, address, phone number, email
● List how long you have known the individual
Reference Example
References for:
JOHN T. SMITH
12541 East Penwall Street
New York, New York 00112
(578) 568-4517
________________________________________________________
Holly B. Worner
Registered Nurse
Oakwood Health Systems
87777 Oakwood Boulevard
Dearborn, Michigan 48102
(313) 994-8574
Known for 8 years (personal reference)
Characteristics Of A Successful Resume
● Focuses on skills. Uses action words to define the
responsibilities of your job-related experience.
● Easy to read and understand.
● Visually powerful and free of gimmicks.
● One page, (2 pages an exception).
Characteristics Of A Successful Resume
● Language is grammatically PERFECT.
● Spelling has been checked.
● Formal Style
Resume Faux Pax
● Typos and Grammar Slips
○ “Great attention to detail.”
○ “Proven ability to track down and correct erors.”
○ “Am a perfectionist and rarely if ever forget etails.”
○ “Accomplishments: Completed 11 years of high school.”
○ Don’t use “I” or “me”
Characteristics Of A Successful Resume
● Must always be 100% truthful.
● Contains no inappropriate personal information.
● Produced on a computer.
● Data presented in chronological order (unless functional).
Functional Resumes
● Doesn’t go in chronological order.
● Based upon competencies or skills.
● Used for career changers or those with
unconventional work histories (or executives).
○ Might say “Sales Experience” then list it.
○ Typically brief with a simple list of positions
held, etc.
○ De-emphasizes importance of specific jobs.
● Drawbacks to this system (not as popular).
Scannable Resume
● Watch bullet points (don’t always scan).
● How about a dash - ?
● Use labels or keywords.
● Less is more.
● Keep the design simple.
● Minimize use of abbreviations.
Basic Checklist
● No spelling or grammar errors.
● Neat, clean, and professional looking.
● Length should be 1-2 pages.
● Consistent margins at sides and bottom.
● Layout makes reading easy. Use of white space is effective.
Basic Checklist
● Important titles should be emphasized. Experiment
with fonts & styles; bold, italic, and underlines. No
more than 2 or 3 different sizes.
● Information is logically recorded.
● Use Action Verbs for accomplishments & results.
● Information is PARALLEL
Basic Checklist
● Bullet points when possible for accomplishments.
● Quantify your results whenever you can.
● Format - chronological
●Any questions??????
Writing An Effective Cover Letter
How To Write A Cover Letter - Rules
● Give enough information to interest the reader, don’t
overwhelm.
● Research the company. Address the letter to a
specific person.
● Answer an ad if you have 50% of the skills or background that the ad requires.
● Mention the person who referred you if appropriate.
How To Write A Cover Letter - Contents
● Your address, city, state, zip, and telephone number.
● Date
● Name, title, company, address, city, state, and zip of
person you’re writing to.
● Greeting, followed by a colon.
How To Write A Cover Letter - Contents
● Paragraph 1:
○ What position are you applying for and how did you hear about it?
○ How you know about the organization.
● Paragraph 2:
○ Concise overview of work history and skills
that will help you perform the job.
○ Mention enclosure of your resume.
How To Write A Cover Letter - Contents
● Paragraph 3:
○ State confidence in your ability.
○ Give information on how you can be contacted
○ Express appreciation
● Closing, signature, and typed name