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Résumés and Cover Letters Notes
About Résumés and Cover Letters
A résumé is a summary of your work experience, education, and skills that you send to a prospective employer if you are interested in a job. Most job advertisements will require you to send a résumé.
A cover letter is the letter that accompanies your résumé. It explains your interest in the job and highlights why you would be a good candidate for the job. This letter should be brief and simply stating that you are interested in a particular job. Even if you are sending your résumé electronically, you still need to create a cover letter that will be the text of your e-mail to the employer.
Types of Résumés
Chronological Résumé
· The traditional and most popular form
· Lists your education and experience in reverse chronological order, starting with your current or most recent employer.
· Below that will be the other sections (see below)
· For job-seekers just out of high school or college, the education section will often be listed first, since it is usually more important than your experience
Functional Résumé
· Highlights various skills…for example: Sales Experience, Management Skills, and Technical Knowledge.
· Not typically used by those new to the workforce.
Typical Sections on a Chronological Resume
Objective - statement about the type of job/career you are looking for. State in outline form, not full sentence. Tailor this statement to the job description you are applying for.
Education - List each school separately with dates of attendance (month and year) and degrees/diplomas earned. You may include schools you are currently attending with the anticipated date of graduation. If it's good, list your G.P.A. If you're a college graduate, only include college information.
Experience (Work or Related Experience) – This may include paid or volunteer work. Separate each job and list the dates you were there (month and year) and the titles you held. Use bullets to highlight responsibilities and accomplishments
Activities or Interests: Include extracurricular and hobbies. You can include honors or awards in bullet points.
Special Skills - You might use a table or bullets to list.
References: List several such as neighbors, parent’s friend or teacher….or put “Available Upon Request” – see sample. Be sure to get permission when you list a reference.
What makes a good résumé?
· Length: Aim for 1 page - A résumé should never be longer than 2 pages. For those looking for their first job, it should typically be reduced to 1 page
· Font - Use a font in 10-12 point size for everything except your name, which may be larger. Cambria and Times New Roman are both viable options, but don't mix fonts. All-caps for section titles may be useful.
· Heading - Include your name, address, phone number, and email address. You might also include your website, if you have one.
· Organization - Employers want to be able to gather the most important points on the résumé without having to spend a lot of time. Sections should be clearly separated, and you might use bold, underline, and italic for emphasis. Utilizing tables and columns may also help create a more organized résumé.
· Be Specific – Bullet point your accomplishments in your work experience and in your education. Focus especially on those accomplishments that line up with the job you're applying for. Use data if you have it: what was your G.P.A. in school, how much sales did you generate, how many projects did you work on, etc.
· Proofread - There is no excuse for spelling mistakes or incorrect grammar on your résumé. If you don't feel confident in your proofreading ability, find someone in your family or group of friends who can help you with it.
What makes a good Cover Letter?
· Business Letter Format - Include your return address, the job address, date, opening, and closing.
· Font - 10-12 point font.
· Length – short and to the point - 1-2 paragraphs.
· Content - Explain where you found out about the job, why want to work for this employer, and what your main qualifications are.
· Close - ask for an interview.
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