ARIZONASTATEUNIVERSITY

HR RECRUITMENT & SELECTION

RESUME & COVER LETTER WRITING GUIDE

ESC: 480-965-2701

OBJECTIVE:

This guide is intended to aid job seekers with best practices to developing and organizingtheirapplication documents (Resume, Cover letter & 3 Professional References) required for applicationto ASU Classified Staff and Service Professional positions.

CHALLENGES:

Applicants may not realize a completed application is required to be considered for employment with ASU. If a candidate does not submit a completed application, they may be disqualified from interviews. Candidates must read and follow theInstructions to Apply section of each job announcement, so that their application is received and includes all the proper information, and dates properly formatted. Requirements can differ from job to job.

Hiring teams seek out examples of specific work experience in the resume body, which is listed in two sections of the job announcement: Minimum Qualifications and Desired Qualifications. These sections will differ from job to job, so it is imperative applicants review them each separatelyand make the necessary changes the context of their resume so that the application speaks to each specific position.

RESUME WRITING TIPS:

  1. Most successful resumes for ASU positions are formatted in Chronological order, from newest experience on top, to oldest on bottom. Employment and Volunteer experience is applicable.
  1. If you attended training/school, but are yet to achieve a degree or certification, make sure to list how many credits were completed towards this designation.
  1. Dates of employment Must be specified with the month AND yearof when you worked there. Examples: June, 2006 – July, 2007 OR 6/2006 – 7/2007 are acceptable.
  1. Each position listed in the resume should specify whether or not the work was Full time or Part time hours, especially if employment history appears to overlap.
  1. Achievements, awards, use of technical software, knowledge/skills/abilities acquired, etc. should be summarized in about 3-5 bullets underneath each job recorded. Employers often don’t have time to read lengthy paragraphs about the duties and responsibilities you held at your prior job. So, short and pithy examples of what you accomplished at each job is the best lure to gain an interview.
  1. The cover letter should briefly address your purpose and intent, why you’re qualified for the job, and next steps. It should not be longer than one page in length, and should be addressed to: “Dear Hiring Department”.
  1. Professional references should be prior supervisors, leads or managers, who can speak to your work experience and performance. Name, title, and contact information should be included.
  1. REQUESTED MATERIAL MUST ALL BE IN ONE ATTACHMENT, either a Word or PDF document works, and uploaded or copied/pasted electronically, through the ASU employment website:

EXAMPLE APPLICATION COVERLETTER:

Test Applicant Name

Address

Contact phone

Email:

April 6, 2008

Dear Hiring Department:

Enclosed is my application for your reviewofthe Instruction Specialistposition(Job ID# 12345). I feel that I would be an excellent candidate for this position because of my education and background with student records, tutoring and lab assistance experience.

I bring with me a Bachelors degree in Biology and 6 years in a collegiate environment, bothArizonaStateUniversity and MesaCommunity College. My record will show that I excel at providing quality customer service for students while maintaining a stellar & accurate work performance, which my professional references will attest to. I can handle a large quantity of paperwork and am very adept at multi-tasking. I feel I have much to offer to for this position because of my experience working with students directly, via online support, and over the phone. I am experienced in PeopleSoft, ProSam, Continuity, SIS, DARS, Control-D, Microsoft Windows XP & Office products. I have further illustrated my experience in my resume and encourage you to review my education and experience.

I am an extremely organized and a diligent worker, who truly enjoys working in a college/university environment. I feel it is very rewarding to play a small part in helping people reach their goals. I feel that my experiences have prepared me to meet the qualifications of this position and would be thrilledto meet for an interview. I am usually available after 3pm daily, by phone.

Thank you in advance for your time and consideration and I look forward to hearing from you.

Sincerely,

Test Applicant Name

EXAMPLE APPLICATIONRESUME:

Test Applicant Name

Address

Contact phone number

Email:

EDUCATION:

Bachelor in Science Biology Degree, ArizonaStateUniversity, Tempe/Arizona Graduated with honors, Cum Laude, GPA 3.49

Associates of Arts Degree, MesaCommunity College, Mesa/Arizona

EXPERIENCE:

Most Recent Position Title -Company Name, City/State Month/Year to Month/Year

  • Achievement and/or Award
  • Skill Acquired
  • Knowledge gained
  • Accomplishment
  • Technical skills and software/applications used

Credentials Evaluator, Sr. - Office of the Registrar, ArizonaStateUniversity, Tempe/AZ6/2006 – Present

  • Accurately evaluates and certifies complex credentials and transcripts; processes credentials based on established readmissions guidelines and policies; ensures authenticity of documents.
  • Reviews and verifies transcripts received; researches various academic systems to determine transferability and equivalencies of applicants’ credits; checks and converts credits to semester system.
  • Effectively responds to inquiries from students, faculty, staff, and the general public in person, by telephone, and by e-mail, regarding application status, academic records & related department procedures, while providing excellent customer service.
  • Trains new staff in procedures and computer use (PeopleSoft, Advantage, Rumba web application).
  • Assists supervisor in gathering information and in preparation of various reports; performs other administrative functions in assistance of supervisor. Collects service measurements for the annual report.
  • Maintains:the section wage budget for student part-time workers (submits timecards, and monitors schedule & hours worked); application fee records (retains fees received in secure location, records fee deposits, and deposit fees within other ASU departments).

Volunteer Tutor – MesaCommunity College, Mesa/Arizona 2/2002–3/2006

(Part-time 20 hours week)

  • Recognized for tutor of the Month three times (8/02; 5/04; 1/06)
  • Volunteered to consult and tutor with students with Math and Science studies.
  • Acquired multiple teaching methods and strategies, and applied them with students of diverse knowledge and backgrounds.
  • Trained peers on tutoring methods, office procedures and computer programs.
  • Proficient with MS Office Applications (i.e. Word, Excel, Outlook and PowerPoint), and mastered internal database for monitoring students, activities and progress.

Lab Assistant-PIRC Lab –MesaCommunity College, Mesa/Arizona9/2002 – 6/2006

(Part-time 20 hours week)

  • Tutor community college students in general psychology subjects, and grading student lab manuals.
  • Train and instruct students in operating various educational computer programs (i.e. ProSam, Continuity, SIS, DARS, Control-D, Microsoft Windows XP & Office products).
  • Demonstrated great organization skills by keeping the educational resources maintained, restocked, and maintaining the instructor files.
  • Provide excellent support for faculty and staff with student inquiries.

Office Assistant–Sidelines Incorporated, Scottsdale/Arizona10/2000 – 2/2002

  • Effectively and efficiently addressedcustomers and office correspondence, answered multi-line telephone, typed and copied projects using Microsoft Office products, maintained confidential files, assisted the front desk reception, and ran errands for the department.
  • Completed a monthly inventory with successful results.
  • Quickly learned and mastered new program, Peachtree.
  • Promoted from Reception to Office Assistant in one year, and trained new Reception person.

ADDITIONAL SKILLS:

Strong knowledge and application of student learning styles and training methodology. Received Six Sigma training 2006. Proficient with Peachtree, MS Office applications, ProSam, Continuity, SIS, DARS, Control-D, PeopleSoft, Advantage, Rumba web application.

EXAMPLE APPLICATION REFERENCES:

PROFESSIONAL REFERENCES:

Tina Apple

Supervisor

ArizonaStateUniversity

Address

(480)-123-4567

JoeOrange

Lead

MesaCommunity College

Address

(602)-123-4567

Pam Pear

Manager

Sidelines Incorporated

Address

(206)-123-4567

Last updated 1/13/2019