Resume And Cover Letter Techniques For The Graduating Senior

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Resume And Cover Letter Techniques For The
Graduating Senior
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John MontemayorCareer Center Coordinator

• Bachelor of Science Degree in Economics from the
  W. Paul Stillman School Of Business, Seton Hall
  University
• Hired by USC-Upstate on June 2003
• 10 Years of Experience in Human Resource
  Management, Staffing, and On-Campus Recruiting

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What Not To Do In Your Senior Year

• Did not go to the Career Center until 2 weeks
  before on-campus interviews started
• Did not have a resume until a week before my
  first interview
• Did not have any mock interviews
• Rejected by all 8 companies that interviewed me

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The Cover Letter

• Important because it is read first!!
• Captures the readers interest
• Brief, precise, and professional

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Introduction

• Use the persons name and title
• Never include To Whom It May Concern, Dear
  Hiring Decision Maker, or Dear Sir or Madam.

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• August 29, 2007
• Mr. Daniel Snyder
• Director of Human Resources
• Coloplast Corporation
• 1955 West Oak Circle
• Marietta, Georgia 30062

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First Paragraph

• Introduce yourself
• State the position that you are applying for
• Describe how you found out about the opening
  (website, newspaper, etc.)

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Mr. Snyder   My name is John Montemayor and I
will be graduating from University of South
Carolina Upstate in December 2007 with a Bachelor
of Arts degree in English. I am responding to
the September job posting for Marketing
Communications Specialist on Monster.com.  
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Second Paragraph

• Sell Yourself!!
• Emphasize related experiences and accomplishments
  related to the job opening

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• I am currently in a marketing internship with The
  Peace Center for The Performing Arts in
  Greenville, South Carolina. In this capacity, I
  am instrumental in the analysis of attendance
  trends by demographic group and income level. In
  addition, I assist in the development of
  promotional material of upcoming shows. I have
  also served in various customer service positions
  in both the retail and restaurant industries.

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Third Paragraph

• Pave the way for an interview
• Indicate flexibility to meet at Their
  convenience
• Indicate easiest way to contact you

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• I hope you agree that my experience stated above
  and in my resume would make an excellent fit as a
  Marketing Communications Specialist with your
  organization. I would welcome the opportunity to
  discuss my qualifications further with you at
  your convenience. Please feel free to call me at
  home at [phone] or email me at
  jmontemayor_at_uscupstate.edu if you have any
  questions. I hope to hear from you soon.
•  
• Sincerely,
•  
•  
•  
• John Montemayor

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 August 29, 2007   Mr. Daniel Snyder Director
of Human Resources Coloplast Corporation 1955
West Oak Circle Marietta, Georgia 30062   Mr.
Snyder   My name is John Montemayor and I will
be graduating from University of South Carolina
Upstate in December 2007 with a Bachelor of Arts
degree in English. I am responding to the
September job posting for Marketing
Communications Specialist on Monster.com. I am
currently in a marketing internship with The
Peace Center for Performing Arts in Greenville,
South Carolina. In this capacity, I am
instrumental in the analysis of attendance trends
by demographic group and income level. In
addition, I assist in the development of
promotional material of upcoming shows. I have
also served in various customer service positions
in both the retail and restaurant industries. I
hope you agree that my experience stated above
and in my resume would make an excellent fit as a
Marketing Communications Specialist with your
organization. I would welcome the opportunity to
discuss my qualifications further with you at
your convenience. Please feel free to call me at
home at [phone] or email me at
jmontemayor_at_uscupstate.edu if you have any
questions. I hope to hear from you
soon.   Sincerely,       John Montemayor
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The Resume

• Heading
• Objective
• Education
• Work Experience
• Honors/Affiliations
• Skills

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The Heading

• Spell out everything, no abbreviations
• Include home and cell phone numbers
• Make sure you have a professional email address

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John J. Montemayor 608 Forest Glen
Road Silver Spring, Maryland 20901 Home Phone -
[phone] Cell Phone (301)
827-8993 jmontemayor_at_uscupstate.edu
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The Objective

• Gives your resume focus and indicates to the
  employer the type of position you are seeking
• The objective can be as specific or as general as
  you want it to be

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Objective To pursue an entry level position in
sales or marketing with Erwin-Penland, Inc.
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Education

• List all majors and concentrations and include
  GPA if over a 3.0
• Spell out everything (Bachelor of Science instead
  of BS)

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Education University of South Carolina
Upstate Bachelor of Arts Degree in
Communications Concentration in
Journalism Anticipated date of
graduation, December 2007
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Work Experience

• Start with most recent job
• Include dates, responsibilities, duties, and
  accomplishments
• Utilize action verbs such as created, directed,
  provided, etc.

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• The Peace Center, Greenville, South Carolina
• Aug. 2007-Present
• Marketing Intern
• Research and compile list of potential theater
  patrons
• Evaluate attendance trends and zip code analysis
• Determine different groups (ethnic, demographic,
  etc) to attend other that the current base
• Create promotional material marketing theater
  shows and performances

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Honors and Affiliations

• Only mention those that you are currently active
• Include any offices held and accomplishments
• Include dates when listing awards

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• Affiliations Sigma Pi Fraternity Fall
  2003-Present President Fall 2007-Present Trea
  surer Fall 2006-Fall 2007Awards Fall 2005
  and Spring 2006 Deans List

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Skills

• Tangible skills only. Leave out adjectives such
  as hard worker, team player, and excellent
  communicator
• Only list computer skills if you are totally
  proficient

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Skills Word, Excel, PowerPoint
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John J. Montemayor 608 Forest Glen
Road Silver Spring, Maryland 20901 Home Phone -
[phone] Cell Phone (301)
827-8993 jmontemayor_at_aol.com
Objective To pursue an entry level position in
sales or marketing with Erwin-Penland,
Inc. Education University of South Carolina
Upstate, Spartanburg, South Carolina Bachelor
of Arts Degree in Communications Concentration
in Journalism Anticipated date of graduation,
December 2007 Experience The Peace Center,
Greenville, South Carolina Aug.
2007-Present Marketing Intern Research and
compile list of potential theater
patrons Evaluate attendance trends and zip code
analysis Determine different groups (ethnic,
demographic, etc) to attend other that the
current base Create promotional material
marketing theater shows and performances Verizon
Wireless, Spartanburg, South Carolina Aug.
2005-Aug. 2007 Customer Service Associate Ranked
as top wireless sales associate in Sept., Oct.,
and Dec. 2003 Created most efficient wireless
calling plan to present and future cellular
customers Suggestively sold wireless phones and
accessories Wild Wing Café, Greenville, South
Carolina May 2003-Aug. 2005 Wait Staff Ensured
pleasant shopping environment for restaurant
patrons Recommended dining and beverage
specials Assisted with back of house staff as
needed Affiliations Sigma Pi Fraternity Fall
2003-Present President Fall
2007-Present Treasurer Fall 2006-Fall
2007 USC-Upstate Marketing Club Fall
2003-Present Awards Deans List Fall 2005
Spring 2006 Skills Word, Excel, PowerPoint
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Dos and Donts

• Invest in some professional resume paper for your
  resume AND cover letter
• Omit any personal information
• Create a separate reference sheet

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Questions?
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Degree Job