Michael Penwell, Career advisor

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Resume and Cover Letter Writing

• Michael Penwell, Career advisor
• Lycoming College
• Career Services
• Email careerservices_at_lycoming.edu
• Website www.lycoming.edu/careerservices

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The Purpose of a Cover Letter

• Communicates availability, qualifications, and
  interest to employers
• Personalizes your resume by accenting strengths
  relating to the qualifications desired for the
  position
• Serves as a formal letter of application, as a
  response to a job ad, as a result of referral, or
  as unsolicited inquiry for employment

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The Content of a Cover Letter

• Captures readers interest, makes reader want to
  learn more
• Explains your reason for interest in employment
• Relates your strengths to an employers needs
• Contains a call to action
• (a request for the next step)

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Elements of a Cover Letter

• What to Include

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The Basics

• Return Address
• Location Top right, left, or centered
• Your Street Address
• City, State, Zip Code
• Date
• (Above or under return
• address)

Example
2129 West Third Street Williamsport,
PA 17701 March 22, 2008
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The Basics
Many students are designing letterhead which
complements their resume in lieu of return
address information
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The Basics

• Contact Information Addressing to Employer
• Location Aligned with Left Margin
• Contacts Full Name
• Contacts Exact Title
• Contacts Department
• Name of Organization
• Street Address
• City, State, Zip Code

Example
Ms. Angela M. Vermilya President and CEO Lycoming
College 700 College Place Williamsport, PA 17701
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The Basics

• Salutation
• Location Under contact information
• Use Official Title (Mr., Mrs., Dr., Rev., Sr.,
  Hon., etc.)
• Last name of Contact

Example
Dear Ms. Vermilya
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The Body Paragraphs

• A cover letter includes an opening paragraph,
  middle paragraph(s), and a closing paragraph.
• (depending on your writing style, it could be 3
  or 4 paragraphs)

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Opening Paragraph

• Purpose
• Captures attention
• Sets the tone for the letter
• Builds a match of your qualifications with the
  employers needs

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Opening Paragraph

• Methods of accomplishing purpose
• State the purpose of the letter
• Mention name of mutual friend
• State your top credentials or selling points
• Name the position, department, and company
• State source of lead

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Middle Paragraph(s)

• Purpose
• Communicates main selling points
• Shows that you are the candidate to most benefit
  the company
• Proves that your skills match employers needs
• Creates interest
• Illustrates personality

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Middle Paragraph(s)

• Methods of accomplishing purpose
• Point to achievements
• Use action verbs
• Offer proof of skills and abilities

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Closing Paragraph

• Purpose
• Reemphasizes strengths
• Makes a request for or offers further action
• Provides your personal contact information, i.e.
  e-mail address, telephone number

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Closing Paragraph

• Methods of accomplishing purpose
• Restate that you are the candidate who best fits
  employers needs
• Restate position and company name
• State time line, specific follow-up information,
  and dates
• Express appreciation for time, effort, and
  consideration

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Closing

• Sincerely,
• Signature
• Typed Name
• Enclosure
• Resume, References, etc.

Example Sincerely, John Dida Greatjob Enclosures
Resume, References
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Formatting a Cover Letter

• Utilize the following formatting suggestions in
  composing your cover letter

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Personalization

• Address letter to person with hiring power
• Do not address your cover letter To whom it may
  concern
• State the position sought, organization name, and
  if appropriate, the geographic location
• Match your strengths and abilities to the
  organizations specific needs

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Personalization

• Do not state verbatim the information on your
  resume
• Provide additional information and details which
  are not on your resume
• Cover letters must accompany resumes and
  employment applications

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Length

• Cover letters should be one page in length

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Appearance

• Arrange cover letters using a standard business
  format
• View other sample cover letters for formatting
  examples
• Cover letters should be single spaced

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Word Choice

• Use positive words and/or action verbs
  capitalizing on your strengths
• Avoid clichés and trite language
• Avoid repetition and/or non-descriptive words
  including is, or, was
• Do not abbreviate, or use unnecessary jargon
• Use concise, specific statements and short
  paragraphs

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Proofreading

• Misspellings, grammatical errors, and improper
  punctuation are unacceptable
• Cover letters must be well organized
• Avoid lengthy descriptions. Write lucidly and
  concisely.
• Make sure the company name and title are
  consistent in the letter
• Sign your letter

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Coordinate with Resume and References

• Select a font style that matches your resume and
  references
• Consider developing personal letterhead that
  carries over from cover letter to resume and
  reference list.
• Use matching paper of good quality

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Resume Writing
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Most Important information? Your Name! Make it
big and bold so your employer can pick you
out! Be sure to put all information. Are you
graduating or going on an internship? You want
the employer to be able to contact you!
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Objective Why are you writing this resume? What
do you want? Education What is your degree in?
When did you get it? Where did you go? All other
information can be used, but does not have to be
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Computer Skills Skills appropriate to your
discipline. Not always computer
related. Coursework Classes you have taken that
you believe give you a heightened understanding
of the field or job you are applying for.
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Experience Important, but its ok if you do not
have a lot of it. Summer/Part time Jobs still
show reliability and dedication.
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Activities Show off what you have accomplished!
Leadership roles, Volunteer activities,
Professional affiliations, and co-curricular
activities are important to employers. Honors
Anything that will make you stand
out. Availability Especially important if
applying while still in school. How long after
graduation will you need before you can start to
work?
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Tips

• An Employer spends about 15-20 seconds on a
  resume.
• Content should never be more than 1 page
• Margins can range from 1 inch to .5 inches
• Font Times New Roman or Arial. (10-12)
• Do not include references on resume.
• Begin each sentence with a strong action verb.
• Put the most relevant and valuable information
  that relates to the position for which you are
  applying

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Action Words

• Accomplished
• Achieved
• Analyzed
• Budgeted
• Compiled
• Composed
• Confronted
• Counseled
• Cultivated
• Delegated

• Designed
• Developed
• Edited
• Evaluated
• Examined
• Facilitated
• Forecasted
• Gained
• Generated
• Guided

• Identified
• Illustrated
• Implemented
• Increased
• Inspected
• Maintained
• Managed
• Marketed
• Motivated
• Negotiated

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Questions/Comments?

• Check out our website for more resume writing
  tips
• www.lycoming.edu/careerservices
• Come to Career Services to have your resume
  critiqued by a member of our staff!
• Want to arrange an appointment?
• Contact us careerservices_at_lycoming.edu
• or call us at 570-321-4034