Resumes

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Resumes Cover Letters
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What is a Resume?

• A one or two-page summary of
• skills
• accomplishments
• experiences
• education

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What are the Types of Resumes?

• Chronological
• A listing of employment history by date
• Used when there is a consistent history of growth
• Functional
• A listing of transferable skills and knowledge
• Used when there are gaps in employment

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What is the Purpose of a Resume?

• Secure interview
• Outline skills, education, and achievements
• Promotion within an organization

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How Can I Build an Effective Resume?

• Identify skills and abilities
• Special needs relating to work environment
• salary
• special work environment
• geographic location
• people environment

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Conduct Self-Assessment Exercise

• List 10 skills developed in following areas
• Education
• Work
• Internships
• Volunteer
• Extracurricular
• Use action words to develop one-liner summaries

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Use Active Language

• Consult list of action words
• Be consistent with verb tense
• Use past tense for actions in past
• Do not use the word I
• Example assisted clients with selection of
  shoes, developed and promoted special marketing
  events, trained new employees, monitored cash

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Other Important Tips

• Be consistent
• spacing, order of information, fonts,
  highlighting
• Present information in reverse chronological
  order within categories
• Check for grammar and spelling
• Ensure resume is neat, visually appealing
• Choose quality paper and use the same for the
  cover letter

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Information to Include

• Name, address, phone, and e-mail
• Objective
• Summary
• Work Experience
• Education
• Additional Information
• interests, computer knowledge, activities,
  honors, leadership, military service, volunteer
  service

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Objective

• Briefly state goals without being too specific
• Supported by facts and accomplishments stated on
  resume
• Focus on what is brought to employer

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Summary

• If chosen, no more than 2-3 sentences
• Include at least one substantial achievement that
  supports employers goals
• Reference some aspect of your personality

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Work Experience

• If practical experience outweighs education, put
  it before education
• Use reverse chronological order
• List employer name, city and state, title,
  duties, achievements
• Emphasize contributions, achievements
• Avoid listing irrelevant responsibilities or job
  titles

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Education

• Use reverse chronological order
• Include professional courses that support your
  objective
• Include GPA if greater than 3.0
• Include any awards or special recognitions

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Additional Categories

• Special achievements, military service, languages
  spoken
• Community volunteer work
• Certificates
• Professional memberships
• Special skills

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Items not on a Resume

• Birth date, marital status, social security
  number
• Reason for leaving a position
• Race, religion, pictures
• References
• These are on a separate sheet to be given at the
  interview

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References

• Listed on separate sheet
• Have at least three references
• Name, employer, title, address, telephone
  work/home
• keep local if possible
• Ask references ahead of time

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Lets Practice

• My resume

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The Cover Letter

• Basics
• Contact information
• Objectives
• Why are you writing?
• Writing style

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The Basics

• Use same stationery as resume
• Appropriate letter style
• Address to a specific person if possible
• Include information relevant to job you are
  seeking
• Demonstrate energy, show pride

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Contact Information

• Name, address, phone number
• Have a reliable person to answer the phone
• Answering machine

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Objectives

• Why are you writing?
• advertised listing
• follow up on interview
• possible job opening
• Tie specifically to the target company
• Focus on your skills that meet requirements for
  posting
• Include salary requirements only if requested

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Writing Style

• Keep average sentence 10-20 words.
• Paragraphs--5 sentences or fewer
• Use action verbs and natural wording
• Sample cover letter

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Keeping Track

• Log and keep track of all letters sent
• keep copy of advertisement, letter, and contacts
• maintain database if possible
• Be prepared for a phone call
• answering machine
• reliable person to take message

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Get Ready for the Interview!