CAREER CONNECTION

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CAREER CONNECTION
Resume and Cover Letter Writing
CAREER CONNECTION 2nd Floor, Younkin Success
Center 1640 Neil Avenue 614-688-3898 www.careercon
nection.osu.edu
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Resume Writing
Identifying information Job objective Education Ex
perience Additional skills Optional
sections References
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Identifying information
Name (should be prominent) Present
address Alternate or permanent address (if youre
moving within the next 6 months) Phone
number(s) E-mail address (use your OSU account or
other professional looking address) Do not
include age, marital status, religion, or other
personal information. Do not use abbreviations -
spell out everything
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Job objective
Answers the question, what do I want to
do? State the type of position you are seeking
or the actual job title Consider including how
you will benefit the employer not what you are
seeking from the employer
1. An exciting position within any clinical
research company doing interesting things. 2. To
obtain a Clinical Research Associate position in
a pharmaceutical and biotech industry where the
amount of responsibility varies a great deal,
including writing investigator brochures,
discussing abnormal lab values, and that is
located in the Northeastern part of the U.S.,
preferably in New England. 3. A Clinical Research
Associate position where I can be promoted to a
Senior Research Technician in order to prepare
complex assays and manage a team. 4. To obtain a
Clinical Research Associate position with
Cardinal Health, utilizing my previous experience
in a lab and strong organizational skills.
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Education
Name and location of institution(s) attended in
reverse chronological order Degree(s)
awarded Anticipated or actual dates of
graduation Majors and minors GPA (if 3.0 or
higher) Study abroad experiences
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Experience
Name and location of employer Dates of
employment Title of job position Knowledge,
skills, and abilities developed on the job as
well as accomplishments Use present tense for
current job responsibilities and past tense for
previous responsibilities Any experience that is
particularly relevant to the job for which you
are applying should be given more space for its
description. Avoid using passive language such
as Responsible for, Duties included, or
Worked on in your descriptions. Do not use
articles of speech (the, an) or pronouns
(I). Winning Formula action object
outcomes
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Additional skills
Computer hardware and software with which you are
familiar Foreign languages Work-related training
or workshops attended Academic skills that are
related to the job (leadership, public speaking,
etc.)
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Optional sections
Relevant Coursework Split Work Experience in two
(Relevant Experience and Other Work
Experience) Research Experience Honors/Awards Comm
unity Service Volunteer Experience Extracurricular
Activities Professional Memberships Publications/
Presentations Licenses/Certifications
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References
List on a separate page Copy your identifying
information at the top of your reference page Use
the same format for references as the other
sections Balance of academic and
professional Consider supervisors from volunteer
experiences and internships No family members
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Characteristics of a successful resume
Shows purpose and direction Consistent (verb
tense, format, etc.) Factual Dynamic Visual
appeal (material is balanced on the page and
there are sufficient margins) Well-organized Reads
like a good newspaper story - with headlines and
leading phrases One page (in most cases) Zero
typographical errors Printed on quality resume
paper
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Why proofread? Excerpts from actual resumes
Received a plague for pharmaceutical sales
representative of the year Personal Interests
Donating blood. Fourteen gallons so
far. Instrumental in ruining entire operation for
a research drug facility in Dayton. Marital
Status Often Attended The Ohio State University
from 1895 1999
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Cover letter writing
The purpose of a cover letter is to tell a
prospective employer what you can do for them and
why you are qualified to meet their needs It is
an opportunity to demonstrate your writing skills
and it opens a window to your personality A
well-planned and well-written cover letter is
just as important as an impressive resume, and
should accompany the resume whenever possible
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Elements of a cover letter
Your return address and todays date Employers
contact information Greeting Introductory
paragraph Main paragraph Closing
paragraph Signature
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Cover letter format

• Your Street Address
• City, State Zip Code
• Date
• Name of Person
• Job Title
• Company/Organization
• Street Address
• City, State Zip Code
• Dear Mr./Dr./Ms../Mrs. XXXXXXXXX (an actual name
  vs. To Whom It May Concern)
• FIRST PARAGRAPH
• SECOND PARAGRAPHH
• CLOSING PARAGRAPH
• Sincerely ,

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Introductory paragraph
Get the readers attention, but avoid catchy
phrases and gimmicks Tell why you are writing
(e.g., name the specific position or type of work
for which you are applying) Mention the resource
used in finding out about the opening or
company/organization Include when youre
graduating from The Ohio State University and
with what degree, and future career plans (only
if theyre related to the position)
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Main paragraph
Include certain skills you want to highlight that
are mentioned in the job posting Where and how
you developed those skills (academic
background/training, work experience, personality
traits) Achievements that relate to the field in
which you are applying, without duplicating
exactly what is included in your resume How you
would make a good fit in the company based on its
mission, goals, and current projects
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Closing paragraph
Your resume is included which gives a more
complete view of your qualifications Youd like
to further discuss the job opportunity or you
desire an interview How you can be reached (phone
number and e-mail) to answer any questions, or
when you will follow up with him/her Thank the
person for his/her time and consideration If
the employer is far away and you plan to visit
the area soon, consider writing that you will be
in the geographic vicinity on a certain day and
will call to see if an interview can arranged at
this persons convenience on that day