Creating Resumes and Cover Letters

Written by John Wilkinson

To accompany Georgia Lesson 01012-13.1 and Georgia Lesson 00000-0.0

Georgia Agriculture Education Curriculum Office

May 2007

What is a Cover Letter?

• A cover letter is what you mail along with your resume

• A letter of application should be mailed with an application for a job to tell more about yourself.

• Many people complete a combination cover letter and letter of application.

Goals of a good cover letter

• Introduce yourself

• Get you noticed

• Convey special info

• Highlight accomplishments

• GET EMPLOYERS, AWARD JUDGES AND SCHOLARSHIP COMMITTEES TO READ YOUR RESUME

Helpful Hints in Cover Letter Writing:

• Be assertive – the first 20 words ar the most important• Value to employer – tell your story in relation to how you

can be of value to the employer• Use simple and direct language and grammar • Let your letter reflect your individuality• Send it to someone by name• Get it right – spell recipient’s name right• Be friendly, not pushy• Target your letter – tell your reasons for sending the letter

(that you want an interview).

Goals of a good resume

• Convey information

• Show who you are

• Distinguish yourself

• Look good!

Writing a Combination Cover Letter and Letter of Application

• First paragraph – reason for writing

• Second paragraph – point out qualifications

• Third paragraph – call attention to resume

• Fourth paragraph – ask for appointment

Cover Letter and Resume-your ticket to riches and fame

Who are you?• What are you looking

for?• What kind of

job/college do you want?

• Where are you going?• Be yourself!

What is your message?• What have you done?• Where did you do it?• What can you do?• What’s the product?• How to sell it?

BASIC PARTS OF A BUSINESS LETTER:

• THE WRITER’S ADDRESS AND DATE LETTER WAS WRITTEN

• THE NAME AND ADDRESS OF THE PERSON WHOM THE LETTER IS BEING SENT

• THE SALUTATION (DEAR ____)• THE BODY OF THE LETTER• COMPLIMENTARY CLOSE AND SIGNATURE OF

THE SENDER• OTHER ADDITIONS - REFERENCE INITIALS,

ENCLOSURE NOTATIONS, COPY, AND POSTSCRIPT

Your street address

Your town, state, zip code

Telephone number

Date

Manager/Personnel Director (including Mr./Mrs./Ms.)Name of companyCompany addressTown, State, Zip code

Greeting:

Paragraph 1 - state the purpose of the letter and request the employer’s consideration.

Paragraph 2 - contain a brief summary of your personal data and work experience.

Paragraph 3 – call attention to resume

Paragraph 3 - explain your interest in the company and in arranging an interview. Ask for an appointment

Sincerely,Your signatureYour name

EFFECTIVE LETTERS SHOULD PERFORM TWO

BASIC FUNCTIONS:• CARRY A MESSAGE• PROJECT THE DESIRED IMAGE OF THE WRITER

OR BUSINESS• TWO TYPES OF BUSINESS LETTERS INCLUDE:• BLOCK STYLE - ALL LINES STARTS ON LEFT SIDE

OF MARGIN, NO INDENTATIONS• MODIFIED BLOCK STYLE - USES INDENTATIONS,

EACH PARAGRAPH IS INDENTED AS WELL AS BEGINNING INFORMATION AND CLOSE

TIPS ON LETTER WRITING:

• USE GOOD GRAMMAR

• USE CORRECT SPELLING

• DO NOT USE SLANG

• BE BRIEF, BUT COVER THE SUBJECT

• STICK TO THE POINT OF THE LETTER

• MAKE SURE LETTER IS LEGIBLE

• PROOFREAD BEFORE SENDING LETTER

• ASK FOR HELP, IF NEEDED

• KEEP THE LETTER BRIEF, DISCUSSING THE PURPOSE

• STRIVE FOR NEATNESS (PERSONALITY)

• ALWAYS INCLUDE A TITLE OF RESPECT (DR., MR., MRS., ETC.)

• BE SURE TO INCLUDE A RETURN ADDRESS AND ZIP CODE

Writing a Resume

Step one: Brainstorm– Write a list of all of your achievements,

activities, etc.

Step two: Organize– Categorize your achievements– Place in Experience, Education and Others

• Include School related honors and activities under education: Publications, scholarships, offices and organizations

Writing a Resume (cont.)

Step Three: Produce– Format your resume to highlight the big stuff

• Use bold or underlines to offset your name, schools and places of employment

• Use bulleted points over narrative

• Use Italics to make something special stand out

– Make the resume appealing• Clutter makes it hard to read and hard to pick out

the good stuff

Resume

Personal InformationAge: 18 years Pete FarmerHeight: 5 feet 11 inches Route 2, Box 4680Weight: 190 pounds Farmtown, GA 39876Health: Excellent

Phone: (404) 555-6530

Job ObjectivesI wish to secure a position as mechanic of farm equipment, which, through experience and training, will lead me to a position in management of a farm equipment service shop.

EducationHigh School: Farmtown Valley High School – will graduate in ____ (year)Major: Vocational Agriculture and Farm MechanicsTechnical Skills: Repair and service of farm equipmentLeadership Activities: FFA President, Football Team Captain

Work ExperienceBig Truck Repair Shop, Farmtown, GA – Student Worker – January 2005 – December 2007 John Farmer’s farm (father) since childhood, farmhand

References

General Advice for Cover Letters and Resumes

Cover Letters• Try not to begin

paragraphs with “I”• Use the standard

business letter format• Be brief• Make sure it conveys

the connection

Resumes• Show off• Reflect useful

information• Be succinct• Make it personal• Don’t ever, ever lie