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Division of Student Affairs

Resume and Cover Letter Writing

Career Center Chestnut Hall, Suite 103

(940)565-2105, [email protected] http://careercenter.unt.edu/

Presenter

Presentation Notes

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Resume Remember: • Be specific and clarify- do not use long sentences and be sure

you get your message across • Check for accuracy- punctuation, spelling, and grammar • Do not use “I” or “my” anywhere in your resume The Look: • Black ink, 8 ½ x 11 inch, white or ivory resume paper • Usually 1 page, no more than 2 • Header/Footer if more than one page • Print only on one side and do not staple documents • Be consistent with Bold, CAPS, underline, and italics, as well

as margins, font, punctuation, and word endings (-ing and -ed)

What do Employers Want?

• “Sample the field” • Most common skills,

experiences, credentials, and characteristics

• Track the frequency of each item

• “Buzz words” • Categories/Sections

priority will change based on employers needs

Key Words & Phrases

Frequency

Verbal & Written Communication Skills

√√√√√√√√√√

Bachelor degree in… √√√√√√√

3-5 related experience in…

√√√√√√

Ability to work as part of a team

√√√√

Willingness to travel √√

Customer service experience

√√√√√√√

Strong organizational, analytical, and presentation skills

√√√√√√



Resume Format Page 12 & 13 *Several Styles: Select what “fits” best*

Chronological • Shows employment history in dated order • Highlights your responsibilities and job duties

Functional • Highlights abilities/skills • Skill based • Student organizations, employment, community involvement,

volunteerism, class projects, internship(s) • Good to use if not a lot of work experience

Government/Federal Employment


Resume Content Areas • Contact information • Objective • Summary of Qualifications • Education • Work experience • Skills/accomplishments (Functional Resume) • Additional information

• Student/Professional Organizations • Conferences/Presentations • Courses Teach

Contact Information

• Area codes • Include apartment/building number if applicable • Most current address • Professional email address • Professional voicemail message • Contact information on all pages (if more than 1 page)


Objective

• Statement used on a resume to relate to target career, target employer, and to express interest in a position

• Short and specific • Example: To obtain an internship at J.P. Morgan Chase

in the Finance Summer Analyst Program


Summary of Qualifications

• 4-6 bullets of information including job-specific and soft skills – Number of years experience in a field or line of work – Accomplishments that directly relate to the position – Language skills – Other qualities, skills, or experience that make you a

good match for the position – Technical/computer skills – Leaderships – Certifications/Licensures – Ability/willingness to relocate


Education

• Start with most recent degree – Major – Minor/concentration – Institution and location (City, ST) – (Expected) graduation date

• Undergraduate degree • Community college • Scholarship/Thesis • GPA • Certificate • Related coursework- if it directly relates to the position


Work Experience

• Jobs/Experience – Start with most recent position – Internship(s)- Paid or Unpaid – Graduate Assistantship(s) – TA – Include: Job title/position, name of organization, location (City, ST),

and dates (month/year) employed • Job descriptions

– Bullet Format, Accomplishment and Result Statements – SOAR Method


Work Experience • SOAR Method

– Statement of Action – What did you do? – Occurrence of Action – Daily, weekly, monthly – Amount of Action – 19, 50, over 100 – Result(s) – Increased, decreased, saved, taught

Example: Statement – Trained new wait staff Occurrence – Trained new wait staff on monthly basis Amount – Trained over 15 new wait staff on a monthly basis Result(s) – Trained over 15 new wait staff on a monthly basis which increased customer satisfaction and sales of new menu items 3 quarters in a row.


Work Experience • Exclude phrases like: “Participated in” or “Involved in” • Explain your specific contribution to the team

– How many team members, role in the group • Emphasize achievements using action words to

communicate your skills (page 11) • Accomplishments and the knowledge gained


Skills/Accomplishments (Functional Resume Page 11 & 12)

• At least 3 skills headings • At least 2 bullets per heading • Include information and/or experience from your

education (class work), work experience (jobs, internships), and other activities (volunteer, student organizations, professional organizations) *Functional resume does not focus solely on work experience

• SOAR Method


Additional Information • Other possible headings/information

– Student/Professional Organizations (include title, org name, and dates involved)

– Community Involvement/ Volunteer Experience (include org name and dates)

– Study Abroad (International Experience) – Awards or Honors – Leadership – Attended/Presented Conferences

• Professional References – 3 professional, not personal – Do not list on your resume- separate page – Do not send with resume, unless requested – Bring a copy to the interview



Sample Chronological

Resume

Nita Job 222 Denton Drive, Denton, TX 76203 • (940) 555-5555 • [email protected]

Summary of Qualifications • Over 3 years management and 7 years training experience • Impeccable written and verbal communication skills • Over 4 years sales and 10 years customer service experience • Fluent in Spanish and English • Proficient in all Microsoft applications and computer programming XTML and HTML Education Master of Science August 2009 Logistics & Supply Chain Management; Minor: Finance GPA: 4.0/4.0 University of North Texas Denton, TX Bachelor of Arts December 2002 Political Science; Minor: Business Administration GPA: 3.5/4.0 Texas State University San Marcos, TX

• Dean’s List Fall 2002

Experience Senior Production Analyst July 2006 – Present Infiniti Motor Acceptance Corporation Irving, TX • Hired as Senior Supervisor for Customer Service to maintain efficiency while overseeing an average of 15,000

calls per day • Earned accommodation for Top Ranked Team after 3rd Quarter • Promoted to Production Analyst for Consumer Communications overseeing Customer Service, Lease Customer

Network, Inbound Marketing, and Administration Operations Group • Supervised analysis and implementation of new training procedures to Customer Service Portfolio • Project manager for implementation and construction of new system (Siebel) Supervisor Level 2 Collections October 2004 – July 2006 Nissan Financial Roanoke, TX • Assisted in cure rate of accounts by 7% as a level one collections • Top ranked collector after first month receiving the Gold Collectors Cup award and leading to a promotion to

Level Two Collections • Promoted to Supervisor for Orlando Zone Portfolio • Directed a team of 11 agents to maintain customer relationships and accounts while meeting month end goals • Developed training manual for Orlando Zone Portfolio that is still a live document Teaching / Touring Professional 2000-2003 Links at Water Chase/Gateway Tour Fort Worth, Texas • Earned Gateway Tour Card in 2001 and began touring as a professional golfer • Provided private instruction and professional coaching in off season for up to 4 club and tour members per week

on average • Oversaw internet marketing, corporate sale, and inventory control in Pro Shop, consisting of ordering, shipping,

inventory accuracy, maintaining inventory worth over $100,000 • Assisted with guest relations and membership issues Professional Associations Member, LogSA January 2009 – Present


Sample Functional

Resume

Nita Job 222 Denton Drive • Denton, TX 76203

(123)456-7890 • [email protected]

Objective To obtain an Events Manager position Summary of Qualifications

• Over 3 years event management, marketing, training and coaching experience • Strong communication, presentation and time management skills • Seasoned professional in the hospitality and club industry • Fluent in Spanish, French and English

Education Master of Science May 2010 Hospitality Management GPA: 4.0 University of North Texas Denton, TX Bachelor of Science May 2006 Hospitality Management GPA: 3.5 University of North Texas Denton, TX Professional Skills

Management • Experienced in all aspects of event management and tournament directing, including logistics,

transportation, security, safety, coordination of activities, recruitment of volunteers, publicity, and scheduling of celebrity appearances

• Assisted with the selection of staff, raised funds, planned trips, scheduled activities and publicized events

Marketing/Promotion • Coordinated media appearances and press conferences for celebrities, including transportation

and security • Experienced in marketing, advertising and promoting special events

Administration • Developed budgets and office policies and procedures to ensure efficiency of operations • Revitalized underperforming club programs and achieved 90% increased profitability

Professional and Student Organizations Member, Phi Chi Theta September 2003 – May 2006 Treasurer, National Society of Minorities in Hospitality January 2008 – May 2010 Employment History Events Manager Assistant August 2003 – Present Très Baton Country Club Anywhere, TX Coordinator of Promotional Activities January 2002 – August 2003 Shooting Star Enterprises Anywhere, LA

Government/Federal Resume: KSA’s • Knowledge, Skills, Abilities Statements

• Statement used to apply for Federal jobs and describes your

unique qualities needed for a specific position. • Federal employers use them to determine a job applicant’s

eligibility for a position. • Candidates may be requested to submit a KSA in addition to

providing a copy of their resume.


Government/Federal Resume: KSA’s • 4 steps to writing KSA statements:

– Study the job description – Take credit for ALL of your experiences – Use the CCAR Method

• Context • Challenges • Action • Result

– Other tips: • Pay attention to key words • Connect your experiences with 2-3 CCAR paragraphs for each KSA • Write in the first person (I) • Be concise- Each KSA should be a half page to a page in length. • Check that you have addressed the KSA (Did you follow CCAR?) • Proofread and have someone else proofread • Use a separate sheet for each KSA


Government/Federal Resume 1. Use words wisely

– Use minimum words to provide maximum information. 2. Keep sentences short and clear

– Break up long phrases or take out duplicate information. 3. Make your message stand out

– Short paragraphs – Sub headers

• Example: While an associate editor for Agricultural Magazine, I was responsible for: Critical content decisions. I selected each month’s special feature on the relationship between scientific findings and agricultural economics, among other articles. Quality of articles. I reviewed all copy to ensure the style was accessible to readers ranging from rural farmers to university researchers.

4. Focus on outcome – What occurred? How much and how many?


Government/Federal Resume

5. Showcase your role – Did you work on your own? As part of a team? In what capacity? Were you

promoted? 6. Remember – timeframes count 7. Value your experience

– Think about ALL of your experience, including leadership positions, extracurricular activities, and internships.

8. Show and tell – Use examples to explain your experience.

9. Resist additions – Do not send additional packages/awards/information with your resume.

10.Illuminate your resume – don’t repeat it – What makes each previous position or experience different from the last?


Summary of Resume Writing

1. Target the employer’s perspective – Ask not what the employer can do for you, but what you

can do for the employer 2. Electronic file

– Microsoft Word v. Portable Document File (.pdf) 3. Spelling/Punctuation Errors

– SPELL CHECK is not enough! Read through for accuracy

4. Lack of specifics – Employers need to know what you’ve done and

accomplished – SOAR Method


Cover Letter

Formal letter used as an introduction to a resume • First impression for potential employers • Address cover letter to specific person • Use a friendly, but professional tone • Address how you can meet the employer’s needs • Do not duplicate resume; instead, expand the areas of

interest to target employer • Acceptable to utilize “I” and “my”, but do not begin most

sentences with “I” or “my” • Request interview (not job) at close of letter


Cover Letter: Suggested Format

Introductory paragraph – Tells the employer: What I want, why I want it with you! – Mention which position you are applying for and how you

heard about it/found it – Introduce yourself- what degree you are

seeking/attained, major, graduation date – Specify whether you are seeking pt/ft/internship/summer

employment



Selling Paragraph – Tells the employer: What I can do for you today, what

makes me different!

– Mention one or two qualifications you think would be of greatest interest to the employer, slanting your remarks to their point of view

– Point out related experience – Briefly, demonstrate your knowledge of the company – Tell why you are particularly interested in the company or

position



Closing Paragraph – Tells the employer: What I want: An interview! What I’m

willing to do to get it: Persistence!

– Close by stating your desire for an interview – You may state that you will follow up (call) in a week or so

to make sure they’ve received your resume and cover letter

– Be sure that your closing is not vague, but states a specific action and do what you’ve stated


Sample Cover Letter


Nita Job 178 Green Street

Denton, TX 76203 (940)555-5555

[email protected]

December 14, 1996

Pat Cummings Director of Marketing Any Corporation 1140 Main Street Los Angeles, CA 90089 Dear Mr. Cummings: I am currently seeking a Consumer and Market knowledge Associate Manager position within your successful marketing department, and have learned about Any Corporation through the L.A. Top Sellers Guide. Congratulations on such an outstanding year!

As you can see from the enclosed resume, since completion of my Masters in Business Administration, I have developed a strong understanding that the "Consumer is Boss". In my prior positions, I had the responsibility to champion the voice of the consumer and be on the forefront of market trends. I understand that strong management skills are critical for leaders on multi-functional business teams. My belief is the integration of consumer, shopper, and market understanding is critical to catalyze business growth at the corporate, business unit, category, brand and initiative levels. From global strategy to local market execution, as a CMK Mangers I shaped the direction of our businesses by 1) driving robust strategy and portfolio choices 2) growing leadership brands 3) driving successful initiatives 4) maximizing ROI.

Last month I took an intensive seminar entitled “Marketing for Success!” This investment conclusively confirmed my desire to pursue marketing as a career. I know that, given the chance, I could quickly prove my worth as a member of your team.

Thank you for your time and consideration of my application and I look forward to your response. Sincerely, Nita Job Enc. resume

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