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CAREER & LIFE PLANNING OFFICE @ WJU
Jessup’s Office of Career and Life Planning Supports Students and Alumni through: Career CounselingOccupational ExplorationInternship & Job Search SupportCareer Readiness Workshops / ClassesInterview and Resume PreparationNetworking OpportunitiesJessup Job Board
Schedule an appointment today: Jessup.edu/launch
RESUME GUIDELINESResumes are a persuasive summary of your qualifications for employment as well as a brief self-advertisement of your skills and accomplishments. Each resume should be targeted for a specific role. We recommend creating a master resume in Word. Then copying all relevant information into a resume written for the job for which you are applying. When saving the resume, we recommend the following document name format:
Name – Document – Job Title – Month – Year
For example, Joe Jobseeker is applying for an intern teaching role. This is an example of an appropriate file name:
“H. Hardworker – Cover Letter – Associate Business Analyst position – August 2018”
Hiring managers only spend, on average, 6 seconds to view a resume, therefore you must capture their attention quickly using keywords and action oriented phrases.
The rule of thumb for length is one page per degree. Most college students and new college graduates should stick to one page. Shorten margins and decrease the space between sections to shorten the document.
Always proofread your documents. Ask for a friend, professor or the CLP staff to review your documents.
A good resume won’t get you the job, but a bad one may prevent you from getting an interview.
CLP Resume and Cover Letter Guide
ESSENTIAL RESUME COMPONENTS
CONTACT INFORMATION: Legal name, phone, email, customized LinkedIn URLBRANDING STATEMENT (FORMERLY AN OBJECTIVE): State the role you are targeting. Your branding statement should answer this question: how will you support employer needs?
SKILLS/PROFESSIONAL EXPERTISE: This is the appropriate section to list industry specific keywords. These are the terms that are common within your major. Include verbal languages skills and all technical skills. Are you savvy at specific apps beyond Microsoft Office Suite? BE SURE TO INCLUDE THEM! Employers want employees that are tech savvy, even if you will not be in a tech role.
EDUCATION: Most recent first. Once you graduate college, it is no longer necessary to list your high school diploma. It is now assumed that you possess it.
EXPERIENCE: Most recent first, include paid, unpaid, volunteer. ALL experience can be useful to include as long as it speaks to you job target. Did you travel abroad? Lead a student club? List those roles as it can “beef up” a resume that may lack paid experience. List company name, location, your job title and dates. Brief bullet points with action verbs.
AWARDS & RECOGNITIONS: List any that are unique and show leadership and hard work.
REFERENCES: List 3 - 5 professional references in a separate document. See sample in this packet. Use the same header as your resume for a consistent look. Include your contact’s name, title, company, company email, company phone number and length of time you have been acquainted.
RESUME LANGUAGECLP Resume and Cover Letter Guide
Avoid using these phrases/words on your resume:Responsible for Duties include Worked on AlthoughEven though Challenging Like Me, I, them
Instead, follow this writing guidelines for resume language:
Focus on “home runs” - How did you bring value? Put the most important, most valuable information first. Know your audience – what is the job description looking for? Quantify as much as possible (i.e number of customers served, percentages, dates). Do not use abbreviations or acronyms. Use wide margins, bullet points, and readable 10, 11, or 12 font. Use Calibri or Arial
fonts. Single space within paragraphs and double space between sections. Avoid personal pronouns (“my” or “I”). Complete sentences are unnecessary, short phrases starting with an action verb are
preferred (i.e: “Organized”). Begin each sentence under “Experience” with a functional skill/action verb. Make sure resume is free of grammatical and spelling errors. Use words that draw attention. Present your accomplishments as they relate to a
specific type of job.
Ask yourself, “Is this how I want to be seen?” Follow conventions of the field with respect to layout and style and be creative when describing content.
Review the following resume samples:
SAMPLE RESUME #1HENRY HARDWORKER
Rocklin, CA - 555-555-8654 - [email protected] Resume and Cover Letter Guide
A disciplined and motivated student who is passionateabout assisting businesses on their path to success.
QUALIFICATIONS
Experience using effective communication to clearly articulate ideas and duties to others.
Time management to complete tasks in a timely and efficient manner. Analyzing and processing complicated data to understand and effectively
communicate meaning in both written word and speech.
EDUCATION
William Jessup University 2013 – Present Bachelor of Business AdministrationConcentration: General Management & Marketing, 4.0 GPA
ACADEMIC PROJECT HIGHLIGHTS
Business Statistics Analyzed and presented real-estate data to determine the fluctuation of growth from
the housing market throughout the 2000’s. Used data to predict future economic patterns of the housing market, as well as an
optimal time to sell property to receive the greatest reward.
Project Management Devised a plan of action in how to best market Giants tickets to a wider audience.
WORK EXPERIENCE
Head Server; Blue Nami Sushi – Roseville, CA, 2014 – Present Practice quality customer service skills and time management in waiting on several
parties, while still maintaining exceptional customer service.
Front Desk Associate; Crunch Gym – Rocklin, CA, 2012 – 2014 Independently processed documents and files, while upholding a strict sense of order
and cleanliness for customers. Performed problem-solving skills in working with a variety of guests to ensure they
have an excellent experience.
SAMPLE RESUME #2
JOHN SMITH123 Main St. • City, Province • 00000 • 123.456.7890 • [email protected]
CLP Resume and Cover Letter Guide
Targeting Entry-Level Roles in: ACCOUNTING FINANCE
Ambitious and eager Bachelor of Commerce Co-operative graduate who has completed multiple accounting courses seeks to leverage educational background in conjunction with diverse customer service experience at multiple paid and volunteer positions at University Name. Expertise in accounting includes cash and asset management, accounts payable/receivable, financial documentation, auditing and resolving all manner of client issues and improving procedures. Fluent in English, Mandarin, Cantonese and Malay. Currently enrolled in a CGA Program.
CORE COMPETENCIES Accounting & Finance • Budgeting • Date Entry & Analysis • Administrative Duties • Auditing
Bank Reconciliations • AP/AR • Respect for Deadlines • Independent & Team Work Pragmatic Communication • SAGE 50 • Microsoft Office Suite • Caseware
EDUCATION
CGA Candidate – Certified General Accountants April 2019Bachelor of Commerce – Accounting, University Name 2018
RELEVANT PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
Computer Lab Assistant January 2011 – August 2011 & May 2012 – PresentFaculty of Business Administration – University Name – City, Province
Key holder responsible for opening and closing lab during office hours Provided administrative assistance for several semesters, providing computer installation, maintenance and
troubleshooting services
Staff Auditor – Co-operative Work Term II and III September 2011 – May 2011 Cass and Fraser Chartered Accountants – City, Province
After initial hiring in City location of firm, was trusted by manager to assist in the opening of City offices Responsibilities included; preparing financial statement with Caseware and inspecting the general ledger
Front Desk Clerk – (Co-operative Work Term I) January 2011 – August 2011Faculty of Business Administration – University Name – City, Province
Provided administration and data entry for University faculty and staff Responsibilities include; maintaining detailed student and faculty databases with Excel, tracking service with
MS Access, trouble-shooting MS Office Issues, filing photocopying and handling mail services
VOLUNTEER EXPERIENCEUniversity Name CGA NL Campus Coordinator January 2013 – Present
Go-to administrator responsible for acting as a liaison between office and students to provide vital information about CGA programming and to promote the designation on campus
Deputy Returning Officer January 2010 – April 2010 Organize the student union election, recruiting, training and hiring poll captains Informed voters about the nomination process, resulting in an increase of 5% of voters from previous years
COVER LETTER GUIDELINES
A cover letter is an introduction to the employer. In a cover letter you may share your story, how you heard about the job and evidence of how you are a fit for the position.
CLP Resume and Cover Letter Guide
If you have a contact that referred you to the job, state that in the opening paragraph of the cover letter. Include a job requisition number if one is listed in the job description. This will allow hiring managers to know exactly which position you are interested in.
Your cover letter should be targeted to a specific role, just like your resume. Again, CLP recommends creating a master cover letter in a Word document, then copying and pasting information for each new cover letter. When saving the document, use the following format:
“H. Hardworker – Cover Letter – Business Analyst position – August 2018”
Cover letters are highlights of your experience, no longer than 1 page.Continue to use industry keywords in your cover letter.Use pronouns in the cover letter.
Include:Your contact at top, same as on your resume (copy and paste).
When printing, use same paper as resume. Include the date. Contact (specific person, their title and address) Salutation (Dear Ms., Dr. or Mr., or Selection Committee)
1st Paragraph: What you are applying for 2nd Paragraph: About YOU; bring your skills into context of job requirements 3rd Paragraph: Thanks, follow-up date, plan for contact
We encourage you to stop by the Career and Life planning office for assistance with your resumes and cover letters.
COVER LETTER TEMPLATE
JOHN SMITH123 Main St. • City, Province • 00000 • 123.456.7890 • [email protected]
Targeting Entry-Level Roles in: ACCOUNTING FINANCE
Date
CLP Resume and Cover Letter Guide
Individuals Name (ie: Manager’s Name) Name of Organization Street AddressCity, State, Zip Code
Dear Mr/Mrs/Ms (“Hiring Manager” If name unknown)
First Paragraph: Refer to the job description. Briefly introduce yourself without using your name (ie: high school student, college student, etc.). Show enthusiasm about your interest in the organization, and what led you to apply. Indicate how/where you heard about the position and mention a referral name if you have one.
Second Paragraph: Prove that you are the best candidate for the position by recounting specific previous activities showing you can do the job. Focus on past/present experiences in jobs, volunteer positions, ect. that have prepared you for this position and the tasks it involves. Be specific. Here you can mention coursework, class projects, current and past jobs, ect.
Third Paragraph: Show your interest in working for the organization. This paragraph should display a level of passion for working with this organization. Research any possibly social involvement this company may be a part of, and explain why that involvement is also important to you.
Fourth Paragraph: Let them know of all attachments (Resume, references). Give your contact information such as email and phone number, and let them know you will be checking up on your resume within a week. Thank them for their time.
Sincerely,
John Smith
(Sign Name)
SAMPLE REFERENCES PAGE (A SEPARATE DOCUMENT)
JOHN SMITH123 Main St. • City, Province • 00000 • 123.456.7890 • [email protected]
Targeting Entry-Level Roles in: ACCOUNTING FINANCE
Professional References for John Smith
CLP Resume and Cover Letter Guide
Contact name
Contact title
Company
Company email
Company phone number
Length of time you have been acquainted
Contact name
Contact title
Company
Company email
Company phone number
Length of time you have been acquainted
Contact name
Contact title
Company
Company email
Company phone number
Length of time you have been acquainted
SOCIAL MEDIA REPUTATION MANAGEMENTYour digital presence is HOW you appear ONLINE. Keep that in mind while you complete this worksheet.
Your Career Goals:
How could your digital presence affect those goals?
“Google” yourself….Click on the images, videos and news tabs….What did you find?
CLP Resume and Cover Letter Guide
Where do you exist?
Other: __________________________________________________
What profile photo and username do you use for each?
Other:
Where do you have the most followers/ connections?
Other:
Where do you have the most engagement? AND How often do you use each?
Other:
What topics do you cover for each? What are you “known” for?
CLP Resume and Cover Letter Guide
Other:
Where do you see an opportunity professionally? Who? What Company? What connections?
Other:
Where do you see the most risk professionally? Why?
Other:
For additional assistance, contact Career and Life Planning:
Post Resumes & search for jobs: Jessup.edu/jobs
CLP Resume and Cover Letter Guide
Schedule an appointment: Jessup.edu/launch
CLP Resume and Cover Letter Guide