Resume and Cover Letter Writing Career Center

Resume and
Cover Letter Writing
Career Center
Chestnut Hall, Suite 103
(940)565-2105, careercenter@unt.edu
http://careercenter.unt.edu/
Division of Student Affairs
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)
Division of Student Affairs
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
Division of Student Affairs
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
Division of Student Affairs
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
Division of Student Affairs
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)
Division of Student Affairs
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
Division of Student Affairs
Summary of Qualifications
• 4-6 bullets of information including job-specific and soft
skills
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
Division of Student Affairs
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
Division of Student Affairs
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
Division of Student Affairs
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.
Division of Student Affairs
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
Division of Student Affairs
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
Division of Student Affairs
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
–
–
–
–
Division of Student Affairs
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
Nita Job
222 Denton Drive, Denton, TX 76203 • (940) 555-5555 • nitajob@unt.edu
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
Sample
Chronological
Resume
Education
Master of Science
Logistics & Supply Chain Management; Minor: Finance
University of North Texas
August 2009
GPA: 4.0/4.0
Denton, TX
Bachelor of Arts
Political Science; Minor: Business Administration
Texas State University
• Dean’s List
December 2002
GPA: 3.5/4.0
San Marcos, TX
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)
October 2004 – July 2006
Supervisor Level 2 Collections
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
2000-2003
Teaching / Touring Professional
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
Division of Student Affairs
Professional Associations
Member, LogSA
January 2009 – Present
Nita Job
222 Denton Drive • Denton, TX 76203
(123)456-7890 • nitajob@unt.edu
Objective
Sample
Functional
Resume
Division of Student Affairs
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
Hospitality Management
University of North Texas
May 2010
GPA: 4.0
Denton, TX
Bachelor of Science
Hospitality Management
University of North Texas
May 2006
GPA: 3.5
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
Treasurer, National Society of Minorities in Hospitality
September 2003 – May 2006
January 2008 – May 2010
Employment History
Events Manager Assistant
Très Baton Country Club
August 2003 – Present
Anywhere, TX
Coordinator of Promotional Activities
Shooting Star Enterprises
January 2002 – August 2003
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.
Division of Student Affairs
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
Division of Student Affairs
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?
Division of Student Affairs
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?
Division of Student Affairs
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
–
–
Division of Student Affairs
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
Division of Student Affairs
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
–
–
Division of Student Affairs
Specify whether you are seeking pt/ft/internship/summer
employment
Cover Letter: Suggested Format
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
Division of Student Affairs
Cover Letter: Suggested Format
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
Division of Student Affairs
Nita Job
178 Green Street
Denton, TX 76203
(940)555-5555
nitajob@unt.edu
December 14, 1996
Sample
Cover
Letter
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
Division of Student Affairs
Enc. resume