BUILDING THE PERFECT RESUME AND COVER LETTERBy Honey Key

PURPOSE FOR A RESUME

A brief, concise document that presents, and effectively sells, your most relevant and positive credentials for employment, admission to graduate school, consideration for a scholarship or fellowship, or other professional purpose

FORMATS

Chronological - It's simply a resume that lists your education and experience in reverse chronological order - most recent items first - and it's a good way to start a draft of your resume. Most of the samples are variations on the chronological format. You may also hear the terms "functional" or "creative" used to describe resumes. These are just variations on the chronological format that use headings that best showcase your background and qualifications. Samples: Gimble, Silva, and McWellan

FORMATS CONTINUED…

Skills - Combines the skills you have from a variety of experiences - paid work, volunteer work, student activities, classroom work, projects, you name it - and groups these skills by category of skills that relate to the kind of job you're seeking. This format works best when a traditional resume just doesn't work to make you look like a good candidate even though you have relevant skills. A Career Services advisor can look at your first resume draft and help you decide if a skills format might be the best approach to use. Samples: Kelly and Neilson

ITEMS TO INCLUDE

Name and contact information Objective Skills Experience Education Interests References

EFFECTIVE TECHNIQUES Keep it short!

1 page resumes are better attention grabbers

Be neat!Use bullet points when necessary

Be honest about your skills and work experience.

Be concise and use action words (developed, handled, organized, created, etc) and phrases when describing your experience.

Ask someone you trust to check over your resume and make sure that they really critique your work.

EFFECTIVE TECHNIQUES CONTINUED… Be sure to include your name, address,

phone number, education, and work experience, even if your work experience may be the following: Babysitting Lawn Care/Snow Removal Newspaper Delivery Volunteer Work Working for relatives

Also be to list awards and honors you've received, and contact information for three references.

EFFECTIVE TECHNIQUES CONTINUED… Include a cover letter that states:

How you found out about the position The reasons you are interested in the job Why your qualifications fit the position Why you want to work with the company

Follow up by phone a few days after the employer has your resume to make sure everything is in order

ALWAYS send a thank you card to your interviewer for giving you their time!!!!

REFERENCES

Career Services @ Virginia Tech (http://www.career.vt.edu/jobsearc/resumes/purpose.htm)