developing your professional resume and cover letter john
TRANSCRIPT
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Developing Your Professional Resume and Cover Letter
John Glenn School of Public Affairs, Career Services 2012
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Table of Contents
I. The Resume and Its Purpose
II. 6 Steps of Resume Development
III. Resume Style and Formats A. Chronological B. Functional/Skills C. Hybrid D. Page Length E. Font and Margins
IV. Structure
V. Do’s and Don’ts of Resume Writing
VI. Cover Letter Development and Writing
VII. Language Guide
VIII. Examples of Completed Resumes and Cover Letters
Some information in this guide was adapted from NYU Wagner, UC Berkeley and Princeton.
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I. The Resume and Its Purpose First impressions are vital, and resumes offer employers a first look at you as a potential employee. A well-written resume sets you apart as a job candidate by highlighting your skills and strengths, and providing a brief overview of your experiences and education as they would apply to the position that is open. It is a snapshot of what you have accomplished professionally and academically. Providing this information in a clear, concise and easy-to-scan format is your best chance to demonstrate to employers that you are a good candidate for an interview. A resume is NOT an account of your entire professional and academic history. A resume should only include your education, relevant experiences, relevant research, relevant coursework and skills related to the position. You will always want to tailor your resume to the employer’s hiring needs. Note: keep a master resume with your complete professional and co-curricular experiences from which you can copy and paste to quickly and easily customize your resume.
Please note: Most employers will scan a resume for 10-15 seconds. Your resume must be concise and to the point, highlighting relevant information that catches the attention of the employer. A clean, concise resume shows you are well-organized, conscientious and motivated.
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II. 6 Steps of Resume Development
Your resume should be a dynamic document, undergoing changes and edits each time you submit it to an employer. While you may never have a “finished” resume, you can have a great base resume, a bank of information to add to as needed. You can use this to edit, polish and customize your resume. Here are six steps you can follow to become a resume expert.
A. Self-Evaluation
When developing your professional resume, it is important to reflect on your past professional experiences and explore potential career paths. A self-evaluation is an opportunity for you to gather information about yourself: identifying YOUR values, skills and potential career paths. This will serve you well when conveying to a potential employer why you are a good fit for them. Consider developing an outline of your professional experiences (full-time, part-time jobs, internships, volunteerism, education, activities, honors, publications, study abroad, etc.) over the past 3-5 years. By writing down the experiences, you now have a reference of your professional history and accomplishments.
Take this list of accomplishments and highlight common phrases or experiences that relate to your career path. If you feel like you cannot narrow down your experiences to your career path, please schedule an appointment with a Glenn School Career Counselor by calling 614.292.8696. If you are interested in taking a self-assessment, please call OSU Career Connection at 614.688.3898. You can then discuss the results of your self-assessment with the OSU Career Connection counselor and a Glenn School Career Counselor. B. Identify Employer Needs and Research Employer Background Research the employer’s website, online journals or newspaper articles that provide insight into the organization. By researching the employer, you will get a better understanding of what the organization stands for and accomplished and how you would fit well(or not) with a potential employer.
C. Review Position Requirements Read and reread the job description provided by the employer and highlight words describing the skills the employer is looking for and the needs the employer wants met. If you meet these requirements, replicate the employer’s wording on your resume, allowing them to make an automatic connection between the job posting and you as a potential employee. Many employers, now including the federal government, use computer programs to scan resumes for key words that match their job postings. The job description,
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as well as the employer research, can also give clues as to how you will respond to the “Big Three Questions” asked about any new job and employee:
Are you PREPARED? What research have you done on the employer and company? Do you have the professional experiences and skills needed for the position?
Are you COMITTED? Are you dedicated and committed to excelling in this position and the employers goals and values? Will you do the job?
Are you a good FIT** and MATCH? Does your personality and work ethic fit into the culture of the organization?
A note on FIT: If it is a good fit, great! If it is not, it is s not. Fit goes both ways! If it is not a fit for you, seriously consider it if you are offered a position. Would you be happy there? Would be able to work at your best? If not, this serves neither you nor the employer. Also, if you do not get a job offer, try not to get discouraged. If it was not a fit for them, you would likely not be happy at the job or able to do your best! Finally, you never know the full picture behind a hiring decision(inside candidates, positions being delayed or canceled, etc.). You are always welcome to ‘de-brief’ with a counselor to discuss what you can take away from an experience. D. Highlight Relevant Professional Experience This is the most important section of your resume. Include relevant jobs, internships (paid/unpaid) and volunteer positions. For each entry, include title and department name of the organization, the location (city and state postal abbreviation) and your dates of employment. A great piece of advice would be to keep copies of your job/internship/activities descriptions because they can help in the development of your accomplishment statements. E. Determine Format, Draft, Edit, Proofread and Critique Selecting a format will depend on your background and the position. It is very important to draft and tailor your resume to the position you are applying to. Always, always proofread your document! Read the document out loud to yourself or to a friend where you can catch grammar mistakes, etc. Once you feel your resume is polished, meet with a Career Counselor for a critique. Then make changes, if necessary.
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III. Resume Styles and Formats There are different types of formats for resumes: Chronological, Functional (Skill-based) and Hybrid (combination of chronological and functional). Find the format that works best for you! A. Chronological Resume: This is the most common resume format. You arrange your experiences in reverse chronological order; listing the most recent experience first and so forth. This typical resume is traditionally used when your professional experiences and academic background relate directly to the job(s) you are applying to and demonstrates a consistent work history. The main benefit of a chronological resume lies in its straightforward construction and the fact that it highlights your achievements and work history. The chronological resume is great for students looking to highlight their college work and makes it easy for employers to see how an applicant progressed through various professional experiences. If you have significant time gaps in your work history that are not easy to explain, talk with a counselor and consider a functional or hybrid format. B. Functional (Skills-based) Resume: This type of resume rearranges your employment history into sections by highlighting areas of skill. Also, it makes it easier for employers to link your skills to the actual job title and level of responsibility. This resume format is traditionally used for new graduates, those just entering the workforce or making a career change. Also, it is used when you are trying to gain experience in particular fields, where you may not have experience. Professional experiences are summarized in a section at the end of the resume. Focus is primarily on skills you gained and not necessarily where you worked (UC Berkeley, 2010). The benefit of a functional resume is that it highlights transferable skills such as website design or writing that can be used in many different job positions. You should not use this format if it is easy to determine your career growth.
C. Hybrid Resume: This type of resume is a combination of a chronological and functional resume. It can be structured in a variety of formats. “It usually displays experiences with descriptions in reverse chronological order grouped under skills headings. This format works bests where there are consistent themes (leadership, teaching, program management, etc). Its benefit is that it provides employers with easily identifiable skill areas and a sense of your history” (UC Berkeley, 2010). For examples for each type of resume, please see section VIII of the guide. D. Page Length: Traditionally, resumes are one page in length; this is especially important for ALL undergraduate students. For graduate students, it is perfectly acceptable to have a
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resume that is 1 page to 1 ½ pages in length, if you have significant professional experience. However, if an employer asks for a 1 page resume, provide a 1 page resume; nothing more and nothing less otherwise you will be screened out. Federal Agencies have different requirements on page length. Again, please be concise and to the point. Employers will see right through fluff and unnecessary jargon. E. Font and Margins: A resume should be written using Times New Roman Font (11-12pt) and margins should be between .5 -1 inch. Times New Roman is easy to read and standard in most professions. Use 11-12 point font: anything larger may seem like you are trying to fill space, and anything smaller can be difficult to read. Margins should be .5-1 inch because anything smaller may make your document look condensed, especially if you are trying to keep the resume to a page; anything more than 1 inch does not use the white space on your resume effectively. Stay consistent with formatting. If you use a bullet for a section of your resume, use bullets throughout the document. Having different symbols throughout the document can look messy.
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IV. Structure A. Name and Contact Information Your contact information section of your resume will be consistent no matter what resume format you select. At the top of your resume list your name, address, phone number, and email address. Avoid the use of email addresses that could be construed as too personal or unprofessional (e.g., [email protected] ) or too long/easily mistyped. Do not use the email account for your current job. To save space on your resume, provide your contact information in the following format: Example: B. Education The education section may vary depending on what resume format you choose. In a chronological resume, the education section follows your contact information. For functional and hybrid resume formats, the education section can stay at the top or the bottom half of your resume. It depends on your professional situation. Include the full names of the graduate and undergraduate institutions where you received a degree or are completing one in reverse chronological order. List your academic degree first and specialization, then the school and/or institution. Under each school, list relevant coursework(do not list course number) by subject area, research, terms abroad and academic groups(this is optional, many undergraduates and MPA students follow this) as well as your expected/actual graduation date. Example: C. Relevant Research (ONLY IF APPROPRIATE) A relevant research section is only applicable if you completed substantial research on a particular topic and the job description wants an applicant with an extensive research
John Public Affairs
[email protected] – 642.292.8696 - 1810 College Road – Columbus, Ohio 43210
Education:
Master of Public Administration Expected May 2014
John Glenn School of Public Affairs Columbus, Ohio
The Ohio State University
Relevant Coursework or Research Focus Area(s):
Capstone Topic:
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background. This section can follow your education background in a chronological resume and can go before or after your relevant experience sections in a functional or hybrid resume. D. Relevant Experience: How to Develop Your Accomplishment Statements
This is the most important section of your resume. Your professional accomplishment statements should always start with an action verb. Be advised: if you are currently in that role, all statements for that position should be in the present tense. If you are no longer working at a particular organization, all statements for that position should be in past tense. Please see the list of action verbs. Include relevant jobs, internships (paid/unpaid) and volunteer positions. For each entry, include your title(if not descriptive like ‘Program Manager,’ use functional or internal title like ‘Undergraduate Programs Coordinator’) and department, and dates of employment, the name of the organization and the location (city and state). When developing your professional accomplishment statements, you want to highlight the following:
Demonstrate your accomplishments/results relevant or similar jobs/internships/projects/activities related to the position.
Relevant computer skills, language skills, and technical training. Quantify When You Can!
Example of Professional Experiences Undergraduate Student: Graduate Student:
Student Office Assistant August 2010 –Present
John Glenn School of Public Affairs Columbus, OH
Initiate processing and tracking of 300 plus applicant profiles annually, including sensitive
admissions data.
Schedule prospective and current student appointments for full-time staff members.
Support the events staff with planning and implementing public policy events including public
policy round tables with community leaders and campus wide lectures with 200 plus attendees.
Monitor and update student database of records for advising and graduate purposes.
Health Policy Intern May 2012- August 2012
Urban Institute: Health Policy Center Washington, DC
Co-authored health policy publications appearing in the Journal for Health Policy, most notable
article, “Today’s Health Crisis, Tomorrow’s Health Solution.”
Researched health policy initiatives and presented analytical reviews on top findings to executive
board to better understand the Affordable Care Act.
Conducted externship with Director of Legal Policy, participating in board meetings, and
observing congressional debates to better understand policy in action.
Wrote 15 policy memos to surrounding health policy think tanks and lobbying firms discussing
the potential legal impacts of the Affordable Care Act.
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E. Additional Sections (if applicable) The following information can be added to your resume, if applicable. Please be advised, do not over- sell your competency on a certain skill. Employers may rely heavily on a particular skill and you do not want to mislead them.
Computer Skills and Foreign Language Professional Association Memberships Military Experience Relevant Certification or Licensure (list letters designating your credentials after
your name at the top of the page) Recent Security Clearances (typical for government jobs) Non-Degree Trainings (only if the training is an industry standard such as HIPPA
training in the medical field or FERPA in higher education) V. Do’s and Don’ts of Resume Writing
Do: bold important items you want to stand out. be consistent in style – if you decide to bold an employer name then do so
throughout the resume; if you use periods in a description, use them throughout the resume.
emphasize FIT by incorporating language from the job description into your bullet accomplishment statements.
begin each statement with an action verb. convince the reader that your current skills are transferable and relevant. Send electronic documents as a PDF file so that it Save your resume as an easily recognizable file name. (i.e. JoeSmithResume or
SmithResume) PROOFREAD, PROOFREAD, PROOFREAD!!!
Don’t
use “I” or “me” in your resume. use periods if your descriptions are not complete sentences. use objective statements: your objective should be explained in your cover letter. abbreviations should not be used. Write everything out in full so it is easy to read. use graphics or pictures. include Extra-Curricular Activities and Interests/Hobbies. use acronyms (i.e., ACLU, PASA, JGSPA). use form industry or company specific jargon. incorporate personal Information – U.S. Law prohibits recruiters or employers from
asking for any personal information that is not essential to the job functions. Tis includes date of birth, gender, marital status, height, weight, sexual orientation or social security number.
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put your GPA on your resume. Only relevant when an employer asks for evidence of
your academic abilities. put the phrase “References Available on Request" at the end of your resume because
it takes up space . Put reference information in a separate document. Don’t lie or exaggerate!
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VI. Cover Letter Development and Writing A well written cover letter should always accompany your resume or application. It serves as a writing sample, introduces you to the employer and helps you expand on your professional experiences listed in your resume. It should include:
Specific information about why you want to work for that particular employer. Demonstrate your knowledge of the position and employer. Connect your professional experiences with the needs/wants of the employer. Exhibit motivation and enthusiasm(but do not go overboard).
A. Introduction Paragraph When formatting your letter, make sure you research to who you should be addressing the letter. Avoid using “To Whom it May Concern,” or “Dear Sir/Madam.” Go the extra mile and contact the employer and ask to who you should address the letter, if not stated in the description. Do not contact the employer if in the description explicitly states “No phone calls.” If that is stated, an acceptable alternative is “Dear Search Committee or Dear Hiring Manager.” State the position in which you are applying to and where you found it. Briefly mention an important detail about the employer and why you are excited to work for them. It will show the employer that you conducted the proper research. Also, it is appropriate to mention your academic experience (i.e. “I am currently pursuing a Master of Public Administration at the John Glenn School of Public Affairs”). The introduction paragraph should be roughly 3-4 sentences in length. B. Body Paragraph (can be 1 to 2 paragraphs) The body paragraph is where you make the connection between the position description and your professional/academic experiences. Provide concrete examples of accomplishments, projects and/or responsibilities directly related to the employer and position. Tell the story—readers will remember it! The body paragraph should be roughly 5-7 sentences. A second body paragraph is only applicable if you feel it is necessary to provide additional experiences and examples that the employer should be cognizant of. C. Closing Paragraph End your letter by restating the position you are applying to, your excitement about the position and your related qualifications. Include contact information (telephone and email). Always thank the employer; a good phrase to say is: “Thank you for your time and consideration.” The closing paragraph should be roughly 3 sentences in length.
For examples of cover letters, please see section VIII.
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D. Do’s and Don’ts of Cover Letter Writing Do:
limit to 1 page. target your letter to the employer. use the same font size in your resume and cover letter. explain in the very first sentence why you are applying for that particular position. demonstrate how your career goals align with the position. proofread, PROOFREAD, PROOFREAD!!! follow up with the employer if you hear nothing after 2-3 weeks. Inquire if they
received the application or need additional information. Be at your best when talking to anyone who answers the phone!
Don’t:
address the letter to “Whom it may concern” or “Dear Sir/Madam.” be wordy or repeat information from you resume. discuss what the employer can do for you instead of what you can do for the
employer. send a generic letter or even worse, forget to update employer and position
information in the letter and send it to the wrong individual.
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VII. Language Guide Employers are looking at your resume and cover letter to find out if you can and will successfully do the job. They want to know that you have the ability to make an impact on their organization, and they are looking for key action words in your resume and cover letter that describe your past accomplishments.
Brief Tips Use present tense for all experiences related to your current position and the past
tense for past employment. Avoid pronouns. Each statement should begin with an action verb. Incorporate language from the job description into your accomplishment
statements.
Action verbs that describe your PLANNING skills include:
Assembled Built Calculated Computed Conceived Created Designed Developed Devised Engineered Established Estimated Experimented Fabricated
Formed Formulated Initiated Innovated Instituted Invented Justified Laid out
Maintained Operated Organized Originated
Overhauled Planned
Programmed Projected
Remodeled Repaired Reorganized Revised Scheduled Solved Systemized Tailored Transformed Upgraded
Action verbs that describe your skills in DIRECTING employees include: Administered Approved Authorized Conducted Controlled Decided Delegated
Determined Directed Guided Headed Instructed Led Managed
Ordered Prescribed Regulated Specified Supervised Trained
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Action verbs that describe your INVESTIGATIVE skills include: Analyzed Assessed Clarified Calculated Collected Computed Correlated Critiqued Diagnosed
Discovered Evaluated Examined Extracted Familiarized Identified Inspected Interpreted Investigated Organized
Observed Proved Researched Reviewed Searched Summarized Studied Surveyed Systematize
Action verbs that convey your LEADERSHIP skills include: Accepted Achieved Adopted
Administered Analyzed Arranged Assembled Assumed
Attained Attended Audited Built
Chaired Checked Classified Collected Compiled Consolidated Contracted Constructed
Coordinated
Delegated Described Developed Directed Doubled Established Evaluated
Executed Experienced Gathered Halted Handled Improved Implemented
Increased Initiated Installed Integrated Maintained Made Organized
Operated Overcame Oversaw
Prioritized Performed Prepared Presented Produced Received
Recommended Reduced Reviewed
Scheduled Strengthened Simplified Sold Supervised Transacted
Action verbs that describe your ability to provide effective SERVICE include:
Adapted Advised Assessed Assisted Carried out Clarified Coached
Communicated Committed Coordinated Counseled Delivered Demonstrated
Demystified Developed Diagnosed Earned Educated Enabled Encouraged
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Exchanged Expanded Expedited Explained Facilitated Furnished Generated Guided Informed Inspected Installed
Instructed Issued Motivated Persuaded Procured Provided Purchased Referred Rehabilitated Represented
Rewrote Sent Serviced Set goals Stimulated Submitted Trained Transmitted Wrote
Action verbs that describe your INTERACTIVE skills with other people include: Addressed Advised Aided Apprised Arbitrated Arranged Authored Clarified Collaborated Coached Conferred Consulted Contributed Convinced Cooperated Coordinated
Corresponded Counseled Developed Directed Drafted Edited Enlisted Formulated Influenced Interpreted Lectured Mediated Moderated Negotiated Helped Informed
Inspired Negotiated Participated Persuaded Promoted Publicized Recommended Reconciled Recruited Represented Resolved Spoke Suggested Translated Unified Wrote
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VIII. Examples Chronological, Undergraduate
Annie Glenn
[email protected] (614) 217-1920 1234 University Lane Columbus, Ohio 43210
EDUCATION
Bachelor of Arts in Public Affairs Expected May 2014
John Glenn School of Public Affairs
The Ohio State University, Columbus Ohio
Specialization: Community Organization and Civic Engagement
Honors: Provost Scholarship, CLC Award
Relevant Courses: Public Service and Civic Engagement, Public Policy and Analysis, Women in Leadership
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
Policy Analysis Intern, Washington Academic Internship Program January-April 2012
Smithsonian Office of Policy and Analysis
Conducted quantitative studies of Smithsonian policy activities for 2012
Summarized policy proposals into memorandum format for senior analysts
Developed a new survey system for Smithsonian program participants to more effectively track
program success and areas for improvement
Alumna June 2012
NEW Leadership Ohio Columbus, OH
Participated in workshops on public speaking, advocating and lobbying
Formulated a personal development plan
Collaborated in networking and professional development activities which included workshops on
public speaking and self-advocacy
President, Student Council August 2009- May 2010
John Glenn High School New Concord, OH
Supervised weekly meetings of 12-member student council
Planned annual events including Homecoming, Election Day and Art Fair
Improved school recycling system from virtually non-existent to a method with three recycling bins
in each classroom
Mentor, Project Mentor May 2008- May 2009
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Ohio New Concord, OH
Committed to weekly meetings with an elementary school student
Aided student with schoolwork in math and science classes, resulting in student presenting a project
at the school science expo in the spring
Inspired student to enter a clay sculpture from art class in a local competition
SKILLS
Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite, SPSS, Stata and LexisNexis
Strong written and oral communication skills and established history of leadership, delegation and teamwork
ACTIVITIES
Civic Leadership Councilmember, 2010-present
John Glenn School of Public Affairs Learning Community
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Chronological, Graduate
Example of a Functional Resume
Ted Herschel
[email protected] (614) 707-1921 1962 College Drive Columbus, Ohio 43210
EDUCATION
Master of Public Administration Expected May, 2013
John Glenn School of Public Affairs
The Ohio State University
Specialization: Nonprofit Management
Relevant Coursework: Public Policy Formulation, Data Analysis for
Public Policy, Public Finance, Leadership and HR in Public Organizations
Bachelor of Arts in Political Science June 2009
Muskingum University
Minor in History
Relevant Coursework: American Government, Public Organizations, Economics
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
Campaign Intern August 2012-present
Office of Senator Sherrod Brown Columbus, Ohio
Organize campaign canvassing efforts twice weekly from August to present.
Evaluate success of community outreach efforts by distributing and collecting both
mailed and online survey tools.
Research policy issues relevant to Brown and the upcoming election.
Assistant Program Director September 2011-June 2012
Battelle for Kids Columbus, Ohio
Supervised four student interns that involved their hiring, training and project assignment.
Aided Program Director in developing new Center of Science and Industry (COSI) collaboration for
Columbus Schools.
Reviewed success of various educational programs funded by state grants.
8th
Grade Teacher, Teach For America August 2009-August 2011
Detroit City Schools Detroit, Michigan
Taught three 8th grade classes of 25 students about world history and American history, developed
curriculum plans and tests, and completed grading and class evaluations.
Participated in the inaugural year of the reopened Bing Middle School.
Developed long term course plans for future social studies teachers.
President, Student Senate August 2008-May 2009
Muskingum University Muskingum, Ohio
Developed and organized policy issues the Senate focused on during the academic year
Collaborated with Senate and university leadership to develop university-wide diversity initiatives
Research Apprentice, Department of Political Science August 2007-May 2008
Muskingum University Muskingum, Ohio
Investigated new trends of political campaigning in Ohio
Participated in writing an article for the Political Science Journal with Dr. Kennedy
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SKILLS
Communication
Practiced public speaker and teacher, with experience communicating with students, university
faculty and staff, non-profit employees and politicians
Leadership
Led Muskingum Student Senate with executive team, taught first social studies class ever
at Bing Middle School, supervised employees alone and as part of a team and launched the COSI
collaboration with Battelle for Kids
Research
Initiated research and evaluation of various educational programs, participated in many research
projects, helped write a journal article and researched community outreach efforts for a political
campaign
Computer
Proficient with the Microsoft Office Suite, Stata, SPSS and Photoshop
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Annie G. Smith
[email protected] – 614.292.8696 – 1810 College Road, Columbus, OH 43210
Education:
Master of Public Administration May 2010
John Glenn School of Public Affairs
The Ohio State University
Relevant Coursework: Public Policy Formulation and Implementations, Managing Public Sector Organizations,
Public Affairs Program Evaluation, Public Budgeting and Finance
Bachelor of Arts, Public Affairs May 2007
Muskingum College
Relevant Coursework: Government Finance and the American Economy, State and Local Government Finance,
Public Budgeting and Leadership in the Public and Non-profit Sectors
Skills:
Leadership
Supervised a nonprofit agency of 35 staff members, which included oversight of hiring, budget
development and implementation.
Developed training manual for 10 new hires, which included company policies, team building and
professional development opportunities.
Coordinated department retreat for over 35 employees, which involved team building and strategic
planning exercises.
Budget Planning and Administration
Administered a 1 million dollar annual budget.
Created and maintained improved billing procedures.
Achieved a 25% increase in revenue for the Department of Development.
Program Development
Implemented an outreach plan for clients planning to relocate to Ohio.
Developed a site selection procedure manual to assist in the tracking of companies in Franklin County.
Professional Experience:
Project Manager August 2010- present
Ohio Department of Development Columbus, OH
Fellow September 2008-May 2009
Ohio State Auditor Columbus, OH
History Teacher, 5th
-8th
grade June 2007- July 2008
Teach for America Macon, GA
Intern August 2005- May 2007
Ohio House of Representatives Columbus, OH
Additional Skills:
Strong written and oral communication, computer proficient in Microsoft Office Suite, STATA and SIS
Languages: proficient in Italian conversation
Functional Resume
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Hybrid Resume
Cover letter Example: Undergraduate
Herschel Glenn Johnson
[email protected] – 614.292.8696 – 1810 College Road, Columbus, OH 43210
Education:
Master of Public Administration May 2014
John Glenn School of Public Affairs
The Ohio State University
Relevant Coursework: Public Policy Formulation and Implementations, Managing Public Sector Organizations,
Public Affairs Program Evaluation, Public Budgeting and Finance
Bachelor of Arts, Public Affairs May 2012
Ohio Wesleyan University
Relevant Coursework: Government Finance and the American Economy, State and Local Government Finance,
Public Budgeting and Leadership in the Public and Non-profit Sectors
Professional Experience:
Civic Engagement
Elections Intern August 2012- Present
Franklin County Board of Elections Columbus, OH
Meet with county officials to discuss the Get Out The Vote strategic plan for Franklin County.
Register 95 college students to vote for the 2012 Presidential Election.
Conduct presentations to high school seniors on the importance of civic engagement and voting.
Policy Intern January 2010- May 2012
Senator Rob Portman Office Columbus, OH
Answered inquiries for constituents about policy reform bill.
Gave tours of senate office for junior high students, who were learning about politics.
Met with office officials to discuss how to better formalize the internship program for college students.
Developed policy memos for Senator on a variety of issues, including the alternative energy bill.
Leadership
Policy and Governance Chair August 2010-May 2011
Undergraduate Student Government Delaware, OH
Chaired a committee of 5 undergraduate student government senators that reviews resolutions that deal
with procedural or governmental changes to the Student Government Senate.
Conducted general senate body meetings of 20 senators when Speaker of Senate was unavailable.
Led Town Hall sessions once a semester, which were opened to all students at Dominican to discuss the
increase of tuition and fees.
Orientation Leader Summer 2009
Ohio Dominican University Delaware, OH
Conducted a presentation on the transition from high school to college, especially for non-Ohio residents.
Gave 10 campus tours to incoming freshman students and their families.
Additional Skills:
Strong written and oral communication, computer proficient in Microsoft Office Suite, STATA and SIS
Languages: proficient in French conversation
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Cover letter: Undergraduate
1810 College Road
Columbus, OH 43210
June 22, 2012
Mr. John Smith
Human Resources Director
Columbus City Council
90 West Broad Street
Columbus, OH 43215
Dear Mr. Smith:
My name is John Glenn and I am applying for the internship position with Councilwoman Jane Thompson’s Office.
I heard about this great opportunity from my Career Counselor at the Glenn School. I am currently pursuing a
Bachelor of Arts in Public Affairs at the John Glenn School of Public Affairs, with a specialization in Urban Policy
and Management. I look forward to applying urban policy and public affairs theories to practice as an intern.
As a student office assistant at the John Glenn School of Public Affairs, I work closely with the program assistant,
the undergraduate programs coordinator and graduate programs coordinator. I help process graduate program
inquiries for prospective students and assist with the new student orientations for undergraduate and graduate
students. Also, I help with day to day office tasks, which include: filing applications, answering calls, mail sorting
and special projects assigned by staff. I know that my work ethic and attention to detail will help me succeed in
Councilwoman Thompson’s office.
My Public Affairs degree and an Urban Policy and Management specialization allows me to understand how an
urban center operates: from budget development and implementation to constituent concerns and inquires. For
example, my State and Local Government Finance course helped me understand how and where funding is
allocated for the State of Ohio, local towns and cities and state agencies. Also, I learned that having a firm grasp on
urban political geography and city politics, will assist in my role as an intern, especially when working with elected
officials and constituents.
I have a genuine interest in working with the Councilwomen and that my dedicated work ethic will help me excel as
an intern. I hope you will consider my resume for the internship program. I believe my professional and academic
experiences makes me well qualified for this position. I look forward to meeting with you to discuss the position in
more detail. Please feel free to contact me at (614)292-8696 or [email protected]. Thank you for your time and
consideration.
Sincerely,
John H. Glenn
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1810 College Road
Columbus, OH 43210
June 10, 2012
Ms. Jane Smith
Human Resources Director
CARE USA
1234 Main Street
Washington, DC
Dear Ms. Smith:
My name is Charlotte Wise and I am applying for the Countries in Crisis Program Manager position at CARE USA.
I found this opportunity on the CARE USA human resources website. I am currently pursuing a Master of Public
Administration at the John Glenn School of Public Affairs and will graduate in May 2013. Like CARE USA, I am
committed to the improvement of economic conditions for individuals and families across the world. I know that
my knowledge and experiences makes me well qualified for this position.
You will find that I possess highly relevant experiences in nonprofit management and organizational structure. As
an intern for the Mid-Ohio Foodbank, I collaborated with the Director of Outreach and Engagement, on the
development and implementation of Operation Feed for Franklin County Ohio. Operation Feed is a food and fund
drive that provides assistance to individuals and families in need. I had the opportunity to be a part of the strategic
planning, budget allocation and final implementation of Operation Feed. Our 2012 Operation Feed program was a
success and I saw the direct impact on this program when delivering food items to local food pantries.
As a second year MPA student at the Glenn School, I gained an in-depth understanding of best practices in Public
Policy Formulation and Implementation, Nonprofit Management & Governance and Economic Development
Policy. In particular, my nonprofit courses helped me critically focus on evaluating and managing nonprofits. I am
excited by the prospect of applying my knowledge to CARE USA’s current work, while developing innovative
models for new programs.
I have a genuine interest in working with CARE USA and that my dedicated work ethic will help me excel as a
Crisis Program Manager. I hope you will consider my resume and application for this position. I believe my
professional and academic experiences makes me well qualified. I look forward to meeting with you to discuss the
position in more detail. Please feel free to contact me at (614)292-8696 or [email protected]. Thank you for
your time and consideration.
Sincerely,
Charlotte Wise
Cover Letter Example: Graduate