RRésumé, Cover Letter, and ésumé, Cover Letter, and Thank You LetterThank You Letter

Career CenterCareer Center

RRésuméésumé

RRÉ-SU-MÉ rez-ə-mā n [F. É-SU-MÉ rez-ə-mā n [F. resumeresume fr. Pp. of fr. Pp. of resumerresumer to resume, summarize] SUMMARY to resume, summarize] SUMMARY specif:specif: a short account of one’s career and a short account of one’s career and qualifications prepared typically by an qualifications prepared typically by an applicant for a position.applicant for a position.

-Webster’s-Webster’s

RRésumé- Generalésumé- General

There is no one right way.There is no one right way. A rA résumé is a persuasion paper not a laundry ésumé is a persuasion paper not a laundry

list.list. An Effective Résumé:An Effective Résumé:

- - Shows a pattern of interest and experienceShows a pattern of interest and experience

- Makes a clear connection between - Makes a clear connection between qualifications and opportunity qualifications and opportunity

- Is readable and professional in presentation- Is readable and professional in presentation

Functions of a RFunctions of a Résuméésumé

Self-InventorySelf-Inventory Extended Calling CardExtended Calling Card Agenda for an InterviewAgenda for an Interview Memory Jogger for the Employer After the Memory Jogger for the Employer After the

InterviewInterview

RRésumé Writing Processésumé Writing Process

Gather InformationGather Information WriteWrite RewriteRewrite LayoutLayout ReviseRevise Have it reviewedHave it reviewed Edit againEdit again

RRéésumsuméé Outline Outline

Contact InformationContact Information ObjectiveObjective EducationEducation ExperienceExperience Activities/Honor/Service/AwardsActivities/Honor/Service/Awards KickerKicker

HeadingHeading

The heading should include:The heading should include:

-contact information, name, address, telephone -contact information, name, address, telephone number, and email address.number, and email address.

*List both your campus and home addresses if it *List both your campus and home addresses if it makes sense to do so (include validity dates).makes sense to do so (include validity dates).

Heading ExamplesHeading Examples

ObjectiveObjective The objective sets the course for the rThe objective sets the course for the résumé.ésumé. Everything listed on the Everything listed on the rrésumé should support your ésumé should support your

objective.objective. Career objective statements should Career objective statements should avoid terms such as:avoid terms such as:

Opportunity for advancement; a challenging Opportunity for advancement; a challenging position; position; position deal with people; a progressive position deal with people; a progressive company; company; position which requires creativity; a company position which requires creativity; a company that that recognizes…; a chance to …recognizes…; a chance to …

While these terms may sound nice to the job applicant, While these terms may sound nice to the job applicant, they have little meaning to the person who will make a they have little meaning to the person who will make a decision for an interview invitation, and in fact may indicate decision for an interview invitation, and in fact may indicate that the candidate has no idea about objectives. that the candidate has no idea about objectives. The The candidate who applies vagueness will get a vague candidate who applies vagueness will get a vague response in return.response in return.

Objective ExamplesObjective Examples

(job title) (job title) where there are opportunities to use where there are opportunities to use (skills/knowledge)(skills/knowledge) to to (benefit to employer)(benefit to employer)..

EducationEducation The education section of your rThe education section of your résumé typically follows the ésumé typically follows the

objective.objective. The education section should include:The education section should include:

-the name of the college or university, the level of degree you are -the name of the college or university, the level of degree you are working toward and an expected date of graduation, your major, and working toward and an expected date of graduation, your major, and your minor, if you have one.your minor, if you have one.

In addition, you should include any projects relevant to the In addition, you should include any projects relevant to the position.position.

Include Study Abroad including in high school.Include Study Abroad including in high school.

Education ExamplesEducation Examples

Completed CoursesCompleted Courses

Include any completed courses if they are relevant Include any completed courses if they are relevant to the position.to the position.

This demonstrates the development of the This demonstrates the development of the appropriate skills.appropriate skills.

If you have limited work experience in the field, If you have limited work experience in the field, you can sell your education by writing a relevant you can sell your education by writing a relevant course list including a section on academic course list including a section on academic projects you completed that are pertinent to the projects you completed that are pertinent to the position for which you’re applying.position for which you’re applying.

Computer SkillsComputer Skills Make sure to list computer skills listed in the job Make sure to list computer skills listed in the job

description if one is available.description if one is available. You don’t have to be an expert in using the You don’t have to be an expert in using the

software and hardware to list them on the resume.software and hardware to list them on the resume. Pay particular attention to industry or job specific Pay particular attention to industry or job specific

software.software. e.g. Adobe, SAS, etc.e.g. Adobe, SAS, etc.

HonorsHonors

Be selective about Honors and Activities.Be selective about Honors and Activities. List those that may have importance to the hiring List those that may have importance to the hiring

organization.organization. You can include honors from other schools You can include honors from other schools

including high school.including high school.

ExperienceExperience

Experience Experience comes in many comes in many forms:forms:

-class projects-class projects

-volunteer work-volunteer work

-campus organizations-campus organizations

-internships-internships

-part-time/full-time -part-time/full-time summer employmentsummer employment

Action Words Describing SkillsAction Words Describing SkillsAccommodate Accommodate

Accomplish Accomplish

Achieve Achieve

Act Act

Adapt Adapt

Administer Administer

Advertise Advertise

Advise Advise

Advocate Advocate

Affect Affect

Analyze Analyze

Anticipate Anticipate

Apply Apply

Appraise Appraise

Approach Approach

Arrange Arrange

Assemble Assemble

Assess Assess

Assign Assign

AssistAssist

AssumeAssume

AttainAttain

AuthorAuthor

Budget Budget

BuildBuild

Calculate Calculate

CatalogueCatalogue

ChairChair

ClarifyClarify

Collaborate Collaborate

Communicate Communicate

CompareCompare

ConceiveConceive

Conceptualize Conceptualize

ConciliateConciliate

ConductConduct

ConsultConsult

ControlControl

CooperateCooperate

CoordinateCoordinate

CounselCounsel

CreateCreate

DecideDecide

DefineDefine

DelegateDelegate

Demonstrate Demonstrate

Design Design

DesignateDesignate

DetailDetail

DetermineDetermine

DevelopDevelop

DeviseDevise

DirectDirect

DistributeDistribute

DraftDraft

Edit Edit

EducateEducate

EncourageEncourage

EnlargeEnlarge

EnlistEnlist

EstablishEstablish

EstimateEstimate

EvaluateEvaluate

ExamineExamine

ExchangeExchange

ExecuteExecute

ExpandExpand

ExpediteExpedite

FacilitateFacilitate

FamiliarizeFamiliarize

ForecastForecast

FormulateFormulate

Fund-RaiseFund-Raise

GenerateGenerate

GovernGovern

GuideGuide

HandleHandle

HireHire

IdentifyIdentify

IllustrateIllustrate

ImplementImplement

ImproveImprove

IndexIndex

InfluenceInfluence

InformInform

InitiateInitiate

InnovateInnovate

InspectInspect

InstallInstall

InstituteInstitute

InstructInstruct

IntegrateIntegrate

Interpret Interpret

InterviewInterview

InvestigateInvestigate

InventInvent

LeadLead

ListenListen

MaintainMaintain

ManageManage

ManipulateManipulate

MarketMarket

MediateMediate

MerchandiseMerchandise

ModerateModerate

ModifyModify

MonitorMonitor

MotivateMotivate

NegotiateNegotiate

ObtainObtain

OperateOperate

Opportunity – Opportunity – SeekerSeeker

OrderOrder

Organize Organize

OriginateOriginate

Participate Participate

Perceive Perceive

Perform Perform

Persuade Persuade

PlanPlan

PresentPresent

PresidePreside

Problem-Problem-SolveSolve

ProcessProcess

ProduceProduce

PromotePromote

Propose Propose

Provide Provide

PublicizePublicize

PublishPublish

ReactReact

RecommendRecommend

ReconcileReconcile

RecordRecord

RecruitRecruit

RectifyRectify

Re-DesignRe-Design

RelateRelate

More Action WordsMore Action WordsRenewRenew

ReportReport

RepresentRepresent

ResearchResearch

ResolveResolve

ReviewReview

ReviseRevise

ScanScan

ScheduleSchedule

ScreenScreen

SelectSelect

ServeServe

SolveSolve

SpeakSpeak

StaffStaff

StandardizeStandardize

StimulateStimulate

Summarize Summarize

SuperviseSupervise

SurveySurvey

SynthesizeSynthesize

TeachTeach

Team-BuildTeam-Build

TrainTrain

TransformTransform

TransmitTransmit

UnifyUnify

UpdateUpdate

UtilizeUtilize

WriteWrite

MarketingMarketing

*creative*creative

*analytical*analytical

*deal with *deal with ambiguityambiguity

*conceptualize *conceptualize

*coordinator/*coordinator/cooperatorcooperator

Program Program orientedoriented

AdvertiserAdvertiser

ResearcherResearcher

PlannerPlanner

PromoterPromoter

LeadershipLeadership

MISMIS

*Systematic*Systematic

*Detail-oriented*Detail-oriented

*Team leader*Team leader

*Future-*Future-orientedoriented

TechnicalTechnical

OrganizedOrganized

AnalyticalAnalytical

ConceptualizeConceptualize

Problem-solverProblem-solver

IntegrateIntegrate

ImplementerImplementer

PatientPatient

R & DR & D

*creative*creative

*persistent*persistent

*analytical*analytical

*tolerance for *tolerance for

TechnicalTechnical

ambiguityambiguity

PatientPatient

FocusedFocused

ContemplativeContemplative

ScientificScientific

TolerantTolerant

FlexibleFlexible

PlanningPlanning

*long-term*long-term

*visionary*visionary

*detached*detached

*synthesizer*synthesizer

StrategistStrategist

ThinkerThinker

Conceptualize Conceptualize

IntangibleIntangible

Globally-Globally-OrientedOriented

CreativeCreative

FinanceFinance

*analytical*analytical

*conceptual*conceptual

*deal-maker*deal-maker

*quantitative*quantitative

*decisive*decisive

Project-orientedProject-oriented

Opportunity-Opportunity-SeekerSeeker

SystematicSystematic

Resource-Resource-AllocatorAllocator

Risk-AdjusterRisk-Adjuster

Administration/ Administration/ General General ManagementManagement

*implement*implement

*diplomatic*diplomatic

*delegate*delegate

*coordinator*coordinator

*political*political

*talent scout*talent scout

OrganizedOrganized

MotivatorMotivator

DetailedDetailed

Power-Power-OrientedOriented

Behind-the-Behind-the-ScenesScenes

ManipulatorManipulator

ActivitiesActivities

Be selective in order to keep your resume to Be selective in order to keep your resume to one page.one page.

Include activities from both college and high Include activities from both college and high school.school.

List leadership activities.List leadership activities. You can include travel.You can include travel. Activities can be listed in paragraph form Activities can be listed in paragraph form

with commas or in column form with or with commas or in column form with or without bullets.without bullets.

Activities ExamplesActivities Examples

ReferencesReferences

Note references are “Available upon request.”Note references are “Available upon request.” Be sure to print a copy of your resume for each of Be sure to print a copy of your resume for each of

your references to ensure that they have complete your references to ensure that they have complete information on your education and experience – information on your education and experience – which makes it easier for them to point out your which makes it easier for them to point out your strengths. strengths.

TIPSTIPS PROOFREAD YOUR RESUME!PROOFREAD YOUR RESUME! Keep your resume to one page.Keep your resume to one page. It can be printed on 8It can be printed on 8½ x 11 copy paper.½ x 11 copy paper. You can use color paper if desired, choose an off-You can use color paper if desired, choose an off-

white or ivory color.white or ivory color. If sending a paper copy, the resume can be If sending a paper copy, the resume can be

folded.folded. Be prepared to copy/paste into electronic Be prepared to copy/paste into electronic

templates on the organization’s website, include in templates on the organization’s website, include in the body of an email, or send as an attachment via the body of an email, or send as an attachment via email.email.

Application LetterApplication Letter

The purposes of this letter are to get your The purposes of this letter are to get your attached resume read and to generate attached resume read and to generate interviews.interviews.

Your strategy is to demonstrate that your Your strategy is to demonstrate that your qualifications fit the requirements of the qualifications fit the requirements of the position. position.

Decide on one or more themes that show Decide on one or more themes that show persuasively how well you fit the position:persuasively how well you fit the position:

education, experience, interests, responsibility, etc.education, experience, interests, responsibility, etc. Link major job dimensions with your related Link major job dimensions with your related

past performance and experience.past performance and experience.

Sections of the Application LetterSections of the Application Letter

Addressing the LetterAddressing the Letter Opening Paragraph Opening Paragraph Education ParagraphEducation Paragraph Experience ParagraphExperience Paragraph ConclusionConclusion

Addressing the LetterAddressing the Letter

Address your letters to Address your letters to a specific individual a specific individual with his or her correct with his or her correct title and business title and business address.address.

Opening ParagraphOpening Paragraph

Come to the point.Come to the point. Reveal your purpose and interest.Reveal your purpose and interest. Identify the position and your source of Identify the position and your source of

information.information. Introduce your themes.Introduce your themes.

Education ParagraphEducation Paragraph

Refer reader to your resume.Refer reader to your resume. Outline your strongest qualifications that match the Outline your strongest qualifications that match the

position requirements based on the themes you position requirements based on the themes you selected.selected.

Experience ParagraphExperience Paragraph

Provide evidence of your related Provide evidence of your related experiences and accomplishments. Make experiences and accomplishments. Make reference to your enclosed resume.reference to your enclosed resume.

Concluding ParagraphConcluding Paragraph

Suggest an action plan.Suggest an action plan. Request an interview, and indicate that you will call Request an interview, and indicate that you will call

during a specific time period to discuss interview during a specific time period to discuss interview possibilities.possibilities.

Express appreciation to the reader for his or her Express appreciation to the reader for his or her time and consideration.time and consideration.

Thank You LetterThank You Letter

This is one of the most important yet least This is one of the most important yet least used tools in a job search. used tools in a job search.

It is used to establish goodwill, express It is used to establish goodwill, express appreciation, and/or strengthen your appreciation, and/or strengthen your candidacy.candidacy.

Make your thank-you letters warm and Make your thank-you letters warm and personal.personal.

Thank You Letter should be sent within 72 Thank You Letter should be sent within 72 hours of your contact.hours of your contact.

Thank You Letter FormatThank You Letter Format

Opening Paragraph:Opening Paragraph: Express your sincere Express your sincere appreciation.appreciation.

Body Paragraph:Body Paragraph: Reemphasize your strongest Reemphasize your strongest qualifications. Draw attention to the good match qualifications. Draw attention to the good match between your qualifications and job requirements.between your qualifications and job requirements.

Concluding Paragraph:Concluding Paragraph: Reiterate your interest in Reiterate your interest in the position. Use the opportunity to provide or offer the position. Use the opportunity to provide or offer supplemental information not previously given. supplemental information not previously given. Restate your appreciation.Restate your appreciation.

Thank You Letter ExampleThank You Letter Example

Thank You for Participating!Thank You for Participating!

Career CenterCareer Center201 Behmler Hall201 Behmler Hall

589-6065589-6065http://www.morris.umn.edu/services/career/http://www.morris.umn.edu/services/career/