Résumésand Letters of Application

What is a résumé?

• A personal data sheet

• Short summary of important facts about you

• Will determine whether or not you get the interview

Sections of the Résumé

• The Heading

• Objective

• Education

• Work Experience

• Extra-Curricular Activities

• Special Skills

The Heading• Includes:

Full Name Complete Address Telephone Number E-mail Address

Objective

• Express your objective in the fewest possible words. One sentence is all that is needed.

• Focus on what you can do for the company.

• Don’t get specific.

• State EXACTLY the job title you seek.

Education

• Reverse order of education:

Most recent first

• Place at beginning of résumé.

Work Experience

• If you have no experience, then If you have no experience, then brainstorm on what experience you brainstorm on what experience you have had (e.g., volunteer, no pay, have had (e.g., volunteer, no pay, relatives).relatives).

• Readers are usually wary of résumés Readers are usually wary of résumés without work experience.without work experience.

• List in reverse chronological order:List in reverse chronological order:

Most recent firstMost recent first

Extra-Curricular Activities

• Inform your reader of your Inform your reader of your accomplishments.accomplishments.

• This is where you can shine!This is where you can shine!

Show leadershipShow leadership

AwardsAwards

Involvement in school and Involvement in school and the communitythe community

Special Skills

• Other things at which you are good:Other things at which you are good:

Experienced in Publisher, Word, Experienced in Publisher, Word, PowerPoint, etc.PowerPoint, etc.

Good communication skillsGood communication skills

CPR certifiedCPR certified

Anything extra that pertains to Anything extra that pertains to the job for which you are the job for which you are applying applying

Layout

• One page in length

• Bold or Underline section headings.

• Use either Times New Roman or Arial type font.

• Traditional is usually more acceptable and professional than fads.

Length of Résumé

• Use only one page.

• The only time you would want to add an additional page would be if you had extensive work experience or information that relates to your career.

Personal Information

• Employers, by law, cannot be concerned with personal characteristics such as weight, sex, or age. Do not worry about this information.

• NEVER attach a photograph to your résumé. Employers are interested in the skills you possess and the contributions you can make to their organization.

Grammar and Spelling

• Typos and poor grammar are signs of carelessness and lack of professionalism.

• Make sure you have someone else proofread it.

• NO cross-outs or handwritten parts

Printing the Résumé

• Use good, quality paper.

• White, ivory, or off-white

• Each copy of your résumé should be crisp and clean; no bent corners, ink smudges, blurs, marks, or ink streaks.

Leave Out

• Availability• Reason for leaving

This will be asked in an interview.

• References They will be expected later. Use a separate sheet of paper.

• Salary• Weaknesses

Letter of Application

• It should:

Answer the question of why to hire you.

Grab the employer’s attention.

Point out why you should be contacted for an interview.

Letter of Application

Look professional—no errors, block style, appropriate format (personal business).

Avoid sentences that begin with “I.”

Be printed in black ink; no colored ink.

Be free of spelling, grammar, or punctuation mistakes—these are out of the question!

• It should:

Letter of Application

• 3 paragraphs:

1st—Tell why you are writing, how you found out about the position, and the position for which you are applying.

2nd—Tell why you are qualified. Highlight experiences and qualities. Use examples.

3rd—Refer to enclosed résumé, tell the best way to contact you, and request an interview!

It’s your future, and

it is important to you!