resumes cover letters & thank you notes oh my!!!

For High School Students

ResumesCoVER LETTERS

& THANK YOU NOTESOh my!!!

A resume is a personal summary of your professional history and qualifications.

It includes information about:

Your career goalsEducationWork experienceActivitiesHonorsAny special skills you might have.

What is a Resume?

Heading

Objective *

Education

Experience

Skills

References- in resume or as an addendum

Key Components

Personal Skills and Assets

Honors, awards and activities

Community service

Foreign language proficiency

Computer skills & applications

Volunteer experiences

Additional Components

Make your name stand out with a bold, larger font size

Use standard fonts such as Times New Roman, Arial, or Courier

Type Size: 10 - 12 Point

1 inch margins all around

White, beige, or light gray quality bond paper

Use a laser printer for best finish

Limit entry level resume to one typed page!Conform to a standard resume format !

Formatting & Appearance

Includes contact information:

Top of the page

Name: large and bold- so it stands out!

Address: street, town, state & zip code

Telephone number(s): with professional message

Email address: professional looking ([email protected] is not appropriate) check e-mail on a daily basis

Heading

Sample HeadingsMike Jones

1 Meadow WayAltamonte Springs, FL 32116

(407) [email protected]

Susan [email protected]

Current Address Permanent Address 325 Maple St 55 Sycamore Drive Orlando, FL 32837 Miami, FL 36829 (407) 555-3357 (305) 555-4429

CHRIS SMITH83 Prospect Road Orlando, FL 32837 (407) 555-8975 [email protected]

CHRIS SMITH83 Prospect Road Orlando, FL 32837(407) 555-8975 [email protected]

What is an objective? A one sentence summary of position desired.

Short Specific Tailored to the position

What does an objective do? Clarifies the purpose of your resume Presents a clear statement of your goals

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Objective

(Descriptive words) Seeking a….

Part-time position at spa or salon

Receptionist at a veterinarian’s office

Customer service representative at a call center

Hostess at a upscale restaurant

A part-time job or summer internship at a communications firm

Part-time retail sales position in a clothing store

Sample Objectives

A couple of sentences or bullets that describe what you are like as a person and how you do things, including personality traits, attitudes, work habits, etc.•This is a useful section, especially if you do not have much work experience.

•Think of the skills you use in school that employers want!!!▫ Punctuality, Time Management, Teamwork

Personal Skills and Assets


_____________________________________________________

OBJECTIVEDedicated, trustworthy individual seeking a part time position

as a clerk in a dental office

Sample Personal Skills and Assets

Try it now! List three to five of your personal qualities.

Sample Personal Skills and Assets Section

PERSONAL SKILLS AND ASSETSI am a hard working young lady who is willing to learn more. I am responsible, motivated, educated and punctual. I am friendly person who enjoys helping others.

SKILLS SUMMARY

• Detail oriented and well organized

• Excellent verbal and written communication

• Strong customer service focus

• Outgoing with a positive attitude

• Professional demeanor

Name and location of the school

Major, minor and area of concentration

(“SHOP”)

Graduation or anticipated graduation date

GPA – if 3.0 or higher

Relevant Coursework- See next slide for

more information

Education


_____________________________________________________

OBJECTIVEPart time position as a clerk in a dental office

PERSONAL SKILLS AND ASSETSI am a hard working young lady who is willing to learn more. I am

responsible, motivated, educated and punctual. I am friendly person who enjoys helping others.

List relevant courses that:

Help you stand out from the crowd

Have provided you with specific skills or knowledge

Spanish (4 semesters)Computer ScienceMarketingEconomicsDo not include courses that

are part of a required curriculum- Ex. English

Include courses that are at an advanced level if they are relevant to the position- eg. Biology, Calculus

Education- Relevant Courses

Samples of Education Section

EDUCATIONWinter Park High School Winter Park, FL

Aug 2005–present

•Graduating May 2009

•GPA 3.0

•Relevant Courses: Business Systems Technology; Marketing

•Received an award for being a best student

EDUCATION Colonial High School Orlando, FL High school student

•Graduate 2009

•Composite Act score of 15

•GPA of 3.1

•Relevant Courses: Biology, Human Anatomy and Physiology, Calculus


___________________________________________________________


PERSONAL SKILLS AND ASSETSI am a hard working young lady who is willing to learn more. I am responsible,

motivated, educated and punctual. I am friendly person who enjoys helping others.


Aug 2005–present •Graduating May 2009•GPA 3.0•Relevant Courses: Business Systems Technology, Marketing, Biology•Received an award for being a best student

Remember – Experience can be:

Paid part-time/full-time positions

Internships

Volunteer work/ Community Service *

Club/campus group involvement

Summer Jobs

20

Experience

Guidelines for duties, responsibilities & accomplishments

Include most relevant skills & qualities

Most relevant information comes first

Use strong action verbs- see handout

Provide evidence of skills & qualities by Quantifying information Acknowledging accomplishments & evaluations

21

Experience

WORK EXPERIENCE

2005-present Pizza Paradiso Orlando, FL

Waitress• Provided excellent guest service• Dealt with complaints• Took orders and served guests in timely manner• Handled cash

Sample Experience Section

VALLEY STATE BANK, Huntington, INBank Teller, Summers 2005 & 2006

• Provided friendly, professional customer service• Issued money orders, travelers checks, loan payments and deposits/withdrawals

WORK EXPERIENCE


___________________________________________________________


PERSONAL SKILLS AND ASSETSI am a hard working young lady who is willing to learn more. I am responsible, motivated, educated and

punctual. I am friendly person who enjoys helping others.


Aug 2005–present •Graduating May 2009•GPA 3.0•Relevant Courses: Business Systems Technology,

Marketing, Biology•Received an award for being a best student

WORK EXPERIENCE

Valley State Bank, Huntington, IN

Bank Teller, Summers 2005 & 2006

• Provided friendly, professional customer service

• Issued money orders, travelers checks, loan payments and deposits/withdrawals

Specialized Skills

• Include skills that make you unique, such as computer skills, foreign language skills, or military service.

• Be specific in describing your special skills; name computer programs you know, how long you studied a foreign language, or your dates of military service.

Sample Skills Section

COMPUTER SKILLS Experienced with Macintosh, IBM PC, Windows XP, Microsoft Word, Microsoft PowerPoint, Microsoft Excel, and Microsoft Publisher

LANGUAGESBilingual Spanish and English


___________________________________________________________

OBJECTIVESeeking a part time position as a clerk in a dental office

PERSONAL SKILLS AND ASSETS

I am a hard working young lady who is willing to learn more. I am responsible, motivated, educated and punctual. I am friendly person who enjoys helping others.


Aug 2005–present •Graduating May 2009

•GPA 3.0

•Relevant Courses: Business Systems Technology,

Marketing, Biology


WORK EXPERIENCE





COMPUTER SKILLS Experienced with Macintosh, IBM PC, Windows XP, Microsoft Word, Microsoft PowerPoint, Microsoft Excel, and

Microsoft Publisher

LANGUAGESBilingual Spanish and English

If your resume is strong, it is enough to state that references are available upon request or to include as an addendum

Choose references that are knowledgeable about your skills, abilities, and work ethics. Former employers, teachers, and counselors would be good references, your friends and relatives would not.

Always obtain permission from references in advance and provide them with current resume

References

Sample References

REFERENCESKristin Wilkin, English Teacher, Winter Park High School, 407-623-2476

Bob Jones, Supervisor, Valley State Bank, 407-889-2345


___________________________________________________________


PERSONAL SKILLS AND ASSETS

I am a hard working young lady who is willing to learn more. I am responsible, motivated, educated and punctual. I am friendly person who enjoys helping others.


Aug 2005–present •Graduating May 2009

•GPA 3.0

•Relevant Courses: Business Systems Technology,

Marketing, Biology


WORK EXPERIENCE





COMPUTER SKILLS Experienced with Macintosh, IBM PC, Windows XP, Microsoft Word, Microsoft PowerPoint, Microsoft Excel, and Microsoft Publisher

LANGUAGESBilingual Spanish and EnglishREFERENCESKristin Wilkin, English Teacher, Winter Park High School, 407-623-2476

Bob Jones, Supervisor, Valley State Bank, 407-889-2345

Your resume is your first impression to your prospective employer. It gets you the interview (or not)!

Can your resume pass The 20-Second Test? Resumes are usually scanned, not read in depth, so the reader should be able to pick out the most relevant details in 20 seconds or less.

Swap resumes (& cover letters) with a buddy and evaluate your partner’s work. If you were a hiring manager, what advice would you give?Use the checklists on back of sample pages to help you.

FOOD FOR THOUGHT:

31

Remember

Always submit a cover letter with your resume

A resume does not get you a job…

A resume does get you an interview.

And, putting time and consideration into your resume is one of the

best ways to prepare for your interviews!

Proofread! Proofread! Proofread!

Cover Letter

The cover letter will: Introduce you as a candidate.Clarify the position for which you are applying for.Enable you to highlight your strengths.Ask an employer to take action.

Cover Letter Writing Tips

Your cover letter should be job-centered not self-centered.The cover letter should be 1 page maximum.Use regular business letter format.Always address the letter to a specific person, not “To Whom

It May Concern.”Research the name of the contact person or hiring manager. You may use, “To the Hiring Manager” or “To the Selection

Committee Chairperson” if needed.Proofread and check your letter for proper grammar.

Breaking it DownYour Contact InformationNameAddressCity, State, Zip CodePhone NumberEmail Address

Date

Employer Contact Information

(If you have it)NameTitleCompanyAddressCity, State, Zip Code

SalutationDear Mr./Ms. Last Name:

Anita Job1234 Street AvenueWilmington, CA [email protected]

March 13, 2012

Sally Boss, Hiring ManagerKaiser Permanente25825 Vermont Harbor City, CA 90710

Dear Ms. Boss:

First Paragraph

The first paragraph should include information on why you are writing. Mention the position you are applying for and how you will follow-up.

I would like to express my interest in a Medical Secretary position with Kaiser Permanente. I am confident that Kaiser’s values and objectives would highly complement my own strengths and enthusiasm. I would like to be considered for your Medical Secretary position.

Middle ParagraphThe next section of your cover should describe

what you have to offer the employer. Mention specifically how your qualifications match the job you are applying for. Remember, you are interpreting your resume, not repeating it.

Evidence of my skills and qualifications can be seen in my responsibilities as a Program Assistant at Los Angeles Harbor College where I provided customer service and scheduled counseling appointments. My educational background in Computer Applications & Office Technology-Medical Office Assistant has been excellent preparation for a career with Kaiser Permanente.

Final ParagraphConclude your cover letter by thanking the

employer for considering you for the position. Include information on how you will follow-up.

Please review the enclosed resume and consider my application for your Medical Secretary position. I would appreciate the opportunity to meet with you and discuss the positive contributions I would offer as a member of your organization. To reach me for an interview, please contact me at (555) 555-5555 or [email protected]. Thank you for your consideratation.

Complimentary Close & Signature

Complimentary CloseRespectfully yours,

SignatureHandwritten Signature(for a mailed letter)

Type Signature

Respectfully yours,

Anita Job

Anita Job

1111 Figueroa Place

Wilmington, CA 90744

June 20, 20XX

Ms. Karen Fields

Human Resources Director

Kaiser Permanente

2075 Palos Verdes Drive North

Lomita, CA 90717

Dear Ms. Fields:

I am applying for the medical secretary position that you advertised through the Job Placement Center at Los Angeles Harbor College. My resume is enclosed.

Your position requires skill in various accounting and medical software programs. My Associate in Science Degree, Option in Medical Office Assistant emphasized the understanding and use of Billing software and Intuit QuickBooks software. I have one year of experience working in an office setting with an increasing level of responsibility. My experience as a Program Assistant gave me the ability to work well in a busy office setting and the interpersonal skills to assist the public.

My background and career goals match your job requirements well. Your company has an excellent reputation not only for its services but as an employer. I am confident I would make a lasting contribution to your organization.

Thank you for your consideration. To reach me for an interview, please contact me at (555) 555-5555 or [email protected]. I look forward to hearing from you.

Sincerely,

Anita Job

Anita Job

Additional Resources

Susan Ireland’s Resume Sitewww.susanireland.com/resume Resume Resourcewww.resume-resource.comSample Resumeswww.sampleresumes.com CalWORKs/Job Placement websitewww.lahc.edu/studentservices/calworks/jobshome.html

Always send a handwritten note thanking the hiring manager/interviewer for his/her time, and reiterate the following:

The position for which you have applied.

That you will be in contact for an update.

Your name (sign it / write it!)

THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU!

resumes cover letters & thank you notes oh my!!!

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