Creating Great Resumes And Cover Letters

Creating Great REsumEs and Cover Letters

• Cover letter: Your initial introduction gives a snapshot of who you are and why you’re a great fit for the position/company.

• Resume: Effectively sells your most relevant credentials, skills, and experience.

Get on board with a strong first impression

• Tailor each cover letter & potentially tweak your resume as needed for each job

• Ensure your resume aligns with the job requirements you are applying for.

Target your message

• The primary purpose of the cover letter & resume is to display your skills and expertise, and help you stand out.

• The average time spent reviewing a resume is 20 to 30 seconds, so be sure to capture attention quickly with the following tips...

Catch the eye quickly

• Career focus and approach

• Relevant work experience

• Simple, clean formatting

• Edited, professional content

Every resumeshould have:

• Be specific—focus your resume on a specific job.

• Use keywords from desired field and job description to help tailor your resume.

• Proofread multiple times before sending to a hiring manager.

Resume tips: Approach

• Show past ten or so years only—include older history only if relevant to the position

• Include months and years, or employers may think you are trying to hide something

• Address gaps in employment in your cover letter or in the interview

• Career changers: list education first with relevant coursework (instead of listing work experience first)

Resume tips: Work Experience

• Avoid paragraphs; instead, use bullets

• Keep to a maximum of two pages with one-inch margins

• Do not use a font smaller than 10 point

• Stick to common fonts such as Times New Roman or Arial

• Use white space on the page for visual appeal—do not crowd content

• Be clear and brief

Resume tips: Format

• Have a professional email address (ex. [email protected])

• Do not include references—create a separate document with a similar layout as your resume and provide it on request

• Use spell check, read your resume out loud and ask others to review and proofread it before sending

• Update your resume often to ensure your skills and experience are always up-to-date

Resume tips: Other tips

• Salutation

• Outline of experience

• Enthusiasm and availability

• Closing

Every cover letter should include:

• Address a specific person

• Do your homework! Call the company, look at their website, or use LinkedIn to find out the hiring manager’s name

• As a last resort, use “To whom it may concern”

Cover letter tips:Salutation

[Date]

Mr. John A. SmithCompany555 W. Broadway AvenueAnytown, USA 00000

Dear. Mr. Smith,

I would like to apply for the position of associate company through a placement agency here in Any

I am currently majoring in business at Kaplan Unithis spring. While I have a comprehensive understfurther my education.

I previously held an internship at Benton & ReichaWhile there, I worked directly under Mr. Benton as

• Opening: Identify the position you are applying for, how you learned about it and why you want to work there

• Body: Read job description carefully and list your experience relevant to the employer’s requirements and how you’d be a perfect fit at the company

Cover letter tips: OutlineIDEAL LENGTH IS ONE PAGE WITH TWO TARGETED PARAGRAPHS

• Say that a resume is enclosed, refer to availability for an interview, and thank them for their time and consideration

• Close out with your full name with a proper closing salutation

Cover letter tips: ClosingFINISH STORY AND TIE YOUR IDEAS TOGETHER WITH A ONE PARAGRAPH CLOSING STATEMENT AND SALUTATION.

• Be sure to show interest, professionalism, and enthusiasm for the position

• If appropriate, include availability for interviews

• Follow up with a phone call or email, typically two weeks after applying

Cover letter tips:Enthusiasm and Availability