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THE FIRST STEP TOWARD LANDING YOUR NEXT JOB Writing The Effective Resume/Cover Letter

THE FIRST STEP TOWARD LANDING YOUR NEXT JOB€¦ · THE FIRST STEP TOWARD LANDING YOUR NEXT JOB Writing The Effective Resume/Cover Letter . Writing An Effective Resume What information

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Page 1: THE FIRST STEP TOWARD LANDING YOUR NEXT JOB€¦ · THE FIRST STEP TOWARD LANDING YOUR NEXT JOB Writing The Effective Resume/Cover Letter . Writing An Effective Resume What information

THE FIRST STEP TOWARD LANDING

YOUR NEXT JOB

Writing The Effective Resume/Cover Letter

Page 2: THE FIRST STEP TOWARD LANDING YOUR NEXT JOB€¦ · THE FIRST STEP TOWARD LANDING YOUR NEXT JOB Writing The Effective Resume/Cover Letter . Writing An Effective Resume What information

Writing An Effective Resume

● What information should be in a resume?

● Characteristics of a successful resume.

● Functional or Chronological.

● Scannable resume.

Page 3: THE FIRST STEP TOWARD LANDING YOUR NEXT JOB€¦ · THE FIRST STEP TOWARD LANDING YOUR NEXT JOB Writing The Effective Resume/Cover Letter . Writing An Effective Resume What information

What Information Should Be in a Resume?

● Identify Yourself

● Education

● Continuing Education

● Work or Professional Experience

● Volunteer Experience

● Activities

● Computer Skills

● Professional Associations

Optional Sections

● Objective

● Special Skills and Abilities

● References

Page 4: THE FIRST STEP TOWARD LANDING YOUR NEXT JOB€¦ · THE FIRST STEP TOWARD LANDING YOUR NEXT JOB Writing The Effective Resume/Cover Letter . Writing An Effective Resume What information

HEADING

● Full name (middle or middle initial).

● Accurate address

● Phone number (with area code).

● Email address-appropriate and one you check often!

Page 5: THE FIRST STEP TOWARD LANDING YOUR NEXT JOB€¦ · THE FIRST STEP TOWARD LANDING YOUR NEXT JOB Writing The Effective Resume/Cover Letter . Writing An Effective Resume What information

SAMPLE HEADING

JOHN T. SMITH

12541 East Penwall Street

New York, New York 00112

(578) 568-4517

[email protected]

Page 6: THE FIRST STEP TOWARD LANDING YOUR NEXT JOB€¦ · THE FIRST STEP TOWARD LANDING YOUR NEXT JOB Writing The Effective Resume/Cover Letter . Writing An Effective Resume What information

Job Objective

● List what position you are seeking-be specific.

● Not in complete sentences.

● Change objective for different positions.

● Example: A position as an administrative assistant in a business office.

Page 7: THE FIRST STEP TOWARD LANDING YOUR NEXT JOB€¦ · THE FIRST STEP TOWARD LANDING YOUR NEXT JOB Writing The Effective Resume/Cover Letter . Writing An Effective Resume What information

Education

● Most important in your resume at this time.

● Name of school / accurate address.

● Graduation date / special courses.

● School activities, clubs / job related skills

● GPA (only if favorable)

Page 8: THE FIRST STEP TOWARD LANDING YOUR NEXT JOB€¦ · THE FIRST STEP TOWARD LANDING YOUR NEXT JOB Writing The Effective Resume/Cover Letter . Writing An Effective Resume What information

Sample Education Section

Sept 2011- Present William Ford High School

23457 Sorto Street

Clearwater, Florida 54154

GPA: 3.0/4.0 Diploma: June 2017

Classes: Spanish III, Advanced Marketing, Advanced Geometry, Technical Drawing III

Skills: Microsoft Powerpoint, Advanced Solidworks, Quickbooks PRO

Extracurricular Activities: Volleyball (3 years), Marching Band (2 years), Extreme Science Club (1 year), President of Key Club (1 year)

Page 9: THE FIRST STEP TOWARD LANDING YOUR NEXT JOB€¦ · THE FIRST STEP TOWARD LANDING YOUR NEXT JOB Writing The Effective Resume/Cover Letter . Writing An Effective Resume What information

Experience-professional/volunteer

● Name of organization / organization information.

● Employment dates (be accurate) / reverse chronological order.

● Job title/job duties.

● Use active verbs (past or present tense)

Page 10: THE FIRST STEP TOWARD LANDING YOUR NEXT JOB€¦ · THE FIRST STEP TOWARD LANDING YOUR NEXT JOB Writing The Effective Resume/Cover Letter . Writing An Effective Resume What information

ACTIVE VERBS

achieved handled performed served

analyzed helped planned scheduled

arranged improved prepared sold

assembled installed presented solved

assisted learned processed sorted

built maintained produced studied

coordinated managed provided trained

demonstrated operated recorded won

designed organized repaired worked

developed participated selected wrote

Page 11: THE FIRST STEP TOWARD LANDING YOUR NEXT JOB€¦ · THE FIRST STEP TOWARD LANDING YOUR NEXT JOB Writing The Effective Resume/Cover Letter . Writing An Effective Resume What information

Sample Experience Section

October 2010-Present CVS Pharmacy 6895 Fort Street Lincoln Park, Michigan 48190 Cashier / Clerk, part-time

● working with customers ● helping customers solve problems ● stocking shelves ● doing inventory

April 2009-June 2010 Taco Bell 234851 Telegraph Road Taylor, Michigan 48101

Cashier / Customer Service Representative

● worked with customers ● helped customers solve problems ● trained new employees

Page 12: THE FIRST STEP TOWARD LANDING YOUR NEXT JOB€¦ · THE FIRST STEP TOWARD LANDING YOUR NEXT JOB Writing The Effective Resume/Cover Letter . Writing An Effective Resume What information

Reference Page

● List your complete heading at the top

● List references on this page only (separate from resume)

● Reference information must be complete:

● Full name, title, address, phone number, email

● List how long you have known the individual

Page 13: THE FIRST STEP TOWARD LANDING YOUR NEXT JOB€¦ · THE FIRST STEP TOWARD LANDING YOUR NEXT JOB Writing The Effective Resume/Cover Letter . Writing An Effective Resume What information

Reference Example

References for:

JOHN T. SMITH

12541 East Penwall Street

New York, New York 00112

(578) 568-4517

[email protected]

________________________________________________________

Holly B. Worner

Registered Nurse

Oakwood Health Systems

87777 Oakwood Boulevard

Dearborn, Michigan 48102

(313) 994-8574

[email protected]

Known for 8 years (personal reference)

Page 14: THE FIRST STEP TOWARD LANDING YOUR NEXT JOB€¦ · THE FIRST STEP TOWARD LANDING YOUR NEXT JOB Writing The Effective Resume/Cover Letter . Writing An Effective Resume What information

Characteristics Of A Successful Resume

● Focuses on skills. Uses action words to define the

responsibilities of your job-related experience.

● Easy to read and understand.

● Visually powerful and free of gimmicks.

● One page, (2 pages an exception).

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Characteristics Of A Successful Resume

● Language is grammatically PERFECT.

● Spelling has been checked.

● Formal Style

Page 16: THE FIRST STEP TOWARD LANDING YOUR NEXT JOB€¦ · THE FIRST STEP TOWARD LANDING YOUR NEXT JOB Writing The Effective Resume/Cover Letter . Writing An Effective Resume What information

Resume Faux Pax

● Typos and Grammar Slips

○ “Great attention to detail.”

○ “Proven ability to track down and correct erors.”

○ “Am a perfectionist and rarely if ever forget etails.”

○ “Accomplishments: Completed 11 years of high school.”

○ Don’t use “I” or “me”

Page 17: THE FIRST STEP TOWARD LANDING YOUR NEXT JOB€¦ · THE FIRST STEP TOWARD LANDING YOUR NEXT JOB Writing The Effective Resume/Cover Letter . Writing An Effective Resume What information

Characteristics Of A Successful Resume

● Must always be 100% truthful.

● Contains no inappropriate personal information.

● Produced on a computer.

● Data presented in chronological order (unless functional).

Page 18: THE FIRST STEP TOWARD LANDING YOUR NEXT JOB€¦ · THE FIRST STEP TOWARD LANDING YOUR NEXT JOB Writing The Effective Resume/Cover Letter . Writing An Effective Resume What information

Functional Resumes

● Doesn’t go in chronological order.

● Based upon competencies or skills.

● Used for career changers or those with

unconventional work histories (or executives).

○ Might say “Sales Experience” then list it.

○ Typically brief with a simple list of positions

held, etc.

○ De-emphasizes importance of specific jobs.

● Drawbacks to this system (not as popular).

Page 19: THE FIRST STEP TOWARD LANDING YOUR NEXT JOB€¦ · THE FIRST STEP TOWARD LANDING YOUR NEXT JOB Writing The Effective Resume/Cover Letter . Writing An Effective Resume What information

Scannable Resume

● Watch bullet points (don’t always scan).

● How about a dash - ?

● Use labels or keywords.

● Less is more.

● Keep the design simple.

● Minimize use of abbreviations.

Page 20: THE FIRST STEP TOWARD LANDING YOUR NEXT JOB€¦ · THE FIRST STEP TOWARD LANDING YOUR NEXT JOB Writing The Effective Resume/Cover Letter . Writing An Effective Resume What information

Basic Checklist

● No spelling or grammar errors.

● Neat, clean, and professional looking.

● Length should be 1-2 pages.

● Consistent margins at sides and bottom.

● Layout makes reading easy. Use of white space is effective.

Page 21: THE FIRST STEP TOWARD LANDING YOUR NEXT JOB€¦ · THE FIRST STEP TOWARD LANDING YOUR NEXT JOB Writing The Effective Resume/Cover Letter . Writing An Effective Resume What information

Basic Checklist

● Important titles should be emphasized. Experiment

with fonts & styles; bold, italic, and underlines. No

more than 2 or 3 different sizes.

● Information is logically recorded.

● Use Action Verbs for accomplishments & results.

● Information is PARALLEL

Page 22: THE FIRST STEP TOWARD LANDING YOUR NEXT JOB€¦ · THE FIRST STEP TOWARD LANDING YOUR NEXT JOB Writing The Effective Resume/Cover Letter . Writing An Effective Resume What information

Basic Checklist

● Bullet points when possible for accomplishments.

● Quantify your results whenever you can.

● Format - chronological

●Any questions??????

Page 23: THE FIRST STEP TOWARD LANDING YOUR NEXT JOB€¦ · THE FIRST STEP TOWARD LANDING YOUR NEXT JOB Writing The Effective Resume/Cover Letter . Writing An Effective Resume What information

Writing An Effective Cover Letter

Page 24: THE FIRST STEP TOWARD LANDING YOUR NEXT JOB€¦ · THE FIRST STEP TOWARD LANDING YOUR NEXT JOB Writing The Effective Resume/Cover Letter . Writing An Effective Resume What information

How To Write A Cover Letter - Rules

● Give enough information to interest the reader, don’t

overwhelm.

● Research the company. Address the letter to a

specific person.

● Answer an ad if you have 50% of the skills or background that the ad requires.

● Mention the person who referred you if appropriate.

Page 25: THE FIRST STEP TOWARD LANDING YOUR NEXT JOB€¦ · THE FIRST STEP TOWARD LANDING YOUR NEXT JOB Writing The Effective Resume/Cover Letter . Writing An Effective Resume What information

How To Write A Cover Letter - Contents

● Your address, city, state, zip, and telephone number.

● Date

● Name, title, company, address, city, state, and zip of

person you’re writing to.

● Greeting, followed by a colon.

Page 26: THE FIRST STEP TOWARD LANDING YOUR NEXT JOB€¦ · THE FIRST STEP TOWARD LANDING YOUR NEXT JOB Writing The Effective Resume/Cover Letter . Writing An Effective Resume What information

How To Write A Cover Letter - Contents

● Paragraph 1:

○ What position are you applying for and how did you hear about it?

○ How you know about the organization.

● Paragraph 2:

○ Concise overview of work history and skills

that will help you perform the job.

○ Mention enclosure of your resume.

Page 27: THE FIRST STEP TOWARD LANDING YOUR NEXT JOB€¦ · THE FIRST STEP TOWARD LANDING YOUR NEXT JOB Writing The Effective Resume/Cover Letter . Writing An Effective Resume What information

How To Write A Cover Letter - Contents

● Paragraph 3:

○ State confidence in your ability.

○ Give information on how you can be contacted

○ Express appreciation

● Closing, signature, and typed name