COVER LETTERS & RESUMES

Letters of Recommendation

• Should you see your letters?• Whom should you ask?• Always ask for permission for references• Should you ask your current boss?

What Employers Like to See in a Resume

• Honesty• Attractiveness• Careful Organization• Conciseness• Accuracy• Current• Relevance• Qualifications

Writing Your Resume

• Important Questions to Ask Yourself (162)• Balance Education and Experience• What to Exclude

PARTS OF A RESUME

• Contact Information• Career Objective or

Profile• Credentials• Education• Experience

• Related Skills and Achievements

• Computer Skills• Awards/Honors• References

Organization

• Chronological• Functional

LETTERS OF APPLICATION

• Goal: To get you an interview• Personable, Professional, Persuasive• New LOA for each prospective employer• Sales letter• Do not restate things on your resume

Writing a Letter of Application

• Follow standard conventions of letter writing• Supply all contact information as part of your letterhead• Make sure your letter looks attractive• Send your letter to a specific person• Emphasis on the “you attitude”• Don’t be tempted to send out a first draft

Organization

• Opening paragraph• Body of your letter• Education• Experience

• Closing

THE DIGITAL RESUME

ONLINE RESUME

• CONVERT TO TEXT ONLY (PG. 175, 177)

• Provides keywords• Avoid personal

information

• Only post to reliable sites

• Use an email specific to your job search

• Delete your resume once you find a job

Making Your Resume Cybersafe

• Post only on legitimate sites• Do not put personal information on your online resume• Use an anonymous email• Never put the names or contact info of references• Never use your present employer’s name or business

address