Cover Letter, Resume and References

What is a resume?

• 1-2 page summary of your high school education, activities, volunteer and paid work experience, and skills

• You should add to and update it with your most recent achievements often.

• This is a “live” document that is always changing and improving.

• You can tailor your resume for the job you are applying for.

Why is your resume so important?

• To complete your class assignment • Land a co-op or work-study opportunity• Get into college, university • Get a scholarship• Get a job• Keep track of education, special courses, project and

activities• Record paid and unpaid work experience• Recognize your skills, interests and accomplishments

The Resume

• The resume is a selling tool that outlines your skills and experiences so a potential employer can see, at a glance, how you can be a valuable member of their organization.

• It may be odd to think about, but you are a product that you are marketing to businesses.

• Your resume has to sell you in short order. While you may have all the necessary requirements and skills for a particular position, your resume is a failure if the employer does not instantly come to the conclusion that you "have what it takes."

• The first hurdle your resume has to pass--whether it ends up in the "consider file" or the "reject file"--may take less than thirty seconds.

• The most effective resumes are clearly focused on a specific job and addresses the employer's requirements for the position.

• Remember that you can tailor your resume to a specific job. One resume will probably not be sufficient for each job you apply for.

• The more you know about the duties and skills required for the job--and organize your resume around these points--the more effective the resume.

• You will need information to write a good resume. Not just information about jobs you've held in the past but also information most relevant for THIS position.• • The more you know about the

employer and the position, the more you can tailor your resume to fit the job.

you

job

The Basic Student Resume

• Beginner resume that can be expanded, developed, focused and changed depending on your objectives.

• Major headings will include:– Personal information– Education, including courses, activities, and awards–Work Experience– Community service/volunteer activities and jobs

Employability Skillsare the same as Transferable skills

• Friendly• Team player• Flexible• Highly organized• Multitasker• Meets deadlines• Public speaking• Tutoring• Community organization• Computers

• Patience• Discipline• Excellent communication• Self-motivated• Sense of humor• Operating registers• Customer service• Positive attitude• Reliable• Punctual

Retail Sales

What skills do you think would be useful in this job?

• Good customer service skills• Good communication skills• Energetic and outgoing• Punctual and reliable• Cash register operation

Let’s Begin with the Resume• Please go to this handout• Skills• Have you Got Skills?• On the back of your Writing a Resume you will see a skills and

abilities list. Using this list pick 5 skills/abilities that you have and provide proof that you have them. Use examples and stories that you can recall how you attained this skill or ability. I expect a paragraph for each.

Choosing the Type/Font• The two most common fonts are Times New Roman

(more conservative) and Ariel (more contemporary).• Use Bold, italic, bold italic, and CAPS to emphasize

certain text such as headings and job titles.• Be consistent with the type used for headings and other

information.• Use 12- or 11-point type. Set your name in 14-point type

so that it stands out.

Resume Do’s

• Do state your objective carefully.• Do keep your resume to one page.• Do proofread carefully.• Do have someone else read over it for you, such as a

parent or teacher.• Do use good white paper• Do be honest...always.• Update the content of your resume at least once a year.

Resume Do Not's

• Don’t include your birth date or a photograph of yourself. Unless you are looking for a modeling job.• Don’t include statements about your health unless

required.• Don’t include your Social Security number.• Don’t write anything negative about a past employer or

position.• Don’t use scented or colored paper

The world of resumes is changing…• It’s still necessary for us to have paper copies of resumes,

because technology has not caught up to everyone.• Here are some resumes that you will probably see in your career

work places:

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Pictures are hyperlinked.

References• Refer to this handout

The Cover Letter• A cover letter is a formal letter that

accompanies your résumé. Use it to introduce yourself to potential employers, and to convince them that you’re the right person for the job.

• Your cover letter doesn’t simply re-state your résumé—it offers some new information, and it highlights the skills you have that are relevant to the job you’re applying for.

Cover Letter• Your cover letter summarizes the best of what you have to

offer• The goals of the cover letter are:• Get the readers attention• Impress the employer• Use keywords and skills you think they are looking for• Show genuine interest in the company/place• Show you have employability skills

A Good Cover Letter Has…

• Your contact information• The potential employers contact information• A Greeting• Intro paragraph• Middle paragraph with important skills• Closing paragraph with logistics info• A Signature

Top 10 Cover Letter Tips

• Do your homework. Learn what you can about the company or organization.• Follow instructions. Be sure to include any information

that was requested in the job posting. • Don’t just restate your résumé. Use your letter as an

opportunity to make a great first impression. • Personalize your letter. When possible, address your

cover letter to a specific person. • Tailor your letter to the job. Make sure the skills and

experience you highlight in your cover letter are clearly connected to the job you’re applying for.

Top 10 Cover Letter Tips

• Presentation counts. Use a font that’s easy to read, like 12-point Times New Roman or Arial. Using 8.5 x 11-inch white paper is usually a smart choice.• Break it down. Make your cover letter easier to read by

breaking the text down into short paragraphs.• Use a professional tone. Be sure to use professional and

respectful language when writing your cover letter.• Be brief. Your cover letter should be no more than one

page long—the best strategy is to keep it short and to the point.• Proofread. Review your cover letter several times; don’t

just rely on spell-check. Ask someone else to proofread it as well.

Let’s read a cover letter together• Dana Power’s Cover Letter

Cover Letter Jobs• Using the handout provided, write a cover letter that fits one

of the criteria given.

Cover Letter – Opening Paragraph

State why you are writing and what position you are applying for. Mention any mutual contacts you might have. Be sure to sound professional and enthusiastic. _____________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________

Middle ParagraphThis is the most important paragraph. State your academic and work experience that is most relevant to the position you are applying for. Emphasize your key skills. Be sure to incorporate keywords. Provide details whenever possible.

___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Closing Paragraph

Include any details about your availability. Mention again how much you would like the position. Thank the individual for his or her time and express interest in future contact. ____________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________

References

• Handout “References Outline”• Fill in the Reference Page template with THREE

REFERENCES.• You should have two personal references and

one personal reference.• You will need to get information/phone

numbers/etc. tonight for homework if you do not have it here at school.