PRESENTED BY

Rita Di Carlo

Resume/ Cover letter Workshop

LeBow Office of Undergraduate Career Services

Use industry terminology and phrases Be RELEVANT and FOCUSED Length: 1 page Format: use bold, italics, bullets (but don’t overdo) No abbreviations except State Acronyms – also spell out in parentheses Begin phrases with different verbs – avoid assist,

aid, help No personal pronouns! (I, we, you, he/she)

Resume Writing Basics

• Name

• Professional email

• Professional voicemail

• Local address

• One set of contact information preferable

Contact Information Section

• List all post-secondary institutions

• List study abroad experiences

• List major and concentration(s)

Bachelor of Science in Business AdministrationConcentrations: Marketing and FinanceAnticipated Graduation: June 2010GPA: 3.0 / 4.0

Education Section

Computer (Software & Hardware)• Operating Systems• Industry Relevant Skills

-Relevant skill sets, equipment, etc.

• Languages (fluent, conversational) -No need to state fluent in

English for domestic job searches

Skills Section

• Work (part time, full time, internships)

• Volunteering

• Activities (student organizations)

• Academic projects (Mike’s Bikes)

• Other (conference presentations)

• Reverse chronological order

• Dates include month and year

• List City, State

Experience Section

Writing Accomplishment Statements:• What you did

• Why did you do it

• What were the results

• What are the specifics (quantifiers)

Formula for writing accomplishment statements:Action Verb + Object + Context/Purpose + Results

Accomplishment Statements

Analysis of an Accomplishment [Managed and reconciled (action verb)] [a cash drawer (object)] [of up

to $3,000 daily (context and quantifiers)], [maintaining accurate end-of-day balance (results)]

Examples of Accomplishments Managed website design project from needs assessment survey to

implementation. Exceeded every monthly sales quota for shoes, improving sales 15%

in six months. Initiated effective parenting program resulting in a 20% increase in

enrollment. Recruited 10 volunteers for Project Santa 2005, raising $10,000 and

buying food and gifts to benefit the families of 100 local children.

Accomplishment Statements

Example of Poor, but Acceptable Experience

Administrative Assistant, ABC Company

• Made appointments for counselors

• Answered phones

• Showed students career library

• Sold “Guide to Career Planning”

Work Experience

Example of Exceptional

Accomplishment/Purpose Experience

Administrative Assistant, ABC Company

• Used computerized appointment system to schedule student appointments for staff of eight

• Scheduled over 425 employer appointments with students during on-campus recruitment

• Introduced approximately 50 students weekly to office services

• Increased annual sales of office career manual by 20% by creating display space

Work Experience

Volunteer Experience:Junior Achievement, Drew Elementary School, Philadelphia, PA Teaching Assistant, September 2007-Present Instructed and tutored a class of second grade students in math and held an

after-school program Analyzed student’s learning styles to fully engage student participants Created handouts and supplementary materials for lessons

Organizational Involvement:Beta Alpha Psi (Accounting, Finance, MIS Honor Society) Drexel ChapterRecruitment/Public Relations Chair September 2007-

Present Create promotional materials to advertise events on campus Write articles for national organization regarding events and achievements of the

chapter Contact alumni and corporate contacts to organize resume critiques days and

networking events

Other Experiences

Activities/Other Section•Community Service, Volunteering• Activities• Clubs, Offices or Chairs held•Junior Achievement•Peer Leader•Certifications•Professional Organizations•Professional Development•Publications

Activities

Objective or Career Summary / Profile

• Career Summary or Profile section

• Advantage to Summary / Profile:

•Synopsis of your qualifications

•How you meet or exceed their expectations

•Focus on accomplishments

•Think “big picture” – summarize

Objectives/Career Summaries

Summary / ProfileExample of components of a Career Profile/Summary:

• Two years professional experience in sales and marketing

• Proven success planning and facilitating events for 100-500 guests

• Exceeded sales quota, improving overall sales 15% in first six-months on the job

Tips:• List all of your top selling points in bullets

• Use paragraph or bullets and list phrases that show your overall accomplishments

Objectives/Career Summaries

Emailed Resumes or Upload to Website

• Attach document as a Word document named: firstname_lastname.doc

• Send an E-Cover Letter in the email text. This should be similar to a regular cover letter, but briefer.

• Tell them your resume is attached.

• Always view your document. Sometimes formatting changes.

E-Resumes

Resumes that are entered into a database• Text documents – standard font

• Left align and no formatting

• To emphasize, use CAPS

• For bullets, use * - ~

• No characters should touch. Write dates 2 / 2002 - ...

• Use industry jargon and phrases from job description

Scannable Resumes

Not on your resume Separate page Start thinking ofindividuals to ask

John Ryan123 Alphabet Drive

Philadelphia, PA 19104215.555.1212

email@comcast.com

REFERENCES

1. Campbell O’Brien Director of Sales ABC Company 123 Chase Lane Swedesboro, PA 19245 (215)888-8888 Cobrien@yahoo.com

References

Purpose of Cover Letters:

• Show your interest and enthusiasm

• Describe your skills and qualifications and how you meet the employer’s needs

• Opportunity to show that you know something about the employer

• It is an example of your business writing skillsComponents:

• Heading like resume

• Address to a person (if applicable)

• 3-4 paragraphs

• Relevant and focused

• Business letter format

Cover Letter Format

First Paragraph:• Catch their eye• Mention the position

Middle Section:• 1 or 2 paragraphs or 1 paragraph and one

bulleted section• Match your skills and qualifications to the

employer’s needs• (Optional) Mention why you want to work for

the company – something impressive, not external factors like benefits, location, etc.

Closing Paragraph:• Thank the employer for time and consideration

Cover Letter Format

Accounting (Job Description)

Skills Required: Analyze and consolidate divisional and/or

subsidiary data

Interact with corporate, divisional and subsidiary financial personal

Research federal and state tax legislation and regulations

Coordinate, analyze and prepare correspondence related to tax audits and assessments

Resources

http://www.lebow.drexel.edu/CareerServices/Undergraduate/Links.php

Questions