Resumés & Cover LettersFoundations of Business

Saint Michael’s College

Resumés are . . . a summary of your

qualifications a brief history of your

experiences a tool to alert

prospective employers to your skills

used to get you an interview, not to get a job

Hermione WatsonHome Address 12 Grimmauld Place ∙ Phoenix, CT 06000 ∙ (203) 555-1212 ∙ hwatson7@smcvt.edu School Address Saint Michael’s College ∙ One Winooski Park, Box 7000 ∙ Colchester, VT 05439

Objective Marketing ManagerEducation Saint Michael’s College, Colchester, VT

Bachelor of Arts in English Literature; anticipated May 2010Minor in Marketing3.5 cumulative GPA 3.6 GPA in major

Honors Dean’s List all semestersSaint Michael’s Scholarship, Academic years 2006 - present

Skills Technical: Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, Publisher, Adobe Photoshop CS3Languages: proficient in FrenchStrong writing and organizational skills

Marketing Marketing Assistant and Newsletter Editor, Watson Inc., Phoenix, CTExperience ∙ Created the layout and graphic design of the monthly company newsletter.

∙ Interviewed, researched and composed articles for publication∙ Planned and organized the annual corporate party.∙ Assisted in the composition of numerous magazine advertisements for print.∙ Collaborated in the design of marketing products for upcoming 2009

tradeshow.∙ Designed motivational posters for workplace.Summer 2008

Other Human Resources Office Assistant, Saint Michael's CollegeEmployment ∙ Opened and distributed incoming mail.

∙ Filed payroll paperwork.∙ Entrusted with confidential information.∙ Answered phones and provided administrative support.Academic years 2006 – present

Nutritional Lab Assistant, Watson Inc., Phoenix, CT∙ Assisted in the preparing of lab tests. ∙ Revised and organized lab files electronically.Summer 2007

Library Page, Albus Library, Gilderoy, CT∙ Organized bookshelves and materials.∙ Assisted clients in locating books.Fall 2004 - Summer 2006

Interests Hiking, kayaking, skiing, travel, and literature.

References Available upon request

General Resumé Tips Time to prepare vs. “3-10 second rule” Know your audience Keep to a reasonable length based on your

experience (1-2 pages) Consistency throughout the document:

Capitalization (summer/Summer) Abbreviations (VT/Vermont, St./Saint) Years (four or two digits: 2009 or ’09) and months

(spelled out, abbreviated or numbers: December, Dec., 12)

Resumé do’s and don'ts Do’s

proofread thoroughly highlight experiences,

both employment and volunteer

use a standard print style and font size, easy to read font

consistent format use action verbs and be

concise use high quality paper in

real employment situation

Don'ts: no typographical errors for U.S.-based resumés,

do not include personal information (height, weight, marital status, health, etc..)

stay away from hard-to read type

information should not be difficult to find

don’t exaggerate experiences

Identifying Data Name Addresses

current, campus, temporary

permanent Phone numbers

voicemail and answering machines

Clearly label cell number email

check regularly professional address

Career Objective

Be clear provide a definite objective

Keep it short don’t get too wordy, not more than one line

Don’t be too restrictive “To obtain the Sales Division Trainee position with

XYZ Company in Boston”

For the “real world”, can put a sentence in your cover letter instead, but create one for this class

Career Objective Examples

Entry-level accounting staff A marketing position with an advertising

or public relations agency An internship with a financial services

organization A position in human resources working

with benefits administration

Education College Name and

Location Degree and Major Date of Graduation Minor, Concentration GPA, Awards, Honors Scholarships Relevant Courses Other Colleges, Study

Abroad

Skills Technical/Computer

Hardware Software Operating Systems

Language Proficiency Level

Laboratory Communication

Skills Examples Software Applications

Dreamweaver, SPSS, Microsoft Office Suite, FrontPage, Exchange, Internet Research

Operating Systems Macintosh, DOS, Windows

Programming Languages HTML, C++, COBOL

Foreign Languages Highly proficient in German Working knowledge of Italian

Experience Employment vs.

Experience Consistent format Reverse

chronological order in each section

Bullet points vs. paragraph format

Job descriptions: use ACTION VERBS, not full sentences

Experience Example

Sales and Public Relations Intern, Vermont Symphony Orchestra, Burlington, VT Fall 2008Sold subscriptions and advertising spaceComposed press releases and public service

announcements to publicize eventsOversaw production of posters, flyers and

programsHelped increase event attendance by 10%

Relevant vs. Other Experience

RelevantExperiences related

to the positionCan be employment

or volunteer Target your skills and

responsibilities to the job

Action verbs

Otherhighlight skills that

may be useful to any employer (communication, integrity, loyalty)

Shows consistent employment

Action verbs

Activities & Campus Involvement

Campus Organizations

Athletic Involvement Volunteer

Experiences Community

Organizations Artistic Endeavors Leadership Roles

Interests

Things you like to do

Comfortable talking with others about them

Only one line Be politically correct

References

“Available upon request”

How many? Who? Permission to use Verbal vs. written List on separate

page from resumé

Cover Letters are . . .

A letter of introduction to a prospective employer

Tailored to the available position

Well-written, with no typographical errors

Written in business format

Focus attention on your experiences that relate directly to the employer’s needs

Usually one page in length

Writing a Cover Letter

Why you are writing Your qualifications and

examples of experiences, expanding on resumé

Refer to enclosed resumé Follow-up Business closing Remember to sign your

letter