RESUME AND COVER LETTER GUIDEBOOK - Pace

[Pages:30]RESUME AND COVER LETTER GUIDEBOOK

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Page 1

Table of Contents

Introduction

Resume Styles

What to Include on Your Resume

Transferable Skills

Resume Do's & Don'ts

Sample Resumes Undergraduate Graduate Functional

Writing Cover Letters

Page 3 Page 4 Page 5 Page 6-8 Page 9

Pages 10-20 Pages 21-23 Page 24 Pages 25-30

Page 2

Introduction

Your resume must answer the question: Why should I hire you?

It is a portrait of you and the most important tool in your job search. It must grab the attention of the reader and convince him/her (in no more than 30 seconds) that you are a match for the job and should be interviewed. You will need to provide the employer with important facts about you by conveying the following information:

YOUR SKILLS, STRENGTHS, ACCOMPLISHMENTS, INTERESTS, GOALS AND BACKGROUND

STEP 1 STEP 2 STEP 3

Take inventory of all the above Organize the information and choose appropriate vocabulary to make the most positive impact Create a resume that is attractive, concise, error free, attractive and easy to read

This workbook will help you create a strong resume. Review the tips, worksheets and samples as you prepare your unique resume.

Common Concerns of Resume Writing

"I dont have a lot of experience" "I dont have experience in my field" "My experience/education is from another country" "My resume has gaps" "Im not in any clubs" "My GPA is not very good"

In addition to gaining work experience, the following are a few ways you can show employers that you are a well qualified candidate:

Volunteer. This is a great way to meet people, develop hard and soft skills as well as gain exposure to a certain industry or field of work. Join an organization (on or off campus). This involvement will expose you to people and information in a particular industry in order to expand upon what you learn in school. By joining a committee within an organization, you can build additional leadership skills and develop contacts. Take an elective course in an area of interest. Read trade journals, blogs, etc. Some financial firms actually list "recommended reading" on their website under career information/interview preparation. List academic courses, class projects, and readings to demonstrate your knowledge and interest. Include your technical skills, languages spoken as well as personal skills that showcase your strengths Emphasize accomplishments. Indicating what you have achieved can differentiate you from others.

Page 3

Resume Styles

REVERSE CHRONOLOGRIECVAELRSFEOCRHMRAOTNOLOGICAL

This is the most commonly uInsetdhisstmyleoswt hcoemremeoxnpleyriuesnecdesatynlde,eedxupceartiioenncaeraenldisted in reverse chronological order (most recent items firesdt)u.cation are listed in reverse chronological order

Advantages

(most recent items first).

Preferred by the vast maAjodrvitaynotaf geemsployers

Highlights employer name, jPorbefteitrlreesd, jboybtrheesvpaosntsmibailjitoireistyanodf eamchpileovyeemrsents for each position

Emphasizes continuity and cHarigeherligghrotswetmh ployer name, job titles and job

Easy to follow

responsibilities for each position

Emphasizes continuity and career growth

Best Used

Easy to follow

When career direction is clear and can be highlighted

By entry level or experieBnecsetdUsstueddents who have a fairly steady, conventional work history When career direction is clear and can be

Hints

highlighted

Begin work experience sectBioynewntirthy lperveesleanst worelml aosstexrpeecreinetncpeodsisttioudneanntds wwhoork backward

Detail only the last few phoasvietioanfsaiorlryrsetleeavdayn,tceomnvpelonytmioennalt wwoitrhkin the past ten years Note major position changehsis(tsohroywing progression) with a particular employer

Eacmcpohmapsilzisehmhoewntwderilvl eyno,unHdoiitndBttyesaogskuinrdwjroiovber,kninecxlpuedriniegnscpeesceicfitciornesoufltyso. uRrerseusmumeseswhoituhld be skill and Quantify (how often? hopwremseanntyo?remtco.)stwrheecreentppoosssiibtiloen and work Be consistent and achievembeanctkowraierndt.ed

Detail only the last four or five positions or relevant

employment within the past ten years, if FUNCTIONAL FORMAT not repeated in the most recent experience.

This style focuses on highlighetminpNgloomtyeaejrmo.raSjaohcrocpwoompspirtoliiosghnremcshesianontnsg,eossftrweinthgtahspaanrtdicsuklailrls rather than on work history. Caution: Some employers dislirkeespthoensfiubnilcittiioesn.al resume because it does not show your work history and

progression as clearly. Emphasize major accomplishments and

Advantages

responsibilities which relate directly or indirectly to your job objective. Quantify where possible.

Focuses on the skills needed for new position, instead of work history

Gives considerable flexibFilUityNCTIONAL

Best Used

For career changers or tThhoissesrtyeleenhteigrihnlgigthhtes mjobajomraarckceotmplishments and

When experience is limistetrdenogrthwshaenndyaolluowwsishyotuo teomoprghaansiizzee athpeamrtiicnualanrosrtdreerngth or skill

When When

you you

have have

lheandgtsheyvetArghreacasapluttsujmboaoelbefs.wsttiwsoCmuraiekptuhpbhtosieiosritmttnwso:irelyaySeoroniusrmrejlowesisbpoetsoemrdnkpsaoilbtobityjlhieeteciretsbisvdoeitstaolinmkdeojtofhbtehtiasrgsteytlse.

Hints

functional resume.

Use several categories taArgdevtaendtatogetshe job you are seeking; each one should highlight a particular skill or

area of expertise

Gives considerable flexibility in emphasis

List functional categoriesinEolridmeirnaotfesimreppoerttiatinocneowfijtohbthasesmigonmsteinmtsportant skill first

Be consistent

Tends to de-emphasize work history and stresses

skills needed for new position

Best Used

Page 4

In career changes or re-entry into the job market

What to Include on Your Resume

Heading Include your current address, e-mail and phone (home and/or cell); be sure your voicemail and e-mail addresses are professional

Objective (optional) Objectives are usually recommended because they help define what youre looking for; if appropriate, add special interests or skills that you offer Remember that "objective" is another word for goal, so you should briefly state what type of position you are seeking, reflecting what you have to offer; not what you want

Professional Profile (optional) A profile highlighting specific qualifications and transferable skills can be effective for career changers or students with significant experience

Education School, degree, expected date of graduation, major, minor, concentration Overall GPA if higher than 3.0; include your major GPA if higher than overall GPA Previous college, degree, dates of attendance or graduation, major and GPA (if applicable)

Honors, Awards and Accomplishments Any academic, extracurricular or job-related achievements (can also be listed under Experience) For example: scholarships, Deans List, etc.

Relevant Courses List 4 to 8 courses related to your major and/or objective

Special/Related Academic Projects Any significant projects (class or outside activities) that relate to your major and/or Objective--this is especially important for students with little or no work experience

Computer Skills Hardware, software, programs, languages, operating systems and internet applications

Experience/Employment History Full-time or part-time jobs, internships, consulting, self-employment, entrepreneurial ventures Volunteer work (include in this section or list as separate category)

Activities/Interests Clubs (indicate role if other than member, e.g. Treasurer) where appropriate describe involvement Professional or community organizations Tutoring (include in this section or under "Experience" section) Fraternity/Sorority or Athletic Groups Any genuine interest, expertise, or unique hobby (do not include general areas such as "reading")

Language(s) Fluency, proficiency or knowledge of a language(s) other than English

Presentation(s)/Publication(s) or Certification(s)/Licensure(s) An entry that could substantiate your professional development or communication skills

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Transferable Skills

What skills do employers want you to have?

Each year NACE* conducts a survey asking employers to identify skills and qualities of the "ideal candidate." They also compare their desires to the skills and qualities that current graduates actually possess.

Employers rate the importance of specific qualities/skills

Qualities

Rating

Communication skills

4.7

Honesty/integrity

4.7

Interpersonal skills (relates

4.5

well to others)

Motivation/initiative

4.5

Strong work ethic

4.5

Teamwork skills (works well

4.5

with others)

Computer skills

4.4

Analytical skills

4.3

Flexibility/adaptability

4.3

Detail-oriented

4.2

Organizational skills

4.0

Leadership skills

4.0

Self-confidence

4.0

Friendly/outgoing personality

3.9

Tactfulness

3.9

Well-mannered/polite

3.8

Creativity

3.7

GPA (3.0 or better)

3.6

Entrepreneurial skills/risk-

3.3

taker

Sense of humor

3.2

Bilingual skills

2.3

(5-point scale, where 1=not important, 2=not very important; 3=somewhat important; 4=very important, and 5=extremely important)

A good GPA is important, but employers look at other attributes too. In fact, year after year, the number one skill employers say they want to see in job candidates is good communication skills: the ability to write and speak clearly. Unfortunately, in spite of requesting this skill year after year, many employers also report that college graduates lack good grammar and writing skills.

Employers also want new hires that are honest, display teamwork skills, and have a strong work ethic.

What college candidates lack

Ironically, communication skills not only top employers' list of mostdesired skills, but also their list of the skills most lacking in new college graduates.

Many employers reported that students have trouble with grammar, cannot write, and lack presentation skills. Poor communication skills are often evident in the interview, where students are unable to articulate, as one employer said, "what they have done and how it relates to/contributes to the position" they are seeking.

In addition, employers pointed to other skills and attributes that had made their "wish list," and cited those qualities and abilities as lacking in many new college graduates, e.g., relevant work experience, strong work ethic, team work skills, and the like. They also faulted new college graduates for not conducting themselves in a professional manner.

Get experience--and learn how to highlight it on your resume and at your interview

What this means is, you need some real-world experience before graduation. Although you won't learn everything about the workplace with an internship or co-op assignment, you can build many of the skills employers find lacking. An internship, for example, is not just an opportunity to gain experience, but it's also a setting for you to learn professional behavior, learn what it means to work in a team, and practice interpersonal communication. An internship or co-op position helps you to see the professional skills employers value.

*Source: Job Outlook, National Association of Colleges and Employers,

Page 6

Illustrate Your Transferable Skills

Your resume should demonstrate your skills, abilities and accomplishments through the specific results of your actions. Can you quantify your positions/activities/accomplishments with measurable result(s)? See the samples below to help you express and describe how well youve done something, instead of simply stating your responsibilities. Participated as member of debate team that was ranked 3rd nationally

This shows your Communication Skills, Self-Confidence and Teamwork Selected as Employee of the Month

This shows your Interpersonal Skills, Strong Work Ethic, Outgoing Personality, and Leadership Skills Successfully completed returns and exchanges while handling large sums of money

This shows your Honesty/Integrity, Tactfulness, Detail-Orientation, and Interpersonal Skills Received Eagle Scout Award (highest award in scouting)

This shows your Honesty/Integrity, Strong Work Ethic, Teamwork, and Leadership Skills Presented research results at American Psychological Society's Annual Convention

This shows your Communication and Analytical Skills Designed advertisements/graphics for nationally recognized television promotion

This shows your Creativity, Detail-Orientation, and Computer Skills Trained and supervised two new employees

This shows Teamwork and your Communication, Interpersonal and Leadership Skills Designed and implemented social, recreational and educational activities for 20 children

This shows your Organizational Skills and Friendly/Outgoing Personality Worked up to 30 hours per week while a full-time student

This shows your Strong Work Ethic, Flexibility/Adaptability, Strong GPA, and Organizational Skills Prepared financial reports using Excel for departments with weekly sales averaging $260,000

This shows your Analytical Skills, Detail-Orientation, Organizational Ability, and Computer Skills Increased overall company sales volume by more than 20% through innovative marketing campaign

This shows your Entrepreneurial Skills, Creativity, Motivation/Initiative, and Self-Confidence

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Action Verbs To Demonstrate Transferable Skills

Communicate your transferable skills by using these verbs to begin the bulleted action statements in the experience section of your resume.

Leadership Skills administer analyze apply assign attain chair consolidate coordinate delegate direct evaluate execute expedite implement improve increase initiate manage motivate organize oversee plan prioritize problem solve recommend resolve review schedule set goals spearhead supervise

Creative Skills create design develop direct establish illustrate integrate introduce invent market perform plan

Communication Skills address advise clarify coach collaborate communicate correspond develop direct draft edit encourage explain facilitate formulate guide inform instruct interpret mediate motivate negotiate network persuade promote publicize translate write

Interpersonal Skills adapt advise assess clarify counsel enable facilitate familiarize greet guide listen refer represent

Problem Solving/ Analytical Skills allocate analyze appraise audit balance budget calculate compute develop diagnose evaluate forecast formulate investigate observe plan project research resolve troubleshoot

Technical Skills assemble build calculate compute design devise engineer maintain operate overhaul program remodel repair solve test train upgrade validate verify

Organizational Skills arrange catalog classify collect compile coordinate enter/input generate implement inspect monitor operate organize prepare process purchase record retrieve scan schedule screen specify systematize tabulate validate

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