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During the job search process, there are many times when it is appropriate
to write a letter to an employer. When writing a letter, be sure to
carefully proofread for grammatical and typographical errors. The following
are the basic types of letters that you will be sending to employers:
Cover Letter:
A cover letter (or letter of application) accompanies your resume. The
purpose of this letter is to get your enclosed resume read and to generate
interviews. Use this type of letter in response to specific job advertisements
and vacancies. It should market your qualifications to the employer,
communicate your skills, accomplishments and potential to the employer.
For a more detailed description, visit this website
Thank-You Letter:
A thank-you letter should be sent to an employer immediately after an
interview. This is one of the most important tools in a job search.
It is used to establish goodwill, to express appreciation, and strengthen
your candidacy. Thank the employer for taking the time to interview
you and reinforce your interest in the employer and in the position.
Thank-you letters should be sent within 24 hours to everyone who interviewed
you.
Application Status Check Letter:
If you have not had a response from an employer, and an appropriate
amount of time has passed since your interview, you may send a letter
to the employer inquiring about the status of your application. Reiterate
your interest in the position and in the organization, remind the employer
of your qualifications and recap the history of your personal contact
with the employer. Thank the employer for their cooperation.
Acceptance Letter:
If an employer offers you a position and you accept it, send a letter
of acceptance expressing your interest and appreciation in joining the
organization. This letter is also used to confirm the terms of your
employment (salary, starting date, benefits, etc.).
Rejection Letter:
If you are not planning on accepting an offer of employment, you should
send the employer a letter letting them know that you are declining
their offer. Rejecting an employment offer should be done thoughtfully.
Let the employer know that you have carefully considered the offer and
have decided not to accept it. Be sure to thank the employer for the
offer and for considering you as a candidate.
YOUR RESUME
A resume is your “brag sheet”
- your chance to sell yourself for a particular job. Accept the fact
that you will have to tailor a resume for each and every position to
which you apply. Stay focused - a resume should contain only the facts
that demonstrate your education, experience, and ability to perform
the job. When writing your resume, remember the following:
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ALWAYS
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IMPORTANT
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BIG
MISTAKES
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ADDITIONAL
TIPS
ALWAYS:
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Be relevant. Stay focused
on specifics that relate to the job for which you are applying.
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Be positive. Emphasize your
strengths, accomplishments (not just responsibilities), and experience.
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Be accurate. DO NOT exaggerate
or mislead.
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Be brief. Short sentences.
Action and key words. Quantifiable numbers. One page for beginners,
two pages max if you have work experience, advanced education.
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Be neat. Go for eye appeal.
Not too fancy, no colored paper.
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SPELL CHECK!!! Spend
some money on a professional service if necessary.
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IMPORTANT:
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Many resumes are now scanned
into computer databases. Use only 10-14 point font, no italics,
no underlines, no graphics. Include lots of white space between
entries. Must be done in black and white only. Bullets are good.
Some recruiters prefer them over sentences.
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Include your name on EVERY
page. Be sure to include a PERMANENT address and phone number where
you can be reached after graduation. If you are in a computer database,
be sure that you update your file when you move after graduation
so that you can always be contacted.
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Make sure all dates are correct.
Be prepared to explain any gaps. Do not exaggerate or mislead.
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List your education and experience
in reverse chronological order - from the most current back.
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Use key words and action
words.
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Use quantifiable numbers.
Wrong: “Helped increase sales substantially while in position”.
Right: “Increased sales by 35% in nine months”.
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List jobs that either:
1) show experience in a particular field, or
2) if you don’t have actual experience in a particular field, list
miscellaneous jobs that at least show that you were employable,
dependable, responsible, etc.
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Recruiters looks for involvement
and leadership. Join student organizations, run for office, get
involved!
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Include all pertinent activities
that relate to the job for which you are applying. Do not include
activities that are not relevant. Be careful if including personal
activities, religious affiliations. Hobbies, outside interests are
not necessary and take up valuable space. DO NOT include personal
information such as height, weight, age, marital status, etc.
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BIG
MISTAKES:
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Any lie or untruth.
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Too long, too wordy, unfocused,
generally full of unnecessary filler (i.e. BS).
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Unprofessional - poor grammar,
typos, misspelled words. Anything handwritten, cutesy.
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Unorganized - not in chronological
order, confusing, unexplained gaps, few details.
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Pictures. ANY personal information.
Remember that a resume focuses on your ability to perform the job.
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Borders or graphics are OUT.
Colored paper, textured paper, landscape orientation, anything gimmicky-out.
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ADDITIONAL
TIPS:
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ALWAYS send a cover letter
with a resume. In the letter, you can expand on (but do not repeat)
the info in your resume. In the letter, mention the things that
are listed in the job ad and tell why you are the person that “fits”
that job. Also, address the cover letter to a specific PERSON- not
“To Whom it May Concern”!
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List your strongest areas
first - if you have a lot of work experience, start with that. If
you have always been in school and have had only part-time jobs,
start with your education.
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Ask your references first
- get their permission to list them on your resume and tell them
which job you are applying for. It is also helpful to give them
a copy of your resume and transcript so that they will know what
your qualifications are.
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KEEP RECORDS! Buy a folder
and keep all your job search information together. Keep copies of
EVERYTHING - ads, letters, resumes, applications, notes, etc. Get
organized early!
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Get feedback on your final
product. Have someone - a professor, a business acquaintance, someone
in Career Services - look at your resume before you send it out.
It always helps to have an outside opinion.
You can download the
document 9 Steps to Perfect Resume for
detailed information.
Download the word document
to know more about How to write References.
You could also visit this
website
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