RÈSUMÈS AND COVER LETTERS

 

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:

 

   - Always

   - Important

   - Big Mistakes

   - Additional Tips

 

ALWAYS:

   - Be relevant. Stay focused on specifics that relate to the job      for which you are applying.

 

   - Be positive. Emphasize your strengths, accomplishments (not      just responsibilities), and experience.

 

   - Be accurate. DO NOT exaggerate or mislead.

 

   - Be brief. Short sentences. Action and key words. Quantifiable      numbers. One page for beginners, two pages max if you have      work experience, advanced education.

 

   - Be neat. Go for eye appeal. Not too fancy, no colored paper.

     SPELL CHECK!!! Spend some money on a professional service if      necessary.

 

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IMPORTANT:

   - 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.

 

   - 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.

 

   - Make sure all dates are correct. Be prepared to explain any      gaps. Do not exaggerate or mislead.

 

   - List your education and experience in reverse chronological      order - from the most current back.

 

   - Use key words and action words.

 

   - Use quantifiable numbers.


     Wrong: “Helped increase sales substantially while in position”.
     Right: “Increased sales by 35% in nine months”.

 

   - 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.

 

   - Recruiters looks for involvement and leadership. Join student      organizations, run for office, get involved!

 

   - 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:

   - Any lie or untruth.

 

   - Too long, too wordy, unfocused, generally full of unnecessary      filler (i.e. BS).

 

   - Unprofessional - poor grammar, typos, misspelled words.      Anything handwritten, cutesy.

 

   - Unorganized - not in chronological order, confusing,      unexplained gaps, few details.

 

   - Pictures. ANY personal information. Remember that a resume      focuses on your ability to perform the job.

 

   - Borders or graphics are OUT. Colored paper, textured paper,      landscape orientation, anything gimmicky-out.

 

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ADDITIONAL TIPS:

   - 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”!

 

   - 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.

 

   - 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.

 

   - 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!

 

   - 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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