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1. To describe the importance of correctly

formatted cover letters and résumés.

2. To illustrate the necessary steps in

developing cover letters and résumés.

3. To recommend guidelines for

constructing cover letters and résumés.

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• Cover Letters

• Résumés

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4

• Are written to a potential employer and

accompany a résumé

• Are also called a letter of application

• Make a first impression on employers

• Provide a brief summary of what can be

contributed to the potential employer

• Allow the interviewer to see a glimpse of your

written communication skills

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• Prepare the employer for the information provided in the résumé

• Should be modified for each specific position

• Need to be addressed to the specific employer in business letter format

• Are equivalent to a personal sales pitch

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• Include:

– date

– prospective employer’s name and address

– three to five paragraphs

– signature and typed named

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• Explains the reason for writing and position for which the applicant is applying

• Needs to draw the employer’s interest by:

–praising the company

–mentioning a mutual contact if there is one

– referencing the placement of the job posting

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• Example:

I recently read an article in The Quarter

Horse Journal® which praised

Anderson Bean Boot Company® on

their hand-crafted, fine quality boots.

This article interested me in the part-

time position as an assistant customer

service representative.

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• Indicate how you can meet an

employer’s particular needs using two to

three qualifications

• Describe why you are interested in the

company

• Illustrate your experience and training in

the field

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• Example:

For the past two years, I have worked in the

boot industry as a cashier and customer

service representative. I have excellent

communication skills and a talent for aiding

customers. This experience has enabled me

to answer questions promptly, develop great

communication skills and provided me with

an in-depth knowledge of the boot industry.

I believe I can be an asset to the company

with my level of expertise and familiarity of

the product. 11

• Requests an interview at the employer’s

convenience

• Informs the employer you will call for his

or her reaction to the résumé

• Refers the employer to the enclosed

résumé

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• Example:

My résumé is enclosed and I will call

during the next week to arrange an

interview. Thank you for your

consideration.

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1. In which paragraph of a cover letter should you

describe why you are interested in the company?

A. First paragraph

B. Middle paragraph

C. Third paragraph

D. Closing paragraph

2. What are cover letters also called?

A. Letter of appreciation

B. Letter of preparation

C. Letter of application

D. Letter of anticipation15

3. Which of the following is NOT a way the first

paragraph should use to draw the employer’s interest?A. Listing applicant’s qualifications

B. Praising the company

C. Mentioning a mutual contact if there is one

D. Referencing the placement of the job posting

4. Which of the following should the closing paragraph

NOT do?A. Request an interview at the employer’s convenience

B. Describe why you are interested in the company

C. Inform the employer you will call for his or her reaction

D. Refer the employer to the enclosed résumé

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5. Which of the following is true about cover letters?

A. Cover letters are equivalent to a personal sales pitch

B. Cover letters can be the same for all prospective

employers

C. Cover letters should not list anything specific about

the company

D. Cover letters should be sent the day before the

résumé

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• Is a synopsis of personal information,

education, skills, work experience and

activities

• Outlines a person’s qualifications

• Reflects a person’s individual credentials

• May be arranged in three ways:

– chronological

– targeted

– function oriented19

• Focus on a stable work history

• Show jobs held in a sequential order

• Present the most recent employment

first

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• Accentuate responsibilities and

capabilities of particular positions held

• Emphasize past experience

• May de-emphasize the most recent job if

not relevant to the current job pursuit

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• Emphasize the applicant’s overall

capabilities

• Demonstrate skills obtained through

study

• Should be used when one has limited

actual work experience or inconsistent

work history

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• Contact information

• Objective

• Education

• Work experience

• Community involvement or volunteer

activities

• References

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• Should be displayed at the top of the

first page and include:

– name

– address

– phone number(s)

– e-mail address

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• Outline a brief description of the desired

position

• Will be different for every application

• Examples:

– Objective: To obtain a position as a Business

Development Associate with a pharmaceutical

company with an opportunity to develop new

territories and marketing programs.

– Objective: To obtain a part-time position at Mesa

Country Club assisting the pro-shop manager. 25

• Lists a brief description of the job

responsibilities

• Should include all companies’

names, locations, dates and job titles

• Outline specific achievements and

job responsibilities

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• Examples:

– 2007-Present: Vista Country Club, Houston,

Texas

• supervise pro-shop

• organize inventory

• communicate with customers

• operate telephones switchboard

– I work as a representative for the country club by

supervising the pro-shop, answering phones and

resolving questions. 27

• Includes most recent level of

completion or current status

• Lists institutions chronologically

starting with the most recent

• Lists names, locations, dates and

degrees from all secondary and post-

secondary institutions attended

• Includes grade point average, awards,

projects, reports and extracurricular

activities

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• Example:

Tyler High School Tyler, TX

Fall 2004-present

High School Diploma

GPA: 3.81

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• Who’s Who Among America’s High

School Students

• Student Council

• National Honor Society

• Peer Assistance Leadership

• Football Team Captain

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• Highlight community, student and professional

activities

• Shows human interest and ability to manage

multiple tasks

• Should include:

– organization offices

– volunteer endeavors

– school extracurricular activities

– leadership positions

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• If applicable, list publications and

presentations

– for example:

• published book or paper

• presentation or paper

• community or school projects

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• Are individuals who can attest to your abilities and

character

• Tips:

– provide two to four references, both male and

female

• previous employers

• teachers

• community leaders

– call before placing information on résumé to

ensure availability

– do not use family members as a reference33

• Are preset forms offered by various word processing programs

• Can be useful for entry level job seekers

• Should be modified to fit specific needs

• Can help with spacing and organization

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• First impressions count

• Make sure all words are spelled correctly

• Correct all punctuation errors

• Keep organized and neat

• Do not abbreviate or use contractions

• Type a cover letter and résumé in black ink on

white paper

– résumé paper is available but not required

• Use appropriate amount of white space35

• Use powerful verbs

– achieved

– organized

– implemented

– supervised

• Use consistent indenting to arrange key block

of information

– all dates should line up under one another

on a margin

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• Emphasize skills but do not

misrepresent the truth

• Keep résumé to two pages or less

• Attach references on a separate page

• Avoid overusing adjectives, such as:

– top-producing

– inventive

– hands-on

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• Do not include personal information

such as:

– age

– sex

– weight

– pictures

– marital status

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1. Which of the following should NOT be listed in the

résumé?A. Name

B. Age

C. Address

D. E-mail address

2. Which type of résumé focuses on a stable work

history and shows jobs held in a sequential order?A. Sequential résumé

B. Targeted résumé

C. Function oriented résumé

D. Chronological résumé40

3. Which type of résumé should be used when one

has limited actual work experience or inconsistent

work history?A. Chronological résumé

B. Targeted résumé

C. Function oriented résumé

D. Limited résumé

4. Which of the following should NOT be listed at

references?A. Teachers

B. Family members

C. Previous employers

D. Community leaders41

5. Which of the following is NOT required in a

résumé?

A. Use appropriate amount of white space

B. Make sure all words are spelled correctly

C. Keep organized and neat

D. Résumés should be typed on résumé paper

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1. Cover letters should be modified to each specific

position.

A. True

B. False

2. Which résumé method should be used if you have a

stable work history and each job makes a logical

sequence toward the position you are seeking?

A. Chronological

B. Targeted

C. Function oriented

D. Combination44

3. Adding personal information to a résumé is

appropriate.A. True

B. False

4. How many paragraphs should a cover letter have?A. One or two

B. Three to five

C. Eight

D. As many as necessary

5. A résumé outlines a person’s __________.A. Character

B. Personality

C. Goals

D. Qualifications 45

6. __________ are preset forms offered by various

word processing programs.

A. References

B. Cover letters

C. Templates

D. Objectives

7. Mentioning a __________ in the first paragraph of a

cover letter can draw the employer’s interest.

A. Personal interest

B. Past job

C. Future goal

D. Mutual contact 46

8. Which résumé method accentuates responsibilities

and capabilities of positions held?

A. Chronological

B. Targeted

C. Function oriented

D. Combination

9. Community involvement and volunteer activities are

appropriate to include on a résumé.

A. True

B. False

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10.When listing education, you should list institutions

chronologically starting with the __________.

A. Most relevant

B. Least relevant

C. Most recent

D. Least recent

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49

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