creating resumes and cover letters

A Streamlined Guide to CreatingResumes and Cover Letters

Step 1: Create a data file and working resume.1. In a computer file, list everything you can think of in the following categories:• Employment• Course projects• Volunteer/unpaid experience• Awards/honors• Activities

2. For each thing you listed, answer the following questions:-What, specifically, did you DO?-What, specifically, did you ACCOMPLISH?-What skills did you acquire? (and could they/how could they be transferable to the job to which you’re applying?)

3. Create a generic resume that you can adopt to different types of jobs.

Step 2: Create a RESUME targeted to the positionMust be TARGETED, not generic. Recruiters decide in 30 seconds whether your experience is relevant to the position.

3 types of resumes:• Chronological: lists work experience in reverse

chronological order. Best if you’ve been out in the workforce for awhile, have a lot of relevant experience.

• Functional: lists skills related to position. Best if you don’t have many relevant jobs, but have gained skills related to position through other experience.

• Combination: body of the resume is organized around related work history, but also includes course work, unpaid experience, etc. “Relevant Experience” section.

Resume Sections to IncludeTOP• Name and contact• Objective• Education (college/university, name of degree, major, minor, GPA if

over 3.0, special honors, relevant courses taken)

BODY (differs according to type) • If Chronological: Work Experience (reverse chronological order)• If Functional: organize by individual Skills related to position.• If Combination: Relevant Experience (work, coursework, volunteer

work in reverse chronological order) and Other Experience (unrelated work experience)

• Incorporate key words from job ad.

OTHER• Awards and Honors• Activities• Skills (if chronological)• References

Awesome Verbs for Resume Descriptions

If you led a project, try:• Chaired• Controlled• Coordinated• Executed• Headed• Operated• Orchestrated• Organized• Oversaw• Planned• Produced• Programmed

If you saved the company time or money, try:ConservedConsolidatedDecreasedDeductedDiagnosedLessenedReconciledReducedYielded

If you increased efficiency, sales, or customer satisfaction, try:AcceleratedAchievedAdvancedAmplifiedBoostedCapitalizedDeliveredEnhancedExpandedExpeditedFurtheredGainedGeneratedImprovedLiftedMaximizedOutpacedStimulatedSustained

If you supported customers, try:

AdvisedAdvocatedArbitratedCoachedConsultedEducatedFieldedInformedResolved

If you wrote or communicated, try:AuthoredBriefedCampaignedCo-authoredComposedConveyedConvincedCorrespondedCounseledCritiquedDefinedDocumentedEditedIllustratedLobbiedPersuadedPromotedPublicizedReviewed

from themuse.com

Sample Description of Work Experience >

< Sample Description of Internship

Sample Description of Course Project >

Resume Design• CRAP HATS principles are vital: clear visual hierarchy, clean

lines.• Most important info at left and top.• Sans serif headings, serif fonts.

Step 2: Create a targeted COVER LETTER

Parts of a Cover Letter• Heading and greeting: Use proper business letter format

(see example).• Introduction: state position for which you are applying,

where you heard about it, include “thesis statement” that summarizes why you’re a good candidate.

• Body: Block paragraph format, show how your qualifications, skills, and experience, are relevant for the position.

• Conclusion: express enthusiasm for position, say that you’re available for interview.

Cover Letter Dos and Don’ts DON’T:

• Use a generic greeting (“To Whom It May Concern”)

• Discuss skills or information irrelevant to the job.

• Fail to explain how your experience will help the organization.

• Use clichés (“I am a people person.”)• Try to be funny.• Be negative about your experience,

skills, or abilities.• Misrepresent your experience or

abilities.• Have errors!

DO:• Use proper business letter format.• Use the same heading as your

resume.• Address the letter to a specific

person.• Express enthusiasm about the

position.• Explain specifically how your

accomplishments, skills, and experience will benefit the company.

• Use natural, unpretentious language.

• Be positive.• PROOFREAD!!!!