Marketing Yourself Your marketing tools are your resumes, cover letters, and follow-up letters. You are selling your skills, abilities, and accomplishments, the products of Me, Inc. Let the sales campaign begin! Resume Writing Tips How It Should Look - The Construction Use good quality white or off-white bond paper. Use a simple, easy-to-read font between 10-14 points in size. Leave one-inch margin top, bottom, left, and right sides. Organize your resume in a logical format Keep your information to one page (two pages are acceptable for extensive experience). What It Should Say - The Words Tailor your information to the job you are seeking. Keep your descriptions clear and to the point. Know your skills. Use action verbs to describe the skills necessary to perform your job duties. List jobs starting from most current to least current. Action Verbs These power words will make your resume come alive. Use action verbs any time you are asked to describe your skills and abilities. What It Should NOT Say Things To Avoid Don't list personal Information such as age, height, weight marital status, religion, or politics. Avoid complete sentences. Avoid using articles (a, an, the). Never use pronouns such as I, me, or my. Avoid abbreviations. However, states can be abbreviated. Don't list high school unless you are a recent high school graduate. Don't repeat information. Don't mention skills you don't want to use. Before You Send It Out Read it out loud. Ask several friends to read it carefully. If possible, leave it for three days, then read it again. accelerated conducted facilitated mediated represented accomplished constructed formulated monitored researched achieved consulted founded negotiated resolved administered created generated operated restored advised delegated headed organized restructured analyzed demonstrated helped performed retrieved appointed designed identified persuaded reviewed arranged developed illustrated planned revised assisted devised implemented prepared scheduled attained directed improved presented shaped balanced edited increased prioritized sold budgeted educated initialed processed solved built encouraged innovated produced streamlined calculated established instructed programmed summarized cataloged evaluated integrated promoted supervised chaired examined interpreted proposed taught collaborated executed launched provided trained compiled expanded maintained published upgraded composed expedited managed recruited utilized computed extracted marketed regulated reorganized worked wrote
Resume Worksheet Permanent Address NAME Area Code/Telephone Email Address SUMMARY OF QUALIFICATIONS Summarize several skills that match the employer's needs. EDUCATION List your most recent degree, certificate, or license first. Degree, Major, Graduation Date School, City, State Academic Awards and Achievements (Include grade point average (GPA) if it is 3.0 or better. Insert before graduation date. If you are a college student, you do not list your high school information.) RELATED COURSES EXPERIENCE Listing courses directly related to the career field/position of interest provides the employer with information about your college courses. List most recent work experience and work backward chronologically. If you have more than 10 years of work experience, consider combining similar jobs into one job experience on the resume. Job Month/Year - Month/Year Name of Company, City, State Using action verbs, describe the skills used to perform your job duties. COMMUNITY SERVICE List any involvement with community or professional organizations. Month/Year - Month/Year Name of Organization, City, State Using action verbs, describe the skills used to perform your service duties.
Resume Worksheet Permanent Address SUMMARY OF QUALIFICATIONS NAME Area Code/Telephone Email Address EDUCATION RELATED COURSES EXPERIENCE COMMUNITY/VOLUNTEER SERVICE
Resume Tips For Online Job Hunters Email resumes are simply electronic versions of your regular resume. To send an email resume, follow these steps: Save your print resume as a text-only document. Paste the text into an email message, DON'T attach it! Many companies won t open attachments because of the risk of computer viruses. Also, employers may not take the time to open the attachment and convert it into software that they can use. Don t use bold, italics, underlining, bullets or other formatting. Use asterisks as bullets, spacing to separate sections and capitalization on the headings. Use a hard return after every 65 characters. List the job title or job number in the subject line. Start your email with your cover letter Source: Texas Job Hunter's Guide
The Reference Page Employers want to talk to people who are acquainted with your skills and abilities. References are always listed on a separate page from the resume. Select individuals for references who know you professionally. Request permission from each individual to use him/her as a reference. Three to five references are the general rule. Make sure the person will give you a positive recommendation. Avoid using personal references, except when requested. Never provide the reference page with your resume, unless requested. Keep printed copies of your reference page ready, if requested. Always take extra copies of your resume and reference page to an interview or career fair. REFERENCE PAGE FORMAT AND CONTENT Permanent Address NAME Area Code/Telephone Email Address References 1. Name New graduates should use at least one college Instructor. College/University Name Business Address Business Telephone Number Business Email 2. Name Do not use personal references except when requested. Company Name Business Address Business Telephone Number Business Email 3. Name Always ask the persons permission to be used as a reference. Company Name Business Address City, State, Zip Cede Business Telephone Number Business Email
Is the Cover Letter Really Necessary? A Cover Letter is an introduction, a sales pitch, and a proposal for further action. You must communicate your value to a prospective employer in an understandable, brief, and positive way. Application Letter 1. The first paragraph should state your reason for writing. State the position you are applying for and the source of your information, introduce your themes. 2. The second paragraph is where you sell yourself. Outline your strongest qualifications that match the position requirements. As much as possible, provide evidence of your related experiences and accomplishments. Make reference to your enclosed resume. 3. The final paragraph should suggest an action plan. Request an interview and indicate that you will call during a specific time period to discuss interview possibilities. 4. Express appreciation to the employer for his or her time and consideration. Keep your letter personal, warm, but professional and formal. Do not address the letter to whom It may concern." Do your homework and use a name. The information can be obtained by telephone or from the company's Web page.
Cover Letter Answering a Newspaper or Trade Paper Ad Your Address Date Contact s Name Company Street Address Dear (Ms., Mr., Dr.) Contact s Name: Your ad in the (date) issue of (name of publication) described your need for a/an (specific title). I am very interested in this position. The position requirements seem to fit well with my education, skills, work experience, and career interests. I have a/an (degree, certificate, specialized training) in (area of study) coupled with (number of years) experience as a (name of position) for a (type of firm). Since I have both formal and practical experience, my background will fulfill both the education and work experience requirements. The enclosed resume provides more details on my skills and qualifications. I welcome the opportunity to further discuss your immediate need and my qualifications. I shall call next week to see if a meeting can be arranged. My telephone number is (area code/telephone number) or you can email me at (email address). (Be sure there is a way to receive the message. If you have an answering machine, assure the employer you will return the call or respond to the email within one day.) Thank you for your consideration. I look forward to meeting with you. Sincerely yours, (Written signature) (Typed name) Enclosure (when including other documents, such as a resume with your letter)
Cover Letter for Prospective Graduate Your Address City, State Zip Code Date Contact's Name Company Street Address City, State Zip Code Dear (Ms., Mr., Dr.) Contact s Name: Currently, I am a/an (area of study student) at (college/university/vocational school). I will be graduating in (month) of this year and plan to reside in the (name of city) area. In (month), I will be available for employment and I am y/&^ interested in a/an (specific tide) position. You will find my resume enclosed with this letter. As you may note, I have considerable experience in the (specific area) field. My education, skills, and experience seem to match the qualifications you are seeking, I am confident that I can perform the job effectively. Furthermore, I am genuinely interested in the position and in working for (company name.) I am planning to be in (name of city the week of month, day.) During that week, I will call your office to arrange a time we can meet to discuss my qualifications. In the meantime, if you would like to contact me, my number is (area code/telephone number) and my email is (email address.) Thank you for considering my request I look forward to meeting with you. Sincerely yours, (Written signature) (Typed name) Enclosure (when including other documents, such as a resume with your letter)
Preparing for the Interview Congratulations! You've identified job possibilities and you're on your way to your first Interview. Today's employers are expecting: Communication skills Motivation/Initiative Teamwork skills Leadership skills Academic achievement/gpa Interpersonal skills SELL, SELL, SELL! Show employers that you: Have the talents and skills required for the job Have the effective communication skills Have the potential to help make the organization more profitable Are personable First Impressions Count Appearance Manners Attitude Job Application Dress neatly and conservatively Present a positive attitude Arrive on time (10 minutes prior to appointment time) Be prepared Know how to fill out a Job application correctly Have a resume ready (even for part-time jobs) Anticipate and practice interview questions Follow up after the interview Have a realistic wage expectation (research salary ranges for similar positions) Show confidence in your abilities Be able to articulate your goals Know how to communicate effectively (oral, written and nonverbal) Be conscientious and enthusiastic Be courteous and tactful Flexibility/Adaptability Technical skills Honesty/Integrity Work ethic Analytical problem solving Getting Ready A last-minute checklist Prepare several clean copies of your resume Take a shower Shampoo your hair Shave Brush your teeth Use a deodorant Comb your hair Clean and trim your nails Wear clean, freshly pressed clothes Shine your shoes Avoid flashy colors Avoid loud fashions Avoid excessive jewelry Avoid strong perfumes or colognes Confirm childcare plans Don't ask about company benefits, unless the employer speaks of the company benefit package first Don't chew gum Bring a notepad and pen Ask for a business card so that you can promptly send a short thank-you note Don't leave anything to chance. Remember, you can't be too prepared.
Follow-up Letters Are Important After every interview It is recommended that you follow up the interview with a letter, within 24 hours, to the potential employer. Follow up even a negative contact. Remember, you are simply saying 'thank you" for the interviewer's time; and as a potential employee, you are showing continued interest. This courteous note does several things: it brings your name before the employer again and reminds the employer of your qualifications and intent. Follow-up helps get jobs. Don't wait this step may get you employment. Follow-up/Thank You Letter Sample I Your Address Date Contact's Name Company Street Address Dear (Ms., Mr., Dr.) Contact's Name: Thank you for your time and for the interview on (date), for the position of (title). I enjoyed meeting you and learning more about your firm and about the position available at (name of company). My enthusiasm for the position and becoming a member of the (department or firm) was heightened after the interview. I feel confident my education and previous work experience will enable me to become a most competent member of your organization. Thank you again for your time, interest, and consideration. I look forward to hearing from you. If I can provide additional information, please do not hesitate to call me at (area code/telephone number) or you can email me at (email address). Sincerely yours, (Written signature) (Typed name)
Follow-up/Thank You Letter Sample 2 Your Address Date Contact s Name Company Street Address Dear (Ms., Mr., Dr.) Contact's Name: Thank you for a most informative interview on (day), (date). I enjoyed meeting with you and learning more about the (position) and your (firm/company). The (position title) for (firm name) is of great interest to me. I feel confident my training, skills, and experience will enable me to perform all assigned taste and duties. Your consideration is greatly appreciated. I look forward to hearing from you. Sincerely yours, (Written signature) (Typed name)