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Resumes
A resume is a concise method of introducing yourself to a potential employer. With this document an employer will decide whether you have skills, education, and experience necessary for the position. Rarely will the resume produce an immediate job offer. It is, however, commonly used my employers as a screening tool. The candidates with the best resumes will be given further consideration. Therefore, it is important to invest in its preparation. It is not enough to list your experiences and credentials. You must also decide which of your qualifications you wish to highlight. The more clearly you can demonstrate the match between your skills and the prospective employer’s needs the more likely you will be given further consideration.
A well-crafted resume:
- Emphasizes relevant education, skills and experience
- Translates experience and training into tangible skills and accomplishments
- Is clearly designed and written with brief action phrases
Cover Letters
Cover letters are never optional. They should accompany each resume that you send out to a potential employer. A cover letter is your personalized sales pitch that determines whether your resume will be reviewed. It is a chance to show the reader the person behind the accomplishments, to make a personal connection between the reader and your background.
A cover letter should:
- Explain why you are sending the resume
- Tell specifically how you heard about the position
- Convince the reader to look at your resume
- Link your skills and experience to the requirements of the position
- Reflect your attitude and personal attributes
Sample Resumes: Click and size to fit your monitor |
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Sample Cover Letters |
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Resume Design Tips
- Remember the goal is to create a document which stands out in the stack because it is well designed, consistently formatted, clear, clean, and easy to read
- Leave at least ½ inch margin throughout
- Avoid a text heavy document
- Put headings in CAPS/BOLD to help identify the sections
- Use bullet points instead of paragraphs to outline key accomplishments
- Point size should ideally be between 10-12 and consistent throughout, with the exception of headings and your name which need to stand out
- Use Times New Roman, Arial, Helvetica or other common font styles throughout. Pick one of these fonts to use, do NOT use a combination of font styles
- Use phrases, not complete sentences. (“Supervised five employees” vs. “I supervised….”)
- Begin phrases with action verbs. See action verb list
- Avoid personal pronouns (I, me, my)
- Place the most critical information near the top of the page
- Keep it to one page for current students and recent graduates
- Spell check and proof your document before sending to anyone!
Cover Letter Basics
Research
Research both the job description and company before writing the cover letter. Have a firm understanding of what the position will entail and what the company does. Ask yourself, “What skills and experience do I have that would be an asset to this company and to this position?”
Whenever possible try write to an individual by name. You may be able to find out the name through your research or you can simply call the company and ask who the letter should go to
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Be Clear and Specific
Don't make the reader guess what you are asking for; be specific. Clearly communicate why you are writing. When writing the body of your cover letter call attention to your relevant experience and knowledge. Be as specific as possible and provide examples. However, try not to overwhelm the reader; don’t retell your entire career history.
Cover Letter Outline
Create an opening that catches the reader’s attention right from the start. If you have a mutual friend or are answering an ad the employer placed on GauchoLink, say so right off. Immediately mention the traits you want the reader to consider when thinking of you.
In the body, demonstrate your knowledge of the company. Show how your specific traits, interests, experience, and education make you a perfect fit.
Close the letter by letting the employer know how they can reach you and by taking responsibility yourself for the next step. Tell the reader when you will contact him/her to see when the two of you might meet to talk in person.
Cover Letter Quick Tips
- Proofread your letter. Make sure there are no grammatical or spelling errors
- Ask someone to critique your letter
- Use a business letter format
- Don’t be too wordy; cut out extra words
- Avoid clichés
- Be positive and enthusiastic
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