How can you stand out in a positive way?

Resumes, Cover Letters, And Reference Page Resume Building in a Tough Economy Sherri Hrusovski Assistant Director Center for Career Management Prepa...
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Resumes, Cover Letters, And Reference Page

Resume Building in a Tough Economy Sherri Hrusovski Assistant Director Center for Career Management

Prepare Bottom line … 





Resume and cover letter are marketing materials Why should the company “buy” your services? What can you do for them? How can you stand out in a positive way?

Getting Started 

Use Word Document



1 page best; 2 pages is the limit



Margins: .5 – 1 inch



Font: Basic used TNR, Courier, and Ariel, Garamond, Tahoma



Font Size: 9 – 12 (depending on font used)



Must provide enough info for employer to evaluate your qualifications



Best to tailor resume to meet specific employer requirements, if possible

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Resume Components

Resume Format



Personal Data: Name, Address, Phone Number, and email address



Objective/Summary of Skills/Qualifications (Optional)



Education (degree, institution, major, GPA, honors)



Coursework



Related Experience and/or Experience



Skills: Computer and/or Language



Special Training



Co Co--curricular/Leadership/Community Service



References (Optional)

- Traditional, most widely used form - Displays work history in reverse chronological order and included dates employed, job titles, job duties, etc.

The Functional Resume - Presents your experience and skills in terms of functions rather than chronological listing of titles held - Beginning or returning workers find it difficult to demonstrate transferable skills

References Available Upon Request

3945 Stillwater Place…Missoula, Montana 59808 (406) 441441-4597…Social 4597…Social Security Number - 123123-45 45--6789

- To use this format effectively, you must be able to identify and write about achievements

Sample: Chronological Resume

Sample: Bad Resume Robert Jones’s Resume

[email protected]

Objective : To gain experience in a field that has potential for growth and more reponsibility

Education :

University of Montana, Missoula, MT, May 2000 BA degree GPA: ~ 2.4 Dawson Community College, Glendive, MT May 1998 AA, Graphic Design Glendive High School, Glendive, MT, Graduated 1996 High School Diploma

Computer Skills :

Windows 2000, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Access, Adobe

Experience :

The Chronological Resume

We Do Signs , Shelby, MT 2000 – PR. I was responsible for creating and producing all of the graphic design work for our clients. Ordered all of the office supplies, worked the reception area, collected money from customers. Made sure that all assignments were completed on tim. Jake's Fine Clothing , Glendive, MT 1999 CSR Waited on customers, opened and closed the store, handled cash and made sure the receipts balanced at the end of the day. Scheduled part time employees for weekend shifts. Mike's Place , 1998 Cook Worked as a short order cook in a fastfast-pasced restaurant environment. Inventoried supplies and kept the kitchen area clean. Supervised dishwashers. My Hobbies : Fishing, hunting, drinking, computers and walking with my wife.

ZIPPY MASCOT 111 Spirit Lane, Akron, Ohio 44325, (330) 972972- 1111, [email protected] OBJECTIVE To obtain an internship in the area of Marketing/Sales EDUCATION The University of Akron, College of Business Administration (AACSB(AACSB-Accredited) Akron, Ohio Bachelor of Science in Marketing Management, May 2010 Certificate: Real Estate GPA: 3.45/4.00(overall); 3.70/4.00 (major) HONORS:: Golden Key National Honor Society, Secretary; Fisher Institute Professional Development Scholarship; Dean’s List (six times) HONORS RELATED COURSEWORK Professional Selling Multi Channel Marketing

Buyer Behavior Business Negotiations

Corporate Finance Tom Hopkins Sales Training Seminar

COURSE PROJECT Conducted a semantic scale survey on the three largest electronic retailers in the US and with the results created a Perceptual Perceptual Map which concluded with recommendations for each retailer to improve their brand positioning. (Fall 2008) Developed yellow page ads for UU-Store It, rental storage space in a national competition. Worked within my team to create a ffull ull page ad and a half page ad directed towards San Antonio, Texas. (Spring 2008) RELATED EXPERIENCE The University of Akron, Akron, Ohio Student Assistant, Institutional Marketing · Assist with collecting data for potential clients WORK EXPERIENCE Pizza Technician and Driver, Pizza Hut, Fairlawn, Ohio

2006 – Present 2008 – Present

2005 – 2006

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Cover Letter 

Address letter to specific person (spelling and title?)



Keep letter short and to the point (1 page)



Refer to the enclosed/attached resume



Ask for an interview



Express your individuality



Create a new cover letter for each new position



Print on resume paper



Highlights of relevant experience/education



Follow--up action statement Follow



Statement of appreciation

Types of Letters Prospecting Letter – Asking about current positions available – Fishing to see if there are any openings with in the company

Letters of Application – Applying for a known job opening (an already existing position that is posted) – Identify the position and interest, and your source of information

Networking – Making a connections between you and the reader – e.g. alumnus/alumna of your school, mutual acquaintances, etc – When you are referred by a specific person to contact an individual

Important Cover Letter Elements  INTRODUCTION PARAGRAPH: – Opening paragraph should contain a hook, how did you find out about the position – generates interest – states/implies employment interest 

BODY “Value “Value--selling” PARAGRAPH: – Summarize what you have to offer (w/o reiterating your resume) – demonstrates ability – highlights key strengths and abilities



CONCLUSION: – Give contact information (phone number and email address)

Sample: Cover Letter Prospecting 302 Buchtel Common Akron, OH 44325 February 3, 2009 Ms. Amanda Paulson Universal Orlando 1000 Universal Studios Plaza Orlando, Florida 3281932819-7610 Dear Ms. Paulson: I am currently researching possible opportunities for a summer internship. During my research I came across your website and realized that you offer excellent opportunities for interns. I feel my unique mix of previous work experience and my status as a University of Akron student with a concentration in marketing management, make me an ideal candidate for a summer internship with Universal Orlando. My experience in sales and customer relationship management, combined with my courses in marketing, have convinced me that hospitality marketing is a career option I would like to explore. More importantly, an internship with Universal Orlando would be mutually beneficial. Your company has an excellent reputation for customer satisfaction, and I know that the combination of my experience, education, and motivation to excel will make me an asset to your marketing department. I am sure that it would be worthwhile for us to meet. I will contact you within a week to arrange a meeting. Should you have any questions before that time, you may reach me via phone (330(330-972972-7747) or via email ([email protected]). Thank you for your time and consideration. Sincerely, Zippy Mascot

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Check Your “Stuff”



Read the job description



Create checklist of Knowledge, Skills, Abilities



Are you conveying through your resume and cover letter that you can do the job?

Sample: Reference Page ZIPPY MASCOT 111 Spirit Lane, Akron, Ohio 44325 (330) 972972- 1111, [email protected] REFERENCE PAGE Ms. Mariah Fisch:



Provide 33-5 professional references (no relatives, friends, clergy).



Ask your references prior to listing them (set up appointment, give resume, tell them what you are looking for).



Provide reference’s name, title, organization, mailing address, phone number, and ee-mail.



Keep in touch with your references about your job search.

Thank You Letters 

Send within 2424-48 hours.



Write and personalize them to every interviewer.



Use to market yourself one more time.



Recap interview and/or summarize key points.



Prefer handwritten or typed, but if you have been corresponding through ee-mail or there is not enough turn around time then email the letter.

President

National Steel Corporation 4100 Edison Lakes Pkwy. Mishawaka, IN 4654546545-3440 812--555 812 555--3200 [email protected]

Mr. Benjamin Riley:

Senior Project Manager

Dr. Scott Handy:

Professor of Accounting

Dr. Robert Phillips:

Keys for your Reference List

Sprint Corporation 2330 Shawnee Mission Pkwy. Westwood, KS 66205 620--555 620 555--2903 College of Business Administration The University of Akron Akron, OH 44325 330--972 330 972--7111

Professor of Information Systems Management

College of Business Administration The University of Akron Akron, OH 44325 330--972 330 972--7111

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Sample: Thank You Letter 111 Spirit Lane Akron, Ohio 44325 (330) 972972- 1111 [email protected] January 15, 2009 Ms. Glenna Wright Human Resources Manager The Computer Store 2000 Line Drive Fairfax, VA 22030

Key Points on Resumes and Cover Letters 

Free Resume and Cover Letter handouts available at CCM



Cover letters and resume gets your foot in the door, but only if they convey that you can do the job or have “Potential.”



Tailor your cover letter and resume for each job. May need scannable version and “hard copy” version.



Have at least one other set of eyes read your cover letter and resume (free critiques from CCM!).

Dear Ms. Wright: I enjoyed interviewing with you during your recruiting visit to The University of Akron on January 15. The marketing program you outlined sounds both challenging and rewarding and I look forward to your decision concerning the next steps in the process. As mentioned during the interview, I will be graduating in May with a Bachelors in Marketing Management. Through my education and experience I’ve gained many skills, as well as an understanding of retailing concepts and dealing with the general public. I have worked four years in the retail industry in various positions from Salesclerk to Assistant Department Manager. I think my education and work experience would complement the Marketing/Sales program at The Computer Store. I have enclosed a copy of my college transcript and a list of references that you requested. Thank you again for the opportunity to interview with The Computer Store. The interview served to reinforce my strong interest in becoming a part of the company’s team. I can be reached at (330) 972 1111 or by email at [email protected] should you need additional information. Sincerely, Zippy Mascot Enclosures

Connecting you…

. . . to your career and your place in the world. Center for Career Management 301 Simmons Hall 330--972 330 972--7747 http://www.uakron.edu/ccm

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