Creating Resumes and Cover Letters

1. Creating Resumes and Cover Letters Written by John Wilkinson To accompany Georgia Lesson 01012-13.1 and Georgia Lesson 00000-0.0 Georgia Agriculture Education Curriculum Office May 2007

2. What is a Cover Letter? • A cover letter is what you mail along with your resume • A letter of application should be mailed with an application for a job to tell more about yourself. • Many people complete a combination cover letter and letter of application.

3. Goals of a good cover letter • Introduce yourself • Get you noticed • Convey special info • Highlight accomplishments • GET EMPLOYERS, AWARD JUDGES AND SCHOLARSHIP COMMITTEES TO READ YOUR RESUME

4. Helpful Hints in Cover Letter Writing: • Be assertive – the first 20 words ar the most important • Value to employer – tell your story in relation to how you can be of value to the employer • Use simple and direct language and grammar • Let your letter reflect your individuality • Send it to someone by name • Get it right – spell recipient’s name right • Be friendly, not pushy • Target your letter – tell your reasons for sending the letter (that you want an interview).

5. Goals of a good resume • Convey information • Show who you are • Distinguish yourself • Look good!

6. Writing a Combination Cover Letter and Letter of Application • First paragraph – reason for writing • Second paragraph – point out qualifications • Third paragraph – call attention to resume • Fourth paragraph – ask for appointment

7. Who are you? What are you looking for? What kind of job/college do you want? Where are you going? Be yourself! What is your message? What have you done? Where did you do it? What can you do? What’s the product? How to sell it? Cover Letter and Resume-your ticket to riches and fame

8. BASIC PARTS OF A BUSINESS LETTER: • THE WRITER’S ADDRESS AND DATE LETTER WAS WRITTEN • THE NAME AND ADDRESS OF THE PERSON WHOM THE LETTER IS BEING SENT • THE SALUTATION (DEAR ____) • THE BODY OF THE LETTER • COMPLIMENTARY CLOSE AND SIGNATURE OF THE SENDER • OTHER ADDITIONS - REFERENCE INITIALS, ENCLOSURE NOTATIONS, COPY, AND POSTSCRIPT

9. Your street address Your town, state, zip code Telephone number Date Manager/Personnel Director (including Mr./Mrs./Ms.) Name of company Company address Town, State, Zip code Greeting: Paragraph 1 - state the purpose of the letter and request the employer’s consideration. Paragraph 2 - contain a brief summary of your personal data and work experience. Paragraph 3 – call attention to resume Paragraph 3 - explain your interest in the company and in arranging an interview. Ask for an appointment Sincerely, Your signature Your name

10. EFFECTIVE LETTERS SHOULD PERFORM TWO BASIC FUNCTIONS: • CARRY A MESSAGE • PROJECT THE DESIRED IMAGE OF THE WRITER OR BUSINESS • TWO TYPES OF BUSINESS LETTERS INCLUDE: • BLOCK STYLE - ALL LINES STARTS ON LEFT SIDE OF MARGIN, NO INDENTATIONS • MODIFIED BLOCK STYLE - USES INDENTATIONS, EACH PARAGRAPH IS INDENTED AS WELL AS BEGINNING INFORMATION AND CLOSE

11. TIPS ON LETTER WRITING: • USE GOOD GRAMMAR • USE CORRECT SPELLING • DO NOT USE SLANG • BE BRIEF, BUT COVER THE SUBJECT • STICK TO THE POINT OF THE LETTER • MAKE SURE LETTER IS LEGIBLE • PROOFREAD BEFORE SENDING LETTER • ASK FOR HELP, IF NEEDED • KEEP THE LETTER BRIEF, DISCUSSING THE PURPOSE • STRIVE FOR NEATNESS (PERSONALITY) • ALWAYS INCLUDE A TITLE OF RESPECT (DR., MR., MRS., ETC.) • BE SURE TO INCLUDE A RETURN ADDRESS AND ZIP CODE

12. Writing a Resume Step one: Brainstorm • Write a list of all of your achievements, activities, etc. Step two: Organize • Categorize your achievements • Place in Experience, Education and Others • Include School related honors and activities under education: Publications, scholarships, offices and organizations

13. Writing a Resume (cont.) Step Three: Produce • Format your resume to highlight the big stuff • Use bold or underlines to offset your name, schools and places of employment • Use bulleted points over narrative • Use Italics to make something special stand out • Make the resume appealing • Clutter makes it hard to read and hard to pick out the good stuff

14. Resume Personal Information Age: 18 years Pete Farmer Height: 5 feet 11 inches Route 2, Box 4680 Weight: 190 pounds Farmtown, GA 39876 Health: Excellent Phone: (404) 555-6530 Job Objectives I wish to secure a position as mechanic of farm equipment, which, through experience and training, will lead me to a position in management of a farm equipment service shop. Education High School: Farmtown Valley High School – will graduate in ____ (year) Major: Vocational Agriculture and Farm Mechanics Technical Skills: Repair and service of farm equipment Leadership Activities: FFA President, Football Team Captain Work Experience Big Truck Repair Shop, Farmtown, GA – Student Worker – January 2005 – December 2007 John Farmer’s farm (father) since childhood, farmhand References

15. Cover Letters Try not to begin paragraphs with “I” Use the standard business letter format Be brief Make sure it conveys the connection Resumes Show off Reflect useful information Be succinct Make it personal Don’t ever, ever lie General Advice for Cover Letters and Resumes