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Résumés and Cover Letters

This comprehensive guide by Sandra Knight delves into the essentials of crafting impactful résumés and cover letters. It explores the audience, purpose, and key assets to highlight, emphasizing the importance of customization and clarity. Learn about different types of résumés—reverse chronological, targeted, functional, and CVs—and discover effective strategies for writing impactful bullet points. Avoid common pitfalls and errors, and understand the structure of a compelling cover letter to make a lasting impression. Get prepared to elevate your job application materials!

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Résumés and Cover Letters

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  1. Résumés and Cover Letters Sandra Knight

  2. The Résumé • What is it? • Audience? • Purpose? • Remember: “Always stress your ASSETS, not your LIABILITES”

  3. Types of Résumés +/- • Reverse Chronological • Focus: Work Experience • Targeted • Focus: The Job • Functional • Focus: Skills • Scannable • Focus: The Machine • Curriculum Vitae (CV) • Focus: Higher Education

  4. How to write Bullet Points [1] Responsible for review sessions… • Begin with an action verb: • Prepared and presented review sessions… • Quantify your accomplishments: • Prepared and presented review sessions for 40 students… • Emphasize your impact, not your responsibilities: • Prepared and presented review sessions for 40 students, contributing to a 94% pass rate • Tailor to the job description: • Prepared and presented review sessions for 40 freshmen college students, contributing to a 94% pass rate

  5. Checklist for Résumés • Promote Balance • Avoid Fancy/Tiny/Illegible Fonts • Use Different Font Sizes, Types, & Text Manipulations • Be CONSISTENT in Format and Sentence Constructions • USE HEADINGS • Use Bullets/Lists – Do Not Exceed ONE LINE • Use Strong Action Verbs • Use a Consistent Verb Tense • Focus on Transferable Skills Not Job Duties

  6. Top 6 Résumés Errors • Failing to customize • Highlighting job duties instead of transferable skills • Including a weak Objective Statement • Using an inconsistent/unattractive format • Typos & grammar errors • Using graphics or pictures

  7. The Cover Letter • Purpose • Format • Length • Register • Personalize

  8. Cover Letter Headers Option A: Business Format [1] Kelly Spade 13 W. Elm Street Flagstaff, AZ, 86004 (405) 998-9905 K.Spade@gmail.com April 16th, 2013 Dr. Preston Wells Bluepoint Health Enterprises Packaging Engineer, Sr. 3453 Hayden Circle Phoenix, AZ, 85253 Dear Dr. Wells: Phone number and email are optional. Use a colon after the greeting.

  9. Cover Letter Headers Option B: Resume header [1] • Kelly Spade • (928) 853-0867 • K.Spade@nau.edu • December 3rd, 2013 • Taylor Oswald • Mountain Living Organic Grocery • Outreach Coordinator • 36 W. Elmira • Seattle, WA, 98118 • Dear Mr. Oswald: Avoid “Sir or Madam” and “To Whom It May Concern.” Appropriate generic addresses include: Human Resources Director, Selection Committee, & Hiring Manager.

  10. Personalize Your Letter [1] • Include name of institution and specific job • Address it to the person who is in charge • Demonstrate your knowledge of the organization

  11. Organizing Your Cover Letter First paragraph Why you are writing? • Address the specific position you are applying for • Explain how you found out about the position • Demonstrate your knowledge of the organization • Identify your interest in the company

  12. Organizing Your Cover Letter Middle paragraph(s) What you have to offer? • Present your motives for seeking employment • Make strong connections between the job description skills and your qualifications • Identify how your skills and experience are parallel to the position * Follow the flow of your resume

  13. Organizing Your Cover Letter Final paragraph What you will do next? • Draw attention to your attached resume • Request a follow-up meeting to discuss your qualifications • Include your contact information • Thanking your potential employer

  14. Résumé and Cover Letter Writing Assignment • Find a REAL job/internship advertisement • Study the advertisement for how to address the specific job • Create a Targeted Résumé and Cover Letter with your current experience/education • Due Thursday, January 30 as a Hardcopy in class

  15. Optional Job Search Sites: AECOM Jobs: https://jobs.aecom.com/1033/ASP/TG/cim_home.asp?partnerid=20052&siteid=5022&codes=WS-000&sec=1 Pinnacle West Careers: (Keyword: Engineer)https://careers.pinnaclewest.com/psp/pserprd/CUSTOMER/HRMS/c/HRS_HRAM.HRS_CE.GBL AZTEC: http://www.aztec.us/jw/index.php/careers Northrop Gumman Corporation: https://ngc.taleo.net/careersection/ngc_coll/jobsearch.ftl?lang=en

  16. References • [1] Gateway Resume Workshop. Northern Arizona University: 2014.

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