Seniors Resumes, Cover Letters, and Thank You Notes

RésumésCover Letters

Thank You Notes

A Résumé

First meeting between you and the employer.

Tells a great deal about you. Gets you the interview Is your calling card, so

remember that “First impressions are lasting ones.”

A Résumé will NOT . . .

• Get you a Job– It’s an advertisement that entices employers

• Make up for not Being Qualified• Hide your Reputation– Employers will ask for references

• Make up for Poor Portfolio– Employers want proof

• Make up for Poorly Written Cover Letter

Attributes Employers Considered During Hiring Process

How would you rank these?

• Reputation of College• Past work experience• Reputation of Specific

Program• Interview

Perception does not equal reality

• Past work experience (81%)

• Interview (80%)• Reputation of college

(18%)• Reputation of Specific

Program (12%)

Perception ≠ Reality

• Consider that what you think is important to employers may not be what is actually important

• Or not as important as you imagined

What experience did you receive that will allow you to make an immediate impact?

Student-Athlete Experience

• Remember: You didn’t just compete in games you GAINED AN EXPERIENCE

• Athletes have many transferable skills

But I’ve never had a job . . .

• Academic Achievements (i.e. dean’s list) – senior project• Relevant Coursework – must be relevant to the job you

are applying for• Clubs – consistent involvement shows responsibility and

commitment• Volunteer Work – what did you do with your team for

community service• Languages (you must be fluent)• Computer Skills • Any kind of employment – working while going to

school is impressive

Other Categories

• Awards & Achievements• Activities & Honors• Professional Experience• Volunteering• Relevant Course Work• Employment Experience• Specialized/Technical

Skills

Solutions:• Trim the “experience” fat• Remove fluff• Be succinct• Proof read for flow and

clarity

Résumé Principles

No ugly résumé– format must be pleasing to the eye

Do not lie, exaggerate or use words that the interviewer has to look up in a dictionary

Focus on strengths and accomplishments

Use 8 1/2” x 11” 20 lb. paper

(Resume Checklist)

Résumé Do’s

Target your qualifications for a specific job

Keep it to one page Accompany with

reference page E-mail – keep it

professional Use descriptive action

verbs

No errors Pleasing layout List relevant work History or volunteering Use argot of the

profession Mention you were a

student-athlete Always format in order

of importancehttp://www.siue.edu/careerdevelopmentcenter/jobpreparation/pdf/action_verbs.pdf

Résumé Don’ts

Avoid abbreviations and acronyms Never use pronouns such as: “I”, “me”, “my”, “our” No fancy fonts, binders, layouts Have errors Don’t repeat yourself

http://www.resume1-2-3.com/

Summary, Headline, or Objective?

• Summary – briefly describes your experience and skills in a impressive way

• Headline – states your experience more specifically

• Objective – professional intent

Only use if you have specific details!

Education

This is an important section for recent college graduates

• Beginning with the highest level of educational achievement, include information such as University attended, degrees earned/expected, major, minors, grade point average, date of program completion, and so forth.

Bachelor of Science in Accounting Expected 2007

Saddleback College, Mission Viejo, CA

GPA: 3.7/4.0Major GPA: 3.6/4.0

Include GPA only if 3.5 +

Chronological Résumé

most common listing of your jobs and experience with most recent mentioned first

good for job seekers who have practical work experience with long periods of employment

résumé type most preferred by employers

http://www.siue.edu/careerdevelopmentcenter/jobpreparation/pdf/chronological_style.pdf

Functional Résumé

focuses on your skills and accomplishments

highlights what they are, not when you developed them

Great for job seekers who have great transferable skills but little direct experience

http://www.siue.edu/careerdevelopmentcenter/jobpreparation/pdf/functional_style.pdf

Combination Résumé

maximizes the benefits of both the functional and the chronological resume

contains a heading for skills and accomplishments, followed by a reverse chronology of work experience

http://www.siue.edu/careerdevelopmentcenter/jobpreparation/pdf/combination_sample.pdf

Video Résumés

• www.Vault.com

Micro Résumés• Condensed resume on business card• No more than 140 characters

Sending your Resume

• Title your resume properly if attaching it to profile or through email– GOOD: “Joe Smith_Sr.GraphicDesigner_Resume”– BAD: “ThisOne”

• Follow this format!– Name_Position_Resume

Cover Letters

Must be sent with résumé Applications without cover letters

automatically go in the rejection pile. Explains to the reader your situation and what

action you are requesting Should give the employer a reason to look at

the résumé Must be tailored to each job opening Will get eight seconds of the reader’s time, so

it must be brief, yet informative

Cover Letter Layout

Limited to one page of three to four paragraphs No indented paragraphs Should not summarize your resume but add to it Opening paragraph should answer why you are

writing, what position you are interested and where you found out about the job

If you were referred mention this in the opening paragraph

First Paragraph

• Should tell the employer where you learned of the position

• Lists what position you are applying for• If referred, mentions that person’s name and

points out he/she suggest you apply• Mentions when you graduate or speaks of

your recently received diploma.

Middle Paragraph Revealing statements about who you are and

your skills Why you are interested in the position and

working for this employer Explain what you are currently doing Relevant or related work/volunteer experience Emphasize skills and abilities in relation to

position Provide additional qualifications that are not

on resume

Closing Paragraph

Be proactive What will you do next?

What you would like the recipient to do next? Pave the way for an interview

“I will follow up in a week after the closing date of the position has passed. I look forward to speaking with you further.”

Closing Paragraph

Thank you Sentences• Thank you for your time.• Thank you for reviewing my

qualifications.• Thank you for your

consideration.• Thank you for your review

of my qualifications.

Confidence in a Callback• I look forward to your reply.• I look forward to hearing

from you.• I look forward to your

response.• I look forward to your call.

BAD: It would be an honor to meet with you.

BAD: Call me tomorrow, please.

If your cover letter is generic

enough to work for every job you apply

to, it's too generic to get

you hired.

Scannable Format

Do not fold or staple Avoid punctuation when possible Avoid vertical & horizontal lines as well as graphics Abbreviations - use only those known in your field Use Keywords Use fonts like Time New Romans, Courier New,

Helvetica size 10-12 Bolding and CAPITALS are acceptable as long as they do not

touch each other avoid condensing the spaces between letters and lines

Salary Inquiries

• If the posting requests a salary requirement– Address it in the cover letter– Provide a range ($25,000-$35,000)– Add statement about negotiation - “I would be

willing to discuss my salary requirements with you further up on learning more about the specific responsibilities for this position.”

– Never mention salary until an offer is on the table.

Thank You Notes

Sent after you complete interview Must be sent within 24 hours of interview

regardless of the day of the week Individual letter must be sent to each person you

interviewed with Always add one unique detail from the interview This is an expression of gratitude not a forum to

discuss your skills