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Résumés and Cover Letters

Résumés and Cover Letters. Sandra Knight. The Résumé. What is it? Audience? Purpose? Remember: “Always stress your ASSETS, not your LIABILITES”. Types of Résumés +/-. Reverse Chronological Focus: Work Experience Targeted Focus: The Job Functional Focus: Skills Scannable

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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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