Easy Resumes and Cover Letters Using Microsoft Word – October 8, 2009

Easy Resumes
and Cover Letters
Using Microsoft Word
Jane Morgan Memorial Library, Cambria – October 8, 2009
MATC Libraries
Research Guide
• http://libguides.matcmadison.edu/workers
Links to:
 Job sites
 Resume/cover letter tips and templates
 Job fairs and expos
 Career advising and statistics
 Tax implications of job loss, and more
Why a good resume is
important….
It’s your personal marketing piece
 Its purpose is to get you an interview

Successful resumes….
are tailored for each occupation or job of
interest
 focus on employer’s needs
 show how your qualifications/skills fit
requirements of job
 highlight specific achievements, increases in
responsibility, work-related skills
 include quantifiable results, where possible

Resume Basics

Your resume should be
concise (preferably 1 page)
 clear and easy to read
 free of spelling/grammar errors
 targeted to specific job

Organization

Chronological
Organized around jobs you’ve held
 Use if you have steady work history


Functional
Emphasizes skills not than job history
 Use if you have employment gaps or
previous jobs don’t relate to job you’re
applying for


Combination
Chronological:
Functional:
Appearance
Standard font (e.g. Times New Roman)
 Readable font size (12 point)
 Headings for separate sections
 White space

Ample margins (1 inch)
 Single spacing, space between sections


Not too long
One page, if possible (2 pages max)
 References on separate sheet


Use laser printer
Language and style
Professional/formal language
 Consistent style throughout
 Use action/power verbs (see next slide)
 Include language from job notice/ position
description, if possible
 Use spell check
 Check grammar
 Have several people proofread

Examples of
action / power verbs
Administered
Analyzed
Budgeted
Collaborated
Communicated
Compiled
Completed
Conducted
Consulted
Contributed
Coordinated
Created
Demonstrated
Designed
Developed
Distributed
Documented
Enhanced
Established
Expedited
Facilitated
Generated
Improved
Implemented
Initiated
Investigated
Led
Managed
Organized
Planned
Presented
Prioritized
Produced
Researched
Reviewed
Scheduled
Shared
Supervised
Supported
Trained
Updated
Worked
Wrote
….
What to include….?
Or not to include….?
Ask yourself…
 What
information about me
is most relevant to the job
I’m applying for?
Save time and effort by….
 Creating
a basic resume
which you can then modify
to suit the specific situation
Resume basics include:

Identifying information
Name
 Address
 Phone number
 Email address

Resume basics include:

Objective (optional)
Concise statement specifying position,
field of work, or skills to be used on the job
 Near top of resume

Example: “Receptionist position using my
customer service, administrative, and
communication skills.”
Resume basics include:

Education
Relevant training, certifications, schooling
 Start with most recent
 For each school, list name, location, diploma/
certificate/degree earned, date of completion
 If not completed, use “expected” plus date, or
“in progress”

Resume basics include:

Work/Experience
Names and locations of organizations
you’ve worked for, starting with most recent
 Years worked there
 Job title
 Main duties performed, results achieved
 Relevant volunteer activities, internships,
projects (especially if little paid experience)

Resume basics include:

Relevant skills / abilities (optional)

If you have specific computer, foreign
language, typing, or other technical skills
(e.g. equipment operation), consider
listing these in a separate section
Resume basics include:

Activities / associations (optional)

Include participation in organizations,
associations, student government, clubs,
or community activities, especially if
related to position you’re applying for
Resume basics include:

Awards / honors (optional)
Any formal recognition you’ve received
 Professional or academic awards (if not
listed in education or work experience
section)

Resume basics include:
EITHER “References available upon
request” statement
 OR separate document with
references listed

Using Word 2007 for resumes
Be sure you know which version of Word
you’re using
 Word 2007 has different “look and feel”
 SAVE OFTEN
 Use “Save as….” option for saving
 Save in multiple formats (locally, email,
flash drive)

Choosing a Word Template
Click ‘Office’ button and select ‘New’
 Select ‘Installed Templates’ or
 Select ‘Resumes’ category from list
under Microsoft Office Online
 Choose style that fits your needs:

Job specific? Chronological? Situation specific?
Click to open category
 Select preference, click ‘download’
button

Troubleshooting…

If you get a warning to install
‘Active X’, go ahead and install

If the template won’t open,
make sure it is compatible with
your version of Word. You
may need to select another
template.
Creating your Resume from a
Template

Templates…
easy to use, professional look, help with
formatting and layout BUT
 can be tricky to edit or rearrange
preformatted options, so choose layout
that’s close to what you want

Most have “placeholder” text
 Click within the bracketed areas and
replace text with your own information

Hands-on Time - Resumes

Up Next: Cover Letters
Cover Letters
Appearance
Match font used in resume
 Readable font size (10-12 point)
 One page or less
 Paragraphs (opening, body, closing)
 Use laser printer
 Send along with resume OR as the
body of an email or as an attachment

Cover Letter basics include:
Your contact information
 Recipient’s contact information
 Date
 Salutation
 Paragraphs

Opening
 Body (“sell” skills/qualifications)
 Closing (request for action)

Signature
 Enclosure

Cover Letter specifics:





Tailor to job for which you’re applying –
different letter for each application
Discuss your qualifications for particular position
Use letter to demonstrate your communication
skills
Don’t simply repeat resume, expand on it -additional information; relevant, noteworthy
accomplishments
Let job notice be your guide (see example next
slide)
Make use of language
in the job notice







LibraryDirector of the Todd Wehr Memorial Library.
Description: The Todd Wehr Memorial Library of Viterbo University is seeking to evolve into an academic center for
the 21st Century. The Director will provide strategic leadership for all functions of the library in collaboration with other
academic units and in support of the mission of the University. The Director serves as primary advocate for the library
and must be able to articulate and implement a vision for the future of an academic library. The Director provides
leadership in the Libraries’ mission to support the educational, research, and service missions of the University. She or
he is responsible for all areas of library administration and operations, including strategic and policy planning, fiscal
management, library services and collections, and supervision of personnel, facilities, and equipment. The Director will
understand electronic and multimedia resources, instructional technology, collaborative learning through creative
learning spaces, and a learning commons philosophy while maintaining the bulk of the print and archive resources.
Qualifications: Viterbo University seeks a visionary leader who understands the learning styles of current students
and trends in higher education, academic libraries, and information technology, and who will be able to take the lead in
establishing the library for the 21st Century. The Director should have a demonstrable ability to generate excitement for
an emerging new vision for the library, develop and hire staff open to innovative ideas, work with the entire University
community, and devise an efficient operational plan. The Director must have an energizing, persuasive, and
collaborative leadership style and respect the learner-centered philosophy of the campus.
Evidence of progressively responsible administrative experience within an academic library environment.
Practical knowledge and experience in the role and impact of current and emerging technologies in an
academic library environment.
The ability to foster an open, creative, and collaborative environment in the libraries
The ability to work productively with faculty and university administration.
A commitment to a student-centered service philosophy.
Academic qualifications include a degree or degrees in a liberal arts discipline and a master's degree in library and
information science from an ALA-accredited program. Additional graduate degree in a liberal arts discipline is
desirable. The director reports to the Academic Vice President.
Terms of Appointment: The Director is an 12 month administrative appointment with faculty rank, non-tenure track.
To Apply:In addition to a letter of application, a CV, and the names, addresses and telephone numbers of three
references, please submit a statement describing a 21st Century library and how to integrate it with instructional
technology, undergraduate research, and the learning styles of today's students. Applications should be submitted
Hands-on Time – Cover Letters
Questions?
Thank you.
Good luck with your job search!