Writing an Effective Resume and Cover Letter Career and Professional Planning

Writing an Effective Resume and Cover Letter
Career and
Professional Planning
Presenters

Erick Larson, Manager
Career Advising & Professional Development
Career and Professional Planning
(CAPP)

We help students with all aspects of the job
and internship search process, as well as
serve as a resource for service-learning and
other experiential education opportunities.
Overview of Workshop


Resumes, Cover Letters and Interviewing
Techniques
 Basic outlines
 Philosophy and purpose
 Common pitfalls
The Next Step
Purpose of a Resume
A self-marketing tool.
 Represents YOU—your
accomplishments and skills.
 Summarizes what you have to offer
employers—your unique selling
points—in an easy-to-read format.

SAMPLE RESUME & REFERENCE LIST
Perhaps more than you realize, resumes reflect what you think is important about your accomplishments and skills.
Agonizing over finishing a draft of your resume will go a long way toward helping you understand more about what
you can offer a potential employer and how you can effectively present yourself in an interview. Here is a framework
for building a solid resume. All it needs is your input!
LYNN A. STUDENT
(www.uidaho.edu/your web site/, if designed for employers, or e-mail address if you have limited space)
College Address: Street Address, City, State Zip Area Code/Phone Number E-mail Address
Permanent Address: Street Address, City, State Zip Area Code/Phone Number E-mail Address
OBJECTIVE
Briefly indicate the kind of position (e.g., internship, summer, entry-level) and mention field of study
or career field.
EDUCATION
Your Degree, Major
Minor/Emphasis/Option: [whichever apply, or omit]
University of Idaho, Moscow ID
Expected Graduation Date: Month Year
GPA: ____/4.0 [If below a 3.0 consult with CAPP staff.]
Earned _____% of college expenses.
Course Highlights: [List the courses of most interest to the employer and most advanced first. If you are
Basic
Resume
Outline
currently taking a course but will complete it before the internship begins, indicate the semester and year after
course name, e.g., Fluid Mechanics (spring 2005)]
SPECIAL SKILLS
List skills unique to your major or career interests.
COMPUTER SKILLS
Computer skills are a MUST and may be included as a separate section or with special
skills. List specific programs.
PROJECTS
Name of Project. Describe briefly
[Projects help identify hands-on experience through lab, design, team or research.]
EXPERIENCE
Organization, City, State
(month year – month year)
Your Job Title. Describe briefly using action verbs. [See examples.] Focus on unique tasks within
the project. Emphasize “transferable” skills. Both paid and unpaid experiences may be listed here.
REMEMBER: Internships and volunteer work help you build critical, career-related skills. Use paid and unpaid
work as experience. Also, bulleted items often stand out more effectively.
HONORS/ACTIVITIES/SERVICE
List in reverse chronological order by category [most recent first]. List those which will be of employer
interest. As freshmen/sophomores, you may use some high school activities; however, you MUST build collegelevel activities. Involvement in a student professional organization is important.
REFERENCES
Available upon request. (This line may be omitted or may be centered as ‘References available upon
request’ at the bottom of the resume.) Develop a separate reference page listing at least 3 professional
references.
How we read resumes….


Top to bottom, left to right
10-second glance, most recent and relevant
Important information needs to
be found easily and quickly!
Resume as Map:
Make it easy for your
reader!



Bold, italics,
underline
Font size
Category headings



Order of categories
Use of white space
Bullets
Don’t “lose” the employer in a maze of
job descriptions and extracurricular
activities.
Common Pitfalls of Resumes


Manger for
manager: Failure to
proofread!
Microsoft Word or
other widely
distributed
templates.
[Click here and type address]
[Put phone, fax, and e-mail here]
Deborah Greer
Objective
[Click here and type your objective]
Experience
1990–1994
Arbor Shoes
National Sales Manager
South Ridge, WA
 Increased sales from $50 million to $100 million.
 Doubled sales per representative from $5 million to $10 million.
 Suggested new products that increased earnings by 23%.
1985–1990
District Sales Manager
Ferguson and Bardwell
South Ridge, WA
 Increased regional sales from $25 million to $350 million.
 Managed 250 sales representatives in 10 Western states.
 Implemented training course for new recruits — speeding profitability.
Microsoft
Template
1980–1984
Duffy Vineyards
Senior Sales Representative
South Ridge, WA
 Expanded sales team from 50 to 100 representatives.
 Tripled division revenues for each sales associate.
 Expanded sales to include mass-market accounts.
1975–1980
Sales Representative
Lit Ware, Inc.
South Ridge, WA
 Expanded territorial sales by 400%.
 Received company’s highest sales award four years in a row.
 Developed Excellence in Sales training course.
Education
1971–1975
South Ridge State University
South Ridge, WA
 B.A., Business Administration and Computer Science.
 Graduated summa cum laude.
Interests
South Ridge Board of Directors, running, gardening, carpentry, computers.
Tips
Select text you would like to replace, and type your information.
Resume Pitfalls: Objectives

Too specific: A
mechanical engineering
position at Micron


Too vague: A summer
internship where I can
gain valuable work
experience.

Leave off objective.
This information is
already in your cover
letter.
Mention field: A human
resources internship for
summer 2005.
Resume Pitfalls: “Special Skills”

DON’T: List subjective, vague skills
–

Sample: Good people skills, excellent
teamwork capabilities, enthusiastic, hard
worker.
DO: List concrete, job-specific skills
–
Computer Skills
– Certifications
– Languages
– Skills relevant to field
Resume Pitfalls:
Not Making the Most Out of Your
Experiences



Use strong action verbs and key words to describe
your work experience. Numbers count!
Create a section of “Projects” or “Course Highlights”
to show specialized knowledge in your field.
Don’t forget about extensive volunteer or
extracurricular activities.
- Use these “experiences,” even if you were
not paid.
Volunteer and Extra-Curricular
Activities as Experience: Examples
Treasurer, Delta Chi Fraternity (2004-Present)
 Manage over 100 active accounts receivable for members on
campus.
 Manage and prepare payroll and benefits for nine employees.
 Work with collection agency to collect delinquent accounts.
Student Alumni Relations Board (2003-Present)
Committee chair responsible for coordination of “Graduation
Salute” event. Assist with organization, planning, and execution of
campus events such as Homecoming and Moms’ Weekend.
CRYSTAL S JOHNS
BEFORE
1671 Lenter st. apt# 3, Moscow, ID 83843 (208) 882-9654 [email protected]
OBJECTIVE
Presently, my objective is to graduate from college. Upon graduation I hope to get a job. My dream job
would be to work for a company in the entertainment industry. I would like to work out in the real world for
about ten years. After gaining extensive experience from working in a real corporation, I hope to return to
school for a graduate degree. I hope to get an MBA from a university on the east coast. Ultimately, I hope to
teach business at a post-secondary education level.
RELATED COURSEWORK
MBA-like experience in 18-credit, team-based Integrated Business Curriculum (IBC).
Team Building, Managing the Firm’s Resources, International Portfolio Management, Product and Process
Planning, Web-based Application Development, Visual Basics, Planning and Decision-making in
Organizations, Business Operating Decisions
Putting It All
Together:
Before
EXPERIENCE
Global Crossing Inc., Beverly Hills, CA. (Summer 2004). “Intern for Program Management Organization.” I
developed a reporting application that was used globally to track the progress of the construction of this
company’s global fiber optic network. I also successfully led a demonstration to a multi-functional group on the
utilities of the Monthly Project Report Database.
Panhandle Mobile Home Service Inc., Coeur d’Alene, ID (Summers/Winters 2000-2003) “Home Installer” This
job allowed me to help pay for college by setting up and tearing down modular homes. I helped improve the
company’s customer relations, training over 6 employees.
I also have experience with Windows 95, 98, NT, MAC, Unix, Bloomberg Term, Office Suite 97, 2000,
Publisher, Adobe, Primavera, Visual Basics, VBA, SQL, ASP, JavaScript, HTML, EWMA, Regression models,
ACC, SWAT, and Competitive Analysis.
PROJECTS
Monthly Project Report, E-commerce Web Page, IBC Presentation Projects, IBC Research Project, Financial
Recommendation Report
EDUCATION
University of Idaho Moscow, Idaho. Expected Graduation Date: Dec 2006 – Dual Bachelor of Science Degrees,
Information Systems/Finance. GPA 3.40/4.0
Studied abroad at the University of Brighton, England (Sept 2004-Dec 2004). I was able to interact in and
enjoyed another culture while maintaining a full classload for one semester.
HONORS ACTIVITIES
Golden Key National Honors Society, Management Information Systems Association, Event Chair, Kappa
Delta Sorority, Kappa Delta Outstanding Scholar Award, Kappa Delta District Leadership Conference,
Fundraising advocate for Jimmy V. Foundation and U of I Women’s Athletics, Participated, Coached, and
Refereed various sport activities
CRYSTAL S. JOHNS
1671 Lenter St. # 3

Moscow, ID 83843

(208) 882-9654

A F T E R
[email protected]
OBJECTIVE
Seeking an internship for the summer of 2006 that will allow me to further develop my experience in the field of business
EDUCATION
University of Idaho Moscow, Idaho
Dual Bachelor of Science Degrees: Information Systems/Finance
Expected Graduation Date: December 2006
GPA: 3.40/4.0
University of Brighton, England
Study Abroad Experience
Fall 2004
GPA: 3.2/4.0
RELATED COURSEWORK
Integrated Business Curriculum (IBC) Team-based MBA-like experience (18 credits)
Putting It All
Together:
After
 Web-based Application Development
 Managing the Firm’s Resources
 International Portfolio Management



Product and Process Planning
Visual Basics
Team Building


Planning and Decision-making in
Organizations
Business Operating Decisions
EXPERIENCE
Intern for Program Management
Global Crossing Inc., Beverly Hills, CA
SUMMER 2004
Developed a reporting application used to track the progress of the construction of company’s global fiber optic network.
Successfully led a presentation to a multi-functional group on the utilities of the Monthly Project Report Database.
Construction Supervisor
Panhandle Mobile Home Service Inc., Coeur d’ Alene, ID
SUMMERS 2000-2003
Constructed modular homes for resale to customers in the Coeur d’ Alene region.
Improved the company’s reputation by developing a program to evaluate customer satisfaction after home installation.
Trained seven employees in areas of construction, safety, project managements, and customer relations.
COMPUTER SKILLS
Operating Systems
Windows 95, 98, NT
Apple Macintosh
Unix
Office Applications
MS Office Suite 97 – 2000
MS Publisher
Adobe Photoshop
Programming Languages
Visual Basics
JavaScript
HTML
Business Software
Regression models
Competitive Analysis
Primavera
PROJECTS
Monthly Project Report, E-commerce Web Page, IBC Presentation Projects, Financial Recommendation Report
HONORS ACTIVITIES
Golden Key National Honors Society
Management Information Systems Association
Event Chair -- Kappa Delta Sorority
Kappa Delta Outstanding Scholar Award
Kappa Delta District Leadership Conference
Fundraising advocate for Jimmy V. Foundation and U of I
Women’s Athletics
Participated, coached, and refereed various sport activities
Cover Letters: What Your
Resume Can’t Do



Show writing ability.
Demonstrate
specific interest in
the organization and
position.
Allow for greater
personalization.
YOUR FIRST AND LAST NAME
College Address: Street Address, City, State ZIP, Area Code/Phone Number, E-mail Address
Permanent Address: Street Address, City, State ZIP, Area Code/Phone Number
Month 21, 2004
Ms. Potential Employer
Title
Company
Street Address
City, State Zip Code
Dear Ms. (employer’s last name):*
Explain why you are writing: name the positions, or field, or general area about which you are
asking. Tell how you heard of the opening or organization.
Basic
Cover
Letter
Outline
Mention one or two qualifications you think would be of greatest interest to the employer. Slant
your remarks to the employer’s point of view. Tell why you are particularly interested in the
company, location, or type of work. Refer to any related experience or specialized training you
have had.
Discuss some personal qualities that you possess that the employer specifically asks for in the job
description. If you do not have a job description, describe some qualities you possess that would
be valuable to the employer and mention if possible where you obtained these qualities (such as
from specific work experiences, school, projects, etc.) This is the paragraph in which you can
mention qualities about you that don’t quite fit anywhere in your resume.
Direct the reader to the enclosed resume, application form, and other materials. Close by making
a specific request for an interview, suggesting date and time, and indicate that you will call for a
confirmation of the appointment. If your request is for further information concerning the
position, instead of wanting an interview, it would be polite to enclose a self-addressed, stamped
envelope. Restate your interest in the position. Make sure your closing is not vague, but makes a
specific action from the reader likely. It may be helpful to give your phone number, in the event
that the employer would like additional information from you.
Sincerely,
(Legible Signature)
Type your name
Enclosure
* If you cannot distinguish the employer’s gender, use: Dear Pat Johnson:
** If you do not have a name to address your cover letter, use: RE: Internship in________
FIRST AND LAST NAME
College Address: Street Address, City, State ZIP, Area Code/Phone Number, E-mail Address
Permanent Address: Street Address, City, State ZIP, Area Code/Phone Number
March 14, 2004
Ronald A. Smith, Ph.D.
Director of Environmental Analysis
Charlton National Laboratory
Charlton, MN 43567
Dear Dr. Smith:
As a junior at the University of Idaho majoring in chemistry and chemical engineering, I am looking for practical
chemical job experience. The UI's Career and Professional Planning staff told me of your excellent internship
program and I am very interested in your summer 2004 position.
Sample
Cover
Letter
My chemical engineering background ties in closely with the research of your division. As a chemical engineer I
am interested in conducting tests to analyze the environmental effects of different chemical contaminants. The
research done on water, plant and animal tissue, and soil samples is also of interest to me, as both a chemist and
an engineer.
As my grades show, I am an excellent student capable of understanding new ideas and concepts. I possess the
qualities of a good lab worker. I am cautious but confident in my work, and not afraid to ask questions and seek
help when needed. I am a hard worker and am able to successfully complete tasks that I start. I have the aptitude
to learn all I can about environmental analytical chemistry. The experience of working with chemists will greatly
enhance my knowledge, techniques, and understanding.
If chosen for an internship, I would adjust and work smoothly with the operations of the laboratory support group.
I am willing to work closely with the other workers to ensure that things run well. I would like the opportunity to
learn from and work with other chemists who will allow me to contribute my share of the work. I enjoy
conducting analyses, and will take the initiative when confronted with a problem to see that it is solved.
Thank you for reading this letter and the attached resume. I hope that you will consider me for this position, and
will be pleased to interview at your convenience. If I can provide any further information, please contact me at
885-1234 or [email protected].
Sincerely,
Samuel A. Student
Samuel A. Student
enclosure
Cover Letter Pitfalls: No
Personalization

DON’T use the same letter to apply for all positions.

DO your research and tailor your letter to the
position and the organization:
“Based on the project descriptions, it is clear that my skills
and experience would be a valuable contribution to your
program. Both the University Residences and Commons
projects, for example, will require a complete analysis of
student, faculty, and staff needs.”
– “I am very interested in an internship position with your
agency. I was impressed with your recent campaign for
Nike, and I would enjoy the opportunity to work in such an
innovative environment.”
–
Cover Letter Pitfalls: Generic
Statements

Avoid vague clichés:
–
–

“I am a hard worker and a good team player.”
“I have excellent problem-solving skills.”
Use specific details and examples.
–
“One project in particular demonstrates my teamwork skills. Last
year, I participated in a robotics design competition with four other
students….”
–
“My strong background in accounting would be a valuable addition
to your team. As an office assistant for ABC Rentals and Sales, I
was responsible for accounts payable, accounts receivable,
payroll, and quarterly reports. I have also completed several
upper-division accounting courses.”
Cover Letter Pitfalls: No
Action Plan

DON’T wait for the
employer to take the
next step:
“Thank you for reading the
enclosed application materials.
I look forward to hearing from
you about the opportunities
available at Micron.”

DO be proactive and
suggest a plan of
action:
“Thank you for reading this
letter and my resume. I shall
call you the week of February 7
to discuss opportunities at
Micron and the possibility of an
interview.”
What Now?: Taking the Next Step

Review sample resumes for more ideas.
–
Websites: VandalTRAK.com and Jobweb.com
– CAPP Library: Resume guides and student samples



Sign up for an individual resume review
with a career advisor at Career and
Professional Planning.
Participate in a resume clinic.
Send it out! Visit Career and Professional
planning for suggestions on how to begin
your job search.