Resumes and Cover Letters
EMU Career Services can get you on the right track when it comes to job hunting and resumes. Call (540) 432-4131, check out the resources below, or stop by the center on the second floor of the University Commons.
The
resume
The cover letter
Resume and letter production
Questions to help you analyze work or
education experiences
Where to look for potential employers
Available from Career Services
Resume layout
Cover letter layout
Possible resume categories
Resume
and curriculum vitae links
Why do I need a resume?
- A resume is a professional presentation of what you can do for an employer.
- A resume allows you to be seen in the way that you want to be seen.
- Application forms are much more confining.
What will a resume do for me?
- Hopefully, a resume will make the employer want to know more about you and invite you for an interview.
- It will help prepare you for an interview.
- A resume will not get you a job.
How will I use my resume?
- Give it as a reminder of your qualifications to people writing letter of recommendation for you.
- Send it, along with a cover letter, to potential employers.
- Leave it with personnel directors when you visit in person. No cover letter is needed.
How will a prospective employer use my resume?
- An initial 20-second glance helps to screen which applicants will get interviews.
- It is a guide for questions asked during and interview. Therefore, you should know your resume!
Steps in Creating a Resume
- Write down all your experiences. List of questions
- Decide what skills and abilities the employer will be seeking.
- Categorize your experiences in terms of those desired skills and abilities.
- Use on the final resume experiences that best highlight your qualifications. Recent college graduates can keep a resume to one page. back to top
A concise, one-page, typed cover letter is sent to potential employers and has three purposes: (see example)
1. to state why you are sending a resume and letter;
2. to make a connection with each individual employer. Let the reader know that you know some thing about their company or school. Mention some thing about yourself, qualifications, experience, or training that would be useful to the employer. Avoid repeating everything on the resume.
3. to say what you will do next. "I will call you in a few weeks to arrange a time to discuss my qualifications..."Avoid "I will look forward to hearing from you." You may wait a long time. back to top
Resume and letter production:
- Present a graphically attractive layout. The notebook in Career Services has multiple examples. Find more on-line at http://www.jobstar.org/tools/resume/samples.htm
- Lead the reader's eye to important information by using bold, italic or capital letters. Don't, however, use more than two graphic elements at a time.
- Limit the number of margins to three or four.
- Keep a minimum 1" border of white space on all four sides.
- Begin resume sentences with an action word. Help the reader understand your experience and responsibility by choosing the verbs carefully. A resume sentence is not a complete sentence as in other writing.
- Proofread, proofread, proofread! Check spelling, grammar and punctuation.
- Photocopy the original resume onto quality resume paper, using a high quality copier.
- For an attractive presentation, the resume and cover letter paper match the envelope. back to top
Questions
to help you analyze work
or education experiences
- What skills have you developed as a result of the experience?
- What do you know now that might be useful in the future?
- Did you supervise any people?
- Did you make decisions or recommendations?
- Recommendations?
- What were your job responsibilities?
- How did they change or develop over the course of the experience?
- Did you operate any equipment or computers?
- Did you gather any information?
- Did you analyze information in any way?
- Did your experience involve co-workers? teamwork?
- Teamwork?
- Can you quantify the results of your work? (i.e. increase in sales, percentile rank in class, number of customers served)
- Did you produce any written document or report?
- Did you help other people in any way?
- How well were you able to meet deadlines and handle pressure?
- Did you assume any planning responsibilities?
- How much time did you work each week?
- Have you paid for a large percentage of your own college expenses?
- Have you gained a better understanding of...?
- Did workshops and seminars increase your qualifications? back to top
Where to look for potential employers
- talk to everyone you know: friends, family acquaintances, parents of friends or classmates, church members, your hairdresser, dentist, etc.
- Career Center directories and job listings
- yellow pages
- news stories often indicate new jobs or possible vacancies
- Chamber of Commerce directories
- professional organizations
- professional journals
- state employment commissions
- Internet sites, employer web pages
- want ads back to top
Available from Career Services
- Job lists
- FOCUS II A computer program for learning about yourself, searching for occupations, learning about occupations, searching for schools
- Job search information on resume writing, interviewing, job openings and choosing or changing careers
- Self-assesment tools
- Career advising
- Confidential credential service for alumni
- Workshops
- Graduate school catalogs and program information
- Graduate test registration materials
- Internship, study/work abroad listings, voluntary service information
- Jobs in camps, resorts and national parks by state
- On campus interviews back to top
Resume layout
Your Name
123 Any Street
Anytown, VA 12345
(123) 456-7890
Goal --- ----- ----- --- ---- ---------- --- ------- -------- --------- ---- -------- ---- ----------- ---------- --
Qualifications* --- ----- ----- --- ---- ---------- --- ------- -------- --------- ---- --- ----- ----- --- ---- ---------- --- ------- -------- --------- ---- -------- ---- -----------
Education* -- ----- ----- --- ---- ---------- --- ------- -------- --------- ---- --- ----- ----- --- ---- ---------- --- ------- -------- --------- ---- -------- ---- -----------
Leadership* -- ----- ----- --- ---- ---------- --- ------- -------- --------- ---- --- ----- ----- --- ---- ---------- --- ------- -------- --------- ---- -------- ---- -----------
Work History* -- ----- ----- --- ---- ---------- --- ------- -------- --------- ---- --- ----- ----- --- ---- ---------- --- ------- -------- --------- ---- -------- ---- ----------- back to top
Cover letter layout
123
Any Street
Anytown, VA 12345
(123) 456-7890
January 1, 200__
Mr. John Doe
Director of Personnel
Do-Re-Mi Incorporated
456 Any Street
Anytown, VA 12345
Dear Mr. Doe,
Tell why you are writing. Get the reader's attention.
Sell your qualifications. Direct your remarks to the reader's point of view. Imagine what the employer needs to have done and show how your qualifications meet that need. Try not to repeat all the information found on the resume. Tell why you are interested in this particular company, school, locations, type of work, etc.
Take charge of the next step. Show your desire for an application or an interview. Ask for-without demanding-a specific action from the employer. State when you are available and will call to set up an interview at the employer's convenience.
Sincerely,
Your Name
Possible resume categories
 |
Goal Objective Purpose Target Job Target Career Goal Career Objective Career Interests Career Target Formal Training Education Publication Awards Certification Practica Organization Experience(s) Work History Teaching Experience Leadership Personal Interests Activities Professional Memberships |
Senior
Project / Thesis Honors Other Experiences Travel Language Ability Workshops / Seminars Qualifications Abilities Skills Related Skills Communication Creative Competencies Summer Employment Educational Highlights Special Training / Qualifications Community Involvement Service Career Related Experiences Extra Curricular Activities Areas of Effectiveness |
