Resume and Cover Letters: Essential Tips for Job Application Success
Craft a winning resume and cover letter with expert advice from career center advisors. Learn key points to market yourself effectively, follow the 3 golden rules for creating an impressive document, and debunk common myths. Take action with concrete steps to showcase your identity, objectives, education, and accomplishments. Understand the difference between duties and accomplishments to stand out to potential employers.
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Presentation Transcript
Resume and Cover Letters Megan Riksen and Breeann Gorham Career Center Advisors
Resume Key Points Purpose? (Does not get you the job!) Marketing yourself Targeted to the job Read job descriptions to use buzz words Content-what do you want the employer to know
3 Golden Rules Eye appeal- Bold, italics, underline, NO TEMPLATES! You only have10-30 seconds to impress Order- Headers and Content Descriptors- Accomplishment Statements
Myths One page? References? Objective?
Taking Action! Identity Objective Make it Bold! Name, address, phone number and email address The FOCUS Specifies position and skills to contribute To obtain an information technology internship to contribute my programming skills
Taking Action! Headings Education Highlight skills and experience Examples- Leadership, Coursework, Activities Name of College with city and state Degree-date received or expected, GPA Coursework, Study abroad
Do Writing, Organizing Your Me-Search Are Know Flexible, Detail-oriented Software, Technical
Activity #1 Share your Me-search qualities and major with a partner. Notice similarities and differences of qualities Be Specific!
Accomplishment vs. Duties Action verbs- Directed instead of Responsible for Adjectives and adverbs- excellent, progressively Quantify- Supervised a group of 20 students Positive Results- So What?? Why?
Accomplishment Statement Before: Supervised front desk of the residence hall After: Supervised eight front desk employees to ensure excellent customer service to 150 residents
Lets Create Create your own Accomplishment Statement using all four points Be specific So what?
Content Awards Activities-Extra-curricular, Intramural Sports Community Involvement-Volunteer, Outreach Research Projects Conferences References- Make sure person knows
Cover Letter Key points Target to match organization or position Match skills to job description Address to specific person Name drop if referred by someone
Format Use same header as your resume Put the date and address of the organization Address letter with a contact name Keep everything aligned to the left side
First Paragraph Introduce yourself, major, degree Indicate reason you are writing Specify the position you are applying for Show you did some research by mentioning something that impressed you about organization Display your enthusiasm!
Second Paragraph Show off your skills, knowledge, passion and how you would contribute Demonstrate experiences and match with position requirements Show don t Tell!
Third Paragraph Express interest in an interview Display your interest in the position again End with a positive statement that lets them know you look forward to hearing from them End with a Cordially or Best and your signature
Time for Tens www.gvsu.edu/careers Location: Allendale 206 Student Services Building Pew Campus 101B DeVos Center Hours: Monday through Thursday 10:00 am 12:00 pm and 1:00 3:00 pm
