1. RESUMES, COVER LETTERS AND INTERVIEWING

2. What is a Resume?
A marketing tool that summarizes your qualifications, education, experience, and skills
Beginning your resume early allows you to keep track of all activities and experiences throughout college!

3. Where do I start?
Contact info!
Name, school address, permanent address, phone number, and address.
Choose from a variety of formats – see for details on options

4. Examples Susan Student Susan Student________________________________
Current Address: Permanent Address:
ASU Box Ash Way
Boone, NC Your City, NC 28111
(828) (306)
Susan Student________________________________
Ash Way
Your City, NC 28111
(306)

5. TIPS! DO NOT USE A TEMPLATE!!
Type out your resume in a Word document using a format that you like
Your name should be the biggest item on the page
Make sure to keep information current and correct
Do not include personal information, photos, birthday, etc.

6. Objective Gives the resume organization, coherence, and direction
Tells employers who you are in terms of your goals and skills
May be different depending on positions you are applying for!
Objectives are OPTIONAL

7. TIPS!
Objective can be left off if you are aiming at a diverse group of positions, are unsure about what type of position you are seeking, or passing out your resume at a career fair
If you use an objective, then tailor it specifically to a job/internship

8. Good Examples Internship – tell how the EMPLOYER can help you!
A summer internship in a publishing company where I can learn the business and practice my editorial skills.
Job – tell the employer what YOU can bring to them!
A position as an Editorial Assistant, where strong communication skills and attention to detail will be useful in proofreading manuscripts.

9. Poor Examples A position in publishing where I can advance rapidly
I would like to obtain a position that will utilize my English degree

10. Education
Include:
School name & location
Degree working towards
Expected graduation date
Major(s), concentration (if applicable), and minor(s)
GPA (optional)
Not necessary to list schools from which you did not earn a degree
Don’t list high school information!

11. Education Optional: Dean’s List/Chancellor’s List & semester earned
Other honors and scholarships
Certifications (CPR, Childcare, etc.)
Related coursework
Study abroad

12. Example Education: Appalachian State University, Boone, NC
Bachelor of Arts Degree in English, May 2011
Concentration: Creative Writing GPA: 3.25
Minor: Sociology
Dean’s List: Spring 2007, Fall 2008
Recipient of the Truman Capote Scholarship

13. TIPS! Use bolding and italics to highlight degree
Spell out BS and BA – looks more professional
Put Education after Objective if you are currently enrolled in a program
Include month and year of graduation

14. Experience Sections Types of experience: Decide what is MOST relevant!
Paid work experiences
Volunteer work
Internships
Assistantships
Co-ops
Student organization involvement
Important class projects
Decide what is MOST relevant!
You may want to highlight RELATED experiences in one section and create additional sections and headings for other experience

15. Experience Sections What to include: Job title
Name of the organization
Location (city & state)
Dates of employment/involvement (month & year)
Include duties & responsibility, but ALSO….
Accomplishments, achievements, skills developed, and knowledge gained!

16. Experience Example Macmillan Publishing/Tor Books, New York, NY
Editorial Intern Summer 2008
Explored the process of publishing a book at every stage, from contract request to catalogue to finished book
Researched facts to ensure accuracy of books and materials before publishing
Read and evaluated unsolicited manuscripts
Proofread publications for errors

17. What is wrong with this example?
Poor Example
MacMillan Publishing/Tor Books, New York, NY
2008
Responsibilities included reviewing materials.
Acted as an editor.
Reading manuscripts
I organized and submitted error reports.
What is wrong with this example?

18. TIPS! Do not list years only. Consistency in periods and tenses.
Stay away from phrases like “responsibilities or duties included.”

19. MORE TIPS! Include job titles for all experiences.
Do not use “I” statements.
Use bolding and italics to emphasize words.
Why?
Try reading 50+ resumes with the same style of font throughout.

20. MORE TIPS! Use clear concise phrases, not complete sentences.
Use power words.
Do not over or under describe.
Use numbers when appropriate.

21. EXAMPLE I organized and submitted error reports. VERSUS
Organized and submitted three different weekly reports on errors found within manuscripts, magazines, and advertising, and distributed to each responsible department within the company.

22. Sample Headings Relevant Experience Work Experience
Related Projects
Volunteer Activities
Technical Skills
Training & Certifications
Honors & Awards
Professional Involvement
Activities
Languages
Skills & Accomplishments
Any other headings that highlight your experience!

23. SKILLS Many resumes include “Skills” Other titles include:
Skills and Competencies
Related Skills
Related Competencies

24. SKILLS Include most relevant skills for job Example:
Skills and Competencies
Proven communication skills gained from constant public interaction in past and present work.
Excellent time management and organizational skills demonstrated by working in fast paced environments where accuracy is essential.
Ability to write clearly and effectively accomplished by completing press releases, news articles and staff reports.

25. PROJECTS AND COURSEWORK
It is OK to list completed coursework in some cases, but it is often a space filler.
Instead, turn coursework into Related Projects, Research Projects or Skills and Competencies.

26. EXAMPLES Related Project Marketing Research ASU, Boone NC Fall 2007
As a team, researched the effect of the university student population on new product line at local art store
Conducted focus groups and surveys
Input and analyzed data
Documented and reported results

27. FINAL TIPS!
Have your resume reviewed several times to ensure that it is error-free!
Make sure that your resume is consistent, in look and content.
Even if you aren’t close to graduation, start out with your basic resume and keep adding to it each semester! It is easier to keep up with your activities as they happen, rather than trying to think about your entire college career at one time.

28. FINAL TIPS! Watch tenses – keep them consistent! Avoid any negativity
Don’t overuse the same adjectives, adverbs or verbs
Conservative font, not fancy – make sure that it is easy to read!

29. FINAL TIPS! Spell out acronyms
A separate page is needed for references – No need to put References Available Upon Request
Use all of the paper, eliminate empty white space
Do not overcrowd-use spaces between sections
Use an 11 or 12 point font if possible

30. Cover Letters
Usually three paragraph format – introductory, middle, and closing paragraph
Address to a specific person – Do NOT use Dear Sir or Madam: OR To Whom It May Concern:
PROOFREAD, PROOFREAD, PROOFREAD!

31. Cover Letters First Paragraph : State WHY you are writing
WHAT you are applying for
WHERE you heard about the opportunity (Name drop if you were referred!)
Say something that shows your INTEREST in the company/agency

32. Cover Letters Middle Paragraph :
WHY you are interested in the employer
Indicate WHAT you can contribute to the employer, and WHAT you hope to learn
Explain how your academic background makes you qualified
Give an overview of HOW your skills/abilities match what the employer is looking for

33. Cover Letters Closing Paragraph : Reaffirm interest in position
Refer to enclosed resume/other materials
Bring attention to your contact information
Thank person for consideration
State if/when you will be contacting them

34. References
References should always go on a SEPARATE page from your resume
3-5 references is the norm. Faculty members or job/volunteer/club supervisors who know you well are usually your best bet- NO FAMILY MEMBERS OR FRIENDS!
Include name, title, organization, address, phone #,
GET PERMISSION BEFORE USING YOUR REFERENCES! LET THEM KNOW YOU HAVE INCLUDED THEM!
No need to list “References Available Upon Request”

35. Interviewing Basics
The purpose of an interview is to present your qualifications
Be prepared to talk about your skills, abilities, experiences, and personality effectively and persuasively

36. Interviewing Basics
Prepare for the interview BEFORE you go – Do your homework!
Look at websites, brochures, talk to people, learn what you can about the company
Anticipate and practice potential questions
Prepare questions for the interviewer
Bring extra copies of your resume and references