1. Cover Letter & Resume Workshop January 11, 2011 Allan Rodgers, MBA, MEd Associate Professor, Business Vermont Technical College arodgers@vtc.edu

2. Topics What do employers want? How to create a resume How to write a cover letter Hints and tips 2

3. What Do Employers Want? In a survey of 125 Vermont leaders, essential missing skills among employees include Communication Teamwork/Team building Work Ethic Basic Computer Multi-tasking Basic reading, math, writing Conflict Management Project Management Candidates should highlight these skills wherever possible. 3

4. How to create a resume A resume… Should help get an interview Serves as a personal advertisement Is an introduction Can save you and an employer time Helps you and an employer plan an interview Can give you a competitive advantage if done well Should be customized to the job 4

5. How to create a resume Step One: Inventory your assets Don’t try to compose perfectly “on the computer” Plan to list more assets than you may need for any one specific job For each applicable job, list your Responsibilities, Skills, Accomplishments, and Knowledge. Jobs You Had or Have RSAK 5

6. How to create a resume Jobs You Had or Have ResponsibilitiesSkillsAccomplishKnow 1. 2. 3. 4. 1. 2. 3. 4. 1. 2. 3. 4. 1. 2. 3. 4. 6

7. Assets Inventory For accomplishments, use action verbs… reorganized, reduced, expanded, supervised, planned, coordinated For skills, avoid generalizations…be specific…avoid pronouns – I, we, etc. In all cases, be specific, e.g., “Planned and implemented new inventory control system, saving $10,000 per year.” 7

8. Asset Inventory Education State each degree earned Record dates in worksheet List majors, minors, dissertations if applicable If attended, but no degree, list name of college If currently enrolled, list with expected completion date List any job-related training List any special skills No need to list high school if attended college 8

9. Asset Inventory Home duties –list any responsibilities, skills, accomplishments, knowledge…e.g., designed and built home addition Hobbies - list any responsibilities, skills, accomplishments, knowledge…e.g., won state bowling championship Associations/Professional affiliations Publications 9

10. Writing your resume: Match your assets with the job Asset Inventory Job Requirements Resume Content 10

11. Writing your resume: Match your assets with the job Go to the job description and highlight every descriptive word: “Wanted: Energetic, people-oriented sales person for small retail operation …” Now, go to your inventory assets and highlight matching or similar words Expect to write several drafts of your resume! Expect to write adapt or re-write your resume for every job or opportunity. 11

12. Resume Formats FormatStyleGood ForAvoid ChronologicalLists employment & education newest to oldest Shows career path Conventional fields Ease of reading Easy organization If there are employment gaps Job changers FunctionalList most relevant functions first Shows strength & skills Brings important older skills to top If you want to show growth & development Other Combination Targeted Keyword Customized for specific job title or job description Focusing on functional needs of one job If unable to spend time researching company/job 12

13. 10 seconds… the time recruiters spend screening your resume for the first time. 13

14. What’s in a resume? 1. Contact information 2. Career Objective 3. Summary of Qualifications 4. Work Experience 5. Education, training, professional development 6. Licenses & certifications 7. Associations & professional affiliations 8. Publications 9. Other skills 14

15. 1. Contact Information John Smith 99 Greenfield Drive Stowe, VT 05672 (802) 777-5555 John.smith@gmail.com 15 Do you have a professional email address?

16. 2. Career Objective Career Objective: Management position in retail sales 16 Be concise! It’s okay to have short and long term objectives. Avoid a career objective that simply copies the job opening

17. 3. Summary of Qualifications Energetic, motivated, quick learner who enjoys working with the public. Adept at computer and telephone sales. 17 This can and should change for each job.

18. 4. Experience A. Chronological 1. Job (newest date) Accomplishment 2. Assistant Sales Manager (dates) Managed 4 employees Updated pricing system Reduced excess inventory by 20% B. Functional Retails Skills Managed 4 employees Computer Skills Updated pricing system Inventory Skills Reduced excess inventory by 20% 18

19. 5. Education Most recent degree Certifications 19

20. Other Resume Areas 6. Licenses & certifications Microsoft Certified 7. Associations & professional affiliations Member: Greater Boston Retail Association 8. Publications “Selling to Minorities,” Journal of Marketing, June 2009 9. Other skills Developed personal website 20

21. Resume Do’s & Do Not’s Do Check spelling, grammar, typos Use 8 ½ x 11 white paper Use generous margins Use one font – easy to read (Times or Arial, e.g.) Use 12 size font Stick to one page if possible Do Not XUse abbreviations or acronyms XInclude references XMention salary expectations or wage history XUse “I” XInclude a photograph for most resumes XUse a cursive or fancy style font 21

22. How to write a cover letter 22

23. Types of cover letters Type of LetterDescription ApplicationAnswers a specific job ad; Focuses on matching your qualifications with specific job Cold ContactSent to employer without specific job Match your qualifications with perceived needs of employer based on research ReferralUsually sent from leads provided by others Mentions person who provided company information 23

24. What’s in the cover letter? Paragraph 1: Why are you writing & how you heard of the opening or company (or person referring you) Paragraphs 2 (&3): What you have to offer…demonstrate you understand the needs of the company…state how you meet those needs Paragraph 4: Say something positive about the company Paragraph 5: Thanks… how will you follow up 24

25. Cover letter tips Use a person’s name (may require calling) Highlight most relevant background Use key words for scannable letters & resumes Use same paper, font, format as resume Keep it to one page No typos, errors, etc. Keep a copy 25

26. Questions? Thank you and good luck! For additional help, contact your local Vermont Department of Labor office. 26