1. 1 Resumes & Cover Letters Internship & Career Services Center North Carolina Wesleyan College

2. 2 What’s the purpose? A cover letter’s purpose is to get your resume read. A cover letter’s purpose is to get your resume read. A résumé's purpose is to get you an interview. A résumé's purpose is to get you an interview.

3. 3 Resumes

4. 4 What is a resume? Your personal commercial Your personal commercial Should present you and your skills in the best light Should present you and your skills in the best light First impression!! (and maybe your only one) First impression!! (and maybe your only one) Should be to the point Should be to the point Should be targeted Should be targeted

5. 5 How to start Review your personal information and experience. Review your personal information and experience. Start with a blank piece of paper, not a template, and list each item that has relevance. Start with a blank piece of paper, not a template, and list each item that has relevance. Go for volume here and focus on details and specifics. You will condense this information later. Go for volume here and focus on details and specifics. You will condense this information later.

6. 6 Resume Basics One page (unless you are far into your career) One page (unless you are far into your career) Free of mistakes and typos Free of mistakes and typos Clean and crisp format with items listed in order of relevance Clean and crisp format with items listed in order of relevance Consistency in alignment and emphasis (bold, italics, capitals, underline, punctuation, font) Consistency in alignment and emphasis (bold, italics, capitals, underline, punctuation, font) Action verbs Action verbs Bullets Bullets Conservative, fine paper Conservative, fine paper Conservative fonts and graphics Conservative fonts and graphics

7. 7 Formatting Chronological Chronological –Lists employment history in chronological order (most recent first) –Recommended if you have relevant experience Functional Functional –Lists skills rather than specific jobs held, no dates –Not recommended Combination Combination –Lists skills in categories as well as employment history –Recommended if you do not have relevant experience but do have many transferable skills or if you have had many similar jobs

8. 8 What makes up a resume? Header Header Objective (optional) Objective (optional) Education Education Experience Experience Special Skills Special Skills College/Community/Personal Involvement College/Community/Personal Involvement Interests and Activities Interests and Activities  A resume is a highly personal document so you may or may not choose to use all of these categories. You may even need to add some unique categories of your own.

9. 9 Other Possible Sections Military Experience Military Experience Honors and Awards Honors and Awards Professional Affiliations Professional Affiliations Computer/Technical Skills Computer/Technical Skills Community Involvement/Service Community Involvement/Service Executive Summary/Profile Executive Summary/Profile Languages Languages Activities/Interests Activities/Interests

10. 10 Header Includes contact information Includes contact information –Name –Address (current & permanent) –Phone (Is your voicemail appropriate?) –Email (something basic like jwarren@hotmail.com not msthang@aol.com or even preacherdaughter@juno.com) jwarren@hotmail.com msthang@aol.com preacherdaughter@juno.com jwarren@hotmail.com msthang@aol.com preacherdaughter@juno.com Examples Examples Examples

11. 11 Objective State the position you are seeking. State the position you are seeking. –This can be specific to mention a specific job title or general, mentioning the the type of position you are seeking but not with a company name. Can be eliminated if the resume is full but MUST be in mind when creating the resume. Can be eliminated if the resume is full but MUST be in mind when creating the resume. Use wording like “To obtain…” or simply say “Internship in….” Use wording like “To obtain…” or simply say “Internship in….”

12. 12 Examples of Objectives An Assistant Programmer position with Computech Consulting. An Assistant Programmer position with Computech Consulting. –Specific – must change for every company A laboratory position using strong research and observation skills. A laboratory position using strong research and observation skills. –General – can be sent to multiple employers An internship in the management field that will allow me to utilize and expand on my skills in organization and communication. An internship in the management field that will allow me to utilize and expand on my skills in organization and communication. –General – can be sent to multiple employers A position which will allow me to use my education and experience to contribute to your company’s mission. A position which will allow me to use my education and experience to contribute to your company’s mission. –Poor (much too broad)

13. 13 Education Most recent degree first Most recent degree first Educational institution & location Educational institution & location Major/minor/concentration Major/minor/concentration –Use correct wording!!! (Bachelor of Arts – NOT – Bachelor’s of Arts) Date degree granted (or anticipated) Date degree granted (or anticipated) GPA GPA –Can list cumulative and major –Do not list if it is not 3.0 or better Study abroad and academic honors Study abroad and academic honors

14. 14 Education (continued) Relevant Coursework Relevant Coursework –Add if you don’t have much experience High school information not needed High school information not needed Can include military training if relevant Can include military training if relevant Examples Examples Examples

15. 15 Experience Relevant experience listed in reverse chronological order (most recent 1 st ) Relevant experience listed in reverse chronological order (most recent 1 st ) Can list paid or non-paid experiences Can list paid or non-paid experiences –Full or part-time work –Volunteer work –Internships Include your title, employer name and location (city, state), dates, and duties Include your title, employer name and location (city, state), dates, and duties Focus on functions you performed, skills you gained, and any accomplishments Focus on functions you performed, skills you gained, and any accomplishments –Use numbers and figures when possible

16. 16 Experience (continued) Action verbs Action verbs Bulleted list of most important points Bulleted list of most important points Past tense for former positions Past tense for former positions Quantify whenever possible Quantify whenever possible

17. 17 Experience (continued) How can these be worded more effectively? How can these be worded more effectively? –Responsible for staff Hired, trained, and supervised a staff of 14 computer operators Hired, trained, and supervised a staff of 14 computer operators –Duties included: writing and editing Designed, wrote, and edited promotional materials including brochures and instruction manuals Designed, wrote, and edited promotional materials including brochures and instruction manuals Examples

18. 18 Special Skills This is the place to list special skills you have that were not mentioned in your employment history. This is the place to list special skills you have that were not mentioned in your employment history. –Languages you speak/write –Computer skills –Laboratory skills –Other special skills and/or licenses You may decide to divide these categories into their own sections You may decide to divide these categories into their own sections

19. 19 Involvement List involvement you have had outside of the workplace that is relevant to your field. This can include college and/or community organizations. List involvement you have had outside of the workplace that is relevant to your field. This can include college and/or community organizations. –Name of organization –Role you played (offices held, accomplishments, etc.) –Dates of involvement –Description of organization (if it’s not clear)

20. 20 What not to include Personal information Personal information References References False or embellished information False or embellished information

21. 21 Preparation Prepare your resume in a word processing program without using a template or wizard. These tools may appear convenient but they are difficult to work with when you need to tailor your resume to your needs. Prepare your resume in a word processing program without using a template or wizard. These tools may appear convenient but they are difficult to work with when you need to tailor your resume to your needs. Review your resume to determine whether the format is clear and consistent. Review your resume to determine whether the format is clear and consistent. Proofread and ask others familiar with your field to look over it. The ICSC offers this service! Proofread and ask others familiar with your field to look over it. The ICSC offers this service!

22. 22 Preparation (continued) Make any final changes based on feedback from others to ensure your resume is error free. Errors on your resume will give the impression to employers that you make errors in all of your work. Make any final changes based on feedback from others to ensure your resume is error free. Errors on your resume will give the impression to employers that you make errors in all of your work. Keep your resume up to date and make adjustments as needed when applying for varying positions. Keep your resume up to date and make adjustments as needed when applying for varying positions. Save an electronic file of all versions you create. Save an electronic file of all versions you create.

23. 23 Final Touches Print your resume on fine paper (24lb. cotton bond paper) in a neutral color (pure white, cream, ecru, beige, grey). Be sure to use a good printer to avoid smears. Print your resume on fine paper (24lb. cotton bond paper) in a neutral color (pure white, cream, ecru, beige, grey). Be sure to use a good printer to avoid smears. Use same paper for cover letter. Use same paper for cover letter. Include abbreviated heading on all pages of resume (or add a footer). Include abbreviated heading on all pages of resume (or add a footer). Add page numbers if more than one page. Add page numbers if more than one page. Never staple or fold – use large envelopes Never staple or fold – use large envelopes

24. 24 References Never include these on the resume Never include these on the resume “References available upon request” is not needed on the resume “References available upon request” is not needed on the resume Place references on separate page with all contact information listed Place references on separate page with all contact information listed List about 4-5 varied individuals who you are CERTAIN will provide glowing references List about 4-5 varied individuals who you are CERTAIN will provide glowing references Example Example Example

25. 25 ICSC Resume Review Email completed resumes & cover letters to jwarren@ncwc.edu or use the “Review Center” option in Optimal Resume. Email completed resumes & cover letters to jwarren@ncwc.edu or use the “Review Center” option in Optimal Resume.jwarren@ncwc.edu Include a mention of the type of work you are hoping to obtain. Include a mention of the type of work you are hoping to obtain.

26. 26 Cover Letters

27. 27 Cover Letter Essentials Professional, personable, and direct Professional, personable, and direct MUST be relevant to the position desired MUST be relevant to the position desired Address to a specific person Address to a specific person –NEVER “to whom it may concern” Include your contact information Include your contact information Write a unique letter for every position Write a unique letter for every position –Try to mention skills listed in the job announcement and match them to your skills Limit to one page Limit to one page

28. 28 Break-Down Introduction Paragraph – how you found the position (any name that referred you) Introduction Paragraph – how you found the position (any name that referred you) Middle Paragraph – highlight your skills and how these match the position (can use a chart) Middle Paragraph – highlight your skills and how these match the position (can use a chart) Closing Paragraph – thank the reader for their time and indicate how and when you will follow up Closing Paragraph – thank the reader for their time and indicate how and when you will follow up Salutation – “sincerely” or other appropriate choice followed by your signature and typed name Salutation – “sincerely” or other appropriate choice followed by your signature and typed name Example Example Example