1. RESUMES, REFERENCES, & COVER LETTERS
Micah Willeford &
Jennifer Greenwood
Career Specialists

2. RESUMES
Tips and Tricks

3. RESUMES GENERAL PRACTICES
Keep a file of everything!
Use bulleted lists
Never use abbreviations or acronyms
Keep resume in the correct tense
Highlight your strengths
Use keywords from the job posting
White space is good
Stick to the basics (paper, color, font, etc…)
Spell check!! 3

4. RESUMES THINGS TO INCLUDE
Your contact information
How professional is your address?
[A summary]
Current school information
Related work experience
Extracurricular activities
Honors, Awards, Recognitions
Skills, Abilities
References
Professional, not just personal

5. Tell me what you notice. What do you like? What do you not like?

6. Tell me what you notice. What do you like? What do you not like?

7. Tell me what you notice. What do you like? What do you not like?

8. Tell me what you notice. What do you like? What do you not like?

9. Tell me what you notice.
What do you like?
What do you not like?

10. RESUME EXAMPLE

11. SAMPLE ACADEMIC RESUME
What is different?
Where is the focus?

13. What you can get
from OKCareerguide

14. COVER LETTERS
What should you include?

15. COVER LETTERS
Include your contact information
Consider using a similar header for your cover letter and resume
Employer Contact information
Greeting
Dear Mr./Mrs./Ms. Last Name
Dear Hiring Manager
Try to avoid “To Whom It May Concern” Why?
First Paragraph
Include information on why you are writing. Mention the position you are applying for and where you found the job listing. Include the name of a mutual contact, if you have one.
Yes, tactful name dropping is okay!
Middle Paragraph(s)
Describe what you have to offer the employer. Mention specifically how your qualifications match the job you are applying for.
This should not be your resume in paragraph form. Just hit the high points.

16. COVER LETTERS Final Paragraph Closing Signature
Thank them for considering you for the position
Let them know you’re looking forward to hearing back from them, or that you welcome an opportunity to further discuss your qualifications/interest in the position.
Let them know how you will follow up.
Are you calling next week? Are you planning to wait it out, letting them make contact first? Will you send a follow up ?
Closing
Sincerely,
Thank you,
Respectfully yours,
Signature
Handwritten, if possible.
Type your name below where you plan to sign

17. COVER LETTER

18. REFERENCE REQUEST LETTER
What should you include?

19. Reference Request Letter
Ask early -in person if possible
Be prepared for the person to say ‘no’ to your request.
Provide the potential reference with your resume, information about the
scholarship, and an envelope you have already addressed and stamped
Information about the scholarship would include things such as criteria,
the focus of the scholarship [service, academic, etc.], the name of the person or group to whom the letter should be addressed, and the deadline.
Waive your right to see the letter. This will encourage a more candid letter from the teacher, counselor, employer etc and such a letter will carry more weight.
After the process is over, send a thank-you note to the person, and let
them know the result.

20. Reference Request Letter
Include your contact information
Consider using a similar header for your cover letter and resume
Greeting
Dear Mr./Mrs./Ms. Last Name
Try to avoid “To Whom It May Concern” Why?
The Letter
Include your purpose for writing.
Give information about the scholarship or job.
Thank them and give them a way to contact you.
. Closing
Sincerely,
Thank you,
Signature
Handwritten, if possible.
Type your name below where you plan to sign

21. REFERENCE REQUEST LETTER

22. SAMPLE ACADEMIC RESUME
What is different?
Where is the focus?

23. Micah Willeford & Jennifer Greenwood
THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME!
Want to discuss further? Come see me!
Micah Willeford & Jennifer Greenwood
MHS-Freshman Office WHS-C3 SHS-Counseling Office