1. Preparing for the Job Market:
Cover Letters, Job Applications, & Resumes
AVID Standard 3.0 Students will develop proficiency in “writing to learn” across the curriculum

2. Average Weekly Earnings by Educational Level (2006)

3. Think of College as a Job
The average college graduate makes roughly $1,200,000 more in lifetime earnings than a person having only a high school diploma.

4. California Minimum Wages from 1916-2008

5. Cover Letters
A cover letter is a one page typed letter that has three goals:
To introduce yourself to an employer
To briefly describe your skills and work experience
To ask the employer for an interview

6. John Q. Student 1234 My Road Blvd. Santee, CA 92071
April 16, 2013
Mrs. Kohler,
AVID Coordinator
West Hills High School
8756 Mast Blvd.
Dear Mrs. Kohler:
I am interested in applying for a job as an AVID tutor at West Hills High School.
I am currently a senior at West Hills High School. I have been in the AVID program for the last five years and have found it to be very successful both for me and my peers. I believe it has helped me strive to do my best in all my classes. It has certainly helped me maintain my 3.9 G.P.A. I have experience working as a peer tutor in other AVID classes and experience teaching Sunday School at my church. I am a dependable and mature young man who can work with many types of people.
I have heard great things about your AVID program from friends of mine. I would love to work at a one of the best schools in Grossmont District as an AVID tutor. I hope you decide that you can use an employee like me in your AVID program. Please call me for an interview. My home phone number is (619) 123– Thank you in advance for considering me for the position. I look forward to hearing from you.
Sincerely,
John Q. Student
Enclosures: Resume
Application

7. Job Applications
A job application gives the employer a snapshot of who you are. Remember:
Follow directions carefully!
Don’t fold or crumble the application
Deliver in person when possible

8. Neatness Counts!
If you write like this, typing would be best!

9. Job Application

10. Words Not to Use on an Application When Looking For a New Job
quit
fired
not enough money
low pay or need more money
did not like the job
hours too long
not enough hours
pay was too low
bad working conditions
got in fight at work
did not like boss (or coworkers)
tired of customers
had to quit due to low grades

11. Words to Use on an Application When Looking For a New Job
resigned
you want: career growth potential, more challenges, career change, more responsibility, career change, to learn new skills, advancement opportunity, want to enter management training program,
company downsized workforce

12. What is a Résumé?
A résumé is a brief but detailed synopsis of your life. It includes:
heading
objective
education
work experience
school organizations
community service
honors, awards, and memberships
interests, hobbies, and talents
references

15. Action Words to Use on a Résumé
Accomplished
Achieved
Adopted
Adjusted
Administered
Advised
Analyzed
Assessed
Assisted
Attained
Budgeted
Calculated
Collaborated
Communicated
Completed
Conducted
Consolidated
Constructed
Consulted
Contributed
Controlled
Coordinated
Counseled
Created
Decreased
Delegated
Delivered
Demonstrated
Designed
Developed
Disseminated
Distributed
Diverted
Doubled
Eliminated
Enforced
Engineered
Equipped
Established
Evaluated
Executed
Expanded
Expedited
Generated
Implemented
Improved
Improvised
Increased
Initiated
Inspected
Inspired
Installed
Instructed
Introduced
Investigated
Launched
Maintained
Managed
Monitored
Motivated
Multiplied
Negotiated
Obtained
Opened
Operated
Ordered
Organized
Originated
Persuaded
Predicted
Prepared
Prescribed
Produced
Promoted
Proposed
Provided
Realized
Recommended
Reconciled
Reduced
Reinforced
Repaired
Revamped
Reviewed
Revised
Revitalized
Risked
Saved
Scheduled
Secured
Simplified
Sold
Solved
Strengthened
Submitted
Succeeded
Supervised
Supported
Trained
Transferred
Translated
Troubleshot
Unified
Upgraded
Utilized
Won
Wrote