1. Resumes and Cover Letters A UW SSW Writing Center Workshop

2. Workshop Agenda Why write these? Resumes
What are they? What info to include? Tips?
Cover Letters
What are they? How to structure? Tips?
It’s not just about the “hiring manager”

3. Why Write These?
Yes, a frustrating, capitalistic, racist system, and also...
It is a medium for advertising yourself and how you’re the right match for the opportunity (work, but also scholarships, volunteer position, etc.).
The purpose of your resume and cover letter are to land an interview
Through your resume, you can showcase assets like:
Dangerous - can be subject to interpretation
Qualifications
Experience
Achievements
Capabilities
Qualities

4. Resumes

5. What is a Resume?
Persuasive, brief document that demonstrates how you are qualified for a given job opportunity by presenting your relevant experience, summarized
At most basic, shows how you meet the minimum requirements of a position
Better yet, show why you would be a good fit
As you apply to different positions, you may need to tweak your resume and save different versions, so that what you submit is tailored to a given position
Usually, 1-2 pages. In social work, the “one page rule” does not always apply
Dangerous - can be subject to interpretation

6. Information to Include in a Resume
Contact information
Name, , telephone, address
Education
Institutions attended and associated dates (month, year), degrees/certificates awarded, concentrations or minors, and GPA (if high)
If not graduated, can say “Expected [Month] [Year]”
Work experience
Title of position and associated employer and dates
Highlight duties and accomplishments with relevance to the position you’re applying for in 3-4 bullet points

7. Optional Information for a Resume
Statement of purpose
Languages
Skills
Interests
Volunteer experience

8. Resumes: To Keep In Mind
Content:
Include your experiences of greatest relevance to the opportunity
Highlight the results of your work
Language:
Be direct--use as few words as possible
Quantify your work
Ex. Outputs: # of clients served; % increased, etc.
Ex. Frequency: Weekly; Monthly; etc.
Use exact keywords that employers are using in their job descriptions--computers may filter you!

9. Resumes: To Keep In Mind
Use a variety of action-oriented verbs to describe your work
Image Source:

10. Resumes: To Keep In Mind
Process:
Read the job listing, and consider how what of your experiences match what’s being asked for
Proofread several times to catch typos and misspellings
Ask a friend, coworker, or superviser to review it
Format:
Use “professional” looking font
Be careful not to crowd the page

11. Activity Pick one position on your resume, and consider:
Does my description highlight relevant skills or activities to my desired position?
Did I use language that is consistent with the job posting?
Have I quantified my work?
Are the results of my work clear?
Did I use action-oriented verbs?
Try editing based on your answers

12. Cover Letters

13. What is a Cover Letter?
Persuasive, 1 page letter through which you can express your voice, enthusiasm for the opportunity, and perspective on why you are a great fit for the position
Dangerous - can be subject to interpretation

14. Basic Structure of a Cover Letter
List your name and contact information (Tip: use same header as your resume for a professional look)
Include the date
Address the recipient by name (You may have to do some digging to find this, but a name is far better than generic “Dear hiring manager”)
Open with an introduction
Include an opening paragraph about your intent to apply
Write a second paragraph about your background
Conclude with reasons why you are uniquely qualified
End with your signature
Dangerous - can be subject to interpretation

15. Cover Letters: To Keep In Mind
Should not repeat your resume, but complement it
Make them want to meet and hire you
Tell meaningful anecdotes that tie your skills to concrete problem-solving activities or tangible results you’ve worked on in your career
If you’ve worked several kinds of positions, you can highlight a common “thread” or path if desired

16. How to Make This for YOU

17. When Writing a Cover Letter/Resume
Consider your motivation, passion, and/or dedication
Use it as an exercise to remind yourself of times when YOU were proud of your work
Tell a story that makes YOU feel good
Not just about selling yourself to a hiring manager
A chance to remind yourself about what YOU want and why

18. Questions?

19. Resources Odegaard Writing Center
Career and Internship Center at UW
Jobs and Careers Webpage in UW Library
Owl Purdue