Notes

Outline

Resume and Letter of Application pp. 226-229

Resume

Resume: Content Begin with contact information (name, address, phone, email) Include sections on job objective, education, awards, employment/experience, related extracurricular activities, references

Resume: Content Select information relevant to potential job List information in reverse chronological order (most recent first)

Resume: Content Use years rather than precise by-the-month dates Proofread carefully

Resume: Layout Limit printed resumes to one page Use traditional serif fonts for printed resumes, sans serif fonts for online resumes

Resume: Layout Use one inch page margins Set contact information apart with borders Place dates after listings Place reference information at bottom of page

Resume: Job Objective Use fewest words possible Be specific about the type of job

Resume: Job Objective Answer these questions: WHAT do you want to do? FOR WHOM or WITH WHOM do you want to do it? WHERE do you want to do it? AT WHAT LEVEL OF RESPONSIBILITY?

Resume: Job Objective Example: Objective: Position as head teacher of autistic children in a public school

Resume: Experience Account for all significant periods of time Emphasize transferable skills from paid and unpaid experience

Resume: Experience Consider informal ways you acquired marketable skills Working on a school paper or yearbook Promoting/Organizing a public event Helping with church activities Coaching/tutoring Club leadership/committee membership

Resume: Experience Use bullets to list specific responsibilities or skills acquired from each experience Use past tense bullets for past experience, present tense for current experience

Letter of Application

Letter: Format Limit the letter to one page Use one-inch margins on all sides Begin all items flush with the left margin of the page

Letter: Format Single-space within paragraphs and double-space between paragraphs Use the same font and type size throughout

Letter: Content Sound confident without exaggerating (avoid boasting) Maintain formal tone Avoid over-praising the company

Letter: Content Top of Page: Your address (single-spaced) Double-space Today’s date Double-space

Letter: Content Top of Page: Addressee’s name, title, name and address of organization

Letter: Content Top of Page: Double-space Salutation, “Dear ____:” Use name of specific person or department Use Mr., Ms., or title (Dr., Professor)—no Dear Mrs. or Dear Sirs!!

Letter: Content First Paragraph—Job: Specify job for which you are applying and where you found out about it Mention person who referred you

Letter: Content First Paragraph—Job: Show you have researched company background Add any specifics about job

Letter: Content Second Paragraph—Education: Explain educational background Include degrees and schools Include specific educational activities and skills relevant to job

Letter: Content Third Paragraph—Experience: Elaborate on experiences from resume most relevant to job Explain specific responsibilities and activities Explain specific skills acquired that are relevant to job

Letter: Content Final Paragraph—Contact Information: Summarize your qualifications Include contact information Indicate availability for interviews

Letter: Content Closing Close with “Sincerely,” Leave 3 or 4 line spaces in which to sign your name Type your name beneath empty space