YOUR RESUME & Cover Letters

1. YOUR RESUME& Cover Letters Dawn N. Charman, M.Ed., Rt(R)(M) Professor, Program Director Donald J. Visintainer, B.V.E., RT(R) Professor Emeritus El Camino College Radiologic Technology Program RT 255 - SPRING

3. RESUME AND COVER LETTER • HOW DOES AN EMPLOYER KNOW YOU WANT A JOB? • HOW DOES AN EMPLOYER KNOW YOUR TALENTS? • HOW DOES AN EMPLOYER KNOW YOU HAVE THE QUALIFICATIONS?

4. WHAT IS A RESUME • A tool for the job search process • Generates prospective employer’s interest • A calling card • Represents you as positive and professional

5. RESUME CONTENTS • PERSONAL DATA • EDUCATION • EMPLOYMENT • ACCOMPLISHMENTS • HOBBIES

6. YOUR RESUME SHOULD • Present you Accurately and Positively • List assets and qualifications • List only enough information

7. YOUR RESUME SHOULD NOT • Be to long or wordy • Have abbreviations, slang, or buzz words • Exaggerate, misinform, or lie

8. GET ORGANIZED • YOUR PRESENT JOB IS TO “GET A JOB.” • IT SHOULD BE A “FULL TIME COMMITMENT.” • GET A LOG / JOURNAL

9. YOUR RESUME • PUT YOUR BEST FOOT FORWARD • YOU’RE THE ONE FOR THE JOB • FIRST IMPRESSION

10. You've heard about a position that interest you. • The facility is excellent and the location is ideal. • You decide to make contact with your prospective employer. • Two pieces of paper will decide the first impression you make on the recruiter: • A resume outlining your qualifications • and a cover letter aimed specifically at the job you're trying for • The following will help you make them a winning combination.

11. Most hiring managers and recruiters agree that a resume should have a clean professional look that is easy to read. • While content is considered more important than format, the chronological format is clearly favored over others

12. Cover letters • Are a very important part of your challenge to communicate with employers and market yourself in an effective manner • Most employers will be impressed that you have included a cover letter. • It will make a statement that this is important to you

13. Cover Letter • Develop cover letters that are centered on the needs of the employer and the position. • Use the same high quality paper you use for your resume. • Address your letter to a specific person with his/her correct title whenever possible. • Get to the point early in the letter. • Identify where you heard about the position. • Don’t ramble. • Keep the letter to one page.

14. Cover Letter • Letters should be tailored to each individual situation. • Do not use generic letters that are mass mailed. • Employers are aware of generic letters and are not impressed.

15. COVER LETTER • A formal business correspondence • Short, Specific • Consists of three main parts • 1. Introduction • 2. Main points • 3. Conclusion

16. COVER LETTER Paragraph #1 INTRODUCTION • Introduce yourself • State your purpose • State your motivation for sending your resume

17. COVER LETTER Paragraph #2 MAIN POINTS • Respond to job description • Describe 3 - 4 skills that make you a match for the job

18. COVER LETTER Paragraph #3 CONCLUSION • State with confidence that you are the person for the job • State how you can be reached for an interview

19. COVER LETTER POINTERS • Should be addressed to someone specific (never address “To Whom it May Concern”) • Send with resume and/or application • Use the same color and bond of paper as used for your resume

20. Cover Letter Style and content • Find out who's in charge of hiring • call the facility's personnel office and ask for the information • explain briefly why you want to work there • Mention an employee (if true) • Your cover letter personalizes the application

21. cover letter • Follow up with a phone call • You may need to talk directly with department head. • Personnel isn’t always informed about possible positions

22. SAMPLE COVER LETTER YOUR ADDRESS AND CITY Mr. Big Director, Medical Imaging October 5, 2001 Hospital Where I want to work and make $$$$ 727 Marion Drive. Stone Mountain, CA 30087 Dear Mr. Big: I am applying for the Radiologic Technologist position that was advertised on the RT JOBS.com website this week. The position seems to be a perfect fit with my education, experience and career interests. The position advertised requires an assertive individual with strong communication skills and experience. I feel that my work experience and academic preparation makes me an ideal candidate for this position. I will graduate this October with a A.S degree from the El Camino College, Radiologic Technology Program. My extensive internship experience at HOSPTIAL ABC, as well as my course work, has prepared me well for a career in radiologic technology. As a student intern, I learned to have strong communication and team skills, while developing proficiency in performing radiologic technology procedures and patient care. My background and career goals match your job requirements and I am confident that I can perform in this position effectively. Furthermore, I am genuinely interested in starting my career at Hospital Where I want to make the $$$., Inc. Your imaging center is an established leader in industry and I am confident that I can make a meaningful contribution, if given an opportunity. Please consider my request for a personal interview so that I may further discuss my qualifications. I will call you next week to see if we can arrange a time to meet. If you need to reach me, please feel free to contact me at (404) 241-0515 or at yname@hotmail.com. Thank you for your consideration. I look forward to talking with you. Sincerely, YOUR NAME signed

24. 10 ELEMENTSOF A GOOD RESUME • Keep to two pages in length; (one page preferred) • Pages must look organized; • Typed or word processed (10-12 font) • Content must be balanced and centered;

25. 10 ELEMENTSOF GOOD RESUME • Keep information concise and easy to read; Content should be related to employment. • Be consistent in display techniques and punctuation; • Use perfect spelling;(Have two people proof-read)

26. 10 ELEMENTSOF GOOD RESUME • Be honest, Don’t exaggerate; • Avoid abbreviations, slang, and trite expressions; • Use high quality paper; “Do not fold” • Use action words, strong verbs;

27. YOUR RESUME • Your name, address, and phone number go at top of the page, so that the recruiter can easily see how to reach you. If you have more than one address or telephone, indicate when you can be reached at each one • Education • Honors and Actives • Experience and licensure • Use action verbs when describing your roles • References

28. Your honors and activities • are examples of your academic ability and social maturity • Recruiters like to see students involved in on-campus and community activities. • “A student involved in activities is an indication to us of social maturity and leadership,”

29. SAMPLE CHRONOLOGICAL RESUME GOODY R, TWOSHOES 303 Yellow Mill DriveBridgeport, CA 06604 twoshoes@emory.edu Objective: RadiologicTechnologist seeks employment at your dynamic imaging center. Experience with all aspects of diagnostic radiology, emergency room, intensive care and pediatric patients. Experience with portable and operating room radiography as well. Familiar with both film/screen and computed radiography imaging. Education A.S. in Radiologic Technology, El Camino College, Torrance, CA June 2005 Certificate in Radiologic Technology expected completion October 2005 (3.5 cumulative GPA, 3.7 major GPA) Relevant Course Work Clinical Education Internship: Hospital A October 2003 – October 2005 Hospital B Feb 2005 – April 2005 Honors and Activities Dean’s List, Alpha Phi Alpha, Tennis Team, Health Sciences Club Volunteer for American Red Cross & American Cancer Society Work Experience Hospital C – Radiology Transporter January 2004 to present Good Eats Restaurant – server June 1995 to present Language Skills Speak fluent Spanish and German and Tagala

32. RESUME TEMPLATES • WORD SEARCH : RESUME ON YOUR COMPUTER • SOMETIMES IT IS EASIER TO CREATE YOUR OWN • PROFESSIONALLY PREPARRED

35. 1 page Example For Radiologic Technology Position

36. 2nd page Example included For Teaching Position or ASRT submission for CEU course

37. Extra pointers • Other sections though not essential, can enliven your resume and enhance your candidacy. Some possibilities: • A) A short statement of your professional objectives, placed just underneath your name and address. • B) Seminars taught or attended. • C) Professionally related community or volunteer work. • D) Fluency in foreign languages.

38. Sample from MONSTERS.COM

39. Communication Skills Interpersonal Skills Computer Skills Work Experience Motivation/Initiative GPA/Academics Leadership Abilities Analytical Skills Ethics Teamwork Skills Career Focus Writing Skills What Employers Look for in Candidates

40. some things are better left omittedin cover letter & interview • Omit your age • marital status • number of children • or other information that's not directly work related • DON'T send a picture

41. some things are better left omitted • don't waste space talking about early achievements after you've reached a more advanced level of accomplishment • What you did in high school isn't of much interest when you can discuss achievement in higher education.

43. JOB SOURCES • Newspapers • Journals: RT Image, RT Advance • Professional Organizations • Word of mouth • Hotline: Internet • Cold Calling (70%)

44. PREPARE FOR THE INTERVIEW • ROLE PLAY • GET IN FRONT OF A MIRROR • TAPE RECORD • KNOW SOMETHING POSATIVE ABOUT THE EMPLOYER

45. THE DAY OF THE INTERVIEW • PLAN THE ROUTE • DRESS CAREFULLY • KNOW WHERE YOU ARE GOING • ARRIVE EARLY • BE RELAXED, UNRUSHED • BRING A NOTEPAD, PEN / PENCIL • HAVE A COPY OF YOUR RESUME

46. AT THE INTERVIEW • BE HAPPY WITH WHO YOU ARE • LOOK THE INTERVIEWER IN THE EYE (MAINTAIN EYE CONTACT) • REFER TO THE INTERVIEWER BY NAME • MAKE A CHECKLIST OF QUESTIONS • ANSWER DIRECT, BE CONCISE

48. MORE POINTERS • Avoid starting every sentence with “I” • Your cover letter demonstrates your communication skills • Proof read all written information • Use high quality white, off-white, or gray bond paper • Research the facility, department

49. THANK YOU LETTER • Send immediately after interview • Address it to interviewer • Format is the same as the cover letter • 1. Introduction • 2. Main points • 3. Conclusion

50. THANK YOU LETTER Paragraph #1 INTRODUCTION • State your purpose • Give identifying information