R é sum és Cover Letters Thank You Notes

1. RésumésCover LettersThank You Notes

2. A Résumé • is the first meeting between you and the employer. • tells a great deal about you. • gets you the interview. is your calling card, so remember that “First impressions are lasting ones.”

3. A Résumé will NOT . . . • Get you a Job • It’s an advertisement that entices employers • Make up for not Being Qualified • Hide your Reputation • Employers will ask for references • Make up for Poor Portfolio • Employers want proof • Make up for Poorly Written Cover Letter

4. Attributes Employers Considered During Hiring Process How would you rank these? • Reputation of College • Past work experience • Reputation of Specific Program • Interview Perception does not equal reality • Past work experience (81%) • Interview (80%) • Reputation of college (18%) • Reputation of Specific Program (12%)

5. Perception ≠ Reality • Consider that what you think is important to employers may not be what is actually important • Or not as important as you imagined What experience did you receive that will allow you to make an immediate impact?

6. Student-Athlete Experience • Remember: You didn’t just compete in games you GAINED AN EXPERIENCE • Athletes have many transferable skills

7. But I’ve never had a job . . . • Academic Achievements (i.e. dean’s list) – senior project • Relevant Coursework – must be relevant to the job you are applying for • Clubs – consistent involvement shows responsibility and commitment • Volunteer Work – what did you do with your team for community service • Languages (you must be fluent) • Computer Skills • Any kind of employment – working while going to school is impressive

8. Other Categories • Awards & Achievements • Activities & Honors • Professional Experience • Volunteering • Relevant Course Work • Employment Experience • Specialized/Technical Skills Solutions: • Trim the “experience” fat • Remove fluff • Be succinct • Proof read for flow and clarity

9. Résumé Principles • No ugly résumé– format must be pleasing to the eye • Do not lie, exaggerate or use words that the interviewer has to look up in a dictionary • Focus on strengths and accomplishments • Use 8 1/2” x 11” 20 lb. paper (Resume Checklist)

10. Résumé Do’s • Target your qualifications for a specific job • Keep it to one page • Accompany with reference page • E-mail – keep it professional • Use descriptive action verbs • No errors • Pleasing layout • List relevant work • History or volunteering • Use argot of the profession • Mention you were a student-athlete • Always format in order of importance http://www.siue.edu/careerdevelopmentcenter/jobpreparation/pdf/action_verbs.pdf

11. Résumé Don’ts • Avoid abbreviations and acronyms • Never use pronouns such as: “I”, “me”, “my”, “our” • No fancy fonts, binders, layouts • Have errors • Don’t repeat yourself http://www.resume1-2-3.com/

12. Summary, Headline, or Objective? • Summary – briefly describes your experience and skills in a impressive way • Headline – states your experience more specifically • Objective – professional intent Only use if you have specific details!

13. Education This is an important section for recent college graduates • Beginning with the highest level of educational achievement, include information such as University attended, degrees earned/expected, major, minors, grade point average, date of program completion, and so forth. Bachelor of Science in Accounting Expected 2007 Saddleback College, Mission Viejo, CA GPA: 3.7/4.0 Major GPA: 3.6/4.0 Include GPA only if 3.5 +

14. Chronological Résumé • most common listing of your jobs and experience with most recent mentioned first • good for job seekers who have practical work experience with long periods of employment • résumé type most preferred by employers http://www.siue.edu/careerdevelopmentcenter/jobpreparation/pdf/chronological_style.pdf

15. Functional Résumé • focuses on your skills and accomplishments • highlights what they are, not when you developed them • Great for job seekers who have great transferable skills but little direct experience http://www.siue.edu/careerdevelopmentcenter/jobpreparation/pdf/functional_style.pdf

16. Combination Résumé • maximizes the benefits of both the functional and the chronological resume • contains a heading for skills and accomplishments, followed by a reverse chronology of work experience http://www.siue.edu/careerdevelopmentcenter/jobpreparation/pdf/combination_sample.pdf

17. Video Résumés • www.Vault.com Micro Résumés • Condensed resume on business card • No more than 140 characters

18. Sending your Resume • Title your resume properly if attaching it to profile or through email • GOOD: “Joe Smith_Sr.GraphicDesigner_Resume” • BAD: “ThisOne” • Follow this format! • Name_Position_Resume

19. Cover Letters • Must be sent with résumé • Applications without cover letters automatically go in the rejection pile. • explains to the reader your situation and what action you are requesting • should give the employer a reason to look at the résumé • must be tailored to each job opening • will get eight seconds of the reader’s time, so it must be brief, yet informative

20. Cover Letter Layout • limited to one page of three to four paragraphs • No indented paragraphs • Should not summarize your resume but add to it • Opening paragraph should answer why you are writing, what position you are interested and where you found out about the job • If you were referred mention this in the opening paragraph

21. First Paragraph • Should tell the employer where you learned of the position • Lists what position you are applying for • If referred, mentions that person’s name and points out he/she suggest you apply • Mentions when you graduate or speaks of your recently received diploma.

22. Middle Paragraph • Revealing statements about who you are and your skills • Why you are interested in the position and working for this employer • Explain what you are currently doing • Relevant or related work/volunteer experience • Emphasize skills and abilities in relation to position • Provide additional qualifications that are not on resume

23. Closing Paragraph • Be proactive • What will you do next? • What you would like the recipient to do next? • Pave the way for an interview • “I will follow up in a week after the closing date of the position has passed. I look forward to speaking with you further.”

24. Closing Paragraph Thank you Sentences Confidence in a Callback I look forward to your reply. I look forward to hearing from you. I look forward to your response. I look forward to your call. • Thank you for your time. • Thank you for reviewing my qualifications. • Thank you for your consideration. • Thank you for your review of my qualifications. BAD: It would be an honor to meet with you. BAD: Call me tomorrow, please.

25. If your cover letter is generic enough to work for every job you apply to, it's too generic to get you hired.

26. Scannable Format • Do not fold or staple • Avoid punctuation when possible • Avoid vertical & horizontal lines as well as graphics • Abbreviations - use only those known in your field • Use Keywords • Use fonts like Time New Romans, Courier New, Helvetica • size 10-12 • Bolding and CAPITALS are acceptable as long as they do not touch each other • avoid condensing the spaces between letters and lines

27. Salary Inquiries • If the posting requests a salary requirement • Address it in the cover letter • Provide a range ($25,000-$35,000) • Add statement about negotiation - “I would be willing to discuss my salary requirements with you further up on learning more about the specific responsibilities for this position.” • Never mention salary until an offer is on the table.

28. Thank You Notes • Sent after you complete interview • Must be sent within 24 hours of interview regardless of the day of the week • Individual letter must be sent to each person you interviewed with • Always add one unique detail from the interview • This is an expression of gratitude not a forum to discuss your skills