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Resume and Cover Letter Writing

This guide provides tips on resume and cover letter preparation, different resume styles, and content ideas. It also includes resources for sample resumes and cover letters.

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Resume and Cover Letter Writing

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  1. Resume and Cover Letter Writing George Mason University University Career Services http://careers.gmu.edu SUB I 348, 703-993-2370 SOM Career Services http://som.gmu.edu/career ENT 008, 703-993-1880

  2. Definition of a Resume Resume Preparation Resume Styles Resume Content and Formatting Tips Purpose of a Cover Letter Contents of Cover Letters and Cover Letter Tips Resume and Cover Letter Writing Activities Resources for Sample Resumes and Cover Letters Next Steps Workshop Overview

  3. What is a Resume? • A universal job hunting and marketing tool • A snapshot of your qualifications relevant to a position or academic program • A means of introduction to prospective employers, graduate admissions staff or networking contacts • The purpose of a resume is to get an interview!

  4. Resume Preparation • Develop a clear career goal and clarify the purpose of your resume • Research jobs or graduate programs and learn what skills and knowledge are valued by employers or schools • Identify your qualifications, interests and skills relevant to a position or program of interest

  5. Resume Preparation • Research field, employer, and position of interest • Career Library resources, SUB 1 room 348 • http://careers.gmu.edu/students/jobhunt/researching.html • PatriotJobWeb http://careers.gmu.edu/pjw • Mason’s 24/7 electronic database of jobs/internships • Information Interviews, Networking • Mason Career Network http://careers.gmu.edu/cn • (User ID: student; Password: jack$$pot) • Professional Associations for your field • Associations Unlimited

  6. Resume Preparation • Build your list of experiences • Past or current jobs/internships • Volunteer work/community service • Class projects • Activities and student organizations • Languages and technical skills • Prioritize the information, focusing on your most important responsibilities and what is relevant

  7. Chronological Reverse chronological order Familiar to employers Effective for new graduates Focus on job titles work history Combination or Related Experience Two or more experience sections, Relevant and Additional Showcases the experiences that are most relevant Functional Highlights transferable skills in clusters Effective for career changers and those with varied experiences Focuses on groups of functional skills and related experience See Moving On Guide resume samples for each style! Resume Styles

  8. Resume Content • Heading • Name – Put in bold to make your name stand out • Full address – Current and permanent, if applicable • Phone number – Include number at which you can be reached during day/evening and a professional voice mail • Email – Include a professional username • Example of Heading: • Georgia Mason • 111 University Drive Ph: 703-993-1111 • Fairfax, Virginia 22030 gmason@gmu.edu

  9. Resume Content • Objective (or Profile, Summary of Qualifications) • Clear, concise, and tailored to position of interest • Focus on what you are seeking and what skills you will contribute, not what you expect to gain from the position • Can include specific title of the position, type of organization/industry, special interest, and skills you offer • Example of an Objective: • OBJECTIVE • An internship in a non-profit agency, utilizing listening and writing • skills. Special interest in children and families.

  10. Additional Examples • OBJECTIVE • A full-time position in Information Technology, utilizing Java programming skills and experience in database administration • An Administrative Assistant position in Human Resources, using my organizational and communication skills. • A Research Assistant position in the social sciences, utilizing SPSS and SAS • An Internship in the US Senate or House of Representatives. Special interest in trade and foreign policy issues.

  11. Resume Content • Education • List in reverse chronological order, beginning with most recent education. • Include name of institution, degree(s), major & minor, month & year of graduation • Spell out degrees or use proper abbreviations (Bachelor of Science, or B.S.) • May include GPA, if 3.0 or higher; relevant courses; honors/awards; study abroad; training/certification • High School is often omitted from the resume after first or second year of college. • Example of Education section: • EDUCATION • Bachelor of Science Biology; Minor Spanish GPA 3.0May 2009 • George Mason University Fairfax, VA • Relevant Coursework: two or three course titles, relevant to the position • Associate in Science General Studies GPA 3.5 2007 • Northern Virginia Community College Annandale, VA

  12. Resume Content • Experience • Include organization, job title, dates of employment • Statements describe your accomplishments • Statements are concise, descriptive, and include numbers • Use action verbs to start statements (see Moving On for a list of action verbs) • Example of Experience section: • EXPERIENCE • Sweetwater Tavern, Fairfax, Virginia Feb. 2006 - Present • Assistant Manager • Trained eight new employees on company database system • Commended by supervisors for customer service skills

  13. Resume Content • SKILLS • Technical skills like Microsoft Office Suite • Languages • Skills relevant to position of interest • PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIP(S) • American Marketing Association (student member) • ACTIVITIES • Include organization, role/title, dates & major accomplishments • Include involvement in student organizations, volunteer activities, and community service

  14. Resume Formatting Tips • One page recommended, two pages maximum • Recommend Times New Roman or Arial and 11 font minimum • One inch margins • No spelling errors or typos • Use bold and capitalization for highlighting • Be consistent with formatting

  15. What is a Cover Letter? • A business letter that accompanies a resume. • Informs reader of your purpose and requests an in-person meeting. • Highlights and directs attention to important information in the resume. • Intended to convince reader that it is worthwhile to meet you. • May take the form of an email message or a brief note that accompanies an electronic application

  16. An Effective Cover Letter • Introduces You; Your Resume • Summarizes Pertinent Aspects of your Education • or Experience • States briefly how your Qualifications relate to the Job • Indicates if you have included a Resume, Writing Sample, Transcript, or other documents • Is Brief and to the Point • Requests an Interview

  17. Cover Letter Contents(3 or 4 paragraphs) • Paragraph 1: Why you are writing? Mention referral source in the first sentence. • Paragraph 2: Why should they consider you? This "hooks" the reader. • Paragraph 3: Why do you want to work for them? What attracts you to the organization? How does the organization/job match up with your values and qualifications. • Paragraph 4: The close. Be assertive. “I would like to meet with you to discuss…”

  18. Cover Letter Tips • Personalize letters • Target a specific job or employer • Be positive, natural, direct and interesting • Avoid being repetitious of resume • Be brief (concise) • PROOFREAD

  19. Resources and Samples • Check out Resume and Cover Letter Samples in Moving On • See samples in Career Library, 348 SUB 1 • http://careers.gmu.edu/students/jobhunt/resume.html • http://careers.gmu.edu/students/jobhunt/letters.html • http://som.gmu.edu/preparejobsearch • View resume samples for different majors!

  20. Next Steps • Have your resume or letter reviewed by a career counselor • Get your resume critiqued by an employer at the next Resume Clinic (March and October)! • For a complete schedule of career services and events: http://careers.gmu.edu/calendar Any Questions?

  21. Make an appointment or use walk-in hours/same day appointments for additional help. University Career Services SUB 1, Rm. 348 (703) 993-2370 http://careers.gmu.edu Call to make an appointment anytime. For quick questions reserve a Same Day Appointment, 1:30 – 4:00 pm, by calling early on the day you’d like to come in. Visit Us! School of Management Career Services Enterprise Hall, Rm. 008 (703) 993-1880 http://som.gmu.edu/career Walk-In Hours for SOM Career Services Monday & Friday 2:00-4:00pm Thursday– 10am to noon

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