The document provides guidance on résumés, cover letters, and thank you notes. It emphasizes that a résumé is an applicant's first impression and should highlight qualifications. Cover letters should be tailored for each job and request action from the employer. Thank you notes should be sent within 24 hours of an interview to thank the employer for their time.

1. Résumés
Cover Letters
Thank 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 Perception does not
rank these? equal reality
• Reputation of College • Past work experience
• Past work experience (81%)
• Reputation of Specific • Interview (80%)
Program • Reputation of college
• Interview (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. 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

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

9. Résumé Don’ts
 Avoid abbreviations and acronyms
 Never use pronouns such as: “I”, “me”, “my”, “our”
 Never type - use a laser jet printer
 No fancy fonts, binders, layouts
 Have errors
http://www.resume1-2-3.com/

10. Summary of Qualifications
• 2 years professional experience
providing excellence in customer
service.
• Proven ability to coordinate and
complete multiple projects within
deadlines.
• Skilled at developing and retaining
partnerships with clients and
customers.
• Driven, dedicated, and effective
team player.

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

12. Other Categories
• Awards & Reference Page
Achievements
• Activities & Honors Dr. Mary Smith
• Professional Experience Business Department
• Volunteering Faculty
• Relevant Course Work Saddleback College
• Employment Experience Mission Viejo, CA
• Specialized/Technical 92692
Skills (949) 555-1212

13. 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/jobprep
aration/pdf/chronological_style.pdf

14. 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/jobprep
aration/pdf/functional_style.pdf

15. 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/jobprep
aration/pdf/combination_sample.pdf

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

17. Summary, Headline, or Objective?
• Summary – briefly describes your experience
and skills in a impressive way
• Headline – states your experience more
specifically
• Objective – professional
intent

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

19. Cover Letters
 Must be sent with résumé
 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
I am a (your identifying characteristic)
+
I am a (your profession)
+
I have (your years of experience or education)
+
I have worked in (your area of expertise)
+
I am interested in (what position you're
looking for)

22. Middle Paragraph
 Revealing statements about who you are and
your skills
 Why you are interested in working for this
employer
 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
• Thank you for your time. • I look forward to your reply.
• Thank you for reviewing my • I look forward to hearing
qualifications. from you.
• Thank you for your • I look forward to your
consideration. response.
• Thank you for your review • I look forward to your call.
of my qualifications.
BAD: It would be an honor to meet BAD: Call me tomorrow, please.
with you.

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. 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
 Do not sell yourself, only thank them for their
time