resume and cover letter writing06

Career Opportunities Center

Resume and Cover Letter Writing

presented by:

Career Opportunities Center3rd floor Norwood Hall

573-341-4343campus.umr.edu/career

Career Opportunities Center

What is the resume? Your sales tool

1st example of your communication skills

Your ticket to the interview

Career Opportunities Center

Resume Tips Scanned in 10 seconds – make sure important

information stands out

Create section by section so it’s not overwhelming

Write long on first draft – edit later

Focus on accomplishments, not routine duties

Proofread – then have someone else proofread

Career Opportunities Center

Common Resume Sections Heading

Objective

Education

Experience

Computer Skills/Language Skills

Honors & Activities

Career Opportunities Center

Optional Resume Sections Certifications

Highlights of Qualifications

Volunteer Experience

Military Experience

Others ?

Career Opportunities Center

Heading Name in bold – usually centered

Name 2 fonts larger than rest of document

Address – school & permanent

Phone number

E-mail

Career Opportunities Center

Heading Sample

Joe Miner657 State St. 573-555-6258Rolla, MO 65559 miner@umr.edu

Career Opportunities Center

Objective Clear – do not get to wordy

State position seeking

General for COC InterviewTRAK

Career Opportunities Center

Objective Sample

ObjectiveTo obtain a co-op or internship in the mechanical engineering field

Career Opportunities Center

Education Reverse chronological order – UMR first

Provide: DegreeMinorEmphasis

Expected graduation month and year

GPA – cumulative and major

Can include courses and projects

Career Opportunities Center

Education SampleEducation

University of Missouri – Rolla May 2007B.S. Mechanical Engineering GPA: 4.0Minor: Mathematics

Career Opportunities Center

Experience Reverse chronological order

Paid and unpaid

Job title – bold

Dates and locations of employment

Job descriptions

Action Verbs

Career Opportunities Center

Experience SampleExperience

Wal-Mart Jan – Aug 2006Sales Associate Rolla, MO• Provided customer service• Budgeted cash register each evening

Career Opportunities Center

Computer Skills Format that can be scanned quickly

Courses you have had or currently taking

Can categorize in sections if needed: Applications Languages Operating Systems

Career Opportunities Center

Computer Skills Sample

Computer SkillsMS Office AutoCAD Matlab HTMLFortran Visio Quattro Pro Windows 95

Career Opportunities Center

Honors & Activities Titles of Scholoarships

University, community, high-school activities

Leadership roles – bold

No dates or amounts

Career Opportunities Center

Honors & Activities Sample

Honors & ActivitiesEagle ScoutMissouri Miner ScholarshipDeans List - UMRAlpha Phi Alpha – President

Career Opportunities Center

Bolded Items Recap Name Degree Minor Emphasis Job Titles Leadership Roles

Career Opportunities Center

Resume Design Font style – easy to read

Font size (10.5 – 12)

Margins size (.5 – 1”)

Undergraduates – one page

Career Opportunities Center

Cover Letter

Career Opportunities Center

Cover Letter Introduction to you and your resume

Emphasize why you are the candidate for the position

Explain situations that are unique on your resume

Thank them for their time and consideration

Samples – website and career guide

Career Opportunities Center

Reference Page

Career Opportunities Center

Reference Page Always ask

3 people minimum

Variety of references

Keep them informed

Use resume heading

Career Opportunities Center

Reference Page Example

Joe Miner657 State St. 573-555-6258Rolla, MO 65559 miner@umr.edu

References

NameTitle

AddressPhoneE-mail

Career Opportunities Center

Resume and Cover Letter Writing

Questions?

presented by:

Career Opportunities Center3rd floor Norwood Hall

573-341-4343campus.umr.edu/career