Career and Community Connections

Resume Info

Why Resume• The average employer spends only 10 seconds

looking at a resume. • Only contact you have with the potential

employer. • Most employers are actually looking for a reason

NOT to interview you. • You must have a resume in order to stand out

among the hundreds of job seekers applying for the same position.

• The purpose of your resume is to make a good first impression

Why Cover LetterWhy is a Cover Letter Important?  Most of us know the basics of writing a

good job resume. However, companies receive thousands of applications for openings. So, in the few minutes you have to make an impression, what is that single component you use to ensure that it’s your application that stands out above everyone else?

Your cover letter!

Many employers say that it can be the key to securing an interview. The primary decisive factor employers use to consider your resume is your

cover letter. It is this piece of information that is nearly all always read before your resume. Furthermore, employers judge you before they even see your resume.

While your resume outlines your work history, your cover letter:• Underscores and details specific relevant experiences. • Shows why you are the most qualified for the position.• Helps sells you in the most positive way possible.

Cover Letters

• You will select from current job openings for summer employment– Eg. Wild Waves, McDonalds, Receptionist,

Construction Clean up, Child Care Assistant, Fred Meyer, Pizza Time

• You will need to look in the classified or job postings for actual positions.

• You will be writing a cover letter to showcase your skills and experience on your resume.

Cover Letter MythsIt's okay to send your resume without a cover letter• False! Unless you like to send your resume into other people's trashcans, make sure that

a cover letter accompanies your resume. Your cover letter summarizes your resume• False! Your cover letter should put your resume in context — it should draw attention to

your strengths and present non-resume material that can make the difference between you and you're your next closest competitor when the interviewing decision is made.

A cover letter merely introduces your resume• False! Your cover letter is much more than a routing slip for your resume. Your letter is

also ultimately a silent force, enticing the reader to scour your resume. Some employers believe cover letters are more important than resumes when choosing candidates to interview.

You can routinely use a generic greeting — "Dear Employer"• False! Research your target organization until you have the name and gender of the

person who will review your resume. Double-check for correct spelling and proper job titles. When you can't uncover the correct name and must rely on a generic greeting, Dear Employer is as good as anything.

Keep your cover letter really, really short — like a paragraph• False! The length of your cover letter depends not upon absolute rules of measurement,

but upon the amount of content you have to convey. When the letter escorts a resume, it should be one page in length, with three to six paragraphs

A handwritten cover letter is best — it's personal• False! Employers may assume you are way behind the times if you don't use a

computer's word processor, or they may be unable to read your penmanship. If an employer wants a sample of your handwriting, the employer will request one. Your only handwriting should be your signature at the end, written in black or blue ink.

Cover Letter Sample60 Treeline Drive Springfield, ME 04040 (207) 555-9335 June 23, 2002

Ms. Jean Quimby Personnel Manager Campbell’s Soup 65 Cedar Grove Ave. Bangor, ME 04222

Dear Ms. Quimby: A mutual friend, Troy McClure, mentioned to me that you may soon be looking for an individual in your Customer Relations Department. Please consider this my application for a position at Campbell’s Soup Limited. I have two years experience as an Administrative Assistant, working with senior staff in the Customer Relations department.

I am a well-organized, highly motivated individual who enjoys the challenges of working in a fast-paced office environment. I have strong communication and computer skills, including a working knowledge of Windows 98 and Microsoft Word as well as Microsoft Excel. I also have experience in dealing successfully with a variety of customers.

Enclosed is my resume for your consideration. I will call you in a week to further discuss this position and to arrange a time that we can discuss my resume in further detail. I can be reached at the above number day or evening. Thank you very much for your time and consideration.

Sincerely Signature Maude Flanders Enclosure

Thank you letterOld Canary, Job Shadow, Project Evaluation

• Name, Company Name• When and what• Specifics of what you did/Enjoyed• Things that stood and what you learned. • Close with a thank you statement, appreciate

• Sign your name• Proper spelling