Definitions

• Résumé—a detailed list or outline of a job applicant’s work history and other qualifications/skills

• Application Letter (Cover Letter)—a letter that accompanies the résumé and that provides a persuasive introduction to the résumé

Some Resources

• IVCC Career Services http://www.ivcc.edu/cs/• Monster.com http://www.monster.com/• Job-hunt.org http://www.job-hunt.org/

Initial Tasks• Identify a specific job or position for which you

plan to apply.• Identify skills and qualifications to include on

résumé.– Career Objective– Personal Information– Education– Experience/Military Experience– Specialized Skills or Credentials– Honors and Awards – Community Service– References

Career Objective

• Brief statement of career plans• Example: To secure a rewarding position in

a stable marketing firm.• Example: A full-time position as a staff

accountant.• Use for résumés designed for specific jobs

or positions.• NOTE: May limit effectiveness of résumé

Personal Information

• Name• Address• Phone Number• Fax Number• E-mail Address• NOTE: No birth date, race, religious affiliation,

marital status, social security number, height, weight, health, etc.

Education

• Name and Address of Institution(s)• Program/Degree/Certificate• Dates of Attendance/Degree• Classes/Projects• Honors• GPA• NOTE: No high school

Experience

• Job Title• Dates of Employment• Name and Address of Employer• Job Duties (Use ACTION Verbs)

Military Experience

• Branch• Dates• Highest Rank• Noteworthy Travel, Duty, Accomplishments,

and/or Honors

Specialized Skills or Credentials

• Licenses• Certifications• Foreign Language• Technology Skills• Any other skill that doesn’t “fit” elsewhere

Honors and Awards

• Dean’s List• Merit Citations• Medals• Safety Awards• Scholarships, etc.• May place under education or experience

Community Service

• Volunteer Work• Membership in Clubs, Organizations, Churches• Dates• Offices Held• Accomplishments

References

• 3-5 Professional, Positive References• Supervisors, Teachers, etc.• Ask permission.• Send upon request. • NOTE: No relatives or friends

Guidelines for Résumés1) Make Résumés Visually Attractive– Typed, quality print– 8 ½ x 11, standard bond, white paper– Creative and professional use of CAPS, boldface, and

white space.

2) Clearly Label Information– Education, Experience, Honors, Community Service, etc.– Use boldface, CAPS, etc.

3) Include All Necessary Details– Names, addresses, dates, etc.– Consistent presentation– BE HONEST.

4) Use Reverse Chronological Order– Education– Experience, etc.

5) Limit to One Page

6) Make Mechanically Perfect

– No Grammar Errors– No Sentence Structure Errors– No Spelling or Punctuation Errors– No Typos– No Spacing or Format Inconsistencies

Organizational Patterns for Résumés

• Chronological– Highlights Education and Work History in Reverse

Chronological Order• Functional– Highlights Skills/Areas of Competence

• Combination– Highlights Skills and Includes Chronological

Detailing of Background

When Should I Use the Chronological Pattern?

• Do I already have experience in my field?• Does my job history show progressively more

responsibility and accomplishment?• Am I seeking the same type of job that I have

held previously?• Are my previous employers well-known?

When Should I Use the Functional Pattern?

• Do I have a lot of different work experience that is not all in the same field?

• Have I changed jobs or careers frequently?• Do I have frequent gaps in my job history?• Am I new to the job market?

When Should I Use the Combination Format?

• Do I have a lot of different work experience that is not all in the same field?

• Have I changed jobs or careers frequently?• Do I have frequent gaps in my job history?• Do I want to target my skills toward a specific

job while still highlighting my work history?

Application Letter

• Accompanies each copy of a résumé• A persuasive introduction to the résumé• Often read first, before the résumé• Can distinguish applicants by the quality of the

writing and the way in which it customizes the résumé

Guidelines

• Uses conventional format (modified block or full block)

• Typed, quality print• 8 ½ x 11, standard bond, white paper• Length of one page—maximum • Addressed to a specific person, position, or

department• Mechanically perfect

Components

• First Paragraph (One to three sentences)

– Your purpose: applying for the job (specific title or position)

– How you found out about the job– Why you want the job (what skills and background

you bring to it)

• Middle Paragraph(s)

– Summary of your experience, education, and other qualifications

– Provide details not included on the résumé.– Highlight noteworthy qualifications that might

set you apart from other applicants.– Explain special circumstances.– Connect your qualifications to the employer’s

needs (use a reader-centered perspective).

• Closing Paragraph

– Thank the employer for considering your application.

– Request an interview.– Include any necessary contact information.