how to write a winning resume and cover letter: stand out by telling your story
DESCRIPTION
Get one step closer to your dream job by crafting a resume and cover letter that not only showcase your personality, but also tell the hiring manager why you'd be a great fit for the job. In this presentation, we offer step-by-step guidance on how to stand out by telling your story and offer examples of resumes and cover letters from successful job seekers.TRANSCRIPT
S T AND OU T B Y T E L L I NG Y OUR S TO R Y
HOW TO WRITE A WINNING RESUME AND COVER LETTER
PRESENTED BY: ASHLEY PUTNAM
FOR IDEALIST CAREERS @IDEALISTCAREERS | IDEALISTCAREERS.ORG
ASHLEY PUTNAM Fellowship Director, The Work First FoundaKon Contributor, Idealist Careers @stwcareers @AshleyAPutnam
Ø Ashley has worked for 5+ years recruiKng staff for domesKc and internaKonal organizaKons aimed at finding effecKve soluKons to poverty. She currently serves as Fellowship Director for The Work First FoundaKon, where she manages a program that connects young professionals with work in urban poverty and public policy. Ashley began her work in career counseling at America Works, where she counseled low-‐income clients on resume wriKng and job search in New York. She later worked as Community Engagement Manager for Mercado Global in Guatemala, where she organized internship programs and oversaw private fundraising. Ashley graduated from Barnard College in 2006 with a B.A. in Anthropology. Read more of Ashley’s career Kps and advice at savetheworld-‐careers.tumblr.com or follow her on twi]er @stwcareers
HOW CAN I STAND OUT?
Ø Recruiters see hundreds of candidates for each posiKon they post online.
Ø Your resume and cover le]er should tell a clear, persuasive story about why you are the best candidate.
ObjecKves
Analyze the job
descripKon
Review the mission
statement
Map out your story
Resume Tips
Cover le]er Kps
Review, edit and repeat
MAP OUT YOUR STORY
Experience
Specific skills
CapabiliCes
Career path
Your Career
Ideal Candidate
BEFORE YOU APPLY
ANALYZE THE JOB DESCRIPTION
Job DescripCon
Mission/Overview
DuKes
QualificaKons
ANALYZE THE JOB DESCRIPTION
Job DescripCon
• What would you actually DO at this job? What are the tasks involved?
AcKon verbs/DuKes
• Do you need any specific hard skills? Language fluency? Computer socware?
ParKcular skills/knowledge
• What do they expect you to be capable of learning? What soc skills can you infer that they want?
CapabiliKes
REVIEW THE ORGANIZATION’S MISSION STATEMENT
Mission Statement
Mission and vision
Current projects
PrioriKes and needs
MAP OUT YOUR STORY
Experience Can you do the duKes required?
Skills Do you have key language, computer socware, or technical skills?
CapabiliCes Is this person capable of learning the job?
Career path Why do you want this job and why should I want you?
Your Career
Ideal Candidate
Map Out Your Story
RESUME
USE ACTION VERBS
Good Responsible
People person
Experienced
EffecKve
Be]er Supervised product distribuKon
Handled high-‐level clients and managed donor relaKonships
Generated weekly reports using quanKtaKve analysis
Examined areas of weakness and proposed soluKons
Resume Tips
USE NUMBERS
Good I recruited volunteers
I assisted in fundraising events
I managed a team
I conducted an impact assessment
Be]er Recruited over 150 volunteers across five
locaKons
Executed two major fundraising events which raised over $200,000 collecKvely
Managed a staff of four people and two part-‐Kme assistants
Measured program impact across 23 counKes in the state over a period of 9 months
Resume Tips
HIGHLIGHT AREAS YOU WANT TO DRAW ATTENTION TO
Resume Tips
Worked in the field previously but not currently working there? Ø Make that previous posiKon on your resume longer and add addiKonal details that staff will appreciate.
Want to highlight a course you took on the subject? Ø Make a subsecKon of educaKon called “Relevant Coursework” or “Previous Research” if your wrote a project on the subject.
Does the job require internaConal work or language fluency?
Ø Add a secKon on “InternaKonal Experience” or “Language Skills” that describes the Kme you spent abroad or language experience.
KEEP IT CLEAN Resume Tips
FormaWng maXers! Ø Make sure everything is in line including dates, sub headers, and Ktles.
Ø Be consistent. If you bold a company name, bold every company name. If you use italics on a job descripKon, use italics for every descripKon.
Ø The visual appeal of your resume keeps you looking professional.
COVER LETTER
MAKE AN OUTLINE Cover LeXer Tips
I. IntroducKon a. Summary sentence “I have the experience, skills and passion
necessary to be an ideal candidate for this posiKon.”
II. SupporKng paragraph one a. Experience
b. Hard skills
III. SupporKng paragraph two a. CapabiliKes
b. Passion
IV. Conclusion
GIVE CONCRETE EXAMPLES Cover LeXer Tips
People skills “I developed strong interpersonal skills and the ability to work with teams of different backgrounds while serving as a Peace Corps member in Maldova.”
MulK-‐tasking “While at COMPANY NAME, I juggled administraKve and planning tasks on and learned how to prioriKze the items that were needed immediately.”
Problem-‐solving “During my summer internship at the Department of EducaKon, I measured the impact of free lunches on low-‐income children and proposed ways to make the program more effecKve.”
WHY DO I NEED YOU?
Skills • Needs • Technical
Experience • Prior work • Familiarity with industry
Passion • Why do you want this?
Cover LeXer Tips
Skills Experience Passion
DRAW YOUR PATH
Experience Can you do the duKes required?
Skills Do you have key language, computer socware, or technical skills?
CapabiliCes Is this person capable of learning the job?
Career path Why do you want this job and why should I want you?
Your Career
Ideal Candidate
Cover leXer Cps
TIE YOUR STORY TO MISSION Cover LeXer Tips
My mission =
your mission
AVOID Cover LeXer Tips
GrammaKcal errors Run-‐on sentences Gimmicks Veering off topic
✗
✗
✗
✗
A GOOD STORY Cover LeXer Tips
• Clear
• Concise • Persuasive
• Relevant
ObjecKves
Analyze the job
descripKon
Review the mission
statement
Map out your story
Resume Tips
Cover le]er Kps
Review, edit and repeat
MAP OUT YOUR STORY
Experience Can you do the duKes required?
Skills Do you have key language, computer socware, or technical skills?
CapabiliCes Is this person capable of learning the job?
Career path Why do you want this job and why should I want you?
Your Career
Ideal Candidate
Map Out Your Story
KEEP IN TOUCH
Ø Job openings Ø Resume and cover le]er consulKng
Ø More advice online
Ashley Putnam Fellowship Director The Work First FoundaKon [email protected] @stwcareers @AshleyAPutnam
Corporate Representative
America Works of New York is a social service agency with location through the country. Working with ‘hard-‐to-‐serve’ clients we have successfully matched candidates with ideal positions since 1984. Job Description: The Corporate Representative is responsible for assisting in the development and implementation of participant programs, including coordination of routine functions for skills training and evaluation services. This includes administering and scoring tests, job coaching, documentation and report writing. The Corporate Representative reports to the Director of Operations. Duties include, but are not limited to:
• Actively participate in the development and implementation of evaluation and work adjustment program plans, including administration of curriculum and scoring of testing.
• Complete all necessary documentation and paperwork and assist in report writing, including timely feedback to Pre-‐Employment Specialists, Corp Representatives and Employers.
• Assist in the development and implementation of appropriate modifications. • Provide vocational and skills training to participants. • Establish and maintain a good working relationship between Vendors and
referral sources, employers and community training sites, providing appropriate feedback and recommendations to participants and referral sources.
• Serve as a significant role model for effective and appropriate work behaviors, procedures and practices. Act as a liaison and advocate for participants.
• Conduct job analysis, task analysis, and time studies as needed. Requirements:
• Degree in Human Services or related fields such as Psychology, Sociology, Education required. Master's degree in these disciplines preferred.
• Require a minimum of two years direct service experience working with people with conducting employment and training programs.
• Ability to relate to participants, referral sources, and employers in a manner that is respectful and professional.
• Must have good problem solving skills and a creative approach to training. • Travel may be required within the 5 Boroughs. • Knowledge of Salesforce, Efforts to Outcomes (ETO) and NYCWAY systems. • Bilingual (Spanish, Mandarin, Russian) a plus.
This is a real job ad. The resume and cover letter that follow were written for this job.
Justin A. Jones
Education NEW YORK UNIVERSITY, Robert F. Wagner Graduate School of Public Service New York, NY
Master of Public Administration, May 2012 Specialization: International Public Policy and Non-Profit Management Coursework: Managing Public Service Organizations, Program Analysis & Evaluation, Financial Management, Policy Formation
BOSTON UNIVERSITY, College of Communication Boston, MA Bachelor of Arts, Communications and Sociology, May 2003 (Summa Cum Laude)
Experience 9/2011–6/2012
NEW YORK UNIVERSITY, Robert F. Wagner Graduate School of Public Service President of the Student Government and Council
New York, NY
� Advocated on behalf of approximately 960 students and 23 student groups as their primary representative to the faculty and administration
� Managed a staff overseeing all aspects of student engagement and the $18,000 budget allocation � Supervised the planning / execution of several large-scale events, with upwards of 300 participants � Developed a Volunteer Corps focused on community service, via clothing and book drives,
volunteerism at a local homeless shelter, and activism/awareness campaigns for Earth Day 2012 � Spearheaded the Wagner Climate Coalition--twelve different student groups examining climate
change through various prisms--sponsoring over a dozen events with upwards of 150 participants � Led a graduate-student inclusive philanthropy campaign, garnering a 73% response rate from the
graduating class—the highest in the school’s history 8/2011–12/2011 Teaching Colleague to Charles Brecher, Professor of Public and Health Administration
� Handpicked to assist in all aspects of instruction in a core course on public policy analysis: lesson planning / presentation, classroom management, online course content, and student evaluation
6/2011–8/2011 Research Assistant to Paul Light, Professor of Public Service and Management � Worked on a project designed to assist the Khalifa Fund for Enterprise Development in Abu Dhabi,
a $135,000~ initiative promoting social and sustainable entrepreneurship in Arab-majority countries � Researched methodologies for measuring social-return-on-investments (SROI), integrating them
into a framework for assessing effectiveness of specific SROI measures
UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS 9/2007–12/2009 Capabilities Project Manager, Combat Development Command Quantico, VA
� Regularly advised top-level decision makers on communication capabilities and future needs � Led research and development teams in authoring several high-level documents under deadline
6/2007–9/2007 Executive Officer, Service Company, 7th Communication Battalion Okinawa, Japan � Selected as Chief of Staff over peers and higher ranking officers, planning and supervising the
training and logistics for approximately 200 Marines while managing over $100 million in equipment 5/2006–6/2007 Action Officer, Multi-National Force Iraq Communication Information Systems Iraq
� Implemented a $600,000 project to provide the Government of Iraq’s national operations with state-of-the-art audio, visual and communications capabilities
� Handpicked to lead a six-member team installing systems to improve convoy communications and reduce emergency medevac response time throughout the country, achieving mission success without casualties or loss of equipment
� Successfully planned and conducted more than 15 major communications projects, which included supervising the installation of the video-teleconferencing apparatus for the Saddam Hussein trial
11/2005–4/2006 Marine Liaison, American Embassy Manila, Philippines � Coordinated communications and threat-assessments with the embassy’s Political-Military section
during a state emergency, and assisted with relief efforts during the Southern Leyte natural disaster
12/2004–11/2005
05/2003–12/2009
Platoon Commander, 7th Communication Battalion Japan/South Korea/Thailand/Australia � Led a 40-Marine team that provided voice, video, and data communications support for upwards of
three-dozen disparate units and 4,000 end-users in multiple exercises throughout Southeast Asia � On short-notice reassignment, supervised personnel logistics, facilitated ground support operations,
and assisted with threat-assessments for approximately 12,600 personnel during a large-scale disaster relief mission (Operation Unified Assistance for the Indian Ocean Tsunami)
Numerous awards include: The Joint Service Commendation Medal, the Operation Iraqi Freedom Medal, the Humanitarian Assistance Medal (twice), and the Korean National Defense Medal
Skills STATA, SPSS, Microsoft Office Suite, Google Earth, SharePoint. Level II (Secret) Security Clearance
This is an example of a resume and cover letter that are tailored to the previous job description. *
Justin A. Jones
23 Oct 2012 America Works of New York, Inc. 228 East 45th Street, 16th Floor New York, NY 10017
Dear Sir/Madam:
I am writing in response to the Corporate Representative job-posting for America Works, a position brought to my attention by Leah Vinton, a former classmate at NYU’s Robert F. Wagner Graduate School of Public Service. As a Master of Public Administration graduate with extensive experience in project management, program evaluation, strategic and interpersonal communications, and organizational teambuilding and leadership, I am ideally qualified to advance your organization’s important work. And as a highly skilled yet unemployed veteran myself, I am uniquely suited to empathize and work with your target clientele.
In this prolonged economic recession, America Works is performing (and excelling) in the critically important mission to put some of our country’s most vulnerable populations back to work. Finding private-sector jobs for a steadily growing segment of the American populace is undoubtedly fraught with challenge. I am no stranger to working proactively and effectively in fast-paced and high-pressure work- environments. As a former Marine officer with multiple deployments in combat and disaster-relief operations in Asia and the Middle East, I planned and managed over two dozen operations to ensure mission success under deadline, served as the Chief of Staff for approximately 200 Marines, and coordinated efforts with a broad spectrum of stakeholders. Often tasked as the spokesperson for higher- ranking officers, I am well acquainted with conference planning and oral presentation—communicating to, coordinating with, and conveying updates for high-profile individuals—whether in written correspondence or public speaking. The frenetic and often chaotic exercises and deployments I operated in taught me to cultivate a meticulous attention to detail, and my frequent leadership roles provided ample opportunity to mentor promising Marines under my charge.
As the President of my graduate school’s student association, I strengthened these skills, working with 23 other student groups to identify advocacy goals, discover shared opportunities, resolve conflicts, and oversee various student programs’ implementation. Likewise, I enrolled in classes that gave me new strengths in program analysis—from inceptions to outcomes—financial management, and data based tracking and evaluation.
America Works is spearheading a promising model of personalized service and public-private collaboration—a model that other social enterprises would do well to emulate. With my strong managerial experience, proven mentoring and interpersonal skills, communications aptitude, and academic distinction, I would be an invaluable asset to your team. I have enclosed my resume for your review, and I welcome the opportunity to further discuss my background and relevant qualifications in person.
Sincerely,
Justin Jones
A S H L E Y P U T N A M 1 4 2 5 P S T R E E T N W | W A S H I N G T O N , D C | 2 0 0 0 5
WORK EXPERIENCE
The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development June –August 2014 Research Utilization | Washington, D.C. § published research articles regarding housing and community development for the department’s online
publication: The Edge Magazine The Work First Foundation Jan 2013 – June 2014
Fellowship Director | New York, NY § managed public policy fellowship program which focuses on issues of urban poverty and public policy
through direct service and research; recruited and supervised eight fellows across five locations § oversaw eight research projects relevant to the mission of the foundation; responsible for proposal, survey
tools, quantitative or qualitative method of study, data analysis, and presentation of findings Mercado Global Aug 2011 - Dec 2012
Community Engagement Manager | Panajachel, Solola, Guatemala § oversaw relationships with private investors to provide income, business development and market access to
indigenous women in rural areas of Guatemala § supervised annual social impact survey; assessed artisan income, financial literacy, food security, health care
access and overall success of organization goals § connected with retail partners and development organizations to promote Mercado’s model of building
rural women entrepreneurs and leveraging the fashion industry to have a sustainable impact § partnered with Dining for Women, Echoing Green, the Guatemalan Department of Economic
Development., and the Clinton Global Imitative; procured a $70,000 grant for HIV/AIDS training § recruited and directed summer internship program; managed relationships with partner institutions to seek
summer interns; oversaw volunteer experience for 8 week program in Guatemala Berlitz Language School Oct 2007 - Sept 2008
Instructional Supervisor | Santa Barbara, CA § hired and trained teachers for Berlitz Kids, Immerse and Converse, and semi-private instruction § managed over 30 instructors and 50 language programs, including Spanish, Portugese and Indonesian;
coordinated classes and schedules, including all after-school programs
INTERNATIONAL EXPERIENCE
Buenos Aires, Argentina January 2014 § studied the intersection of social work and public policy in the context of Buenos Aires
Istanbul, Turkey July 2011 § attended the International Association of Conflict Management annual conference
Valledupar, Colombia May 2010 § participated in exchange program at la Fundación Universitaria del Área Andina
Seville, Spain Aug 2006-July 2007 § conducted ethnographic research on North African migrant laborers and urban space for migrants
Dhrangandra, Gujarat, India July-August 2004 § conducted field study on the separation of gender in Swaminarayan temples in northern Gujarati villages
EDUCATION
Robert F. Wagner Graduate School of Public Service | New York, NY Sept 2013- May 2015 Master’s in Public Administration: International Non-Profit Management
Barnard College of Columbia University | New York, NY Aug 2002 - May 2006 B.A. Anthropology and Psychology, Magna Cum Laude
SKILLS
Technical: Microsoft Office; Adobe Photoshop; Donor Perfect; Raiser’s Edge; Salesforce; Constant Contact Language: Read, write and speak fluent Spanish
This resume emphasizes international experience by including an “international experience” section and including more information about her work at Mercado Global.
A S H L E Y P U T N A M 1 4 2 5 P S T R E E T N W | W A S H I N G T O N , D C | 2 0 0 0 5
EDUCATION
Robert F. Wagner Graduate School of Public Service | New York, NY Sept 2013- May 2015 Master’s in Public Administration: International Non-Profit Management
Barnard College of Columbia University | New York, NY Aug 2002 - May 2006 B.A. Anthropology and Psychology, Magna Cum Laude
RESEARCH
From Political Commitments to Collective Action: Strategy recommendations to improve migrant worker rights in Qatar surrounding the 2022 World Cup. (May 2014)
Budget and amendments to the Supplementary Nutritional Assistance Program (SNAP): Memorandum to the U.S. House and Senate Agricultural Committee. (November 2013)
WORK EXPERIENCE
The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development June –August 2014 Research Utilization | Washington, D.C. § Analyzed research regarding housing and community development for HUD User’s biweekly publication:
The Edge Magazine Online § Translated policy initiatives for various stakeholders in housing provision and community building; covered
topics including Moving to Opportunities, Promise Zones, measurements of teacher evaluation, bulk purchasing for solar energy, and other areas of urban policy research
The Work First Foundation Jan 2013 – June 2014 Fellowship Director | New York, NY § managed public policy fellowship program which focuses on issues of urban poverty and public policy
through direct service and research § oversaw eight research projects relevant to the mission of the foundation; responsible for proposal, survey
tools, quantitative or qualitative method of study, data analysis, and presentation of findings § coordinated time sheets, pay roll, paid leave, and weekly responsibilities for eight fellows across five offices.
Established professional development goals and provided feedback. § researched issues including housing programs for individuals leaving the shelter system, employment trends
for ex-offenders and employment-focused literacy for adults without a high school equivalency. Mercado Global Aug 2011 - Dec 2012
Community Engagement Manager | Panajachel, Solola, Guatemala § supervised annual social impact survey; assessed artisan income, financial literacy, food security, health care
access and overall success of organization goals § oversaw marketing of impact study; researched policies regarding women and social entrepreneurship in the
developing world; present findings in proposal for United Nations and Clinton Global Initiative America Works, Inc. May 2009 - July 2011
Corporate Representative | New York, NY § coordinated with city agencies, such as New York City Housing Authority and Department of Sanitation, to
help individuals who were living below the poverty level become self-sufficient through employment § built and managed a program of over 900 public housing residents through partnerships with Resident
Employment Services and outreach conducted in Brooklyn, Bronx, and Manhattan housing sites § guided clients in resume writing, interview etiquette, and job search; developed individualized employability
plans; provided referrals for emergency housing, interview attire, childcare, and legal counsel § met with executive-level staff from housing authority and the Human Resources Administration to provide
quarterly updates on NYCHA program; proposed improvements for outreach and increased participation
SKILLS
Technical: Microsoft Office; Adobe Photoshop; Donor Perfect; Raiser’s Edge; Salesforce; Constant Contact Language: Read, write and speak fluent Spanish
This resume emphasizes education and research experience by including a “research” section and placing education credentials at the top.
James Smith
12 Main Street · New York, NY · (212) 555-555 · [email protected] EDUCATION
New York State University, New York NY Bachelor of Arts: May 2012 Major: English, Minor: Math
Computer Proficiencies: Microsoft Office Suite, Micro Case, SPSS
Strengths: Organized and able to work independently or as a team player Reliable, hard working, adaptable Experience working in both hands-on and office environments.
EXPERIENCE Organizer, DOWNTOWN DISTRIBUTION, Brooklyn, NY 7/2014-Present * Organize work load on a daily basis to enable timely completion of assigned tasks * Ensure that invoices and paperwork are complete and accurate * Installment and setup of promotional materials * Delivery of products Hostess, ANGELA’s DINER, New Haven, CT 8/2012-1/2014 Intern, INTERNATIONAL INSTITUTE OF DC, WASHINGTON, DC Summer 2013 * Worked directly with clients to assist them in finding employment and housing * Created informational packets to familiarize clients with American society and culture * Involved in designing a billboard to advertise the Institutes services * Developed a cultural sensitivity training program for employees * Assisted case workers with relaying information to clients regarding legal proceedings Intern, Smith Manufacturing Firm, Westchester, NY Sept 2010- Jan 2012 * Worked directly with operations management * Collected productivity data on almost thirty employees * Assisted in projects to improve the safety and efficiency of production cells by creating floor layouts and collecting suggestions from employees. * Assisted in resolving a discrepancies between specifications and procedures Assistant Operator, WESTFORD CORPORATION, Westford, CT 5/2004-8/2004 * Responsible for people operations, including initial setup following customer specifications * Provided quality control to ensure consistency of product * Mastered operations of multiple areas required different techniques for successful operations SKILLS
Great at working with people, team player, good with hands SPSS programming software, Mail Chimp, Social Media
This is an example of a poorly formatted resume.
August 13, 2014
Dear Sir or Madam: I have over seven years of experience drafting and negotiating contracts in entertainment, licensing and luxury brands. However, I have not been practicing law for three years, as your advertisement on entertainmentcareers.net specified. I understand that I am not adhering to the letter of your request, but I urge you not to stop reading. I am extremely passionate about entertainment law; I have served as a paralegal with an entertainment law firm, worked in film production, been a personal assistant to a film producer, worked in product placement, and hold a B.F.A in Screenwriting. My work experience in entertainment was my impetus to attend law school; a position with an entertainment law firm has been my goal ever since. Moreover, I am a contracts nerd; after working with the entertainment law firm as a paralegal, I served as the Senior Contracts Coordinator for a global brand licensing agency. I have since worked with intellectual property contracts, employment contracts, settlement agreements, and non-disclosure agreements, among others. I also served as a Teaching Assistant for the first year Contracts class during my third year of law school. I can furnish multiple references attesting to my drafting skills and borderline obsession with contract preparation and review. Aside from my passion and my experience, I can offer other skills that cannot be taught. I have worked in entertainment for several years and have a thorough understanding of the sensitivity and tact required to successfully interact with clients in this industry. Currently, I am working with a boutique immigration firm, handling visa and greencard matters for entertainment clients. Each interaction requires a delicate balance of managing expectations, appropriate firm representation, and sound legal counsel. I am entrusted with daily contact with our clients and handle communication with grace and professionalism. Professional traits aside, I am a well-rounded individual with a sense of humor, rare attributes to be found in the legal industry. I will also work three times as hard as any third year attorney who may apply for this position. I would love to be part of your team. Attached, please find my resume detailing my work experience. Thank you for your time and consideration. Sincerely, Jen Mecum
This is an example of a cover letter written by someone trying to break into a field where they have little experience.