Jennifer Greenwood

Career Specialist

RESUMES, COVER LETTERS, AND INTERVIEWING

Helping students gain a better understanding of how to compose an effective, professional resume and cover letter

Provide an introduction to the process of a professional interview.

At the conclusion of the lesson, students should know how to: construct a resume for effective display of information and ease

of reading compose a cover letter that is concise and informative know what to wear to an interview, how to behave, and what

types of questions to expect from the interviewer/s

LESSON OBJECTIVES

Tips and TricksRESUMES

Keep a folder of everything!

Use bulleted listsUse action wordsNever use abbreviations or acronymsKeep resume in the correct tense Highlight your strengthsUse keywords from the job postingWhite space is good –try not to cram too much information onto

a page. A resume should be an overview, not a detailed essayStick to the basicsBe specificSpell check!!

RESUMESGENERAL PRACTICES

Your contact information How professional is your e-mail address?

A summaryCurrent school informationRelated work experienceExtracurricular activitiesHonors, Awards, RecognitionsSkills, AbilitiesReferences

Professional, not just personal

RESUMESTHINGS TO INCLUDE

Tell me what you notice.

What do you like?

What do you not like?

EXAMPLE RESUME

Tell me what you notice.

What do you like?

What do you not like?

EXAMPLE RESUME

Tell me what you notice.

What do you like?

What do you not like?

RESUME EXAMPLE

What should you include?

COVER LETTERS

Include your contact information Consider using a similar header for your cover letter and resume

Employer Contact informationGreeting

Dear Mr./Mrs./Ms. Last Name Dear Hiring Manager Try to avoid “To Whom It May Concern” Why?

First Paragraph Include information on why you are writing. Mention the position you

are applying for and where you found the job listing. Include the name of a mutual contact, if you have one.

Yes, tactful name dropping is okay!Middle Paragraph(s)

Describe what you have to offer the employer. Mention specifically how your qualifications match the job you are applying for.

This should not be your resume in paragraph form. Just hit the high points.

COVER LETTERS

Final Paragraph Thank them for considering you for the position Let them know you’re looking forward to hearing back from them, or

that you welcome an opportunity to further discuss your qualifications/interest in the position.

Let them know how you will follow up. Are you calling next week? Are you planning to wait it out, letting them

make contact first? Will you send a follow up email?Closing

Sincerely, Thank you, Respectfully yours,

Signature Handwritten, if possible. Type your name below where you plan to sign

COVER LETTERS

Tell me what you notice.

What do you like?

What do you not like?

COVER LETTER

Dos andDon’tsINTERVIEWING

What to Wear Casual Business Casual Business Attire

What to Bring with you Anything they requested An additional copy/copies of your resume and cover letter Questions you have for your potential future employer Paper to jot down things you want to remember

How to Act Be professional

NO: cell phones, chewing gum, or profanity. Use formal rather than informal register when speaking

Be yourself Yes, you want to make a good impression. Yes, you will be nervous.

HOWEVER, you also want them to know who you are.

INTERVIEWINGEVERY INTERVIEW WILL BE DIFFERENT THAN THE NEXT. THAT CAN MAKE IT DIFFICULT TO

PLAN AHEAD, OR TO KNOW WHAT TO EXPECT!

Tell us about yourself. Be ready to give a 2-5 minute speech about yourself. Include

anything you’re comfortable with, including General information about your family or your hometown Where you go to school, any activities/organizations in which you are

involved

Why are you the best candidate for the position?How do you handle conflict (or another job-specific example)?Tell me about a time that you failed and what you learned

from it.What experience have you had?What is your work ethic like?How do you handle criticism?

INTERVIEWINGQUESTIONS YOU CAN EXPECT

What do you know about our company?What are you looking for in a supervisor? Co-workers?What did you like/dislike about your previous job?What are your greatest strengths/weaknesses?What motivates you?Questions about teamwork and working alone…What can you contribute to this team?Where do you hope to be in 5 years?What can this job teach you?Do you have any questions about our company or this

position specifically?

INTERVIEWINGQUESTIONS YOU CAN EXPECT

How many of you have facebook? Twitter? Tumbler? Four Square? Instagram? (Myspace or Xanga?)

I know that you feel like you are lectured ALL the time about this, but it matters- Not just in a social context, but in a professional one.

Social networking can influence your career, not just your safety. Are you posting vulgar images or using profanity? Are your friends

posting those things on your wall, or tagging you in them? Are you drinking or smoking, taking inappropriate pictures, or even complaining about your teachers, parents or current boss?

What are your privacy settings? Public? Friends of friends? Only your networks? Only friends? Is your twitter account locked or public?

If a potential boss wants to find information on you, they will. Maybe your friend who already works there shows him your page, thinking they’re helping you…

There are endless examples. Just think about it.

THINGS TO CONSIDER

Helping students gain a better understanding of how to compose an effective, professional resume and cover letter

Provide an introduction to the process of a professional interview.

At the conclusion of the lesson, students should know how to: construct a resume for effective display of information and ease

of reading compose a cover letter that is concise and informative know what to wear to an interview, how to behave, and what

types of questions to expect from the interviewer/s

LESSON OBJECTIVES

Want to discuss further? Come see me!

Jennifer GreenwoodCareer Specialist

Room N101Monday & Tuesday

THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME!

PLEASE COMPLETE AN EXIT SLIP–I WILL COLLECT THEM AS YOU LEAVE CLASS.