Resume & Cover Letter Essentials

Presented by: Liz Herrera, Assistant Director SPH

Career Services

Agenda

• Welcome & Introductions• What is a branding statement?• Components of a Resume• How to enhance your current resume• Cover letter essentials

Getting Started

• What is the goal of your resume?

• What BRAND are you marketing to your targeted audience?

• What is your professional story?

Take Inventory of your Experience

• work experience paid, non-Paid• practicum experience• special course projects• activities• committees• languages• technical skills• volunteer work• academics• publications• leadership• conferences

Reflect on your experience• What are your credentials?• What are your major

achievements/accomplishments?• How did you stand out in each of your

positions?• What major contributions have you made to

your field?• Special Projects?• How did you go above and beyond?• Unique skills

Sample Resume Headings• Contact Information (E-mail, LinkedIn URL)• Introductory Statement (Summary of Qualifications,

Career Profile, Highlights)• Education• Work Experience• Professional Development• Awards /Recognition• Trainings /Certifications• Skills (Computer and Languages)• Leadership Experience• Presentations• Publications

What is your resume brand?

• Career Profile• Summary of Qualifications • Professional Profile• Career Highlights• Career Summary• Professional Qualifications• Core Competencies• Areas of Expertise

Example Profile

Health Educator ~ Program Development ~ Partnership Development• Certified health educator of 5 years. Deliver culturally competent health

education workshops to community based organizations to help address health issues.

• Experience training diverse audiences on health topics in English and Spanish.

• Expert knowledge in the field of diabetes with comprehensive experience teaching self-management skills and presenting innovations through seminars and workshops.

• Experience cultivating relationships and building rapport with healthcare/ business professionals within various healthcare environments.

Overused words and phrases

• Demonstrated excellence• Proven ability to• Accomplished professional – or any statement that

includes professional• Team player• Able to exceed in fast-paced environments• Works well independently or with a team• Excellent communicator (or its counterpart: Excellent

verbal and written communication skills)• Results-oriented, results-driven, or proven ability to

deliver results

Does this look familiar?

• Responsible for….• Duties included…• Helped….• Worked on…• Made a….• HIPPA?• Hobbies/Skills (from the template)

Stand out in your experience

• Always tailor and customize your resume• Highlight strengths and relevant points• Quantify (use numbers, percentages,

accomplishments) • Begin statements with powerful action verbs• Do not use a template• Show your contributions…• Your resume should be polished and visually

appealing!

Enhance your bullet points

Before: • Responsible for developing a report to the Secretary of Health and

Human Services

After:• Developed and published 300-page report to the Secretary of Health

and Human Services providing foundation for policies governing electronic exchange of information in healthcare

Before: • Submitted monthly data on state and federal contracts

After:• Saved $10K annually by systemizing procedures for submitting

monthly data on state and federal contracts

Power statements

• Served as a member of a team selected to write and implement $50,000 grant proposal to develop innovative programs addressing childhood obesity.

• Developed strategic relationships with key healthcare systems providers, including Medicaid HMO plans for commercial memberships.

• Standardized and delivered training/rehabilitation to 25 patients recovering from immune-systems cancer and neurological disorders.

Additional Tips

• Check & double check for content flow, grammar, punctuation, and spelling

• Keep to 1 or 2 pages• Do not clutter your resume• Use variations in style to help the reader’s eye pick up

most important information and move through the resume

• Use a readable font size• Avoid using templates• Send in PDF format

• Prioritize bullet points• Keep format organized and consistent• Avoid the use of “I” or “my” • Stick with two fonts at most• Use bullet points sparingly• Avoid underlining in most instances• Have enough white space • Edit and proofread for possible errors

RESUME QUESTIONS?

Cover Letter Essentials…

• Research the company• Decipher the job posting• Assess your skills, strengths and

knowledge related to the job requirements

• Reflect on accomplishments and contributions to a prior employer

• Identify what you can bring to the prospective employer

Components of a Cover Letter

INTRODUCTION: (What is your purpose?)

• Identifies the position you are applying for• Tells how you learned about the position• Include your special interest in the position

BODY:• Highlight the most important qualifications that

match the job requirements• Describe points that may be of special interest

to the employer• Focus on an example that provides evidence of

your experience and accomplishments• Be sure to use keywords

Components of a Cover Letter

Components of a Cover Letter

CLOSING:• Indicate your interest in having an interview or

the next step you plan to take• Inform that your resume is enclosed• Reiterate your contact information• Thank the reader

FINAL COVER LETTER TIPS

• Check for content flow, grammar, punctuation and spelling

• Keep to one page• Tailor your cover letter • Use standard business letter format• Use a font style and size that is easy to read• Be honest!

CHECK OUT SPH CAREER SERVICES

on