resumes & cover letters career & advising services lewis-clark state college

Resumes & Cover Letters

Career & Advising ServicesLewis-Clark State College

www.lcsc.edu/cas

Your Resume ~ What is it ?

It’s your first impression – make it positive!

A description of you – on paper

An example of your communication and writing skills

An avenue to obtain an interview

Resumes:Three Components

Content: What you choose to include in the body of the resume

Format: The order in which you choose to arrange the information

Finishing Touches - Paper, Font, Graphics: Your style and personality

The Four Resume Types

ChronologicalFunctional

CombinationCurriculum Vitae (C.V. or Vitae)

Chronological Format Job Titles & Dates Stand Out

You have a strong work history

You have several years of employment in the field or type of position you seek

Listing your job titles or the companies you have worked for creates an image that presents you as qualified for your objective

The positions you have held show growth in your desired field

Samantha Needajob

500 8th Avenue Lewiston, ID 83501

208-555-1212 [email protected]

OBJECTIVE: To obtain a position in entry-level management EDUCATION: May 2006 Bachelor of Science, Business Administration GPA 3.8 Lewis-Clark State College, Lewiston, ID Computer Science Minor President’s List – Six semesters

EXPERIENCE: June 2005 – Internship, Assistant Department Manager Dec 2005 J. C. Penney Company, Lewiston, ID Learned aspects of managing a retail department: Sales Leadership Inventory

Visual Merchandising Buying Investment Control Loss Prevention Human Resource Development

Jan 2002 - Food Service May 2005 Polar Bear Yogurt, Lewiston, ID

Served the public utilizing excellent customer service skills, in addition to opening and closing of the facility ACTIVITIES:

Business Professionals of America, 4 semesters Boys and Girls Club Volunteer, 3 years

References available upon request

Chronological FormatReverse Chronological Order

Functional Format Skill Headings Stand Out & Get Attention Dates Are Absent Or Minimized

You have very old experience

You have little or no work history

You have no “paid” experience

You have a very erratic work history

Samantha Needajob


208-555-1212 ~ [email protected]

EDUCATION

Bachelor of Science, Business Administration, May 2006 Lewis-Clark State College, Lewiston, ID GPA 3.8 Computer Science Minor ~ President’s List, Six Semesters

CUSTOMER SERVICE

Assisted customers with retail purchases utilizing excellent customer

service skills Waited on, and served customers in a restaurant setting ensuring customer

satisfaction with their order Focused goal of customer satisfaction to ensure return business

MANAGEMENT SKILLS

Acquired skills in retail operations through intensive sixth month internship Experienced training in the areas of Sales Leadership and Human Resource Development;

Visual Merchandising, Buying, Inventory and Loss Prevention Trained and experienced in store opening and closing activities

COMPUTER SKILLS

Proficient in Microsoft Word, Access and Excel Database programs Knowledgeable of 10-Key by Touch, 6-line phone systems with 14

extensions and most office machines

Functional Format Skills - Based Categories

Combination Format Skill Headings Highlighted ~ Dates/Places Validate

You have gaps in employment, erratic or short work history

You are making a career change & past work isn’t related to new objective

Older experience qualifies you for the job instead of most recent employment

Samantha Needajob 500 8th Avenue

Lewiston, ID 83501 208-555-1212 ~ [email protected]

EDUCATION

Bachelor of Science, Business Administration May 2006 Lewis-Clark State College, Lewiston, ID GPA 3.8 Computer Science Minor ~ President’s List, Six Semesters

BUSINESS SKILLS

Customer Service: Assisted customers with retail purchases; served customers in a restaurant

setting ensuring customer satisfaction with their order; focused goal of customer satisfaction to ensure return business

Management Skills: Six month intensive internship learning retail operations of Sales

Leadership, Human Resource Development, Visual Merchandising, Buying & Inventory, Loss Prevention. Experienced in store opening and closing activities

Computer Skills: Proficient in Microsoft Word, Access and Excel Database programs;

knowledgeable of 10-Key by Touch, 6-line phone systems with 14 extensions and most office machines

EXPERIENCE Internship, Assistant Department Manager June 2005 – Dec 2005 J. C. Penney Company, Lewiston, ID

Food Service Jan 2002 – May 2005 Polar Bear Yogurt, Lewiston, ID

ACTIVITIES

Business Professionals of America Four semesters Boys and Girls Club Volunteer Three years

Combination Format Skills and Dates

Curriculum Vitae

Detailed account of one’s career

More information than a resume – more like a career biography

C.V.’s can be required in positions of research, academia, science, healthcare, some internship and graduate programs

Categories should include research, thesis/dissertation, publications, presentations, fieldwork, grants, fellowships, memberships, and languages

Formatting Your Resume Arrangement on the Page

Heading: At the top of the page, name is large and bold ~ try 22 font

Categories: Can be traditional or skills based; left justified or centered

Style: Font size 10-12 point for content Times New Roman/Arial easy to read Use graphics with caution

Paper: Conservative color, resume quality bond/parchment

CategoriesOrganization of Content

Objective: What is your employment goal?

Education: List your degree and school, certificates, licenses and specialized training

Experience:Positions, employers, dates, responsibilities, skills

Activities: Career related memberships, publications, volunteering

References:Optional, or use statement “Available upon request”

Samantha Needajob



OBJECTIVE: To obtain a position in entry-level management

EDUCATION: May 2006 Bachelor of Science, Business Administration GPA 3.8 Lewis-Clark State College, Lewiston, ID

Computer Science Minor President’s List – Six semesters

EXPERIENCE: June 2005 – Internship, Assistant Department Manager Dec 2005 J. C. Penney Company, Lewiston, ID

Learned aspects of managing a retail department: Sales Leadership Inventory


Jan 2002 - Food Service May 2005 Polar Bear Yogurt, Lewiston, ID

Served the public utilizing excellent customer service skills, in addition to opening and closing of the facility

ACTIVITIES: Business Professionals of America, 4 semesters Boys and Girls Club Volunteer, 3 years

References available upon request

Chronological Format #1

Name is large & bold

Clear contact information

Add email only of you read it regularly!

Line separates heading from body of resume

Objective optional – Can mention in cover letter

Capitalized & bolded categories sort content

Bolded degree & positions draw eye down page

Dates off to left, can place to the right margin

Volunteer activities show community involvement

Reference statement is optional


Another heading style

Contact information still clear and easy to read


Profile instead of Objective Mention objective in cover letter

Capitalized & bolded categories sort content


Dates off to right balance print on page


Reference statement is optional

Samantha Needajob 500 8th Avenue 208-555-1212 Lewiston, ID 83501 [email protected]

PROFILE: Excellent customer service skills

Efficient time management High attention to detail

EDUCATION:

Bachelor of Science, Business Administration May 2006 Lewis-Clark State College, Lewiston, ID GPA 3.8 Computer Science Minor President’s List – Six semesters

EXPERIENCE:

Internship, Assistant Department Manager June 2005 – Dec 2005 J. C. Penney Company, Lewiston, ID Learned aspects of managing a retail department: Sales Leadership Inventory


Food Service Jan 2002 – May 2005

Polar Bear Yogurt, Lewiston, ID Served the public utilizing excellent customer service

skills, in addition to opening and closing of the facility

ACTIVITIES:

Business Professionals of America 4 semesters Boys and Girls Club Volunteer 3 years

Samantha Needajob



OBJECTIVE

To obtain a position in entry level management

EDUCATION

Bachelor of Science, Business Administration, May 2006 Lewis-Clark State College, Lewiston, ID

Computer Science Minor President’s List – Six semesters, GPA 3.8

EXPERIENCE

Internship, Assistant Department Manager, June 2005 – Dec 2005 J. C. Penney Company, Lewiston, ID

Learned aspects of managing a retail department:

Sales Leadership Inventory Visual Merchandising Buying Investment Control Loss Prevention Human Resource Development

Food Service, Jan 2002 – May 2005 Polar Bear Yogurt, Lewiston, ID

Served the public utilizing:

Excellent customer service skills Opened and closed facility

ACTIVITIES

Business Professionals of America, 4 semesters Boys and Girls Club Volunteer, 3 years


Centered heading style, phone and email on same line to conserve space

Contact information still clear and easy to read


Objective clearly stated

Centered categories, capitalized & bolded, sort content


Dates centered with content


Optional reference statement has been left off

Samantha Needajob



EDUCATION

Bachelor of Science, Business Administration, May 2006 Lewis-Clark State College, Lewiston, ID GPA 3.8 Computer Science Minor ~ President’s List, Six Semesters

CUSTOMER SERVICE

Assisted customers with retail purchases utilizing excellent customer service skills Waited on, and served customers in a restaurant setting ensuring customer satisfaction

with their order Focused goal of customer satisfaction to ensure return business

MANAGEMENT SKILLS

Acquired skills in retail operations through intensive sixth month internship Experienced training in the areas of Sales Leadership and Human Resource

Development; Visual Merchandising, Buying, Inventory and Loss Prevention Trained and experienced in store opening and closing activities

COMPUTER SKILLS

Proficient in Microsoft Word, Access and Excel Database programs Knowledgeable of 10-Key by Touch, 6-line phone systems with 14

extensions and most office machines

Functional Format

Emphasis on skills

Heading can be centered or left justified

New graduates – Education is usually listed near top, move down on resume as more experience is acquired

Categories should reflect your main employable skills - categories can be centered or left justified



EDUCATION

Bachelor of Science, Business Administration May 2006 Lewis-Clark State College, Lewiston, ID GPA 3.8 Computer Science Minor President’s List, Six Semesters

BUSINESS SKILLS

Customer Service: Assisted customers with retail purchases; served customers in a restaurant setting ensuring customer satisfaction with their order; focused goal of customer satisfaction to ensure return business

Management Skills: Six month intensive internship learning retail operations of Sales Leadership, Human Resource Development, Visual Merchandising, Buying & Inventory, Loss Prevention. Experienced in store opening and closing activities

Computer Skills: Proficient in Microsoft Word, Access and Excel Database programs; knowledgeable of 10-Key by Touch, 6-line phone systems with 14 extensions and most office machines

EXPERIENCE Internship, Assistant Department Manager June 2005 – Dec 2005 J. C. Penney Company, Lewiston, ID Food Service Jan 2002 – May 2005 Polar Bear Yogurt, Lewiston, ID

ACTIVITIES

Business Professionals of America Four semesters Boys and Girls Club Volunteer Three years

Combination Format Skills and Dates

The best of both styles – important skills and consistent dates are listed

Final Resume Tips Points to remember

Be dynamic – do not be understated about your accomplishments and achievements

Your resume should be visually powerful – use white space, readable font style (no courier) and touches such as bullets to create a document easy to read

Grammar, spelling and tenses should be perfect – use spell check and have at least two others proofread

Do not use contractions, abbreviations or acronyms

Use positive action verbs to describe your strengths

Create on a computer and print on a laser printer or high quality inkjet, on conservatively colored bond, linen or parchment quality paper

Two page resumes are acceptable as long as second page is three-fourths full of meaningful information

References Make sure they speak to your employable

skills

Three to Five references are standard

Your best and most current employer references who can speak about your job skills should be listed first

Personal or character references should be last – they may not necessarily know your career strengths

Ask your potential reference to be a resource before you list them – never assume

Thank your references with a handwritten card

Samantha Needajob



REFERENCES

James Morestore, Manager JC Penney Company



Jane Latte, Owner Polar Bear Yogurt 556 16th Avenue

Lewiston, ID 83501 208-555-8468

[email protected]

Joseph Profit, Instructor Business Division

Lewis-Clark State College 500 8th Avenue

Lewiston, ID 83501 208-555-1234

[email protected]

ReferencesCopy and paste heading to create new document

Line divides heading from references

Centered format creates balance

3 – 5 contacts are standard

List name, title and business contact information

List email addresses if known

Cover Letters The tie between the job and your resume

Reinforce specific qualities that show you fit the job

Provide more detail than the resume might include

Provide pertinent personal information the resume would not include

Another example of your communication skills

Take time and care writing this challenging letter

Formatting your LetterTips for a professional look

Copy and paste your resume heading to start this document – by using this same heading, it creates a visually coordinated package

Start date two - three lines down from the graphic line dividing heading from the body of the letter

Three lines between date and employer’s name, and three before greeting – use two lines if space is tight

Two lines dividing paragraphs, and ending of letter

Allow four lines for signature – remember to sign your letter in addition to your typed signature

Two lines below printed signature, place the word “Enclosure” to designate another document is enclosed – plural if more than one



2-3 lines Date 2-3 lines Name, Title Try to find this out – you can call the company Company or Business name in full Address or P.O. Box City, State Zip 2-3 lines Dear Ms. Manager; Use Mr. or Ms. , and colon or semi-colon 2 lines Tell the employer what you are interested in or the title of the position for which you are applying. Let the employer know where you heard or read of the opening. Tell the employer you are enclosing your resume. 2 lines Give the employer a concise overview of your work history and the skills you have that will help you perform the job. Mention the job skills that were advertised for this position and give examples of how you possess those skills. 2 lines State your confidence in your abilities and give information on how you can be contacted. Let the employer know if you have a cell phone or an answering machine if you are frequently absent from home. Share your email address and that you check it frequently (assuming that you do, of course). 2 lines Thank the employer for their time with your application. 2 lines Sincerely, (Only Sincerely, do not use anything else, not Yours Truly, Have a nice day, etc.) 4 lines Remember to sign your name! Samatha Needajob 2 lines Enclosure (Lets the employer know something else is enclosed – your resume)

Cover Letter Basics

Formatting of your letter

Left justified or indented paragraph style

Be consistent with line spacing

Remember to sign your name



May 4, 2006 Mary Center, Manager The Unique Department Store 2334 Mall Road Lewiston, ID 83501 Dear Ms. Center; I am writing to express my interest in the position of Department Manager, Women’s Career Wear, recently advertised in the Lewiston Morning Tribune. I am acquainted with Debbie Jones, who is employed at your store and who encouraged me to apply for this position. Enclosed you will find my resume detailing my education and experience. Later this month I will be graduating from Lewis-Clark State College with my Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration. This program has provided me with a wide variety of experiences and an understanding of various business arenas. I recently completed an intensive management internship for JC Penney Company, adding to my skills and education in the areas of department store management. I am confidant that these experiences and my degree will enable me to be a successful manager for your company. I would appreciate the opportunity to visit with you about my qualifications. I can be reached at 208-555-1212, and I do have an answering machine and will return all calls promptly. I also regularly read my email at [email protected]. I look forward to hearing from you soon. Thank you for you consideration of my application. Sincerely, Samatha Needajob Enclosure

Standard Cover LetterLeft justified margins are clean and easy to read, but indented paragraph style is acceptable

Heading provides your return address

Date your letter

Name and title of employer is important – if unknown, direct letter to Human Resources Manager or Representative

Paragraph #1: Tell what you want and how you heard about the opening – mention your resume is enclosed

Paragraph #2: Give a concise overview of your work and skills and tie them to the position you are applying for

Paragraph #3: State your confidence in your ability to do the job and provide contact information

Closing: Always say thank you and Sincerely

Resumes & Cover LettersA reflection of you on paper…Make it count !

Career & Advising Services has additional resume and cover letter resources in the office at Reid Centennial Hall, 110

Trained staff can assist you with your resume questions

With workshop completion, you are eligible for resume critique services

CAS has two computers available for your resume processing

Laser printing and resume paper available for small fee

Visit LCSC Career & Advising Services ~ Reid Hall 110

Debra Lybyer, Director, Career & AdvisingDebi Mundell, Associate DirectorSusan Lawson, Career CounselorAndrea Masom, Career AdvisorGreen Baggett, Staff Volunteer

Denise Harris, Administrative Assistant

Monday – Friday 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. school year

resumes & cover letters career & advising services lewis-clark state college

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