Transcript Slide 1

Title of Presentation Here
Subtitle Here
CAREER SERVICES
STUDENT SUCCESS CENTER
UW1 160
(425) 352-3706
[email protected]
WWW.UWB.EDU/CAREERS
Explore
Build
Connect
Resumes & Cover Letters
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Together they help you get a job
interview
They are a team
Best to complete a resume first
to help complete the cover letter
Turn in both each time you
apply, even if they are not asking
for both
Opinions on both developed
from speaking with HR people
The Word of the Day:
CUSTOMIZE!
Prove It!
Show your evidence
 Avoid weak statements
 Add bullet points that are unique to you
 Use evidence and artifacts from your
portfolio & experience
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Customize Your Application
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You want to give the employer what they want
The job description explains what the
employer wants
Use the job description to customize your
application
Match the tone of the company
Use your highlighting skills
Run the description through www.wordle.net
What is a Resume?
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Typically a 1-page document that highlights your viable
skills for a potential job
A resume is a marketing piece
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Highlight your strong points: Education; Professional or Relevant
experience; and Skills & Accomplishments
Customize each resume to the job for which you are
applying
Read the job descriptions carefully to insert keywords &
identify the skills they are targeting
Do not include: “I,” “me,” “my,” “we,” or “us”
How Long to Review a Resume?
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A resume review can be as little as a few
seconds
On average, for someone who does this full
time, it takes 20-30 seconds to decide if you will
be invited for an interview
We want to create your resume for a 10 second
and 5 minute review
Keep the reviewer happy – consciously and
subconsciously
Produce a Clean Looking Resume
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Keep a clean, professional and
easy to read format
Make sparse use of lines
Okay to have a filled resume, but
also need to add white space
Minimum font size to use is 10pt
and minimum margins is ½”
Do not use colors
The Header
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Make sure name is one you go by: Joe vs Joseph
Mailing address is okay to add, but not needed
Use a professional email address
Un-hyperlink your email address
Double, triple check email and phone number
Contact info can go on one line to save space
Objective Statement
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Not seen as much on resumes today
Good to have if there is no cover letter with the
application (although most should have a cover letter)
Generally list the position and company you are
applying for
Your one sentence pitch for why you have the
skills or want this position
Summary of Qualifications
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Generally used to bring your most
relevant qualifications to the top of
the resume
Avoid general statements like,
“Great customer service” – prove it
Good place to put language and
technical skills
Not always required
Education
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Degree first, followed by university
Right justify “expected graduation”
Post GPA if above 3.5 or if required by company
Add in relevant course work, but don’t just put the course
title, state the skills you learned in the course
In most cases, do not need to put community college
Relevant Experience
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Like to call (or at least think about) the section “Relevant
Experience”
Can add work, internships, volunteer, class projects,
personal projects to this area
Right justify the dates
Lead with job title, then the company you did the job
Include 3-5 bullet points for each experience
Relevant Experience Continued
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Rank them in order of importance
Start each bullet with an action verb
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Quantify whenever possible
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Dollar amounts responsible for
How many people trained or managed?
Percentage of improved efficiency
Do Not Include…
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References should be on
a separate sheet and
given during the interview,
not written on your resume
Typically you do not add
interests or hobbies
What is a cover letter?
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In most cases, it is a onepage description of why you
want this position and how
you are qualified.
The cover letter gets people
to read your resume, which
gets you an interview.
Gives a sample of your
writing.
Here is How to Start:
Four Paragraph Cover Letter
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Formal letter header
Salutation
#1 Introduction
#2 Strongest skill sets
#3 Why this company/job?
#4 Thanks/conclusion
Formal Letter Header
123 Maple Ave NE
Bothell, WA 98011
[email protected] ( un-hyperlink)
206.555.1212 ( double check)
Date
Sally Jones
Hiring Manager
Acme Company
1122 Business St SW
Seattle, WA 98103
Salutation – Make an Effort
Best- “Dear Ms. Smith:” ( use colon)
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Try to find a name
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Contact Human Resources:
“Who is the hiring manager for this position?”
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Research on website
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Find person in charge of department
Contact the person
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Check status of application
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Ask a question
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Do not annoy the person
Last Resort- “Dear Hiring Manager:”
First Paragraph - Introduction
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Say what position you are applying
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“I am submitting my application for your Social Media Manager
position at Eddie Bauer that I found out about via HuskyJobs.”
This is the time to name drop
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“One of the reasons I am interested in applying for this position is I
recently spoke with Larry Wilson, Social Media Associate, and
learned how your company is leveraging social media to increase
your marketing reach and my skills could help you continue to grow
your presence.”
Second Paragraph – Strongest Skills
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Choose the 2-3 skill sets that best connect to
what the employer wants
Do not re-hash your resume
Should “wow” them into wanting to look at your
resume
Matching what they are looking for with what
skills that you have
Third Paragraph – Why this Job?
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Missing from most cover letters and probably most important
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Why do you want this job/position
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Make the employer feel “special”
Go deeper than, “You are a great company to work for”
Tell them something about themselves that they already know
Do some research: company website (about, values, mission
statement), looking on Wikipedia, GlassDoor.com, and check
them out on Google News
Fourth Paragraph - Thanks
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Conclude your cover letter
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“I hope that you can see that my
qualifications match closely with your
requested skill sets. After reviewing my
application, I wish to have an opportunity to
discuss in more detail why I might be a good
fit for your company.”
Add “Sincerely,” with your
name
Do not be too aggressive, but
if you are – follow through
When Completed – Not Done
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Create your outline of your cover
letter, fill in the details
Edit, edit, edit -- a simple mistake can
cost you the interview
Use resources, like Career Services
or the Writing Center on campus
Now look at examples of cover letters
to see if you want to change anything
Customize for each job you apply for
Where do I find jobs?
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Job listings:
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Husky Jobs
Indeed.com
Career Center News
Target companies directly
Networking
Come to visit Career Services
Questions? Here
Title of Presentation
Subtitle Here
Career Services
Student Success Center
UW1 160
(425) 352-3706
[email protected]
Explore
Build
Connect