Transcript WRITING AN EFFECTIVE RESUME AND COVER LETTER Liz Freedman, Career Advisor Hubbard Center for Student Engagement (765) 658-6004 [email protected].

WRITING AN EFFECTIVE RESUME
AND COVER LETTER
Liz Freedman, Career Advisor
Hubbard Center for Student Engagement
(765) 658-6004
[email protected]
PURPOSE OF A RESUME
• Market your skills, abilities, and accomplishments
• Secure an interview – get in the “yes” pile
• Grad School/Gap Year Experience
• Informational interviews
• To inform your references
• It is NOT the be-all end-all
GENERAL TIPS
• Be specific to the job/internship
• Typically one page; margins no smaller than .75
• Times New Roman /Arial; size 11 or 12 (16 for the name)
• Avoid italics, underlines, boxes, vertical lines, etc.
• Show to someone in the field
• Proofread!
RESUME SECTIONS
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Heading
Objective
Education
Experience
Leadership and Community Service
Skills
Other ideas?
HEADING
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Name
E-mail Address
Address
Phone Number
Other ideas?
Liz Freedman
(765) 658 – 6004
[email protected]
408. South Locust Street, Greencastle, IN 46135
OBJECTIVE
• Optional field
• Tailor it for each position – be specific!
• State what you can provide to the employer;
not what they can provide you
Liz Freedman
(765) 658 – 6004
[email protected]
408. South Locust Street, Greencastle, IN 46135
OBJECTIVE
Seeking the position of Video Production Assistant with the Indianapolis Indians where I may utilize my
proven skills and experience in digital audio editing, production, and design.
EDUCATION
• Highlight your degree
• May include coursework, honors, and study abroad
Liz Freedman
(765) 658 – 6004
[email protected]
408. South Locust Street, Greencastle, IN 46135
OBJECTIVE
Seeking the position of Video Production Assistant with the Indianapolis Indians where I may utilize my
proven skills and experience in digital audio editing, production, and design.
EDUCATION
Bachelor of Arts in Communications
DePauw University, Greencastle, IN
Minor: Media Studies
GPA: 3.7/4.0
May 2015
Coursework Included: Public Communication Controversy, Interpersonal Communication, Intercultural
Communication, Electronic Journalism, Film and Culture.
Honors: Dean’s List, Honor Scholar Program, Media Fellow
EXPERIENCE
• You can include two sections, the first being specific
to your field
Liz Freedman
(765) 658 – 6004
[email protected]
408. South Locust Street, Greencastle, IN 46135
OBJECTIVE
Seeking the position of Video Production Assistant with the Indianapolis Indians where I may utilize my
proven skills and experience in digital audio editing, production, and design.
EDUCATION
Bachelor of Arts in Communications
DePauw University, Greencastle, IN
Minor: Media Studies
GPA: 3.7/4.0
May 2015
MEDIA ARTS EXPERIENCE
Audio Production Intern
May 2013 – July 2013
Media Company, Indianapolis, IN
• Produced 60 second radio spots by cutting, editing, and processing sound effects
• Trained and supervised five volunteers to help produce broadcast quality audio
• Performed digital audio editing and mixing using Pro Tools
CONSTRUCTING BULLET POINTS
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Use action verbs
Focus on accomplishments, or the “how” and “why”
Quantify when possible
Match relevant skills
Examples:
 Supervised four student workers by monitoring productivity, delegating tasks, and
providing developmental guidance
 Exhibited creativity and strong communication skills by developing informational
pamphlets
 Discovered business opportunities with new and existing clients to increase market
share and profitability
 Trained over 100 end users on various computer applications, which increased
productivity and end user confidence
 Implemented and maintained a phone system which resulted in a cost reduction of
$40,000 per year
BULLET POINTS: GOOD TO GREAT
• Good: “Organized rush activities for
fraternity.”
• Great: “Developed new rush strategies;
doubled number of prospective members.”
• Good: “Helped students with their homework.”
• Great: “Tutored five students in biology
which increased test scores an average of 10
points.”
LEADERSHIP AND COMMUNITY
SERVICE
• Combine leadership positions and volunteer
activities into one section
• One bullet point per experience, if space allows
• Remember: these can be professional!
LEADERSHIP AND COMMUNITY SERVICE
Active Member, D3TV, DePauw Student Television
August 2012–Present
Vice President, Alpha Chi Omega
January 2012–Present
Volunteer, Riley Children’s Hospital
March 2008–August 2011
SKILLS
• Optional section
• Stick to technical skills, not interests
• Personality attributes belong in the objective
SKILLS
Proficient in Pro Tools; Digital Performer; Microsoft Word, Excel, Power Point; Adobe Photoshop; Adobe
Audition; Moderate in Spanish
EXAMPLES & RESOURCES
• http://www.depauw.edu/files/resources/educati
on-first-resume-sample-2.pdf
• http://www.depauw.edu/files/resources/eventplanning-resume-sample-2.pdf
• http://www.depauw.edu/academics/centers/hub
bard/resources/career/
COVER LETTERS
• Purpose
– Entice the employer to read your resume
– Highlight 2-3 skills/experiences that align with job
description
– Showcase your writing skills
– It is not to reiterate everything on your resume
• Keep in mind
– VERY specific; may change with every application!
COVER LETTER SECTIONS
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Heading/Date
Greeting
Intro paragraph
1-2 body paragraphs
Conclusion
Enclosures (depending)
HEADING/DATE
• Your contact information
• Date
• Company contact information
408 South Locust Street
Greencastle, IN 46135
(765) 658-6004
September 1st, 2013
Joe Smith
Marketing Director
Emmis Communications
40 Monument Circle, #700
Indianapolis, IN 46204
GREETING
• Find out their name!
• When all else fails:
– “Dear Hiring Manager”,
– “Dear Human Resources Professional”,
– “To Whom It May Concern”,
408 South Locust Street
Greencastle, IN 46135
(765) 658-6004
September 1st, 2013
Joe Smith
Marketing Director
Emmis Communications
40 Monument Circle, #700
Indianapolis, IN 46204
Dear Mr. Joe Smith,
INTRO PARAGRAPH
• Why you are writing
• Where you saw the job posting or Who
referred you
• What makes you the perfect candidate
Dear Mr. Joe Smith,
Please accept this letter and attached resume as consideration for the position of Marketing Assistant
with Emmis Communications, which was recently recommended to me by Chris Munn in the Center for
Student Engagement at DePauw University. My passion for and education in the Media Arts combined
with my varied professional experiences in communications settings make me an ideal candidate.
BODY PARAGRAPHS
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Prove the skills you mentioned in the first paragraph
Describe an accomplishment/project – tell a story!
CAR Method
Use 2 paragraphs when…
As a Communications and Media Studies student at DePauw University, my education has prepared me
to excel in the communications and marketing fields. Additionally, as an Audio Production Intern for
Media Company I have gained extensive knowledge in radio production as well as assumed leadership
roles within the organization. Within 3 months of interning, I was given the responsibility to both train
and supervise the organization’s five volunteers. In this role I lead the station’s annual pledge drive by
training the volunteers on proper customer service and phone etiquette, and I also advertised the drive
through several media outlets including writing an article for the local newspaper, creating a 60 second
radio spot, and designing posters to be placed throughout several local businesses. At the end of the
drive we were able to raise over $15,000, which is more than any previous year. It is this effort and
passion I hope to bring to the Marketing Assistant position at Emmis Communications.
CONCLUSION/ENCLOSURES
• Reiterate why they should hire you
• You would like to meet in person
• How to contact you - if writing that you will contact
them, follow up!
• “Thank you for your consideration.”
My resume is attached for your review. I firmly believe my background qualifies me for consideration,
and the skills I have obtained can be transferred in order to help the many different needs of clients at
Emmis Communications. I look forward to speaking with you about this opportunity and can be reached
at the phone number listed above or by email at [email protected]. Thank you for your time and
consideration.
Sincerely,
Liz Freedman