Transcript Resume & Cover Letter Workshop Neal Carroll CLEAR Center

Resume & Cover Letter
Workshop
Neal Carroll
CLEAR Center
One way to find a job…
The most effective way to get the
job you want:
Write resumes and cover letters
that are impossible to refuse.
This lecture will prepare you for
your homework assignment to write
a resume and cover letter and for
the job market.
(Refer to “Homework #1” handout)
We will focus on
1. Cover letter format and craft
2. Resume guidelines and craft
Cover Letter Components
(refer to “Business Letter” handout & Examples on
the website)
• Letterhead with full contact information
• Date
• Recipient’s full name, title, and address
• Salutation
• Introductory paragraph
• Body paragraphs
• Summarizing paragraph
• Close
• Signature block
• Signature
Cover Letter Formatting
• 1 – 11/4” margins all around
• Times New Roman 12 pt font
(except for letterhead)
• One blank line between paragraphs
• Left justify only
• Signature in blue or black ink only
Writing the cover letter
According to Indiana School of Law, cover letters may best
be organized into three paragraphs:
Par. 1: Explains why you are writing, names the position
for which you are applying and where you found the
opening; Explains why you are interested.
Par. 2: Explains how your experience qualifies you for the
position.
Par. 3: Paves the way for an interview; indicates your
willingness to interview and/or how you will follow up on
your application.
Let’s work on an example together.
Here’s the job ad:
Looking for a boxing teacher to work with at-risk youth in
the Salt Lake Area. Applicant should have at least three
years of boxing teaching experience and should be able
to deal with conflict in a positive way. The job requires
working with teenage boys who have histories with
violence and acting out. This is a great opportunity for
someone who is interested in making a difference for
people who have had challenging upbringings. About 20
hours per week, mornings preferred. Applicant should
have a Utah driver’s license and pass a background
check and drug tests. Please mail resume to Rick Smith
at 115 Park Place, Sandy, UT 84123.
You, the applicant, have this
experience:
• 5 years experience as a Taekwando
teacher for children between the ages of
10 and 12
• 9 years experience as a boxing student
• 1 year experience as a volunteer for big
brother / big sister charity
(what are the challenges in terms of the job
requirements?)
Here are some common
mistakes
Bad Example # 1: Emphasizing less important aspects first
Dear Mr. Smith:
I have lived in Utah for seven years so I do have a
Utah’s driver’s license. Also, I don’t do drugs, so I will
definitely pass the drug test. I should be able to teach in
the mornings, so the schedule for this job is perfect for
me and for you. I’ve been a Taekwondo teacher for 5
years for little kids. This is a good reason for you to hire
me.
Bad example #2: Leaving out important
connections between experience and job
requirements.
Dear Mr. Smith:
I have five years of experience as a Taekwondo teacher
for children between the ages of 10 and 12. It was a
really wonderful experience to teach young children
because they look up to you and learn very easily and
quickly. There’s nothing like being a teacher. I was also
a volunteer for big brother / big sister. My “little brother”
really helped me to see that there are people out there
who need my help and attention. I think I would be a
good fit for your program. I’ve attached a resume so you
can see why.
Good example:
Shows how even though the applicant has
never been a boxing teacher or worked with teens,
his cumulative experience makes him the right
candidate for the job.
Dear Mr. Smith:
My extensive experience as a Taekwondo instructor
along with my experience as a boxing student have
prepared me for a job as a boxing instructor. Though my
students were not at-risk teenagers, they did provide me
with a lot of practice at resolving conflict and providing
positive discipline. I am confident I could use these skills
to be successful in this position, and I’m excited for the
chance to use boxing as a way to teach discipline and
confidence to your students. Enclosed you will find my
resume, which further describes my education and skills.
Resume Tips
• Do strive for readability
– 20% White Space
– One page in length (but no less than a page)
• Do tailor the resume for each application
– Do not use “stock” resumes
– Do your “homework”; research the company
to which you are applying
• Do not make spelling or grammatical
errors
– One error sends your resume to the can
Resume Tips
• Use a functional, rather than strictly
chronological, format
• Be spare with organizational sections
• Label your file correctly (w/ your name)
• Use a mix of sentence constructions and
bullet points
– Use parallel grammatical construction
Make your experience relevant
to the job!
If you’re applying for a job that requires
“managerial skills,” which of the following
descriptions would you use for the following
work experience?
1.
Café Pierpont: Server and Hostess, September 2004
– present, Salt Lake City, UT
- Worked efficiently in a high-stress environment
- Handled money as a cashier
OR
2. Café Pierpont: Server and Hostess, September 2004 –
present, Salt Lake City, UT
- trained 20 employees as Trainer and Supervisor
- Interacted with the public regularly as a
representative of the company
For more information, refer to
handout,
“Resume Guidelines” on the course
website
Questions?
Exercise:
Write the second paragraph of a
cover letter accompanying your
application for the following job
posting
Position: Electrical Engineer
Design and implementation of electrical systems and
components of advanced air filtration systems within
acceptable time and cost structures. Work closely with
our Engineering, Materials and Production groups from
product inception through development and production.
The ideal candidate for this opportunity will possess a
Bachelors Degree in Electrical Engineering, and a min.
of 3 years electrical system and component design
experience, preferably in a manufacturing environment.
Additional experience with design of test equipment and
embedded software, Basic, C, C++ is preferred.
Knowledge of FTA, FMECA, NFPA, UL, IEC, IEEE, ISO,
CSA, CE, ESD, CISPR, EN, etc. a plus!