Developing Effective Resumes and Cover Letters
A staff member can assist you in creating a resume tailored to your skill set and aspirations. Resume assistance is available during Walk In hours or through a professional appointment. You will also find resumes samples below to help you with the process. Resume Development  Downloadable Resume Guide from iTunesU For an audio of how to write a resume, download from iTunesU. You will need to login with your UA ID + password then look for "Center for Career Managment" and download "RESUME GUIDE."
What do I need to use iTunesU?
You will need to have a recent version of iTunes installed. The content of iTunesU is both uploaded and retrieved from within iTunes. You can download a free copy for Windows and Macintosh from Apple. Download now!
Begin drafting your resume with the assistance from CCM professional staff members or with the help of the information and handouts listed below. Drafting your resume is a critical step in the career exploration process because it will help you with additional self-assessment. Through the process of resume development, you will not only learn the technical skills of writing a resume, but you will also uncover potential deficiencies that need to be developed prior to graduation through additional coursework and experiences. Once you have completed your draft stop by our office during our Walk In hours
for further assistance from one of our professional staff members and also get feedback on your resume from a different perspective. The resume serves several purposes:
- It is an essential part of every job search campaign.
- It is a written summary that gives an employer a preliminary impression of you (education, work experiences, interests, special skills and talents).
- It is a vehicle of communication and a demonstration of how you communicate.
- It answers an employer’s question of: what can you do for me and what are you like?
- It is used to secure job interviews–gets your foot in the door.
- It is used by employers as a reference source for recalling and/or further evaluating your strengths and abilities, and comparing you to other candidates.
- Finally, your resume serves as an assessment of YOU! and by putting it together it gives you an opportunity to see who you are in writing.
What should I include in my resume?
When you first start developing your resume or even when modifying your resume remember that the following sections should ALWAYS appear on your resume, regardless of what style you choose to use to display your information:
- The Heading (Personal Information): Your name, address, and phone number (area code). You may also include e-mail addresses, pager/beeper numbers, or web page addresses.
- Education: List your degree(s), major(s), graduation date (month/year), and degree- granting institution including the city and state. List any certificates or minors. GPA information may also be listed for your major or overall (out of a 4.0), if desired (it is recommended to list especially if it is 3.0 or higher). Class ranking may also be listed if your grades were reported that way. Describe any financial awards received. List any relevant courses you feel make you marketable. Section should reflect college degrees or additional training during or after college.
- Work Experience: List names of employers, locations of employers (city and state), job titles you held, basic duties and responsibilities, accomplishments, inclusive dates of employment for each job. Your work experience section can be broken into several categories: Career Advantage Network Experience (co-op/internships, service learning, field experience, etc.), Professional Experience, Related Experience, Volunteer Experience, etc. This section should reflect the positions you held in college and beyond. If you are a co-op/intern student, you can list some high school experiences.
However, you MAY want to include the following sections on your resume--it is your choice and personal preference to list as much information as possible to sell you to an employer.
- Activities/Interests: List athletic interests, hobbies, cultural interests, Study Abroad, etc.
- Awards, Honors, and Recognitions: List any academic or non-academic awards, scholarships, fellowships, special recognitions, etc.
- Professional Affiliations: List any memberships/offices held in student or professional organizations on- or off-campus.
- Technical Expertise/Computer Skills: List any hardware or software languages or programs that you know, e-mail, use of the Internet.
- Licenses, Accreditations, and Certifications: List any current ones you have.
- Languages: List the languages you can speak and write fairly fluently.
- Community Service or Special Projects: List your participation/involvement. Can also list research projects you completed in college courses (describe project, tasks, and end results.)
Cover Letter Development
How do I write a cover letter?
- Always write to a specific individual rather than to a personnel or human resources office. Whenever feasible, use networking sources to introduce yourself in the opening paragraph of your letter. Be sure you spell the individual’s name correctly.
- Show the employer that you’ve done your homework and have a genuine grasp of the organization’s personnel needs and philosophy of business. Be sincere in your praise, but don’t over do it!
- Write each cover letter separately, even if you use a common framework. Personalize the letter with a sentence or two designed to reflect your sincere interest in the specific employer.
- Use natural language in simple, clear sentences. Don’t try to impress the reader with unusual vocabulary or complicated sentence structures.
- Be Clear and Concise. Spell out exactly what you want from the employer.
- Express your capabilities with confidence, but avoid exaggerating your level of experience. Two part-time jobs at a department store do not constitute “extensive” retail management experience.
- Check and recheck your letter for correctness with regard to spelling, punctuation, and sentence structure. Be sure to have someone who is a good writer review your letter with you.
- Make sure the final letter is completely professional in appearance and appealing to the eye. Use standard business letter format on good stationary. Do not use dot matrix printers or inferior typewriter ribbons.
- Finish your letter with a strong closing which indicates the action you desire. Take the initiative by requesting an interview and/or stating your intention to call in a week or two.
- Let your personality and energy shine through your words. Use a few vivid details about your background to capture the reader’s interest.
- It is important to mention activities, honors, and special skills that are not mentioned in your resume. These may reveal the skills that employers look for such as leadership, organization, critical thinking, teamwork, self-management, initiative, and influencing others.
- Keep copies of everything you send, and follow up according to your stated intentions. However, don’t rely too heavily on cover letters to win you a job. Pursue other avenues of inquiry as well.
- Did you remember to sign each letter?
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