Career and Counseling Services

Resume and Cover Letter

Resumes

Resumes and cover letters are usually the first impression an employer will have regarding a candidate. It is very important your resume is flawless. Our Career Coordinators are able to meet with you and review your resume. We encourage you to also refer to our Job Finder’s Handbook.

Resume Do's ° Consider a bulleted-style to make your resume reader- friendly° Keep your resume to a 2-page maximum° List work history starting with most recent and working backward° Emphasize transferable skills especially if you have minimal work experience° Proof-read your resume, any misspellings or typos could eliminate you from the candidate pool° Be sure to use resume paper

Resume Don'ts° Don’t lie or embellish on your resume° Don’t list high school information° Don’t list personal information such as marital status, age, etc.° Don’t staple your resume if two pages° Simply place your name and “Page Two” on the second page° Don’t use pictures

Resume Styles

Chronological Resume - This style of resume focuses on the work history beginning with the most recent position and listing additional work history in reverse, chronological order.
Functional Resume - This style of resume emphasizes specific work experience and skills. It does not focus on dates of employment, location of employment or job title.

Resume Format

SAMPLE Resumes ACTION Words

Resume Tip: If you are applying to an employer online, we encourage youconvert your resume into a PDF so that the document appears as you intended.

Cover Letters

Cover letters are your opportunity to get the employers attention. Your letter should highlight your qualifications that are specific to the position you are applying for. This is your chance to show the employer why they should offer you an interview with their organization.

Cover Letter SAMPLES

Cover Letter Do's

√ Do send an original cover letter to each employer√ Do use clean, muted colored paper√ Do speak to the job requirements√ Do provide accurate contact information√ Do sign your cover letter in blue or black ink

Cover Letter Don'ts

√ Don't send your resume without a cover letter√ Don't send a cover letter with misspellings or typos√ Don't exceed one page for a cover letter √ Don't tell your life story, highlight your strengths that relate to the position you are applying for √ Don't sound negative or frustrated

References

You should provide three to five professional references
List the references in order you would like them to be contacted
Make sure you receive permission ahead of time to use someone as a reference
Send your resume and the job description you are applying for so your reference can be prepared
Never use family or friends as references
Place your contact information at the top of the reference page
Only provide references upon the request of the employer

Thank You Letters

A thank you letter helps you to stand out from the other candidates
Should be sent within 24 hours of the interview
Traditionally a thank you letter is typed
Keep your letter short and concise

Thank you Sample

Career and Counseling Services • Jones Hall Room 1034 • Phone: 330.941.3515 • Fax: 330.941.7290

Admissions: 330.941.2000 • Graduate Admissions: 330.941.3091 • General Information: 330.941.3000

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