Creating Your
Résumé
Résumé
A good résumé can be crucial in landing the job of your dreams. It is the first thing, along with your application, that an employer sees from you. Using your résumé, you can influence the way an employer thinks about you and your skills. It is very important that a résumé is neat and to the point; however, it needs to include enough information to make the impression that is intended. A saying used when talking about résumés is, "Cut the fat and leave the fillet minion." That saying means only include the best information in your résumé; that helps keep your résumé at a manageable size while still leaving a good impression on employers. In this example, we have used one of the templates from google docs. We do not recommend using a generic template, but for the purpose of our example, we will use one. It is always best to create your own layout.
Header
The header is used to state your title and contact information. Make it neat, and be sure to include all of your contact information. Include a mailing address, phone number, full name, and email. When picking a phone number to leave, it is best to leave your cell phone number. Don't leave your home number. It makes it much easier to reach you. To follow up, make sure your voicemail on your cell phone is professional. You don't want your future employer to try to reach you and change their mind just because you had an obnoxious voicemail.
Education
Place your strongest attribute at the beginning of your résumé. For example, if you attended Stanford or Harvard, that could be an impressive intrigue to your employer. Using this technique, you can urge the reader to read on. In the education section, you will want to include the school name, degree studied, date of attendance, and a short description of the classes or activities that corresponds. List the most recent first. It is very important to include a short specific description of the activity you participated in. By including a short description, you are addressing concerns that the employer may have before a have a chance to ask you.
Job Experience
For some people, job experience can be their strongest category. If your job experience is your strongest attribute, then you have probably been in the work force for at least a few years. Instead of letting career change be a weakness, use your experiences as a strength. Make it clear that throughout your past experiences you have acquired highly desirable qualities. List your most recent employment first. Include the company name, title of your position, date of start and end, and a short description of all important responsibilities of the job. Another great way to create intrigue is to quantify any results you may have produced in previous jobs. For example, if you worked in a sales position at your last job, and while you were there, you helped modify a sales technique at the company which led to a 17% increase in items sold, then make sure you include that in your description.
Awards & Achievements
Often times this category is fused into other categories such as: Education and Job Experience. It is a personal preference whether or not to make this a separate category. If you decide to make this its own category, then you must include the award, the date of the award, and a little description of what you did to earn it.
Skills
When using this category, many people tend to have trouble deciding what to include. One thing to keep in mind is what kind of company or business are you applying to. For example, you are applying to a finance type company some good skills may be: able to operate Microsoft Excel, detail oriented, good analytical skills. Concentrating on the desired skills of the field helps you to keep your resume condensed yet appealing.
Cover Letter
Cover Letter Layout
This is an example of a simple cover letter template. Everything is left aligned with one inch margins. Starting from the top, there should be a quadruple space after your contact information. After the date, there should be a double space. Proceeding the recipients contact information, there is another quadruple space. Next there is a double space after the salutation. Following the first two paragraphs of the body, there should be a double space. After your final paragraph, use another quadruple space. Finally, proceeding the valediction, use a quadruple space; finish with your full name.
Tips for a Cover Letter
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A cover letter is meant to introduce yourself to your future employer. Use it to address any concerns you feel an employer may have about you.
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Whether it's sir, madam, or to whom it may concern, address the employer with any salutation you are comfortable with using.
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Your first paragraph should state exactly what you are applying for and why you are applying.
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Your next paragraph should state what you can offer for the company and why you are qualified.
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In the last sentence of that paragraph, select and mention a portion of your resume that highlights your best qualities to show why you are fit for the organization.
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In the last paragraph, say that you are open to speaking with the employer if they feel that you would be a good candidate for them.