Resumes, Cover Letters,
And
Reference Page
Resume Building in a Tough
Economy
Sherri Hrusovski
Assistant Director
Center for Career Management
Prepare
Bottom line …
Resume and cover letter
are marketing materials
Why should the company
“buy” your services?
What can you do for them?
How can you stand out in a positive way?
Getting Started
Use Word Document
1 page best; 2 pages is the limit
Margins: .5 – 1 inch
Font: Basic used TNR, Courier, and Ariel,
Garamond, Tahoma
Font Size: 9 – 12 (depending on font used)
Must provide enough info for employer to evaluate
your qualifications
Best to tailor resume to meet specific employer
requirements, if possible
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Resume Components
Resume Format
Personal Data: Name, Address, Phone Number, and
email address
Objective/Summary of Skills/Qualifications (Optional)
Education (degree, institution, major, GPA, honors)
Coursework
Related Experience and/or Experience
Skills: Computer and/or Language
Special Training
Co
Co--curricular/Leadership/Community Service
References (Optional)
- Traditional, most widely used form
- Displays work history in reverse chronological order
and included dates employed, job titles, job duties,
etc.
The Functional Resume
- Presents your experience and skills in terms of
functions rather than chronological listing of titles
held
- Beginning or returning workers find it difficult to
demonstrate transferable skills
References Available Upon Request
3945 Stillwater Place…Missoula, Montana 59808
(406) 441441-4597…Social
4597…Social Security Number - 123123-45
45--6789
- To use this format effectively, you must be able to
identify and write about achievements
Sample: Chronological
Resume
Sample: Bad Resume
Robert Jones’s Resume
[email protected]
Objective :
To gain experience in a field that has potential for growth and more reponsibility
Education :
University of Montana, Missoula, MT, May 2000 BA degree GPA: ~ 2.4
Dawson Community College, Glendive, MT May 1998 AA, Graphic Design
Glendive High School, Glendive, MT, Graduated 1996 High School Diploma
Computer Skills :
Windows 2000, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Access, Adobe
Experience :
The Chronological Resume
We Do Signs , Shelby, MT 2000 – PR.
I was responsible for creating and producing all of the graphic design work for our
clients. Ordered all of the office supplies, worked the reception area, collected money from
customers. Made sure that all assignments were completed on tim.
Jake's Fine Clothing , Glendive, MT 1999
CSR
Waited on customers, opened and closed the store, handled cash and made sure the receipts
balanced at the end of the day. Scheduled part time employees for weekend shifts.
Mike's Place , 1998
Cook
Worked as a short order cook in a fastfast-pasced restaurant environment. Inventoried supplies and
kept the kitchen area clean. Supervised dishwashers.
My Hobbies :
Fishing, hunting, drinking, computers and walking with my wife.
ZIPPY MASCOT
111 Spirit Lane, Akron, Ohio 44325, (330) 972972- 1111, [email protected]
OBJECTIVE
To obtain an internship in the area of Marketing/Sales
EDUCATION
The University of Akron, College of Business Administration (AACSB(AACSB-Accredited) Akron, Ohio
Bachelor of Science in Marketing Management, May 2010
Certificate: Real Estate
GPA: 3.45/4.00(overall); 3.70/4.00 (major)
HONORS:: Golden Key National Honor Society, Secretary; Fisher Institute Professional Development Scholarship; Dean’s List (six times)
HONORS
RELATED COURSEWORK
Professional Selling
Multi Channel Marketing
Buyer Behavior
Business Negotiations
Corporate Finance
Tom Hopkins Sales Training Seminar
COURSE PROJECT
Conducted a semantic scale survey on the three largest electronic retailers in the US and with the results created a Perceptual
Perceptual Map which
concluded with recommendations for each retailer to improve their brand positioning. (Fall 2008)
Developed yellow page ads for UU-Store It, rental storage space in a national competition. Worked within my team to create a ffull
ull page
ad and a half page ad directed towards San Antonio, Texas. (Spring 2008)
RELATED EXPERIENCE
The University of Akron, Akron, Ohio
Student Assistant, Institutional Marketing
· Assist with collecting data for potential clients
WORK EXPERIENCE
Pizza Technician and Driver, Pizza Hut, Fairlawn, Ohio
2006 – Present
2008 – Present
2005 – 2006
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Cover Letter
Address letter to specific person (spelling and title?)
Keep letter short and to the point (1 page)
Refer to the enclosed/attached resume
Ask for an interview
Express your individuality
Create a new cover letter for each new position
Print on resume paper
Highlights of relevant experience/education
Follow--up action statement
Follow
Statement of appreciation
Types of Letters
Prospecting Letter
– Asking about current positions available
– Fishing to see if there are any openings with in the
company
Letters of Application
– Applying for a known job opening (an already existing
position that is posted)
– Identify the position and interest, and your source of
information
Networking
– Making a connections between you and the reader –
e.g. alumnus/alumna of your school, mutual
acquaintances, etc
– When you are referred by a specific person to contact
an individual
Important Cover Letter
Elements
INTRODUCTION PARAGRAPH:
– Opening paragraph should contain a hook, how did you
find out about the position
– generates interest
– states/implies employment interest
BODY “Value
“Value--selling” PARAGRAPH:
– Summarize what you have to offer (w/o reiterating your
resume)
– demonstrates ability
– highlights key strengths and abilities
CONCLUSION:
– Give contact information (phone number and
email address)
Sample: Cover Letter
Prospecting
302 Buchtel Common
Akron, OH 44325
February 3, 2009
Ms. Amanda Paulson
Universal Orlando
1000 Universal Studios Plaza
Orlando, Florida 3281932819-7610
Dear Ms. Paulson:
I am currently researching possible opportunities for a summer internship. During my research I came
across your website and realized that you offer excellent opportunities for interns. I feel my unique mix
of previous work experience and my status as a University of Akron student with a concentration in
marketing management, make me an ideal candidate for a summer internship with Universal Orlando.
My experience in sales and customer relationship management, combined with my courses in marketing,
have convinced me that hospitality marketing is a career option I would like to explore. More
importantly, an internship with Universal Orlando would be mutually beneficial. Your company has an
excellent reputation for customer satisfaction, and I know that the combination of my experience,
education, and motivation to excel will make me an asset to your marketing department.
I am sure that it would be worthwhile for us to meet. I will contact you within a week to arrange a
meeting. Should you have any questions before that time, you may reach me via phone (330(330-972972-7747)
or via email ([email protected]).
Thank you for your time and consideration.
Sincerely,
Zippy Mascot
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Check Your “Stuff”
Read the job description
Create checklist of Knowledge, Skills, Abilities
Are you conveying through your resume and
cover letter that you can do the job?
Sample: Reference Page
ZIPPY MASCOT
111 Spirit Lane, Akron, Ohio 44325
(330) 972972- 1111, [email protected]
REFERENCE PAGE
Ms. Mariah Fisch:
Provide 33-5 professional references (no relatives,
friends, clergy).
Ask your references prior to listing them (set up
appointment, give resume, tell them what you are
looking for).
Provide reference’s name, title, organization,
mailing address, phone number, and ee-mail.
Keep in touch with your references about your job
search.
Thank You Letters
Send within 2424-48 hours.
Write and personalize them to every interviewer.
Use to market yourself one more time.
Recap interview and/or summarize key points.
Prefer handwritten or typed, but if you have been
corresponding through ee-mail or there is not
enough turn around time then email the letter.
President
National Steel Corporation
4100 Edison Lakes Pkwy.
Mishawaka, IN 4654546545-3440
812--555
812
555--3200
[email protected]
Mr. Benjamin Riley:
Senior Project Manager
Dr. Scott Handy:
Professor of Accounting
Dr. Robert Phillips:
Keys for your Reference
List
Sprint Corporation
2330 Shawnee Mission Pkwy.
Westwood, KS 66205
620--555
620
555--2903
College of Business Administration
The University of Akron
Akron, OH 44325
330--972
330
972--7111
Professor of Information Systems Management
College of Business Administration
The University of Akron
Akron, OH 44325
330--972
330
972--7111
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Sample: Thank You Letter
111 Spirit Lane
Akron, Ohio 44325
(330) 972972- 1111
[email protected]
January 15, 2009
Ms. Glenna Wright
Human Resources Manager
The Computer Store
2000 Line Drive
Fairfax, VA 22030
Key Points on Resumes
and Cover Letters
Free Resume and Cover Letter handouts available
at CCM
Cover letters and resume gets your foot in the
door, but only if they convey that you can do the
job or have “Potential.”
Tailor your cover letter and resume for each job.
May need scannable version and “hard copy”
version.
Have at least one other set of eyes read your cover
letter and resume (free critiques from CCM!).
Dear Ms. Wright:
I enjoyed interviewing with you during your recruiting visit to The University of Akron on January 15. The marketing
program you outlined sounds both challenging and rewarding and I look forward to your decision concerning the next
steps in the process.
As mentioned during the interview, I will be graduating in May with a Bachelors in Marketing Management. Through
my education and experience I’ve gained many skills, as well as an understanding of retailing concepts and dealing
with the general public. I have worked four years in the retail industry in various positions from Salesclerk to
Assistant Department Manager. I think my education and work experience would complement the Marketing/Sales
program at The Computer Store.
I have enclosed a copy of my college transcript and a list of references that you requested. Thank you again for the
opportunity to interview with The Computer Store. The interview served to reinforce my strong interest in becoming a
part of the company’s team. I can be reached at (330) 972 1111 or by email at [email protected] should you need
additional information.
Sincerely,
Zippy Mascot
Enclosures
Connecting you…
. . . to your career and
your place in the world.
Center for Career Management
301 Simmons Hall
330--972
330
972--7747
http://www.uakron.edu/ccm
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