Resume &
Cover Letter
Writing Guide
Revised August 2015
For questions and additional support contact the Office of Advising and Career Development
Contact Information:
Carol Julin
Administrative Assistant
414-930-3245
[email protected]
Student Success Center, HL 131
Michelle Pliml
Director of Advising & Career Development
414-930-3397
[email protected]
Student Success Center, HL 130
Jena Mahne
Career Counselor
414-930-3396
[email protected]
Student Success Center, HL 129
Kirsten Wright
Career Counselor
414-930-3522
[email protected]
Student Success Center, HL 128
Additional Resources
Online access to printable MMU Career Development Office Resources related to career planning, resume
and cover letter help, interview preparation, etc. can be found online through Career Connect in the
resource library.
To login to Career Connect:
Go to MyMtMary and click on the “My Advising” tab. Then click “Job Postings” in the salmon colored
area. Click “Log in as Student/Alum.” If you have not set up a password for Career Connect, click Forgot
My Password and follow directions to set up your account.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Why do you need a Resume?....................................................................................................................................... 4
Formats for Writing a Resume ..................................................................................................................................... 4
Resume Sections ......................................................................................................................................................... 4
Contact Information .............................................................................................................................................. 4
Objective Statement & Professional Summaries ...................................................................................................... 5
Education ............................................................................................................................................................. 7
Experience............................................................................................................................................................ 6
Skills, Campus Involvement, and Awards ................................................................................................................ 8
Community Contributions ...................................................................................................................................... 8
Resume Design ........................................................................................................................................................... 7
Make Sure Your Resume is Error Free .......................................................................................................................... 8
Editing Your Resume to Fit .......................................................................................................................................... 8
Summary of Resume Guidelines ................................................................................................................................... 9
How to Include References ........................................................................................................................................ 10
Scannable Resumes .................................................................................................................................................. 11
Common Action Verbs ............................................................................................................................................... 12
Chronological Resume Example- Public Relations Internship ........................................................................................ 14
Chronological Resume Example- Dietetics Internship ................................................................................................. 146
Chronological Resume Example- Entry Level Teaching ............................................................................................... 147
Chronological Resume Example- Entry Level Health Science ...................................................................................... 148
Chronological Resume Example- Fashion Merchandise Managemente ........................................................................ 149
Two Page Chronological Resume Example- Counseling ................................................................................................ 20
Chronological Resume Example- Expereinced Sales/Management ................................................................................ 22
Creative/Uncoventional Resume Example- Graphic Design ........................................................................................... 23
Functional Resume Example- Exerienced Human Resources ........................................................................................ 24
Resume Rubric ......................................................................................................................................................... 25
Cover Letter Content and Layout.............................................................................................................................. 256
Mailed Cover Letter Example ................................................................................................................................... 267
Email Cover Letter Example ..................................................................................................................................... 278
Mailed Cover Letter Example #2 ................................................................................................................................ 29
Cover Letter Rubric ................................................................................................................................................... 30
Reference Page Example ........................................................................................................................................... 31
Thank You Letter Example ......................................................................................................................................... 32
Popular Interview Questions Asked By Employers ....................................................................................................... 33
Questions You Can Ask Interviewers .......................................................................................................................... 33
3
Why do you need a Resume?
A resume is a one to two-page document which allows you to introduce yourself and your strengths to potential
employers, graduate school recruiters, scholarship committees, individuals you would like to have in your “network,” and
many others who you meet as you make career and academic plans.
Formats for Writing a Resume
There are many different ways to write/design your resume. The way a resume is organized will vary for each person and
each position. A good resume:
1. Is an effective self-marketing tool
2. Is employer-focused
3. Gives a snapshot of what you can do for the employer
4. Opens doors to interviews
There are three basic formats for writing a resume:

Chronological: This is a good design for someone with a lot of related work experience. This format lists past
employment in reverse chronological order with the most recent first. This is the most widely used format.

Functional: Experience is summarized in skill categories rather than by chronological order; transferrable skills
and accomplishments are emphasized. This form works well for someone with little or no work experience or a
more varied job history. It is especially beneficial if one is trying to avoid the use of dates or inconsistent
employment. This design allows the individual to be more selective about her employment or feature an
internship.

Combination or Hybrid: The combination or position-oriented format combines skills and work history. It
presents patterns of accomplishments and skills in categorical sections or a single section called “Areas of
Accomplishment.” When including brief job descriptions, stress connections between those jobs and the one for
which you are applying. A hybrid resume might categorize experiences to highlight particular theme areas within
an employment setting. For example:
Program Coordinator, Sojourner Truth House, Milwaukee, WI
Administrative Experience
 Supervised 18 professional staff, interns, and volunteers
 Arranged emergency shelter and services for battered women and children
 Designed and implemented budgeting procedures resulting in 8% fewer errors
Counseling/Crisis Intervention Experience
 Provided crisis counseling to 30 women and children
 Educated women in the areas of abuse and legal rights
 Advocated for and referred women to appropriate agencies
2014-present
To choose the most appropriate format remember you want to customize your resume for the position for which you are
applying. The most important sections of your resume should be listed near the top.
While you may choose any of the above formats to create your resume you will want to make sure you include the
following sections that are typically standard in all resumes.
Resume Sections
1. Contact Information/Resume Header
The first item to appear on your resume is your name. Your contact information should immediately follow. (As noted in
the “Resume Design” section of this guide, having a personal letterhead comprised of your name and contact information
will make your resume more pleasing to the eye and functions as your personal brand.)
4
Information to include in contact section.

Your name, address, city, state, zip code, area code and telephone number, and a professional e-mail address
you check regularly.

You may consider listing your permanent and school address if you are submitting your resume for positions over
summer term or between breaks.

International students who wish to include citizenship/work status should include that desire in the contact
section as well, although including such information is not required.

If you are submitting a resume for a position outside of your home country, talk to the Registrar at Mount Mary
about your work status and whether or not listing visa information on your resume is recommended in your
personal circumstances.
Sample Student
[email protected] | 414.555.5555
Campus Address:
Mount Mary University
2900 N. Menomonee River Parkway
Milwaukee, WI 53222
414-555-2180
Permanent Address:
152 South Woodcrest
Appleton, WI 54721
545-943-1211
2. Objective Statement & Professional Summaries
An objective statement gives a sense of purpose to the resume and should be composed with the audience in mind.
Instead of listing what you want, highlight the skills, knowledge, and experience you have to offer. You do not necessarily
have to identify a specific job title in your objective statement. You should tailor your objective to each position you seek.
The objective should be the first section after your name and contact information. Answering the questions below and
following the suggested form will help you write a strong audience centered objective statement.
A professional summary is longer and provides more detail than an objective statement. Professional summaries
identify the type of position you are seeking and provide lengthier descriptions of skill and qualifications. Professional
summaries are more helpful for experience professionals who aim to demonstrate the applicability of skills from a range
of depth of past experience for a specific type of position. Professional summaries are useful for networking and
uploading your resume to job search websites.
Writing an objective statement
What position or occupational field do you wish to be employed in? ________________________________________
1. Specific area(s) of interest:______________________________________________________________________
2. Skills/experience/knowledge you can offer:_________________________________________________________
Objective statement formula
To obtain a position as/in the field of
1
+
2
using/utilizing
Position/field + area of interest
using
3
,
3
and ____3___.
list of skills (no more than four)
Objective statement examples:
OBJECTIVE: To obtain an internship experience in Occupational Therapy working with geriatric clients using
knowledge of treatment procedures, diagnostic skills, and a willingness to work as a member of a team
Career Objective: Accounting position where strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and producing timely
results are desired
Professional Objective: Staff social work position in a community hospital counseling addiction patients using
previous health care and clinical experience
Objective: To obtain field experience in art therapy application and practice in an internship or co-op type
experience that requires strong communication skills, experience with multi-cultural expression, and various forms
of therapy
5
Phrases to avoid in objective statements

Opportunity for advancement

Position that requires creativity

A challenging position

Dealing with people

A progressive company

A company that is recognized

A chance to advance

A chance to grow
Professional Summary Example




PROFESSIONAL SUMMARY
3 years’ experience with individual counseling and 2 years’ prior experience counseling families
Excellent case management and referral skills
Experience working with diverse populations including multicultural, LGBT, and people with disabilities
Extensive interest and experience with AODA
3. Education
In general new graduates should place education at the top of their resume (immediately after the objective, if one is
used) as the primary qualifying factor for the position. List your highest degree first and work backward. Do not list your
high school education.
Information to include in the education section.
 Your degree and major/minor
 Name of school attended, city and state of institution
 Dates of graduation
 Your GPA if it is above a 3.0. You may include your major GPA if it is higher than your cumulative GPA.
EDUCATION
Master of Science in Counseling
Mount Mary University, Milwaukee, WI
Bachelor of Arts in Psychology
Mount Mary University, Milwaukee, WI
 Minor: Communications
 Dean’s list
May 2016 (Anticipated)
December 2013
Relevant Coursework
If you do not have career-related experience, it is a good idea to list some of your major courses or projects on your
resume. This gives the employer an idea of your training and shows you have knowledge in your specific area. Avoid
listing courses by their catalog number; instead list them by title, in order of importance.
4. Experience
This section is used to highlight your employment history. Be sure to show what you have achieved and special
contributions you have made. Remember to include internships, field terms, clinical rotations, senior projects, and
practicum. This includes both paid and unpaid experience.
Information to include in the experience section.
 Your job title
 Dates of work (months and years only)
 Employer name and location (city and state only)
Ways to describe your experience.
 Define abilities and skills rather than your duties
 Highlight your accomplishments; quantify when possible
 Use brief and direct descriptions
 Use strong action verbs (see pages 12-13 for a great list)
 Avoid being overly complex
6
EXPERIENCE
Whitewater Annex Site Coordinator
Fort Atkinson Memorial Health Services, Fort Atkinson, Wisconsin
August 2011- December 2011
 Planned and directed site in conjunction with manager and developed new services
 Coordinated training, supervised, and evaluated staff of 12
 Developed work schedules to ensure adequate staff coverage
5. Skills, Campus Involvement and Awards
Include any special skills such as computer skills and languages known. Quantify your language skills by using phrases
such as: proficient in, knowledge of, etc. Include your memberships in professional organizations and particularly any
awards, leadership roles, offices held, or presentations given related to your career objective. To best highlight these
experiences you may separate them into their own sections. Some sample headings for these sections include: “Computer
Skills,” “Languages,” “Honors and Achievements,” “Leadership Experience,” and/or “International Experience.”
6. Community Contributions
Include community activities related to your objective and how you added value to the organization. Possible headings for
this section include “Community Service,” “Community Involvement,” “Community Contributions,” “Volunteer Work,” etc.
(Note: All or some of your community contributions may be included as part of your “Experience” section or listed under
their own separate section).
Resume Design
Employers will not read your resume until you get past the screening stage. In order to make it that far something must
catch the employer’s eye. Make sure everything on your resume is both relevant and necessary.
How to Get Noticed
Customizing your resume to a particular position, company, or industry is a great way to bring positive attention to your
resume.

Include selling points that will demonstrate your objective.

Use key terms or phrases common to your target industry.

Highlight information most relevant to your target career.

Read the want ads in newspapers and several job descriptions in the industry, then pick out the key experiences
and skills employers are seeking for jobs similar to the one you want.
Making your Resume an “Easy Read”
Your overall resume presentation says volumes about you. In addition to the content of your resume it is important for
you to consider layout and design. Many employers will initially look at resumes for only 10-20 seconds. Make those
seconds count by creating a visually appealing and easy to read resume.
Eye appeal

Use plenty of “white” space and utilize formatting tools to help distinguish important information (e.g. section
headings, school and company names, job titles, major).

Do not exceed two tools (i.e., bold, underline, italic) per item.

If your resume extends to a second page, try to fill at least half of the second page. If you do not have enough
information to do so try to fit everything on one page.

Limit the number of tabs you set so all indentations and columns fall on no more than three vertical lines running
down the page; too many tabs can make information appear scattered and thus more difficult to read.

Be consistent with your use of tools, placement, and spacing. For example, if your job titles are in bold, make
certain all of them are bold and make sure all of your dates appear in the same vertical line.

Use resume or business stationery quality paper; conservatively light colored cotton bond paper.
Personal letterhead

Create your own personal letterhead, which includes your name and contact information. Letterhead is a
professional standard in business correspondence. Your letterhead design can also show some of your own
personality. Be sure your letterhead is still easy to read and error-free. Use the same letterhead/heading on your
resume, cover letter, reference page, and thank you notes.
7
Margins

All margins should be at least 0.6, but no greater than, 1.0 inch. Some printers will cut off the last line of a
resume with a bottom margin of 0.5.
Font

Use a 10-12 point font in the body of the resume, and 12-16 point font for section headings.

Resume header: Make your name stand out by using a larger font size (16-20 point font). Contact information
should be the same size as resume body text or smaller.

Use fonts that are easy to read such as: Times New Roman and Arial. Avoid fonts with unusual spacing between
letters, shadowing, or unusual letter shaping such as Curlz MT and French Script MT.
Make Sure Your Resume is Error Free
Review, Review, Review! It is always a good idea to have someone else look over your resume. After you spend hours
working on something, you may not catch spelling errors or questionable grammar, so let Career Development staff,
faculty, and/or friends double-check your work. Do not place complete trust in computer spell-checks. Misspellings are
found in 9 out of 10 resumes!
Also continue to edit your resume and customize it for particular positions. After each edit or revision, have at least two
other individuals read your resume again to look for grammar, spelling, spacing, or design errors.
Editing Your Resume to Fit
When You Need More Space to Fit Things on One Page

Reduce margins, but to no less than 0.6 inch margins.

Reduce font sizes, but to no less than 10 point—keep your name and section headings at least 12-14 point font.

Change font styles—Garamond or Arial Narrow fonts take up smaller space per character.

Change tabs so the tabbed line starts further left—go to a 3-4 space tab.

Put more information on each line (e.g. 1. combine company name, job title, locations, and dates on same line;
2. list related courses on one line; 3. list honors on one line).

Decrease the number of line spaces between headings. Use only one blank line space instead of two between
each section of the resume. Do not take out all blank line spaces; spacing is still important to make the resume
appealing to the eye and easy to read.

Change date or state format so they are shorter (e.g. “02/15” vs. “February 2015”; “WI” vs. “Wisconsin”).

Eliminate too detailed information.

Eliminate experiences least related or that involved the least amount of responsibility, but only if other work
experience can be listed that is more related, shows more responsibility, and/or is more recent.

Redesign your personal letterhead so it takes up less space; put more information per line so fewer lines are used
(i.e., address, city/state/zip, phone number and email on one line with bullet symbols to separate them).
When You Need More Content to Fill a Page

Expand margins, but no larger than 1 inch left and right/top and bottom.

Increase font sizes, but no larger than 12 point for body, 16 point for headings, or 20 point for name/letterhead.

Change font—Arial or Book Antiqua take up more space per character.

Increase tabs; go to 6-8 spaces apart vs. 5 or fewer spaces.

Put less information per line (e.g. list job title separate from company name, degree separate from school name).

Increase line spacing between headings and items within a section.

Check for missing sections (e.g. volunteer work, other unpaid work—including work for family members, foreign
languages, and travel abroad/international experience).

Review descriptions of job duties and activity involvement; elaborate on skills and accomplishments.

Redesign your letterhead to use more space; put each item of contact information on a separate line.
8
Summary of Resume Guidelines
General Considerations

A resume is primarily a sales tool; it is an advertisement for you.

Be prepared to discuss everything you place on your resume.

Do not try to copy a resume; your experiences and education are unique. Avoid using a template.

There is no one correct format; tailor yours to highlight your achievements (e.g bold, order, section headers).

Resumes do not get you the job; they are meant to get you the interview.
Do Include

An objective tailored to the industry or position

Your education—state the degree you earned or are pursuing and all majors and minors

Your overall and/or major GPA if 3.0 or above

An associate’s degree if it adds something to your higher degree(s)

Relevant coursework if you have limited experience in your field

Your job-related accomplishments; not simply job descriptions

Field experiences and internships

Action words to describe your accomplishments (See Action Words on pp. 13-14 in this guide.)

Activities, honors, awards and scholarships

A skills summary; especially if you are changing career fields
Do Not Include

Your social security number or other personal information

Your high school education or achievements

Street addresses, zip codes, or phone numbers other than your own

Exhaustive detail; a resume is for highlighting information

Technical jargon unrelated to the field for which you are submitting your resume

Abbreviations, particularly those unique to a particular organization

Your references; have a separate reference page

Personal pronouns such as I, my, mine, we, us, or they

Use of the words “Responsibilities” or “Duties;” use active language and action verbs to describe experiences
Preparation Techniques

When listing accomplishments, list them in order of most important to least important.

Do not put the word “resume” anywhere on your resume.

Education/experience should be in reverse chronological order (most recent first).

In your work experience section, use present tense verbs for jobs you currently hold and past tense ones for
previous jobs.

As a new graduate, education should go toward the top of the resume. After two years of professional work
experience education should be moved toward the bottom of the resume.

If you did not have a formal job title construct one you feel your supervisor would approve: consult with your
supervisor if possible.

Tailor headings to your particular experiences; you can be creative!

List internships, field terms, or volunteer work under a separate heading for greater emphasis.

Use bullet points; stay away from paragraphs and full sentences whenever possible.

Keep your resume concise; one page is the general norm and do not exceed two pages.

If your resume is two pages long be sure your name appears at the top of both pages and use a paper clip to
attach them rather than stapling as it is more difficult for the employer to detach the paper for photocopying.

Save and send your resume, cover letter, reference sheet, and thank you letter as a PDF. If a change is made on
your resume, you can make the change in Word and convert it to PDF Writer. Chose a document title that is
professional and includes your name.
9
How to Include References
Do not list references on the resume or include the line “references available upon request,” as this is assumed and
unnecessary to state. Use your resume space more effectively by filling it with more important information that highlights
your strengths and qualifications. If requested, include a listing of your references on a separate page which matches
your resume in terms of paper, font, layout, and letterhead.
Most employers outside academia will indicate in the job ad if they would like a list of references or reference letters. If
an employer does not specifically request a list of references, you have two options:
1) Send a reference list anyway to bring to their attention particularly notable individuals on your reference list. This
is common in the sciences and academia in general; the department may expect you to send a list of references
even if the job ad does not specify to do so. Sometimes institutions use the reference list as a part of the initial
screening process or to contact your current professors/supervisors to get more information about your
background before inviting you to the next step in selection.
2) Wait until the interviewing stage and bring your list of reference to the interview to show confidence in your
abilities and references. This gives you greater control over when the employer contacts your references, allowing
you time to contact them in advance and provide more detail about the position for which you are applying.
Things to Provide Someone Serving as a Reference for You

Information about positions for which you are applying

Provide your references with the required information/forms from the employer, if applicable

Copy of your unofficial transcripts

Copy of your resume

If the reference is a faculty member provide copies of papers graded by him/her and a list of your current classes

Possible talking points for them to write about in a recommendation letter, if applicable

If a reference letter/form is required provide a stamped, addressed envelope
Additional Tips

When asking for references, ask the individuals if they can provide a “strong, positive” reference. If you do not
get their assurance that they are comfortable providing you with favorable recommendations, then do not use
them as references. They may say something in a phone reference or write you a letter of reference that reflects
poorly on you.

When asking for a reference letter, ask early. When possible give your references several weeks notice and give
them a deadline of two weeks prior to when you hope to submit your application. (Caution: Do not give them the
application deadline date as the due date for the reference letter. Some references may delay until the deadline
and an emergency or urgent matter may cause them to miss the deadline.)

Set an appointment with your reference to discuss the topic of providing a reference for you. Bring supporting
materials in your favor when talking with the individual. The meeting will allow you to gauge the reference’s
response to your request and your materials will provide discussion points for him/her, helping him/her use
stronger language/examples in a phone reference or write a stronger recommendation letter.

Send your references thank you letters or notes.

Try to get at least one reference who works in the field in which you are job/internship searching.

When possible, strive for diverse representation in your references (gender, seniority, background, etc.)

Ask for one more letter of reference than what the application requires.

Ask references to customize their recommendations to each job/internship you are applying.
10
Scannable Resumes
What are Scannable Resumes?
At many large companies human resource departments have computers equipped with OCR (Optical Character
Recognition) systems. Resumes are scanned into this software program, which reads them, stores information in text
files, and rates candidates’ qualifications for a position based on predetermined job criteria.
What to Keep in Mind When Writing a Scannable Resume
Employers will generally indicate when they would like a candidate to submit a scannable resume. You have to
understand what the company is looking for and communicate that information so the computer will select your resume
to be read by a human being. Searches are usually conducted using keywords and phrases that describe the skills and
education required for the position, thus, use terms and familiar industry acronyms to describe your skills and experience.
Below are some tips to get you started.
Scannable resume tips

Use white or light colored 8 ½ x 11 paper, printed on one side only.

Provide the employer with an original laser printed version.

Send the resume in a large envelope; do not fold it.

Use standard typefaces such as Times New Roman, and Arial; avoid decorative fonts.

Use a font size of 10 to 14 points (avoid Times New Roman 10 point).

You can boldface and capitalize all section headings, but make sure that the letters do not touch one another.

Do not use italics, underline, shadows, bullets, slashes, dashes, or contractions.

Do not use lines, graphics, boxes, or shading.

Your name should be placed on the first line; avoid starting your resume with your address on the top line.

Use a standard address format below your name (name on top line; street address and box/apartment number
on one line; city, state and zip on one line; phone number on one line; email address on one line).

Left justify text.

If your resume exceeds one page, place your name at the top of each additional page.
Tips for getting your resume selected

Use a lot of key words (from job posting and industry specific) to define your skills, experiences, education, and
professional affiliations.

Be specific about your abilities.

Use action words to express achievements.

Increase your list of key words by including specifics (e.g. list software programs you use such as Microsoft Word,
Excel, Access, PowerPoint, HTML, Dreamweaver).

Use common headings (e.g. Objective, Experience, Employment, Work History, Positions Held, Skills Summary,
Summary of Qualifications, Accomplishments).

Consider including a “Summary of Accomplishments” instead of an objective in order to focus on results you
achieved in the field rather than specific duties or responsibilities.
11
Common Action Verbs
Communication
Skills
acquaint
act
address
advertise
advocate
answer
author
brief
co-author
cold call
communicate
confer
consult
contact
convince
correspond
develop
direct
document
draft
edit
evaluate
explain
express
facilitate
influence
initiate
interpret
lecture
listen
narrate
open
outline
prepare
present
propose
publicize
publish
respond
revise
sell
speak
submit
translate
transmit
Clerical or
Detail Skills
affect
alter
balance
begin
bolster
change
complete
conceive
determine
dispatch
familiarize
handle
hone
issue
keep
maintain
move
organize
originate
overhaul
process
record
re-evaluate
recommend
research
retrieve
route
schedule
screen
select
separate
set up
spearhead
staff
standardize
tailor
track
update
widen
Creative Skills
Financial Skills
Helping Skills
accomplish
achieve
appraise
arrange
broaden
collaborate
compose
conceptualize
coordinate
create
customize
design
discover
display
emphasize
entertain
explore
express
form
fulfill
generate
heighten
illustrate
innovate
inspire
integrate
interact
invent
launch
model
modify
orchestrate
participate
perform
photograph
pioneer
play
print
rate
remodel
reshape
revitalize
shape
stimulate
synchronize
synthesize
transform
undertake
unify
accelerate
allocate
anticipate
audit
augment
boost
budget
capitalize
capture
convert
distribute
double
earn
eliminate
enhance
estimate
expand
finance
forecast
foster
gain
gross
insure
market
maximize
merge
minimize
negotiate
net
obtain
project
purchase
realize
reduce
specialize
sponsor
spread
stabilize
surpass
tabulate
total
trade
accommodate
advise
aid
assess
assist
cooperate
conserve
continue
contribute
counsel
deliver
elect
encourage
enlist
expedite
extend
fulfill
guide
help
host
influence
introduce
involve
join
mediate
moderate
prevent
prove
provide
reason
receive
recommend
reconcile
rectify
refer
represent
save
secure
serve
service
supersede
support
sustain
volunteer
visit
12
Research Skills
acquire
analyze
canvass
catalogue
carry out
chart
check
clarify
classify
collect
compare
compile
condense
conduct
define
examine
extract
gather
generate
identify
index
inspect
interview
investigate
locate
log
monitor
name
order
pinpoint
prioritize
profile
rank
reorganize
report
research
review
search
study
summarize
systematize
uncover
write
Management Skills
activate
administer
advance
appoint
approve
arbitrate
assign
attain
authorize
centralize
chair
control
decide
delegate
designate
employ
enable
enforce
establish
execute
finalize
focus
found
govern
head
hire
institute
lead
manage
mobilize
oversee
place
preside
produce
promote
pursue
recover
recruit
reinstate
screen
set goals
simplify
start
steer
strategize
streamline
supervise
target
terminate
train
Teaching Skills
adapt
apply
award
coach
consolidate
contract
convey
critique
cultivate
demonstrate
educate
ensure
examine
explore
guide
implement
incorporate
inform
install
instruct
judge
motivate
navigate
observe
overcome
persuade
plan
qualify
reinforce
relate
resolve
solve
specify
strengthen
teach
test
tutor
utilize
validate
verify
Technical Skills
adjust
assemble
build
calculate
combine
compute
construct
debug
deduce
derive
detect
devise
diagnose
engineer
enlarge
fabricate
fashion
formulate
function
furnish
improve
increase
measure
operate
program
raise
regulate
rehabilitate
repair
replace
restore
revitalize
run
structure
supply
survey
tighten
transfer
transport
upgrade
use
vitalize
weigh
13
Chronological Resume Example – Public Relations Internship
Each section is listed in reverse chronological order
JASMINE SMITH
321 Hickory Lane | Milwaukee, WI 53222
414-555-5555 | [email protected]
OBJECTIVE:
To obtain the Public Relations Internship utilizing writing and marketing skills
EDUCATION:
Bachelor of Arts in Communication and Spanish
May 2018 (Anticipated)
Mount Mary University
Milwaukee, WI
 Emphasis: Public Relations
- Write out full title of degree and college
 Major GPA: 3.6
(no BA/BS)
 Study Abroad: Madrid, Spain, June 2015 - List degree first if more relevant than institution
Use statements to
describe knowledge
gained from areas of
study.
PUBLIC RELATIONS
EXPERIENCE:
Choose position and
organization order
based on relevance to
position
i.e. if employer is more
impressive than title
list place of
employment first.
OTHER
EXPERIENCE:
List bullets in present
tense for current
positions and past for
previous.
ACTIVITIES:
- List date of graduation as anticipated until you
have officially completed your degree
Relevant Courses
 Introduction to Public Relations: Knowledgeable in the public relations
process and its various components, examined the relationship between public
relations and society, and learned how to create a public relations plan
 Introduction to Media Studies: Increased media literacy and developed a clear
sense of its power to shape our world
WKHL Radio
Milwaukee, WI
Sales and Promotions Intern
May 2015-present
 Design contests and promotions, including weekly classic rock trivia
 Solicit sponsors for weekly trivia contests, increasing company participation by
5%
 Work collaboratively with syndicators to gather information about potential
shows
 Write commercial copy
Journal/Sentinel
Milwaukee, WI
Advertising Assistant
2012-2014
 Participated in initial client meetings and gathered copy information
 Communicated advertisement draft to customer
Inclusion of
months is
optional for
positions
spanning
over 1 year.
Mount Mary University – Admissions Office
Milwaukee, WI
Student Ambassador
January 2015-Present
 Represent University on campus tours and answer questions for prospective
students
 Call prospective students to create meaningful connections on campus
Boston Store
Glendale, WI
Sales Associate
2014-2015
 Provide quality customer service when answering inquires and totaling purchases
 Demonstrate problem solving skills in handling of customer complaints
 Train new employees, 5 trained to date
 Work within a team to achieve highest selling department
Student Government Association, Member
Mount Mary College Volleyball
2015-present
2014-2015
14
Chronological Resume Example – Entry Level Teaching
Each section is listed in reverse chronological order
Susan Flowers
333 North Oakland Ave • Milwaukee, WI 50000
(414) 555-1111 • [email protected]
Objective
Teaching position in grades Pre-K to 6 utilizing classroom management experience and
individualized learning strategies
Education
Bachelor of Arts in Early Childhood/Middle Childhood Education
Mount Mary University, Milwaukee WI
May 2015
Certifications
Wisconsin Early Childhood through Middle School Childhood (Pre-K – 6)
Qualified for Wisconsin 5-year license (2015-2020), Codes: 71-777
Provide your
certification
specifics for help
in verifying
qualifications.
Teaching Related Experience
Student Teacher Grade 2
Spring 2015
Lloyd Street Global Education School, Milwaukee, WI
 Assumed all classroom teaching responsibilities for 3 weeks
 Facilitated reading and writing workshops, word sorting and guided reading groups
 Created hands-on science activities integrating math and technology
 Provided additional instruction for underachieving math small group
 Participated in parent/teacher conferences, staff meetings and grade level meetings
 Developed strong classroom management and conflict resolution skills
Teacher Aid Grade 4
Catholic East Elementary, Milwaukee, WI
 Assisted 4th grade teacher with reading groups
 Read one-on-one with underachieving students
 Developed educational and seasonal bulletin boards
 Taught in multi-culturally diverse classroom
Fall 2014
Classroom Assistant
Fall 2013-Spring 2014
St. Francis Children’s Center, Milwaukee, WI
 Assisted lead teacher with learning and play activities in 2-3 year old room
 Worked with children with developmental delays or disabilities
 Lead activities and learning units for children
 Interacted with parents, providing behavior reports and answering questions
Camp Counselor
Summers 2013-2015
YMCA Phantom Lake, Mukwonago, WI
 Supervised 12, 9-10 year old girls cabin for 10 weekly overnight camping sessions
 Fostered supportive and positive community during camping experience
Activities
Vice President, Program Activities Council, Mount Mary University
 Lead fundraising activities, raising $3,500
Volunteer
Aide, Special Olympics, Milwaukee, WI
Highlight skills
and experience
2014-2015 in other roles
that could
transfer into the
particular
position.
2012-present
15
Chronological Resume Example – Dietetics Internship
Each section is listed in reverse chronological order
Zoey Malone
33 S. College Street, Milwaukee, WI 53222
330.972.7747 • [email protected]
OBJECTIVE:
To obtain an internship within the field of dietetics utilizing ability to build rapport with patients and
organizational skills.
EDUCATION:
Bachelor of Science, Coordinated Program in Dietetics, August 2016 (Anticipated)
Mount Mary University, Milwaukee, WI
• GPA: 3.5; Dean’s List
CLINICIAL EXPERIENCE:
Student Clinician Food Systems Management, September-December 2015
Milwaukee Public Schools, Milwaukee, WI
• Created school lunch menus by following guidelines
• Implemented a healthy snack policy for the middle school vending machines
• Designed a monthly nutrition newsletter
Student Clinician Community Nutrition, January-June 2014
Nourishing Balance Nutrition, Wauwatosa, WI
• Provided supervised one on one nutrition counseling with patients, including EPIC electronic
charting, coordination of care communication, and patient follow up
• Offered patient support by educating on food and healthy cooking principles specific to patient
lifestyles to encourage patient follow through with care plan
WORK EXPERIENCE
Clerical Specialist, May 2012-June 2014
Diet Needs, Inc, Milwaukee, WI
• Data entry; proficient in Microsoft Word, Excel, Power Point
• Conducted retention calls for customers with service changes
• Constructed new system of filing
ORGANIZATIONS
American Dietetic Association Member, 2014-present
Treasurer, September 2013- present
SALSA (Students Achieving Leadership through Spanish activities) club, Milwaukee, WI
• Arrange fundraisers for events if needed
• Increase awareness of Hispanic culture
• Gain experiences and advise from successful Hispanic entrepreneurs
COMPUTER SKILLS
EPIC, Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, & Publisher
16
Chronological Resume Example – Entry Level Health Science
Each section is listed in reverse chronological order
Amira Hadari
1234 There Ave. | Wauwatosa, WI 53005 | 414-555-7891 |
[email protected]
OBJECTIVE: To obtain an entry level position that will utilize my laboratory and research skills.
EDUCATION:
Bachelor of Science: Biology Health Science
Mount Mary University
• Minor: Chemistry
• Cumulative GPA: 3.5
LABORATORY SKILLS:
Gel Electrophoresis
Recombinant DNA Technology
Infrared Spectroscopy (IR)
Plasmid DNA isolation and purification
December 2015 (expected)
Milwaukee, WI
Conducting PCR
Distillation
Spectrophotometer
Simple and differential staining
WORK EXPERIENCE:
Certified Nursing Assistant
Froedert Memorial Lutheran Hospital
• Provide patient safety
• Follow proper hospital protocol and procedure
• Maintain a neat and orderly room for the patients
February 2013-Present
Milwaukee, WI
Assistant Manager
September 2010-2012
Nobody’s Cleaner
Milwaukee, WI
• Promoted to position based on exceptional monthly evaluations and consistently surpassing
management’s expectations
• Provide quality customer service with an emphasis on needs assessment and rapport building
• Train new employees and assist in supervision
Explain highlights of
• Receive and process orders on a computerized system
awards/programs specific to
Mt. Mary for general public
HONORS AND ACTIVITIES:
understanding.
Dean’s List, Mount Mary University, 3 semesters
Promise Program, Mount Mary University, 2011-Present
Caroline Scholar, Mount Mary University, 2011-Present
• Complete 300 hours of academic service learning related to social justice issues
PRESENTATIONS:
"The Effects of Microgravity on Cell Deformability." Oral presentation at the 22nd National Conference on
Undergraduate Research, Salisbury, MD. April 2015.
"The Effects of Microgravity on the Metastasis of Cancer Cells." Poster presentation at American Society
for Gravitational and Space Biology, Moffett Field, CA. October 2014.
17
Chronological Resume Example –Fashion Merchandise Management
Each section is listed in reverse chronological order
EMMA BARTON
123 Brewer Street, Milwaukee, WI 54321
414-123-1234 • [email protected]
OBJECTIVE
To obtain a position in fashion merchandising utilizing 5 years’ experience in the retail field with excellent customer
service and organizational skills
EDUCATION
MOUNT M ARY UNIVERSITY, Milwaukee, WI
Bachelor of Arts: Fashion Merchandise Management
Minor: Business Administration
May 2015
Including experiences/projects from a program or a
course can be some additional selling points for
your candidacy.
ACADEMIC AWARDS AND EXPERIENCE



Coordinator for CREO 2015: “IGNITE”—Mount Mary University’s Fashion Show at the Harley-Davidson
Museum, May 2015
Friends of Mount Mary University Academic Scholarship: Merit scholarship based upon major, GPA,
and campus/community involvement, 2012 to 2013
Relevant Coursework: Business Marketing, Buying and Assortment Planning, and Trend Analysis
RELEVANT EXPERIENCE
TARGET, Wauwatosa, WI
Cashier/Customer Service
 Interpret and identify customers’ needs
 Promote Target’s credit or debit card
 Handle payments, returns, and transactions
 Answer questions regarding the store and its merchandise
July 2014-Present
CHARLOTTE RUSSE, Milwaukee, WI
June 2013-July 2014
Visual Sales Associate/Cashier
 Placed special orders and called other stores to find desired items
 Designed window and store displays
 Guided customers in choosing items that reflected personal style and shape
 Administered all point of sale opening and closing procedures
WAL-M ART, Brown Deer, WI
June 2010-August 2013
Sales Associate/Cashier
 Organized racks and shelves to maintain the visual appeal of the store
 Replenished floor stock and processed shipments to ensure product availability for customers
VOLUNTEER EXPERIENCE
Service learning completed through
the Leadership for Social Justice
course at MMU, may be a great
addition to a Volunteer section.
AIDS WALK WISCONSIN, Milwaukee, WI
HOPE HOUSE, Milwaukee, WI
THE GATHERING OF SOUTH EAST WISCONSIN, INC., Milwaukee, WI
2010- 2015 (Annually)
September 2011-December 2011
May 2009-August 2011
18
Two Page Chronological Resume Example – Counseling
Experience headings that highlight transferable and career specific skills. Note: Two pages are more common in
social work, counseling, health, education, academia and for people with 10+yrs of experience.
JAMIE POLINSKI
1234 Make Believe Road
Fake, WI 53000
262.555.1234 | [email protected]
SUMMARY




3 years of experience with individual counseling and 2 years prior experience counseling families
Excellent case management and referral skills
Experience working with diverse populations including multicultural, LGBT, and people with disabilities
Extensive interest and experience with AODA
EDUCATION
Master of Science in Counseling, May 2013
Bachelor of Science in Social Work, May 2011
Mount Mary College (now Mount Mary University), Milwaukee, WI
List related experience first
and use a separate section for
additional less related work.
COUNSELING EXPERIENCE
New Hope Social Service
Make Believe, WI
August 2013-present
Counselor
 Counsel clients including singles, couples, single parents, blended families, teenagers, children, sexoffenders, incest victims, and alcohol and other drug abusers
 Co-facilitate support group exploring sexual orientation and gender identity issues
 Work as a team member with county social service department, schools, other counselors, and courts
 Collaborate with clients, staff, and other professional in developing treatment plans that address clients’
personal, social education, and health needs
 Participate in agency staff meetings
Highland Counseling Center
Make Believe, WI
August 2012-May 2013
Counselor/Practicum
 Counseled individuals, couples, and families of diverse cultural and socio-economic backgrounds
 Facilitated support groups addressing a variety of issues including self-esteem, divorce, AODA, and sexual
assault
 Worked with clients with disabilities including mental health and sensory impairments
 Maintained progress notes and treatment plans for weekly caseload of 10 clients
 Provided appropriate community referrals
Another Hope Agency
Make Believe, WI
January 2012-August 2012
Counselor/Field Work
 Served as student-in-training with supervision of primary counselor in AODA hospital
 Completed 300 hours training with caseload of 6-8 clients
 Initiated contact with clients and recorded introduction notes
 Wrote progress notes and treatment plans
19
JAMIE POLINSKI – page 2
DIVERSITY EXPERIENCE
Including cultural/diversity
experiences may be especially
beneficial when applying to a
company who has specifically
stated that it is an important
part of the work environment.
Easter Seal Kind Care
Milwaukee, W
Summers 2013-2015
Adult Recreation Staff
 Assisted in coordinating recreation and social activities for individuals with disabilities
 Gained knowledge of various disabilities and appropriate accommodations
Rainbow Alliance
Brown Deer, WI
May 2014 – September 2014
Vice President
 Co-authored proposal for LGBT Resource Center
 Organized student and community support groups
 Developed resources with and for members of the LGBT community including students, faculty,
and off-campus organizations
The Learning Center
Milwaukee, WI
August 2012 – May 2014
English As a Second Language (ELS) Tutor
 Provided tutoring to three Laotian teenagers ranging from 11-16 years of age
 Assisted with homework and developed weekly lesson plans to strengthen English skills
 Provided support in the understanding of cultural differences
MEMBERSHIPS
American Counseling Association, 2013-present
Alcohol and Drug Problems Association, 2011-present
National Association of Social Workers, 2011-present
National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence, 2010-present
SEMINARS AND WORKSHOPS
AODA and Domestic Violence, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, April 2015
Crisis Planning and Management, American Counseling Association, October 2014
Working with LGBT Youth, American Counseling Association, October 2013
Alcohol and Family, Milwaukee Family Services, September 2012
COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT
AIDS Walk Wisconsin, 4 years
Meals on Wheels, 4 years
St. Joseph’s Hospital, 3 years
Al’s Run, 2 years
Church fundraisers and festivals, 10 year
Second page is almost
completely filled.
20
Chronological Resume Example – Experienced Sales/Management
Each section is listed in reverse chronological order
123 Main Avenue
Dousman, WI 53022
•
•
•
Use numeric symbol to
emphasize and
highlight impressive
numbers
Jamina Jackson
(414) 555-1234
[email protected]
PROFESSIONAL SUMMARY
Sales record and staff development experience provide outstanding background for Senior Sales Management positions
within the publishing industry
Offering 11 years sales and 9 years management experience combined with entrepreneurial, team building, and
implementation skills
Possess proven leadership ability to conceptualize, structure, and achieve market and profit objectives
PROFESSIONAL SALES EXPERIENCE
North American Sales Manager
2011-present
Wisketa Cards, Dousman, WI
•
Maximize direct sales of commodity and specialty cards in United States and Canada with total sales in excess of $40
million
•
Create and implement Dousman Business Strategy, concentrating sales efforts to develop business near factories,
reducing costs by 18% and improving profitability
•
Collaborate with Regional Managers to create incentive program to motivate sales force resulting in 20% increase in new
product sales
•
Initiate aggressive sales efforts for additional volume
•
Increase production by using idle equipment, spreading costs, and improving profit margins
•
Supervise sales staff of 25, including 4 Regional Managers
Sales Manager
2006-2011
Retro-cards, Inc., Seattle, WA
•
Managed sales for card division, representing 70% of corporate sales
•
Directed department of 6 sales professionals, creating a collaborative team culture
•
Reduced dependence on major accounts by expanding customer base and raising prices
•
Changed company image perception from volume supplier to top-quality product producer through catalog and website
updates and emphasis on customized items
•
Supported customers through National Trade and Industry Association participation
Sales Representative
Retro-cards, Inc., Seattle, WA
•
Effectively maintained sales area of 3 states
•
Increased sales by 63% over 3 year period
•
Redesigned intake and contact format resulting in faster and higher quality customer service
EDUCATION
Master of Business Administration, Mount Mary University, Milwaukee, WI
Bachelor of Science in Business, San Jose State University, San Jose, CA
Focus: Sales and Marketing Management
COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT AND LEADERSHIP
Marketing Committee Member, American Management Association
Marketing Committee Chair, American Management Association
Volunteer, READ America - Four years
Marketing Committee Chair, Big Brothers of America
Peace Corps Volunteer in Africa
2004-2006
May 2015
May 2004
2010-present
2013
2008-2012
2012
2002-2003
21
Creative/Unconventional Resume Example –Graphic Design
Only suitable for some creative positions. Consider who will be reading your resume, i.e. creative professional or
Human Resources representative. A traditional resume may be preferred and/or expected in some settings.
Retrieved from: http://chuckdlay.deviantart.com/art/My-Resume-118309545
22
Functional Resume Example – Experienced Human Resources
Experiences categorized by skill headings. Creates less emphasis on places, titles and dates.
JAUNITA MORALES
1234 Milwaukee Street  Milwaukee, WI 12345  (414) 555-1234  [email protected]
OBJECTIVE
To obtain a human resources position applying skills and experience in:
 Contract negotiations and compliance
 Employee training and development, including orientation programs
 Budgeting and strategic planning
Create categories based on
PROFESSIONAL SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE
skills/qualifications listed in
Human Resources
job posting
Employee Training
 Provided project management for employee training in new division of 400 staff
 Developed in-service training program for new employees
 Compiled and edited comprehensive training manual, which was adopted company-wide
 Updated procedures within Human Resources department and trained staff on new programs
Hiring and Benefits
 Recruited, screened, and interviewed applicants for positions, filling 100 openings annually
 Achieved first year staffing goals in 10 months
 Revised and improved benefits package, resulting in 17% cost savings
Management / Administration
 Monitored organizational budgets of $100,000 monthly
 Managed all aspects of fitness club operations including full financial accounting of $750,000 annual revenues
 Negotiated and monitored contracts for equipment and supplies, cutting administrative costs by 20% through effective
supply purchasing
 Oversaw human resources office of 15 and restaurant staff of 25
Program Development / Coordination
 Led strategic planning efforts for fitness center staffing
 Designed and implemented stress management program
 Selected social and athletic activities to be offered; coordinated implementation, promoted programs and registered
participants
 Planned, coordinated and promoted first annual company family picnic for 500 guests
EMPLOYMENT
Human Resources Manager - Jeffrey’s Engineering, Waukesha, WI
Human Resources Representative - Novacorp, Milwaukee, WI
Operations Supervisor - Fit & Fun Athletic Club, Madison, WI
Assistant Manager - Denny’s Restaurant, Hartland, WI
You can also just include a
partial experience history
and title as such.
EDUCATION
Bachelor of Science in Business Administration
Mount Mary University, Milwaukee, WI
Certificate in Human Resource Management
Cardinal Stritch University, Milwaukee, WI
COMMUNITY / ASSOCIATION INVOLVEMENT
Habitat for Humanity, Volunteer and Coordinator, Milwaukee, WI
Society for Human Resource Management, Compensation Committee Member, Milwaukee, WI
Hartland Parent Teacher Association, Committee Member, Hartland, WI
2012-Present
2009-2012
2007-2009
2005-2007
August 2006
May 2007
2009-Present
2007-Present
2010-2014
23
Resume Rubric
1 - Needs Improvement
Resume is an inappropriate
length based on experience.
Font may be too large,
difficult to read or
inconsistent. Inappropriate
use of margins. Excessive or
no use of italics, bold, and/or
underline.
2 - Developing
Uneven white space.
Inappropriate font size or type.
Font is inconsistent. Space not
used appropriately; unevenly.
3 - Accomplished
Resume is appropriate length based
on experience and not overcrowded.
Font style is between 10-12 point, is
consistent. Space and margins are
used appropriately. Consistent
formatting used throughout resume.
Appropriate use of italics, bold,
and/or underline.
Grammar,
Spelling,
Typos
Multiple spelling or
grammatical errors. Use of
multiple personal pronouns
(I, me, my, etc.).
A few grammatical or spelling
errors. Use of a few personal
pronouns (I, me, my, etc.).
No grammatical or spelling errors. No
personal pronouns (I, me, my, etc.).
Heading
Missing crucial contact
information. Heading is an
inappropriate size and/ or
order. Email address is
unprofessional.
Does not include all necessary
or accurate contact information.
Heading is an appropriate size
and/or order.
Includes contact information: Full
name, address, phone and
appropriate e-mail. Heading is an
appropriate size and/or order with
name formatted to stand out.
Goal Clarity
Information on resume has
no career-specific focus or
only focuses on applicant’s
needs.
Goal of resume is too broad and
includes several foci.
Goal of resume is obvious either
through the use of a concise and
relevant objective/profile or
consistency of content throughout.
Education
Institution is listed without
location. Current institution is
missing. Major is included,
but not degree. Graduation
date missing.
Institution, location, graduation
date, and degree are included
but information is incomplete or
includes too much information.
Most important information
does not stand out.
Degree and major listed accurately
and in appropriate order with
expected graduation month and year,
name and location (city, state) of
school. Important information is
highlighted. Honors/scholarships are
included here or in their own section.
Relevant Coursework listed if
appropriate.
Experience
—Format
Positions are not listed in an
appropriate order. Action
verbs are not used. Bullet
points are not used.
Descriptions do not use varied
action verbs. Verb tense is
inappropriate or inconsistent.
Bullet points not used. Varied
types of experiences listed in
one long section.
Bullets begin with action verbs with
appropriate verb tense. Experience is
listed in reverse chronological order.
Bullets with higher level skills are
listed first. Separate experience
sections used if necessary.
Experience
—Content
Positions lack descriptive
detail or are not
understandable. Location,
dates, company, position, and
titles of employment are not
listed.
Descriptions are not concise,
may be inconsistent or do not
offer appropriate detail or
accomplishments. Few or no
keywords.
Organization name, job title, dates
(month and year) and location (city,
state) are included. Descriptions are
concise; clearly emphasize
transferable skills and
accomplishments. Keywords are used.
Additional
Content
Additional necessary sections
are improperly omitted. Skills
related to these areas are
unclear.
Sections are incomplete or
include too much information.
Information is disorganized.
Additional sections are appropriate to
the resume content, well organized,
sufficiently described, and easy to
understand. Not included if
unnecessary.
16-23=Developing
24= Accomplished
Overall
Appearance
8-15= Needs Improvement
Score
24
Cover Letter Content and Layout
Your Contact Information
Month Day, Year
Contact Person
Title
Organization Name
Street Address
City, State Zip
Dear Mr. or Ms. Contact’s Last Name,
Consider using the same
header as your resume to
establish a branding for
yourself.
If no contact name, write “Dear
Human Resources Specialist” or
“Dear Hiring Manager.” Avoid
using “To Whom It May Concern.”
First Paragraph: Why You are Writing
In your initial paragraph, state the reason for your letter.
Letter of application.
Used if you are applying for a specific opening. State the position and indicate how you learned of it. If you
found it from someone currently working there, be sure to mention his/her name (with his/her permission
of course).
Letter of inquiry.
Used if you are inquiring as to whether there are openings with the organization in your field of interest.
Indicate why you are interested in the position or organization.
Do your research! Employers want to know you are interested in working for them, not just anyone. Show
them that you know who they are and what they do.
Second Paragraph: What You have to Offer
Indicate what you can do for the employer.
This is known as an employer-focused letter. You have written a self-focused letter if all of your paragraphs
begin with “I…” Change your wording! If you are a recent graduate explain how your academic
background makes you a qualified candidate for the specific position. If you have practical work experience
point out your specific achievements or unique qualifications. Show the employer how the knowledge or
skills you have will allow you to fulfill the position and be a benefit for the employer. You may refer to your
enclosed resume, but try not to repeat the same information the reader will find there. This is your chance
to expand that information and really shine.
Third Paragraph: What Happens Next?
In the closing paragraph indicate your desire for a personal interview. Close with a statement that will encourage a
response. For example, state you will be in the city where the organization is located on a certain date and would
like an interview. Or simply state you will call during a certain week to inquire about an interview. Ask the employer
to contact you if they desire additional information.
Sincerely,
Add your handwritten signature here, using black or dark blue ink if
you submit the letter as a hard copy.
(Leave 3 black lines spaces for your signature when typing.)
Typed Name
25
Mailed Cover Letter Example
Jordan Smith
700 College Street, Box 0000 • Beloit, WI 53511 • (608) 555-5555 • [email protected]
October 1, 2011
Ms. Jane Johnson
Director
Lutheran Social Services
1111 Wells Avenue
Milwaukee, WI 11111
Dear Ms. Johnson,
I am writing in response to the Behavioral Health Specialist-Unlicensed position, posted on
the Wisconsin Job Network website: http://www.wisconsinjobnetwork.com. My strong
background in counseling, art, and communication, as well as my deep passion for
serving others, effectively qualifies me for this position, making me a positive addition to
Lutheran Social Services.
My faith, appreciation for the arts, and my continued pursuit of excellence in the work I do help
me to make every effort to provide hope to all the clients I serve. Lutheran Social Services’
vision to “Change the world—one grace-filled life at a time” matches my work ethic and
passion to change my clients’ lives. My previous experience has given me the tools to provide
clients with a high level of clinical assessment, diagnosis, and treatment. My internship
experiences have taught me how to utilize the creative process alongside a strength-based
approach in a variety of treatment settings with a diverse clientele. Providing individual and
group therapy for clients struggling with addition, homelessness, disabilities, mental illness,
and adoption issues showcase a few of my relevant skills. In addition, I have collaborated with
staff members of all levels working to assess and develop appropriate treatment plans for a
variety of clients. My distinctive past in communication and marketing, working as a liaison
between multiple teams, has provided me with a strong foundation in the skills of leadership,
organization, and relationship building.
I am confident that I would become a great asset to Lutheran Social Services and would
appreciate an interview to further discuss your needs and my qualifications. Please feel free to
contact me at XXX-XXX-XXXX or (e-mail address) if you desire additional information. Thank you
for considering my application for this position. I look forward to talking with you soon.
 Use 1 to 2
paragraphs to
highlight your
most impressive
qualifications
(start with the
most relevant or
prestigious).
 Reword or
rephrase the
information in
your letter so it
does not exactly
repeat the
words/phrase
on your resume.
 Try to share
additional
relevant details
to enhance
information
shared on your
resume.
 Avoid beginning
more than one
paragraph with
the word “I.”
Sincerely,
Jordan Smith
Do not copy this letter word-for-word. This is an example only.
Use your own wording when writing letters to contacts and employers to
demonstrate communication skills.
Enclosure
26
Email Cover Letter Example
From: [email protected]
To: [email protected]
Subj: Application for Art Therapist Position
Ms. Jane Johnson
Director of Recreational Therapy
Art Therapy ‘R’ Us
1111 Wells Avenue
Milwaukee, WI 11111


A date is not needed within the body of the
letter, since it will appear in the sender
information of the email.
Whenever possible, still list all of the recipient’s
mailing information in the letter.
Dear Ms. Johnson,
I am writing to express my interest in the art therapy position at Art Therapy ‘R’ Us. I currently am employed as
a recreational therapist at Rec Therapy ‘R’ Us of Milwaukee, so I have direct experience developing and
leading art therapy and recreational groups and providing individual therapy to facility residents. In addition, I
will graduate with my Master’s of Science in Art Therapy with a Concentration in Counseling from Mount Mary
University in May of 2014. Throughout my studies, my internship and research focus has been on geriatric and
palliative care, and I have a passion for working with an older adult population.
I have a thorough understanding of the special therapeutic needs of older adults, and I believe that my
patience, flexibility, and creativity make me uniquely suited for this position. I also comprehend state and
federal guidelines for assisted-living facilities, and I am comfortable leading recreational and art therapy
sessions, and I would enjoy the challenge of further developing and contributing to the art and recreational
therapy program at Art Therapy ‘R’ Us.
Art Therapy ‘R’ Us appears to provide a structured, safe, and nurturing environment for its residents by
providing a full continuum of care, and it also seems to understand the importance of tending to residents’
therapeutic, social, and physical needs. Thus, I would be enthusiastic to join such a caring and compassionate
community.
I have attached my resume and look forward to talking to you about this position. I will call you during the
following week to be sure you have received these materials. Thank you for your time and consideration.
Sincerely,
Jordan Smith
700 College Street, Box 00000
Beloit, WI 53511
608-555-5555
[email protected]



No need for more than a double-space between your closing line and your
name, since you will not be signing your emailed letter.
List your address, phone number and email below you name when
sending a cover letter via email.
Have an “Attachment” line instead of an “Enclosure” line with email letter.
Attachment: 1
NOTE: You may also send your cover letter as an attachment to your email, which would allow you to use the letterhead
you created for your application materials.
27
Mailed Cover Letter Example #2
Eva Hernandez
1234 Happy Street, Wauwatosa, WI 53222 | 414-555-1234 | [email protected]
Aurora Healthcare
945 N 12th Street
Milwaukee, WI 53233
Dear Hiring Manager:
Please consider my application for the Health Management Instructor position. I am qualified for this
position because of my knowledge of nutrition and weight management and my experience with
program planning and adult education. I have a Bachelor of Science in Dietetics and I recently finished
my dietetic internship at Mount Mary University. I am drawn to apply to this position because I believe
Aurora Healthcare is an organization that has the best interest of each of your patients at heart.
As a clinical dietetic intern at Froedtert I took time to get to know my patients so I could individualize
their nutrition interventions and provide them with education that addressed their specific needs. I
counseled a patient on weight management that had been struggling with weight gain since her thyroid
surgery. I listened to the patient as she provided a diet history and voiced that her biggest concern was
her inability to prepare food by herself. I provided her with simple healthy recipes that she would feel
comfortable preparing independently. The patient and her mother were grateful and they both felt that
she would be successful in losing weight.
I can bring to this position my experience providing education to a variety of different age groups as well
as my experience working with individuals of many different social and economic backgrounds. I
developed and taught a lesson on choosing nutrient dense foods for an older adult nutrition program.
Because the group was largely made up of women between the ages of 60 and 80, I focused on snack
foods they would commonly eat like ice cream, candy bars and cookies. We discussed how to
incorporate these foods in moderation while also including fruits, vegetables and other foods that
provided them with a lot of nutrients and a lesser amount of calories. The ladies were very interested in
the lesson, and it prompted the most group discussion out of all of the lessons throughout the program.
I know that true interdisciplinary teamwork is essential to promoting the healing and recovery for
patients. For one of my patients, I felt strongly that she needed expanded food options as she was
struggling with side-effects of chemotherapy. Working collaboratively with the foodservice staff, we
planned smoothies to be delivered to the patient at specific times. This provided her with good nutrition
and accommodated the busy schedules and production demands of the foodservice staff.
Thank you for your consideration. I would love the opportunity to interview for this position and explore
the possibility of joining the Aurora team.
Sincerely,
Eva Hernandez
28
Cover Letter Rubric
1 - Needs Improvement
Cover letter is an
inappropriate length. Font
may be too large, difficult
to read or inconsistent.
Inappropriate use of
margins and spacing
between headings,
paragraphs, and signature.
Multiple spelling or
grammatical errors.
2 - Developing
Cover letter is an appropriate
length; or inappropriate font
size/type or font is inconsistent.
Space between headings,
paragraphs, and signature not
used appropriately; unevenly.
3 - Accomplished
Cover letter is appropriate length. Font
style is between 10-12 points and is
consistent. Space and margins are
used appropriately. Consistent
formatting used throughout.
A few grammatical or spelling
errors.
No grammatical or spelling errors.
Heading/
Return Address
Missing crucial contact
information. Heading is an
inappropriate size and/or
order. Email address is
unprofessional.
Does not include all necessary
or accurate contact information.
Heading is an appropriate size
and/or order. Inconsistent with
resume heading
Includes all contact information: Full
name, address, phone number and
appropriate e-mail address. Heading is
formatted to match resume heading or
stands out appropriately.
Employer
Contact
Information
Missing crucial contact
information. Greeting is an
inappropriate size and/or
order. Uses ‘To Whom it
May Concern.”
Includes all contact information: Full
name, title, company, and address.
Greeting is an appropriate size and/or
order. Addresses a specific person and
their title.
Purpose
Purpose is unclear or too
general. No specific
position is referred to
and/or the company is not
mentioned.
Qualifications
and Relevant
Experiences
Qualifications and
experiences are generic
and not tailored to the
position. No examples of
relevant experiences or
accomplishments are
given. Repeats information
from resume.
No closing statement;
letter ends abruptly with
no mention of next steps.
Desire for an interview or
more information is not
indicated. Inappropriate or
missing salutation and
signature.
Tone is too casual.
Overuse of personal
pronouns (I, me, my, etc.).
Letter is overly self-focused
rather than employerfocused; have not clearly
indicated what you can do
for them.
Does not include all necessary
or accurate contact information.
Greeting is an appropriate size
and/or order. Addresses a
specific person by their title or
name.
A clear purpose is stated,
including the position title and
company name. Demonstrates
little or no knowledge of or
enthusiasm towards the
company; doesn’t catch
employer’s attention.
Qualifications are more tailored
to the position but may lack
detail or examples about how
background and experiences
makes for a qualified candidate;
Or examples given don’t tie into
necessary qualifications for this
position.
There is a closing statement but
it does not indicate a clear or
specific next step. Missing or
inappropriate salutation.
Signature included.
Overall
Appearance
Grammar,
Spelling, Typos
(First
paragraph)
(Middle
paragraphs)
Closing
Statement
(Final
paragraph)
Audience
Considerations
8-15= Needs Improvement
Score
A clear purpose is stated, including
what position is being applied for and
why there is interest and enthusiasm
for that specific position at that specific
company. Demonstrates knowledge of
the company’s needs/goals.
Clearly explain what you have to offer
and what background experiences,
qualities, and accomplishments make
you a qualified candidate for this
particular position. Highlights
information from the resume and
brings in further details.
Indicates a desire for an interview or
suggests a specific next step. Employer
feels encouraged to reach out for
further information and knows how to
do so. Appropriate salutation and
signature included.
Tone is professional.
Appropriate use of personal
pronouns (I, me, my, etc.).
Letter is more self-focused than
employer-focused; have not
clearly indicated what you can
do for the employer.
Tone is professional. Appropriate use
of personal pronouns (I, me, my, etc.).
Overall content is employer-focused,
describing what you can do to meet
their wants, needs, and qualifications.
16-23=Developing
24= Accomplished
29
Reference Page Example
TIERA WRIGHT
321 Hickory Lane | Milwaukee, WI 00000
414-555-5555 | [email protected]
References’ information may
be centered (as seen here) or
left aligned.
 In general, listing 3 – 4
references is typically
appropriate (unless otherwise
specified by the employer).
 Always ask an individual if
they will serve as a reference
before providing their name
and contact information to
other parties.
 Also confirm with them that
they are comfortable and able
to give you a positive
reference.
Chris Riley
Principal
Beloit Memorial High School
1225 4th Street
Beloit, WI 53511
(608) 555-1234
[email protected]
Samantha Stone
Superintendent
School District of Milwaukee
1633 Keeler Avenue
Milwaukee, WI 53100
(414) 555-4567
[email protected]
Use your same letterhead you used
on your resume to make your
application materials more
identifiable.
 Include the reference’s name, job
title, their employer’s name, work
address, and work phone (unless
the reference instructs you to use
their home contact information
instead) and email address.
 Put each item of information on a
separate line to make it easier to
find.
 Use the same font distinctions
(i.e bold, italics, etc.) as used in
your resume to help distinguish
different pieces of information.
Alex Foster
Professor of Education
Mount Mary College
2900 N. Menomonee River Parkway
Milwaukee, WI 53222
(414) 555-4810
[email protected]
Shantell Miller
Field Experience Supervisor
Merrill Elementary School
1333 Copeland Avenue
Wauwatosa, WI 53123
(414) 555-7891
[email protected]
30
Thank You Letter Example
Jordan Smith
700 College Street, Box 0000 • Beloit, WI 53511 • (608) 555-5555 • [email protected]
November 23, 2011
Ms. Jane Johnson
Director
The Washington Post
1111 Wells Avenue
Washington, DC 11111
Dear Ms. Johnson,
Thank you for taking time to talk with me yesterday about journalism internship opportunities at The
Washington Post. Meeting the newsroom crew was a true highlight during my visit. It was clear they are a
professional, enthusiastic group of people who enjoy working together as a team.
Talking with you about internships at the Post was also greatly beneficial. I was especially excited about
internship opportunities in the international news area you described. My background in working with
international news media organizations and interest in global issues match well with the position’s
requirements. I would enjoy being a part of that type of department.
I understand you will be connecting with me sometime within the next two weeks. If I can provide any
additional information in the meantime please do not hesitate to contact me at (608) 555-5555. I look
forward to the possibility of working with you.
Sincerely,
Jordan Smith
 Send either a thank you letter or a handwritten note the day after your
interview.
 If you know the candidate selection will happen quickly a thank you email
may be more appropriate. This will ensure the employer receives your
thank you prior to their decision making.
31
Popular Interview Questions Asked By Employers
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.
16.
17.
18.
19.
20.
21.
22.
23.
24.
25.
26.
27.
28.
Tell me about yourself.
What do you know about our organization?
Why should we hire you?
What accomplishments are you proudest of?
What is your greatest strength? Weakness?
What major problem have you encountered and how did you deal with it?
What was your best/worst boss like?
What did you do in your last job to contribute toward a teamwork environment? Be specific.
Describe a stressful time during any job which tested your coping skills. Explain the problem, what you did,
and what were the results?
Tell me about a time you had to use your verbal communication skills in order to get a point across that was
important to you. How did it go?
Describe the most significant report/presentation you have had to complete.
Give me an example of a specific situation when you conformed to a policy with which you did not agree.
Give an example of a time you were able to build motivation in your co-workers or subordinates at work.
Describe the most creative work related project you have carried out.
Tell me about a time you felt it was necessary to modify or change your actions in order to respond to the
needs of another person.
What motivates you to put forth your greatest efforts?
Tell me about a mistake you made in the past and what you have learned from that mistake.
When do you feel you must consult with your manager before taking action?
What did you do in your last job to be effective with your organization and planning?
What do you like most/least about your present position?
What qualities should a successful manager possess?
Did you take any leadership roles in college? Please explain.
What criteria are you using to evaluate the company for which you hope to work?
How do you respond to constructive criticism?
Do you think your grades should be considered as an indication of your abilities? Why or why not?
Are you willing to relocate?
Are you willing to work non-traditional hours?
Are you willing to work part-time in a job that may expand to full-time?
Questions You Can Ask Interviewers
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.
16.
17.
18.
19.
20.
How would you describe the corporate culture?
What are things you like most/least about working here?
What are the greatest challenges facing this organization at this time?
What would you change about this organization if you could?
Is this company quick or slow to adopt new technology?
What type of growth do you foresee in the next few years? Why?
Does the company promote professional and personal growth?
How would you describe a typical day in this position?
Could you describe your management style? (If manager)
What types of people seem to do well in this department/company?
What are the three most important things you would need me to accomplish in the first six months to one
year?
How will I know I’m doing a good job?
How often will my performance be evaluated?
How does one advance within the organization?
Outside of my department, whom else will I work with?
How much evening or weekend work is expected?
How much travel is normally expected?
Why is this position available?
How many people have had this position in the past three years?
Is there anything else I should know that would help me understand this position?
32