Developing Your Professional Resume and Cover Letter
John Glenn School of Public Affairs, Career Services
2012
[email protected]
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Table of Contents
I.
The Resume and Its Purpose
II. 6 Steps of Resume Development
III. Resume Style and Formats
A. Chronological
B. Functional/Skills
C. Hybrid
D. Page Length
E. Font and Margins
IV. Structure
V.
Do’s and Don’ts of Resume Writing
VI. Cover Letter Development and Writing
VII. Language Guide
VIII. Examples of Completed Resumes and Cover Letters
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Some information in this guide was adapted from NYU Wagner, UC Berkeley and Princeton.
I. The Resume and Its Purpose
First impressions are vital, and resumes offer employers a first look at you as a potential
employee. A well-written resume sets you apart as a job candidate by highlighting your
skills and strengths, and providing a brief overview of your experiences and education as
they would apply to the position that is open. It is a snapshot of what you have
accomplished professionally and academically. Providing this information in a clear,
concise and easy-to-scan format is your best chance to demonstrate to employers that you
are a good candidate for an interview.
A resume is NOT an account of your entire professional and academic history. A resume
should only include your education, relevant experiences, relevant research, relevant
coursework and skills related to the position. You will always want to tailor your resume to
the employer’s hiring needs. Note: keep a master resume with your complete professional
and co-curricular experiences from which you can copy and paste to quickly and easily
customize your resume.
Please note: Most employers will scan a resume for 10-15 seconds. Your resume
must be concise and to the point, highlighting relevant information that catches
the attention of the employer. A clean, concise resume shows you are wellorganized, conscientious and motivated.
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II. 6 Steps of Resume Development
Your resume should be a dynamic document, undergoing changes and edits each time you
submit it to an employer. While you may never have a “finished” resume, you can have a
great base resume, a bank of information to add to as needed. You can use this to edit,
polish and customize your resume. Here are six steps you can follow to become a resume
expert.
A. Self-Evaluation
When developing your professional resume, it is important to reflect on your past
professional experiences and explore potential career paths. A self-evaluation is an
opportunity for you to gather information about yourself: identifying YOUR values, skills
and potential career paths. This will serve you well when conveying to a potential
employer why you are a good fit for them. Consider developing an outline of your
professional experiences (full-time, part-time jobs, internships, volunteerism, education,
activities, honors, publications, study abroad, etc.) over the past 3-5 years. By writing down
the experiences, you now have a reference of your professional history and
accomplishments.
Take this list of accomplishments and highlight common phrases or experiences that relate
to your career path. If you feel like you cannot narrow down your experiences to your
career path, please schedule an appointment with a Glenn School Career Counselor by
calling 614.292.8696. If you are interested in taking a self-assessment, please call OSU
Career Connection at 614.688.3898. You can then discuss the results of your selfassessment with the OSU Career Connection counselor and a Glenn School Career
Counselor.
B. Identify Employer Needs and Research Employer Background
Research the employer’s website, online journals or newspaper articles that provide
insight into the organization. By researching the employer, you will get a better
understanding of what the organization stands for and accomplished and how you would
fit well(or not) with a potential employer.
C. Review Position Requirements
Read and reread the job description provided by the employer and highlight words
describing the skills the employer is looking for and the needs the employer wants met. If
you meet these requirements, replicate the employer’s wording on your resume, allowing
them to make an automatic connection between the job posting and you as a potential
employee. Many employers, now including the federal government, use computer
programs to scan resumes for key words that match their job postings. The job description,
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as well as the employer research, can also give clues as to how you will respond to the “Big
Three Questions” asked about any new job and employee:
 Are you PREPARED? What research have you done on the employer and
company? Do you have the professional experiences and skills needed for the
position?
 Are you COMITTED? Are you dedicated and committed to excelling in this
position and the employers goals and values? Will you do the job?
 Are you a good FIT** and MATCH? Does your personality and work ethic fit
into the culture of the organization?
A note on FIT: If it is a good fit, great! If it is not, it is s not. Fit goes both ways! If it is not a fit
for you, seriously consider it if you are offered a position. Would you be happy there? Would
be able to work at your best? If not, this serves neither you nor the employer. Also, if you do
not get a job offer, try not to get discouraged. If it was not a fit for them, you would likely not
be happy at the job or able to do your best! Finally, you never know the full picture behind a
hiring decision(inside candidates, positions being delayed or canceled, etc.). You are always
welcome to ‘de-brief’ with a counselor to discuss what you can take away from an experience.
D. Highlight Relevant Professional Experience
This is the most important section of your resume. Include relevant jobs, internships
(paid/unpaid) and volunteer positions. For each entry, include title and department name
of the organization, the location (city and state postal abbreviation) and your dates of
employment. A great piece of advice would be to keep copies of your
job/internship/activities descriptions because they can help in the development of your
accomplishment statements.
E. Determine Format, Draft, Edit, Proofread and Critique
Selecting a format will depend on your background and the position. It is very important to
draft and tailor your resume to the position you are applying to. Always, always proofread
your document! Read the document out loud to yourself or to a friend where you can catch
grammar mistakes, etc. Once you feel your resume is polished, meet with a Career
Counselor for a critique. Then make changes, if necessary.
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III.Resume Styles and Formats
There are different types of formats for resumes: Chronological, Functional (Skill-based)
and Hybrid (combination of chronological and functional). Find the format that works best
for you!
A. Chronological Resume: This is the most common resume format. You arrange your
experiences in reverse chronological order; listing the most recent experience first and so
forth. This typical resume is traditionally used when your professional experiences and
academic background relate directly to the job(s) you are applying to and demonstrates a
consistent work history. The main benefit of a chronological resume lies in its
straightforward construction and the fact that it highlights your achievements and work
history. The chronological resume is great for students looking to highlight their college
work and makes it easy for employers to see how an applicant progressed through various
professional experiences.
If you have significant time gaps in your work history that are not easy to explain, talk with
a counselor and consider a functional or hybrid format.
B. Functional (Skills-based) Resume: This type of resume rearranges your employment
history into sections by highlighting areas of skill. Also, it makes it easier for employers to
link your skills to the actual job title and level of responsibility. This resume format is
traditionally used for new graduates, those just entering the workforce or making a career
change. Also, it is used when you are trying to gain experience in particular fields, where
you may not have experience. Professional experiences are summarized in a section at the
end of the resume. Focus is primarily on skills you gained and not necessarily where you
worked (UC Berkeley, 2010). The benefit of a functional resume is that it highlights
transferable skills such as website design or writing that can be used in many different job
positions.
You should not use this format if it is easy to determine your career growth.
C. Hybrid Resume: This type of resume is a combination of a chronological and functional
resume. It can be structured in a variety of formats. “It usually displays experiences with
descriptions in reverse chronological order grouped under skills headings. This format
works bests where there are consistent themes (leadership, teaching, program
management, etc). Its benefit is that it provides employers with easily identifiable skill
areas and a sense of your history” (UC Berkeley, 2010).
For examples for each type of resume, please see section VIII of the guide.
D. Page Length: Traditionally, resumes are one page in length; this is especially important
for ALL undergraduate students. For graduate students, it is perfectly acceptable to have a
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resume that is 1 page to 1 ½ pages in length, if you have significant professional
experience. However, if an employer asks for a 1 page resume, provide a 1 page resume;
nothing more and nothing less otherwise you will be screened out. Federal Agencies have
different requirements on page length. Again, please be concise and to the point. Employers
will see right through fluff and unnecessary jargon.
E. Font and Margins: A resume should be written using Times New Roman Font (11-12pt)
and margins should be between .5 -1 inch. Times New Roman is easy to read and standard
in most professions. Use 11-12 point font: anything larger may seem like you are trying to
fill space, and anything smaller can be difficult to read. Margins should be .5-1 inch because
anything smaller may make your document look condensed, especially if you are trying to
keep the resume to a page; anything more than 1 inch does not use the white space on your
resume effectively. Stay consistent with formatting. If you use a bullet for a section of your
resume, use bullets throughout the document. Having different symbols throughout the
document can look messy.
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IV. Structure
A. Name and Contact Information
Your contact information section of your resume will be consistent no matter what resume
format you select. At the top of your resume list your name, address, phone number, and
email address. Avoid the use of email addresses that could be construed as too personal or
unprofessional (e.g., [email protected] ) or too long/easily mistyped. Do not
use the email account for your current job. To save space on your resume, provide your
contact information in the following format:
Example:
John Public Affairs
[email protected] – 642.292.8696 - 1810 College Road – Columbus, Ohio 43210
B. Education
The education section may vary depending on what resume format you choose. In a
chronological resume, the education section follows your contact information. For
functional and hybrid resume formats, the education section can stay at the top or the
bottom half of your resume. It depends on your professional situation.
Include the full names of the graduate and undergraduate institutions where you received a
degree or are completing one in reverse chronological order. List your academic degree
first and specialization, then the school and/or institution. Under each school, list relevant
coursework(do not list course number) by subject area, research, terms abroad and
academic groups(this is optional, many undergraduates and MPA students follow this) as
well as your expected/actual graduation date.
Example:
Education:
Master of Public Administration
John Glenn School of Public Affairs
The Ohio State University
Relevant Coursework or Research Focus Area(s):
Capstone Topic:
Expected May 2014
Columbus, Ohio
C. Relevant Research (ONLY IF APPROPRIATE)
A relevant research section is only applicable if you completed substantial research on a
particular topic and the job description wants an applicant with an extensive research
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background. This section can follow your education background in a chronological resume
and can go before or after your relevant experience sections in a functional or hybrid
resume.
D. Relevant Experience: How to Develop Your Accomplishment Statements
This is the most important section of your resume. Your professional accomplishment
statements should always start with an action verb. Be advised: if you are currently in that
role, all statements for that position should be in the present tense. If you are no longer
working at a particular organization, all statements for that position should be in past tense.
Please see the list of action verbs. Include relevant jobs, internships (paid/unpaid) and
volunteer positions. For each entry, include your title(if not descriptive like ‘Program
Manager,’ use functional or internal title like ‘Undergraduate Programs Coordinator’) and
department, and dates of employment, the name of the organization and the location (city
and state). When developing your professional accomplishment statements, you want to
highlight the following:
 Demonstrate your accomplishments/results relevant or similar
jobs/internships/projects/activities related to the position.
 Relevant computer skills, language skills, and technical training.
 Quantify When You Can!
Example of Professional Experiences
Undergraduate Student:
Student Office Assistant
August 2010 –Present
John Glenn School of Public Affairs
Columbus, OH
 Initiate processing and tracking of 300 plus applicant profiles annually, including sensitive
admissions data.
 Schedule prospective and current student appointments for full-time staff members.
 Support the events staff with planning and implementing public policy events including public
policy round tables with community leaders and campus wide lectures with 200 plus attendees.
 Monitor and update student database of records for advising and graduate purposes.
Graduate Student:
Health Policy Intern
May 2012- August 2012
Urban Institute: Health Policy Center
Washington, DC
 Co-authored health policy publications appearing in the Journal for Health Policy, most notable
article, “Today’s Health Crisis, Tomorrow’s Health Solution.”
 Researched health policy initiatives and presented analytical reviews on top findings to executive
board to better understand the Affordable Care Act.
 Conducted externship with Director of Legal Policy, participating in board meetings, and
observing congressional debates to better understand policy in action.
 Wrote 15 policy memos to surrounding health policy think tanks and lobbying firms discussing
the potential legal impacts of the Affordable Care Act.
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E. Additional Sections (if applicable)
The following information can be added to your resume, if applicable. Please be advised, do
not over- sell your competency on a certain skill. Employers may rely heavily on a
particular skill and you do not want to mislead them.
 Computer Skills and Foreign Language
 Professional Association Memberships
 Military Experience
 Relevant Certification or Licensure (list letters designating your credentials after
your name at the top of the page)
 Recent Security Clearances (typical for government jobs)
 Non-Degree Trainings (only if the training is an industry standard such as HIPPA
training in the medical field or FERPA in higher education)
V. Do’s and Don’ts of Resume Writing
Do:
 bold important items you want to stand out.
 be consistent in style – if you decide to bold an employer name then do so
throughout the resume; if you use periods in a description, use them throughout the
resume.
 emphasize FIT by incorporating language from the job description into your bullet
accomplishment statements.
 begin each statement with an action verb.
 convince the reader that your current skills are transferable and relevant.
 Send electronic documents as a PDF file so that it
 Save your resume as an easily recognizable file name. (i.e. JoeSmithResume or
SmithResume)
 PROOFREAD, PROOFREAD, PROOFREAD!!!
Don’t









use “I” or “me” in your resume.
use periods if your descriptions are not complete sentences.
use objective statements: your objective should be explained in your cover letter.
abbreviations should not be used. Write everything out in full so it is easy to read.
use graphics or pictures.
include Extra-Curricular Activities and Interests/Hobbies.
use acronyms (i.e., ACLU, PASA, JGSPA).
use form industry or company specific jargon.
incorporate personal Information – U.S. Law prohibits recruiters or employers from
asking for any personal information that is not essential to the job functions. Tis
includes date of birth, gender, marital status, height, weight, sexual orientation or
social security number.
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


put your GPA on your resume. Only relevant when an employer asks for evidence of
your academic abilities.
put the phrase “References Available on Request" at the end of your resume because
it takes up space . Put reference information in a separate document.
Don’t lie or exaggerate!
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VI. Cover Letter Development and Writing
A well written cover letter should always accompany your resume or application. It serves
as a writing sample, introduces you to the employer and helps you expand on your
professional experiences listed in your resume. It should include:
 Specific information about why you want to work for that particular employer.
 Demonstrate your knowledge of the position and employer.
 Connect your professional experiences with the needs/wants of the employer.
 Exhibit motivation and enthusiasm(but do not go overboard).
A. Introduction Paragraph
When formatting your letter, make sure you research to who you should be addressing the
letter. Avoid using “To Whom it May Concern,” or “Dear Sir/Madam.” Go the extra mile and
contact the employer and ask to who you should address the letter, if not stated in the
description. Do not contact the employer if in the description explicitly states “No phone
calls.” If that is stated, an acceptable alternative is “Dear Search Committee or Dear Hiring
Manager.” State the position in which you are applying to and where you found it. Briefly
mention an important detail about the employer and why you are excited to work for them.
It will show the employer that you conducted the proper research. Also, it is appropriate to
mention your academic experience (i.e. “I am currently pursuing a Master of Public
Administration at the John Glenn School of Public Affairs”). The introduction paragraph
should be roughly 3-4 sentences in length.
B. Body Paragraph (can be 1 to 2 paragraphs)
The body paragraph is where you make the connection between the position description
and your professional/academic experiences. Provide concrete examples of
accomplishments, projects and/or responsibilities directly related to the employer and
position. Tell the story—readers will remember it! The body paragraph should be roughly
5-7 sentences.
A second body paragraph is only applicable if you feel it is necessary to provide additional
experiences and examples that the employer should be cognizant of.
C. Closing Paragraph
End your letter by restating the position you are applying to, your excitement about the
position and your related qualifications. Include contact information (telephone and email).
Always thank the employer; a good phrase to say is: “Thank you for your time and
consideration.” The closing paragraph should be roughly 3 sentences in length.
For examples of cover letters, please see section VIII.
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D. Do’s and Don’ts of Cover Letter Writing
Do:
 limit to 1 page.
 target your letter to the employer.
 use the same font size in your resume and cover letter.
 explain in the very first sentence why you are applying for that particular position.
 demonstrate how your career goals align with the position.
 proofread, PROOFREAD, PROOFREAD!!!
 follow up with the employer if you hear nothing after 2-3 weeks. Inquire if they
received the application or need additional information. Be at your best when
talking to anyone who answers the phone!
Don’t:
 address the letter to “Whom it may concern” or “Dear Sir/Madam.”
 be wordy or repeat information from you resume.
 discuss what the employer can do for you instead of what you can do for the
employer.
 send a generic letter or even worse, forget to update employer and position
information in the letter and send it to the wrong individual.
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VII. Language Guide
Employers are looking at your resume and cover letter to find out if you can and will
successfully do the job. They want to know that you have the ability to make an impact on
their organization, and they are looking for key action words in your resume and cover
letter that describe your past accomplishments.
Brief Tips
 Use present tense for all experiences related to your current position and the past
tense for past employment.
 Avoid pronouns.
 Each statement should begin with an action verb.
 Incorporate language from the job description into your accomplishment
statements.
Action verbs that describe your PLANNING skills include:
Assembled
Built
Calculated
Computed
Conceived
Created
Designed
Developed
Devised
Engineered
Established
Estimated
Experimented
Fabricated
Formed
Formulated
Initiated
Innovated
Instituted
Invented
Justified
Laid out
Maintained
Operated
Organized
Originated
Overhauled
Programmed
Projected
Remodeled
Repaired
Reorganized
Revised
Scheduled
Solved
Systemized
Tailored
Transformed
Upgraded
Planned
Action verbs that describe your skills in DIRECTING employees include:
Administered
Approved
Authorized
Conducted
Controlled
Decided
Delegated
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Determined
Directed
Guided
Headed
Instructed
Led
Managed
Ordered
Prescribed
Regulated
Specified
Supervised
Trained
Action verbs that describe your INVESTIGATIVE skills include:
Analyzed
Assessed
Clarified
Calculated
Collected
Computed
Correlated
Critiqued
Diagnosed
Discovered
Evaluated
Examined
Extracted
Familiarized
Identified
Inspected
Interpreted
Investigated
Organized
Observed
Proved
Researched
Reviewed
Searched
Summarized
Studied
Surveyed
Systematize
Action verbs that convey your LEADERSHIP skills include:
Accepted
Achieved
Adopted
Administered
Analyzed
Arranged
Assembled
Assumed
Attained
Attended
Audited
Built
Chaired
Checked
Classified
Collected
Compiled
Consolidated
Contracted
Constructed
Coordinated
Delegated
Described
Developed
Directed
Doubled
Established
Evaluated
Executed
Experienced
Gathered
Halted
Handled
Improved
Implemented
Increased
Initiated
Installed
Integrated
Maintained
Made
Organized
Operated
Overcame
Oversaw
Prioritized
Performed
Prepared
Presented
Produced
Received
Recommended
Reduced
Reviewed
Scheduled
Strengthened
Simplified
Sold
Supervised
Transacted
Action verbs that describe your ability to provide effective SERVICE include:
Adapted
Advised
Assessed
Assisted
Carried out
Clarified
Coached
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Communicated
Committed
Coordinated
Counseled
Delivered
Demonstrated
Demystified
Developed
Diagnosed
Earned
Educated
Enabled
Encouraged
Exchanged
Expanded
Expedited
Explained
Facilitated
Furnished
Generated
Guided
Informed
Inspected
Installed
Instructed
Issued
Motivated
Persuaded
Procured
Provided
Purchased
Referred
Rehabilitated
Represented
Rewrote
Sent
Serviced
Set goals
Stimulated
Submitted
Trained
Transmitted
Wrote
Action verbs that describe your INTERACTIVE skills with other people include:
Addressed
Advised
Aided
Apprised
Arbitrated
Arranged
Authored
Clarified
Collaborated
Coached
Conferred
Consulted
Contributed
Convinced
Cooperated
Coordinated
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Corresponded
Counseled
Developed
Directed
Drafted
Edited
Enlisted
Formulated
Influenced
Interpreted
Lectured
Mediated
Moderated
Negotiated
Helped
Informed
Inspired
Negotiated
Participated
Persuaded
Promoted
Publicized
Recommended
Reconciled
Recruited
Represented
Resolved
Spoke
Suggested
Translated
Unified
Wrote
VIII. Examples
[email protected]
Chronological, Undergraduate
(614) 217-1920
Annie Glenn
1234 University Lane
Columbus, Ohio 43210
EDUCATION
Bachelor of Arts in Public Affairs
Expected May 2014
John Glenn School of Public Affairs
The Ohio State University, Columbus Ohio
Specialization: Community Organization and Civic Engagement
Honors: Provost Scholarship, CLC Award
Relevant Courses: Public Service and Civic Engagement, Public Policy and Analysis, Women in Leadership
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
Policy Analysis Intern, Washington Academic Internship Program
January-April 2012
Smithsonian Office of Policy and Analysis
 Conducted quantitative studies of Smithsonian policy activities for 2012
 Summarized policy proposals into memorandum format for senior analysts
 Developed a new survey system for Smithsonian program participants to more effectively track
program success and areas for improvement
Alumna
June 2012
NEW Leadership Ohio
Columbus, OH
 Participated in workshops on public speaking, advocating and lobbying
 Formulated a personal development plan
 Collaborated in networking and professional development activities which included workshops on
public speaking and self-advocacy
President, Student Council
August 2009- May 2010
John Glenn High School
New Concord, OH
 Supervised weekly meetings of 12-member student council
 Planned annual events including Homecoming, Election Day and Art Fair
 Improved school recycling system from virtually non-existent to a method with three recycling bins
in each classroom
Mentor, Project Mentor
May 2008- May 2009
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Ohio
New Concord, OH
 Committed to weekly meetings with an elementary school student
 Aided student with schoolwork in math and science classes, resulting in student presenting a project
at the school science expo in the spring
 Inspired student to enter a clay sculpture from art class in a local competition
SKILLS
Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite, SPSS, Stata and LexisNexis
Strong written and oral communication skills and established history of leadership, delegation and teamwork
ACTIVITIES
Civic Leadership Councilmember, 2010-present
John Glenn School of Public Affairs Learning Community
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Chronological, Graduate
[email protected]
(614) 707-1921
Ted Herschel
1962 College Drive
Columbus, Ohio 43210
EDUCATION
Master of Public Administration
John Glenn School of Public Affairs
The Ohio State University
Specialization: Nonprofit Management
Relevant Coursework: Public Policy Formulation, Data Analysis for
Public Policy, Public Finance, Leadership and HR in Public Organizations
Bachelor of Arts in Political Science
Muskingum University
Minor in History
Relevant Coursework: American Government, Public Organizations, Economics
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
Campaign Intern
Office of Senator Sherrod Brown
 Organize campaign canvassing efforts twice weekly from August to present.
 Evaluate success of community outreach efforts by distributing and collecting both
mailed and online survey tools.
 Research policy issues relevant to Brown and the upcoming election.
Expected May, 2013
June 2009
August 2012-present
Columbus, Ohio
Assistant Program DirectorExample of a Functional Resume
September 2011-June 2012
Battelle for Kids
Columbus, Ohio
 Supervised four student interns that involved their hiring, training and project assignment.
 Aided Program Director in developing new Center of Science and Industry (COSI) collaboration for
Columbus Schools.
 Reviewed success of various educational programs funded by state grants.
8th Grade Teacher, Teach For America
August 2009-August 2011
Detroit City Schools
Detroit, Michigan
 Taught three 8th grade classes of 25 students about world history and American history, developed
curriculum plans and tests, and completed grading and class evaluations.
 Participated in the inaugural year of the reopened Bing Middle School.
 Developed long term course plans for future social studies teachers.
President, Student Senate
August 2008-May 2009
Muskingum University
Muskingum, Ohio
 Developed and organized policy issues the Senate focused on during the academic year
 Collaborated with Senate and university leadership to develop university-wide diversity initiatives
Research Apprentice, Department of Political Science
August 2007-May 2008
Muskingum University
Muskingum, Ohio
 Investigated new trends of political campaigning in Ohio
 Participated in writing an article for the Political Science Journal with Dr. Kennedy
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SKILLS
Communication
Practiced public speaker and teacher, with experience communicating with students, university
faculty and staff, non-profit employees and politicians
Leadership
Led Muskingum Student Senate with executive team, taught first social studies class ever
at Bing Middle School, supervised employees alone and as part of a team and launched the COSI
collaboration with Battelle for Kids
Research
Initiated research and evaluation of various educational programs, participated in many research
projects, helped write a journal article and researched community outreach efforts for a political
campaign
Computer
Proficient with the Microsoft Office Suite, Stata, SPSS and Photoshop
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Functional Resume
Annie G. Smith
[email protected] – 614.292.8696 – 1810 College Road, Columbus, OH 43210
Education:
Master of Public Administration
May 2010
John Glenn School of Public Affairs
The Ohio State University
Relevant Coursework: Public Policy Formulation and Implementations, Managing Public Sector Organizations,
Public Affairs Program Evaluation, Public Budgeting and Finance
Bachelor of Arts, Public Affairs
May 2007
Muskingum College
Relevant Coursework: Government Finance and the American Economy, State and Local Government Finance,
Public Budgeting and Leadership in the Public and Non-profit Sectors
Skills:
Leadership
 Supervised a nonprofit agency of 35 staff members, which included oversight of hiring, budget
development and implementation.
 Developed training manual for 10 new hires, which included company policies, team building and
professional development opportunities.
 Coordinated department retreat for over 35 employees, which involved team building and strategic
planning exercises.
Budget Planning and Administration
 Administered a 1 million dollar annual budget.
 Created and maintained improved billing procedures.
 Achieved a 25% increase in revenue for the Department of Development.
Program Development
 Implemented an outreach plan for clients planning to relocate to Ohio.
 Developed a site selection procedure manual to assist in the tracking of companies in Franklin County.
Professional Experience:
Project Manager
Ohio Department of Development
Fellow
Ohio State Auditor
History Teacher, 5th-8th grade
Teach for America
Intern
Ohio House of Representatives
August 2010- present
Columbus, OH
September 2008-May 2009
Columbus, OH
June 2007- July 2008
Macon, GA
August 2005- May 2007
Columbus, OH
Additional Skills:
 Strong written and oral communication, computer proficient in Microsoft Office Suite, STATA and SIS

Languages: proficient in Italian conversation
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Hybrid Resume
Herschel Glenn Johnson
[email protected] – 614.292.8696 – 1810 College Road, Columbus, OH 43210
Education:
Master of Public Administration
May 2014
John Glenn School of Public Affairs
The Ohio State University
Relevant Coursework: Public Policy Formulation and Implementations, Managing Public Sector Organizations,
Public Affairs Program Evaluation, Public Budgeting and Finance
Bachelor of Arts, Public Affairs
May 2012
Ohio Wesleyan University
Relevant Coursework: Government Finance and the American Economy, State and Local Government Finance,
Public Budgeting and Leadership in the Public and Non-profit Sectors
Professional Experience:
Civic Engagement
Elections Intern
August 2012- Present
Franklin County Board of Elections
Columbus, OH
Cover letter Example: Undergraduate
 Meet with county officials to discuss the Get Out The Vote strategic plan for Franklin County.
 Register 95 college students to vote for the 2012 Presidential Election.
 Conduct presentations to high school seniors on the importance of civic engagement and voting.
Policy Intern
January 2010- May 2012
Senator Rob Portman Office
Columbus, OH
 Answered inquiries for constituents about policy reform bill.
 Gave tours of senate office for junior high students, who were learning about politics.
 Met with office officials to discuss how to better formalize the internship program for college students.
 Developed policy memos for Senator on a variety of issues, including the alternative energy bill.
Leadership
Policy and Governance Chair
August 2010-May 2011
Undergraduate Student Government
Delaware, OH
 Chaired a committee of 5 undergraduate student government senators that reviews resolutions that deal
with procedural or governmental changes to the Student Government Senate.
 Conducted general senate body meetings of 20 senators when Speaker of Senate was unavailable.
 Led Town Hall sessions once a semester, which were opened to all students at Dominican to discuss the
increase of tuition and fees.
Orientation Leader
Summer 2009
Ohio Dominican University
Delaware, OH
 Conducted a presentation on the transition from high school to college, especially for non-Ohio residents.
 Gave 10 campus tours to incoming freshman students and their families.
Additional Skills:
 Strong written and oral communication, computer proficient in Microsoft Office Suite, STATA and SIS

Languages: proficient in French conversation
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Cover letter: Undergraduate
1810 College Road
Columbus, OH 43210
June 22, 2012
Mr. John Smith
Human Resources Director
Columbus City Council
90 West Broad Street
Columbus, OH 43215
Dear Mr. Smith:
My name is John Glenn and I am applying for the internship position with Councilwoman Jane Thompson’s Office.
I heard about this great opportunity from my Career Counselor at the Glenn School. I am currently pursuing a
Bachelor of Arts in Public Affairs at the John Glenn School of Public Affairs, with a specialization in Urban Policy
and Management. I look forward to applying urban policy and public affairs theories to practice as an intern.
As a student office assistant at the John Glenn School of Public Affairs, I work closely with the program assistant,
the undergraduate programs coordinator and graduate programs coordinator. I help process graduate program
inquiries for prospective students and assist with the new student orientations for undergraduate and graduate
students. Also, I help with day to day office tasks, which include: filing applications, answering calls, mail sorting
and special projects assigned by staff. I know that my work ethic and attention to detail will help me succeed in
Councilwoman Thompson’s office.
My Public Affairs degree and an Urban Policy and Management specialization allows me to understand how an
urban center operates: from budget development and implementation to constituent concerns and inquires. For
example, my State and Local Government Finance course helped me understand how and where funding is
allocated for the State of Ohio, local towns and cities and state agencies. Also, I learned that having a firm grasp on
urban political geography and city politics, will assist in my role as an intern, especially when working with elected
officials and constituents.
I have a genuine interest in working with the Councilwomen and that my dedicated work ethic will help me excel as
an intern. I hope you will consider my resume for the internship program. I believe my professional and academic
experiences makes me well qualified for this position. I look forward to meeting with you to discuss the position in
more detail. Please feel free to contact me at (614)292-8696 or [email protected]. Thank you for your time and
consideration.
Sincerely,
John H. Glenn
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Cover Letter Example: Graduate
1810 College Road
Columbus, OH 43210
June 10, 2012
Ms. Jane Smith
Human Resources Director
CARE USA
1234 Main Street
Washington, DC
Dear Ms. Smith:
My name is Charlotte Wise and I am applying for the Countries in Crisis Program Manager position at CARE USA.
I found this opportunity on the CARE USA human resources website. I am currently pursuing a Master of Public
Administration at the John Glenn School of Public Affairs and will graduate in May 2013. Like CARE USA, I am
committed to the improvement of economic conditions for individuals and families across the world. I know that
my knowledge and experiences makes me well qualified for this position.
You will find that I possess highly relevant experiences in nonprofit management and organizational structure. As
an intern for the Mid-Ohio Foodbank, I collaborated with the Director of Outreach and Engagement, on the
development and implementation of Operation Feed for Franklin County Ohio. Operation Feed is a food and fund
drive that provides assistance to individuals and families in need. I had the opportunity to be a part of the strategic
planning, budget allocation and final implementation of Operation Feed. Our 2012 Operation Feed program was a
success and I saw the direct impact on this program when delivering food items to local food pantries.
As a second year MPA student at the Glenn School, I gained an in-depth understanding of best practices in Public
Policy Formulation and Implementation, Nonprofit Management & Governance and Economic Development
Policy. In particular, my nonprofit courses helped me critically focus on evaluating and managing nonprofits. I am
excited by the prospect of applying my knowledge to CARE USA’s current work, while developing innovative
models for new programs.
I have a genuine interest in working with CARE USA and that my dedicated work ethic will help me excel as a
Crisis Program Manager. I hope you will consider my resume and application for this position. I believe my
professional and academic experiences makes me well qualified. I look forward to meeting with you to discuss the
position in more detail. Please feel free to contact me at (614)292-8696 or [email protected]. Thank you for
your time and consideration.
Sincerely,
Charlotte Wise
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