Transcript Resume Writing - Lycoming College

Resume and Cover Letter Writing
MICHAEL PENWELL, CAREER ADVISOR
LYCOMING COLLEGE
CAREER SERVICES
EMAIL: [email protected]
WEBSITE: WWW.LYCOMING.EDU/CAREERSERVICES
The Purpose of a Cover Letter
 Communicates availability, qualifications, and
interest to employers
 Personalizes your resume by accenting strengths
relating to the qualifications desired for the position
 Serves as a formal letter of application, as a response
to a job ad, as a result of referral, or as unsolicited
inquiry for employment
The Content of a Cover Letter
 Captures reader’s interest, makes reader want to
learn more
 Explains your reason for interest in employment
 Relates your strengths to an employer’s needs
 Contains a call to action

(a request for the next step)
Elements of a Cover Letter
WHAT TO INCLUDE…
The Basics
 Return Address
 Location: Top right, left, or centered
 Your Street Address
 City, State, Zip Code
 Date

(Above or under return
address)
Example:
2129 West Third Street
Williamsport, PA 17701
March 22, 2008
The Basics
Many students are designing
letterhead which complements
their resume in lieu of return
address information
The Basics
 Contact Information – Addressing to Employer
 Location: Aligned with Left Margin
 Contact’s Full Name
 Contact’s Exact Title
 Contact’s Department
 Name of Organization
Example:
 Street Address
Ms. Angela M. Vermilya
 City, State, Zip Code
President and CEO
Lycoming College
700 College Place
Williamsport, PA 17701
The Basics
 Salutation
 Location: Under contact information
 Use Official Title (Mr., Mrs., Dr., Rev., Sr., Hon., etc.)
 Last name of Contact
Example:
Dear Ms. Vermilya:
The Body Paragraphs
A COVER LETTER INCLUDES AN OPENING
PARAGRAPH, MIDDLE PARAGRAPH(S), AND
A CLOSING PARAGRAPH.
(DEPENDING ON YOUR WRITING STYLE, IT
COULD BE 3 OR 4 PARAGRAPHS)
Opening Paragraph
 Purpose
 Captures attention
 Sets the tone for the letter
 Builds a match of your qualifications with the employer’s
needs
Opening Paragraph
 Methods of accomplishing purpose:
 State the purpose of the letter
 Mention name of mutual friend
 State your top credentials or selling points
 Name the position, department, and company
 State source of lead
Middle Paragraph(s)
 Purpose:
 Communicates main selling points
 Shows that you are the candidate to most benefit the
company
 Proves that your skills match employer’s needs
 Creates interest
 Illustrates personality
Middle Paragraph(s)
 Methods of accomplishing purpose:
 Point to achievements
 Use action verbs
 Offer proof of skills and abilities
Closing Paragraph
 Purpose:
 Reemphasizes strengths
 Makes a request for or offers further action
 Provides your personal contact information, i.e. e-mail
address, telephone number
Closing Paragraph
 Methods of accomplishing purpose:
 Restate that you are the candidate who best fits employer’s
needs
 Restate position and company name
 State time line, specific follow-up information, and dates
 Express appreciation for time, effort, and consideration
Closing
 Sincerely,
 Signature
 Typed Name
 Enclosure:
 Resume, References, etc.
Example:
Sincerely,
John Dida Greatjob
Enclosures: Resume,
References
Formatting a Cover Letter
UTILIZE THE
FOLLOWING
FORMATTING
SUGGESTIONS IN
COMPOSING YOUR
COVER LETTER:
Personalization
 Address letter to person with hiring power
 Do not address your cover letter: “To whom it may
concern:”
 State the position sought, organization name, and if
appropriate, the geographic location
 Match your strengths and abilities to the
organization’s specific needs
Personalization
 Do not state verbatim the information on your
resume
 Provide additional information and details which
are not on your resume
 Cover letters must accompany resumes and
employment applications
Length
 Cover letters should be one page in length
Appearance
 Arrange cover letters using a standard business
format
 View other sample cover letters for formatting
examples
 Cover letters should be single spaced
Word Choice
 Use positive words and/or action verbs capitalizing




on your strengths
Avoid clichés and trite language
Avoid repetition and/or non-descriptive words
including “is,” “or,” “was”
Do not abbreviate, or use unnecessary jargon
Use concise, specific statements and short
paragraphs
Proofreading
 Misspellings, grammatical errors, and improper




punctuation are unacceptable
Cover letters must be well organized
Avoid lengthy descriptions. Write lucidly and
concisely.
Make sure the company name and title are
consistent in the letter
Sign your letter
Coordinate with Resume and References
 Select a font style that matches your resume and
references
 Consider developing personal letterhead that
carries over from cover letter to resume and
reference list.
 Use matching paper of good quality
Resume Writing
Most Important information? Your Name! Make it big and bold so
your employer can pick you out!
Be sure to put all information. Are you graduating or going on an
internship? You want the employer to be able to contact you!
Objective: Why are you writing this resume? What do you want?
Education: What is your degree in? When did you get it? Where
did you go? All other information can be used, but does not have
to be
Computer Skills: Skills appropriate to your discipline. Not always
computer related.
Coursework: Classes you have taken that you believe give you a
heightened understanding of the field or job you are applying for.
Experience: Important, but it’s ok if you do not have a lot of it.
Summer/Part time Jobs still show reliability and dedication.
Activities: Show off what you have accomplished! Leadership
roles, Volunteer activities, Professional affiliations, and cocurricular activities are important to employers.
Honors: Anything that will make you stand out.
Availability: Especially important if applying while still in school.
How long after graduation will you need before you can start to
work?
Tips
 An Employer spends about 15-20 seconds on a
resume.
 Content should never be more than 1 page
 Margins can range from 1 inch to .5 inches
 Font = Times New Roman or Arial. (10-12)
 Do not include references on resume.
 Begin each sentence with a strong action verb.
 Put the most relevant and valuable information
that relates to the position for which you are
applying
Action Words
 Accomplished
 Achieved
 Analyzed
 Budgeted
 Compiled
 Composed
 Confronted
 Counseled
 Cultivated
 Delegated
 Designed
 Developed
 Edited
 Evaluated
 Examined
 Facilitated
 Forecasted
 Gained
 Generated
 Guided
•
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Identified
Illustrated
Implemented
Increased
Inspected
Maintained
Managed
Marketed
Motivated
Negotiated
Questions/Comments?
Check out our website for more resume writing tips:
www.lycoming.edu/careerservices
Come to Career Services to have your resume critiqued
by a member of our staff!
Want to arrange an appointment?
Contact us [email protected]
or call us at 570-321-4034