RESUMES AND COVER LETTERS Brooke Peccie 13 Career
RESUMES AND COVER LETTERS Brooke Peccie ‘ 13 Career Operations Coordinator Washington and Lee University
Your Story
Inventory of Accomplishments Situation Action Result What was the situation and problem to be solved? What solution did you contribute and how did you do it? What was the end result and how did it affect you and others? Example: Before I joined mock trial, the team had never won a championship. Example: I recruited an attorney to coach the team and encouraged team tryouts. Example: The team qualified for a state championship and received an award for Best Attorney.
Resumes
Resumes… § Create a snapshot of your qualifications § Market your skills and experiences § Should be pertinent, concise, and easy to skim § Should be tailored to the job for which you are applying
A resume should… § Be ONE page (no more or less) § Use strong action verbs § Have NO references or personal pronouns (…none!) § Be free of typos and grammatical errors
Heading
Heading Education
Heading Education Experience
Heading Education Experience Activities
Heading Education Experience Activities Skills Interests
Heading Education Consistent formatting is so important! Experience Activities Skills Interests
Heading Education Consistent formatting is so important! Experience Activities Skills Interests
Heading Education Consistent formatting is so important! Experience Activities Skills Interests
Heading Education ACTION VERBS: Every bullet should start with a strong action verb Experience Activities Skills Interests • • • Prepared Researched Constructed Welcomed Taught Planned Educate Recover Coordinated
Heading Education ACTION VERBS: Every bullet should start with a strong action verb Experience Activities Skills Interests • • • Prepared Researched Constructed Welcomed Taught Planned Educate Recover Coordinated NOT: • “Responsible for…” • “I did…” • “Helped with…”
Heading Education Experience Activities Skills Interests
Cover Letters
Cover letters… § Are a personal introduction that accompany your resume § Provide additional information to your potential employer § Market your strengths and how they align with the job opening § Should be tailored to the job for which you are applying
A cover letter should… § Be ONE page (no more or less) § Serve as a narrative as well as a writing sample § Be free of typos and grammatical errors
Heading
Heading Date
Heading Date Recipient Address
Heading Date Recipient Address Salutation
Heading Date Recipient Address Salutation Body (3 -4 paragraphs)
Heading Date Recipient Address Salutation Body (3 -4 paragraphs) Signature
1) WHY THEM? • Why this industry/company? • Connection to company • Show you’ve done research
1) WHY THEM? • Why this industry/company? • Connection to company • Show you’ve done 2) research WHY YOU? • Why/how are you qualified? (multi-pronged argument) • Provide concrete examples • Align content with job requirements
1) WHY THEM? • Why this industry/company? • Connection to company • Show you’ve done 2) research WHY YOU? • Why/how are you qualified? (multi-pronged argument) • Provide concrete examples • Align content with job requirements 3) CLOSING • • Begin with a summary Any other pertinent info? Contact info reminder Thank them for consideration
1) WHY THEM? • Why this industry/company? • Connection to company • Show you’ve done 2) research WHY YOU? • Why/how are you qualified? (multi-pronged argument) • Provide concrete examples • Align content with job requirements 3) CLOSING • • Begin with a summary Any other pertinent info? Contact info reminder Thank them for consideration
Heading Date Recipient Address Salutation Body (3 -4 paragraphs) Signature
Questions?
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