This document provides guidance on creating an effective resume, cover letter, and other job application materials. It discusses the purpose and components of a resume, including formatting, sections, and content. Two main resume types are described: chronological and functional. Tips are provided for emailing resumes and creating accompanying documents like a cover letter, reference page, and thank you letters. The overall message is that these application materials are a candidate's first impression and can impact their chances of getting an interview.

1. RESUMES
YOUR TICKET TO AN
INTERVIEW.

2. Building Your Resume Workshop
TODAY’S AGENDA:
• Define what a RESUME is.
• Two types of RESUME.
• RESUME format and content.
• RESUME OBJECTIVE and/or
CAREER PROFILE.
• Helpful tips when emailing and
scanning your RESUME.

3. Building Your Resume Workshop
You will also be able to:
• Create a job reference page.
• Create a professional cover
letter to accompany your
RESUME.
• Write a THANK YOU letter
to the employers with whom
you have interviewed.

4. “YOU NEVER GET A
SECOND CHANCE TO
CREATE A FIRST
IMPRESSION.”
Your RESUME is one of
your FIRST
IMPRESSIONS with a
potential
EMPLOYER
Someone Once Said:

5. A RESUME
IS:
• A short account (1-2)pages) of
your Experience,
Qualifications, and
Achievements.
• Its goal is to capture the
reader’s interest.
• Most resumes only get 20-30
second scan by the reader.
• It MUST have enough
IMPACT to GRAB the
ATTETION of the prospective
EMPLOYER.

6. • What can you do for me?
• How can you improve my
operations?
• Can you make me money?
• Save me time?
• Keep my customers happy?
The Employer Wants to know :
Your resume must not only show the skills you have; it must
demonstrate your success.

7. There Are 2 Main Types Of
Resumes
Chronological Functional

8. Chronological
• It is the MOST common type of
Resume
• It lists previous jobs & dates;
most recent job first
• It identifies work
accomplishments and skills
connected to each job.
Easier to prepare and is generally
successful

9. Formatting your Resume
You can arrange your resume in
a variety of formats.
However, most resumes follow
this type of order:
• Contact information
• Objective or Career Profile
• Summary of Skills (optional)
• Work Experience
• Education
• Professional Affiliations
(optional)
• Seminars and Trainings

10. Contact Information
Your CONTACT INFORMATION is the most
IMPORTANT PART of your Resume:
NAME
Address (optional)
City, State, Zip Code
Telephone Number – Email Address
Professional affiliation; e.g. www.linkedin.com
(optional)

11. Make an Impact!
OBJECTIVE
CAREER PROFILE
A short statement that includes the job title you
want, and the main reason why they should
consider you for the position.
A short paragraph (three –to five sentences)
that highlights your experience and
qualifications that match the job you are
applying for.

12. Skills Related to the Job You Are Seeking
or Strengths/Key Accomplishments
Include the skills that
are directly relevant to
the job you are seeking.
Use strengths and
accomplishments to
highlight these skills

13. Education
You must include the following:
• Reverse chronological order
• Required: Degree, major, school, year of
graduation
• Extra: GPA (if over 3.0), minors, honors,
specific related courses
• Research Paper relevant to the job applying
for
• Professional training may also be listed
either under Education or Training
If you did not graduate college, list total
semesters completed.

14. Seminars and Trainings Attended
A big part of your career development is attending seminars and
workshops. It can therefore sometimes be a good idea to include
this information on your resume. However, this should be done
with care.
You will need to show the employer:
• The name of the conference
• The organizing body
• The years attended

15. Structure
Be consistent in structure to
make it easy for readers to
skim through your resume
quickly without confusion.
Font: 10-12 points
Bold for name and positions
Dates – Month/Year
Paper color – WHITE
Spacing – 1 or 2 line spacing

16. Content and Structure
Use short, bulleted statements
Use numbers or percentages
Avoid personal pronounces
like “I” or “ME”
Start your statements with
action VERBS!!!

17. Advantages & Disadvantages Of The
Chronological Resume
ADVANTAGES DISADVANTAGES
Easy to follow.
Work history shows
progression.
Your objective / summary
is the same or similar to
your recent experience.
Doesn’t hide flaws in the
work history,
such as job changing or
“spotty” work history.
Doesn’t allow flexibility to
change objective to
something different from
your experience.

18. Functional
• Uses career profile in lieu of
objective.
• Focuses on jobseeker’s
knowledge; skills and abilities.
• Lists company names, titles and
job dates at the bottom.
• May list number of years
experience in a function.

19. Advantages & Disadvantages Of The
Functional Resume
ADVANTAGES DISADVANTAGES
Dates/positions not emphasized.
Skills/experience from not so recent jobs
can be emphasized.
Hides downward regression.
Emphasis on transferrable skills.
Objective may be different from your
experience.
Appropriate when considering a career
change.
Employers are sometimes suspicious
of this format because it can disguise
negative information.
Employers may assume all skills are
current.
Absence of dates may confuse
employers.

20. Emailing and Scanning Tips
Choose conventional fonts like…
Arial
Tahoma
Verdana
Times New Roman
Font sizes should be 10 -12
Avoid a lot of Bold, Italics, Tables and
underlining.
Use KEYWORDS for your industry/job
Do not use Header/Footer
Send a .doc (or .docx) and not a.PDF

21. Creating a
Cover Letter
Why a Cover Letter?
It accompanies a Resume and tells
the employer why he/she is
receiving your Resume also term as
application letter.
Used to convince the employer:
• Why you are best candidate
• That you understand the
position for which you are
applying
• Why you should be considered
for an interview.

22. Cover Letter
Content
First, your cover letter should
include your contact information so
that the prospective employer can
contact you. Include current date.

23. Cover Letter
Content
Second, your cover letter must
include the name of the hiring
manager and his/her title; company
name and address, followed by the
proper salutation.
Important: Never use the salutation:
“To whom it may concern.”

24. Cover Letter
Content
Third, your cover letter should
include at least three paragraphs:
1. What position you are applying
for and where you found the job
posting – first paragraph.

25. Cover Letter
Content
Third, your cover letter should
include at least three paragraphs:
1. What position you are applying
for and where you found the job
posting – first paragraph.
2. What you have to offer (middle
paragraph(s).

26. Cover Letter
Content
Third, your cover letter should
include at least three paragraphs:
1. What position you are applying
for and where you found the job
posting – first paragraph.
2. What you have to offer (middle
paragraph(s).
3. How you want to be contacted at
the employer’s time and
availability.

27. Cover Letter
Content
Third, your cover letter should
include at least three paragraphs:
1. What position you are applying
for and where you found the job
posting – first paragraph.
2. What you have to offer (middle
paragraph(s).
3. How you want to be contacted at
the employer’s time and
availability.
And last but not the least, don’t forget
the closing; your name, and the word
“Enclosure(s)” to indicate that you are
enclosing your Resume.

28. Reference Page
Prepare as a separate page.
Don not include on your Resume.
“Reference Available Upon Request.”
Prepare at least three references; usually
either two professional and on personal or
three personal and on professional.
Take the reference page with you at the time
of the interview, but submit only if requested
by the prospective employer.

29. Thank You Letters
Send immediately after an interview:
• Card
• Letter
• Phone call
• Email
A THANK YOU LETTER REEMPHASIZES YOUR VALUE
TO THE COMPANY AND RESTATES YOUR INTEREST
IN THE POSITION.

30. Small Things Do Matter
YOU MAY THINK THIS IS JUST
EXTRA WORK FOR YOU….
BUT IT MAY MAKE THE
DIFFERENCE BETWEEN BEING
EMPLOYED…OR…UNEMPLOYED!
IT’S ALL ABOUT GETTING A
JOB DONE!!!
ALWAYS THINK
POSITIVE…
AND REMEMBER TO
KEEP YOUR FOCUS ON
THE BIG PICTURE…