This document provides tips for submitting a resume and cover letter for a job application. It recommends tailoring the resume and cover letter for each specific job by highlighting relevant keywords from the job posting. The document also suggests including academic achievements, extracurricular activities, skills and multiple languages on the resume for applicants who lack work experience. Finally, it stresses proofreading documents for typos and having others review submissions before applying to a job.

1. Tips that are sure to get you noticed…
Helping you get from here… to here!

2. You’ve filled out an application
and now you’re faced with the
next step, submitting a resume.
Not only are you needing to
submit a resume, but the
posting also states to submit a
cover letter.
Now what?

3. Tailor cover letter and
resume per job
You will cross many template
choices that are available for
cover letters and resumes. Many
of these will coach you step for
step on what is to go in that
section. No matter which
template you choose, have in
mind that this will be a form of
business communication and you
will want to keep it:
1. Simple
2. Clear
3. Uncluttered
People skim these items , yours
will need to *shine*.

4. Suggestions…
Print job postings that you’re
interested in pursuing before
you apply
Use a highlighter to mark
keywords and language used to
describe the responsibility and
requirements of the job
Figure out how and where to add
the most relevant keywords to
your documents
*only using the ones that truly
describe your knowledge, skills or
experience*

5. Not finished with high
school? No previous job?
No worries!
 If you have good grades, make
sure you add your GPA and/or
academic awards to your resume.
Good grades indicate a responsible
student
 Attendance awards should be
listed, this helps to prove reliability
 Have you volunteered for an
organization such as Habitat for
Humanity? Have you earned the
Eagle rank in Boy Scouts? Have you
won a trade/tech competition?
These things should be stated
 Are you applying for a job in a
medical office? Make sure to list
your classes in First Aid and if you
have a CPR card
 Do you speak and write more than
one language? List it!!!

6. Head’s Up!
What was okay at age 12 may
not give an accurate reflection
of you today. Do you need to
create a new email address?
Should you change your
voicemail message?

7. Review before you submit…
Typos, along with grammar &
spelling mistakes, can land your
resume in the garbage.
Always proofread! And for
extra care, have a teacher,
parent or mentor to
review your documents.

8. Follow Directions
 Pay attention to applicant
requirements
 Look for submission
deadlines
 Don’t use fancy fonts
 Address your cover letter
to the person that is to
receive it. If you aren’t
aware of the person’s
name, you can typically
find the information for
human resources or hiring
online. If a name isn’t
found, you can use “Dear
Hiring Manager”
Cover letters aren’t
always required;
however, if you are
submitting via email
you should type your
cover letter in the
body and submit your
resume as an
attachment.

9. Electronic or in person?
If you will be submitting to
a physical office instead of
by email, use paper that is
made for resumes and
cover letters.
It is best to pick a neutral
color.

10. Be prepared for the call…
Best wishes to you all!
Contact me if I can ever be of service: nallen1795@calhoun.edu