2. Get on board with a strong first impression
• Cover letter: Your initial
introduction gives a
snapshot of who you are
and why you’re a great fit for
the position/company.
• Resume: Effectively sells
your most relevant
credentials, skills, and
experience.
3. Target your message
• Tailor each cover letter & potentially tweak your resume
as needed for each job
• Ensure your resume aligns with the job requirements
you are applying for.
Catch the eye quickly
• The primary purpose of the cover letter & resume is to
display your skills and expertise, and help you stand out.
• The average time spent reviewing a resume is 20 to 30
seconds, so be sure to capture attention quickly with the
following tips...
4. Every resume
should have:
• Career focus and approach
• Relevant work experience
• Simple, clean formatting
• Edited, professional content
5. Resume tips: Approach
• Be specific—focus your resume on a specific job.
• Use keywords from desired field and job description to
help tailor your resume.
• Proofread multiple times before sending to a hiring
manager.
6. Resume tips: Work Experience
• Show past ten or so years
only—include older history only if
relevant to the position
• Include months and years, or
employers may think you are trying
to hide something
• Address gaps in employment in
your cover letter or in the interview
• Career changers: list education first
with relevant coursework (instead
of listing work experience first)
7. Resume tips: Format
• Avoid paragraphs; instead, use
bullets
• Keep to a maximum of two pages
with one-inch margins
• Do not use a font smaller than 10
point
• Stick to common fonts such as
Times New Roman or Arial
• Use white space on the page for
visual appeal—do not crowd
content
• Be clear and brief
8. Resume tips: Other tips
• Have a professional email address
(ex. firstandlastname@gmail.com)
• Do not include references—create a separate
document with a similar layout as your
resume and provide it on request
• Use spell check, read your resume out loud
and ask others to review and proofread it
before sending
• Update your resume often to ensure your
skills and experience are always up-to-date
9. Every cover letter
should include:
• Salutation
• Outline of experience
• Enthusiasm and availability
• Closing
10. Cover letter tips:
Salutation
• Address a specific person
• Do your homework! Call the
company, look at their website, or
use LinkedIn to find out the hiring
manager’s name
• As a last resort, use
“To whom it may concern”
[Date]
Mr. John A. Smith
Company
555 W. Broadway Avenue
Anytown, USA 00000
Dear. Mr. Smith,
I would like to apply for the position of associate
company through a placement agency here in Any
I am currently majoring in business at Kaplan Uni
this spring. While I have a comprehensive underst
further my education.
I previously held an internship at Benton & Reicha
While there, I worked directly under Mr. Benton as
11. Cover letter tips: Outline
IDEAL LENGTH IS ONE PAGE WITH TWO TARGETED PARAGRAPHS
• Opening: Identify the position you are applying for,
how you learned about it and why you want to work
there
• Body: Read job description carefully and list your
experience relevant to the employer’s requirements
and how you’d be a perfect fit at the company
12. Cover letter tips: Closing
FINISH STORY AND TIE YOUR IDEAS TOGETHER WITH A ONE
PARAGRAPH CLOSING STATEMENT AND SALUTATION.
• Say that a resume is enclosed, refer to
availability for an interview, and thank them for
their time and consideration
• Close out with your full name with a proper closing
salutation
13. Cover letter tips:
Enthusiasm and Availability
• Be sure to show interest, professionalism, and enthusiasm
for the position
• If appropriate, include availability for interviews
• Follow up with a phone call or email, typically two weeks
after applying
