This document provides information on résumés, cover letters, and thank you notes for job applications. It discusses what a résumé is used for and attributes employers consider during hiring. Cover letters should be tailored to each job and highlight relevant skills. Thank you notes should be sent within 24 hours of an interview to express gratitude to interviewers.

1. Résumés
Cover Letters
Thank You Notes

2. A Résumé
 First meeting between you
and the employer.
 Tells a great deal about you.
 Gets you the interview
 Is your calling card, so
remember that “First
impressions are lasting
ones.”

3. A Résumé will NOT . . .
• Get you a Job
– It’s an advertisement that entices employers
• Make up for not Being Qualified
• Hide your Reputation
– Employers will ask for references
• Make up for Poor Portfolio
– Employers want proof
• Make up for Poorly Written Cover Letter

4. Attributes Employers Considered
During Hiring Process
How would you
rank these?
• Reputation of College
• Past work experience
• Reputation of Specific
Program
• Interview
Perception does not
equal reality
• Past work experience
(81%)
• Interview (80%)
• Reputation of college
(18%)
• Reputation of Specific
Program (12%)

5. Perception ≠ Reality
• Consider that what you think is important to
employers may not be what is actually
important
• Or not as important as you imagined
What experience did you receive that will allow
you to make an immediate impact?

6. Student-Athlete Experience
• Remember: You didn’t just compete in games
you GAINED AN EXPERIENCE
• Athletes have many transferable skills

7. But I’ve never had a job . . .
• Academic Achievements (i.e. dean’s list) – senior
project
• Relevant Coursework – must be relevant to the
job you are applying for
• Clubs – consistent involvement shows
responsibility and commitment
• Volunteer Work – what did you do with your
team for community service
• Languages (you must be fluent)
• Computer Skills
• Any kind of employment – working while going
to school is impressive

8. Other Categories
• Awards &
Achievements
• Activities & Honors
• Professional Experience
• Volunteering
• Relevant Course Work
• Employment Experience
• Specialized/Technical
Skills
Solutions:
• Trim the “experience” fat
• Remove fluff
• Be succinct
• Proof read for flow and
clarity

9. Résumé Principles
 No ugly résumé– format must
be pleasing to the eye
 Do not lie, exaggerate or use
words that the interviewer has
to look up in a dictionary
 Focus on strengths and
accomplishments
 Use 8 1/2” x 11” 20 lb. paper
(Resume Checklist)

10. Résumé Do’s
 Target your
qualifications for a
specific job
 Keep it to one page
 Accompany with
reference page
 E-mail – keep it
professional
 Use descriptive action
verbs
 No errors
 Pleasing layout
 List relevant work
 History or volunteering
 Use argot of the
profession
 Mention you were a
student-athlete
 Always format in order
of importance
http://www.siue.edu/careerdevelopmentcenter/jobpreparation/pdf/actio
n_verbs.pdf

11. Résumé Don’ts
 Avoid abbreviations and acronyms
 Never use pronouns such as: “I”, “me”, “my”, “our”
 No fancy fonts, binders, layouts
 Have errors
 Don’t repeat yourself
http://www.resume1-2-3.com/

12. Summary, Headline, or Objective?
• Summary – briefly describes your experience and
skills in a impressive way
• Headline – states your experience more
specifically
• Objective – professional
intent
Only use if you have
specific details!

13. Education
This is an important section
for recent college graduates
• Beginning with the highest level
of educational achievement,
include information such as
University attended, degrees
earned/expected, major, minors,
grade point average, date of
program completion, and so
forth.
Bachelor of Science in
Accounting Expected
2007
Saddleback College,
Mission Viejo, CA
GPA: 3.7/4.0
Major GPA: 3.6/4.0
Include GPA only if 3.5 +

14. Chronological Résumé
 most common listing of
your jobs and experience
with most recent
mentioned first
 good for job seekers who
have practical work
experience with long
periods of employment
 résumé type most
preferred by employers
http://www.siue.edu/careerdevelopmentcenter/jobprep
aration/pdf/chronological_style.pdf

15. Functional Résumé
 focuses on your skills
and accomplishments
 highlights what they
are, not when you
developed them
 Great for job seekers
who have great
transferable skills but
little direct experience
http://www.siue.edu/careerdevelopmentcenter/jobprep
aration/pdf/functional_style.pdf

16. Combination Résumé
 maximizes the benefits
of both the functional
and the chronological
resume
 contains a heading for
skills and
accomplishments,
followed by a reverse
chronology of work
experience
http://www.siue.edu/careerdevelopmentcenter/jobprep
aration/pdf/combination_sample.pdf

17. Video Résumés
• www.Vault.com
Micro Résumés
• Condensed resume on business card
• No more than 140
characters

18. Sending your Resume
• Title your resume properly if attaching it to
profile or through email
– GOOD: “Joe Smith_Sr.GraphicDesigner_Resume”
– BAD: “ThisOne”
• Follow this format!
– Name_Position_Resume

19. Cover Letters
 Must be sent with résumé
 Applications without cover letters
automatically go in the rejection pile.
 Explains to the reader your situation and what
action you are requesting
 Should give the employer a reason to look at
the résumé
 Must be tailored to each job opening
 Will get eight seconds of the reader’s time, so
it must be brief, yet informative

20. Cover Letter Layout
 Limited to one page of three to four paragraphs
 No indented paragraphs
 Should not summarize your resume but add to it
 Opening paragraph should answer why you are
writing, what position you are interested and
where you found out about the job
 If you were referred mention this in the opening
paragraph

21. First Paragraph
• Should tell the employer where you learned of
the position
• Lists what position you are applying for
• If referred, mentions that person’s name and
points out he/she suggest you apply
• Mentions when you graduate or speaks of
your recently received diploma.

22. Middle Paragraph
 Revealing statements about who you are and
your skills
 Why you are interested in the position and
working for this employer
 Explain what you are currently doing
 Relevant or related work/volunteer experience
 Emphasize skills and abilities in relation to
position
 Provide additional qualifications that are not on
resume

23. Closing Paragraph
 Be proactive
 What will you do next?
 What you would like the recipient to do next?
 Pave the way for an interview
 “I will follow up in a week after the closing
date of the position has passed. I look
forward to speaking with you further.”

24. Closing Paragraph
Thank you Sentences
• Thank you for your time.
• Thank you for reviewing my
qualifications.
• Thank you for your
consideration.
• Thank you for your review
of my qualifications.
Confidence in a Callback
• I look forward to your reply.
• I look forward to hearing
from you.
• I look forward to your
response.
• I look forward to your call.
BAD: It would be an honor to meet
with you.
BAD: Call me tomorrow, please.

25. If your cover
letter is generic
enough to
work for every
job you apply
to, it's too
generic to get
you hired.

26. Scannable Format
 Do not fold or staple
 Avoid punctuation when possible
 Avoid vertical & horizontal lines as well as graphics
 Abbreviations - use only those known in your field
 Use Keywords
 Use fonts like Time New Romans, Courier New,
Helvetica
 size 10-12
 Bolding and CAPITALS are acceptable as long as they do
not touch each other
 avoid condensing the spaces between letters and lines

27. Salary Inquiries
• If the posting requests a salary requirement
– Address it in the cover letter
– Provide a range ($25,000-$35,000)
– Add statement about negotiation - “I would be
willing to discuss my salary requirements with you
further up on learning more about the specific
responsibilities for this position.”
– Never mention salary until an offer is on the table.

28. Thank You Notes
 Sent after you complete interview
 Must be sent within 24 hours of interview
regardless of the day of the week
 Individual letter must be sent to each person you
interviewed with
 Always add one unique detail from the interview
 This is an expression of gratitude not a forum to
discuss your skills