Resume & Cover Letter

Workshop
February 4, 2010
3:30pm-5:00pm

Presented by:

Melissa Zimmermann
Student Employment Specialist
and
Ben Ritter
Graduate Assistant
 Presentation Overview
 What is a Resume?
 How do I begin writing a resume?
 Components of a Resume
 Functional vs. Chronological Resume
 Resume Critique (with a group/partner)
 What is a Cover Letter?
 Components of a Cover Letter
 Cover Letter Success Tips
 Create a Cover Letter (with a group/partner)
 Upcoming Events
 Questions and Comments
 What is a Resume?
 A document describing your qualifications, education, & relevant work
experience

It IS: It IS NOT:
 brief and to the point  a long-winded biography

 general and vague

 specific to the objective
 based on opinions
 based on facts
 based solely upon your past duties
 based on your accomplishments
 a document that is “set in stone”
 a document that can be changed and
revised  a document that has clip art or
pictures on it
 simple and easy to read
Question: What is the purpose
of a resume??

To market yourself and…

Get the Interview!!
 How do I begin writing a resume?
 Start by identifying the job title you are interested in: Office
Aide, Sales Manager, Lifeguard, Food Service Worker, Teaching
Assistant, etc. (Objective)

 Look up job descriptions for the job title to see if you have
work experience and/or training that qualify you for this job.

 List any training/certificates/academics (Education)

 List your past jobs/employers. (Work Experience)

 Identify what relevant awards/honors, skills, volunteer

experience you have. (Skills/Activities/Honors)
Components of a Resume:
Which one is better and why?

Objective
1. To obtain an internship in the field
of education where I can utilize my
classroom management skills, as
well as share my educational and
policy studies background.

2. To obtain an position in the field of

education.
 Components of a Resume cont.
Education
Example:
University of Illinois at Chicago
Bachelor of Arts in Psychology, expected May 2010
Cumulative GPA: 3.86/4.0

*Freshmen: Consider including your high school

Thornwood High School
Diploma, May 2008
Cumulative GPA: 3.5/4.0
 Components of a Resume cont.

Experience
Example:

Northwestern Mutual, Chicago, IL May 2009-Present

Insurance Internship
• Document and organize standard workflow within agent offices
• Communicate specifications for standard system configuration for agencies
• Design and update company webpage on a continual basis

*Notice the company name, location (city and state only!), and dates are
listed
*Keep current jobs in present verb tense
 Components of a Resume cont.
When describing your work experience/skills…
Use Active Verbs (with Supporting Evidence)
Statement (Weak) Active Verb (Stronger) Active with Support (Convincing)

am an organized and efficient worker organized meetings and ran organized weekly meetings for 20-40 participants; began
them efficiently and ended on time; distributed minutes promptly;
followed up with absentees

cleaning duties cleaned walls and floors cleaned walls and floors, earning "Employee of the
Month" 6 weeks after starting, and scoring "very
good" or "outstanding" on all evaluation criteria

general maintenance maintained equipment maintained equipment, saving $1500 in outside

contractor fees during one three-month period
Functional or Chronological Resume
Which one should I use?

 Choose CHRONOLOGICAL if you have

work experience and/or training that is
RELEVANT to the job you are applying for.

 Use FUNCTIONAL if you don’t have a lot of

work experience and/or training that is
consistent for the job, or if you have a lot of
gaps in your work history. Summarize your
skills by listing your accomplishments.

 Use a combination of BOTH!

Chronological Resume
Name
Street Address
Phone Number
 Chronological
Email resumes are
designed to attract
Objective: be specific
employers to your
recent education,
Education: most recent first skills and work
(relevant coursework/projects may be
experience.
included in this section as well)

Work History: titles, dates (most recent

 They begin with the
first) MOST RECENT
experience.
Activities/Skills: volunteer work,
computer skills, languages, etc.
 Functional Resume
Name
Functional resumes are more general, Address
where most of the information is in the Phone Number
Experience section. Email

The Experience section highlights your Objective: be specific

training and experience that relate to the
job you are applying for (Choose 3-5 that
Education: most recent first
demonstrate your strongest skills).
(relevant coursework/projects may be
included here)
Example:
Communication Skills Experience:
 Addressed and handled customer
concerns and complaints to ensure
customer satisfaction
 Counseled students in academic Work History: (if any)
advising situations, and made
appropriate referrals to faculty
 Influenced potential students to Honors/Activities/Skills: (volunteer work,
computer skills, languages, etc.)
join and participate in the Finance
Club
 Guidelines to Keep In Mind
 Your resume should have a focus.
 Use action verbs (see key words list in Resume Tips handout).
 Avoid the use of “I” or “My”
 Avoid personal evaluations such as “learned a great deal from
this experience.” Rather than telling what you did, SHOW
what you did! Give numbers, percentages, accomplishments,
etc.
 Spell out names of foreign countries.
 Spell out months, addresses: i.e. March not Mar.; Street not
St.
 Keep alignment and font consistent (with the exception of
contact info)
 Abbreviate all states for the locations of your employer and
schools: IL not Illinois
 Keep dates consistent by format and location: 1998-1999 is
preferable to 1998-9 or try using the month/year format
05/01-08/03; May 2001-August 2003.
 Edit and proofread for possible errors!
Critique a Resume
 Partner/Small Group Activity
 Find the Errors in the Resume
Cover Letter
Basics
 What is a Cover Letter?
 A document highlighting your most important qualifications and how they
can meet the employer’s needs

It IS: It IS NOT:
 Well written  Cookie cutter

 Grabs the attention and interest of  A long-winded biography

the employer

 Based on how your accomplishments

 Read like your resume
are compatible with the employer
 A document that is “set in
 A document that is personalized for stone”
each employer - original
 A document that has clip art
 Lists your contact information or pictures on it
Question: What is the purpose
of a cover letter??

•To get them to read the resume

•Remember something about you

•To score an interview!

Components of a Cover Letter

 Basic Contact Information

 Salutation
 The Opening
 The Sales Pitch
 The Closing
Components of a Cover Letter cont.
Example
Contact Information
Hal Willis
4943 N. Kenmore
Chicago, Il 60640
(773) 832-4080
[email protected]

April 8, 2006

Name Jasmine York, Hiring Manager

Company XYZ
1345 North City Avenue

Your Street Address Chicago, IL 60640

City, State, Zip Code, Dear Mr./Ms. :

Phone Introductory Paragraph

This paragraph should be concise and grab the reader’s attention. State
the position for which you are applying and what makes you the best

Email candidate for this position. Be sure to mention the source from which you
learned of the position such as the newspaper, a friend, or the internet.

Second Paragraph
Describe how you will contribute to this company and why you are
interested in this position. Show your knowledge of the company and how

Date your qualifications will benefit the company. Be concrete and

specific. Use quantifiable information and details that show how your
history or accomplishments make you stand out from other candidates.
Avoid catch phrases and remember to keep it short and to the point.

Final Paragraph

Name of Person & Title Use this closing paragraph to request an interview. Indicate the best way
to contact you (phone or e-mail) and the times that you can most easily be
reached.

Company/Organization
Sincerely,

Street Address (Signature)

City, State, Zip Code Your Name

Components of a Cover Letter cont.
Salutation
 Always use last names (ie. Ms. Garza or Mr. Ritter)
 Avoid “To Whom It May Concern” or “Dear Sir/Madame”
 Try to get a name- Research!
 After researching and a name is still not available, use a
title (Attention Search Committee, Dear Hiring Manager,
Dear Recruiting Manager, Dear Human Resources
Manager)
 Never assume “Mrs.,” use “Ms.” instead
 For bi-gender names like Pat Patterson. Safe to use “To
Pat Patterson.”
Components of a Cover Letter cont.

The Opening
 The first paragraph
 Who you are
 Why you are writing the letter

 Mention the specific position and the

employer
 Include where you found the position (the
source)
Components of a Cover Letter cont.

The Opening
 Example

“I am responding to the impressive job listing I found on

UICCAREERS.COM for the position of Customer Service
Representative. I am a junior majoring in Communication at
UIC and was thrilled to find the listing because I feel my past
course work and work history, skills, and qualifications make
me a strong candidate for this position.”
Components of a Cover Letter cont.

The Sales Pitch

 Second and third paragraphs
 Unique to the employer
 Important to prove you complement the
employer
 Why do you want to work for this employer?
 Covers your background, skills, qualifications
and experiences-BE SPECIFIC
Components of a Cover Letter cont.

The Sales Pitch

 Example

“I have spent over 5 years in the customer service field and

love to work with people. I find great satisfaction in helping a
customer and in meeting the needs of my employer. When I
worked for Marshall Fields, I was able to increase revenue by
30% in the first three months of my employment. I am
confident that I can produce similar results for Mayfield.”
Components of a Cover Letter cont.

The Closing
 Last paragraph
 Close the letter
 Thank the employer for his/her time and the
opportunity to apply
 How you will follow up (if applicable)

 Best way to contact you (and time) for

questions
 Ask for the interview

 Closing
 “Sincerely”
 “Best Regards”
 If possible sign the cover letter
Components of a Cover Letter cont.

The Closing
 Example

“I would enjoy speaking with you in greater detail regarding

my potential employment with Mayfield through a formal
interview. I can be reached by email at [email protected]
or in the evening by phone (773.555.6534). Thank you for
your time and consideration. I look forward to hearing from
you.

Sincerely,

(Signature)

Robin Evans”
Cover Letter Success Tips
 Respond and cover specific points in
the job posting

 Read aloud

 Feedback, feedback, feedback

 Do not repeat your resume

 Cover letter Common Mistakes

oGrammatical errors
oInappropriate tone (desperate,
aggressive, etc.)
oRepeating yourself
oEmphasizing a lack of experience
oMisrepresentation
oPersonal Photos
oPersonal Information
oInappropriate stationary (if applicable)
Sample Cover Letter
Hal Willis
4943 N. Kenmore
Chicago, Il 60640
(773) 832-4080
 Basic Contact
[email protected] Information
April 8, 2006

Jasmine York, Hiring Manager

Company XYZ
1345 North City Avenue
Chicago, IL 60640
 Salutation (Greeting)
Dear Ms. York:

I am writing to express my interest in the General Warehouse/Sorting position that was

advertised in the March 28, 2006 issue of the Chicago Sun-Times. Based on the job
 The Opening
description, I believe that my efficiency as a worker and concern for safety on the job
make me an excellent candidate for the General Warehouse/Sorting position.

As a General Warehouse Employee, with five years of combined experience, I have an

extensive background in lifting heavy objects. Through my position both as a machine
operator at CTN, as well as in my position as a blocker in the Miller warehouse, I
 The Sales Pitch
regularly lifted retaining walls that weighed approximately fifty pounds, and continuously
lifted boxes weighing up to forty pounds. In addition to operating strapper and brick
machines, I also performed quality control services. In all of my responsibilities I was
able to complete tasks on time, with no errors, and in compliance with safety regulations.

I look forward to speaking with you about this position and the skills I can bring to your
company. I can be most easily reached by phone ((773) 832-4080) between the hours
of 1 – 6 pm. Thank you for considering my application.  The Closing
Sincerely,

Hal Willis

Hal Willis
Create a Cover Letter
 Partner/Small Group Activity
 Sample Job Posting
Create a Cover Letter cont.
General Office Aide

Description :

Company FUN is looking for a student employee, General Office Aide, to begin immediately and
continue on through summer/fall 2010. The candidate must be available to work during regular
office hours (between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m.). The majority of responsibilities entail administrative
assistance for the front desk.

Duties:
-Data entry
-Manage mail merge processes for direct mail campaigns
-Assist with answering of phones, copying, faxing and other general office support tasks
-Other duties as assigned

Qualifications :
-Excellent verbal and written communication skills
-Strong Microsoft Word and Excel skills
-Excellent customer services skills
-Reliable, responsible, punctual
-Web site skills (knowledge of HTML) a plus, but not required

Beginning wages are set at $X.XX/hour. FUN is seeking a student who can commit 2 to 4 days
in the office for 10-20 hours a week. For fullest consideration please submit your resume to:

Mr. Super Fun at [email protected]

 Upcoming Events
“Your Guide to Student Employment” Webinar
Wednesday, February 10, 2010
9pm-10pm
Visit webinars.ocs.uic.edu for details

Internship & Part-Time Job Fair

Thursday, February 11, 2010
10am-2pm, Student Center East
Illinois Room
 One Last Tip…
Before you attend the Internship & Part-Time
Job Fair next Thursday…

Prepare a 15 second speech about yourself!

 Include your name, your class year, career interest,

your major, and finally what made you come to this
particular employer’s display.
Need More Help?
Student Employment Office
Student Services Building
Suite 2100

[email protected]
312-996-3130
Jobs.studemp.uic.edu

Walk-In Hours
Tuesdays and Thursdays 2-4pm
Wednesday 8:30-10am
Questions?