Resume and Cover Letter Writing

1
Resume and Cover Letter Writing

• George Mason University
• University Career Services
• http//careers.gmu.edu
• SUB I 348, 703-993-2370
• SOM Career Services
• http//som.gmu.edu/career
• ENT 008, 703-993-1880

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Workshop Overview

• Definition of a Resume
• Resume Preparation
• Resume Styles
• Resume Content and Formatting Tips
• Purpose of a Cover Letter
• Contents of Cover Letters and Cover Letter Tips
• Resume and Cover Letter Writing Activities
• Resources for Sample Resumes and Cover Letters
• Next Steps

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What is a Resume?

• A universal job hunting and marketing tool
• A snapshot of your qualifications relevant to a
  position or academic program
• A means of introduction to prospective employers,
  graduate admissions staff or networking contacts
• The purpose of a resume is to get an interview!

4
Resume Preparation

• Develop a clear career goal and clarify the
  purpose of your resume
• Research jobs or graduate programs and learn what
  skills and knowledge are valued by employers or
  schools
• Identify your qualifications, interests and
  skills relevant to a position or program of
  interest

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Resume Preparation

• Research field, employer, and position of
  interest
• Career Library resources, SUB 1 room 348
• http//careers.gmu.edu/students/jobhunt/researchin
  g.html
• PatriotJobWeb http//careers.gmu.edu/pjw
• Masons 24/7 electronic database of
  jobs/internships
• Information Interviews, Networking
• Mason Career Network http//careers.gmu.edu/cn
• (User ID student Password jackpot)
• Professional Associations for your field
• Associations Unlimited

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Resume Preparation

• Build your list of experiences
• Past or current jobs/internships
• Volunteer work/community service
• Class projects
• Activities and student organizations
• Languages and technical skills
• Prioritize the information, focusing on your most
  important responsibilities and what is relevant

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Resume Styles

• Chronological
• Reverse chronological order
• Familiar to employers
• Effective for new graduates
• Focus on job titles work history
• Combination or Related Experience
• Two or more experience sections, Relevant and
  Additional
• Showcases the experiences that are most relevant

• Functional
• Highlights transferable skills in clusters
• Effective for career changers and those with
  varied experiences
• Focuses on groups of functional skills and
  related experience
• See Moving On Guide resume samples for each style!

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Resume Content

• Heading
• Name Put in bold to make your name stand out
• Full address Current and permanent, if
  applicable
• Phone number Include number at which you can be
  reached during day/evening and a professional
  voice mail
• Email Include a professional username
• Example of Heading
• Georgia Mason
• 111 University Drive Ph 703-993-1111
• Fairfax, Virginia 22030
  gmason_at_gmu.edu

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Resume Content

• Objective (or Profile, Summary of Qualifications)
• Clear, concise, and tailored to position of
  interest
• Focus on what you are seeking and what skills you
  will contribute, not what you expect to gain from
  the position
• Can include specific title of the position, type
  of organization/industry, special interest, and
  skills you offer
• Example of an Objective
• OBJECTIVE
• An internship in a non-profit agency, utilizing
  listening and writing
• skills. Special interest in children and
  families.

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Additional Examples

• OBJECTIVE
• A full-time position in Information Technology,
  utilizing Java programming skills and experience
  in database administration
• An Administrative Assistant position in Human
  Resources, using my organizational and
  communication skills.
• A Research Assistant position in the social
  sciences, utilizing SPSS and SAS
• An Internship in the US Senate or House of
  Representatives. Special interest in trade and
  foreign policy issues.

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Resume Content

• Education
• List in reverse chronological order, beginning
  with most recent education.
• Include name of institution, degree(s), major
  minor, month year of graduation
• Spell out degrees or use proper abbreviations
  (Bachelor of Science, or B.S.)
• May include GPA, if 3.0 or higher relevant
  courses honors/awards study abroad
  training/certification
• High School is often omitted from the resume
  after first or second year of college.
• Example of Education section
• EDUCATION
• Bachelor of Science Biology Minor Spanish GPA
  3.0 May 2009
• George Mason University Fairfax, VA
• Relevant Coursework two or three course titles,
  relevant to the position
• Associate in Science General Studies GPA
  3.5 2007
• Northern Virginia Community College Annandale, VA

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Resume Content

• Experience
• Include organization, job title, dates of
  employment
• Statements describe your accomplishments
• Statements are concise, descriptive, and include
  numbers
• Use action verbs to start statements (see Moving
  On for a list of action verbs)
• Example of Experience section
• EXPERIENCE
• Sweetwater Tavern, Fairfax, Virginia Feb. 2006 -
  Present
• Assistant Manager
• Trained eight new employees on company database
  system
• Commended by supervisors for customer service
  skills

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Resume Content

• SKILLS
• Technical skills like Microsoft Office Suite
• Languages
• Skills relevant to position of interest
• PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIP(S)
• American Marketing Association (student member)
• ACTIVITIES
• Include organization, role/title, dates major
  accomplishments
• Include involvement in student organizations,
  volunteer activities, and community service

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Resume Formatting Tips

• One page recommended, two pages maximum
• Recommend Times New Roman or Arial and 11 font
  minimum
• One inch margins
• No spelling errors or typos
• Use bold and capitalization for highlighting
• Be consistent with formatting

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What is a Cover Letter?

• A business letter that accompanies a resume.
• Informs reader of your purpose and requests an
  in-person meeting.
• Highlights and directs attention to important
  information in the resume.
• Intended to convince reader that it is worthwhile
  to meet you.
• May take the form of an email message or a brief
  note that accompanies an electronic application

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An Effective Cover Letter

• Introduces You Your Resume
• Summarizes Pertinent Aspects of your Education
• or Experience
• States briefly how your Qualifications relate to
  the Job
• Indicates if you have included a Resume, Writing
  Sample, Transcript, or other documents
• Is Brief and to the Point
• Requests an Interview

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Cover Letter Contents (3 or 4 paragraphs)

• Paragraph 1 Why you are writing? Mention
  referral source in the first sentence.
• Paragraph 2 Why should they consider you? This
  "hooks" the reader.
• Paragraph 3 Why do you want to work for them?
  What attracts you to the organization? How does
  the organization/job match up with your values
  and qualifications.
• Paragraph 4 The close. Be assertive. I would
  like to meet with you to discuss

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Cover Letter Tips

• Personalize letters
• Target a specific job or employer
• Be positive, natural, direct and interesting
• Avoid being repetitious of resume
• Be brief (concise)
• PROOFREAD

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Resources and Samples

• Check out Resume and Cover Letter Samples in
  Moving On
• See samples in Career Library, 348 SUB 1
• http//careers.gmu.edu/students/jobhunt/resume.htm
  l
• http//careers.gmu.edu/students/jobhunt/letters.ht
  ml
• http//som.gmu.edu/preparejobsearch
• View resume samples for different majors!

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Next Steps

• Have your resume or letter reviewed by a career
  counselor
• Get your resume critiqued by an employer at the
  next Resume Clinic (March and October)!
• For a complete schedule of career services and
  events http//careers.gmu.edu/calendar

Any Questions?
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Visit Us!

• Make an appointment or use walk-in hours/same
  day appointments for additional help.

• University Career Services
• SUB 1, Rm. 348 [phone]
• http//careers.gmu.edu
• Call to make an appointment anytime.
• For quick questions reserve a Same Day
  Appointment, 130 400 pm, by calling early on
  the day youd like to come in.

School of Management Career Services Enterprise
Hall, Rm. 008 [phone] http//som.gmu.edu/c
areer Walk-In Hours for SOM Career
Services Monday Friday 200-400pm Thursday
10am to noon