Resume

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Resume Cover Letter Writing

• Sample Resume
• Anatomy of a Cover Letter
• Reference Lists
• General Resume Tips
• Thesaurus
• Objectives and Skills Worksheet
• Resume Worksheet
• Created by the Montgomery College, Takoma
  Park/Silver Spring Campus Career/Transfer Center

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Please Note This is NOT a perfect resume.
Possible improvements are discussed in workshops!
Created by the Montgomery College, Takoma Park
Campus Career/Transfer Center
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In the first paragraph, mention the position you
are interested in and where you heard about it.
Created by the Montgomery College, Takoma Park
Campus Career/Transfer Center
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Reference Lists
Format your reference list formally, perhaps even
using the same heading on your resume.
Include three to five people (preferably former
supervisors or professors) who can attest to your
skills, intelligence, good character and work
habits, etc. Include their names and
professional titles addresses and phone numbers.
Choose people carefully for how well they know
you, not just for their impressive position or
title.
Ask before you include someone on your list. It
is a courtesy and a favor for them to agree to
speak to strangers who will be interested in
hiring you. It is only polite that you ask for
that favor. This also allows you to refresh
their memory as to who you are if your contact
was not recent, gives you an opportunity to tell
them what type of position you are pursuing, and
it allows you to network by telling them that you
are looking for work.
Never include your references on your resume or
give them out unless they are specifically
requested. They are taking time to do you a
favor. Return the favor by not subjecting them
to calls from people who are not truly serious
about hiring you.
Stay in touch with your references. Let them
know how your job search is going. By staying
in touch even after you get a job this time, you
will preserve them as networking contacts,
references, and friends or mentors.
Created by the Montgomery College, Takoma Park
Campus Career/Transfer Center
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General Resume Job Search Tips...
Appearance Content is important, but so is
form--try to keep it short (one or two pages --
for a recent grad, one page is best). Put the
most important information near the top. Dont
make your margins tiny and fill the page with
thick blocks of text. Bullet or list critical
skills and qualifications so they may be easily
seen. Use plain, light colored or white paper.
Do not staple pages or use a plastic folder as
the resume may need to be duplicated. Make sure
copies are clean and sharp.
Proofreading Dont rely on a computer
spell-checker alone for your proofreading needs
for resumes and letters. It wont pick up shifts
in tense, poor word choice, typos where a wrong
word is created (i.e. form instead of from),
or grammatical errors. Have a friend proofread
with youfresh eyes often pick up errors you may
miss.
Content Try to think carefully about your skills
and describe them in the most professional
language possible. Use specific details (numbers
and percentages) where possible. Build useful
relevant experience by volunteering, joining
professional organizations, and co-oping or
interning. Avoid using jargon or obscure
acronyms.
Faxing When you fax your resume always include a
cover letter (not just a cover sheet). Fax a
copy printed on white paper if possible (even
lightly colored or patterned paper can fax or
copy poorly). Finally, follow up a faxed resume
with a hard copy in the mail -- it is always best
to ensure that the employer has the best possible
version.
Share It Once your resume is done, it does you no
good if people dont see it. Join professional
organizations (student memberships are often
discounted), develop contacts through
volunteering, internships, clinical rotations,
cooperative education, etc. Let people know that
you are looking and share your resume with them.
They may have useful feedback or they may even
know someone interested in hiring you.
Mailing When you mail your resume and cover
letter, have them printed on a high quality
paper. Consider purchasing large envelopes so
that your resume and cover letter need not be
folded. It may be well worth the slight expense
to keep your paperwork looking good.
Scanners Because some larger companies now use
scanners to read resumes, it is important to
have a resume that is scanner-friendly. Use
asterisks, plus signs, or dashes rather than
bullets. Avoid fancy fonts. Dont use bold,
italics or underlining. Consider using capital
letters to make your headings stand out.
Keep a File Putting your resume together has been
hard work. Try always to keep hard copies and
electronic copies on hand in a safe place so that
you dont ever have to start from scratch again!!!
Created by the Montgomery College, Takoma Park
Campus Career/Transfer Center.
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What Are My Skills?...
Created by the Montgomery College, Takoma Park
Campus Career/Transfer Center
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What IS My Objective Anyway?
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Resume Workshop
Name, Address, Phone, and E-mail
Objective
What kind of job are you looking for?
Skills Accomplishments
3 - 7 things that you think will make you stand
out. For example, computer skills, languages
spoken, specialized experience, personal
attributes or past projects completed.
Education
Leave out High School unless you were
valedictorian, class president, etc. List
relevant degrees and vocational training.
Consider including GPA if over 3.0. Include
relevant course titles if space allows.
Employment History
List paid and/or volunteer positions that you
have held in reverse chronological order.
Created by the Montgomery College, Takoma Park
Campus Career/Transfer Center.
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You arent limited to listing three jobscopy
this and list as many as you would like.
Other
Any additional category that you want. This can
include Honor Societies, Awards, Professional
Societies, Language Skills, Computer Skills,
Clinical Skills, etc.