Résumés and Cover Letters — Comprehensive Study Notes

What is a Résumé?

  • A résumé (pronounced rez-oo-may) is a summary of your work and education experience.
  • Purpose: to help employers decide who to interview; it is the first impression an employer gets of you.
  • In highly competitive job markets, the résumé can be the only impression an employer receives.
  • There are many sources offering advice on how to craft a résumé that catches attention and sells you as the best candidate.

Components of a Résumé

  • Résumés generally include several key categories of information; ordering can vary by career.
  • You may need to add information or reorder depending on the job you're pursuing.
  • Be mindful of standard information versus role-specific tweaks.

Contact Information

  • Placed at the top in a larger font than the body; the first thing a reader sees.
  • Include: name, email, phone number, address.
  • Email should look professional; consider a new address if yours is unprofessional (example given: concertlover2024@example.access is not advisable).

Objective

  • Clarify: What position are you applying for?

Education

  • List starting with the newest level of education; work backwards.
  • If you have 3-4 graduate degrees after your first college degree, you may still include them; otherwise include your high school.
  • Middle school and elementary school can be left off.

Work Experience

  • List starting with the most recent and work backwards.
  • Include only information relevant to the job you want.

Duties of the Last Job (examples of reframing)

  • Many jobs involve multiple responsibilities; rephrase to highlight importance:
    • You answered phones → fielded customer calls
    • You made copies → operated office equipment
    • You made copies → hosted social interactions
  • If you need to describe less glamorous tasks (e.g., cleaning facilities), glamorize them: Maintained facilities

Skills or Other Training

  • If you’re proficient in computer applications, say so explicitly.
  • If you have certification relevant to the job, mention it.

Make Your Résumé Stand Out

  • In competitive jobs, employers may look at a résumé for about 15 seconds before deciding to interview.
  • To stand out in those 15 seconds, consider:
    • Proofread for errors.
    • Seek help from trusted people:
    • Your parents or guardians
    • A teacher or professor
    • The school counselor
    • The school librarian
    • The Career Center in your college
    • A recruiter at a job fair (they know what looks good and can suggest changes)

Résumé Building Services

  • There are résumé-building services online; some are free, others charge a fee.
  • Colleges and public libraries may offer résumé-writing workshops or services.
  • Do not pay for someone else to write your résumé unless:
    • You’re applying for a position that pays 90{,}000 or more
    • You have too much to include and cannot pare it down
    • You’re frustrated and can’t seem to get it “just right”

What is a Cover Letter?

  • A cover letter accompanies a résumé and is usually expected whenever you submit a résumé.
  • It should introduce you and provide context for your qualifications.
  • Length: typically 250-500 words.
  • Written in a standard business letter format.
  • Ensure the paper, font, and font size match your résumé; a cover letter is slightly more personal.

Components of a Cover Letter

  • Like résumés, cover letters include several key categories of information; additional information may be needed depending on the position.

Date & Contact Information

  • List the date, your name, and your contact information; it should match your résumé.

Salutation

  • Use a professional salutation, e.g., “Dear Mr. Gentry,” or “Dear Dr. Vaughn.”

Body

  • Explain what you want (the job), where you found out about it, what you have done that makes you a good fit, and what you can bring to the company.
  • Include a request for a meeting or interview to discuss your interest.

Closing

  • Keep it concise and professional;
  • Closing phrase: “Sincerely,”; leave space for a signature if submitting a hard copy.

The Interview

  • After getting a degree, submitting your résumé and cover letter, and receiving an interview invitation, preparation helps reduce nerves.
  • Employers assess fit within their organization, necessary skills, willingness to work, and attitude.
  • Nervousness is normal; preparation helps.

Dress for the Job You Want

  • What you wear is crucial to a successful interview; outfit should align with the job and company culture.
  • Being overdressed is better than underdressed.

General Dress Rules

  • Dress professionally and appropriately for the setting; conservative attire is typically best.
  • Examples:
    • Dark skirt or pants with a neat, clean blouse or button-up shirt.
    • Manageable jewelry or accessories to enhance, not distract from your skills and personality.
  • Clothes should be clean and wrinkle-free.
  • Makeup should be natural; hair should be neat.
  • Cover visible tattoos and remove facial piercings if possible; some firms may be open-minded, but many are not—do your research.

Corporate Settings

  • For corporate interviews, suits are generally most appropriate, regardless of gender.
  • Colors: black, gray, navy.
  • Shirt/blouse colors: white, pale blue, or gray.
  • Avoid overwhelming patterns and themed ties.

No-Get-Out-of-Style Rules

  • No jeans, ever (e.g., not for fast-food, a garage job, etc.).
  • Athletic shoes, boots, or flip-flops should be left at home unless the job requires them (e.g., leading a group fitness class, hiking, lifeguarding).
  • Wear nice, clean, well-maintained shoes.

Preparing for the Interview

  • Do pre-interview prep to feel comfortable and confident; it shows.

Research

  • Demonstrate knowledge of the company and the role:
    • Check the company website: what they make, how long they’ve been in business, mission/goals.
    • Read the job description to understand responsibilities and requirements.
    • Review products, customers, clients, and employees to gain context.

Print Your Résumé

  • Print copies to bring to the interview so the interviewer can review if not already on hand.

Practice

  • Practice interview questions; search by occupation (e.g., "Library Interview Questions" or "Civil engineer interview questions").
  • Write out answers to commit them to memory.
  • Do a practice interview; video it if possible to observe nervous habits (e.g., lip-biting, hair-twitching).

Questions for the Interviewer

  • At the end, you will often be asked, “Do you have any questions for us?”
  • Do not ask about pay, vacations, or benefits at this stage; those can come later.
  • Ask 2-3 thoughtful questions showing research and interest, such as:
    • What would a typical day look like in this position?
    • Are there any other duties attached to this job?
    • How are employees reviewed here?

Take a Deep Breath

  • Interviews can be scary, but preparation helps; practice to reduce shyness, awkwardness, or nervousness.
  • Do your best and aim to relax; you will do great.