This document provides tips for teens on resumes, cover letters, and job searching. It discusses the key components of a resume like contact information, education, work experience, and skills. Cover letter advice includes addressing the hiring manager by name, researching the company, and highlighting relevant qualifications. The presentation also reviews reading job postings and available resources at the library for career guidance.

1. Resumes, Interview Tips,
and Job Searching
for teens
Pasadena Public Library
March 28, 2014
Jane Gov, Librarian
AnnMarie Hurtado, Librarian

2. Agenda
• Resumes
• Cover Letters
• Individual resume review
• Interview I.Q.
• How to read a job posting

3. Resumes
• Contact info
• Objective (optional)
• Summary of skills (optional)
• Education
• Work experience
• Extracurricular activities /
organizations (optional)
• Achievements (optional)

4. Resumes (cont ct)
• Contact info (personal address, email, phone)
• Make sure your email address looks professional
• Example:
Jane Gov
285 East Walnut Street
Pasadena, CA 91101
(626) 744-4246
jgov@cityofpasadena.net

5. Resumes (objective)
• Statement of your goal for employment
• Objectives are optional
• Best to use when you are inquiring about a position
rather than applying for a specific position that has
been advertised
• Be specific about the position and company
• Example: To obtain knowledge of the day-to-day work
of a business through a part time job, summer
internship and/or job shadowing experience.

6. Resume (Summary of skills)
• Highlights skills specific to the job
• Use the qualifications listing on the job post to
decide what to list
• Examples
 Two years of supervisory experience
 Four years of customer service experience
 Typing speed 65 words per minute
 Programming skills: HTML, Java, Visual C++
 Proficient in MS Word, Powerpoint, Excel

7. Resume (Education)
• List your high school and any college classes
• This is also where you can list academic awards
and relevant courses
• Example:
Blair High School, Pasadena, CA (8/2012-Present)
 Arts, Entertainment, and Media (AEM) Academy path
 Honor Roll (2013, 2014)
 Relevant courses:
Graphic Design and Visual Fine Art (2014)
Advance Illustration (2013)

8. Resume (Work Experience)
• List all paid work experience
• List all relevant volunteer experience
• List position title, employer, location, and date
• Bullet point specific responsibilities
• Examples:
Teen Advisory Board (Volunteer), Pasadena Public Library, Pasadena,
CA (9/2013-Present)
 Plan and prepare for library events and programs
 Create promotional materials and outreach
 Help children with Summer Reading sign ups, reward prizes
Volunteer, Crowell Public Library, San Marino, CA (10/2012-3/2014)
 Shelve and alphabetize books
 General clerical tasks such as filing and organizing paperwork

9. Resume (Extracurricular Activities)
• Optional
• This could also be labeled “Relevant
Experience” or “Other Relevant Experience” or
simply “Activities”
• Examples:
 John Muir High Debate Team (2014-Present)
 President, Leo Club (2014)
 Youth Ambassadors (2012-Present)
 John Muir High ASB (2012-2014)

10. Resume (Achievements)
• Optional
• You should list this if it is more than academic
achievements (which can be listed under
Education)
• Examples:
 One City, One Story Art Contest winner, Pasadena
Public Library (2014)
 Reagan Foundation Scholarship (2014)

11. Resume
Put it all
together!
Organized &
easy to read
Clear categories

12. Resume - tips
• One page, 1 inch margins, 12 pt font, Arial or
Times New Roman
• Use bullet points
• Use active language
• Try not to repeat information
• You want your resume to look full, but not overcrowded
• Factual and to the point; the cover letter is where
you can list what skills you used
– i.e.
created flyers and displays – resume
developed knowledge of promotional materials – cover letter

13. Writing Impressive
Cover Letters

14. Know Who You’re Addressing
• Research the company you’re
applying to—Google them!
• Find out who the supervisor is.
Normally the contact name
written on the job advertisement.
• Can’t find their name? Pick up
the phone!
• Address them by their last name:
“Dear Mr. Smith” or “Dear Ms.
Doe.”
• If you aren’t sure whether it’s a
man or a woman, write out the
whole name, first and last.
• Triple-check that their name is
spelled right!

15. Introduce Yourself
• I am writing to express my
interest in your opening for a
__________ (insert job title).
• I’m interested in this position
because I happen to have a
passion for _________, and I
have several years of
experience in the __________
field. I think my experience
doing __________,
_________, and __________
would make me a good fit for
this position.

16. Do Your Homework
• Research the company!
You need to show them
that you know:
– What their business is
– The basic job duties of
the position you’re
applying for
– Who their customers are
– Why hiring you would
directly benefit THEM

17. THOU SHALT NOT…
• Discuss the reasons why
you’d like the job (i.e.
money, perks, proximity
to your house, bragging
rights among your
friends)
• Discuss what they can
do for you. They want
to know what you can
do for THEM.

18. Sell Your Strengths
• Use words and phrases
that convey the unique
mix of talents that you
would bring to the
position.
• Discuss your education,
accomplishments and
skills, focusing on the
ones that directly pertain
to the qualifications
needed for the job
• Leave out anything that
isn’t relevant to the job

19. Be Creative, But Truthful
• Never worked before?
You can use school
projects, volunteer
work, ANY experience
that demonstrates a
skill that they are
looking for
• But DON’T LIE—they
will find out!

20. Make a list of words that describe you
and your accomplishments

21. Still need help defining your “brand”?
• Ask your parents and
friends to list qualities
you have
• Don’t focus too much on
personal qualities like
being “nice” or
“generous”—list qualities
that are needed for doing
the job, and be ready to
back them up with
examples of real
accomplishments

22. Closing Your Letter
• “I am attaching my resume, which
I hope will demonstrate further
the skills and experiences that
make me a good fit for this
position.”
• Reiterate why the company
appeals to you
• “Thanks for taking the time to
consider my application. If you’d
like me to come in for an
interview, I would love the
opportunity to talk with you
further about my qualifications. I
can be reached at 555-555-5555.
I look forward to hearing from
you!”
• “Sincerely,” Your Name

23. Cover Letter in the Mail
Your name, mailing
address, phone number
and email address
Date
Company contact’s
name, title, and
mailing address
Introduce why you’re
writing them and give
one compelling reason
why they should
consider you for the
job
Go into a little more
detail about your
qualifications. Bullet
points can help you keep
it short.
Mention your resume
and offer to get in touch
or invite them to call you
Your signature goes
between “Sincerely,” and
your printed name
“Encl.” means you’re
attaching something
(your resume)

24. Cover Letter via Email
Attach your
resume.
Cover letter
does not
have to be
attached as a
Word doc. It
should be
pasted in the
body of your
email.
Signature includes your name,
email address and phone number
Always say
Thank you!
“I’m
writing to
express my
interest...
My talents
in XYZ
make me a
great fit
for the
position.”

25. Job postings
• How to search and read a job posting
• Libguide for Teens: Career & Employment
http://cityofpasadena.libguides.com/teencareer

26. We’re here to help!
Jane Gov
Librarian, Youth Services
(contact for teen volunteer
opportunities and teen
events)
jgov@cityofpasadena.net
AnnMarie Hurtado
Librarian, Youth Services
(contact for College and Scholarship
resources)
anhurtado@cityofpasadena.net