Seniors Resumes, Cover Letters, and Thank You Notes

1. Résumés
Cover Letters
Thank You Notes

2. A Résumé
 First meeting between you
and the employer.
 Tells a great deal about you.
 Gets you the interview
 Is your calling card, so
remember that “First
impressions are lasting
ones.”

3. A Résumé will NOT . . .
• Get you a Job
– It’s an advertisement that entices employers
• Make up for not Being Qualified
• Hide your Reputation
– Employers will ask for references
• Make up for Poor Portfolio
– Employers want proof
• Make up for Poorly Written Cover Letter

4. Attributes Employers Considered
During Hiring Process
How would you
rank these?
• Reputation of College
• Past work experience
• Reputation of Specific
Program
• Interview
Perception does not
equal reality
• Past work experience
(81%)
• Interview (80%)
• Reputation of college
(18%)
• Reputation of Specific
Program (12%)

5. Perception ≠ Reality
• Consider that what you think is important to
employers may not be what is actually
important
• Or not as important as you imagined
What experience did you receive that will allow
you to make an immediate impact?

6. Student-Athlete Experience
• Remember: You didn’t just compete in games
you GAINED AN EXPERIENCE
• Athletes have many transferable skills

7. But I’ve never had a job . . .
• Academic Achievements (i.e. dean’s list) – senior
project
• Relevant Coursework – must be relevant to the
job you are applying for
• Clubs – consistent involvement shows
responsibility and commitment
• Volunteer Work – what did you do with your
team for community service
• Languages (you must be fluent)
• Computer Skills
• Any kind of employment – working while going
to school is impressive

8. Other Categories
• Awards &
Achievements
• Activities & Honors
• Professional Experience
• Volunteering
• Relevant Course Work
• Employment Experience
• Specialized/Technical
Skills
Solutions:
• Trim the “experience” fat
• Remove fluff
• Be succinct
• Proof read for flow and
clarity

9. Résumé Principles
 No ugly résumé– format must
be pleasing to the eye
 Do not lie, exaggerate or use
words that the interviewer has
to look up in a dictionary
 Focus on strengths and
accomplishments
 Use 8 1/2” x 11” 20 lb. paper
(Resume Checklist)

10. Résumé Do’s
 Target your
qualifications for a
specific job
 Keep it to one page
 Accompany with
reference page
 E-mail – keep it
professional
 Use descriptive action
verbs
 No errors
 Pleasing layout
 List relevant work
 History or volunteering
 Use argot of the
profession
 Mention you were a
student-athlete
 Always format in order
of importance
http://www.siue.edu/careerdevelopmentcenter/jobpreparation/pdf/actio
n_verbs.pdf

11. Résumé Don’ts
 Avoid abbreviations and acronyms
 Never use pronouns such as: “I”, “me”, “my”, “our”
 No fancy fonts, binders, layouts
 Have errors
 Don’t repeat yourself
http://www.resume1-2-3.com/

12. Summary, Headline, or Objective?
• Summary – briefly describes your experience and
skills in a impressive way
• Headline – states your experience more
specifically
• Objective – professional
intent
Only use if you have
specific details!

13. Education
This is an important section
for recent college graduates
• Beginning with the highest level
of educational achievement,
include information such as
University attended, degrees
earned/expected, major, minors,
grade point average, date of
program completion, and so
forth.
Bachelor of Science in
Accounting Expected
2007
Saddleback College,
Mission Viejo, CA
GPA: 3.7/4.0
Major GPA: 3.6/4.0
Include GPA only if 3.5 +

14. Chronological Résumé
 most common listing of
your jobs and experience
with most recent
mentioned first
 good for job seekers who
have practical work
experience with long
periods of employment
 résumé type most
preferred by employers
http://www.siue.edu/careerdevelopmentcenter/jobprep
aration/pdf/chronological_style.pdf

15. Functional Résumé
 focuses on your skills
and accomplishments
 highlights what they
are, not when you
developed them
 Great for job seekers
who have great
transferable skills but
little direct experience
http://www.siue.edu/careerdevelopmentcenter/jobprep
aration/pdf/functional_style.pdf

16. Combination Résumé
 maximizes the benefits
of both the functional
and the chronological
resume
 contains a heading for
skills and
accomplishments,
followed by a reverse
chronology of work
experience
http://www.siue.edu/careerdevelopmentcenter/jobprep
aration/pdf/combination_sample.pdf

17. Video Résumés
• www.Vault.com
Micro Résumés
• Condensed resume on business card
• No more than 140
characters

18. Sending your Resume
• Title your resume properly if attaching it to
profile or through email
– GOOD: “Joe Smith_Sr.GraphicDesigner_Resume”
– BAD: “ThisOne”
• Follow this format!
– Name_Position_Resume

19. Cover Letters
 Must be sent with résumé
 Applications without cover letters
automatically go in the rejection pile.
 Explains to the reader your situation and what
action you are requesting
 Should give the employer a reason to look at
the résumé
 Must be tailored to each job opening
 Will get eight seconds of the reader’s time, so
it must be brief, yet informative

20. Cover Letter Layout
 Limited to one page of three to four paragraphs
 No indented paragraphs
 Should not summarize your resume but add to it
 Opening paragraph should answer why you are
writing, what position you are interested and
where you found out about the job
 If you were referred mention this in the opening
paragraph

21. First Paragraph
• Should tell the employer where you learned of
the position
• Lists what position you are applying for
• If referred, mentions that person’s name and
points out he/she suggest you apply
• Mentions when you graduate or speaks of
your recently received diploma.

22. Middle Paragraph
 Revealing statements about who you are and
your skills
 Why you are interested in the position and
working for this employer
 Explain what you are currently doing
 Relevant or related work/volunteer experience
 Emphasize skills and abilities in relation to
position
 Provide additional qualifications that are not on
resume

23. Closing Paragraph
 Be proactive
 What will you do next?
 What you would like the recipient to do next?
 Pave the way for an interview
 “I will follow up in a week after the closing
date of the position has passed. I look
forward to speaking with you further.”

24. Closing Paragraph
Thank you Sentences
• Thank you for your time.
• Thank you for reviewing my
qualifications.
• Thank you for your
consideration.
• Thank you for your review
of my qualifications.
Confidence in a Callback
• I look forward to your reply.
• I look forward to hearing
from you.
• I look forward to your
response.
• I look forward to your call.
BAD: It would be an honor to meet
with you.
BAD: Call me tomorrow, please.

25. If your cover
letter is generic
enough to
work for every
job you apply
to, it's too
generic to get
you hired.

26. Scannable Format
 Do not fold or staple
 Avoid punctuation when possible
 Avoid vertical & horizontal lines as well as graphics
 Abbreviations - use only those known in your field
 Use Keywords
 Use fonts like Time New Romans, Courier New,
Helvetica
 size 10-12
 Bolding and CAPITALS are acceptable as long as they do
not touch each other
 avoid condensing the spaces between letters and lines

27. Salary Inquiries
• If the posting requests a salary requirement
– Address it in the cover letter
– Provide a range ($25,000-$35,000)
– Add statement about negotiation - “I would be
willing to discuss my salary requirements with you
further up on learning more about the specific
responsibilities for this position.”
– Never mention salary until an offer is on the table.

28. Thank You Notes
 Sent after you complete interview
 Must be sent within 24 hours of interview
regardless of the day of the week
 Individual letter must be sent to each person you
interviewed with
 Always add one unique detail from the interview
 This is an expression of gratitude not a forum to
discuss your skills