MicahWilleford

Jennifer Greenwood

Career Specialists

RESUMES, REFERENCES, COVER

LETTERS AND INTERVIEWS

Tips and TricksRESUMES

◼Keep a file of everything!

◼Use bulleted lists◼Never use abbreviations or acronyms◼Keep resume in the correct tense ◼Highlight your strengths◼Use keywords from the job posting◼White space is good◼Stick to the basics (paper, color, font, etc…)◼Spell check!!

RESUMESGENERAL PRACTICES

◼Your contact information▪How professional is your e-mail address?

◼ [A summary]◼Current school information◼Related work experience◼Extracurricular activities◼Honors, Awards, Recognitions◼Skills, Abilities◼References

▪Professional, not just personal

RESUMESTHINGS TO INCLUDE

Tell me what you notice.

What do you like?

What do you not like?

EXAMPLE RESUME

Tell me what you notice.

What do you like?

What do you not like?

EXAMPLE RESUME

Tell me what you notice.

What do you like?

What do you not like?

EXAMPLE RESUME

RESUME EXAMPLE

What areas are the focus?

SAMPLEACADEMICRESUME

What is different?

Where is the focus?

What should you include?

COVER LETTERS

COVER LETTERS◼ Include your contact information

▪Consider using a similar header for your cover letter and resume◼Employer Contact information◼Greeting

▪Dear Mr./Mrs./Ms. Last Name▪Dear Hiring Manager▪ Try to avoid “To Whom It May Concern” Why?

◼First Paragraph▪ Include information on why you are writing. Mention the position you are

applying for and where you found the job listing. Include the name of a mutual contact, if you have one.

▪ Yes, tactful name dropping is okay!◼Middle Paragraph(s)

▪Describe what you have to offer the employer. Mention specifically how your qualifications match the job you are applying for.

▪ This should not be your resume in paragraph form. Just hit the high points.

◼Final Paragraph▪ Thank them for considering you for the position▪ Let them know you’re looking forward to hearing back from them, or that you

welcome an opportunity to further discuss your qualifications/interest in the position.

▪ Let them know how you will follow up.▪ Are you calling next week? Are you planning to wait it out, letting them make contact

first? Will you send a follow up email?

◼Closing▪ Sincerely,▪ Thank you,▪Respectfully yours,

◼Signature▪Handwritten, if possible.▪ Type your name below where you plan to sign

COVER LETTERS

Tell me what you notice.

What do you like?

What do you not like?

COVER LETTER

What should you include?

REFERENCE REQUEST

LETTER

◼Ask early -in person if possible

◼Be prepared for the person to say ‘no’ to your request.

◼Provide the potential reference with your resume, information about the scholarship, and an envelope you have already addressed and stamped

◼Information about the scholarship would include things such as criteria, the focus of the scholarship [service, academic, etc.], the name of the person or group to whom the letter should be addressed, and the deadline.

◼If possible, it’s better to waive your right to see the letter. The scholarship committee assumes that this will encourage a more candid letter from the professor, and such a letter will carry more weight.

◼After the process is over, send a thank-you note to the person, and let them know the result.

Reference Request Letter

◼ Include your contact information▪Consider using a similar header for your cover letter and resume

◼Employer Contact information◼Greeting

▪Dear Mr./Mrs./Ms. Last Name▪ Try to avoid “To Whom It May Concern” Why?

◼The Letter▪ Include your purpose for writing. ▪Give information about the scholarship. ▪ Thank them and give them a way to contact you.

◼ . Closing▪ Sincerely,▪ Thank you,

◼Signature▪Handwritten, if possible.▪ Type your name below where you plan to sign

Reference Request Letter

REFERENCE REQUEST LETTER

SAMPLEACADEMICRESUME

What is different?

Where is the focus?

Dos and

Don’tsINTERVIEWING

◼ How many of you have Facebook? Twitter? Tumblr? Four Square? Instagram?

◼ Social networking can influence your career, not just your safety

◼ Are you posting vulgar images or using profanity? Are your friends posting those things on your wall, or tagging you in them? Are you drinking or smoking, taking inappropriate pictures, or even complaining about your teachers, parents or current boss?

◼ What are your privacy settings?

◼ If a potential boss wants to find information on you, they will. Maybe your friend who already works there shows him your page, thinking they’re helping you…

◼ There are endless examples. Just think about it.

SOCIAL MEDIA

◼What to Wear▪Casual▪ Business Casual▪ Business Attire

◼What to Bring with you▪ Anything they requested▪ An additional copy/copies of your resume and cover letter▪Questions you have for your potential future employer▪ Paper to jot down things you want to remember

◼How to Act▪ Be professional

▪ NO: cell phones, chewing gum, or profanity.▪ Use formal rather than informal register when speaking

▪ Be yourself▪ Yes, you want to make a good impression. Yes, you will be nervous. HOWEVER, you

also want them to know who you are.

INTERVIEWINGEVERY INTERVIEW WILL BE DIFFERENT THAN THE NEXT. THAT CAN MAKE IT DIFFICULT TO

PLAN AHEAD, OR TO KNOW WHAT TO EXPECT!

◼Tell us about yourself.▪Be ready to give about a 2 minute speech about yourself. Mention anything

you’re comfortable with, including:▪ General information about your family or your hometown▪ Where you go to school, any activities/organizations in which you are involved

◼Why are you the best candidate for the position/this scholarship?◼Tell me about a time that you failed and what you learned from it.◼How do you handle criticism?◼What do you know about our company/institution/school?◼What are your greatest strengths/weaknesses?◼What motivates you?◼What can you contribute to this team?◼Where do you hope to be in 5 years?

INTERVIEWINGQUESTIONS YOU CAN EXPECT

◼Describe what you think it will take to have a successful college career?◼Why did you choose to participate in the various clubs, sports, etc. in which you have participated in high school?◼How did you choose your college major? Have you thought about the possibility of your major changing during your college career?◼Do you plan to work while attending college? Have you worked while in High School? ◼How did you select the colleges/universities to which you applied? If accepted by more than one, how did/will you choose where you will attend?

Scholarship InterviewQUESTIONS YOU CAN EXPECT

Want to discuss further? Come see me!

MicahWillefordJennifer GreenwoodCareer Specialists

MHS Freshman OfficeSHS North 101WHS C3

THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME!