Resume Package

Cover Letter and Resume

Brian Gastle

Western Carolina University

What Do You Want ToDo In A Cover Letter?

Introduce yourself Brief statement of abilities Express interest in the job Show how YOU will be a benefit to THEM n.b. the application procedure whittles away

applicants

Cover Letter Components Your inside address

upper right or letterhead Their inside address Salutation

try to find name

CL Components (cont.) What should be in an opening paragraph?

Express interest in specified ad Follow lead of the ad

CL Components (cont.) Body of Cover Letter Bullets (if appropriate)

3-6 specific points short statement of experience begin with verb whenever possible

CL Components (cont.) Closing

restate interest & ask for interview state where and when you can be reached

Signature (valedictus)

Resume Functional vs

Chronological based on experience

Layout balanced easy to read specifics ($ and #)

Name and Address Objective Education Experience Personal Information References

Name and Address Name should be prominent Address should indicate both campus and

home e-mail address Phone should indicate both campus and home

Objective Short, clear and tailored to ad

Omit if you are uneasy with it

Education

If strong point, place before experience List all colleges, degrees, expected

degrees, specials, etc. Do not use abbreviations Options

indicate % of $ earned indicate honors and awards (or list separately) indicate special training (seminars) may go

under experience

Experience Jobs (w/ dates and locations) & duty if

appropriate Internships Campus activities (exec positions in clubs and

organizations) Adjust Job description to fit application

Personal Info Optional Birth date and marital status not required Good for things that may be of some use but

don’t really fit (hobbies related to job) May be divided (memberships, honors,

interests, etc.)

References Omit, or List all info needed per individual

Scannable Resumes

Standard fonts between 10 and 14 points Italics and underlining cause problems for

the scanner. Use boldface for emphasis. Avoid vertical and horizontal lines. When

used, leave a least a quarter of an inch of space around the line.

Avoid graphics, shading and shadowing. Do not double space within sections.

Scannable Resumes Resumes should be original and printed with a laser

printer on white or light colored 8 1/2-x 11-inch paper. Print on one side only.

Resumes that have been folded, stapled or other wise mutilated will not scan well.

It is imperative that you describe your skills and accomplishments using the language of your profession.