Welcome to“How to Write the Best Résumé and Cover Letter”

Led byJean Wyer, Career Services Program Coordinator

The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio

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How to Write the Best Résumé and Cover Letter

Presented by Jean WyerCareer Services Program Coordinator

College of Education and Human EcologyThe Ohio State University

Three components of an employment application

• Résumé• Cover Letter• Application Form

Each has a different purpose

Each should be able to stand alone

Résumé Purpose: Quickly communicate information relevant to the desired job, resulting in an invitation to interview

Key Elements:Format – Above the fold, consistent placementContent – Informative, matches the job, accurateAppeal – Organized, bullets

Format“Above the fold” - most relevant information• Summary (if there is room)• Contact information (personal letterhead)• Education (with license and graduation date)• Teaching experience (start above the fold)

Consistent placement of data fields:Organization Name Position/TitleCity, State Dates

ContentInformative:Tell me something I don’t already knowAction + Object + Reason or Results

Matches the job:Transfer skills and experiences to the desired jobUse professional terms: methods, technologies, etc.

Accurate:Grammar, punctuation, verb tense, dates, name

Appeal

Organized:Descriptive labels (Ex: Teaching Experience)Limited embellishments (bold, CAPS, italics)Professional (no photos, clip art, limited color)White space with justified margins

Bullets:Action phrases that start with a verbOne thought or sentence per bullet

Elizabeth A. Student ________________ eastudent@gmail.com123 East Main Street, Columbus, OH 43210 Cell: 614-555-7516

SUMMARYAs a licensed teacher of French and Spanish, with experience living and learning abroad, I am able to teach all gradelevels of foreign languages with pedagogical and applied perspective.

EDUCATIONMaster of Education in French and Spanish with K-12 Teaching License June 2012The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio Bachelor of Arts in French and Spanish June 2011Syracuse University, Syracuse, New York Summer Session Abroad May-August 2009University of Dijon, Dijon, France  TEACHING EXPERIENCEStudent Teacher, Urban Valley High School, Urban Valley, Ohio March-June 2012• Assume teaching of French I, French II, and Spanish I classes• Serve as faculty advisor to French Club and Spanish Club to encourage continued understanding of the cultures• Implement a cooking project to explore cuisine of French and Spanish speaking countries around the world

Practicum Student, Best Ever Middle School, Columbus, Ohio January-March 2012• Developed long range unit and lesson planning skills for beginning French and Spanish classes• Assisted with annual Spanish culture arts festival• Aided teacher in general classroom activities such as setting up instructional technology, monitoring group work, and assisting with individual verbal skills

Cover Letter

Purpose: Demonstrate writing ability and spotlight the most important messages

Key Elements:IntroductionBodyClose

Introduction:Similar to résumé summaryInclude how you’ve been introduced to them

Body:Write for the reader (limited use of “I”)Consider two experiences that best meet their needs

Closing:Thanks and recommended next steps

Elizabeth A. Student _________________________ eastudent@gmail.com123 East Main Street, Columbus, OH 43210 Cell: 614-555-7516 March 20, 2012

Mr. Jack Hermmann, Director of PersonnelCity Public Schools15125 Farmington RoadBest City, MI 48100

Dear Mr. Hermmann:

I recently read of Best City Schools’ decision to expand the foreign language program to the newly created grades 4-6 buildings. Please consider this letter and the attached resume as my application for a foreign language teaching position. As a licensed teacher of both French and Spanish, who has studied and lived abroad, I am able to provide the enthusiasm and experience needed to play a role in the start of this exciting new program.

Application FormPurpose: Employer determines the information to be submitted in a standardized format

Key Elements:Data the employer requests Behavior-based questions• Teacher Insight• Ventures for Excellence• Keyword search: “Teacher Interview Questions”

For additional examples, action words, and Dos and Taboos of Résumé Writing, visit:

http://ehe.osu.edu/career-services/job-search-documents.php

Q & A

This webinar was brought to you by Educational Horizons, the official magazine of Pi Lambda Theta.

Questions? Email edhorizons@pdkintl.org.