This workshop is the 2nd in a 5-part Career Series. It covers the mechanics of writing a cover letter and resume.

1. The Nuts and Bolts of
Resumes and Cover Letters

2. Cover Letter Pop Quiz
1. Which of the following is NOT a function of a cover
letter?
a. To tell the employer what kind of job you seek
b. To show how well you write or express yourself
c. To inform the reader of your expectations in the job
d. To entice the reader to want to get to know you better by
interviewing you
2. The best way to tailor your cover letter to a want ad is
to:
a. Avoid keywords and buzzwords in the ad because that‟s
plagiarism
b. Tell the employer your resume is scannable
c. Use keywords and buzzwords from the ad
d. Try to sound a little overqualified

3. Cover Letter Pop Quiz
3. How can you make the most of your college experience
in your cover letter?
a. Describe skills gained in the classroom
b. Describe sports and extracurricular activities
c. Discuss hands-on projects
d. All of the above
4. The fact that few jobseekers demonstrate their knowledge of
the company in their cover letter means that:
a. It‟s an incorrect practice
b. It‟s hard to research companies
c. You will stand out if you do demonstrate knowledge
d. They are not really interested in the job

4. As A Reminder…
As of August 2011, average length
of unemployment is 40.3
weeks, or a little more than 10
months.
This is the longest time of
unemployment since statistics were
collected beginning in 1948.

5. Some More Statistics
• 1 out of 4 Human Resources Managers said
they receive, on average, more than 75
résumés for each open position; 42% receive
more than 50 résumés.
• 38% of Human Resources Managers spend
1-2 minutes reviewing a new application;
17% spend less than one minute.
Source: Recent nationwide survey by
CareerBuilder.com

6. Importance Of Work
Experience To Employers
2009 2008
• I prefer to hire candidates 76.3% 76.2%
with relevant work experience.
• I prefer to hire candidates with 18.9% 18.2%
any type of work experience.
• Work experience doesn‟t typically 2.6% 4.8%
factor into my decision when
hiring a new college graduate.
• Other 2.2% 0.7%
Source: Job Outlook 2009 and Job Outlook 2008, National
Association of Colleges and Employers

7. A Quote To Consider
“The candidate who gets the job
is the candidate who has the
best total package from start to
finish”
Diann Lloyd-Dennis
Employer Research Specialist at
Northwestern
College, Minnesota

8. Hiring Managers Want To
Know 3 Things
• Who are you?
• What motivates you?
• Can you do the job?
So....
• How do you show this on your cover
letter and resume?

9. The Cover Letter Gets Your
Resume Read

10. ADMISSIONS REPRESENTATIVE
Responsibilities include set up and carry through a schedule of high school visits
within the recruitment territory, attend scheduled college fairs, conduct appropriate
follow-up via phone, written correspondence, e-mail, and/or personal
visits, represent St. Ambrose University at alumni functions and at regional
conventions, attend and assist coordinating open house events and attend all first-
year orientations. Travel and overnight stays required. Experience in sales is
beneficial. Individual must have superior verbal, written and organizational skills
with the ability to multi.-task. AA/EOE
Requirements: Minimum of Bachelor's degree and experience in area of
responsibility or related area preferred. Please send letter of interest, resume and
contact information for three professional references by 3 p.m. September
26, 2012 to:
Email:
HumanResources@sau.edu
Postal Mail:
Director of Human Resources
St. Ambrose University
518 W. Locust Street
Davenport, IA 52803

11. DUTIES SPECIFIC TO THE POSITION:
§ Supervise and assure safety of the residential unit
§ Monitor clients utilizing the Behavior Modification Program
§ Provide crisis intervention, including intakes
§ Administer medications
§ Complete documentation as required
§ Assure cleanliness of unit
§ Provide positive role model for clients
§ Provide information and referral as appropriate
§ Other duties as assigned.

12. The Cover Letter Creates Interest In
Reading Your Resume
• A cover letter serves as a formal introduction and
should briefly reflect why you are qualified for a
position.
• Gives an employer a snapshot of your personality.
• Signals that you pay attention to details.
• Conveys professionalism.
• Demonstrates immediately your written
communication skills.
• Gives you an opportunity to highlight your skill
sets and experience.

13. Basic Grammar Lessons
• Know your homophones
• Their, They‟re, There
• Two, Too, To
• Your, You‟re
• Whose, Who‟s
• Keep tenses consistent
• Past work experience = Verbs in past tense
• Present work experience = Verbs in present tense

14. Tips for Writing The Cover Letter
1. Conduct Targeted
Research
• Take time to get to know the
employer
• What is on their company
website that stands out to
you? Or what have you heard
from others?
• What skills can you bring that
adds value to the company?
• What impresses you about
the organization?

15. Tips for Writing The Cover Letter
2) Have a Real Person
in Mind
• Never send a cover letter
addressed to a general
title or with the
salutation, “To whom it
may concern.”
• If the ad does not list a
specific person, contact
the Human Resources
Manager and ask for a
name to address the cover
letter.

16. Tips for Writing The Cover Letter
3) Writing the letter
• Highlight your strongest
qualifications for the job
in one page.
• Do not restate everything
on your resume.
• Invest in high-quality
stationary and envelopes
that match.
• Do not have ANY spelling
or grammar errors.

17. Name
Address
Phone Number
E-mail
Date
Name of the specific person to receive application materials
Professional Job Title
Company Name
Company Street Address
City, State and Zip Code
Dear Ms. Jones:
Paragraph one: Grab the readers attention. Also mention the position you
are applying for and how you heard about it.
Paragraph two: Highlight 1-2 key skills for the position and how you
can demonstrate those skills. In another paragraph, you could
demonstrate knowledge of the organization.
Paragraph three: Provide an action plan and express appreciation.
Sincerely,
Your signature
Typed first and last name

18. Resume Pop Quiz
1. What‟s a good way to sharpen the focus of your resume
and provide the reader with a summary of what you‟re
good at?
a. An Objective Statement
b. A Summary or Profile section
c. A small, tasteful graphic
d. All of the above
2. The most important element to highlight on your
resume is:
a. Duties and responsibilities from past jobs
b. Skills
c. Names of supervisors
d. Accomplishments

19. Resume Pop Quiz
3. What types of words are most important to include in
your resume?
a. Action verbs and job-specific keywords
b. Colorful adjectives
c. Multi-syllabic words that make you sound sophisticated
d. As much use as possible of the verb “to be”
4. Students with little experience, especially in a chosen
field, should consider this resume technique:
a. Detailed explanation of transferable and applicable skills
b. Use of a combination resume
c. Descriptions of class projects and coursework that are
relevant to the chosen field
d. All of the above

20. The Resume Gets You The
Interview
• Become Your Best Advocate
• Follow Some Basic Rules
• Choose A Format:
Chronological, Functional or
Combination
• Produce Your Resume

21. 10 Ways Your Resume Irks
Hiring Managers
1. Spelling mistakes 6. Excessive bragging
and grammatical 7. Outdated
errors information
2. Generic objective 8. False information
statements 9. Unexplained gaps in
3. Personal attributes work history
4. Interests and 10. A lack of
hobbies professionalism
5. Details of every task
ever performed in
every job ever had

22. Step #1:
Become Your Best Advocate
• What SPECIFIC SKILLS and
EXPERIENCES make you stand out?
• Which ACCOMPLISHMENTS would
distinguish you from other applicants
with the same experience?
• What benefits do I offer employers over
other qualified candidates?
• Avoid descriptions such as „good
communicator‟ or „strong leadership
skills‟.

23. WHAT IF I DON’T HAVE WORK
EXPERIENCE RELATING TO A JOB I
AM APPLYING FOR?
• Think about classroom
activities and projects.
• Think about academic
accomplishments.
• Think about
extracurricular, volunt
eer and community
service projects.
• Think about leadership
positions.

24. Step #2:
Follow Some Basic Rules
• NEVER make spelling or grammatical
errors!
• Do not use the word „I‟ anywhere on your
resume.
• Start with action verbs to describe
accomplishments, experience and skills.
• No information from high school
• Exception is volunteer experience or
exceptional accomplishments.

25. Step#2:
Follow Some Basic Rules
• Do not type your information into a
resume template.
• Optimal Resume: Free resume building
program provided by Career Service
Office.
• Go to:
http://iwc.optimalresume.com

26. Step #2:
Follow Some Basic Rules
• Do not abbreviate or use acronyms.
• IWC, B.S.
• Use buzzwords in the field.
• Vocabulary that has been used in your
courses that relates to the industry
• Use language from the job description

27. Step #2:
Follow Some Basic Rules
• Use numbers whenever possible.
• Increased company sales by 15%
• Tutored 3rd grade student
• Mentored 2 children
• The resume is about more than past work
experience.
• Volunteerism
• Leadership
• Management
• Communication

28. Step #3:
Choose A Format
• Chronological/Traditional
• Consider using when your past
experience is directly related to future
goals.
• Functional
• You are a new graduate with a limited
work history.
• Combination
• Great for new college grads because it
combines the qualities of a
chronological resume with the concept
of a functional resume.

29. Step #4:
Produce Your Resume
• Purchase resume
paper at
Walmart, Staples or
college bookstore.
• Select colors such as
cream, ivory, gray or
beige. Stay away from
trendy colors and
styles.

30. Recommended Fonts
Arial Palatino
Georgia Tahoma
Impact Trebuchet
Courier Verdana
Lucida Sans Serif

31. Heading
First and Last Name
Current Address
Phone Number
APPROPRIATE e-mail address
Create a new e-mail account for job/work-related information if
necessary
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Example
Heidi Seegers
601 N. Main St.
319-385-6375
heidiseegers@hotmail.com
www.linkedin.com/in/hseegers

32. Writing the Summary
Statement
• Summary of your training and background as it
relates to the position you are applying for
----------------------------------------------------------------
Summary Statement
Educated and trained professional in the sports
industry with proven leadership and organizational
skills seeking a position as an event manager.

33. Professional Profile:
It is my desire as an educator to help students uncover their artistic potential by
providing an environment that is safe, supports risk-taking, and invites a sharing
of ideas.
Extremely well-rounded employee with experience in sales, management and
information technology
PROFILE
Responsible, committed and self-motivated.
Holds a high self-standard and works hard to meet those standards.
Strong communication, natural leadership and good relationship-building skills
Summary of Qualifications
Extensive academic preparation in Psychology and Criminal Justice.
-Leadership experience through various college organizations.

34. Education
• Listed in reverse chronological order, with the most
recent education listed first.
• No high school information.
• Only list colleges which you have received a degree.
• Relevant Coursework and Academic Honors and
Awards may be listed in this section
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
--
Education
Bachelor of Science, Anticipated May 2013
Iowa Wesleyan College; Mount Pleasant, Iowa
Major: Marketing GPA: 3.7
Deans List, 2 semesters
Champion of Character Award, May 2011

35. Work Experience
• Include job title, company name, location and length of
time in position
• List responsibilities and accomplishments by following
the basic rules of resume writing.
• Information listed in reverse chronological order with
most recent information first.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Relevant Work Experience
Intern, Mount Pleasant Chamber of Commerce
Mount Pleasant, Iowa January 2012-May 2012
• Assisted director with Rock Around the Block event
• Created brochure for area businesses
• Attended meetings with community partners

36. Work History
• Work experience not relevant to the position you are
applying.
• Shows company loyalty/name recognition
----------------------------------------------------------------
Work History
Cashier and Customer Service, Walmart
Mount Pleasant, Iowa August 2008-present

37. Volunteer Experience
• Include company name, location and length of time in position
• Service Learning projects and volunteer hours are listed in this
section
• Volunteerism shows time management skills, commitment to
your community and leadership skills
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Example
Mentor, Iowa State Extension Office
Mount Pleasant, Iowa August 2010-present
• Meet with 13 year old girl to work on homework and visit
• Attend meetings once a month
• Collaborate with other mentors to discuss new ideas

38. College Activities
• It looks better to be involved with a couple
activities than to have a laundry list of 8
activities with no participation or
commitment.
-------------------------------------------------------
Example
Homecoming Committee, 2011 and 2012
Track and Field Team, 2011-present
College Choir, 2011-present

39. Other Optional Headings
• Leadership Experience
• Member of Executive Board of campus
organization; Captain of athletic team;
Started new campus organization
• International Experience
• Global Issues; Mission Trip; Study
Abroad; Fluency in a foreign language
• Computer Skills
• Specific computer programs

40. Tips on Electronic Resumes
• More employers are requesting
resumes sent electronically.
• Send your resume the way an employer
requests:
• Attachment
• Cut and paste in the body of an e-
mail message
• The subject line should catch the
reader‟s attention.

41. E-Mail Subject Line and
Cover Note Examples
Subject: Cover Letter and Resume for Registered
Nurse in Cardiac Rehabilitation Unit
Dear Mr. Johnson,
Please see my attached cover letter and resume for
the Registered Nurse at Henry County Health
Center‟s Cardiac Rehabilitation Center. I look
forward to hearing from you following the review
of my application materials.
Sincerely, Heidi Seegers

42. Final Recommendation
• Have at least 3 people review your resume and cover
letter before sending to an employer.
• Career Services Director
• English Professor
• A professor who has high writing expectations
• Human Resources/Hiring Manager
• Someone who works for the company you are applying
• Family member or friend who has been through this process

43. Dress For Success and
Professional Image
Workshop
Monday, October 22nd
4:00 in Room 201 of Hershey Hall
Tuesday, October 23rd
12:00 in West Private Dining Room

44. For more information on
Career Services
Contact:
Director of Career Services,
Heidi Seegers
Office Hours: Monday-Friday
8 am-12 pm and 1 pm-5pm
Or by appointment
Hershey Hall, Room 231
319-385-6375
hseegers@iwc.edu
Linkedin.com/in/hseegers
Twitter.com/IWCCareer
Check out the Career Services
website at
www.iwc.edu
Click on Current Students
Click on Career Services