RESUMES, COVER LETTERS, AND INTERVIEWING

WHAT IS A RESUME?

is a document to market your skills, experience, education and accomplishments to employers

is meant to get your an interview

is NOT your life history

is very concise and easy to scan for information

BASIC GUIDELINES

What’s Barney’s Advice?

http://cswl.pbworks.com/Presentations-and-Videos

BASIC GUIDELINES

use consistency in your presentation

utilize a 10 to 12 point, plain font

organize your information to make it easy to read

use your white space effectively

start all of your descriptive statements with past tense action verbs

proofread to check for errors

BASIC GUIDELINES

do not use high school information

place your most relevant information towards the top

include industry related keywords

target it to the career field you are entering

keep your margins even

CATEGORIES

Objective

Summary of Qualifications

Education

Honors

Related Coursework

Internships

Research

Related Experience

Additional Involvement

Volunteer/Community Service

Skills

Employment

Activities

RESUME STATEMENTS

use past tense action verbs to describe what you did in each position or experience

be descriptive and specific – who, what, where, when, how, results

action verb + details + results = strong resume statement

look at job postings to get ideas

practice telling someone else what you did in each position or how you demonstrated each skill

PERSONAL INFORMATION

LEAH M. HELPER

2211 Riverside Avenue, Minneapolis, MN 55410

612.330.3333, helper@augsburg.edu

INTRODUCTION

Objective

states what type of position you are looking for and what you will bring to the position

Summary of Qualifications

highlights your related qualifications for the position

EDUCATION

EDUCATION

Bachelor of Arts, Augsburg College, Minneapolis, MN May 20XX

Major: PsychologyMinor: Communication Studies GPA: 3.7

Honors: Dean’s List, Psychology Honor Society, Augsburg Academic Scholarship

Study Abroad: University of Galway, Galway, Ireland Spring 20XX

INTERNSHIP(S)

INTERNSHIPS

Intern, Crisis Nursery, Minneapolis, MN, Spring 20XX

• Selected to demonstrate therapeutic interventions to volunteers at a newly developed parent-child educational and therapeutic group

• Consulted with another therapists regarding client case management

Intern, Washburn Child Guidance Center, Minneapolis, MN, Fall 20XX

• Taught emotional regulation and social skills to preschoolers in a classroom setting

• Provided therapeutic interventions for children, ages 2 to 10, who were at risk of neglect and abuse

• Counseled children and parents with many emotional and mental difficulties to help create a safe home environment

RELATED EXPERIENCE

RELATED EXPERIENCE

Student Worker, Augsburg Admissions Office, Minneapolis, MN, Sept. 20XX – May 20XX

• Promoted the college to prospective students by giving campus tours and providing them with college information

• Provided administrative tasks including student mailings, filing, and data entry

ACTIVITIES

ACTIVITIES

Student Orientation Leader, Augsburg College, Sept. 20XX – May 20XX

• Served as a mentor for first-year students by introducing them to the college, showing them resources on campus and helping them meet new students

• Coordinated large on-campus events for 400 students to participate in

COMMUNITY SERVICE/VOLUNTEER

COMMUNITY SERVICE

Volunteer, Meals on Wheels, Minneapolis, MN, Jan. 20XX – Aug. 20XX

Sunday School Teacher, St. Edwards, Bloomington, MN, Oct. 20XX – April 20XX

OTHER EXPERIENCE

OTHER EXPERIENCE

Server, Applebee’s, Minneapolis, MN, June 20XX – May 20XX

• Trained new employees and evaluated their performance

• Succeeded in providing excellent customer service to six tables of people by multitasking and prioritizing orders

FINAL TIPS

have your resume reviewed by a career specialist

print on good quality paper

look at sample resumes and to get help

COVER LETTERS

WHAT IS A COVER LETTER?

is a letter that gives you a change to elaborate on more skills you have that may not be specifically highlighted on your resume

is meant to get the employer to read your resume

BASIC GUIDELINES

should always accompany a resume even when not requested

needs to be well-written and in a professional tone

do not start all of your sentences with “I”

customize each letter with a job description of the organization you are applying for

HEADING

your name and address should come first

then put the date

next the employer’s name, title, and work address

always address your employer as:

Dear Mr. or Ms. Last Name:

OPENING

indicate the position you are applying for and how you came to learn about the position

state why you are interested in the position

say something you know or admire about the organization

shows you have done your research

MIDDLE SECTION(S)

highlight your experience as it relates to the position

provide them with the key skills you have that are mentioned in the job description

be specific about how your achievements and education have prepared you for the position

elaborate more in-depth than what is on your resume

CLOSING

reiterate your interest in the position and thank them for their consideration

state that you hope to discuss your qualifications in an interview

say when you plan to follow-up with them and then do so

FINAL TIPS

sign your letter with sincerely and your signature

do your research on the employer

PROOFREAD!

use the same font and paper as your resume

show enthusiasm for the position

Screening Interview

On-site Interview

Know the job requirements

Know yourself

Research the organization

Prepare questions

Practice

Have your outfit ready

Know where to go

Remember... the interview starts as soon as you walk in the door and ends once you are

out the door

http://cswl.pbworks.com/Presentations-and-Videos

Arrive early

Introduce yourself

Be professional

Watch your eye contact and body language

May bring and use your portfolio

Answer questions

Ask questions

Do not bring up salary or benefits

Get business cards

Close the interview

Prove yourself by telling stories of past accomplishments

Helps predict behavior

Answer according to the CAR method:

C = Context

A = Action

R = Results

SAMPLE BEHAVIORAL QUESTIONS

Give me an example of an accomplishment you are proud of

Tell me about a time you had multiple assignments to complete and how did you prioritize

Describe a situation where you had a work as part of a team to achieve a goal

Tell me about a time you had to use strong leadership skills

Describe a situation in which you had to work under pressure

Tell me about yourself

Why are interested in this position?

What makes you qualified for this position?

Why do you want to work for our organization?

What are your strengths?

What are your weaknesses?

What are your career goals?

MORE SAMPLE QUESTIONS

What motivates you in work setting?

How does your education relate to our needs?

Why did you choose your major?

Why are you interested in this field?

What role do you usually play in group or team situations?

Others????

Send a thank you note

Follow-up

INTERVIEW STREAM

QUESTIONS?