Resume Writing & Cover Letters

Haley Sims

Assistant Director/Career Counselor

2.28.13

Counseling/Advising

Haley Sims

hgsims@vcu.edu

wp.vcu.edu/hgsims (no www.)

Seeing Criminal Justice Students this semester:

Devon White (Mon. – Fri.)

cccstwk11@vcu.edu

www.tinyurl.com/universitycareercenter

How Can We Help?

• Explore career goals / options

• Where to look for jobs

• Resume & cover letter reviews

• Interview preparation – mock interviews

How Can We Help?

• Salary negotiation

• Considering graduate school

• Choosing between job offers

• What to do the first year on the job

Our Website

www.students.vcu.edu/careers

Resume writing / C.V. writing

Cover letter writing

Interview preparation

RamsRecruiting

Career & Internship Fairs

On-campus interviewing

Events and WorkshopsView the RamsRecruiting calendar, Career Center flyers or my

blog: http://wp.vcu.edu/hgsims 

• CIA

• Eta Lambda Sigma, Professional Homeland Security FraternityCareer Fair (open to all majors)March 20, 10/11-3Commonwealth Ballroom , Student Commons (2nd floor)

• See who is attending (on blog)

Resumes• Content

• Format

• Appearance

• Sample Criminal Justice resume on my blog

• Resume Guide

Pop Quiz

1. What is a resume/CV?

a) A work history

b) A comprehensive list of skills, experience and other qualifications

c) A marketing document

Answer → C

• Representative, not comprehensive

• Strategic• A personal marketing

tool to sell your relevant experience, education, skills, accomplishments and qualifications to potential employers

Resume Content & Format

• Name & Contact Info• Objective• Education• Relevant Courses• Relevant Coursework• Computer Skills

• Relevant Experience– Research Project or

Course in detail– Volunteer Work– Job/Internship/Co-op

• Other Work Experience

• Honors & Activities

Jamie T. Student907 Floyd Avenue ▪ Richmond, VA 23284

804.123.4567 ▪ studentjt@vcu.edu

__________________________________________

Jamie T. Student

907 Floyd Avenue ▪ Richmond, VA 23284

804.123.4567 ▪ studentjt@vcu.edu

______________________________________________________________________

OBJECTIVE:

To obtain the full-time Asset Protection position at Lowe’s utilizing my education and

relevant work experience.

Jamie T. Student907 Floyd Avenue ▪ Richmond, VA 23284

804.123.4567 ▪ studentjt@vcu.edu________________________________________________________________________________

OBJECTIVE: To obtain the full-time Asset Protection position at Lowe’s utilizing my education andrelevant work experience.

EDUCATION:Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VABachelor of Science in Criminal Justice, Minor: PsychologyAnticipated Graduation Date: May 2013, GPA: 3.0

Jamie T. Student

907 Floyd Avenue ▪ Richmond, VA 23284

804.123.4567 ▪ studentjt@vcu.edu

_________________________________________________________________OBJECTIVE:

To obtain the full-time Asset Protection position at Lowe’s utilizing my education and relevant work

experience.

EDUCATION:

Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA

Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice, Minor: Psychology

Anticipated Graduation Date: May 2013, GPA: 3.0

RELEVANT COURSES:

▪ Criminalistics and Crime Analysis ▪ Crime Scene Evidence: Law and Trial Procedure

▪ Violent Crime Scene Investigation ▪ Computer Forensic Investigation

Jamie T. Student907 Floyd Avenue ▪ Richmond, VA 23284

804.123.4567 ▪ studentjt@vcu.edu

_______________________________________________________OBJECTIVE: To obtain the full-time Asset Protection position at Lowe’s utilizing my education andrelevant work experience.

EDUCATION:Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VABachelor of Science in Criminal Justice, Minor: PsychologyAnticipated Graduation Date: May 2011, GPA: 3.0

RELEVANT COURSES:▪ Criminalistics and Crime Analysis ▪ Crime Scene Evidence: Law and Trial

Procedure▪ Violent Crime Scene Investigation ▪ Computer Forensic Investigation

COMPUTER SKILLS:▪ Microsoft Word ▪ Microsoft Excel ▪ Microsoft PowerPoint▪ Microsoft Access ▪ C++ ▪ Photoshop

Jamie T. Student907 Floyd Avenue ▪ Richmond, VA 23284

804.123.4567 ▪ studentjt@vcu.edu

______________________________________________________________________OBJECTIVE: To obtain the full-time Asset Protection position at Lowe’s utilizing my education and relevant workexperience.

EDUCATION:Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VABachelor of Science in Criminal Justice, Minor: PsychologyAnticipated Graduation Date: May 2011, GPA: 3.0

RELEVANT COURSES:▪ Criminalistics and Crime Analysis ▪ Crime Scene Evidence: Law and Trial Procedure▪ Violent Crime Scene Investigation ▪ Computer Forensic Investigation

COMPUTER SKILLS:▪ Microsoft Word ▪ Microsoft Excel ▪ Microsoft PowerPoint▪ Microsoft Access ▪ C++ ▪ Photoshop

RELEVANT EXPERIENCE:Henrico County Police Department, Intern, Richmond, VA, Fall 2011▪ Conducted intake for approximately 10 people per four hour shift▪ Took fingerprints

Jamie T. Student907 Floyd Avenue ▪ Richmond, VA 23284

804.123.4567 ▪ studentjt@vcu.edu______________________________________________________________________________________________________

OBJECTIVE: To obtain the full-time Asset Protection position at Lowe’s utilizing my education and relevant work experience.

EDUCATION:Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VABachelor of Science in Criminal Justice, Minor: PsychologyAnticipated Graduation Date: May 2011, GPA: 3.0

RELEVANT COURSES:▪ Criminalistics and Crime Analysis ▪ Crime Scene Evidence: Law and Trial Procedure▪ Violent Crime Scene Investigation ▪ Computer Forensic Investigation

COMPUTER SKILLS:▪ Microsoft Word ▪ Microsoft Excel ▪ Microsoft PowerPoint▪ Microsoft Access ▪ C++ ▪ Photoshop

RELEVANT EXPERIENCE:Henrico County Police Department, Intern, Richmond, VA, Fall 2008▪ Conducted intake for approximately 10 people per four hour shift▪ Took fingerprints

RELEVANT COURSEWORK:Criminalistics and Crime Analysis, VCU, Richmond, VA, Fall 2011▪ Learned …

Jamie T. Student907 Floyd Avenue ▪ Richmond, VA 23284

804.123.4567 ▪ studentjt@vcu.edu________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

_OBJECTIVE: To obtain the full-time Asset Protection position at Lowe’s utilizing my education and relevant work experience.

EDUCATION:Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VABachelor of Science in Criminal Justice, Minor: PsychologyAnticipated Graduation Date: May 2013, GPA: 3.0

RELEVANT COURSES:▪ Criminalistics and Crime Analysis ▪ Crime Scene Evidence: Law and Trial Procedure▪ Violent Crime Scene Investigation ▪ Computer Forensic Investigation

COMPUTER SKILLS:▪ Microsoft Word ▪ Microsoft Excel ▪ Microsoft PowerPoint▪ Microsoft Access ▪ C++ ▪ Photoshop

RELEVANT EXPERIENCE:Henrico County Police Department, Intern, Richmond, VA, Fall 2010▪ Conducted intake for approximately 10 people per four hour shift▪ Took fingerprints

RELEVANT COURSEWORK:Criminalistics and Crime Analysis, VCU, Richmond, VA, Fall 2011▪ Learned …

OTHER WORK EXPERIENCE:▪ Elephant Thai, Server, Richmond, VA, 08/10-Present▪ Chili’s, Server, Richmond, VA, 05/09-08/10

Jamie T. Student907 Floyd Avenue ▪ Richmond, VA 23284

804.123.4567 ▪ studentjt@vcu.edu________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

_OBJECTIVE: To obtain the full-time Asset Protection position at Lowe’s utilizing my education and relevant work experience.

EDUCATION:Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VABachelor of Science in Criminal Justice, Minor: PsychologyAnticipated Graduation Date: May 2013, GPA: 3.0

RELEVANT COURSES:▪ Criminalistics and Crime Analysis ▪ Crime Scene Evidence: Law and Trial Procedure▪ Violent Crime Scene Investigation ▪ Computer Forensic Investigation

COMPUTER SKILLS:▪ Microsoft Word ▪ Microsoft Excel ▪ Microsoft PowerPoint▪ Microsoft Access ▪ C++ ▪ Photoshop

RELEVANT EXPERIENCE:Henrico County Police Department, Intern, Richmond, VA, Fall 2010▪ Conducted intake for approximately 10 people per four hour shift▪ Took fingerprints

RELEVANT COURSEWORK:Criminalistics and Crime Analysis, VCU, Richmond, VA, Fall 2010▪ Learned …

OTHER WORK EXPERIENCE:▪ Elephant Thai, Server, Richmond, VA, 08/09-present▪ Chili’s, Server, Norfolk, VA, 05/08-08/09 & academic breaks 08/09-present

HONORS & ACTIVITIES:▪ Dean’s List: Spring 2009-Spring 2010, Spring 2012▪ Eta Lambda Sigma, Fall 2010-Present

Jamie T. Student907 Floyd Avenue ▪ Richmond, VA 23284

804.123.4567 ▪ studentjt@vcu.edu________________________________________________________________________________________________________OBJECTIVE: To obtain the full-time Asset Protection position at Lowe’s utilizing my education and relevant work experience.

EDUCATION:Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VABachelor of Science in Criminal Justice, Minor: PsychologyAnticipated Graduation Date: May 2013, GPA: 3.0

RELEVANT COURSES:▪ Criminalistics and Crime Analysis ▪ Crime Scene Evidence: Law and Trial Procedure▪ Violent Crime Scene Investigation ▪ Computer Forensic Investigation

COMPUTER SKILLS:▪ Microsoft Word ▪ Microsoft Excel ▪ Microsoft PowerPoint▪ Microsoft Access ▪ C++ ▪ Photoshop

RELEVANT EXPERIENCE:Henrico County Police Department, Intern, Richmond, VA, Fall 2011▪ Conducted intake for approximately 10 people per four hour shift▪ Took fingerprints

RELEVANT COURSEWORK:Criminalistics and Crime Analysis, VCU, Richmond, VA, Fall 2010▪ Learned …

OTHER WORK EXPERIENCE:▪ Elephant Thai, Server, Richmond, VA, 08/10-present▪ Chili’s, Server, Norfolk, VA, 05/09-08/10 & academic breaks 08/10 - present

HONORS & ACTIVITIES:▪ Dean’s List, Spring 2009-Spring 2010, Spring 2012▪ Eta Lambda Sigma, Fall 2010-Present

Jamie T. Student907 Floyd Avenue ▪ Richmond, VA 23284

804.123.4567 ▪ studentjt@vcu.edu________________________________________________________________

References

Dr. Anna SmithCriminal Justice InstructorVirginia Commonwealth UniversityP.O. Box 123907 Floyd AvenueRichmond, VA 23284(804) 828-9999arsmith@vcu.eduDr. Smith instructed my Case Studies in Criminal Procedure class and hasknown me for two years.

Mr. Howard JonesAssistant ManagerChili’s Restaurant123 Main StreetNorfolk, VA 23501(757) 727-3191hjones@chilis.comMr. Jones supervised me while I worked as a server at Chili’sfor one year.

Resume Appearance• Margins can go out as far

as .5 all the way around• No grammar mistakes• Consistency – all periods

or no periods• Bullets or symbols are

uniform throughout resume, not cluttered

• Font is no smaller than 11 point font

• 1 or 2 forms of highlighting are used BUT NOT ALL

• Resume is printed on quality resume paper

• Resume is 1 page*• All of the pertinent information

is there for work experience• The word “I” is not used• The objective is specific and

the right one*• There is plenty of white space,

but not too much• It’s not stapled or double-sided• Your name is larger than the

rest of the resume

Cover Letters

Job Search Correspondence Handout

http://www.students.vcu.edu/careers/jobs/

• Should be tailored to the employer

• Find a specific name if you can

• Always address the person with a title

Job Descriptionwww.godefense.com Entry level job search• Job Title: Criminal Program Specialist• Department: Department Of Justice• Agency: U.S. Marshals Service• Job Announcement Number: CK387867AR•

SALARY RANGE: $38,790.00 - $50,431.00 /year• OPEN PERIOD: Tuesday, October 05, 2010 to Wednesday, October 20, 2010• SERIES & GRADE: GS-0301-07• POSITION INFORMATION: Full Time Career/Career Conditional• PROMOTION POTENTIAL: 09• DUTY LOCATIONS: 1 vacancy - Kansas City, KS• WHO MAY BE CONSIDERED: United States Citizens

JOB SUMMARY: Who may apply: All U.S. Citizens

Do you want to make a difference in helping to protect our nation?• Are you interested in supporting the criminal justice system?• Are you interested in applying your analytical skills to assist criminal investigators?• This position is located in a United States Marshals Service (USMS) District office. You will provide administrative 

support on the warrants and perform administrative criminal support duties.

More? Job Description

• Gather and analyze various types of intelligence data• Monitor, evaluate and coordinate a variety of warrants• Coordinate investigative efforts• Access information from a variety of law enforcement databases, initiate

appropriate actions and update as required• Review, coordinate, maintain, monitor and record criminal case actions

• KEY REQUIREMENTS:• U.S. Citizenship or National• Resume and supporting documents (See How to Apply)• Must pass a drug test background investigation• This position is subject to funding and availability• Relocation expenses have NOT been authorized

• QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED:• SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE: One year of specialized experience at or equivalent to the GS-05 level

that equipped the applicant with the knowledge, skills and abilities to perform successfully the duties of the position. Examples of specialized experience include:

• Assisting with evaluating and coordinating a variety of warrants (i.e., for escaped prisoners, parole and probation, bond default, etc.);

• Establishing and maintaining warrant files;• Assisting with the preparation of packages for and coordination of prisoner movements;• Utilizing a variety of law enforcement related databases to obtain information for investigations, warrants,

prisoner data, etc.• OR• EDUCATION: Bachelor's Degree with Superior Academic Achievement (S.A.A.) OR one full year of

graduate level education. (Note: You MUST provide copies of all transcripts if you are basing your qualifications on education).

• If you are claiming Superior Academic Achievement (S.A.A.), you must submit documentation showing you have successfully completed all of the requirements for a bachelor's degree AND meet one of the following requirements:

• Class standing in upper third of the graduating class in the college, university, or major subdivision; OR• GPA of 3.0 or higher out of 4.0 based on 4 years of education, or based on courses completed during the

final 2 years of the curriculum; OR• GPA of 3.5 or higher based on the average of all the required courses completed in the major field or the

required courses in the major field completed during the final 2 years of the curriculum; OR• Election to membership in a national scholastic honor society that meets the minimum requirements of the

Association of College Honor Societies (except for freshman honor societies).• If you are claiming one full year of related graduate course work, you must provide proof that you have

successfully completed 18 semester hours or 27 quarter hours of full time graduate study. (Note: You MUST provide copies of all transcripts if you are basing your qualifications on education).

1st ParagraphHaley Sims * 907 Floyd Avenue * Richmond, VA 23284 * hgsims@vcu.edu * 804-828-1645

October 11, 2010

Midwest Services Branch 

Phone: (816) 426-5706 

Email: KANSASCITY@OPM.GOV

Dear Hiring Manager:

I am writing to apply for the Criminal Program Specialist position (Job Announcement Number:

CK387867AR) with the U.S. Marshals Service. I will receive my Bachelor of Science in Criminal

Justice from Virginia Commonwealth University this May.

2nd ParagraphHaley Sims * 907 Floyd Avenue * Richmond, VA 23284 * hgsims@vcu.edu * 804-828-1645

October 11, 2010

Midwest Services Branch 

Phone: (816) 426-5706 

Email: KANSASCITY@OPM.GOV

Dear Hiring Manager:

I am writing to apply for the Criminal Program Specialist position (Job Announcement Number: CK387867AR) with the U.S. Marshals Service. I will

receive my Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice from Virginia Commonwealth University this May.

I was excited to see this position posted because I am very impressed with the

U.S. Marshal’s mission and work. I believe that there is nothing more important

than the job of “provid[ing] physical security to federal judges and U.S. courthouses,

to protect witnesses, jurors, and members of the public, to safely and humanely

transport and detain federal prisoners, and to catch violent fugitives.” It would be an

honor to work for such a crucial agency.

3rd ParagraphHaley Sims * 907 Floyd Avenue * Richmond, VA 23284 * hgsims@vcu.edu * 804-828-1645

October 11, 2010

Midwest Services Branch 

Phone: (816) 426-5706 

Email: KANSASCITY@OPM.GOV

Dear Hiring Manager:

I am writing to apply for the Criminal Program Specialist position (Job Announcement Number: CK387867AR) with the U.S. Marshals Service. I will receive my Bachelor of Science in

Criminal Justice from Virginia Commonwealth University this May.

I was excited to see this position posted because I am very impressed with the U.S. Marshal’s mission and work. I believe that there is nothing more important than the job of

“provid[ing] physical security to federal judges and U.S. courthouses, to protect witnesses, jurors, and members of the public, to safely and humanely transport and detain federal

prisoners, and to catch violent fugitives.” It would be an honor to work for such a crucial agency.

During my time at Virginia Commonwealth University, I have had theopportunity to study how to gather and analyze different types of intelligence data in my ___class(es). Through my team projects and assigned papers, I have developed strong writtenand oral presentation skills, as well as the ability to work well as a member of a team. As anintern with the Henrico County Police Department, I assisted in evidence processingprocedures. There, I watched the time and organization it takes to monitor, evaluate andcoordinate warrants. While I have not had the opportunity to work with law enforcementdatabases, I am a quick learner and am eager to learn from my colleagues.

4th ParagraphHaley Sims * 907 Floyd Avenue * Richmond, VA 23284 * hgsims@vcu.edu * 804-828-1645

October 11, 2010

Midwest Services Branch 

Phone: (816) 426-5706 

Email: KANSASCITY@OPM.GOV

Dear Hiring Manager:

I am writing to apply for the Criminal Program Specialist position (Job Announcement Number: CK387867AR) with the U.S. Marshals Service. I will receive my Bachelor of Science in

Criminal Justice from Virginia Commonwealth University this May.

I was excited to see this position posted because I am very impressed with the U.S. Marshal’s mission and work. I believe that there is nothing more important than the job of

“provid[ing] physical security to federal judges and U.S. courthouses, to protect witnesses, jurors, and members of the public, to safely and humanely transport and detain federal

prisoners, and to catch violent fugitives.” It would be an honor to work for such a crucial agency.

During my time at Virginia Commonwealth University, I have had the opportunity to study how to gather and analyze different types of intelligence data in my ___class(es). Through my team projects and assigned papers, I have developed strong written nd oral presentation skills, as well as the ability to work well as a member of a team. As an intern with the Henrico County Police Department, I assisted in evidence processing procedures. There, I watched the time and organization it takes to monitor, evaluate and coordinate warrants. While I have not had the opportunity to work with law enforcement databases, I am a quick learner and am eager to learn from my colleagues.

I am very excited about the possibility of serving as a Criminal Program Specialist for the U.S. Marshals Service. I may be reached at (804) 828-1645 and/or at hgsims@vcu.edu. Please do not hesitate to contact me if you have any questions or concerns. Thank you for your time and consideration. I look forward to hearing from you.

Kindest regards,

Haley Sims

Haley Sims

Enclosures: Resume, References

Contact InfoHaley Sims: hgsims@vcu.edu

University Career Center

1st Floor, Student Commons

Across from Chick-fil-A

Devon White: cccstwk11@vcu.edu

www.tinyurl.com/universitycareercenter