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Presenting ME!Resumes and Cover Letters
Presented by: Mark R. MartellOffice of Career Services
http://careers.ocs..uic.edu(312)-996-2300
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OCS Services Individual Counseling
Drop-In Advising
Career Seminars
Career Exploration Center Videotaped Mock Interviews
Career Fairs
UICCareers.com
More information http://careers.ocs.uic.edu
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Workshop Outline Resums
Cover Letters
Interview Preparation
Upcoming Events
Q&A and Comments
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What is a Rsum?A document describing your qualifications, education,and relevant work experience.
What is its purpose?To market yourself!
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How long will an employer initiallyspend looking at your resume?
A. 30 seconds
B. 1 minute
C. 2 minutesD.5 minutes
Pop Quiz!
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Before a Rsum
Invest enough effort in preparation.
Conduct an assessment of your skillsand experience.
Pick the appropriate rsum format.
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Rsum FormatsChronological Rsum: Lists experience in reverse
chronological order, most recent first.
Functional/Skills Rsum: Lists skills in order of
importance, highlights qualifications and accomplishments.Perfect when one has limited experience, gaps in history, or
changing career fields.
Combination Rsum: Mixture of both styles.
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Standard Sections Personal Information All of this
information goes at the top of the resume.
- Name: put your name (in bold or capitalletters or different font) on the 1st line.
- Contact Information: Address, City, State,Zip Code, Telephone, and Email Address.
SAMPLE 1: Tracy Q. Graduate sample in Resume Tips packet.
SAMPLE 2:MARK R. MARTELL
1200 West Harrison, Suite 3050 * Chicago, IL 60607 * [email protected] *312.996.2300
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More Standard Sections Education Name of school, city, state, name of
degree, major, minor, graduation date (or dates ofattendance if a degree was not completed), GPA.For example:
University of Illinois at Chicago Chicago, IL
Bachelor of Arts in Health Sciences(Pre-Dental Concentration)
Expected Graduation Date May 2010
GPA 3.7/4.0
Skills Computer skills, foreign languages, laboratorytechniques, etc.Experience Paid, volunteer, internships, military, etc.
- Use ACTION WORDS/VERBS: words that create a strongimpact
on the reader. They increase the strength of your skills and
experience and make potential employers take notice.
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Importance of Action Verbs
Dental Experience ABC: Coordinated outreach program. Attended to dentals needs of children. Volunteered at homeless shelters. Learned advanced clinical services.Dental Experience XYZ: Spearheaded outreach program addressing the unique oral
health care needs of healthy seniors at senior community
centers. Attended to dental needs of children and provided a safe and
inviting environment. Provided oral health care services to the underserved
population of Chicago, IL such as esthetic anterior andposterior composites, amalgam restorations, digitalradiographs, dental cleanings, and non-surgical extractions.
Performed advanced clinical services such as surgicalextractions, clinical crown lengthening surgeries,fixed/removable prosthodontics, basic restorative work,rotary filing, and the placement and restoration of implants.
With whom are you more impressed. . . ABC or XYZ?Who would you hire?
Present Tense vs. Past Tense
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Optional Sections
Objective Keep it brief, but not one-sided.
For example:
To work as a dentist in a progressive family practiceor community dental clinic.
versus
Seeking for opportunities in an established practicewhere I can learn and excel as well as incorporate myown ideas and utilize two years of dental experience.
Relevant Coursework List the actual name ofthe course and not code, i.e. Introduction to DentalWaxing not IDW 200.
Projects List any research or school relatedprojects with dates and titles of projects.
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More Optional Sections Honors/Awards
Example: Honor Award,April 2003
Affiliations/Memberships Example: Phi Beta Sigma, Member August 2005-present
Certifications/Licenses
References You may include the phrase references available
upon request. Make sure you inform your references before yougive their names out.
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Guidelines to Keep In Mind Your resume should have a focus. Use action verbs (see key words list). Avoid the use of I or My. Use pronoun-less third
person. Avoid personal evaluations such as learned a great
deal from this experience. Rather than telling what
you did, SHOW what you did! Give numbers,percentages, accomplishments, etc. Try to avoid acronyms: UIC versus University of Illinois
at Chicago (UIC). Abbreviate all states for the locations of your employer
and schools: IL not Illinois Keep dates consistent by format and location: 1991-
1993 is preferable to 1991-3 or try using themonth/year format 05/01-08/03; May 2001-August2003.
Edit and proofread for possible errors! Collage vs.College!
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Who is the author of this
book?
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What is a Cover Letter?A paragraph form of your resume thatintroduces yourself, qualifications, andinterest in the job. Elaboration of who you
are, what you have done, and how you fitthe company.
What is its purpose?
To get them to read the resumefurther and to remembersomething about you. To score aninterview!
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Pop Quiz
What is a common cover letter mistake?
a. A salutation of To Whom It MayConcern.
b. Telling what the company can do for yourather than what you can do for them.
c. Failing to be proactive with requesting an
interview.
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Salutation Always use surnames.
Avoid To Whom It May Concern or DearSir/Madame
Try to get a name. Research! After researching and a name is still not
available, use a title (To the SearchCommittee Chair, Dear Director ofPersonnel)
Never assume Mrs., use Ms. instead.
For bi-gender names like Pat Patterson.Safe to use To Pat Patterson.
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First ParagraphIntroductory ParagraphThis paragraph should be concise and grab the readers
attention. State the position for which you are applying and what
makes you the best candidate for this position. Be sure to
mention the source from which you learned of the position such
as the newspaper, a friend, or the internet.
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Second ParagraphDescribe how you will contribute to this company and why youare interested in this position. Show your knowledge of the
company and how your qualifications will benefit the company.Be concrete and specific. Use quantifiable information anddetails that show how your history or accomplishments makeyou stand out from other candidates. Avoid catch phrases andremember to keep it short and to the point.
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Final Paragraph and ClosureFinal Paragraph
Use this closing paragraph to request an interview. Indicate thebest way to contact you (phone or e-mail) and the times thatyou can most easily be reached.
ClosureSincerely,(Signature)Your Name
Enc. Resume and Cover Letter
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Cover Letter Tips Do not use contractions ("I will" instead of "I'll"; "do not.)
Be creative with the language you use. Mix it up. Find interestingways to describe what you did. Do not start every sentence withthe same word. Use Action Words.
Be specific. By how many percentage points were you able to
increase productivity at your last job? How did you do this? Focus on positives only. Don't admit lack of experience or other
shortcomings.
Show genuine interest in the job. Dont be arrogant oroverconfident.
Proof for typos/spelling errors. College versus Collage
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Questions and
Commentsuicocs.posterous.com