Resume and Cover letter

Tips on Writing a Successful Resume

          A resume is a summary of your experiences and skills relevant to the field of work you are entering. It highlights your accomplishments to show a potential employer that you are qualified for the work you want. ; it is not a biography of everything you have done. Having a solid and effective resume can greatly improve your chances of landing a job. Here are some tips on writing a successful resume:

Font

Choose a common font. Times New Roman, Arial, and Verdana are some of the best fonts for a résumé. Use font size between 10 to12. Do not use a font size smaller than 10.  Use the same font size throughout the resume.

No fancy design

Do not use a colored background, fancy fonts or images on your resume. You might think that the little flowers will cheer up the document, but other people might just throw it away at first sight.

No full sentences

Do not use full sentences when writing a resume, no I’s and me’s or pronouns.  Use phrases instead.  Start each phrase with an action verb and include strong adjectives.

Use bullet points

No employer will have the time (or patience) to read long paragraphs of text. Make sure, therefore, to use bullet points and brief phrases to describe your experiences, educational background and professional objectives.

Avoid abbreviations

Do not use abbreviations.  You should be formal and professional in your resume. Write the full words.

Personal data

You should not mention your age, marital status or country of origin anywhere on your resume. Use a professional email. Do not use an email address that has your year of birth. If you don’t have a professional email, create a new email account.

Be consistent. Use the same style throughout.

Avoid negativity

Do not include information in the resume that might appear negative in the eyes of the employer, for example, if you were fired or laid off. 

One resume for each employer

One of the most common mistakes that people make is to create a standard resume and send it to all the job openings that they can find. Your resume should be relevant to the job description.

Proofread

Proofread your resume twice. Make sure you don’t have grammar or spelling mistakes. Get someone else to review your resume.

Print your resume on high quality paper and keep it in a folder until you are ready to submit it.

How to write a cover letter

Often, people assume that cover letters are not necessary when applying for a job. However, they are needed because it is a way of introducing yourself with words. A cover letter has different parts to it: a header, an introduction, a body and a conclusion.

The header has your contact information (your name, address, email and phone number). As for any business letter, you need to write the date. You also have to put some information about the person you are addressing the cover letter to. That includes the person’s name, their title if they have one, and the company name and address. Before you start writing the introduction, you should salute the person by saying dear whoever is hiring. The introduction of your cover letter should include why you are applying for the position. In the body section, you should include what you have to offer the job, such as any skills and/or experience. In addition, you should write how these skills match the job you are applying for. Remember not to repeat exactly what is on your resume (for example, bullet points of your skills). Use complete sentences. In the conclusion of your cover letter, thank the person who you are sending it to. You may also include your phone number so they can easily contact you, and then sign your name at the lower left side.

For more information on resume and cover letter writing, stop by room C-102

By: Sadaf Nasim and Yasalenny Peralta