Here are some tips on Senior resumes, cover letters and thank you notes.

1. Résumés
Cover Letters
Thank You Notes

2. A Résumé
 is the first meeting between
you and the employer.
 tells a great deal about you.
 gets you the interview. is
your calling card, so
remember that “First
impressions are lasting
ones.”

3. A Résumé will NOT . . .
• Get you a Job
– It’s an advertisement that entices employers
• Make up for not Being Qualified
• Hide your Reputation
– Employers will ask for references
• Make up for Poor Portfolio
– Employers want proof
• Make up for Poorly Written Cover Letter

4. Attributes Employers Considered
During Hiring Process
How would you Perception does not
rank these? equal reality
• Reputation of College • Past work experience
• Past work experience (81%)
• Reputation of Specific • Interview (80%)
Program • Reputation of college
• Interview (18%)
• Reputation of Specific
Program (12%)

5. Perception ≠ Reality
• Consider that what you think is important to
employers may not be what is actually
important
• Or not as important as you imagined
What experience did you receive that will allow
you to make an immediate impact?

6. Student-Athlete Experience
• Remember: You didn’t just compete in games
you GAINED AN EXPERIENCE
• Athletes have many transferable skills

7. Résumé Principles
 No ugly résumé– format must
be pleasing to the eye
 Do not lie, exaggerate or use
words that the interviewer has
to look up in a dictionary
 Focus on strengths and
accomplishments
 Use 8 1/2” x 11” 20 lb paper

8. Résumé Do’s
 Target your  No errors
qualifications for a  Pleasing layout
specific job  List relevant work
 Keep it to one page  History or volunteering
 Accompany with  Use argot of the
reference page profession
 E-mail – keep it  Mention you were a
professional student-athlete
 Use descriptive action  Always format in order
verbs of importance
http://www.siue.edu/careerdevelopmentcenter/jobpreparation/pdf/actio
n_verbs.pdf

9. Résumé Don’ts
 Avoid abbreviations and acronyms
 Never use pronouns such as: “I”, “me”, “my”, “our”
 Never type - use a laser jet printer
 No fancy fonts, binders, layouts
 Have errors
http://www.resume1-2-3.com/

10. Summary of Qualifications
• 2 years professional experience
providing excellence in customer
service.
• Proven ability to coordinate and
complete multiple projects within
deadlines.
• Skilled at developing and retaining
partnerships with clients and
customers.
• Driven, dedicated, and effective
team player.

11. Education
• This is an important section Bachelor of Science in
for recent college graduates Accounting Expected
or students seeking 2007
internships or summer jobs. Saddleback College,
• Beginning with the highest Mission Viejo, CA
level of educational GPA: 3.7/4.0
achievement, include Major GPA: 3.6/4.0
information such as
University attended, degrees
earned/expected, major, Include GPA only if 3.5 +
minors, grade point average,
date of program completion,
and so forth.

12. Other Categories
• Awards & Reference Page
Achievements
• Activities & Honors Dr. Mary Smith
• Professional Experience Business Department
• Volunteering Faculty
• Relevant Course Work Saddleback College
• Employment Experience Mission Viejo, CA
• Specialized/Technical 92692
Skills (949) 555-1212

13. Chronological Résumé
 most common listing of
your jobs and experience
with most recent
mentioned first
 good for job seekers who
have practical work
experience with long
periods of employment
 résumé type most
preferred by employers
http://www.siue.edu/careerdevelopmentcenter/jobprep
aration/pdf/chronological_style.pdf

14. Functional Résumé
 focuses on your skills
and accomplishments
 highlights what they
are, not when you
developed them
 Great for job seekers
who have great
transferable skills but
little direct experience
http://www.siue.edu/careerdevelopmentcenter/jobprep
aration/pdf/functional_style.pdf

15. Combination Résumé
 maximizes the benefits
of both the functional
and the chronological
resume
 contains a heading for
skills and
accomplishments,
followed by a reverse
chronology of work
experience
http://www.siue.edu/careerdevelopmentcenter/jobprep
aration/pdf/combination_sample.pdf

16. Video Résumés
• www.Vault.com
Micro Résumés
• Condensed resume on business card
• No more than 140
characters

17. Summary, Headline, or Objective?
• Summary – briefly describes your experience
and skills in a impressive way
• Headline – states your experience more
specifically
• Objective – professional
intent

18. Sending your Resume
• Title your resume properly if attaching it to
profile or through email
– “Joe Smith_Sr.GraphicDesigner_Resume”
– “ThisOne”
• Follow this format!
– Name_Position_Resume

19. Cover Letters
 Must be sent with résumé
 explains to the reader your situation and what
action you are requesting
 should give the employer a reason to look at
the résumé
 must be tailored to each job opening
 will get eight seconds of the reader’s time, so
it must be brief, yet informative

20. Cover Letter Layout
 limited to one page of three to four paragraphs
 No indented paragraphs
 Should not summarize your resume but add to it
 Opening paragraph should answer why you are
writing, what position you are interested and
where you found out about the job
 If you were referred mention this in the opening
paragraph

21. First Paragraph
I am a (your identifying characteristic)
+
I am a (your profession)
+
I have (your years of experience or education)
+
I have worked in (your area of expertise)
+
I am interested in (what position you're
looking for)

22. Middle Paragraph
 Revealing statements about who you are and
your skills
 Why you are interested in working for this
employer
 Relevant or related work/volunteer
experience
 Emphasize skills and abilities in relation to
position
 Provide additional qualifications that are not
on resume

23. Closing Paragraph
 Be proactive
 What will you do next
 What you would like the recipient to do next
 Pave the way for an interview
 “I will follow up in a week after the closing
date of the position has passed. I look
forward to speaking with you further.”

24. Closing Paragraph
Thank you Sentences Confidence in a Callback
• Thank you for your time. • I look forward to your reply.
• Thank you for reviewing my • I look forward to hearing
qualifications. from you.
• Thank you for your • I look forward to your
consideration. response.
• Thank you for your review • I look forward to your call.
of my qualifications.
BAD: It would be an honor to meet BAD: Call me tomorrow, please.
with you.

26. Scannable Format
 Do not fold or staple
 Avoid punctuation when possible
 Avoid vertical & horizontal lines as well as graphics
 Abbreviations - use only those known in your field
 Use Keywords
 Use fonts like Time New Romans, Courier New,
Helvetica
 size 10-12
 Bolding and CAPITALS are acceptable as long as they do
not touch each other
 avoid condensing the spaces between letters and lines

27. Thank You Notes
 Sent after you complete interview
 Must be sent within 24 hours of interview
regardless of the day of the week
 Individual letter must be sent to each person you
interviewed with
 Always add one unique detail from the interview
 Do not sell yourself, only thank them for their
time