The Resumes and Cover Letters Presentation was part of the Resumes and Cover Letters Workshop on 2-18-12.

1. Jennifer Wells – Owner and Chief Life Remixer

2. About
 Life Remix, LLC was formed to meet the needs of
individuals wanting to affect personal change in the midst
of our new and challenging economic climate. Life Remix,
LLC supports and guides women and men in their
academic, professional, and personal growth and
development by providing individual sessions and group
workshops. Life Remix, LLC's services focus on post-
secondary education options, career transition and
advancement, and professional image development--
including natural hair care and maintenance advising. If
you're ready to take on the challenge of change, don't just
do a "life-180," do a Life Remix!

3. Quote of the Day
Resumes are like belly
“
buttons, everybody has
one! Is yours and Innie or
an Outie?” --Linkedin User

4. Job Market Post-2008
 Today’s challenging economy
is the “new normal”
 Candidates need to
show/prove how they can
contribute more for less
 Now very difficult to get
resume in front of HR
manager
 Old school “generic” resumes
won’t cut it
 Purpose is to get an interview,
not a job
 All about NOT getting
excluded!

5. Resume Facts
 Typical resume receives 45
seconds of screeners
attention
 About ½ of all resumes have
some type of error
 Resume is French word
meaning “to summarize”
 Most resumes are submitted
electronically

6. Resume Do’s
 Tailor resume for each
position
 Keep it to two pages
 Correct any formatting
changes that occurred
during electronic
submissions
 Go back at least 10 years
on employment history
(or more depending on
job description)

7. Resume Structure (sample in folder)
1. Use Times New Roman or Arial Font (13 pt. for name, 10
pt. for contact info, 11 pt. for body)
2. Use standard heading: name, address, phone, email,
(Linkedin address)—all separated by dots/1 of each
3. Bold face all titles and headings, w/ headings in all caps
4. Use bullets to designate job duties/functions
5. Justify all dates to far right
6. Use reverse chronological order for past jobs/education
7. Margins no smaller than .75 all around with 1.0 preferred

8. Resume Content
 Confident, clear, concise, and to the point phrases that
include action-oriented, measureable goals (1-2 lines)
 Use $, #’s, amounts and figures to quantify points
 Begin EVERY experience/accomplishment with a
strong, powerful verb (see handout)
 Use strong adjectives (see handout
 Never use word “I” or include a picture
 Spell out and abbreviate degrees
 Include as many key words from job posting
throughout resume

9. How to List Accomplishments
 BAD EXAMPLE:
 Coached students in basketball
 GOOD EXAMPLE:
 Coached high school basketball for over 350 students,
resulting in three WIAA regional titles in the last seven
years

10. Chronological vs. Functional
Resumes (see handouts)
Chronological Resumes Functional Resumes
 Starts by listing your work  Focuses on your skills and
history, with the most recent experience, rather than on
position listed first your chronological work
 Employers typically prefer history
this type of resume because
 Used most often by people
it's easy to see what jobs you
have held and when you have who are changing careers or
worked at them who have gaps in their
 Works well for job seekers employment history
with a strong, solid work  Also great for students and
history. entry-level workers
 Can minimize or highlight
education

11. References (see handout for formatting)
 Only use “professional references”—individuals with
whom you’ve had a personal and professional
relationship and will say stellar things about you
 Ask for permission before using people for references
 Keep in regular contact with your “professional
references”
 Use 3-4 references on your references page, but have
six available
 Always include references as a separate attachment,
even if employers doesn’t ask

12. Cover Letter Do’s
 Always customize to fit individual position
 Use same heading on top as you did for resume
 Always use HR manager’s/contact person’s name (if
don’t know, call company or look on Linkedin)
 If can’t find contact’s name, use: To Whom It May
Concern:
 Always use colon (:) after salutation
 Include as separate attachment along with resume
and cover letter, even if not requested by employer

13. Cover Letter Content (see handout)
 Length: NO longer than 250-300 words
 Use bullets to illustrate key points in cover letter (3)
 Identify the position you are applying for
 Tone: don’t sound desperate! Confidence is king
 Use a creative, value-oriented opening statement; how
you can add value to company (how you can make
them/save them $)
 P.S.: Studies have shown that using a P.S. at end of
cover letter increases readership. In it, say when you
will follow up

14. If Relocating . . .
 Remember that HR managers view out-of-towners as
riskier candidates
 To minimize the perceived risk, clearly state in your
cover letter why and when you are relocating--usually
in the paragraph below your bulleted points
 In your P.S., be sure to mention that you are flexible to
fly out for any proposed interview--but only state this
if this is indeed the case
 Be prepared to send out 2-3 times as many resumes as
you would if you were applying locally

15. When Mailing Your Resume . . .
 Be sure to sign your cover letter
 Print all documents on resume paper (cotton or linen)
 Place all documents in a resume folder or other
professional two-pocket folder
 Use a manila or white 10” x 13” mailing envelope
 Print out mailing addresses on 2” x 4” shipping labels
using the Microsoft Word Avery template
 Place the label in the middle of the envelope
 Have the envelop weighed and mailed at the post
office—DO NOT USE MULTIPLE STAMPS!

16. The Wrap Up
 Resumes, cover letters,
and references are
living/breathing
documents that must
constantly change and
adapt to changes in
society—just like us!

17. Evaluation

18. Upcoming Saturday
Workshops
 Tentative: March 10th – Job Search Strategies
 **All workshops are $10 and held between 3pm-5pm at
Sherman Perk Coffee Shop