Resume and Cover Letter Writing Guide

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Resume and Cover Letter

Writing Guide

Career Development Center

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Contents

Developing Resume Content 3

Writing Your Resume 16

Writing Cover Letters 31

Sample Resumes 38

Sample Cover Letters 42

Content from Ohio Dominican University Job Search Guidebook (Gary Swisher, contributing editor) used by express permission.

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Developing Resume Content

The purpose of this section is to help you turn your overall experience into relevant resume material. The

value of your education at MVNU goes far beyond knowledge. A liberal arts education helps you develop

qualities and skills that will be useful throughout your life and career. Some examples are research skills,

analytical skills, organization, and communication skills. You have been acquiring these and many other

important attributes through your coursework. This section will also help you hone the valuable skills you

have acquired outside the classroom. Through co-curricular and extracurricular activities, students develop

interpersonal skills, initiative and teamwork skills, to name a few. Identifying your skills will help you

demonstrate your value to employers.

Although you may have never held a professional position before, you will need to frame your experiences in

a way that translates into a future career. This is why identifying transferable skills is so important.

Transferable skills are those which are acquired through your coursework, campus activities and work-

related experiences, but can also be applied to your future career. This workbook will help you document

experiences and enable you to communicate the qualities and skills you have developed which are most

meaningful to employers.

The question may come, why are these things important in regard to creating a resume and finding a job? It is

because your value to an employer will be largely measured by how well you apply and use what you have

learned. And that is directly related to, and measured by your co-curricular experiences. In other words,

having good grades is important to employers, but demonstrating how you can apply your education on the

job is a more reliable measurement of your ability and potential. Experienced employment recruiters

appreciate the value of a student’s campus activities and volunteer experience. Some employers focus more

on these attributes than a student’s grades. This is not at all to say that grades aren’t important, but to

demonstrate that academic performance is just one part of the equation.

Regardless of the type of position, most employers are looking for crucial employability qualities in college

graduates. It is important to become familiar with these qualities and think about how you can further

develop them during your time at MVNU. The table below lists the top qualities and skills that prospective

employers are looking for in candidates.

Top 10 Personal Qualities/Skills Employers Seek

1. Leadership

2. Ability to work on a team

3. Communication skills (written)

4. Problem-solving skills

5. Strong work ethic

6. Analytical/quantitative skills

7. Technical skills

8. Communication skills (verbal)

9. Initiative (self-motivation)

10. Computer skills

Source: Job Outlook 2014, National Association of Colleges and Employers

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Documenting Your Experiences

Beyond co-curricular activities, you should also have acquired experiences outside the university that qualify

as relevant resume content. These experiences will include part-time jobs, internships and volunteer work.

While it’s understood that internship experience is essential, students often fail to realize the importance of

other employment and volunteer experience. A part-time job, for example, demonstrates many important

transferable skills, not to mention basic employability skills. The fact that you have reliably held a job, shown

up for work and taken care of multiple responsibilities is fundamental.

Students involved in developing their resume often make statements like, “I haven’t done anything”, “I didn’t

know that was important” or “I’m not sure how to put that on a resume.” Sometimes the most difficult thing

about creating a resume is figuring out what belongs on it and what doesn’t. Creating a resume is like making

a beautiful sculpture from a granite rock. You have to start with an overabundance of material in order to

reduce it to the image desired. A similar process you may be more familiar with is writing a research paper.

You have to compile a lot of information—more than you will actually use—and then selectively focus on

what should be included and what is better left out. When a career advisor reviews your resume it is much

easier to recommend what should be cut out than to probe all your experiences, looking for things you should

have included.

So how do you compile this large body of information to begin with? This is why a section is provided for you

to document all your important experiences. You and your advisor will be able to refer to this section to

gather the kind of content that should be included on your resume, and to apply it in a way that relates to

your chosen field. Don’t spend too much time figuring out what should be included in this inventory. Keep in

mind, at this stage of the process, more information is better. Sometimes students need to customize their

resume for different career options, so you may never know what is relevant until you’re ready to apply for a

position.

To help you with this process, several categories of activities will be utilized as you recount your experiences.

These categories should cover just about every kind of activity worth considering for resume content. If not,

just use the “Other Important Activities” category. When in doubt, it is better to include an experience than to

leave it off. There may be hidden skills in your activities of which you are not yet aware. What doesn’t belong

can always be edited out later.

Take Stock of Your Involvement

See the categories below for examples of experiences and activities, then list your own experience or activity

in the spaces that follow.

• Clubs and Organizations: Psychology Club, local Humane Society

• Jobs and Internships: store cashier, cinema usher, marketing intern

• Academic Experience: writing papers, doing research, making oral/visual presentations, problem

solving, critiquing and analyzing.

• Volunteer Experience: Habitat for Humanity, T-ball coach, Campus Ministry Blanket Drive

• Organized Sports: high school basketball, intramural sports

• Awards, Honors, Special Achievements: Freshman Class Secretary, Kroger Employee of the Month

• Other Important Activities: organized a basement band, Hunger Symposium participant

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List your activities:

Clubs and Organizations:_________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Jobs and Internships:_____________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Academic Experience:____________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Volunteer Experience:____________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Organized Sports:_________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Awards, Honors, Special Achievements: ________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Other Important Experiences: ___________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

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Fill in the Details

Now that you have listed your areas of involvement you will need to give full details about these experiences.

This exercise will provide crucial material for your resume. As you describe your activities on the following

pages, do not give general, brief descriptions. The information you provide should thoroughly explain your

involvement, whether job duties and procedures, or the role you played (see examples below). This

information will help identify the skills that translate into resume content for your future career. Important

skills are often hiding in seemingly unimportant activities.

In addition to explaining the activity, do your best to address the following questions in your descriptions:

• Did you make any individual or unique contributions?

• What did you learn from this experience?

• To what degree did you work in concert with others? How did you communicate issues and resolve

problems?

• What obstacles did you overcome?

• How can you define the outcome of this experience? Did you make a difference? What was accomplished,

improved? How did you grow from it?

[Note: For the Organized Sports category you should not describe the specifics of how to play the game.

Rather, you should describe your role in regard to being a leader or team player, being motivated to compete,

how you achieved goals, overcame obstacles and other attributes that are important in the workplace.]

Examples

Activity 1: Student Organization Leader

Activity Description

• Scheduled, publicized and conducted regular organizational meetings to discuss activities. Reserved

meeting rooms.

• Assessed interest of student community to provide activities through questionnaires and regular

solicitation for suggestions.

• Responsible for overseeing and accounting for $500 budget.

• Documented all required paperwork.

• Kept meeting minutes and notes for future reference.

• Recruited new members through events and direct contact.

Activity 2: Landscape Worker

Activity Description

• Assisted supervisor in selecting shrubs, flowers and trees from garden center for installment at

customers’ homes.

• Loaded plants, tools, equipment, top soil and peat moss on to trucks.

• Followed customers’ instructions on planting locations and advised them about watering and

guidelines for plant health.

• Hauled plants, tools and supplies from trucks to site without damaging lawns or surroundings.

• Cultivated soil, planted, mulched and watered plants in customers’ yards.

• Cleaned, organized and stored all tools, equipment and supplies.

• Kept trucks clean, orderly and fueled.

• Had customers sign invoices when projects were finished.

• Submitted appropriate paperwork to garden center business office at close of project.

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Enter each experience you listed in the list of activities, and provide the detailed description below.

Activity 1:_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Activity Description: Notes:

____________________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________

Activity 2:_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Activity Description: Notes:

____________________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________

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Activity 3:_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Activity Description: Notes:

____________________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________

Activity 4:_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Activity Description: Notes:

____________________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________

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Activity 5:_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Activity Description: Notes:

____________________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________

Activity 6:_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Activity Description: Notes:

____________________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________

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Activity 7:_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Activity Description: Notes:

____________________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________

Activity 8:_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Activity Description: Notes:

____________________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________

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Identifying Transferable Skills

As explained earlier, transferable skills are those which you have acquired through academic and

extracurricular experiences that can be applied to your future career. In this section you will use the 12 Skill

Domains to identify important skills you have already acquired. This will also help you identify any skills

which need further development.

Using the categories below, indicate those Skill Domains you believe you have demonstrated through the

activities you described in the previous section (or any other activities).

1. Financial Skills - Budgeting, accounting, cash flow, reconciling and managing money

Examples: balancing a checkbook, purchasing supplies, allocating funds

How have you demonstrated these or similar skills?

______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

2. Research Skills - Collecting data, investigating, reporting, editing, compiling, discovering and documenting

all types of information, phenomena or events

Examples: writing a research paper, interviewing for a story, conducting a survey, monitoring traffic or pollution

How have you demonstrated these or similar skills?

______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

3. Analytical Skills - Assessing, evaluating, quantifying, examining, diagnosing, appraising, assigning value,

making judgments, critiquing and recommending

Examples: solving a word problem, dissecting an argument, critiquing a policy, streamlining a process

How have you demonstrated these or similar skills?

______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

4. Leadership Skills - Directing, managing, deciding, guiding or spearheading any activities, functions,

programs or projects as they relate to other individuals

Examples: heading a committee, facilitating a group, planning an event

How have you demonstrated these or similar skills?

______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

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5. Communication Skills - Expressing, conveying, interpreting or critiquing thoughts and ideas with clarity,

and effectiveness through writing, speaking one-on-one, presenting to groups, creating graphic

representation or other means

Examples: Creating a multimedia presentation, writing an essay, providing an interpretation, leading a

discussion

How have you demonstrated these or similar skills?

______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

6. Creative Skills - Developing a vision, idea, solution, inventing systems, methods, concepts, devices or

programs to meet some need in a new or unusual way

Examples: developing a theme for an event, writing an advertising slogan, creating a new business form,

designing a flier

How have you demonstrated these or similar skills?

______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

7. Interpersonal Skills - Developing rapport, using diplomacy, resolving conflicts, developing or fostering

relationships, being sensitive to others

Examples: reading nonverbal cues, gaining someone’s trust, explaining a problem assertively, dealing with

conflict

How have you demonstrated these or similar skills?

______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

8. Influential Skills - Selling, persuading, consulting, promoting, lobbying, debating, rationalizing; often

leads to influencing or changing the behavior or attitudes of others

Examples: swaying another’s point of view, selling a product or service, changing a group’s perception

How have you demonstrated these or similar skills?

______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

9. Support Skills -Maintaining systems, carrying out directives, following procedures, delivering results,

assisting with functions; includes clerical, maintenance, operations and administrative roles

Examples: assembling information packets, setup or tear-down for an event, working in a kitchen, writing

minutes for meetings

How have you demonstrated these or similar skills?

______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

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10. Learning Skills

Acquiring new skills, adopting new approaches, using new information, applying new methods in order to

adapt to changes or meet challenges, initiating the means for understanding issues

Examples: learning to use library systems, starting a new job, using new computer software, adapting to a

foreign culture

How have you demonstrated these or similar skills?

______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

11. Organizational Skills

Prioritizing, sorting, classifying, structuring; giving order to teams, objects, systems, facilities, workflow or

information

Examples: reorganizing a work space, developing a presentation, assigning work tasks for a committee, writing

an outline

How have you demonstrated these or similar skills?

______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

12. Technical Skills

Mastering specific techniques, practices and methods; getting training on technology, operations or systems

Examples: using spreadsheet software, operating a printing press, piloting a plane

How have you demonstrated these or similar skills?

______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

The information you have documented on the previous pages will be very useful in developing your resume.

If there are any skills which you lack, or have little experience in, you should work to develop these further.

To determine how important certain skills are for the field you are targeting, consult employment

information for that field, such as the Occupational Outlook Handbook, or search for job openings and review

their qualification requirements.

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Develop a Summary Statement

The process of documenting your experiences and skills culminates in the creation of a statement that

positions you for the type of work you are targeting. This can be an important element in a resume because it

helps communicate that you are a qualified candidate for your chosen field. This statement also shows that

you know your strengths and are prepared to apply them in a professional role. On your resume you will call

this section a Summary Statement, Summary of Qualifications, Professional Profile or similar terminology.

A summary statement will showcase your most important strengths, skills and qualities, creating an image of

you as a competent professional who understands the demands of the role you seek. Although you may not

have extensive experience in the professional arena, you must position yourself to make this transition by

demonstrating that you have what it takes to perform in that capacity.

Developing a well-focused resume and a summary of qualifications requires that you have a solid

understanding of both, yourself and the career path or paths you have targeted. Students at all levels (and

even seasoned professionals) often need help in both areas. A career advisor can assist you in gaining

important insight about your personality and how it relates to various careers through assessments. In this

process we examine what stimulates you to express your most preferred strengths. Career Development also

maintains resources to help you gain understanding of the field you have chosen, so you will know what skills

and qualities are expected of candidates. If you need assistance in these areas, contact Career Development.

In developing your summary, focus on those qualifications which are most desired for the type of position

you are seeking. You should also look back at the skills and qualities from the previous sections that are most

prominent. Compile a list of these attributes in relative order of their importance. Once you have eight to ten

of these items, you can begin to write your summary of qualifications. Your writing style should not be a

formal narrative, as: “I regularly communicate most effectively through oral and written expression.” You

should avoid using personal pronouns, and write very succinct phrases: “Highly effective oral and written

communication skills.” Your summary should be the length of an average size paragraph. Begin by creating a

Word file, in which you can easily revise and polish your summary. This will serve as the basis for your

resume. (Be sure not to use resume templates. Employers will recognize the cookie-cutter approach.) Refer to

the examples of summary statements in the appendix to guide you.

Next Steps

Documenting your experiences and assessing your development is an ongoing process. If you realize you have

important areas that need further development as you plan and prepare for your career, do your best to

identify those areas and the types of activities that will best meet your needs. Now that you have documented

your skills and qualities you are better able to assess what should be included on your resume and what areas

you need to develop in order to improve your qualifications.

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Sample Summary Statements

Motivated business school graduate seeking a marketing assistant position to help develop and implement

marketing communications projects. Possess a solid educational foundation combined with international

marketing experience as part of a field study program in London. Thrive in high-pressure, deadline-driven

environments.

............................................................

Dedicated registered nurse (RN) with specialty experience in psychiatric/mental health nursing. Developed

strong psychiatric-evaluation and treatment-planning skills through recent internship at Pennsylvania

Department of Corrections. Knowledge of psychotropic medication administration, management and training.

............................................................

Teacher’s assistant with a commitment to providing dynamic instruction that fosters child development.

Currently pursuing bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education from New Jersey College.

............................................................

Energetic human resources professional with a bachelor’s degree in HR Management and a unique

perspective on the latest HR techniques. Seeking to provide top-quality HR support to ensure a competitive

advantage in the global marketplace. Offer excellent communication skills, computer proficiency (word

processing, spreadsheets, database programs), and an understanding of organizational strategies to help

meet corporate objectives.

............................................................

Executive assistant with five years of progressively responsible experience providing office support to senior

executives. Combine excellent organizational skills with hands-on technical knowledge, superior memory for

details and a strong work ethic. Ability to analyze business operations and recommend strategies to improve

performance. Maintain professionalism at all times and use discretion when handling confidential data.

Competent “people person” with bilingual English-Spanish skills, a master’s degree in Instructional

Technology and knowledge of HR practices.

............................................................

Top-ranked account representative with a proven track record of exceeding annual sales targets. Expert sales

closer committed to a solution-based sales approach that results in million dollar revenue growth.

Consistently develop strong business relationships and use presentation skills to promote business and close

large-dollar deals. Computer literate (programs include Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Access, and ACT.).

............................................................

Service-oriented sales representative with five years of specialized experience in the wireless

communications industry. Dedicated to achieving sales targets while providing excellent customer service.

Superior record of surpassing expectations, including net activations and subscriber revenue. Keep up-to-

date with changes in technology to best serve wireless customers.

............................................................

online global network for careers. You may not copy, reproduce or distribute these samples without the prior written

permission of Monster Worldwide. To see other career-related articles visit http://content.monster.com.

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Writing Your Resume

This section will take you through the basic components of a resume (Resume 101), help you determine

which approach to use in formatting it for greatest effectiveness (Resume 201 and 301), and how to best

position yourself for the jobs you are targeting (Resume 401). If you are writing your first resume, you will

need to begin with Resume 101. If you already understand the basics, order, and purpose of each section,

start with Resume 201. The most advanced candidates will want to start with 301 or 401, to better develop

their focus and position themselves for the right career. If you are revamping your resume, you will benefit

from information throughout.

There are several approaches to developing a resume. No single solution works best for everyone, or in every

situation. A college student developing his or her first resume will take a different approach than a

professional who has been in the field for five or ten years. Formats and organizational styles for resumes are

only guidelines—not hard-and-fast rules.

Avoid approaching your resume as you would an application form. Application forms provide basic facts and

do nothing to set you apart or present you in the most positive light. As opposed to reporting employment

information, make sure your resume builds a case for you as a qualified candidate in your targeted field. A

Well-written resume will work as a promotional tool—effectively capturing the interest of prospective

employers.

Resume 101: Formatting and Content Basics

Before you can develop a unique approach to your resume, you should understand how resumes are typically

laid out. This section will provide a basic structure which can be adapted to suit your individual situation.

Becoming familiar with the basic approach will make it easier to write your first resume. But keep in mind,

the best approach for you will probably be a modified version of what is presented here. So start with the

basics and modify when it seems advantageous for your situation.

One tool you must avoid is the resume template. Templates are provided with popular word processing

software as a means of creating “beginner” resumes. These generic templates allow you to quickly enter your

information into a “prefabricated” resume. There are disadvantages in using these templates. For one, they

are very popular, so if you use a template, chances are your resume will look just like a thousand other

resumes that a given employer has received. This is no way to set yourself apart! Another issue with

templates is that they do not allow you to create your own approach, or spend the time to develop thoughtful,

well-targeted content. A template by definition works against your ability to develop a resume that suits you

personally.

If you have not started a resume, and don’t know where to begin, use this section to become familiar with the

basics of resume formatting. As you read through the following information, refer to the sample on the next

page (there are more examples in the appendix). This will give you an idea of how most student resumes are

organized. Consider what you might write for each of these basic components.

Objective Statement

It is important to understand that every resume needs to have a specific career target, such as forensic

science, human resources or social work. No one, “generic” resume can position you effectively for a

wide diversity of careers; this is like using a single arrow to hit three targets, or training to be a Sumo

wrestler and a horse jockey at the same time. It can’t be done. So if you are considering two or more career

directions that are not related, you should develop a resume that positions you as the right candidate for each

direction. You need multiple resumes for multiple targets.

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Chronological resume

Sean M. Barclay

1058 Orchard Drive / Martins Ferry, OH 43689

740-368-9929 / E-mail: barclays@mvnu.edu

CAREER OBJECTIVE

Seeking an internship in management, marketing or sales. Ultimately, to find a position that will

provide the opportunity to manage client accounts.

EDUCATION

Mount Vernon Nazarene University, Mount Vernon, Ohio

Business Administration Major / Marketing Minor

Pursuing Bachelor of Arts, with expected graduation in May 2018

Cumulative GPA: 3.0/ Major GPA: 3.7

Relevant Coursework

Management, Principles of Marketing, Managerial Finance, Accounting, and Computer Applications

WORK EXPERIENCE

Enterprise Rent-A-Car / Newark, Ohio

Customer Service Representative / January 2015 - present

Process rentals, reservations and returns; sell optional services to customers. Wash and vacuum

cars upon return. Check for customer property or missing equipment. Monitor fluid levels, inspect

for damage or mechanical problems and prep cars for customers.

Federal Express / Martins Ferry, Ohio

Package Handler / May 2014 - August 2014

Loaded and unloaded freight trailers with great efficiency. Tracked and logged packages using

tracking equipment. Swept empty trailers when needed.

McDonalds / Martins Ferry, Ohio

Crew Member / June 2013 - August 2013

Received and filled customer orders, ran cash register, helped train new employees. Swept and

mopped floors wiped down tables, counters and play place. Stocked the front counter with napkins,

condiments and other supplies. Replenished soda and CO2 tanks.

ACTIVITIES AND ACHIEVEMENTS

Honors Program, Spring 2015

Jamaica Missions Trip, Spring 2015

Student Orientation Leader, 2015

High School Senior Class President, 2013/2014

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Objective statements are not looked upon favorably by all employers because they have often been abused

and misused by job seekers. You do not have to use an objective statement, but if you do, make sure you use it

properly. Since an objective statement sets the tone and direction for the resume, it must clearly state the

type of work you are seeking. Vague objectives are meaningless and would be better left off. A vague objective

might be worded like this:

To use my education and skills in a company that will provide rapid advancement.

This statement says what any other applicant would hope to achieve, while stating nothing to set the

candidate apart. It also places emphasis on what the company should provide—rather than focusing on what

the candidate brings to the party. Placing expectations on the employer, such as being rewarded for your

great work, should be avoided.

Effective objective statements identify a profession or at least the subject matter one wishes to be involved in.

Your objective should give some indication that you have given thoughtful consideration to your career path,

and know where you are going. Here are two good examples:

Seeking an internship that involves marketing research, data collection or analysis.

Seeking a position in information technology with emphasis on network administration.

An objective should be specific enough to introduce what you are about, but not so specific that it limits you

from other related opportunities. It should answer the question, why is this resume being submitted? Another

common mistake is to write an objective that singles out one particular position—the one to which you are

presently applying. Consider the following example:

Seeking the position of Comptroller I (position# HC-1194) for the Ohio Department of Development.

This is not realistic and no one should believe that your one life goal is so narrow that it can only be achieved

by being hired for this one particular opening. Your cover letter will do the job of identifying what position

you are applying to—not your resume. Word your objective so that it identifies the type of career you have

chosen as a long-term goal. Remember, it is a career objective. There should be many, many positions that will

fit your general career objective—not just one opening.

Education

For most students, education comes next since it has more relevance than their work experience. Once you

have a few years of professional experience under your belt, your educational credentials will become less

prominent, and move farther down the page. At that point the experience section will precede your education.

In this section be sure to indicate when you expect to graduate—even if it is a best guess. Stating that you

have been at MVNU since 2014 does not indicate how close you are to being finished. Do not list your high

school unless it has very unusual significance to the position. It goes without saying that a college student has

graduated from high school. If you attended other colleges, these do not have to be included. Some students

will have multiple prior schools to list, but such a list does not add to your candidacy. If earlier college work

only uses up space it’s better to omit it. Most of your prior coursework either does not necessarily relate or it

will transfer under the degree programs already listed (such as your current degree, in progress). However, if

you had some very relevant coursework that relates to your career objective and is not already covered

under your MVNU degree you should probably include it. Always use reverse order and list your most recent

school first. The earliest college you attended will appear last.

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Resume “Don’ts”

 Don’t use resume templates.

 Don’t put salary information on your resume.

 Don’t include personal information such as age, marital status, height, etc.

 Don’t list your high school education.

 Don’t list the names of supervisors or coworkers on your resume.

 Don’t use vague, meaningless objective statements.

 Don’t use too many font styles and sizes.

 Don’t exceed one page unless you have important experience that requires two pages.

Listing your most relevant course work, or what you have completed thus far, will help an employer to see

how your educational experience specifically applies to the position. Some internships require students to

have taken a certain level of coursework before they can apply. List at least five courses that relate to the

function of the job you are targeting.

You should only list your GPA if it is a 3.0 or higher. If you have a 3.0 or higher in your major-specific classes,

you can list that GPA, as long it is identified as your major-specific GPA. Students frequently list both when

both are above a 3.0 and the major average is higher. In this case list your overall GPA first, followed by your

major-specific GPA. An example would be, “Cumulative GPA: 3.1/ Major GPA: 3.85”

Work Experience

The experience section is often the most difficult part of the resume to write. A good way to approach this is

to make notes of all the duties, activities or accomplishments you had at your most recent job, then rank them

by importance. Try to come up with eight to ten items to describe the different types of work you did (you

may not use all of these). Writing a resume is a continuous process of gathering and compiling all the

information, then editing it down to the most relevant pieces. Your resume should not cover a comprehensive

list of all your duties; only those that paint a picture of a capable, valuable employee. If you struggle with

describing what you did, see if you can find a job description for the job you held. You may find job postings

online that are similar to yours. Your employer may also have a training manual or something you could use

as a job description. (Also refer to the previous section to list and detail your experience.) Once you have

done a thorough job of describing your duties, it will be easier to do the same for your other work

experiences.

Notice in the example on the page 17 that positions are listed in reverse chronological order. Your resume

should always list the most recent position first. Employers need to see what you have done most recently at

the top, and your most recent positions often involve your highest degree of responsibility. Each of your

positions should list the employer, city and state, your title and the beginning and ending dates of your

employment.

When describing your work it is important to use words that have impact. Saying that you stocked shelves is

not as powerful as if you say, “organized merchandise.” Listing “helped customers” as a job duty has little

impact, but “advised customers on selections” or “increased revenue through customer assistance” is much

better. Most student resumes need an overhaul on such vocabulary. For help in using more powerful words,

refer to the list on page 20.

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Resume power words

Accommodated

Accomplished

Achieved

Acted

Activated

Adapted

Administered

Advertised

Advised

Allocated

Analyzed

Anticipated

Appraised

Approved

Arranged

Assembled

Asserted

Assessed

Assigned

Assisted

Audited

Balanced

Built

Budgeted

Calculated

Catalogued

Catered

Changed

Classified

Coached

Collaborated

Collected

Combined

Communicated

Compared

Compiled

Composed

Computed

Conceived

Conducted

Constructed

Contracted

Contributed

Controlled

Cooperated

Coordinated

Counseled

Created

Critiqued

Defined

Delivered

Delegated

Demonstrated

Designed

Developed

Devised

Diagnosed

Directed

Discovered

Discussed

Disciplined

Dissected

Distributed

Drafted

Edited

Educated

Encouraged

Enforced

Enlisted

Established

Examined

Exercised

Exhibited

Expanded

Expedited

Experimented

Explained

Explored

Expressed

Facilitated

Fixed

Followed through

Forecasted

Formulated

Gathered

Graphed

Grouped

Helped

Hosted

Identified

Indexed

Improved

Influenced

Initiated

Innovated

Inspired

Instructed

Interpreted

Interviewed

Invented

Investigated

Implemented

Judged

Justified

Led

Learned

Listened

Maintained

Managed

Manipulated

Mapped

Meditated

Memorized

Moderated

Modified

Monitored

Motivated

Navigated

Negotiated

Observed

Operated

Ordered

Organized

Outfitted

Oversaw

Painted

Performed

Persuaded

Planned

Plotted

Preached

Predicted

Prepared

Presented

Presided

Processed

Produced

Programmed

Promoted

Proposed

Provided

Publicized

Published

Purchased

Raised

Reacted

Recommended

Reconciled

Recorded

Recruited

Rectified

Reduced

Reflected

Researched

Resolved

Responded

Restored

Revised

Reviewed

Saved

Scheduled

Screened

Serviced

Shaped

Simplified

Sold

Sorted

Staged

Stimulated

Studied

Summarized

Supervised

Supported

Systemized

Tabulated

Targeted

Taught

Tended

Trained

Translated

Transmitted

Updated

Utilizing

21

Skills

If there are relevant skills, such as computer skills that you have not had an opportunity to cover, mention

those items under a skills section. Some students will want to mention technical skills that are specific to their

field, such as accounting or chemistry. You may also consider calling the section “Credentials and Skills,” and

list field-specific certifications or licensures along with related technical skills. Nearly all students need to

show their ability to use common computing software. If you utilize a summary of qualifications (discussed

later), you can include technical and other special skills in that section.

Volunteer Work, Other Activities and Achievements

The final section should list your involvement in areas outside the workplace or classroom. You can also

highlight academic, work-related, or other types of achievements and honors. The most important thing you

can demonstrate here is that you have taken initiative to be involved in activities that exceed your expected

roles. This is why employers value volunteer and other extracurricular experience. It is to your advantage to

show any leadership skills, awards or other notable responsibilities. You should mention your involvement in

college, professional or community organizations, or at least areas of interest and involvement. Put the most

noteworthy items first, or use reverse chronological order. Leave out hobbies and personal interests unless

they have a clear connection to your targeted career.

References

You should have contacted no fewer than three of your references before submitting your resume to an

employer. Make sure these individuals are agreeable to having you use them as references, and that they have

positive recommendations. The more professional your relationship with a person of reference, the better.

Clergy, faculty and others who know your character are acceptable references, as well as supervisors or

coworkers. You should never use family members as references. References who are professionals or past

supervisors carry the most weight.

Ask each person on your list of references to give a phone number where an employer may contact them. It is

preferable to list their work/daytime phone, but do not list a number where they don’t wish to be contacted.

References do not need to be listed on your resume. List your references on a separate sheet with basic

contact information. Be sure to have your name at the top in case this page gets separated from your resume.

Use the example on the following page as a guide.

Layout and Presentation

The ideal length for your resume is one page. Most students do not need to take up more than this. It is always

preferable to keep your resume as short and to-the-point as possible. Recruiters who review resumes often

have large stacks and little time, so your best approach is to cut to the chase. If you avoid unnecessary details,

it is not difficult to get the important information on one page. Candidates with substantial experience and

many professionals may need more space, but a resume should never exceed two pages.

Make sure your style is consistent when using subheads, italics, bullets and so on. Each section should look

like it belongs with the others. Do not cram the page full of text. Leave reasonable margins and white space to

make your resume inviting to read. Don’t overuse bold or capitalized text (capitals are actually harder to read

because of their uniform height). Using too many styles makes scanning for information difficult for the

reader.

Choose a light neutral or plain white stock for your resume. Make sure it is quality stationery with matching

envelopes (do not use plain, cheap-looking paper). Also avoid paper stocks that have fibers and flecks. These

will reproduce as black “dirt” when copied or faxed and interfere with legibility. Choose a font that is

22

businesslike and legible, using a size that is easy to read (not too small) and makes good use of space (not too

large). Times, Palatino and Garamond at 11-point size are safe choices.

Grammar, Spelling and Accuracy

The vast majority of resumes reviewed in ODU’s Career Development Center have errors. About half of them

have numerous errors. It is absolutely imperative that your resume be flawless. You should have at least one

competent individual proof your resume for grammar and spelling. Do not rely only on your computer

software for detecting mistakes. Inevitably mistakes will be missed. Regarding the information, always give

the most honest and accurate information possible on your resume. No employer will tolerate

misinformation.

Verb Tenses

A lack of consistency in verb tenses communicates a poor command of communication skills. Students often

miss this important aspect of writing a resume. Here is an example: Under his first job, Mark states that he

“organized shelves” for his employer. In the next line, for the same job, he states that he “runs the cash

register.” He has switched from past tense to present tense in the same job description. Keep verb tenses

accurate and consistent.

Suggested format for reference page

References for Richard Neilson

678 Pleasant Drive

Hawthorn, OH 43899

419-574-9869

E-mail: neilsonr@mail.mvnu.edu

Mike Greenly, Manager

Budget Car Rental

3000 International Drive

Columbus, OH 43219

Day Phone: 614-251-4595

E-mail: mgreenly@budgetrent.com

Patricia Swenson, Director of Library Services

Hawthorn Community Library

2975 South Elm Street

Hawthorn, OH 43899

Day Phone: 419-876-9765

E-mail: pswenson@hcl.org

Martin Phillips, Shift Manager

Rally’s Restaurant

1855 South Elm Street

Hawthorn, OH 43899

Day Phone: 419-876-4897

E-mail: Phill[email protected]

23

Resume 201: Which Format?

So far we have covered the basic approach to organizing the content of your resume, but other approaches, or

formats may be more effective for your situation. There are two widely accepted resume formats:

chronological and functional. Each will present your strengths in a different light. While either may work,

depending on your situation, it is likely that one is more suitable for you. Another solution is to combine the

chronological and functional formats into a hybrid approach which will be addressed in a later section. First,

an orientation to the primary formats.

Chronological Format

A chronological resume presents your information in straightforward fashion. The structure of the resume is

based entirely on a reverse chronology of the jobs you have held. Each position is listed with the work

experience attributed accordingly. The progression from one position to the next is easy to follow and

understand. This is the strength of a chronological format. When the progress you have made in your career is

of great importance, this format highlights each phase, and shows your ability to be promoted and increase

your competence. This is especially effective for individuals who have spent much of their time in one career

path. It also works well for more specialized or technical careers, in which a person is expected to progress

along a particular track. An example of a student chronological resume is found on page 17.

Another reason to utilize the chronological format is to showcase your impact at each position. Some

employers expect candidates to demonstrate the results of their efforts for each position they have held.

Executives, for example, need to document the impact they have had for each company they directed. A

chronological format also showcases the names of your past employers with greater emphasis. If the

reputation of past employers is a major factor, the chronological format is often the best choice.

Functional Format

For candidates whose employment history is not the most relevant aspect to the position they seek, the

functional style works better. This applies to students who have little experience, career changers whose

experience is not specific enough to the field they have chosen, or individuals whose past employment is a

mixed bag of unrelated jobs. The functional format can help you emphasize the experience that matters most

to your targeted field. Whereas the chronological format puts emphasis on past jobs, the functional format

allows you to showcase just the right experiences and qualifications. Your most important attributes may not

have even been utilized in one of your past jobs, but demonstrated in a community program, your church, or

through your academic coursework. Such aspects are part of your package and relevant points to highlight to

employers. With the functional format you can showcase qualities that were not related to a paid job, but

were demonstrated in some other role you have played. Keep in mind that you need to be able to support

claims about the skills you possess. Qualifications should be traceable to actual activities. You should also be

to back up your claims in an interview.

An example of a functional resume is shown in the appendix. You will notice in reading through this example

that the emphasis is on the candidate’s qualifications, not their previous jobs. A functional resume makes the

skills and attributes of the candidate the priority. The employment history is still included, but provides fewer

or no details, and is often placed farther down on the page. Typically, a functional resume is quicker to read

(which is beneficial) because all the information is condensed, concentrating on the most relevant aspects of

the candidate’s experience.

24

A resume utilizing a summary of qualifications helps focus on the most relevant or desired skills.

Sean M. Barclay

1058 Orchard Drive / Martins Ferry, OH 43689

740-368-9929 / E-mail: bransonm@mail.mvnu.edu

SUMMARY OF QUALIFICATIONS

Demonstrated skills in managing, marketing and sales with ability to effectively organize work tasks, process

customers, sell standard and optional services and develop marketing strategies for infield class projects.

Excellent presentation and communication skills, and excels in competitive situations. Effective in training

employees, very people-focused and capable of leading and motivating others. Demonstrated ability to

organize personnel, speak persuasively, and generate public awareness.

EDUCATION

Mount Vernon Nazarene University, Mount Vernon, Ohio

Business Administration Major / Marketing Minor

Pursuing Bachelor of Arts, with expected graduation in May 2018

Cumulative GPA: 3.0/ Major GPA: 3.8

Relevant Course work

Management, Principles of Marketing, Managerial Finance, Accounting and Computer Applications

WORK EXPERIENCE

Enterprise Rent-A-Car / Newark, Ohio

Customer Service Representative / January 2015 - present

Process rentals, reservations and returns; sell optional services to customers. Wash and vacuum

cars upon return. Check for customer property or missing equipment. Monitor fluid levels, inspect

for damage or mechanical problems and prep cars for customers.

Federal Express / Martins Ferry, Ohio

Package Handler / May 2014 - August 2014

Loaded and unloaded freight trailers with great efficiency. Tracked and logged packages using

tracking equipment. Swept empty trailers when needed.

McDonalds / Martins Ferry, Ohio

Crew Member / June 2013 - August 2013

Received and filled customer orders, ran cash register, helped train new employees. Swept and

mopped floors wiped down tables, counters and play place. Stocked the front counter with napkins,

condiments and other supplies. Replenished soda and CO2 tanks.

ACTIVITIES AND ACHIEVEMENTS

Honors Program, Spring 2015

Jamaica Missions Trip, Spring 2015

Student Orientation Leader, 2015

High School Senior Class President, 2013/2014

25

Like the chronological resume, the core of the functional resume is usually a section that deals with

experience, but it is organized much differently. Most functional resumes organize the experience according

to competencies which relate to the person’s career objective. The sample in the appendix identifies several

areas of competency that have the most relevance to a management position. This makes it easy for the

employer to get the big picture, without having to sort through each position looking for details that relate.

There are other benefits in using the functional format. It can be used to shorten the length of your resume. If

your employment history contains several positions that were very similar, a functional format reduces

redundancy, allowing you to list repetitious duties one time, instead of repeatedly under every position.

A summary of qualifications (sometimes called a professional profile) is often a key component in a functional

resume. This section provides a place where you can focus on your most important qualifications as they

relate to your targeted career. It allows you to put all the key information up front, in one place, where it gets

noticed. The summary paints a picture of your skills, attributes and experiences, regardless of when, where or

how they were developed. It emphasizes the candidate’s qualities, not a history of jobs held. Many of your

past jobs, such as retail and other part-time positions, may not have involved your most important

qualifications. So if you have gained important skills through volunteering, student organizations, programs

and coursework, you can list those qualities in a summary section.

An important concept to understand in developing a summary statement is the utilization of transferable

skills. These are skills that you have gained through various experiences and can be utilized in a future

position. For example, you may have once held a job that required you to categorize and inventory store

merchandise. This translates into organizational skills. You may not need to perform that specific task in your

future career, but you will always need to utilize organizational skills. Even stocking shelves requires some

level of organizational aptitude. For more information on transferable skills refer to page 11 of this booklet.

Resume 301: Combining Styles

Once you are familiar with the standard formats you may realize that a more advanced approach is needed to

best communicate your strengths and suitability for a particular career. A limitation of the chronological

resume is that it doesn’t always take into account some of your most important qualities. On the other hand, a

purely functional resume does not provide specific details about projects and your impact in a key position.

Using a combination of formats will allow the freedom to incorporate the aspects that work best for your

circumstances. The combination format can vary widely, depending on the candidate, but some common

approaches will be suggested that have broad applications for many students and career changers. The

following guidance is most often recommended by Career Center staff. (An example of a combination resume

is shown on page 27.)

The primary goal of the resume is to show employers what they want to see without losing them in all the

extra details of your experience. One of the most useful components of the functional format is the summary

of qualifications. Even if you plan to list your experience in chronological fashion, the summary will help you

emphasize skills employers most desire and will place these points near the top of the resume. More details

from each position can still be provided in your experience section as supporting evidence for the qualities

mentioned in your summary. The summary section also allows you to mention attributes you possess that

were not demonstrated in a job, but through other involvements such as volunteering, student organizations

and other activities.

No matter what format you use you should list your jobs in reverse chronological order in your experience

section, but this presents a problem if your most important jobs are pushed farther down the page by more

recent but less relevant positions. For example, if your most recent position was a retail job at Macy’s it will

26

unfortunately appear at the top of the section while your prized accounting internship takes second place.

Your goal is to present the most notable position, the internship, first. The way to achieve this order is to use a

section called “Relevant Experience.” By adding this section you can still follow chronological order, but now

you can have a say in what gets placed first. Any type of experience that has direct bearing on your career

objective can be listed under relevant experience. Once you have covered these positions (in the fashion used

by the chronological resume) you can do the same for your less important experience (see the functional

example in the appendix). The section that will come after “Relevant Experience” will be called “Additional

Experience,” “Employment History” or a similar heading. In any case, you should not go into great detail about

your duties under this section. Leave room to emphasize the activities, impact and duties contained in the

relevant experience section.

Resume 401: Positioning Yourself

Positioning yourself for the right job is a very important aspect of a successful job search, for beginners as

well as experienced professionals. The more you can demonstrate your clarity of purpose, the better your

chances of finding the right job. As noted earlier, your resume is not a job application, but rather a document

that markets you to prospective employers. Consider this question when writing your resume. Does it say

anything that could not be communicated on an employment application form? If not, you are not making

good use of your information. A resume should do more than list employers, dates, skills and responsibilities.

It should create a picture of who you are. It should position you for the opportunity that suits you best. The

focus of this level of resume development is to home in on the type of position you want. Many job seekers try

to load their resumes with all the diverse experiences they have had—hoping something will click with the

employer, or that the sheer volume will give them an edge over the competition. This approach is not advised.

Avoid using the shotgun approach and, instead, hone the points that relate best to your targeted career. For

example, you probably don’t need to mention your ability to set up a web page or operate a Zamboni if you

are targeting a position as an accountant. Instead, omit the Zamboni experience and look for underlying skills

(transferable skills, as mentioned on page 11) that relate to the position you are targeting. You may say that

you have demonstrated good computer or software skills, which will help you learn new software programs

for accounting. Now you’ve added some more relevant value to your resume.

One thing that will hurt your ability to create the image of a well-focused candidate is placing too much

emphasis on outside activities. Some students’ resumes, for example, read like a sports program. Avoid

overemphasizing your athletic achievements unless they have direct relevance to the position you are

targeting. This means you must acquire the kinds of work experience that will build your resume, or you will

have nothing relevant to put on it. At the very least, avoid giving the impression that you would always rather

be on the basketball court than studying. It’s OK to list some athletic activities at the end of your resume, but

keep it brief.

Many times half the battle in writing your resume is figuring out what qualifications candidates in your

particular field should possess. Here is a great way to gain insight into what employers are looking for. Once

you have some job titles in mind you can search job boards for positions in your field—not for the sake of

finding a job, but to see what employers are looking for and what words they use to describe their ideal

candidate. Read through and compare 10 to 20 job postings on the internet and note the skills and

qualifications that appear most often. The employers are telling you what they want to see on your resume. If

you can address these qualifications from your own experience, you will be able to show that you have what it

takes to do the job. If not, you will need to acquire such experience through internships or lower-level

positions. This process will also help you identify keywords for your resume. Keywords are terms used by

professionals in the field—technologies, skills, process and other experience—that employers specifically

look for on candidates’ resumes. Recruiters will screen out all but the closest matching candidates, based on

whether the right words show up on their resumes.

27

This resume combines functional and chronological formats and utilizes a relevant experience section.

JESSICA A. MILLS

929 Albert Drive, Mansfield, Ohio 43220 / 740-466-0987 / jmills2009@aol.com

OBJECTIVE

To obtain a position in client relations; facilitating client needs and resolving issues while representing my

employer to various parties.

SUMMARY OF QUALIFICATIONS

• Excellent people skills, oral and written communication skills and presentation skills

• Substantial experience resolving subscriber issues, delivering accurate and timely answers

• Very strong problem solving and analytical skills; creatively meets customer needs

• Well able to assist with technical and procedural issues

• Extensive experience gathering, interpreting and reporting statistical information

• Experience coordinating vendor operations / managing projects through vendors

• Well versed in marketing research and promotions

EXPERIENCE HIGHLIGHTS

• Assisted in developing a promotional campaign for a company event that attracted 3,000 attendees

• Co-wrote press release that resulted in featured stories by two national newspapers

• Conducted market research that captured data on target market demographics, competitor initiatives,

and industry trends. Client used research to revamp direct mail campaign strategy

• Created media kits to enhance software client’s business-to-business sales presentations

• Manage pressruns which contain a budgeted count for distribution and circulation reporting

• Prepare and distribute reports on subscriber trends

EDUCATION

B.A. Business Administration / Marketing Minor / Mount Vernon Nazarene University / May 2015

RELEVANT EXPERIENCE

Circulation Coordinator / Columbus Dispatch / Columbus, Ohio / July 2015 - Present

• Assist in management of the circulation of several publications and on-line services

• Field escalated customer service calls

• Provide subscribers with login help on website

• Perform subscriber look-ups on fulfillment databases

• Log all renewal/billing seed efforts to evaluate timeliness

• Manage list pulls, coordinate email blasts and mail merges

Marketing Intern / Matterson Associates / Mansfield, Ohio / Summer 2014

• Assisted marketing team with developing a promotional campaign

• Prepared and distributed reports on sales trends for clients

• Tracked and reported advertisers in industry publications

• Assisted in conducting focus group sessions

ADDITIONAL EXPERIENCE

Food Server Outback Steakhouse Mansfield, Ohio: 2014-20015

Cashier Walmart Mansfield, Ohio 2012-2013

28

Connect the Dots and Paint a Picture

A resume needs focus. If you, the candidate, have experience that is related to your targeted career, your

resume can be positioned to match the ideal opportunity much better. But if you do not have prior experience

that relates to your targeted career, showing your fit becomes more of a challenge. Here we will discuss the

need to frame your experience in ways that best connect to the type of work you seek.

As the candidate, you should not expect employers to use their imagination in order to make a connection

between your varied experiences and your usefulness to their organization. This is the time to spell out

exactly what you want employers to understand. Don’t assume, because you held a position as an activities

coordinator for a recreation program, that the employer will understand how your skills will translate into a

supervisory position. The reader does not have time to analyze your life’s work. It is up to you to clearly point

out your experience in organizing tasks and directing people. It also shows that you understand how to apply

your skills and life experiences to their position, and that you understand the details of what that position

involves.

An effective resume...

• Presents information in an organized, logical fashion that’s easy to navigate.

Is it easy on the eye? Does it avoid clutter? Is the organization simple, easy to follow and clear-cut?

Are subheads, bullets and verb tenses used in a consistent manner throughout?

• Demonstrates your ability to acquire new skills, accept responsibility, learn and grow.

Do your skills show you can learn, adapt and take initiative?

Do your positions and duties demonstrate progress, increasing responsibility, and growth?

Do you use powerful action verbs such as planned, solved, implemented, developed, communicated...?

• Communicates a clear understanding of your strengths.

Does your resume show you know your strengths and demonstrate your ability to apply them in the right

situation?

Does it communicate personal strengths, characteristics and qualities, as opposed to just the skills and

experiences?

• Positions you for the job for which you are best suited.

Does it communicate a general theme about your direction, despite varied experiences?

Is it well-focused—avoiding the appearance that you are fishing for a direction?

Is it targeted toward certain kinds of positions?

An important part of targeting and positioning yourself for your ideal job is using the language that is familiar

to the trade. This is the way to truly make your resume into a marketing tool—an image piece. For example,

you can show how your experience in retail could relate to a position in public relations. Tell how you

“represented your company” to the customer, and were frequently called upon to help with “promotional

events.” Explain your involvement in writing a “direct mail piece” for a year-end sale. Show you were familiar

with the “demographics” of your typical customers. This is using the language of the field you have targeted.

You are creating an image as a specialized professional, based on seemingly ordinary experiences. Again, this

shows that you can see how your strengths are directed toward your ideal career.

29

Resumes in Cyberspace

Twenty years ago resumes were often sent by US Mail or faxed to employers. With the advent of the internet

there are now numerous ways for your resume to be sent to an employer. With this in mind it is important

that your resume translate easily into several media forms:

• Printed as hard copy (traditional paper format)

• Scanned (sometimes by the employer)

• Electronically pasted into an employer’s resume submission form

• Sent as an attachment (saved in a widely used format such as Word or as a PDF)

Yet another way for job seekers to package and share their credentials is by developing a website for

presentation of their resume and/or portfolio, or save the information on a disk or flash drive. This allows

candidates to exhibit samples of their work and credentials in a controlled way that is easily accessed by

employers. Whatever the case, be sure your resume and/or portfolio are professionally done so they present

well and suffer no technological glitches.

Most employers accept resumes electronically and many large employers maintain resume databases from

which they conduct keyword searches. If your resume becomes part of a large database, it’s likely that it may

never be read for its overall content but will instead be screened for specific keywords. When employers use

this method only resumes with the right keywords will be looked at closely. Job seekers need to be aware of

the odds of success when applying online. Submitting a resume electronically to a large company’s website—

or worse, an enormous job board—may yield little or no results. Applying for positions through MVNU’s

online job posting site is a very different situation. These employers post positions and specifically seek

MVNU students to fill their openings. Your resume won’t be lost in the crowd or ignored when you apply this

way.

If you plan to apply through websites where keyword searches are likely utilized, you will need to modify

your resume to improve your odds of getting noticed. Give thought to what keywords should be included on

your resume. Also look carefully at the job descriptions for the type of position you seek. Note some essential

skills or requirements that employers could use for keyword searches. If your resume does not contain such

words, their automated screening process will eliminate you from consideration. To capitalize on the

keyword approach, use more field-specific words, instead of general skills. For example, rather than just

stating that you programming experience, make sure your resume contains words such as Java, C++ and other

industry terms. Or, if you have print production knowledge through a graphic design course, use industry

lingo such as “pre-press.”

Even when you use specific keywords on your resume and apply online, you should also mail your resume as

hard (paper) copy to someone in the company. This will increase the odds that someone will open and review

it thoughtfully. The same holds true when you email your resume as an attachment; you should also send a

printed hard copy. Don’t assume that your e-mailed resume will be opened and read. Many e-mails get

forgotten, filtered out or overlooked. State the job title and/or the noted reference number as the subject line

of your message. Unless the employer advises differently, include a cover letter stating why you are sending

the resume. Don’t forget to attach your documents and be sure the name of your file contains your last name

(don’t just name it “Resume.doc”). These are common oversights!

Many employers have resume forms online which you simply fill in with raw text. If the employer does not

accept one of the formats above you should consider creating a version that is basic, simple and friendly to all

types of media and will take into consideration the various challenges in transferring data. The following are

suggestions for creating a resume that will be friendly to electronic media and resume scanners.

30

• Use traditional fonts. Examples are Arial (a.k.a. Helvetica) or Times Roman. These fonts are most legible,

and are universally accepted by electronic media. The size of the font should be 11 to 12 point, but keep

in mind that fonts vary in size.

• When sending your resume as text, be aware that many characters and styles are not supported in plain

text documents (such as bullets, italics, and underlining). Asterisks, hyphens or plus signs at the

beginning of lines can be used in place of bullets. Also a series of dashes can be used in place of line rules,

and uppercase letters can be used instead of bold-facing.

• When submitting paper copies of your resume use a high quality “speckle-free” paper in either white or a

light, neutral shade that will scan and fax clearly and legibly. Fonts should be legible and friendly to

optical scanners.

Important Considerations When Making Your Resume Publicly Available

When posting your resume on the Internet, do your homework. Think about whether you want the contents

of your resume publicized. Once it is posted, it becomes a public document. You may want to consider

acquiring a post office box and an alternate email account during your search to help ensure your privacy.

Also be aware that when your resume is publicly available your current employer will be able to access it. You

should consider the possibility of this happening and the consequences of having your supervisor discover

that you are searching for a new job. Additional considerations follow:

• Check the privacy policy of the service where you are posting your resume. You may want to find out who

can access your resume and how this access is acquired.

• Find out if you will be notified when an employer accesses your resume.

• Find out if you can update your resume once you have posted it. It is a good idea to use a service that will

allow you unlimited updates at no charge.

• You should also find a service that will delete your resume after it has not been updated for three months.

This ensures that an old resume will not be accessed once you find a job—and employers will not

continue calling once your search is over.

31

Writing Cover Letters

A cover letter allows you to address the specific needs of the employer and the position for which you are

applying. While many elements of your cover letter will remain constant, each one must be customized to

address each particular situation. Your cover letter must demonstrate insight into two important areas: the

employer you are addressing, and yourself — as your credentials relate to the needs of the position. This

means you have to do some digging to learn some things about the industry, the company and the position.

The most important thing you can communicate in a cover letter is that you understand what this position is

really about—meaning you “get it.” This also requires that you understand things about yourself that are

important to an employer.

When you write a cover letter, do not simply reiterate what is in your resume. Speak from specific knowledge

of the employer and how you will meet their needs. This is where you can talk about how your particular

skills and experience apply to what you understand to be their needs. You need to demonstrate an intuitive

knack for understanding the mindset of the employer. You are anticipating their needs based on what you

know. Again, this takes some knowledge of the field, so if you have little knowledge you need to do research,

using the Internet, the library and informational interviewing

Assume that every candidate that responds has the basic requirements for this job. Try to put yourself in a

better light by going beyond the basic qualifications. (Consequently, if you fall short on some of the

qualifications, such as years of experience, do not let this prevent you from applying.) What can you do to

stand out? Again, the knowledge you demonstrate about the objective of the employer’s work will go a long

way in setting you apart. Employers take notice of candidates who are already up to speed on the intricate

issues of the field.

Put your best attributes up front. Explain why you would be a good candidate for the job. Sell your qualities,

but avoid the tendency to sound boastful. Be sensitive to the employer’s needs and address them directly.

Keep in mind that screeners can spot a snow job in the first line. You must truly believe in what you are

saying, or you will come off as someone who is only making big claims and unable to back them up. If you

speak from direct knowledge, it is much easier to come across as authentic, and convey confidence.

Letter of Application

In this type of letter, you are responding to a published job opening. The job description will help guide some

of your text. Make sure that you comment on specific qualifications that are listed in the advertisement.

Addressing the Letter

With published job openings, you will sometimes be instructed to mail your information to an office or

position number. In this case, you should try to get the name of the individual who will do the hiring. This

may require some phone calls or Internet searching. Frequently applicants will address their letter with

“Dear Sir/Madam” or “To Whom it May Concern,” but this sounds less personal—more like the beginning of a

form letter. If you can’t identify a specific person, a better approach is to address the letter with “Dear Hiring

Manager”

The First Paragraph

Your first paragraph might differ depending on how you learned of the opening. You should state how you

became aware of the vacancy—whether through an advertisement, word-of-mouth or other means. Here are

some examples:

32

I am writing to express my interest in the Proofreader position that was listed on your website on

Sunday, November 6, 2015. I will graduate from Mount Vernon Nazarene University in December

with a Bachelor’s degree in English and plan to enter the field of publishing.

I am very interested in the position of Customer Service Representative with Green-Grow. Mary J.

Alumnus, a systems analyst with your company, recently informed me of two openings in this

division.

If you have extensive employment experience, mention your experience instead of your degree in the first

paragraph.

I want to express my interest in the Loan Officer position listed on the JP Morgan Chase website on

Tuesday, April 8, 2015. I have several years of experience in banking, including substantial work with

loans and mortgages.

The Second Paragraph

In this paragraph, you will emphasize a match between the skills that you possess and those required by the

employer. Use the advertisement to guide your writing. For example, if an advertisement mentions specific

courses in your major, then point out in the letter that you have had those courses. If an advertisement

indicates that the successful candidate will possess excellent speaking skills, then make sure you cover class

projects, presentations, or any other examples of your experience in public speaking. If you are under-

qualified in any way for the advertised position, include a statement about related experience, or your proven

ability to learn new information quickly. Remember that the advertisement is often a “wish list” of the

employer—an ideal list of qualifications—and that you might not need all of the qualifications listed.

If you have a fair amount of academic background and career-related work experience, you may want to

separate this middle paragraph into two paragraphs. Doing so allows you to focus on each subject

individually. You can also highlight your skills and qualifications in a brief bulleted format.

The Third Paragraph

This is the paragraph in which you sum up your case, and tell the employer how to get in touch with you.

Some examples follow.

I believe my experience and knowledge make me an excellent candidate for this position. Should you

need additional information, you can reach me at (740) 555-1212 during the evening, or leave a

message at (614) 555-4141 during the day. I am available for an interview at your convenience.

Thank you for your consideration. I look forward to hearing from you.

The following example gives a much more proactive closing. This candidate states that he will make the

contact once the employer has had time to review his resume.

I am excited about the possibility of working for GreenGrow. Should you need more information, you

can reach me at (740) 555-8989 or at my e-mail address, [email protected]. I will contact you in a few

days to see if you need any additional information and to hopefully set up an appointment to meet.

Thank you for considering me for this opportunity.

The second example shows initiative, interest, and will set you apart from the herd of applicants who are

unwilling to take the extra step. What is even more important than indicating you will follow up is to actually

33

Letter of application

Megan Finley

202 Coshocton Road

Mount Vernon, Ohio 43050

April 15, 2015

Mr. Peter Kirkpatrick, Director of Personnel

Defense Finance and Accounting Service

2000 East Broad Street

Columbus, OH 43215

Dear Mr. Kirkpatrick:

I am writing to express my interest in the Budget Analyst position with DFAS, as listed on MVNU’s job

website. I will graduate from Mount Vernon Nazarene University in May 2016 with a Bachelors degree in

Accounting.

In regard to the requirements for this position, I am experienced in many regulatory requirements, and have

substantial training in theories and concepts of accounting systems. My experience includes working as a

student accountant in the MVNU bookstore and a full-year internship with a corporate finance department.

I understand that DFAS is a massive operation, and I appreciate the importance of anticipating and meeting

the needs of various departments and agencies in this type of organization. My experience has prepared me

to provide timely and accurate financial reporting, and to track against targets to ensure budgetary

compliance. I have also assisted my supervisor in developing monthly and quarterly financial forecasting

processes.

My combination of field experience, detail-orientation, and analytical skills make me an ideal candidate for

this position. Please see my enclosed resume for fuller details on my qualifications. Thank you for your time

and consideration.

Sincerely,

Megan Finley

Enclosure

34

Letter of inquiry

Allison Krauss

3496 Saigon Drive

Mansfield, OH 43230

(330) 487-2360

May 29, 2015

Mary Fleming

Alcohol and Drug Freedom Center of Knox County

447 E. Broad Street

Columbus, OH 43215

Dear Ms. Fleming:

I am writing to express my interest in furthering the mission of the Alcohol and Drug Freedom Center of Knox

County. I recently read an article in The Mount Vernon News, indicating that you are seeking to establish a

number of new treatment teams to assist local residents with drug and alcohol recovery. I am excited to hear

about this development because I am extremely interested in working with this population, and anticipate

that your need for social workers will grow.

I have a combination of formal education and extensive practical experience in Social Work that I believe will

enable me to be a productive member of a treatment team. My studies at Mount Vernon Nazarene University

provided me with a strong working knowledge of the social science field. My experience at Volunteer Express

has given me the opportunity to teach life management skills to clients. Please see my enclosed resume for

further details concerning my additional social work experience.

I would greatly appreciate the opportunity to discuss the growing work and any anticipated needs at the

Alcohol and Drug Freedom Center of Knox County. I will be calling you next week to inquire further. If this is

inconvenient for you, you can reach me by calling (330) 487-2360. Thank you for your consideration.

Sincerely,

Allison Krauss

Enclosure

35

follow up! Never state that you will make the contact unless you have every intention of doing so. If your

resume is reviewed again—weeks after you failed to follow up—you have little chance of being interviewed

since you dropped the ball.

Letter of Inquiry (or Referral)

The main difference between this letter and the letter of application is that you are inquiring about the

possibility of available positions. Since you are not responding to an advertised vacancy, the first paragraph

will not make reference to one as it did in the letter of application. The second paragraph will probably take

on a slightly more general tone, since you will not be responding to a specific list of qualifications. In addition,

you will need to be more assertive in your approach. This is most obvious in the last paragraph, in which you

will set a time or date to call the employer to arrange a meeting.

Addressing the Letter

When addressing a letter of inquiry, you should always have a specific person’s name. For one reason, you’ll

be calling that person at a later date and you have to know whom you are calling! It is easy to get the name

and title of the person to whom you should send your resume and cover letter. Simply call the main number

for the company or organization and ask for the name and title of the person who would hire for your

department of interest. Be sure to get the correct spelling of the person’s name.

The First Paragraph

Instead of mentioning an advertisement, explain briefly why you are interested in working for this company.

Try to make a personal connection. You may have read an article in the paper, talked with someone in the

field, or simply knew the company hires people with your qualifications. Here is an example:

I am writing to inquire about Claims Adjuster positions that may be open at Tredmont Insurance

Company. A recent article listed your company as one of the top ten in customer satisfaction. I would

like to work for a company that has this kind of public image. I am currently a student at Mount

Vernon Nazarene University and will graduate in December 2015 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in

English.

The Second Paragraph

This can be basically the same as the second paragraph in a letter of application. The difference is that you are

not responding to the qualifications of a specific opening. Rather you are giving the reader a general overview

of your background. Do your best to address ways in which you can meet the needs of the employer, rather

than just highlighting your capabilities. A brief bulleted list of your qualifications could work as supporting

material. This requires insight and creativity. Show how you are a problem-solver and speak to the needs of

the employer. Since you are not responding to specific requirements for a position, tell the reader what you

think she wants to hear, based on the nature of the position and philosophy of the company. This usually

requires some research on your part.

The Third Paragraph

When writing a letter of inquiry, there is little chance that your recipient will respond to an unsolicited letter.

Since you are initiating this contact without an invitation, the burden to follow up with a phone call is solely

on you. So in this case, it’s very important that you indicate when you will contact the reader. There is,

however, always the chance that your letter has arrived at a time when the employer has reason to make first

contact—such as a recent opening that you were not aware of. This is why you should leave the door open for

the employer to call you. Here is an example:

36

I would appreciate the opportunity to discuss such positions with you. I will be calling during the

week of April 9th to inquire further. If this is inconvenient, you can reach me by calling (740) 555-

2345, or via e-mail, at myemail@emailaddress.com. Thank you for your consideration.

Other Issues to Consider

Writing Tips

The way you structure your sentences is important. One thing to keep in mind is how to demonstrate,

through sentence structure, that you took action by using active voice, rather than passive voice.

Passive: During my senior year, a case study analysis of Ariel was presented.

Active: During my senior year, I presented a case study analysis of Ariel.

The second example shows clear command of the situation. It is unclear, in the first example, who presented

the study. The second example leaves nothing to question.

Another common pitfall is beginning all of your paragraphs with “I.” This becomes monotonous, puts too

much focus on you, and shows a lack of writing ability. There is always a way to restructure one or more of

the paragraphs in order to avoid this kind of redundancy. When you need assistance, seek guidance from the

Writing Lab.

Salary History and Requirements

Employer job postings often request salary information from their job applicants. The problem with

supplying such information is that you may be excluded from the process if your requirement comes in higher

than another candidate. Your strategy should be to sell your qualities to the employer before salary comes

into the picture. If the employer wants a quality individual, the best method will evaluate the candidates first.

To steer the process in this direction, you should avoid providing specific salary information if at all possible.

Indicate that your salary is “negotiable” or you can provide a broad range with which you are comfortable.

Unless you know you will not be considered without giving specific salary information, the best advice is to

leave it out. You don’t want to be disqualified just because you indicate a salary above the range they have set.

It seems more likely that giving a salary range will cause you to be edged out by a lower bidder, than to be

discounted for not providing specifics. Also keep in mind, a salary that is too low can communicate low

expectations or lack of experience in the candidate.

Online and Emailed Letters of Application

When sending your application documents via email, it’s recommended that your cover letter be sent as a

Word file. Placing your text into the message window of the email will not give you as much control over the

formatting, width settings and other aspects that affect the look of your letter. The email message, itself,

should be brief but professionally written (and flawless). Indicate your intent and call attention to the

attached documents. Double check to make sure you have attached the appropriate documents prior to

sending.

When applying to a position via an online system you may be given the option to include your cover letter,

either as an uploaded document or via a textbox. In the case of a textbox, you should paste your pre-written

letter’s text into the box. Prior to doing this, make sure you check for spelling and grammar errors. Review the

paragraph breaks and overall look and flow of the text, once you paste it in to the window. This process often

re-flows and alters your formatting so check it carefully before submitting.

Cover Letter Checklist

37

• Identify the position for which you are applying.

• Demonstrate your knowledge of and qualifications for the job, based on the description.

• Keep it brief. Anything over four paragraphs is too long. Never exceed one page.

• Spelling, punctuation and grammar must be perfect. Have someone check it (in addition to your

computer).

• Be sure not to get letters and pre-addressed envelopes mismatched. Employers dislike getting letters

written to someone else.

• Use the same paper stock as your resume for the cover letter and envelope.

• When mailing your application, don’t forget to sign the cover letter. Sign with a blue or black pen. All

email communication must be professional and error-free. Never use “texting” style when you write.

• Address it to a specific person (include the company and address) and verify that the spelling and

title are accurate.

• Use a good, high quality printer with solid ink coverage. Don’t send anything that looks fuzzy,

smudged or crooked.

38

Sample Resumes

Phillip T. Dudden

8541 Dublin Road Columbus, Ohio 43573 614-899-5241 d[email protected]vnu.edu

Summary

Goal-driven Business/Finance student with demonstrated ability to achieve and exceed expectations.

Excellent organizational, leadership and communication skills. Strong motivational leader and persuasive

communicator with ability to focus on team goals.

Education

Mount Vernon Nazarene University

Business Administration Major / Finance Major / Accounting Minor

Pursuing Bachelor of Science; expected graduation in December 2014 (GPA: 3.25 / 4.0)

Course Highlights: Managerial Finance, Business Management, Bank Management,

Series 6 Prep, Managerial Accounting, Principles of Marketing

Work Experience

Assistant Financial Representative

Northwestern Mutual Financial Network / Columbus, Ohio/ December 2012 to Present

• Worked extensively under two financial representatives supporting sales functions

• Planned and scheduled weekly itinerary for superiors

• Utilized time management and organizational skills to meet deadlines and oversee schedules

Intern

Merrill Lynch & Co., Inc. / Columbus, Ohio / May 2010 to August 2010

• Scheduled dinner seminars with a third-party affiliate as part of firm’s marketing efforts

• Client recruiting activities, including cold-calling and networking

• Handled office administration tasks including phoning clients and filing paperwork

Mover

Two Men and a Truck / Westerville, Ohio / June 2010 to August 2010

• Summer (seasonal) employment

• Responsible for moving products and items with no damages

• Facilitated on-site billing options and customer payments

Tax Intern

VITA Service / Columbus, Ohio / January 2010 to April 2010

• Trained in the knowledge of current tax laws

• Prepared and evaluated returns for low income households

• Filed for necessary extensions

• Audited and re-filed any mistakes from previous preparation

Accomplishments

• Volunteer for annual food drive sponsored by Mount Vernon Nazarene University

• Mount Vernon Nazarene University Three-Year Basketball Starter, Co-Captain

• Student Athletic Advisory Committee (SAAC) member

39

Andrea M. Hart

648 Hillview Road, Pataskala, Ohio 43068

740-927-9839 / dextera@mail.mvnu.edu

OBJECTIVE

Integrated Language Arts Teacher for Grades 7-12

EDUCATION

Mount Vernon Nazarene University, Mount Vernon, OH

Bachelor of Arts in Secondary Education: May, 2006

G.P.A. 3.5/4.0 – Cum Laude

Columbus State Community College, Columbus, OH

Associate of Arts, March, 2001

TEACHING EXPERIENCE

Twin Oak Elementary School, Mount Vernon, OH

Teacher, English as a Second Language (grades 3-5), February 2006-Present

• Develop daily lesson plans following the prescribed course of study

• Create and implement learning centers in the classroom

• Supervise and collaborate with two instructional assistants in the classroom

• Oversee volunteer tutors and recruit students from other classrooms to help tutor

• Provide individualized instruction for nineteen students

East Knox Middle School, Howard, Ohio

Student Teacher, Language Arts, 8th Grade, August-December, 2005

• Developed daily lesson plans following the prescribed course of study

• Created and carried out two unit plans (Moby Dick and Death Be Not Proud)

• Organized, evaluated and documented scores for coursework

• Used cooperative learning strategies

• Provided students with individualized attention

• Enabled students to demonstrate learning through the use of multiple assessments

• Developed and maintained positive relationships with parents

• Supervised field trips on two occasions

Mount Vernon School, Mount Vernon, OH

Methods Experience, 12th Grade, Fall, 2004

Saint Vincent de Paul School, Mount Vernon, OH

Early Field Experience, 7th Grade, Fall, 2002

RELATED EXPERIENCE

Target Teach Assistant, 2001- 2005

Host Program Assistant, 2000-2001

Success for All Reading Tutor, 2000-2001

Kindergarten Instructional Assistant, 1996-2000

Sunday School Teacher, 1996

HONORS AND AWARDS

• Exemplary status on Praxis III—scored in the top 13% in the nation, July, 2005

• Who’s Who Among Students in American Universities and Colleges 2005

• National Collegiate Education Award Winner 2005

• Member of Kappa Delta Pi—International Honor Society in Education

• Academic Scholarship, 2002-2005

• Leadership Award, 2002-2005

40

Kathy M. Barker

5708 Round Lake Lane / Chagrin Falls, OH 43669

Cell Phone: 740-968-9828 / E-mail: barkerkm@mail.mvnu.edu

Career Objective

Seeking an opportunity to use my analytical, editing, and writing skills at a regional or national

publication.

Summary of Qualifications

Demonstrated ability to research, edit, proofread, and write on diverse topics. Able to work with, and

assist people from, diverse cultures and work as a team member. Excellent organizational, analytical,

critiquing and communication skills; especially strong writing ability. Highly experienced with

Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, and working knowledge of Excel.

Education

Mount Vernon Nazarene University, Mount Vernon, Ohio

• English Language and Literature Major / Professional Writing Minor.

• Pursuing Bachelor of Arts, with expected graduation in May 2006. GPA: 3.81/3.927

• Relevant Course Work: Creative Writing, Critical Writing, Public Relations Writing,

Professional Writing

Work Experience

Writing Specialist / Mount Vernon Nazarene University / Mount Vernon, Ohio / Nov. 2003 to Present

• Helped fellow students improve their writing and learn to use MLA documentation properly.

• Provided information on utilizing library facilities and resources.

Research Assistant / Local Historian and Writer / Duncan Falls, Ohio / Summer 2000 and Summer 2001

• Navigated historical facilities, organized and compiled data, proofread and revised drafts.

Activities and Achievements

Secretary / MVNU International English Honors Society / Columbus, Ohio / Fall 2005 to Spring 2006

• Took notes at each meeting, e-mailed the minutes to all student members and English faculty.

• Assisted with the planning of events, edited campus publications,

• Participated in financial meetings.

Office Assistant / Licking Health Care Center / Newark, Ohio / Sept. 2002 to Nov. 2002

• Organized the office of the Director of Residence Life

• Helped stock and organize the gift shop, sorted and delivered residents’ mail, completed various

other administrative tasks.

Awards

Achieved Dean’s List, seven consecutive semesters

Nominated for Mount Vernon Nazarene’s annual Child’s Writing Award, two essays, Spring 2005

Mount Vernon Nazarene University Honors Program, 2002-present

Published in Mount Vernon Nazarene campus publication, both fiction and nonfiction, Spring 2006

41

Jean R. Scott

455 Stedman Dr. / New Albany, OH 43930 / scottj@mail.mvnu.edu / 740-865-8947

_________________________________________________________________________________

Objective:

Recent MBA graduate with human services experience seeks management position in a health-care organization.

_________________________________________________________________________________

Professional Profile

• Leadership abilities to organize and promote activities.

• Strong client relations skills and keen ability to resolve issues.

• Hands-on marketing and recruiting experience.

• Excels in supporting and directing others.

• Solid time management, organizational, record keeping.

• Ability to deal with changing duties and priorities and multitasks well.

• Team player who is results-oriented, and self-driven.

• Technical skills: Adobe InDesign, Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, WordPerfect

_________________________________________________________________________________

Education

Master of Business Administration, Mount Vernon Nazarene University Graduation: May 2005 / GPA: 3.9

Bachelor of Arts in Psychology, Ohio University Graduation: May 2003 / Deans List

_________________________________________________________________________________

Experience

Managerial Experience

Recruiting and Enrollment Management

Assisted recruiting team at an Ohio private academy with enrollment drive, teacher recruitment, and marketing

plan via research and direct presentation.

Financial Management

As volunteer treasurer of Alpha Lambda Fraternity, organized fundraising team. Kept financial records for the

organization.

Legal Assisting Experience

Charged with creating legal documents for Ohio’s Juvenile, Domestic, and Supreme courts. Organized files, provided

office administration, and coordinated appointments. Conferred with clients regarding confidential matters.

Human Services Work Experience

Case Manager

Managed up to 25 adult clients in a fast-paced environment which required teamwork and the ability to multitask.

Advocated for clients with various professionals involving financial assistance, employment, housing, crisis

intervention, and family consultation. Created and approved treatment plans and financial budgets for the clients.

Psychology Assistant

Researched mental disorders and created detailed psychological reports for Social Security Disability determination.

Home Health Aid/In-Home Care Specialist

For a traumatic brain injury patient, ensured that physical therapy was received each day; managed patient’s

socialization and daily activities.

_________________________________________________________________________________

Employment History

Legal Assistant / Armstrong, Phipps, CO, LPA / Columbus, OH / Oct. 2004-present

MBA Internship / Education Quest Academy / Johnstown, OH / Feb. 2005-May 2005

Psychology Assistant / Marcia Burgess, Ph.D. / Westerville, OH / June 2003-March 2004

Home Health Aide / Tom Maloney, patient / Columbus, OH / July 2002–March 2003

Manager / North Central Mental Health / Columbus, OH / July 1999–June 2002

Volunteer Treasurer / Alpha Lambda Fraternity / Athens, OH / Sept. 1997-June 1998

42

Sample Cover Letters

Sample letter of inquiry

Kacie Miller

856 Trotts Rd.

Mt. Vernon, OH 43230

(740) 539-2360

July 29, 2006

Mary Fleming, Chief Editor

Knox County Journal

447 E. Broad Street

Mount Vernon OH 43215

Dear Ms. Fleming:

I am writing to inquire about job opportunities in the editorial department of the Knox County Journal. I

will be graduating in May 2006 with a BA in English and have focused on a career in reporting, based on

my previous work experience and information gathered from professionals in the field. I understand the

Franklin County Journal has experienced steady growth in circulation and sales in the past 18 months,

which has increased the workload of your reporters.

As detailed on my resume, I have been actively involved in writing for various publications both on and

off campus. Most recently, I worked as an intern with Columbus Weekender, covering local events. These

roles have given me professional and practical experience in the field of journalism that will enable me to

make an immediate contribution as part of your staff.

I would appreciate an opportunity to meet with you and discuss my qualifications as they relate to your

department’s needs. I will call you in a few days to see if we can arrange a meeting. Thank you for your

consideration.

Sincerely,

Kacie Miller

Enclosure

43

Sample letter of application

Dennis Fatula

134 Aberdeen Lane

Columbus OH 43219

(614) 258-9814

[email protected].edu

April 10, 2006

Mr. Doug Lansing

Creative Director

Communication by Design

Riffe Center, Suite 2150

41 South High Street

Columbus OH 43215

Dear Mr. Lansing:

I am writing to express my interest in the Graphic Designer position advertised in The Columbus Dispatch on

Sunday, April 8, 2006. I will graduate from Mount Vernon Nazarene University in May with a Bachelor degree

in Graphic Design.

My experience includes a work study position with Mount Vernon Nazarene University, in which I assisted

our public information functions. My duties included general layout and correcting images in Photoshop. I

also had significant exposure to web design, and was able to consult on several projects. I have noted, in

recent articles, the focus on the creative quality at your agency as being a key to your success, and feel

confident that my retail experience would work well with your client-centered philosophy. Please see my

enclosed resume for a more complete view of my background.

I am very interested in meeting with you to discuss this opportunity. I will contact you early next week, or

you may reach me at (614) 258-9814. Thank you for your consideration.

Sincerely,

Dennis Fatula

Enclosure