·        Begin with a clear objective tailored to the specific job for which you are applying.

·        Start sentences with action verbs.

·        Quantify your experience whenever possible, citing figures that demonstrate progress due directly to your work.

·        Limit your resume to no more than two pages

·        Organize education and employment in reverse chronological order.

·        List accomplishments whenever possible rather than just describing duties.

·        Give attention to the attractiveness and clarity of the resume.

·        Proofread it numerous times.

DON'T:

·        Sell yourself short.

·        Include personal information such as: social security number, marital status, health, citizenship, age, children or religion.

·        Provide irrelevant information such as travel history, previous pay rates, reasons for leaving jobs, irrelevant awards, associations and memberships.  Or the phrase “References upon request.”  

·        List  references with your resume.  Prepare a separate list to be offered at interview time.  

·        Make it a biography of everything you have ever done.  

·        Use introductory phrases such as “My duties included” or “I was responsible for.”  

·        Use unusual font types, underlines, italics, shading, graphics, and adjusted spacing.  This will prevent your resume from being easily accessed by different computer programs.

RESUME COVER LETTER

The Cover Letter briefly describes what you can do for the Employer.

The cover letter is your chance to tell a potential employer how your skills will benefit the company.  It is a golden opportunity to sell yourself as the best candidate for the job. The most important thing to remember is that your cover letter serves a separate function from your resume and should not be used to repeat the details of your resume, such as work history, education, or personal objectives. The resume is about you, your experience and your skills… the cover letter is about what you can do for the employer.

Before you write the cover letter find out exactly what the company is looking for – then use the company’s own words (and stated desires) when selling how your experience will benefit the company.  To do this effectively you need to keep in mind “features” and “benefits”.  Remember that a feature “tells” (i.e. resume information) and a benefit “sells”!  People and companies buy benefits as they answer the question – “What’s in it for me?”

An effective cover letter must be concise.  The first paragraph should grab the Hiring Official’s attention. Use it to demonstrate an interest in the company and the position, and to introduce yourself.  In the second part of the letter list five or six bullets highlighting how your skills and experience will specifically meet the employer’s needs.  Close the letter by providing contact information and indicating that if you don’t hear from them in a few days, you will follow-up with a phone call.  Be assertive but polite and do follow-up with a call.