Career Documents and Interviewing

Cover LetterRésuméReferencesThank You Letter/Note

Purpose: To sell YOURSELF to the prospective employer and to connect your experience and skills to the prospective job.

Let your personality shine!

Print on résumé-quality paper. (same paper as résumé)

RESEARCH: Take the time to find out to whom you should address the cover letter to.Make sure spelling, titles, etc. are correct.

Make sure to SIGN IT!

Look for quality examples online.

DO NOT staple or paper clip it to your résumé. Place it in front of your résumé and put both items in a large envelope (don’t fold documents).

DO NOT make any errors!(spelling, grammar, spacing, etc.)

Proofread, Proofread, Proofread!!!

Purpose: To secure an interview by interesting a prospective employer in your abilities.

Summary of your experiences – both in college and on the job.

Mold your résumé for different jobs.

Keep it short, efficient, and effective!

ONE to two pages in length.

Do not staple pages together.

Presentation is vital.

Organized – not cluttered

White space – do not scrunch information

Emphasize by capitalizing, underlining, bolding, italicizing, etc.

Honesty and Truthfulness Work Experience (dates, titles, responsibilities)

Education (GPA)

Organizations (level of involvement)

“Tell the truth, but make the truth fascinating”~ David Ogilvy ~

Living document: Keep it up-to-date Contact info., experience, organizations, etc.

Contact Information – Keep up-to-date Name Address Email

▪ PROFESSIONAL!!!

Phone Number▪ Make sure your voicemail is also professional

Summary of Qualifications Keywords, short descriptions, action verbs, software

proficiency▪ Needs to be relevant to the position your are seeking

Education Most recent degrees first

▪ DO NOT include high school

State when you intend to graduate GPA is optional – If it is good, list it

Work Experience Most recent first Consistent lists Action Verbs

▪ Past job = past tense▪ Current job = present tense

Other Sections: Activities

Honors and Awards

Interests

Internships

Certifications

Organizations

Memberships

Career Objectives

Selected Coursework

Type at the bottom of your résumé: “References available upon request.”

3-5 References

References come from three areas: Professional

Educational

Personal

Never use a relative or an individual under 21 years of age as a reference.

Use careful judgment on who you ask to be a reference – you don’t want a bad reference.

Ask permission from your references. Keep them updated and informed

Make sure contact information is CORRECT. Use business hour contact information

Example:

Ms. Angela WrightInstructor of Business AdministrationSouthwest Baptist University1600 University AvenueBolivar, Missouri 65613awright@sbuniv.edu(417) 274-0063

Send the day of the interview or the next day.

Two Options: Handwritten note on appropriate stationary

▪ Must have good penmanship

Typed letter on same paper/format as cover letter

Comment on topics discussed in the interview and thank them for their time and the opportunity. Make sure it is ERROR free!

Carefully follow the application’s directions.

Fill in the application completely. Use N/A if it is not applicable Salary? – write negotiable or provide a range

Write neatly and clearly – Professional. Try not to use whiteout

Make sure to include what is required: Résumé (and cover letter) and References

Send as a PDF file.

Unless stated otherwise

This ensures that the information and/or formatting does not change

ONE page is the best option.

Remember to include a cover letter.

Email document can serve as CL in proper form

Remember: You get to choose the company; they don’t just choose you!

Your résumé gets you the interview –your interview gets you the job.

It’s NOT all about you – they want to know how you are going to help the organization.

Practice makes perfect. Try to avoid using ums, likes, etc.

Research the organization, industry, competition, position, and who you are interviewing with.

If you know the requirements of the job, write down how you meet them.

Prepare a one-minute statement that answers, “Tell me about yourself.”

Develop at least 3 questions to ask the interviewer at the end of the interview.

Research salary information and know how much you need to cover your expenses.

Identify at least 3 of your strengths and 3 of your weaknesses (interviewers are usually looking for examples).

Decide what you are going to wear. Professional, appropriate, and comfortable

Create an Interview “Cheat Sheet” Personal/Contact Information

▪ DOB, SSN, DLN, Phone #s, E-mail, etc.

Work History Behavioral Questions Strengths/Weaknesses Company Information Salary Requirements

Make several copies of your career documents on professional paper and put in portfolio.

Bring two black pens.

Get directions to the place of the interview, and make sure you know exactly where it is.

Go over your interview “cheat sheet” the day before the interview.

Bring a professional portfolio that can hold your career documents, cheat sheet, etc. Leave everything in the car except your portfolio

and car key (put in pocket)

Remember: Your interview begins the moment you get into your car.

Arrive 10 minutes early and check in with the administrative assistant.

Handshake – firm, dry, and warm.

Posture – stand and sit correctly, no slouching.

Eye Contact – appear confident, honest, and attentive.

Do Not Fidget – be aware of hand gestures, playing with hair, tapping foot, etc.

Examples: “Tell me about a time when you...” “Give me an example of...”

Use the STAR method: Situation or Task Action Result

Include behavioral questions on your “cheat sheet.”

Examples: “If you were a tree what tree would you be?”

“If you could be an animal what would you choose?”▪ And why???

Don’t panic!

Think of qualities you have that they want and simply place them into a type of tree, animal, or whatever!

Thank the interviewer for their time and the opportunity.

Evaluate how you did, good and bad, and write it down for future reference.

Send a THANK YOU!

Keep it clean.

If you wouldn’t let your grandma or teacher see it, then it probably shouldn't be posted on the internet.

Employers are looking - and not hiring.

Career Documents and Interviewing