Cover Letters, Resumes, Cover Letters, Resumes, and Interviewingand Interviewing

EDP 666EDP 666

Career CounselingCareer Counseling

Keisha Love, Ph.D.Keisha Love, Ph.D.

Cover LettersCover Letters

Why send a cover letter w/ your resume or vita?Why send a cover letter w/ your resume or vita? TypesTypes

– Uninvited or coldUninvited or cold

– InvitedInvited

– ReferralReferral

Cover LetterCover Letter

11stst paragraph paragraph– Tell why you are writingTell why you are writing– Showcase what you know Showcase what you know

about the companyabout the company 22ndnd paragraph paragraph

– Describe your qualificationsDescribe your qualifications cite examples of your cite examples of your

accomplishmentsaccomplishments

Cover LetterCover Letter

33rdrd paragraph paragraph– Relate yourself to the companyRelate yourself to the company

show your fit for the positionshow your fit for the position show why you are more qualified than other applicantsshow why you are more qualified than other applicants

44thth paragraph paragraph– Request actionRequest action

ask for an interviewask for an interview follow up follow up

Thank the interviewer for his or her time & Thank the interviewer for his or her time & considerationconsideration

Do’s & Don’tsDo’s & Don’ts

Don’tDon’t ever send your resume w/out a cover ever send your resume w/out a cover letterletter

Do Do address your letter to a specific individualaddress your letter to a specific individual Don’tDon’t be negative or arrogant be negative or arrogant DoDo send an original letter to each employer send an original letter to each employer Don’tDon’t send a cover letter w/ typos send a cover letter w/ typos DoDo be brief (never write more than 1 page) be brief (never write more than 1 page)

ResumeResume

What is the purpose of a resume?What is the purpose of a resume? What should a resume include?What should a resume include?

– Required InformationRequired Information– Optional InformationOptional Information

What type of style should I use?What type of style should I use?– Chronological (historical) resumeChronological (historical) resume– Functional resumeFunctional resume– Electronic resumeElectronic resume

Page controversy??...Paper controversy??Page controversy??...Paper controversy??

Chronological ResumeChronological Resume

Presents information in chronological orderPresents information in chronological order– Use reverse orderingUse reverse ordering

OrganizationOrganization– Contact info (required)Contact info (required)– Objective (optional)Objective (optional)– Educational history (required)Educational history (required)– Employment history (required)Employment history (required)– Special Qualifications (optional)Special Qualifications (optional)– Certifications / Licenses etc. (required)Certifications / Licenses etc. (required)

Functional ResumeFunctional Resume

Emphasizes qualifications and abilitiesEmphasizes qualifications and abilities– Rejects the chronological formation and provides Rejects the chronological formation and provides

analyses of particular strengths and skillsanalyses of particular strengths and skills

IncludeInclude– Work historyWork history– Volunteer historyVolunteer history– TalentsTalents– Certifications and special skills Certifications and special skills

Electronic ResumeElectronic Resume

Online Resumes are popularOnline Resumes are popular– Information you can provide is predeterminedInformation you can provide is predetermined– Can post the resume onlineCan post the resume online– Sites such as:Sites such as:

http://www.careerbulider.comhttp://www.careerbulider.com http://www.monster.comhttp://www.monster.com http://www.10minuteresume.com/http://www.10minuteresume.com/

Key PointsKey Points

What is a good resume?What is a good resume?– One that will get the reader’s attentionOne that will get the reader’s attention

Use “action” words: consult, analyze, manage, Use “action” words: consult, analyze, manage, supervisesupervise

– Is well organized Is well organized Utilizes white space appropriatelyUtilizes white space appropriately Good font size and styleGood font size and style

– Looks professionalLooks professional– Is concise and succinctIs concise and succinct– Provides a good overview of professional lifeProvides a good overview of professional life

Key PointsKey Points

List references separatelyList references separately– Include a “references provided upon request” Include a “references provided upon request”

statementstatement

Be consistent w/ the formattingBe consistent w/ the formatting– Bullets are OKBullets are OK– Don’t provide too much narrative Don’t provide too much narrative

VitaVita

Typically used in academic settingsTypically used in academic settings Purpose is the same as the resumePurpose is the same as the resume IncludeInclude

– Contact infoContact info– Educational history + certifications & licensuresEducational history + certifications & licensures– Work historyWork history– Academic accomplishmentsAcademic accomplishments

Presentations, publications, service, grants, special Presentations, publications, service, grants, special training etc.training etc.

– Professional memberships Professional memberships

Sample VitasSample Vitas

http://www.coe.uky.edu/directory/dept.cfm?http://www.coe.uky.edu/directory/dept.cfm?dept=edpdept=edp

http://gatton.uky.edu/GattonPeople/http://gatton.uky.edu/GattonPeople/FindAFacultyMember.aspFindAFacultyMember.asp

InterviewingInterviewing

The basicsThe basics– DressDress– Be promptBe prompt– The good handshakeThe good handshake– PresentationPresentation

Posture, eye contact, vocalism Posture, eye contact, vocalism

– Follow the interviewer's leadFollow the interviewer's lead– Make your weaknesses your strengthsMake your weaknesses your strengths– What happens if I don’t know the answer?What happens if I don’t know the answer?

InterviewingInterviewing

Why do employers conduct interviews?Why do employers conduct interviews? Have you been on an interview that went well? Have you been on an interview that went well?

If so, what was good about it?If so, what was good about it? Have you been on an interview that did not go Have you been on an interview that did not go

so well? If so, what was wrong?so well? If so, what was wrong?

InterviewingInterviewing

This is an excellent example of how This is an excellent example of how NOTNOT to to conduct yourself in an interview.conduct yourself in an interview.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NTQZcFMEO5Uv=NTQZcFMEO5U

InterviewingInterviewing

Be confident, but not cockyBe confident, but not cocky Prepare questions for the interviewer ahead of timePrepare questions for the interviewer ahead of time Hold off discussing salary unless you are pressedHold off discussing salary unless you are pressed

– Do YOUR RESEARCH: What are you worth?Do YOUR RESEARCH: What are you worth? http://www.salary.com/ http://www.salary.com/ Give a range of acceptable salary requirementsGive a range of acceptable salary requirements

Thank the personThank the person Send a follow up note that thanks the interviewer, Send a follow up note that thanks the interviewer,

reiterates your interest in the position, fit for the job, reiterates your interest in the position, fit for the job, qualifications etc. qualifications etc.

Questions or comments?Questions or comments?