Resume & Cover Letter Essentials

Presented by: Liz Herrera, Assistant Director SPH

Career Services

Agenda

• Welcome & Introductions

• What is a branding statement?

• Components of a Resume

• How to enhance your current resume

• Cover letter essentials

Getting Started

• What is the goal of your resume?

• What BRAND are you marketing to your targeted audience?

• What is your professional story?

Take Inventory of your Experience

• work experience paid, non-Paid• practicum experience• special course projects• activities• committees• languages• technical skills• volunteer work• academics• publications• leadership• conferences

Reflect on your experience

• What are your credentials?

• What are your major achievements/accomplishments?

• How did you stand out in each of your positions?

• What major contributions have you made to your field?

• Special Projects?

• How did you go above and beyond?

• Unique skills

Sample Resume Headings• Contact Information (E-mail, LinkedIn URL)

• Introductory Statement (Summary of Qualifications, Career Profile, Highlights)

• Education

• Work Experience

• Professional Development

• Awards /Recognition

• Trainings /Certifications

• Skills (Computer and Languages)

• Leadership Experience

• Presentations

• Publications

What is your resume brand?

• Career Profile

• Summary of Qualifications

• Professional Profile

• Career Highlights

• Career Summary

• Professional Qualifications

• Core Competencies

• Areas of Expertise

Example Profile

Health Educator ~ Program Development ~ Partnership Development

• Certified health educator of 5 years. Deliver culturally competent health education workshops to community based organizations to help address health issues.

• Experience training diverse audiences on health topics in English and Spanish.

• Expert knowledge in the field of diabetes with comprehensive experience teaching self-management skills and presenting innovations through seminars and workshops.

• Experience cultivating relationships and building rapport with healthcare/ business professionals within various healthcare environments.

Overused words and phrases

• Demonstrated excellence

• Proven ability to

• Accomplished professional – or any statement that includes professional

• Team player

• Able to exceed in fast-paced environments

• Works well independently or with a team

• Excellent communicator (or its counterpart: Excellent verbal and written communication skills)

• Results-oriented, results-driven, or proven ability to deliver results

Does this look familiar?

• Responsible for….

• Duties included…

• Helped….

• Worked on…

• Made a….

• HIPPA?

• Hobbies/Skills (from the template)

Stand out in your experience

• Always tailor and customize your resume

• Highlight strengths and relevant points

• Quantify (use numbers, percentages, accomplishments)

• Begin statements with powerful action verbs

• Do not use a template

• Show your contributions…

• Your resume should be polished and visually appealing!

Enhance your bullet points

Before: • Responsible for developing a report to the Secretary of Health and

Human Services

After:

• Developed and published 300-page report to the Secretary of Health and Human Services providing foundation for policies governing electronic exchange of information in healthcare

Before:

• Submitted monthly data on state and federal contracts

After:

• Saved $10K annually by systemizing procedures for submitting monthly data on state and federal contracts

Power statements

• Served as a member of a team selected to write and implement $50,000 grant proposal to develop innovative programs addressing childhood obesity.

• Developed strategic relationships with key healthcare systems providers, including Medicaid HMO plans for commercial memberships.

• Standardized and delivered training/rehabilitation to 25 patients recovering from immune-systems cancer and neurological disorders.

Additional Tips

• Check & double check for content flow, grammar, punctuation, and spelling

• Keep to 1 or 2 pages• Do not clutter your resume• Use variations in style to help the reader’s eye pick up

most important information and move through the resume

• Use a readable font size• Avoid using templates• Send in PDF format

• Prioritize bullet points• Keep format organized and consistent• Avoid the use of “I” or “my” • Stick with two fonts at most• Use bullet points sparingly• Avoid underlining in most instances• Have enough white space • Edit and proofread for possible errors

RESUME QUESTIONS?

Cover Letter Essentials…

• Research the company

• Decipher the job posting

• Assess your skills, strengths and knowledge related to the job requirements

• Reflect on accomplishments and contributions to a prior employer

• Identify what you can bring to the prospective employer

Components of a Cover Letter

INTRODUCTION:

(What is your purpose?)

• Identifies the position you are applying for

• Tells how you learned about the position

• Include your special interest in the position

BODY:

• Highlight the most important qualifications that match the job requirements

• Describe points that may be of special interest to the employer

• Focus on an example that provides evidence of your experience and accomplishments

• Be sure to use keywords

Components of a Cover Letter

Components of a Cover Letter

CLOSING:

• Indicate your interest in having an interview or the next step you plan to take

• Inform that your resume is enclosed

• Reiterate your contact information

• Thank the reader

FINAL COVER LETTER TIPS

• Check for content flow, grammar, punctuation and spelling

• Keep to one page

• Tailor your cover letter

• Use standard business letter format

• Use a font style and size that is easy to read

• Be honest!

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