Standing Out in a Competitive Job
Market
Career CenterJulie Law
Alejandra Toribio
The Cover Letter
• Introduces and personalizes your résumé• Motivates employer to read your résumé• Tailored sales tool• Demonstrates your interest in the position
and company• Showcases written communication skills• Exhibits what you can offer the employer
The Cover Letter
Basic Cover Letter Components
• Sender/your contact information • Date of letter• Employer’s contact information & Title• Company name• Address• Salutation• Opening paragraph: make the match• Middle paragraph: make the case• Closing paragraph: make the close• The signature line
Quick Tips1. Avoid “To whom it may concern” or templates
-Personalize with Mr._____/Ms._____
2. Use a friendly opening-Try to arrange contact prior via email or phone
3. Make presentable - Left justified business format, consistency in font/style with résumé
4. Have résumé and job description handy- Tailor to position, industry, and company- Include key words from job description
5. Know your relevant skills, qualifications, and experience- Don’t reiterate your résumé
The Résumé
What to Include? • Header• Objective• Education• Summary of
Qualifications • Internship Experience• Relevant Experience• Work Experience • Skills i.e. computer &
technical • Languages • Relevant Projects
• Honors & Awards • Clubs &
Organizations • Professional
Memberships • Community Service • Key words • Action oriented
descriptors • Utilize Bullets • Highlight Special
Projects
Résumé Don’ts • put your résumé in a fancy
binder or folder• list an unprofessional email • No “I” statements • include the complete
addresses of employers, or supervisor names
• include salary information (For Salary History see page 40, of the Career Guide)
• No references (see page 58 of the Career Guide
• Go back more than 10 years
• highlight problems• state the obvious• include photographs • disclose personal
information: age, sex, religion
• use jargon or slang• over explain things on your
résumé • use conjunctions
Résumé Do’s
• Use high quality or résumé paper
• Standard paper size 8 ½ x 11 inches
• Tailor your résumé to the job• Contact information should be
current • When using an objective do
make sure it applies directly to the position
• Do only go back 10 years in your work history
• List your GPA if its 3.5 or higher
• Be consistent with your layout and composition
• Be honest• Use bullet marks • Use past tense for previous
activities, experiences or acquired skills
• Limit your résumé to 1 page• Proof read your résumé• Continuously update your
résumé
Listing Your Education
Example
EDUCATIONCalifornia State University, Fullerton Expected May
2012Bachelor of Science, Health Science
General Rules• List only colleges or universities where you will receive or have
received a degree/credential/certificate etc. • GPA should be at least a 3.0 if listed (3.5 Preferred)
Use Action Words • Don’t list duties: or responsibilities: • Instead use action words Think of …
– Action – Purpose – Result
Use Page 46 of the Career Guide Examples: • Collaborated with physical therapists by providing patient care
including transfers, exercise, and other duties as requested • Provided group instruction in weight training/body conditioning• Developed schedules and arranged officials for intramural
competitions•
Formatting Your Résumé • Most Frequently Used is Reverse Chronological • Be Concise & Specific • Include Only Pertinent Information• Omit Personal Pronouns such as “I” & “We”• Use Action Words• Limit to 1 page if possible• Use .75” - 1” margins all around • Use The Same Font throughout the résumé• All Margins Should Be Well Aligned • Use Caps OR Bold To Emphasis Categories or
Headings- DO NOT OVER UTILIZE • Use 11” or 12” font
Award Winning Résumé
What makes an Award Winning Résumé?• It is presented on nice professional paper• It is well organized and put together• Easy on the eyes, easy to read and follow• The information provided is easy to find, self
explanatory and without spelling errors• Gives a good summary of your experience• Dates follow in a chronological order • Accomplishment statements are action oriented• Highlights your skills strengths, interests, and talents
12 Common Résumé Mistakes
1. Font is too small/too big or hard to read2. Spelling mistakes3. Repetitive words4. Leaving out dates5. Inconsistent layout of résumé6. Using someone else’s words7. Just having one version of a résumé8. No Cover Letter9. Unprofessional email address10. Cluttered information11. Including personal Information12. Applying use of abbreviations or contractions
• Log into www.fullterton.edu/career• Go to the Virtual Career Center • Click on the link• Choose “Access the All New Titan Resume Builder” • Log in to your portal• Click on create new resume
Resume Assistance– Drive-Thru Hours- No appointments needed – Monday-Thursday 10 a.m. to 2:45 p.m.
The Job Search Process • Get Focused & Have a Purpose • Learn the Job Search Etiquette • Begin Networking • Research the Industry-
– Ferguson – Eureka,– O*net Online,
• Gather Your Marketing Materials-Tailoring is HUGE– Resume-Titan Resume Builder– Cover Letter – References– Contacts
• Practice Interviewing – InterviewStream– Mock Interviews– Interview Attire
• Follow-Up• Keep Track- have a system• Be Proactive & have a positive attitude
The Hidden Job Market • Research shows that 80% of jobs are found
through networking • Make contact lists• Informational Interviews (pg. 68 of Career
Guide)• Keep accurate records (pg. 33 of Career
Guide)• Goal is to acquire valuable “inside” field
information, clarify career options, get feedback, and meet other professionals
Job Search Resources • Networking is #1 (friends, family, professors, staff)• Titan Connection Jobs Database and NaceLink• Fergusons Career Guidance Database• O*Net online • Internship & Job Fair• Employer Information Sessions • Informational Interviews (pg. 68 of Career Guide)• Industry Specialist• Job Search Engines: www.indeed.com, simplyhired.com,
www.juju.com
Communication Tips• When posting your resume on-line• Spell and check grammar on your resume• Have a Career Services staff member review your resume• Have a professor review your resume
• Have a professional email addressGOOD: [email protected]: [email protected]
• Have a professional Voice MailGOOD: “Hi, you have reached Elizabeth Muñoz, I am away….”BAD: “Yeah, you dialed the number, you know what to do.”
• Do not use ring tones, recruiters find them annoying– Keep it on silent or if needed, use vibrate mode
Career Center Services
• Drive-thru Advising– No appointment needed– 10 minute session with a counselor– Résumé/Cover Letter review– Career Questions– Assistance with online resources
• Industry Specialist Meeting– Schedule appointments for:
• Résumé/Cover Letter review• Job Search Assistance• Mock Interviews
Take 5 Workshops• Career Networking: Online & Face-To-Face• Marketing Your Leadership and Transferable
Skills• Overview of Careers in Non-Profit and
Government Sectors• Getting Into Graduate School• Interview for a Real Job• Powerful First Impressions that Lead to Career
Success• Business Survival Skills
Contact Information
Elizabeth MuñozEducation, Health, and Non-Profit Specialist
[email protected](657) 278-2032
Langsdorf Hall (LH 208)