Resumes

General Comments
- There is no one way to write a resume or cover letter—consult as many experts and strategies as possible, but use common sense in the end. Don’t blindly follow one model.
- The purpose of writing a resume and cover letter=securing an interview!

Writing Resumes and Letters in the Language of Employers—John L. Munschauer
Employers think: “What can the candidates do for us?” If you don’t sell the message that you can do something for an employer, then they don’t care.
- Why Use a Resume?
o Many conflicting opinions—don’t get distracted from conveying the message
o It’s like courting, sometimes you don’t need to put everything out there. Don’t confuse employers by “flaunting things that don’t speak to their needs.” Good advice!
- Giving Your Message
o Spend time on writing a letter, not just your resume. They see the cover letter first, so isn’t it just as/more important?
o Know the field you’re applying for. That way, you will be able to relate your experiences to the specific requirements of the job, even I you haven’t had a similar job in the past.
- Letters of Application
o Employers get so many applications, how do you separate yours from the pack? DUH! Be professional! (Is it really that difficult? Really?)
o Effective:
1. First paragraph states who the writer is and what he/she wants
2. Second paragraph (sometimes third) indicates why the writer wrote to the employer and mentions areas of interest, special talents, and other factors relating to qualifications
3. Final paragraph suggests a course of action
o Hard work and attention to detail make for a good letter
- Resume Preparation
o What? Why would you include your stats on a resume?
o Is involvement in a religious organization a turn off to all employers? It indicates that you care for something, not everyone is a zealot.—Reading further, don’t emphasize where you did it, but what you did. Ok, makes sense.
o Job objective—On one hand, I’ve been told that it is a good thing to include. I’ve also heard the “Isn’t the objective of submitting a resume to get a job? Isn’t that redundant?”
o One page or two?—As a college student entering the work force for the first time, I would never dream of making my resume longer than one page. If I was an employer, that would really annoy me. However, I can see why someone with much more experience who is applying for an academic position would include a second page.

Last piece of advice—test it out.