RESUMÉS,
COVER LETTERS,
REFERENCES
and
THANK YOU LETTERS
3rd Floor MCC
(724)946-7338
Email:career@westminster.edu
Website: www.westminster.edu/career
An effective resume describes your education and experience as it
specifically relates to the position for which you are applying. The
more you know about the employer and the position, the more you
can target your resume to fit the job. Your cover letter and resume
often form the first impression and if done well, can set you apart
from other candidates.
1
Résumé Tips

• Use quality paper (at least 20 lb. weight)
• Use a readable font (no smaller than 10) and print on a letter-quality printer
NOTE: use standard/common font style when sending resume as an attachment
(i.e. Times New Roman, Arial)
• Avoid templates and wizards. They are not user friendly!
• Be concise and specific in your objective, if you use one
• Quantify, when possible, and use specific examples
• Emphasize significant achievements, results produced, and recognition from others
• Put the most important/relevant experience near the top of the resume
• Use phrases and words that are positive and action-oriented; avoid “Responsible
for”
• Begin phrases with action verbs such as "supervised," "designed," etc.
• Attempt to limit your resume to one page; two pages if you have a significant
amount of experience with clear relevance to a prospective employer
• Be sure to include your name and “Page Two” at the top of second page
• Check the spelling of every word; make sure grammar and punctuation are correct
• Have your resume proofread by several people
• Use a large envelope so you do not fold resume pages
• Don’t staple or paperclip resume pages together
• Don’t include personal information such as marital status, social security number,
age, or race
• Avoid identifying religion, political affiliation, or specific fraternity or sorority
names
• Don’t put a picture of yourself on your resume
• Avoid listing unrelated, detailed duties such as "opened mail" or "filed documents"
• Avoid using pronouns, such as I, me, or my in your resume
• Don’t exaggerate your experience, but don’t be shy about your accomplishments
• Avoid meaningless words or phrases such as "seeking a challenging position" or
"seeking a position working with people"
• Don’t use abbreviations
• Don’t include high school information after your first year in college, unless it is
outstanding or directly related to the position for which you are applying
• Use the correct tense. If you are presently doing an activity, the verbs in your
description can be in present tense, and if you are no longer doing the activity, the
verbs should be in past tense.
2
RESUME DOs AND DON’Ts
Do
 Make your professional summary relevant and concise
 Focus on the specific results of your work, significant achievements, and recognition
received
 Use action verbs such as “created” or “coordinated” to describe your experience
 Get feedback from several people, including a career counselor
 Have somebody whose writing skills you trust proofread your resume for spelling and
grammatical
errors
 Remember to describe both your paid and unpaid positions or volunteer experiences
 Exercise restraint rather than cramming too much information onto a resume
 Tailor your resume to each specific position
 Omit experiences that you would not want to repeat in future positions unless they are
necessary for the job
 Use readable and common fonts
Don’t






Use phrases such as “Responsibilities included”
Use resume templates included in word processing software
Include routine job duties such as “making copies”
Use long sentences or paragraphs
Submit the same resume to every employer, regardless of the position
Write long objectives such as, “To find a sales position at a medium sized corporation
where I can grow and develop my management skills”
RESUME TIPS FOR FIRST YEAR STUDENTS
 You may include work, leadership, and academic achievements from high school. By your
third year in college, college experiences should replace those from high school.
 Don’t worry about having limited work experience. You may highlight other
accomplishments, such as those listed under “Resume Components,” include some of the
components marked “optional.”
 First resumes require extra time to assemble. Expect to spend a few hours creating a rough
draft, and make an appointment with a career counselor or see a peer advisor in drop-ins to
review your document.
 Be patient with the process! Resumes are always a work in progress.
3
Suggested Sections for Resumes
SECTION
CONTENT
COMMENTS
IDENTIFYING
INFORMATION
• Name, address, phone number(s), and
email address should be at the top of
the page. (always include area and zip
codes)
• Be sure that any message on your personal
voice mail is appropriate.
• For current students, list a college and
home address and phone number(s).
OBJECTIVE
(Optional)
PERSONAL SUMMARY
OR SUMMARY OF
QUALIFICATIONS
(optional)
EDUCATION
• If used, should be brief
• May identify position/field sought
and/or target an organization or
industry
• The job objective should follow your
name, address, and telephone number at
the top of your resume.
• List of skills or strengths placed at • Brings immediate attention to relevant
the top of your resume that can
skills
separate you from the competition
• Name of school, city and state, major,
degree received, graduation date or
projected graduation date.
• Honors, grade-point average (of 3.0 or
above) and/or major grade point
average (of 3.0 or above) should be
included.
• List schools from which you have received
a degree or certification, most recent first.
Optional: You may also include other
post secondary schools you have attended.
• Ordinarily, do not list high school
information after first year of college.
• Include study abroad
RELEVANT
EXPERIENCE
RELATED
EXPERIENCE
OTHER
EXPERIENCE
OR
EXPERIENCE
• If you have experience relevant to the
position, create a separate section
entitled RELEVANT EXPERIENCE or
RELATED EXPERIENCE. List
remaining experience as OTHER
EXPERIENCE.
• Include specific details where appropriate
(i.e. number of employees you have
trained or supervised, size of budget
managed, amount of funds raised, type of
population served, a procedure improved
upon or designed).
• Full-time, part-time, internship,
volunteer experience, and military
experience may be included.
• Experience need not be paid to be
included.
• Emphasize skills, abilities, and
accomplishments appropriate to the
position for which you are applying.
• Always include job title, employing
organization, city and state, and dates
of employment.
4
SECTION
RELEVANT
COURSEWORK
(Optional)
SKILLS & ABILITIES
(Optional)
COMPONENTS
COMMENTS
• If used, include courses of interest to
the employer.
• Identify relevant courses that increased
your proficiency with computers, foreign
language(s), written/oral communications,
etc.
• Computer skills, web page design
skills, oral/written communication
skills, broadcast skills, lab techniques
and/or transferable skills not mentioned
elsewhere.
LANGUAGE SKILLS
(Optional)
• Mention if you are fluent in a foreign
language(s).
• If you understand a language but are not
fluent, you still might want to mention it.
LEADERSHIP &
ACTIVITIES
(Optional)
• In order of importance, list student
activities and organizations, offices
held, and committees on which you
have served.
• Include activities and interests that show
leadership/initiative or relate to the
position for which you are applying.
HONORS/AWARDS
(Optional)
• Include honors such as the Dean's List,
scholarships, honor societies, athletics,
and others.
• These may be listed under a separate
heading or as a subsection under
Education.
RESEARCH &
PUBLICATIONS
(Optional)
• Briefly describe relevant research
projects. You may list articles, papers,
books, thesis, or capstone projects.
• These experiences may be listed under a
separate heading or as a subsection under
Education
PROFESSIONAL
DEVELOPMENT
(Optional)
• List professional association
memberships, conferences, training,
and/or workshops attended.
• List offices held, organizations,
projects, and the skills and abilities
utilized.
• If the setting is religious or political, you
may want to use generic descriptions (for
example, Youth Leader for church). If
substantial, these experiences may be
listed under "Experience."
TRAVEL
(Optional)
• List countries and significant cultural
experiences
• Travel can add a dimension to your life
that could be valuable to an employer.
REFERENCES
• Do not include the words “References
Available Upon Request”.
• Create a separate page for your references.
Submit references on a separate page only
if requested. See instructions (references)
COMMUNITY
SERVICE/VOLUNTEER
ACTIVITIES
(Optional)
5
VERB LIST FOR RESUMES AND LETTERS
MANAGEMENT
accelerated
chaired
developed
increased
produced
supervised
administered
consolidated
directed
organized
recommended
analyzed
contracted
evaluated
oversaw
reviewed
assigned
coordinated
executed
planned
scheduled
attained
delegated
improved
prioritized
strengthened
COMMUNICATION
addressed
advertised
collaborated
convinced
drafted
edited
interpreted
lectured
persuaded
promoted
spoke
translated
arbitrated
corresponded
enlisted
mediated
publicized
wrote
arranged
developed
formulated
moderated
reconciled
authored
directed
influenced
negotiated
recruited
RESEARCH
assisted
evaluated
interpreted
summarized
clarified
examined
interviewed
surveyed
collected
extracted
investigated
systematized
critiqued
identified
organized
utilized
diagnosed
inspected
reviewed
TECHNICAL
assembled
devised
overhauled
upgraded
built
engineered
programmed
verified
calculated
fabricated
remodeled
computed
maintained
repaired
designed
operated
solved
TEACHING
adapted
coordinated
enforced
informed
set goals
advised
demystified
evaluated
instructed
stimulated
clarified
developed
explained
modified
supported
coached
enabled
facilitated
persuaded
taught
communicated
encouraged
guided
presented
trained
FINANCIAL
administered
balanced
forecasted
allocated
budgeted
managed
analyzed
calculated
marketed
appraised
computed
planned
audited
developed
projected
6
VERB LIST FOR RESUMES AND LETTERS
CREATIVE
acted
designed
founded
introduced
planned
HELPING
assessed
demonstrated
familiarized
represented
authored
developed
illustrated
invented
revitalized
conceptualized
directed
initiated
originated
created
established
instituted
performed
customized
fashioned
integrated
photographed
assisted
diagnosed
guided
clarified
educated
motivated
coached
expedited
referred
counseled
facilitated
rehabilitated
catalogued
executed
operated
recorded
tabulated
classified
generated
organized
retrieved
validated
Collected
implemented
prepared
screened
CLERICAL OR DETAIL ORIENTED
approved
arranged
compiled
dispatched
inspected
monitored
processed
purchased
specified
systematized
MORE VERBS FOR ACCOMPLISHMENTS
achieved
accomplished
arbitrated
improved
pioneered
reduced (losses)
spearheaded
transformed
unified
awarded
expanded
resolved (problems) restored
won
from The Damn Good Resume Guide
by Yana Parker, Berkeley:
7
William Wonka
Box 830 Westminster College
New Wilmington, PA 16172
Phone: (724) 946-5555
wonkaw@westminster.edu
645 Chocolate Street
Washington, PA 15301
Phone: (724) 222-5555
OBJECTIVE
To obtain a sales position with Pfizer; willing to travel
EDUCATION
WESTMINSTER COLLEGE, New Wilmington, PA
Bachelor of Science: Business Administration, May 2014
Minor: Marketing
GPA: 3.25
Semester Abroad, Fall 2012
UNIVERSITY OF LEIPZIG, Heidelberg, Germany
• Attended University of Leipzig to enhance German speaking skills
HEALTHCARE EXPERIENCE
Merck Pharmaceutical, Inc., Pittsburgh, PA
Intern, April-May 2014
• Presented corporate information to healthcare professionals
• Promoted individual products
• Analyzed information regarding physicians’ medical product preferences
• Assisted in developing promotional events for products
Sammons Family Medicine, Washington, PA
Office Assistant, Summers 2010-2013
• Scheduled and recorded appointments electronically
• Authorized referrals
SALES EXPERIENCE
Direct China Outlet, Washington, PA
Sales Associate, Summers 2008-2009
• Generated sales by assisting and advising customers
• Arranged display cases to draw customers' attention
• Balanced cash drawer at open and close
• Handled all inventory duties
LEADERSHIP ACTIVITIES
Assistant Treasurer: National Social Sorority
• Coordinated three fundraising events for sixty women
• Budgeted all revenues from fundraisers
Executive Board: National Social Sorority
• Researched and presented pertinent topics to members
• Organized self-awareness program
COMPUTER SKILLS
Proficient: Microsoft Word, Excel, Access, PowerPoint, and Netscape Navigator
8
Jane A. Doe
Box 100 Westminster College
New Wilmington, PA 16172
(724) 946-5555
15 Nest Garden Estates
Old Bird, PA 15067
(724) 292-5555
doeja@westminster.edu
OBJECTIVE
A sales position with a competitive pharmaceutical company; willing to travel
EDUCATION
Bachelor of Arts, Public Relations
Westminster College, New Wilmington, PA
GPA: 3.24
Major GPA: 3.68
Anticipated May 2015
RELATED EXPERIENCE
Communications Intern, UPMC Presbyterian Hospital, Pittsburgh, PA, Summer 2014
•
Created and edited press releases
•
Attended Communication Department staff meetings
•
Participated in group projects to develop promotional materials
Sales Associate, Bath and Body Works, Old Bird, PA, 2012-present
•
Contributed to increased retail sales through product knowledge, demonstration, and
point-of-sale recommendation
•
Trained and oriented five new employees
•
Prepared in-store marketing
WORK EXPERIENCE
Resident Assistant, Westminster College, New Wilmington, PA, 2013-present
•
Presented educational and social programming for twenty-four women residents
•
Participated in team projects with Student Affairs staff
•
Conducted weekly meetings with residents to ensure enforcement of college policies
Sales Clerk, Brewster’s Ice Cream, Old Bird, PA, Summers 2010-2012
•
Supervised seven employees
•
Maintained inventory
COMPUTER SKILLS
Competent: Microsoft Excel, PowerPoint, Word, and Internet
LEADERSHIP
National Social Sorority
Chair, Public Relations
Executive Board, Panhellenic Council
Junior Delegate, Panhellenic Council
The Holcad, College Newspaper
Sports and Feature Editor
First Year Student Orientation Staff
Student Government Association
HONORS
Lambda Sigma (sophomore honor society), academic and leadership excellence
Omicron Delta Kappa (national leadership honorary)
9
Ineed A. Job
Box 100 Westminster College
New Wilmington, PA 16172
(724) 946-5555
ineedja@westminster.edu
EDUCATION
Bachelor of Arts, Public Relations
Westminster College, New Wilmington, PA
GPA: 3.24
Major GPA: 3.68
15 Nest Garden Estates
Old Bird, PA 15067
(724) 292-5555
Expected May 2015
PUBLIC RELATIONS SKILLS
• Created and edited press releases
• Presented educational and social programming for twenty-four college women
• Participated in team projects with Student Affairs staff
• Participated in group projects to develop promotional materials
• Attended Communication Department staff meetings
MANAGERIAL SKILLS
• Conducted weekly meetings with residents to ensure enforcement of college policies
• Trained and oriented five new employees
• Maintained inventory
• Supervised seven employees
SALES SKILLS
• Contributed to increased retail sales through product knowledge, demonstration, and
point-of-sale recommendation
• Prepared in-store marketing
WORK HISTORY
Resident Assistant, Westminster College, New Wilmington, PA
Communications Intern, UPMC Presbyterian Hospital, Pittsburgh, PA
Sales Associate, Bath and Body Works, Old Bird, PA
Sales Clerk, Brewster’s Ice Cream, Old Bird, PA
LEADERSHIP
National Social Sorority
 Chair, Public Relations
 Executive Board, Panhellenic Council
 Junior Delegate, Panhellenic Council
2012-present
2013
2011-2013
2009-2010
First Year Student Orientation Staff
Student Government Association
The Holcad, College Newspaper
 Sports and Feature Editor
HONORS
Lambda Sigma (sophomore honor society), academic and leadership excellence
Omicron Delta Kappa (national leadership honorary)
COMPUTER SKILLS
Competent: Microsoft Excel, PowerPoint, Word, and Internet
Please visit my website at: www.ineedajob.weebly.com
10
Cee D. Rom
romcd@westminster.edu
School Address:
Box 322, Westminster College
New Wilmington, PA
(724) 946-5555
Home Address:
101 Easy Street
Uniontown, PA 15401
(724) 437-5555
OBJECTIVE:
A computer programming position with a dynamic organization
EDUCATION
Bachelor of Science: Computer Science, Expected May 2016
Major GPA: 3.90
Westminster College, New Wilmington, PA
COMPUTER SKILLS
Proficient: Visual Basic
Allaire Cold
Excel
Windows AT
BASIC
Fusion
PowerPoint
Word
C+ +
FTP
Spim
Oracle
Java
Access
HTML
Novell NetWare
UNIX
COBOL
Adobe Photoshop
Visual C+ +
Derive
SQL
COMPUTER EXPERIENCE
METALLIC INCORPORATED, Uniontown, PA
Software Engineer / Web Administrator Intern, Summer 2014
• Designed a Visual Basic application to collect local radar conditions and display live wireless traffic data to
the Internet
• Installed video server to stream live video to the Internet
• Created and maintained Metallic website using Netscape Enterprise Server and Windows NT server
• Installed antennas, cable runs, wireless video equipment, cameras, infrared illuminators, weather sensors, and
other peripheral equipment
WESTMINSTER COLLEGE, New Wilmington, PA
Web Developer, Spring 2013
• Revised web site Client/Server databases
• Assisted webmaster with updates and changes to Internet site
Master Proctor, Fall, 2012
• Supervised all computer labs and 40+ student workers
• Conducted spot checks on labs and evaluated student workers
Help Desk Intern, Spring, 2012
• Provided Help Desk support for the campus-wide Novell network
• Troubleshot and repaired computer hardware and software
• Trained and scheduled student workers
• Prepared web pages for online help
• Resolved faculty and student problems regarding the campus-wide network
LEADERSHIP
Senator, Student Government Association, 2013
CAMPUS INVOLVEMENT
Active Member: Westminster Varsity Soccer Team
National Social Fraternity
Delegate, Mock Convention, 2012
Ski Club
Chess Club
INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL
Austria • Belgium • England • France • Germany • Holland • Italy
CERTIFICATIONS
CPR • Basic First Aid • Life Saving
11
Gel E. Bean
707 Lone Pine Drive
Girard, OH 12345
Phone: (123) 456-7890
gebean@westminster.edu
Box 926 Westminster College
New Wilmington, PA 16172
Phone: (724) 946-1234
EDUCATION
Bachelor of Science: Neuroscience
Minor: Psychology
Westminster College, New Wilmington, PA
Expected May 2015
GPA: 3.82
Study Abroad Course:
The Ecology of Ecuador and the Galapagos Islands
January 2014
 Visited the rainforests of Ecuador and 10 of the Galapagos Islands
 Studied the behavior of the indigenous monkey population of the rainforests and islands
Honors Thesis: “The Curry Spice Curcumin Reduces Oxidative Damage and Amyloid
Pathology in an Alzheimer Transgenic Mouse”
RELATED EXPERIENCE
Research Methods and Analysis, Psychology 201
Spring 2013
The Effect of Humor on Stress Levels in Undergraduate Students
 Designed and implemented assessment tool
 Analyzed data using SPSS software
 Discussed results in written report and presented findings orally to peers
Teaching Assistant, Biology 101 Lab
Westminster College, New Wilmington, PA
 Prepared equipment and chemicals for labs
 Assisted students in conducting lab experiments
 Read and graded lab notebooks
 Served as a resource to students
Fall 2012
LABORATORY SKILLS
Scanning Electron Microscopy and Darkroom Techniques
Critical Point Drying and Sputter Coating
Speed Vac and Freeze Drying
Centrifugation
Polyacrylamide Gel Electrophoresis
Western Blotting and Chemiluminescent Detection
Nuclear Magnetic Resonance, 13C and 1H
FT-Infrared, Ultraviolet-Visible, and Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy Gas Chromatography and HighPerformance Liquid Chromatography
Cyclic Voltammetry
COMPUTER SKILLS
Proficient in: SPSS, E-Prime, PowerPoint, Microsoft Word, Excel, Windows XP
12
Gel E. Bean
Page Two
WORK EXPERIENCE
Resident Assistant
2013-present
Westminster College, New Wilmington, PA
 Organize and present educational, cultural, and social programs
to thirty-two women
 Mediate and resolve interpersonal conflicts; enforce college policies
 Collaborate with other staff members to provide a safe and respectful environment for
building residents
Server
Summers 2012-2013
White Turkey Drive-In, Conneaut, OH
 Provided efficient customer service
CAMPUS INVOLVEMENT & ACTIVITIES
Teaching Assistant, Westminster College Learning Center
2013-present
 Tutor students in the disciplines of writing, biology,
chemistry, psychology, and calculus
Student Alumni Association (SAA)
2012-present
 Serve on Fundraising Committee
 Greet and maintain relationships with Westminster alumni
Westminster College Bell Choir
2012-present
Campus Programming Committee
2012-2013
 Co-Chaired Westminster College’s Sesquicentennial Kick-Off Celebration
Student Government Association
2012
 Served on committee to promote campus events
Chapel Drama
2012
 Cast Member, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat
Westminster Chorale
2013
Volunteer Youth Leader, New Wilmington Presbyterian Church 2012-2013
ST
th
 Led 1 through 4 graders in games, crafts, music, and activities
 Taught Bible lessons
HONORS
Lambda Sigma, sophomore honor society
Omicron Delta Kappa, national leadership honorary, Vice President
Mortar Board, national senior honor and leadership society
Pi Sigma Pi, academic honor society
Maude Myer’s Trust Scholarship, academic excellence
Dean’s List, all semesters
INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL
Paris and Annecy, France
April 2013
 Utilized French language skills and studied French culture
People to People Student Ambassador to Australia
Summer 2011
 Traveled the east coast of Australia with a group of student
delegates from the United States
 Experienced the culture of Australia
13
(Sample Internship Resume)
Tiger B. Forest
Permanent Address:
103 Golf Drive
Pittsburgh, PA 15299
(412) 888-3456
School Address:
Westminster College, Box 1200
New Wilmington, PA 16172
(724) 946-0044
foresttb@westminster.edu
Objective
A sports-related internship where I may use my business and communication skills
Education
Westminster College, New Wilmington, PA
Bachelor of Science, anticipated May, 2015
Major: International Business, GPA: 3.50
Relevant Courses
American Workplace
Marketing
Interpersonal Communication
Organizational Communication
Business Law
Business Organization & Management
Business and Professional Communication
Advanced Public Speaking
Research Paper: “Marketing Golf to the Global Community,” presented to
Enactus, Westminster College, 2013
Leadership
Researcher and Assistant, International Business Department
Teaching Assistant, Westminster College Learning Center
Senator, Student Government Association
Secretary, Enactus, (Entrepreneurship, action, and us)
Work Experience
Oakmont Country Club, Oakmont, PA
Golf Professional
• Taught individual golf lessons
• Conducted golf clinics
Summer 2014
Pittsburgh City Park, Pittsburgh, PA
Summer 2013
Park Director
• Organized activities for children ages 4 to 18
• Supervised children in games and taught good sportsmanship
Valvoline Instant Oil Change, Pittsburgh, PA
Certified Technician
• Trained new employees
• Processed and entered customer data
Summer 2012
Honors/Awards
Westminster College President’s Scholarship, academic excellence
Presidents’ Athletic Conference, Outstanding Golfer 2012
Economics and Business Department, Outstanding Sophomore Scholarship
Activities
Westminster College Golf Team, 2-Year Letter Winner
Big Brothers/Big Sisters, Volunteer
The Holcad, Westminster College newspaper, Staff Writer
Alpha Phi Omega, Westminster service fraternity, Member
Computer Skills
Proficient with Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Publisher
14
Preparing A Perfect Electronic Resume (E-Resume)
An electronic, plain text resume, or e-resume, is what you need when posting your resume on-line, emailing your resume as part of the message and not as an attachment (to avoid viruses), and when entering
(copying and pasting) your resume into an employer’s database system where it will be searched.
Electronic resumes are one continuous document that is free of all application-based formatting. By
removing this formatting, you ensure that your resume appears on everyone’s computer in a readable
format.
Job search experts recommend you create and save duplicates of your resume in each of the following versions or
formats. You do not need a different resume, you only need to alter the format of your printable resume to make it
easy for you to post, copy and paste, or email it to employers.
A Print Version, designed with bulleted lists, italicized text, and other highlights, ready to print and mail
or hand to potential employers and interviewers.
A Scannable Version, a less-designed version without the fancy highlights. Bulleted lists are fine, but
that's about the limit. (black text on white paper, standard 10-14 point font)
A Plain Text Version, a plain text file ready to copy and paste into online forms or post in online resume
databases. This is also referred to as an ASCII copy and contains no formatting.
An E-mail Version, another plain text copy, but this one is specifically altered for the length-of-line
restrictions in e-mail. This is also an ASCII copy.
This is the same document presented in four ways, each formatted for a specific delivery purpose.
Keywords
Keywords are a critical component in a successful e-resume. Search engines look for nouns, or keywords,
like Chemistry, Internship, and PowerPoint. Database systems look for resumes that contain any words
from a list of keywords, count the number of keywords per resume, and rank the resumes accordingly.
Because computers don’t really comprehend what they are reading and only look for the nouns that they are
asked to, they can be fooled. So, if you live on Music Row and your last name is Horn, a search engine
may think you are a music major who plays the French horn. Also, searches are affected by the many ways
there are to say the same things. You need to make your e-resume “idiot proof”. Go through your resume
and add clarifying nouns, either in parentheses next to related information, or in a keyword summary at the
end. For example: Bachelor of Arts in Public Relations (BA, B.A., PR, P.R., Public Relations Major).
Being redundant on an electronic resume is not only okay, it is in fact the best way for you to present
critical information. List all the most common and obvious ways of saying something. Spell things out too.
Your keyword summary should consist of 20-60 terms that describe your qualifications, both technical and
non-technical. For example: Adobe PhotoShop, Quark X-press, conflict resolution, facilitation (not
facilitate – verb).
Be careful not to “spamdex”! For example: Objective: To one day become the Press Secretary at the
White House in Washington, D.C. or rise to the position of Account Manager with Walt Disney
Corporation and learn more about concept development, media interface, event planning, and account
team leadership. Your goal is to get people to look at your resume for a position for which you are
qualified, not to get the most “hits”.
15
You can leave the top of your resume designed to impress a human and be redundant with a Keyword
Summary at the bottom. A search engine will read every word on your resume, while a human will start at
the top and expect to be impressed right away.
Instructions for converting your Printable Resume to an E-Resume
Step 1:
Save Your Resume as a Text Only document.
To convert your MS Word resume to Text Only, do the following:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
Open the MS Word document that contains your resume.
Click File in your tool bar and select Save As.
Type in a new name for this document in File Name, such as "ResumeTextOnly."
Under this is the Save As Type pull-down menu. From this list, select "Text Only (*.txt)."
Click Save to perform the conversion.
Now close the document, but stay in MS Word.
Reopen the document you just closed by going to File in the tool bar, click Open, select the file
named "ResumeTextOnly.txt," and click Open. Note: If you exit MS Word and then open the plain
text resume document by clicking on its icon in the directory, it will be opened in Notepad -- not
what you want. It needs to be a text only Word file if you are going to continue on and also prepare
an e-mailable resume.
After converting your resume to Text Only, what appears in your document window is your resume stripped of any
fancy formatting. You are now ready to make a few final adjustments before it is ready to save for posting online:
Step 2: Check keywords. Make sure you have all the keywords that define your qualifications,
education, and skills. Add a Keyword Summary section at the end of your resume, with the keywords
separated by commas.
Step 3: Start all lines on the left margin. Don’t center anything, not even your name. Separate
paragraphs with a double return and headings with a triple return.
Step 4: Remove all page numbering and page headers/footers. Delete any references to "page two,"
"continued," or your name or header on page 2. You are making your resume appear as one continuous
electronic document. Length is irrelevant for an e-resume.
Step 5: Use all CAPS for words that need special emphasis. For the best overall effect, use all caps
sparingly and judiciously, highlighting only what you really want to stand out.
Step 6: Replace each bullet point with a standard keyboard symbol. Suggested replacements are:
Dashes (-), Plus signs (+), Single or Double Asterisks (*) (**). Use the Space Bar, not the Tab Key, to
place a single space immediately after each symbol (and before the words). Allow the lines to wrap
naturally at the end of a line. Don't put a forced return (don't push the Return or Enter key) if it's not the end
of the statement and don't indent the second line of a statement with the Space Bar. You can also make
bulleted lists into comma-delimited sentences, if you prefer.
Step 7: Use straight quotes in place of curly quotes. To do this, select the text that includes the quotes
you want to change. Click Format in your tool bar and select AutoFormat. Click the Options button, and
make sure Replace Straight Quotes With Smart Quotes is not selected under both the AutoFormat and
16
AutoFormat As You Type tabs. Then click OK to exit the AutoFormat box, and your curly quotes will be
changed to straight quotes.
Step 8: Rearrange text if necessary. Do a line-by-line review of your document to make sure there are
no odd-looking line wraps, extra spaces, or words scrunched together in the body, making adjustments
accordingly. This may require inserting commas between items that were once in columns and are now in
paragraph format because tabs and tables disappeared when the document was converted to Text Only.
Now you have a plain text resume for posting. It takes just a few more steps to create a perfect plain text resume
for e-mailing. Again, if you take the time to do this now, you will save yourself a lot of frustration later.
Step 9: Limit line lengths. Because each e-mail software has its own length of lines, your message may
not look as good when it is read by a potential employer. To avoid this problem, limit each line to no more
than 65 characters, including spaces. To do this:
1. Open MS Word, click Open, select the file named "ResumeTextOnly.txt," and click Open. Note: If you
open the resume document by clicking on its icon in the directory, it will be opened in Notepad -- not
what you want right now.
2. Select the entire document and change the font to Courier, 12 pt.
3. Go to File in your tool bar; select Page Setup; set the left margin at 1 and your right margin at 1.75.
With the font, size of font, and side margins set, each line of your document will be no more than 65
characters and spaces. Don't worry about whether you want the employer to see your resume in Courier
font - his or her e-mail software will convert it to the font set on his or her system.
Step 10: Save as Text Only with Line Breaks. To save changes you made in Step 9, you must convert
your Text Only document one more time by doing the following:
1. With your Text Only resume document open, click File in your tool bar and select Save As.
2. Type in a new name for this document in File Name, such as "ResumeEmail."
3. Directly under this is the Save As Type pull-down menu. From this list, select "Text Only with Line
Breaks (*.txt)."
4. Click Save to perform the conversion.
5. Now close the document but stay in MS Word.
6. Reopen the document you just closed by going to File in the tool bar, click Open, select the file named
"ResumeEmail.txt," and click Open. Note: Do not open the resume document by clicking on its icon
in the directory. That would open it as a Notepad document - not what you want!
Don't worry that the margins will automatically reset when you reopen your Text Only with Line Breaks
document. Your line lengths are safely preserved by paragraph returns that were inserted by the conversion.
After saving your resume in e-mail format, send it to yourself and to a friend to see how it looks after going
through the Internet. This will help you identify any additional formatting problems you need to correct
before you start sending it out to possible employers.
The biggest rule for submitting your e-resume over the Internet is to follow the instructions of the site or person
accepting the resume.
17
PLAIN TEXT RESUME
Cee D. Rom
School Address:
Box 322
Westminster College
New Wilmington, PA
(724) 946-5555
romcd@westminster.edu
Home Address:
101 Easy Street
Uniontown, PA 15401
(724) 437-5555
OBJECTIVE
A computer programming position with a dynamic organization
EDUCATION
Bachelor of Science: COMPUTER SCIENCE, May 2014
Major GPA: 3.90
Westminster College, New Wilmington, PA
COMPUTER SKILLS
Proficient: Visual Basic, BASIC, C, C++, Java, Access, Visual C++,'TCP17P, Allaire Cold Fusion, FTP, HTML,
Lotus, Netscape Enterprise Web Server, Novell NetWare, Derive, DOS, Excel, PowerPoint, PERL, SMTP, Spim,
UNIX, Windows AT, 95, 98, Adobe Photoshop, Word, COBOL, SQL, Oracle, WordPerfect.
COMPUTER EXPERIENCE
Metallic Incorporated
Uniontown, PA
Summer 2013
Title: SOFTWARE ENGINEER / WEB ADMINISTRATOR INTERN
* Designed a Visual Basic application to collect local radar conditions and display live wireless traffic data to the
Internet.
* Installed video server to stream live video to the Internet.
* Created and maintained Metallic website using Netscape Enterprise Server and Windows NT server.
* Installed antennas, cable runs, wireless video equipment, cameras, infrared illuminators, weather sensors, and
other peripheral equipment.
Westminster College
New Wilmington, PA
Spring 2013
Title: WEB DEVELOPER
* Revised web site Client/Server databases.
* Assisted webmaster with updates and changes to Internet site.
18
Title: MASTER PROCTOR
Fall 2012
* Supervised all computer labs and 40+ student workers.
* Conducted spot checks on labs and evaluated student workers.
Title: HELP DESK INTERN
Spring 2012
* Provided Help Desk support for the campus-wide Novell network.
* Troubleshot and repaired computer hardware and software.
* Trained and scheduled student workers.
* Prepared web pages for online help.
* Resolved faculty and student problems regarding the campus-wide network.
LEADERSHIP
Senator, Student Government Association, 2013-2014
Delegate, Mock Convention, 2012
CAMPUS INVOLVMENT
Active Member: Westminster Varsity Soccer Team, Ski Club, National Social Fraternity, Chess Club, Campus
Drivers Program.
INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL
Austria, Belgium, England, France, Germany, Holland, Italy
CERTIFICATIONS
CPR, Basic First Aid, Life Saving.
KEYWORD SUMMARY
Bachelor of Science, BS, B.S., Computer Science Major, CS, C.S., internship, client database, server database,
student employee, laser printer, ink jet printer, scanner, monitor, hard drive, cardiopulmonary resuscitation, detail
oriented, time management.
End Resume.
19
Resume Checklist
 Is the resume readable and pleasing to the eye?
 Does it have an easy to read font and good format?
 Did you use bullets, bold, italics and/or underlining to highlight key strengths?
 If resume will be scanned electronically, did you omit columns, italics, bold,
bullets and underlining?
TIP: Consider placing “key words” on your resume in white font
 Is information listed in order of importance and relevance to the position?
 Did you include your name, address, city, state, zip code, telephone number/cell
phone number, and e-mail address?
 Be sure your voice/cell message and e-mail address are professional prior to
sending your resume to employers.
 Do you have your name and “Page Two” on second page, if applicable?
 Does your objective (if used) clearly state the position for which you are
applying?
 Did you check the spelling, grammar and punctuation?
 Do phrases begin with action verbs?
 Have you been truthful about your accomplishments rather than being falsely
modest or exaggerating?
 Did you tailor your resume to the position for which you are applying?
 Has the Career Center or your advisor reviewed it for you?
20
Cover Letters
The purpose of the cover letter is to gain the employer’s interest and direct attention to your resume. A
cover letter should always accompany your resume when you are not applying in person.
The cover letter should highlight a few of your experiences or skills. It should not duplicate information
on your resume word for word.
9 TIPS ON WRITING AN EFFECTIVE COVER LETTER
1. The letter should be printed on paper that matches your resume.
2. Always address the letter to the appropriate individual by name and professional title.
If necessary, contact the organization to verify the person’s name, title, gender and spelling.
Make sure to put the person’s title in the heading! If you are unable to determine the
contact person, you may use “Dear Sir or Madam” or “To Whom it May Concern.”
3. Salutation should read “Dear Mr. Jones:”, not “Dear Mr. Sam Jones:”. If it is impossible to
learn the name or title, the salutation should read “Dear Sir or Madam:” or “To Whom it
May Concern:”. Make sure your salutation ends with a colon.
4. Try to avoid beginning sentences or paragraphs with the word “I”.
5. Begin your cover letter with a strong statement. If possible, develop a bridge or common
bond between you and the employer. Remind the employer of any previous contact you
have had with him/her, and explain how you learned of the vacancy or organization.
Consider mentioning any personal contact or experience with the company.
6. Use the second paragraph to highlight particular points in your background that meet the
requirements of the job you are seeking. Tell why you are interested in the employer.
Indicate what you can do for the employer, rather than what the employer can do for you.
7. In the final paragraph, thank the employer for considering your resume and mention your
telephone number and email address.
8. Always sign your letter in black or blue ink.
9. Proofread to correct spelling and punctuation errors. Both the cover letter and resume
must be free of mistakes. Have more than one person review your letter for spelling and
punctuation errors.
21
Cover Letter Guidelines
The heading can be done in multiple ways. Here are a few as examples. You can also make your
cover letter heading the same as your resume heading to keep the two documents consistent.
Name
Street Address • City, State Zip Code
Phone Number
Date of Letter
(3 spaces)
Individual’s Name
Title (ex: President, Editor, Director, etc.)
Employer
Street Address
City, State Zip Code
Dear Mr./Ms./Dr.
(Last Name) :
First Paragraph. In your initial paragraph indicate the reason for writing, the specific position or
type of work for which you are applying, and how you learned of the opening. (Prior contact with
employer or employees of the organization, newspaper advertisement, the Internet, etc.) Grab the
reader’s attention!
Second Paragraph. Mention why you are interested in the
products or services. Above all, indicate what you can do for
graduate, explain how your academic background makes you a
If you have related work or internship experience, point
achievements or qualifications gained through this experience.
word as it appears in the resume.
position, the organization, and its
the employer. If you are a recent
qualified candidate for the position.
this out by mentioning specific
Do not repeat information word for
Third Paragraph. In the closing paragraph, indicate your desire for a personal interview.
Repeat your phone number and e-mail address.
Finally, thank the employer for his/her
consideration.
Sincerely,
(Your Handwritten Signature)
Your Name Typed
Enclosure (or Enclosures if more than one item enclosed)(denotes that resume, applications, etc.,
are enclosed)
22
Cover Letter Sample 1
Jane Doe
Box 1
Westminster College
New Wilmington, PA 16172
(724) 946-5678 – doej@westminster.edu
June 28, 2014
Mr. Ron Jones
Human Resources Representative
Hilton Hotels Corporation
933 Civic Center Drive
Beverly Hills, CA 90210
Dear Mr. Jones:
Last winter I had the opportunity to speak with Ms. Tricia Banick from your Marketing
Department. Ms. Banick suggested I contact you regarding my interest in working at
Hilton Hotels Corporation.
From my enclosed resume you will note that I have direct experience in the fields of
restaurant management and public relations in both the United States and Brazil. My
educational background, my extracurricular activities, and my proficiency in Spanish and
French have strengthened my skills in the areas of supervising, organizing, and
planning. I am looking for a challenging and rewarding career in the hospitality
industry and trust that my qualifications are what you are seeking.
I would appreciate the opportunity to talk to you about a position with your company.
Please feel free to contact me at 724/946-5678 or doej@westminster.edu to explore my
background further.
Thank you for your consideration.
Sincerely,
(Your Handwritten Signature)
Jane Doe
Enclosure
23
Cover Letter Sample 2
Josephine Blanc
Box 1257
Westminster College
New Wilmington, PA 16172
(724) 946-5555
May 3, 2014
Ms. Jane Smith
Personnel Director
Amherst County Drug and Alcohol Executive Commission
898 Park Avenue
Suite 12
Buffalo, NY 16335
Dear Ms. Smith:
As a Counselor at Hermitage House Youth Services, I believe that I am well prepared
for the position of Prevention Specialist that is currently available at the Amherst County
Drug and Alcohol Executive Commission.
From my enclosed resume you will note that my responsibilities as a counselor are
similar to those of the Prevention Specialist. I have worked with adolescents in groups
and individually, as well as with their families. My positions as a counselor and crisis
volunteer have provided me with training in the area of drug and alcohol prevention.
In May of this year, I will obtain my Bachelor of Arts Degree in Sociology, with a minor
in Psychology, from Westminster College. I have a strong commitment to helping
adolescents, and I am willing and excited to learn new responsibilities. I would greatly
appreciate your consideration of my application for this position. Please feel free to
contact me at (724) 946-5555 or blancz@westminster.edu.
Sincerely,
(Your Handwritten Signature)
Josephine Blanc
Enclosure
24
Cover Letter Sample 3
George Dubya Sprow
644 Harrogate Drive
Pittsburgh, PA 15241
( 412)648-5555
sprowgd@westminster.edu
September 5, 2014
Ms. Paula Spaulido
Recruitment Center/Programs Division
Central Intelligence Agency
P.O. Box 12727
Arlington, VA 22209-0065
Dear Ms. Spaulido:
Thank you for responding to my inquiry regarding employment opportunities with the
Central Intelligence Agency. The organizational description and employment
requirements found in the information packet that you provided have confirmed my
desire to pursue a position with your agency.
From my resume you will note that I have direct experience in the international arena.
Through my domestic and international educational experiences, I have strengthened
my skills in both the classroom and business environments. My analytical,
organizational, human resource management, and planning skills are evident in my
extracurricular activities and leadership positions. I am looking for a challenging and
rewarding career in the intelligence community and trust that my qualifications will
meet your requirements.
I would appreciate the opportunity to talk to you about a position with the CIA. Please
feel free to contact me at 412/648-5555 or sprowgd@westminster.edu.
Thank you for your consideration.
Best Regards,
(Your Handwritten Signature)
George Dubya Sprow
Enclosure
25
REFERENCES
Guidelines


Create a separate page for your references on paper that
matches your resume and cover letter
Always ask permission before using an individual’s name
as a reference, and ask for his or her preferred contact
information

Center information on page

List name, title, employer or organization, mailing
address, phone number and e-mail address for each
reference

Do not use relatives or friends as references; use people
who know about your work-related abilities on the job or
in the classroom

Request letters of reference from individuals who will
provide candid and positive recommendations

Former employers, internship or volunteer project
supervisors, and faculty are good choices

3 to 5 references are appropriate

Have your page of references prepared in the event you
are asked to provide them and to take with you to
interviews

Ordinarily, references should not be submitted unless
requested as part of the application process
26
SAMPLE
References for
Cee D. Rom
Ian N. Ought
President
U.S. Steel Corporation
1600 Fifth Avenue
Pittsburgh, PA 15551
(412) 555-1212
ought@ussteel.com
Richard H. Dorman
President
Westminster College
New Wilmington, PA 16172
(724) 946-7131 - office
dormanrh@westminster.edu
Dr. David L. Barner
Chair, Communication Studies, Theatre, & Art Department
Westminster College
New Wilmington, PA 16172
(724) 946-7239 - office
(724) 946-5555 - home
barnerdl@westminster.edu
27
THANK YOU LETTERS
Guidelines
The headings for these letters are similar to the cover letter headings. Thank you letters should
be sent within 24 hours of your interview. Some interviewers may have a preference for a
handwritten/typed letter or an e-mail message, so use your best judgment for the type of thank
you note you will send. If you were interviewed by more than one person, a separate note
should be sent to each.
NAME
Your Present Address • City, State Zip Code • Phone Number
E-mail Address
Date of Letter
Individual’s Name
Title
Employer
Street Address
City, State Zip Code
Dear Mr./Ms./Dr.
(Last Name)_ :
First Paragraph: In your initial paragraph, thank the interviewer for the opportunity to be
considered for the particular position. If possible, identify one or two things that came up in
the interview to remind the interviewer of who you are.
Second Paragraph: Reinforce and highlight your qualifications. Rephrase your background and
briefly explain how your skills, experience, and accomplishments make you right for the job.
Also clarify anything you wish you had made more clear, or forgot to say, during the interview.
Closing Paragraph: In the closing paragraph, emphasize your interest in the position. Indicate
that you look forward to hearing from the interviewer or refer to follow-up instructions
discussed during the interview. Include your phone number. You may include your e-mail
address if you wish.
Sincerely,
(Your Handwritten Signature)
Your Name Typed
28
Sample Thank You Letter
Joe Seeker
21 Smith Road
New Wilmington, PA 16172
724-555-1212
August 22, 2014
Ms. Penelope Interviewer
Human Resource Director
Child Development Center
123 Hopkins Boulevard
New Castle, PA 16105
Dear Ms. Interviewer:
Thank you for the opportunity to interview with you yesterday afternoon. I am very
interested in the Case Worker position you described.
My sociology and psychology classes, internship, summer jobs, and community service
work at the Women’s Shelter have prepared me well for a case worker’s position. I am
especially interested in the group therapy program you mentioned. I would welcome
the opportunity to contribute to that effort.
I enjoyed meeting you and your staff and look forward to hearing from you soon. If I
can provide any additional information, please contact me at (724) 555-1212 or at
seekerjl@westminster.edu. Thank you again for your time and consideration.
Sincerely,
(Your handwritten signature)
Joe Seeker
29
Sample Thank You Letter - 2
Ima Kneidajob
1234 Fifth Avenue
New Wilmington, PA 16172
724-555-1212
August 25, 2014
Mr. Ray O’Hope
Employment Director
Acme Hotels, Inc.
321 Main Street
New Castle, PA 11111
Dear Mr. O’Hope:
I appreciated the opportunity to meet with you yesterday to learn more about your
organization. It was interesting to learn that your secretary, Mrs. Rogers, is an alumna
of Westminster College.
As we discussed, my education in business administration at Westminster and my
internship at Sodexho provide a good fit for the position of Associate Corporate Catering
Manager. My attention to detail, planning abilities, and experience with corporate
customers would be of great value in fulfilling the responsibilities of the position. I am
not sure I mentioned during my interview that I will conclude my training in Excel next
week. I believe this skill would be beneficial during budget reviews.
My interest in this position is strong. As you suggested, I will contact you next week to
discuss the next steps. You can reach me at school until May 15th at 724-946-5555, or
at home at 724-658-5555, after that date.
Sincerely,
(Your Handwritten Signature)
Ima Kneidajob
30