Resumes and Coverletters
 Books: 650.14 in the non fiction section of the Milton
Public Library
 Online: search for resume examples, resume templates,
or in Microsoft Word search for resume templates.
Know the purpose of your
resume
 The objective of a resume is to land an interview!!!!
Back up your qualities and
strengths
 Back up your qualities with real life and work
experiences (don’t forget your outside
organizations…volunteering = excellent way to get
experience and to meet people in the field)
Make sure to use the right
keywords by analyzing the job ad
 Check the job description, use a thesaurus, look for
clues as to what the employer might be looking for.
Use effective titles
 Grab the employers attention and be descriptive to give
a better idea of past work experience.
Example:
Accounting
Better:
Management of accounts received, accounts paid and
financial Recordkeeping
One resume and coverletter for
each employer
 Tailor your resume and coverletter for each employer
and job ad.
No scattered information
 Your resume must have a clear focus.
Use action verbs
 Action verbs are basically verbs that will get noticed
more easily, and that will clearly communicate what your
experience or achievement were.
 Examples: managed, coached, enforced and planned.
 List of many examples to use can be found at
http://www.quintcareers.com/action_skills.html
Don’t forget the basics
 Make sure that your contact details are clearly listed.
Have someone
else read it!!!
Social media, the job search, and
interview skills
 Email addresses
 Answering machines/ phone messages
 Ringtones
 Answering the phone in person
 Facebook and other social media
 Job sites
 The interview
Email addresses
 Make a new one. Make it professional.
 Your name.
 Great way to keep track of the resumes you have sent and
the responses.
Answering machines / phone
messages / ringtones
 No cutsey ringtones, definitely no cursing, or your favorite
music. Professional…you are trying to get a job, not make
friends.
 Answering machines/phone messages should be polite,
refrain from “Leave a message”…try “You have reached
_____ please leave a message and I will return your call.
Thank you.”
Answering the phone in person
 Be polite. You never know.
Facebook and other social media
(twitter, blogs, websites, etc.)
 Be careful what you post and what you make public.
 Employers will most likely Google you or Facebook you even
if they do not do a background check.
 If you do not want your boss to see it…do not post it or post it
anonymously.
Job searching
 Try going directly to the company website rather than a job
database.
 Figure out the industry you want to work in, do some
homework. Consider job searching, resume writing as your
full time job.
The interview
 Dress for success.
 Be positive.
 Do not LIE!!! Do not lie on your resume or it could show in
the interview.
 The interview is your time to shine.
 Tie everything into a couple of themes that you have chosen
from the job ad. Example: collaboration, team playing,
building partnerships with other organizations, etc. Listen to
the interviewer, jot down notes and take your time answering
each question.
 Represent yourself…no one else will.