PREPARING YOUR RESUME
Ted Koska, Manager of the Washington State Department of Personnel’s Executive Search Services, has an excellent article titled “Preparing Your Résumé” on his agency’s web site: http://hr.dop.wa.gov/ess/resume1.html.
RESUME TEMPLATES
Need help getting started? Microsoft Office Online offers many basic, job specific, and situation specific resume templates for download. Access these templates at http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/templates/CT063470421033.aspx.
RESUME & COVER LETTER CHECKLIST
Before submitting your application, review for the following:
1. Your name and current contact information is on each page submitted.
2. You used a font type of 12pt – NO SMALLER. It does not help to have everything on one page if the recruiter cannot read it. Do not use fun fonts such as Comic Sans, Chiller or Bauhaus. If you are e-mailing information the receiver may not be able to print the document as it was originally created.
3. Stay away from specialty printing such as tri-fold resumes or dark tinted papers. They look great but are difficult to photocopy with clarity for panels that have to read and make judgments based on the content.
4. Do not repeat your resume in your cover letter. Use the cover letter to address the KSAs listed in the announcement that you do not have on your resume. If they match completely, use the cover letter to provide specific examples and outcomes.
5. Make sure your references are aware they are listed as references and have current contact information.
6. Do not assume knowledge! If you are a Support Enforcement Officer 3, do not put “Leadworker” on your resume. Spell it out. You do not know who is making the first cut and leadworker is a generic title used in many classes – starting with clerical.
7. Spell Check, Spell Check, and Spell Check – then ask someone to manually review. This is your first impression and you are too close to the product to trust yourself as the final reviewer. Ask someone you trust to take the time to read it to give you feedback.
1 POWER WORDS FOR RESUMES
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2 THE COVER LETTER
Every paper resume should be accompanied by a cover letter, which: Is a personal communication between you and the employer. Expresses your knowledge of the company. Establishes a connection between your abilities and the employer’s needs. Introduces your resume and invites the reader to explore it fully.
Cover Letter Guidelines Keep in mind the following guidelines as you prepare your cover letter: Personalize the letter; address it to the person who will be making the hiring decision, not to the contact person listed in the announcement. Do your homework if you aren’t sure who that individual is. Briefly explain why you’re writing and set the tone from the very beginning. Keep it short, concise and powerful. Highlight your qualifications that are relevant to the position applied for. Use simple, direct language, correct grammar, punctuation and spelling. Type neatly and proofread. Add your signature above your typed name. Let your individuality show but avoid being too cute, too humorous, too aggressive or too familiar. Put your best you in the letter. Use the same bond paper as your resume.
The cover letter introduces you to potential employers.
Cover Letter Outline
Introduction Paragraph—Tell why you are writing i.e., how you heard about the opening. Name the position or department for which you are applying. Show there is a benefit coming by setting a positive tone. Make it clear that you have done research and that you have something to offer. Talk about the employer in this paragraph, not about you.
Body—Your objective in the cover letter is to intrigue the reader. Market your attitude, vision and values. Highlight skills and qualifications that are relevant to the position. State why you would be good for the job and what value you can bring to the employer. Let them know that what you have to offer matters to them. Keep it specific to what you know the employer is looking for and places value in. Be brief, confident and genuine.
Concluding Information—Reiterate your interest in working for the company. Indicate your plan of action for following up. Express your thanks for the time they are taking to review and consider your resume.
Helpful Hint—Remember to include your name, address and accurate phone number as a heading to the letter. Spell out the employer’s name and title, company name, and address. Don’t forget to sign your name above your typed name.
3 Situational Responses to Interview Questions
Ideal job candidates have similar qualities. The best way to show an employer that you have these qualities is to describe situations when you used them.
Under each of the qualities below, write a few keywords to remind you of when you demonstrated them. Write just enough to trigger your memory so you can discuss them in an interview.
Accepting responsibility—when have you “stepped up to the plate” without being asked or directed to do so?
Handling conflict—what have you done to resolve differences with others? How have you shown good judgment in conflict situations?
Communicating effectively—on what occasions have you organized your thoughts and expressed them clearly and concisely? When have you proved to be a good listener?
Being flexible and open-minded—when have you adapted well to a new situation?
How have you responded to a change in duties or responsibilities?
How do you accept new technology?
Solving problems—when have you identified a problem and found a creative solution for it?
Being a learner—when have you learned something quickly, e.g., a new job assignment? What are you doing now to demonstrate that you are a lifelong learner?
Being a team player—when working in a team, have you been a leader, a follower, or both? What experience do you have working with different kinds of people?
Having self-confidence—can you describe your strengths and abilities? When have you taken on a new challenge, knowing that you could do it?
Being energetic—when have you been willing to work extra hard to get a job done?
Being quality conscious—when have you made suggestions or performed tasks to improve production or service quality?
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