While a cover letter and resume serve as a way to introduce your strengths and experience to a potential employer, it is important to remember that this is often a first impression that can be the determining factor in securing an interview.
With that said, the presentation can be just as important as the content itself, so it is important to remember that it is not simply what you say, but how well you say it.
Think about your cover letter and resume and how they work hand in hand to provide a snap shot of who you are as a professional.
Some quick things to remember are that your resume should summarize your abilities, skills, and accomplishments. While your cover letter should not duplicate your resume, but should highlight your qualifications and achievements that relate to the position that you are applying for in an enthusiastic, confident tone.
Let's examine cover letters and resumes a bit further...
The semester is almost over, lets keep up the good conversations! :)
Happy blogging!
Hey everyone, I do have a question about the cover letters. I have never really used a resume or cover letter when applying for a job. Do you always give the cover letter when submitting a resume or are there times when you should only give the resume?
ReplyDeleteThanks, Kayla Lee
Great question, Kayla. Since a cover letter is a way to sell yourself and inject personality into your overall application, the only time, according to the experets on Monster.com, that you should not use a cover letter is if the posting instructs you not to or if there is no option to include a cover letter on an online application.
DeleteJust think of it as an extra edge over your competition.
Hey Kaylee, Great question i was wondering the same thing too. I have never used a cover letter before because i thought a resume was the only thing that was needed, it basically has all your qualifications and skills on it.
DeleteHey Tai, I like your answer to Kay lees question and totally agree with you. I check on the internet and ask my coach when would you use a cover letter when applying for a job and they said use it when they ask for one. Also i agree 100 percent that cover letters dont only list skills you have but adds personality to your resume and shows that you want the job even more.
DeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
DeleteHey Tai!
DeleteGood to know about when and when not to include a cover letter. I had no idea! Just like Kayla, I never really used cover letters either. It's really helpful that we are being trained here how to function in the real world. With the instructor's and other student's comments, it really helps me gauge how well I will perform outside of class.
Catherine Aboyme
Another question I have is about the resumes. Should it always be short and sweet or are there times when you should make it a little more lengthy? This might sound stupid but do you make new resumes for different jobs or do you always use the same one?
ReplyDeleteKayla Lee
Kayla,
DeleteI try to keep my resume to a page but utilize the entire page. Make different columns and expand your margin, use the entire canvas to convey who you are and what you are about. During intense job searches it is best to customize your resume to every job that you send it to, just some minor tweaks and a change of your objective, like Jess said, can most definitely make a difference.
Thanks!
Amber Lengacher
Kayla,
DeleteI usually keep mine short and sweet. I like to very generally explain my past work experiences and go into detail during the interview. It has been effective for me in the past as I usually do a good job of explaining them during the interview. I use the same resume for all the jobs I have applied for but I make tweaks when I see fit.
Allen Haley
Hey Allen,
DeleteWith the cover letter I just turned in, I kept it short and sweet. I agree that it is better to expand during the actual interview, and keep the main points highlighted in the cover letter. Employers see so many applications, that I think one way to stand out is to be direct. Also, when you explain the details in person, it can be used to affect the employers mood. For me, it's easy to light up someone's face with a smile. I guess because I can be funny.
Catherine Aboyme
Hi Kayla Lee,
DeleteI have been guilty of turning in a resume that was too lengthy and got shot down by the employer. Since then, and after doing some research and learning a little more, keeping the resume to a 1 page is ideal.
-Micah O'Steen
This is great question and i'm glad you asked it because I had never thought of how even a small lengthening or shortening of a resume might be the difference between getting an interview or not!
Delete-Kyle Greaves
Hi Kayla. You can use the same resume for different jobs, although you might want to change around the objective. In my opinion a resume shouldn't be more than two pages long. If it is to lengthy, it might keep the reader interested. These are great questions, before I took cornerstone I wasn't to sure myself.
ReplyDeleteJess
In reviewing last weeks powerpoint presentation about resumes, it showed references on a second page. In doing my cover letter, I did write references available upon request, and I didn't include them in my resume, mainly because since we weren't providing personal contact information, I didn't want to provide contact information. Is it standard practice to automatically include references or only if it is asked for on an application?
DeleteStacey Feldman
This is a great question, Stacey. I don't automatically include references with my resume, but do note that they are available upon request. From what I've researched, if an employer has not specifically requested a list of references, that practice is standard. Especially since there are usually multiple steps in the screening process in today's competitive job market.
DeleteThe key is to actually have a reference list readily available of people who can discuss your work related abilities. Also, it is important to contact the references prior to listing their contact information to make sure you have permission for them to be contacted.
Tai, Thanks. I did recently learn from my daughter's application process for graduate school that it is important to let someone know if they are going to be given as a reference. I also learned (and this isn't necessarily relevant to this weeks question but it is a good reason to have a good resume) if you are going to apply somewhere and are asking someone for a letter of recommendation, it is important to supply them with some facts before expecting them to write your letter. Some things to give them is where you are applying, for what you are applying, what their letter is for, and include a copy of your resume that you forwarded to that school or position.
DeleteIt is a great idea to have that reference list ready so if needed, it doesn't first need to be prepared.
Stacey Feldman
Thanks for the great advice being shared everyone! I agree Stacey giving someone you ask to write you a reference letter facts and maybe even a "sample" letter of what you would like to be included is probably pretty important. Professors and managers can get very busy!
Delete-Kyle Greaves
I have done many various volunteering locations for short periods of time. For example, for two years in a row, I volunteered for habitat for humanity and ran their country store during their Annual Strawberry Festival. It was only for a weekend, yet I put in almost 30 hours. Let's say I was applying for a job in which the tasks would be relevant, would I list something that only lasted a weekend long once a year for two years? Had I not moved, I would still be doing this, but again, it's only a short-term activity.
ReplyDeleteStacey Feldman
Hi Stacey. Personally, I think the volunteer experience that you include depends on your situation and what you want to highlight. For example, I have no paid work experience, so I would include as much relevant volunteer experience as I could on a resume. If you have a more extensive work history, however, all of your volunteer experience may not be necessary. According to Monster.com, even someone on a steady career track can use volunteer work to supplement their paid work experience. I think it should be ok to include some of those short volunteering positions on your resume. The amount and the ones you choose will probably vary depending on the job you're applying for and your own personal work history.
DeleteDanielle
Stacey, I agree with Danielle, that if the service is relevant to the position you are applying for you should go ahead and include it. Or, if there is something that you are particularly proud of, include that as well. Also maybe try to explain little about what the service entailed. While applying for my fellowship grant, my advisor suggested that I elaborate just a little so the board could get a real feel for what I was actually doing during my volunteer time. Just a thought :)
DeleteAmber Lengacher
Stacey,
DeleteI have always put volunteer experience on my resume. I believe it shows the potential employer that you are not only motivated by money when it comes to working.
Allen Haley
Excellent point, Allen!
DeleteI agree with Allen, volunteering also fills in any work gaps you have on your resume and empolyers really like that you've used your time well to help the community, it sometimes gives you an advantage in getting a job!
DeleteSokhara Goodall
Thanks everyone! I feel a little more confident in my knowledge on resumes and the cover page. Its good for me to be able to ask other people so in the future I do not mess it up or do it wrong.
ReplyDeleteKayla Lee
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteIn thinking about the question posed by Jessica, "what are some ways your resume can highlight your interdisciplinary?" I think that once I finish my classes, hopefully it will be easier for my resume to do this. Right now, I have made a commitment to volunteer at PACE Center for Girls, which is a facility that does have a student body that goes great with my areas of focus, Criminal Justice (through Public Affairs) Women's Studies. As I complete more classes, my responsibilities there will grow from tutoring to working with the girls during group sessions (which will incorporate my psychology concentration). I think that I will also try to find another site to volunteer in at another time depending on the class I am taking as this will widen my experience of trying to combine my disciplines.
ReplyDeleteAmber, I think this also goes along with what your advisor told you because I will have more specific responsibilities that will go with what I ultimately hope to do.
Stacey Feldman
Hey guys I have a question, do you think a resume is really needed to obtain a job? Im asking this because, what if a person does not have any prior experience? all there resume is going to have is education, skills, and stuff like that, employers can find that out easy, so is it worth having a resume with no prior work experience.
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely, Kemel. If you have never had a job, focus on your education, course listings that are relevant to the job, your skills, extra curricular activities, and any other activities, volunteer, team based or leadership, etc., that would help you be an asset to the company. Also, list your academic achievements and perhaps a paragraph about how all these traits would help you benefit the employer.
DeleteThis is also where a fantastic cover letter and good references from an instructor or leader would be key.
Kemal, I agree with Tai. A resume is important regardless of prior experience. Everyone has to start somewhere, so you won't always have much work experience to list. Instead, you can focus on what you do have. I think it can seem a little intimidating when you don't have the level of experience that others may have, but you do still have something to offer. As Tai said, you can use your resume to highlight your skills, volunteer work, education, etc., and let an employer know how you can use them to benefit the company.
DeleteHey Kemal,
DeleteI also believe, along with Danielle and Tai, that having a resume can only benefit you. Even though you don't have prior experience it still highlights your personality, achievements, and skills. To some employer, lets say, your ability to work under pressure is enough to get you hired. You'd never know. It can only help you, and you have nothing to lose.
Catheirne Aboyme
Kemal,
DeleteAlthough a resume is typically preferred, its not always necessary when it comes to applying for a job. It depends on how competitive the position is and what type of job you are applying for. I have hiring responsibilities in my current job, and though some may disagree with me, I evaluate my applicants equally, whether the have a resume or not.
- Micah O'Steen
Hey guys, some ways your resume can highlight your interdisciplinary is by showing and listing your skills. When your listing your experience and skills you can separate your different areas of study. You may have been a history major and volunteered at a museum. then on the other hand you can come back and also add that you are involved in hospitality and worked at a hotel.
ReplyDeleteDo you think a poor cover letter can make or break a job your trying to get?
ReplyDeleteHi, Kemal. Personally, this was the first cover letter I ever wrote (for our assignment this past week) as well as my first resume. But based on the sites we read through, I would think that the cover letter could make or break a job one is trying to get. Since that is the first impression of a potential employee that a potential employer sees, if it is such a turn-off, they might not even look at your resume. If it is so grammatically incorrect, that could demonstrate to them the type of person one is, especially stating that they didn't go the extra step to even introduce or highlight oneself properly. It might automatically place a resume in the reject pile of resumes.
DeleteStacey Feldman
I agree with Stacey here. The intention of the cover letter is to make yourself attractive and stick in the potential employers mind. If the cover letter is poorly written it could have a negative effect. In essence I would think that it would be better to have no cover letter at all rather than have a sub-par cover letter that doesn't get the job done.
Delete-Micah O'Steen
Do you think fabricating on a resume is terrible? why or why not? (EX. lying about volunteering)
ReplyDeleteKemel, I don't suggest lying or embellishing a resume because it can cost you the job in the beginning or come back to haunt you later. It's not worth the risk of the current job or having to explain, or lie again, to a new employer about why you lost your job.
DeleteHow detailed should a resume be? I have always kept mine very short and sweet with plans to elaborate on experiences during my interview. Just wondering what everyone else thinks about that strategy?
ReplyDeleteAllen Haley
Allen, when you think of making a resume easily readable, it can be good to keep it short and sweet...but make sure you don't leave out "the sweet." You can make your resume concise and to the point, but make sure you don't skimp on depth or details that demonstrate your skills or what makes you a great candidate for the job. Highlight your experiences and accomplishments to increase your chances of getting the interview. You'll still have something to elaborate on or something to sell once you're in front of the interviewer.
DeleteI think that the resume should be one page long, and it should center around essentials, unless there is extensive work experience and things you just have to include that showcase your abilities and experience.
DeleteAs they say, brevity is the soul of wit. Although, do not skip the important parts. Focus on those things you think may land you that position.
-Camilo Echeverri Bernal.
A question I have about cover letters is should it be a summary of your resume or give more insight into who you are as a person etc?
ReplyDeleteSokhara Goodall
That's a good question, Sokhara. According to UCF Career Services, a cover letter serves as a way for you to show your interest in a position, as well as how your skills, experience, etc., qualify you for it. It's not quite a summary, but does give insight on how the qualifications listed on your resume relate to your desired position. It is also likely to be your first contact with an employer, so it provides a sample of your writing.
DeleteUCF Career services offers workshops that you may find helpful when trying to write a resume and cover letter, among other things. While I have not been able to go to any on campus, I have found some of their online workshops to be helpful. If you're interested, more information can be found at http://www.career.ucf.edu/Students/Undergraduate_Students/Explore_Majors_and_Careers/Workshops_47_169.aspx .
Danielle
I think it should do a bit of both. But it should always be related to the position you are seeking. Of course, you should show interest above all, and outline what you have done in the past. Not so much a sum of your resume but yes, how your qualifications relate to the position.
Delete-Camilo Echeverri Bernal.
A question I have about a resume is does have have to be a specific length or should it always be only one page? And if it's longer than one page does that sometimes affect if you get the job or not??
ReplyDeleteSokhara Goodall
This is not directly related to a resume,but I was really curious how everyone approaches trying to land an interview, and think they are kind of related. Is it appropriate to call back to maybe show that extra interest in the position. In the past I have waited two days and then called thanking them for allowing me to interview and restating my interest in the position. I've heard many various things as to what you should do but I am really unsure an would love some insight from those with more experience then me.
ReplyDeleteThanks
-Kyle Greaves
I learnt that cover-letters need stronger, more action-filled language. Also, I thought that one really needs to sell oneself.
ReplyDeleteThe cover-letter is the opening, kind of like the entree that gives the possible employer a sample of one's character and work, whilst the resume centers around specifics and outlines everything a lot more concisely.
-Camilo Echeverri Bernal.