WRITING SUCCESSFUL RESUMES AND COVER LETTERS
WRITING SUCCESSFUL RESUMES AND COVER LETTERS Career Development Center York College of Pennsylvania Campbell Hall Room 200 717-815-1452 [email protected] www.ycp.edu/careerdevelopment TABLE OF CONTENTS Getting Started 2 Organizing Your Resume: Format and Content 3 Resume Tips to “Wow” an Employer 4 Resume Supplements 8 Online Applications 9 Effective Writing to Get Your Resume Noticed 11 Making Impactful Statements 13 Sample Action Words 14 Sample Action Statements 15 Resume Checklist 16 Sample Resumes 17 Cover Letters and Other Correspondence 25 Sample Cover Letters 27 Sample Thank You Letter 30 The Career Development Center realizes that each resume is unique, making it difficult to create one master checklist that applies to all individuals and situations. We offer one-on-one, in-person resume reviews that may be scheduled through Spartan Career Path. GETTING STARTED WHAT IS THE PURPOSE OF THE RESUME? Think of your resume as a marketing tool for demonstrating that your product (you) meets the needs of your potential customer (the employer). Your resume summarizes your qualifications, lets the reader know what type of position you are seeking, and highlights your education, experience, skills, and other relevant information. Keep in mind: Employers spend less than a minute scanning a resume to determine whether a candidate’s background matches their requirements. Match your skills with the employer’s needs by using key words/jargon found in the job description and in the industry. When your resume is done well, it will often lead to an interview. HOW DO I GET STARTED? 1. Self-Analysis If you are just beginning your resume, start with brainstorming to identify some of the skills and abilities you have to offer an employer. Think about and draft an outline of experiences from the past three to five years, including: Education and coursework College and community activities Foreign language skills Internships or co-ops Honors and awards Study abroad Jobs Publications and presentations Military experience 2. Research Learn more about your field using the resources on the Career Development website. Visit www.onetonline.org to review tasks that are associated with job descriptions in your field. Develop a list of skills and abilities that employers are seeking in potential candidates. Visit www.indeed.com and other job boards to review several job descriptions and identify employer needs and “buzz” words. Compare your skills and qualifications to employer requirements and prioritize what to highlight in your resume. 3. Write a Draft Follow the guidelines and examples in this packet to create your resume. Be concise and use as few words as possible while providing relevant details. Do not use first-person pronouns (I, me, my) or articles (a, an, the). Do not include your age, gender, religion, political affiliation, ethnicity, marital status, social security number, references, or salary expectations/history. 4. Proofread and Obtain a Critique Don’t let your resume be eliminated from consideration due to careless errors. Read each section carefully and ensure that you have effectively addressed the skills and accomplishments the employer is seeking. Don’t rely on Spell Check. Carefully proofread for spelling, capitalization, and/or punctuation errors. Obtain a resume critique from Career Development: You may drop off or email ([email protected]) your resume to receive written feedback within 48 business hours, or you may make an appointment with a career counselor through Spartan Career Path 2 ORGANIZING YOUR RESUME: FORMAT AND CONTENT FORMAT Resumes should be 1-2 pages long and printed on resume paper by a quality printer. o One-page resumes are for entry level positions and corporate employment. o Two-page resumes are appropriate for those who have extensive experience, who are seeking a nonprofit position, or who are applying for research positions or graduate school. Font style is generally Arial (size 10) or Times New Roman (size 11) for easy reading. Margins should be no larger than 1” and no less than 0.7” left/right and 0.5” top/bottom. Consider having your section titles in all capital letters or in bold font the same size as the other text. Use indents to make your headers and text stand out. Order the most important/relevant information top to Resumes get noticed when they: bottom and left to right (i.e., place related experiences Are concise, organized, and toward the top and dates toward the right margin). easy to read Do not split information between lines or page sections. Emphasize relevant Avoid resume templates: Create your own unique accomplishments and potential document that is professional and easy to edit. contributions Save and submit your documents as PDFs to preserve Focus on the skills for a specific formatting. position and industry Have a separate resume that does not use hollow bullets, italics, or lines for online applications because these do not translate well when electronically scanned. CONTENT Do not develop a generic resume! Target your resume to each specific job for which you apply. Be sure to use key words from your field and the job description you are seeking! Embed these “buzz” words/key words throughout your resume, cover letter, and online applications. Sell yourself with section titles and statements that reflect what you want the employer to know about you. For example, use a header entitled “Leadership” instead of “College Activities.” Insert words and phrases such as “takes initiative” or “demonstrates effective goal setting.” Do not include personal information or license and certificate numbers. Exclude hobbies, interests and religion/ethnic background unless they would be relevant to an employer. Do not rely solely on Spell Check. It is sometimes inaccurate, and it will not work on words in all caps. WHAT RESUME FORMAT SHOULD I USE? Combination Resume Most appropriate for the majority of traditional college students. Combines work history with sections for skills and accomplishments. Highlights relevant or useful experiences such as leadership activities, volunteer work, honors or awards, and educational experiences such as internships, study abroad, etc. Chronological Resume Good for the person with a long and consistent work history who is staying in same career. Highlights the most recent work experience first, followed by all previous jobs (in reverse order). Not especially good for career changers or those with little work experience. Functional or Skills Useful for career changers and individuals with limited work experience to highlight transferable skills. Highlights skills and accomplishments—whether or not they were gained through jobs. De-emphasizes dates, which helps hide gaps in employment or schooling. However, employers have more difficulty piecing together chronological information. Useful for those with significant work experiences in the same field to avoid repetition of information. 3 RESUME TIPS TO “WOW” AN EMPLOYER Follow these general guidelines to develop the content in each section of your resume. 1. HEADING The heading should include your name and contact information (address, phone, and email). It is the first thing employers see so be sure to make a good first impression. Tips for your header: Provide only one phone number and one email address. (Make sure your email address and voicemail message are professional and appropriate. Avoid addresses like [email protected].) Your name should be bold with a font size a few points larger than the rest of the text. Avoid the use of a middle initial unless you have a common name. Consolidate your information to avoid too much wasted white space. 2. OBJECTIVE VS. PROFESSIONAL SUMMARY Objectives: For entry level candidates, an objective should be used to tell the prospective employer (1) what type of internship or job you are seeking and (2) the skills, traits, or expertise you have to offer. A well-written, concise, focused job objective conveys a sense of direction and professionalism. Sample inappropriate objective: “Seeking a challenging position where I may use my skills and abilities” Sample well-written objectives: Depending on your job target and objectives, there are many ways to format your objective as shown below: “To perform planning, marketing and programming in the administration of a large recreational area” “To assist in the development and provision of educational programs within a human services agency” “To conduct cancer research at a medical research facility” “To utilize skills in communication and web design to create and implement effective marketing strategies” “To produce commercials for advertising products and services Objectives and utilizing artistic and graphic design skills” professional summaries should NOT be generic, as Professional Summaries: Experienced job seekers with considerable employers are not experience or expertise in a given field (usually 5-10 years) or a attracted to candidates nontraditional student with varied experience and skills may wish to use who want to land “any a professional summary at the top of the resume instead of an objective. job” in “any industry” to This can include 4-6 bullets or phrases highlighting the skills and traits use “any skills.” that would be of interest to the specific employer. An example of a professional summary with bulleted highlights of qualifications might look like this: “Self-starter with over twelve years of experience in human resources seeking a management position within a manufacturing environment: Special expertise in technical staff selection, training, and succession planning Skilled in the development and facilitation of management training programs Solid background in employment law, OSHA, and requirements within an industrial setting Talent for balancing long-range vision with short-term goals and objectives” 3. EDUCATION List colleges and universities attended as well as degrees, majors, minors, and concentrations. Include special educational experiences like study abroad or certifications that are relevant to the field. Do not include internships and co-ops here, as they should be put in a “Related Experience” section. 4 If you personally paid for a significant percentage of your education (utilizing personal loans does not count), you could include this on your resume or expand upon it in your cover letter. List your GPA if it is 3.0 or above. o If the GPA in your major is significantly higher than your cumulative GPA, you may list them both. o If you graduated with honors (e.g., cum laude), you do not need to include your GPA. o Once you are in graduate school or have been out of college for 3+ years, GPAs are not required. Sample Education section format: York College of Pennsylvania Bachelor of Science, Criminal Justice Minors: Sociology and Spanish York, PA May 2011 GPA: 3.24 4. RELATED COURSEWORK List any courses that are extremely relevant to success and performance in your future career, especially if they are in addition to your major. Identify focus areas if they are not already listed on your resume as a major or minor. Upper level classes containing hands-on experience, product development/creation, research, or industry recommendations should be included under a “Related Experience” section and described in bullet statements rather than included in this general listing of courses. Once you are seeking full-time employment, a general list of courses can be removed from the resume because your degree encompasses coursework. 5. SKILLS The skills section should include “hard skills” such as computer knowledge, foreign languages, or other things that can be easily tested or proven: Computer skills including software applications, programming, and certifications Language proficiency including foreign study Technical skills or knowledge (e.g., testing, analysis, laboratory, shop, procedures, methodology) Specialized training such as CPR Soft skills (e.g., personal characteristics) are best represented when woven into bullet statements in the sections describing your actual work and life experiences (see the next section for details). They may also be discussed in your cover letter. 6. EXPERIENCE Your experience section can be titled a variety of ways to showcase your experience and can include paid/unpaid internships or co-ops, part-time jobs, extracurricular activities, military experience, volunteer work, and/or work-study positions. Proper organization of your information is critical to an employer’s understanding of what you have to offer. First, take an inventory of all of your experience and consider which ones are related to your career field. Organize related experiences together in one section called “Career Related Experience,” “Relevant Experience,” or “Related Experience.” Alternatively, you may use titles that pertain to your career goal such as 5 “Research Experience,” “Engineering Experience,” and “Teaching Experience.” Effective titles draw attention to the fact that you have experience in your field and highlight the progress you are making on your career path. The remainder of your experience, which is not necessarily career related but equally important in enhancing soft skills, can be incorporated into sections titled “Employment” or “Additional Experience.” When possible, create specific/descriptive sections such as “Leadership Activities” and “Military Experience,” but be cautious about having too many sections containing little information; your resume will become busy and harder to digest. The key to effectively representing your experience is to: use your first bullet statement to provide a general overview of your job role properly organize and label your sections to draw an employer’s attention to relevant skills begin each bullet statement with an action verb and organize similar ideas together provide proof of your experience and transferrable skills through well-written action statements Writing Effective Bullet Statements Use the ATR framework to describe your accomplishments in your resume: Action + Task + Result. Think about a task you completed at a job or internship; begin the statement with an appropriate action verb that describes what you did to complete the task and the results you achieved. For example: Action: Task: Result: Developed a grant proposal for a human services agency that produced over $15,000 to start community counseling outreach for the homeless For each of your experiences, think about major responsibilities, projects, and achievements. Don’t just write about routine duties, and be sure to highlight those soft skills! Effectively Representing Your Transferrable Skills "Soft skills" refer to a cluster of personal qualities, habits, attitudes, and social graces that make someone a good employee; they are “transferrable skills” that you take with you to any job. Companies value soft skills because they can be just as important as hard skills in predicting job performance. Listed below are sample soft/transferrable skills that should be woven into bullet statements within various sections of your resume. Accepting responsibility Attention to detail Communication Conflict management Critical thinking Customer service Decision-making Delegating Ethics Flexibility Goal-setting Initiative Leadership Listening skills Management skills Marketing Motivating others Multi-tasking Negotiation/compromise Networking Organizational skills Presentation skills Problem-solving Public relations Public speaking Reporting Research Resourcefulness Risk-taking Self-motivation Selling Social Skills Teamwork Technical writing Time management Troubleshooting Willingness to learn Writing Here are some sample bullet statements representing oral and written communication: “Organized and presented marketing ideas during team meetings, which contributed to the annual marketing plan” “Prepared concise and logically written technical manuals to help reduce machine assembly time” “Utilized campus resources and collaborated with faculty on the development of a PR campaign” Additional Tips for Bullet Statements Use action verbs—not statements that begin with “I” or “Responsibilities included” List experiences within each section in reverse chronological order (start with the most recent experience and work backwards in time) Use proper verb tenses (present tense for current positions and past tense for previous roles) 6 Change your resume each time you apply for a different type of position and reorganize your bullets in priority order according to the needs identified in the job description Do not list every part-time position you’ve ever held or go into great detail Include the level of responsibility you’ve held in your employment (e.g., Were you responsible for training all new employees? Did you close out the cash drawers and make the nightly deposits? Were you “unofficially” in charge when the manager was out?) Include transferrable skills such as effective time management (e.g., “Managed a full-time class schedule while working 30+ hours per week and earning a 3.6 GPA”) Draw connections between skills you acquired during your experience that will transfer into your next place of employment Include such things as position title, organization, location, dates employed, and description of duties 7. LEADERSHIP/ACTIVITIES Do not underestimate the weight that employers place on campus involvement, leadership roles, participation in athletics and community service, and other co-curricular activities. If this was a strong part of your experience while in school, emphasize it! When possible, don’t just list involvement; describe, for example, what your role as Vice President entailed. Why employers value co-curricular activities: Opportunity to make mistakes and learn from them Non-threatening way to develop new and transferrable skills Great way to develop references from interactions with faculty and staff outside of the classroom Opportunity to value diversity by learning from and working with individuals from different backgrounds and belief systems Increase knowledge about complex issues and improve critical thinking skills Encourage social responsibility and service to the community Develop the ability to work as part of a team as well as to collaborate, cooperate, and compromise Opportunity for professional development through membership in organizations 8. OTHER CATEGORIES Other optional categories, which may fit your background, include “Volunteer Work” or “Community Service Activities,” “Honors/Awards,” and “Military Experience.” Provide details of your accomplishments and responsibilities. Awards and scholarships are listed on resumes for undergraduate and graduate students, usually toward the bottom of the page. The number of academic accomplishments on your resume should decrease as relevant work experience increases—unless they are applicable to the position you are seeking. 7 RESUME SUPPLEMENTS REFERENCES This category is no longer included on a resume but should be included on a separate sheet and provided to an employer upon request. Copy the header from your resume and use it on your reference sheet and cover letter as letterhead. List your references in the following manner: Mr. Bruce Wayne, President, Wayne Enterprises 100 Bat Cave Blvd., Gotham City, CA 12345 (234) 567-8909 / [email protected] Employer for three summers who supervised me in the development and implementation of direct marketing programs. Three to five references is the norm; however, you may list more. Include employers, professors who know you and your quality of work well, internship supervisors, etc.; personal “character” references (such as your neighbor or minister) are not as strong. Ask people in advance if they will serve as a reference for you, supply them with a copy of your resume, and familiarize them with the skills you possess for the positions you are seeking. When you land a job, send your references a thank you letter and update them on your status. LETTERS OF RECOMMENDATION If you need a letter of recommendation, provide your references with several weeks of advance notice. Talk to your references about your goals and supply them with your resume and any materials that will assist them in writing on your behalf (e.g., job description, graduate school essay, etc.). 8 ONLINE APPLICATIONS In your job search, you will often be required to complete online applications that include a version of your resume. You also may be asked to copy and paste your resume into a field or upload/attach a file. TIPS FOR GETTING YOUR ONLINE APPLICATION NOTICED Follow directions. Be careful to enter the correct data in the correct field. Ask for advice on completing the application from a company recruiter or an alumnus at the company. Tailor your application information to the position. Don’t copy and paste text from your generic resume. Use key words, buzz words, and industry jargon. Use the verbiage in the job description as your model. Create a skills-inventory section even if the application doesn’t require it. You might put this in a comments section. Include numbers and statistics if they are available (e.g., Responsible for more than $10,000). Complete all fields--even those that are not required. If the company offers an optional assessment test online, take it. Use a very simple format; fancy bullets, text, italics, and bold do not convert well. Check spelling and grammar before submitting your application, even if you have to copy and paste the information into Microsoft Word. Your application must be error free. Another use for the comment section: use it to demonstrate that you’ve done research on the company and the industry. Use quotes from letters of recommendations in your resume or cover letter. After submitting your application, follow-up with a personal email or LinkedIn message to the recruiter. EMAILED RESUMES Copy and paste your cover letter, resume, and references into one PDF document to save time for the recruiter and avoid compromising the format. Ensure that your subject line includes the job title to differentiate it from junk mail. Do not use texting jargon or emoticons. In the body of the email, provide a brief introduction containing your contact information so that a recruiter can call you if your resume does not upload properly. Use proper grammar and professional formatting. For example: Dear Mr. Smith: I am interested in the research associate position available in the marketing department. With my previous internship in market research and my business degree, I am eager to contribute innovative marketing ideas to increase sales. Attached are my resume, cover letter, and references for your consideration. Please confirm receipt by contacting me at 717-222-8888 or [email protected]. Thank you for your time. Sincerely, Your Name 9 MULTIMEDIA OR ONLINE PORTFOLIOS Follow these guidelines for using a website or online portfolio that incorporates samples of your work and/or graphics and photographs in your job search. List the site address in your resume header and refer to it in your cover letter Great for artists, web designers, journalists, professional writers, and those in technical fields Record an “elevator speech,” a brief 30 second introduction, describing who you are and what you hope to achieve Establish your profile and history on a professional networking site such as LinkedIn or Twitter Consult our “Job Search Skills” packet for detailed information about how to use social media tools effectively in your job search. 10 EFFECTIVE WRITING TO GET YOUR RESUME NOTICED RESEARCHING KEY WORDS More and more companies are using online applications and scanning technology to assist them with information management in Human Resources. Instead of reading hundreds of resumes to select qualified candidates, recruiters can utilize a key word search to identify potential candidates from the pool of resumes. Consequently, you should ensure that key words from the field and the job description are used in your resume. Candidates whose resumes contain a best match for key words will be likely to obtain an interview. Tips for locating key words in your field or industry: Use onetonline.org to research job descriptions in your field and look for commonalities in required skills and tasks. Use Indeed.com to search for posted jobs in your field and highlight common threads. Copy and paste job descriptions into Tagcrowd.com—a free web application for visualizing word frequencies in any text by creating a word cloud, text cloud, or tag cloud. Embed key words for these positions throughout your resume, cover letter, and online applications. SOFT SKILLS DEFINITIONS Employers are interested in the “soft skills” and competencies you have obtained through jobs, volunteer work, internships, or co-curricular activities. Here are a few examples of these soft/transferrable skills to help you brainstorm and identify your strengths so that you can adequately discuss them in your resume and cover letter. Communication Use various forms, styles, and media to present ideas Speak effectively to individuals and groups; listen carefully and respond appropriately Describe objects or events with few errors in a concise and logical manner Information Management Sort data and objects Compile and rank information Apply information creatively to problems or tasks Synthesize facts, concepts, and principles Conflict Resolution Anticipate problems before they occur Develop plans to implement solutions Define the problem and identify possible causes Handle several problems at once Personal and Career Development Develop personal growth goals that are motivating Take risks Identify one’s own strength and weakness Accept and learn from criticism Critical Thinking and Problem-Solving Define the parameters of a problem Apply appropriate criteria to strategies Take given premises and reason to their conclusion Create innovative solutions to problems Professional Management Work efficiently under pressure Manage time and stress effectively Seek opportunities for professional development Arrive at work on time Decision-Making Understand the steps of effective decision making Facilitate groups in decision making Implement sound decisions Take responsibility for decisions Project Management Follow up with others to evaluate the progress of tasks Conduct meetings Give praise and credit to others for work well done Motivate others on group projects 11 Design and Planning Identify alternative courses of action Set realistic goals Follow through with a plan or decision Manage time effectively Research and Investigation Use a variety of sources of information Identify problems and needs Apply a variety of methods to test the validity of data Ethics and Tolerance Define and explain ethical behavior Practice ethical behavior in difficult situations Accept others’ opinions and actions nonjudgmentally Understand equal opportunity and acceptance Supervision and Leadership Analyze tasks Delegate responsibility Identify people who can contribute to the solution Identify resource materials Financial Management Develop a budget Estimate expenses and income accurately Justify the organization’s budget to others Work within a budget Teamwork and Teambuilding Motivate team members to work toward a goal Collaborate on projects Understand strengths and weaknesses of members; use strengths to build the team Human and Interpersonal Relations Keep a group moving toward achievement of a goal Maintain group cooperation and support Delegate tasks and responsibilities Understand the feelings of others Valuing Assess a course of action in terms of its longrange effects on the general human welfare Make decisions that will maximize both individual and collective good EXPERIENCE ANALYSIS QUESTIONS Here is a list of questions to facilitate brainstorming about and analysis of your experiences to help you create effective bullet statements for your resume: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. What skills have you developed as a result of the experience? Did your experience involve recruiting, training, or supervising others? Did you make any decisions or recommendations that were implemented? What were your job responsibilities? How did they change and/or develop over the course of the experience? Did you gather or analyze any information? Can you quantify the results of your work (e.g., number of customers served, percentage increase in sales, percentile rank in class, amount of money raised, frequency of writing, etc.)? Did you utilize and/or develop any technical skills? How did you utilize and/or develop your personal qualities? Did you produce any written documents and/or reports? Did you assume any leadership or planning roles? Did you volunteer or offer to do something above and beyond normal expectations? Did you participate in any training? Can you recall any situations where you successfully solved a problem, handled a crisis, dealt with a difficult customer or co-worker, or received praise or recognition for performance, etc.? 12 MAKING IMPACTFUL STATEMENTS DULL WITH IMPACT 1. Raised level of sales above previous year 1. Increased sales by 41% over prior year, reversing a negative trend 2. Trained new employees 2. Created and implemented an orientation and training program for all new employees 3. Wrote procedures manual for museum 3. Authored a 53 page procedure manual for museum artifacts department 4. Called prospective customers 4. Participated in a targeted calling program to market services and products to prospective customers 5. Answered phone 5. Provided quality customer service by answering multi-line phone, providing accurate information to callers, and relaying messages to appropriate individuals 6. Data entry 6. Entered and maintained data in Microsoft Access and generated weekly sales reports 7. Sold clothes 7. Assisted customers using product knowledge, customer service, and suggestive selling 8. Operated customer service desk 8. Addressed and resolved customer issues and concerns 9. Supervised day campers 9. Planned, developed, and facilitated daily educational and social activities for approximately twenty campers ages 7-9 10. Tutored child 10. Tutored a special needs child in the areas of reading and writing, resulting in an increased reading level of two grades 13 SAMPLE ACTION WORDS Accompanied Accomplished Accounted for Achieved Acquired Acted Adapted Administered Admitted Advanced Advertised Advised Advocated Aided Allocated Amended Analyzed Answered Applied Appointed Approved Arranged Assembled Assessed Assisted Assured Attained Audited Automated Awarded Balanced Budgeted Built Calculated Catalogued Chaired Charted Clarified Classified Closed Coached Collaborated Collected Commissioned Communicated Compared Compiled Completed Computed Conceived Conducted Consulted Contracted Contributed Controlled Coordinated Corrected Counseled Created Cultivated Decreased Delegated Demonstrated Designed Determined Developed Devised Differentiated Directed Dispatched Displayed Disseminated Distributed Diversified Diverted Documented Drafted Edited Eliminated Employed Enabled Enacted Encouraged Enforced Engineered Enhanced Enlarged Ensured Equated Established Evaluated Examined Exceeded Executed Expanded Expedited Experimented Extrapolated Facilitated Forecasted Formulated Founded Gained Generated Grouped Guided Handled Headed Hired Identified Indexed Influenced Initiated Innovated Inspected Installed Instituted Instructed Integrated Interpreted Interviewed Invented Investigated Launched Leveraged Lobbied Maintained Managed Marketed Masterminded Maximized Mediated Merged Moderated Modified Monitored Motivated Negotiated Observed Obtained Operated Organized Originated Oversaw Packaged Participated Perfected Performed Persuaded Pioneered Prepared Presented Preserved Presided Prioritized Processed Produced Programmed Promoted Proposed Provided Publicized Published Received Recommended 14 Reduced Referred Refined Regulated Rehabilitated Related Renegotiated Reorganized Repositioned Represented Researched Reshaped Resolved Responded Restructured Retained Reviewed Revised Scheduled Screened Secured Served as Sold Solved Sorted Spearheaded Sponsored Stabilized Streamlined Strengthened Structured Supervised Surpassed Synthesized Systematized Taught Tested Testified Theorized Trained Translated Trimmed Turned-around Updated Upgraded Utilized Validated Verified SAMPLE ACTION STATEMENTS Acted as liaison to… Improved productivity by… Administered plan created to… Increased earnings # percent in # months by… Attained a referral rate of # percent… Initiated an innovative campaign designed to… Automated billing requirements for… Installed a process that… Chaired a task force to develop… Interviewed candidates seeking… Compiled statistics proving… Managed, organized, staffed, and trained… Completed projects $ under budget in # months Managed # engineers on a project that… Conducted management activities of… Marketed new concept in… Conducted studies on… Negotiated contracts for campus activities Consolidated regular reports of… Performed financial analysis designed to Counseled large groups of… Planned and directed a team of # staff who… Created financial model that… Promoted new technique that… Created financial plan used to… Provided services that… Created new product image with… Presented research findings at… Cut production time by # percent… Rated in top # performers for # years… Designed project promotional plan that… Received # promotions in # years Designed equipment for… Recruited talent for… Developed new procedures to... Redefined a process that… Developed a unique program that… Reduced expenditures by… Directed activities that… Reorganized the function that… Directed a consumer research study which… Reorganized work patterns that… Directed a department staff of # that… Served on major committee to… Discovered problems that… Serviced a team of physicians who… Established reporting procedures for… Sold new concept to top management by… Facilitated training on… Sold # units in # months by… Increased morale of team by… Strengthened organization by… Implemented computerized system to… Supervised a staff of… Wrote marketing plan designed to… Taught training programs for… Wrote proposal that achieved… Traveled extensively to… Wrote # publications in the field of… Voted as “Best Leader” by coworkers 15 RESUME CHECKLIST Your resume represents you to potential employers, so it must contain pertinent information in a professional and well-organized document. Utilize the following checklist to ensure your resume achieves its purpose: CONTENT Contact information: Name, address, one phone number, and one email address are easy to locate Objective: Briefly indicates the sort of position sought and focuses on what you can offer to the employer Education section: Degree(s), college name and location, graduation date, GPA (if over 3.0), major, minor, or areas of concentration Relevant Courses (maximum of 5 and only if applying for internships) Does not include high school or institutions where a degree or certification was not earned Skills section: Relevant technical skills and language skills that support the objective—not vague generalities (i.e., not “strong communication skills” or “leadership”) Experience section(s): Paid, unpaid, volunteer, internship positions, or related projects (for significant course projects that support your objective) are included in one or multiple sections with each experience including title, organization name, location, and dates Each experience is described with action word phrases that include higher level responsibilities and projects managed, while demonstrating related and transferrable skills Campus or community leadership and involvements are represented either in their own section or within Related or Additional Experience sections Additional sections may include Research, Publications, Military Service, and Professional Development—but only if they are relevant to the objective. ORGANIZATION & PROFESSIONAL APPEARANCE Layout and order of sections showcase skills and experience based upon needs of the reader Section headings are clear, specific, and related to the objective Resume has positive visual impact using bullets, boldface, underlining, and/or italics Reader is able to quickly (in 30-45 seconds) glean important information Within each section, entries are placed in reverse chronological order Absolutely free from grammatical, spelling, punctuation, usage, and typographical errors Appropriate length: one page for every 6-10 years of full time experience (resumes for Graduate School and positions in Education may be two pages) Formatting and construction are consistent: spacing within and between sections, text or bullets align vertically, font size does not vary, margins are set equally 0.8-1”, state abbreviations and verb tense are consistent, etc. RESUMES SHOULD NOT CONTAIN: Personal information not relevant to the objective (e.g., age, sex, photo, marital status, national origin, religious or political affiliations) References (these should be placed on a separate page) Graphics or color (unless you are pursuing a design/creative position) 16 SAMPLE RESUMES COMBINATION RESUME (FOR A STUDENT SEEKING AN INTERNSHIP OR ENTRY LEVEL POSITION) MAX BENSON [email protected] / (717) 123-4567 http://www.linkedin.com/pub/benson Permanent Address Current Address 456 Westover Way 123 W. Jackson St. Allentown, PA 34567 York, PA 17403 _________________________________________________________________________________ Objective Seeking an accounting internship with a corporate accounting department Education York College of Pennsylvania York, PA May 2014 Bachelor of Science, Accounting Related Coursework: Accounting I & II, Intermediate Accounting I, II, & III, Cost Accounting, Taxation, Auditing, and Advanced Accounting I Accepted into Dual Degree MBA Program, MBA expected May 2014 Career Related Experience Dentsply Corporation York, PA Summer 2013 Accounting Internship Prepared journal entries in monthly consolidated reports Assisted Corporate and Tax Accountants with special projects Worked with fixed asset maintenance and ledgers Work Experience ABC Insurance Co. Allentown, PA Summers 2011, 2012 Office Assistant/Accounts Clerk Developed spreadsheet applications to track customer accounts Accurately posted all journal entries weekly and prepared reports Provided excellent customer service to clients and field agents Sam’s Landscaping Allentown, PA Summers 2009, 2010 Crew Leader, Landscaper Promoted to Crew Leader after one season Established daily and weekly priorities for crew of three Submitted activity logs and maintained equipment Installed and maintained residential landscaping Leadership Activities Tour Guide, York College Admissions Office 2011-Present Treasurer, Phi Sigma Pi National Honors Fraternity 2011-Present President, Accounting Club 2012-2013 Recruited new members, coordinated and managed meetings Arranged corporate speakers to present at meetings Computer Skills Experienced in Peach Tree & QuickBooks; proficient in Microsoft Word, Excel, & PowerPoint 17 COMBINATION RESUME (FOR A STUDENT SEEKING AN ENTRY LEVEL POSITION) SARAH SMITH [email protected] 100 Rathton Road • York, PA 17403 • (717) 123-4567 OBJECTIVE Motivated nursing graduate seeks challenging entry level nursing position EDUCATION Bachelor of Science, Nursing York College of Pennsylvania, York, PA Graduated Magna Cum Laude, GPA 3.76 HONORS & AWARDS Alpha Chi National Honor Society Sigma Theta Tau National Nursing Honor Society May 2014 Inducted 2013 Inducted 2012 CAREER RELATED EXPERIENCE Nursing Extern, York Hospital Summer 2013 Performed all RN functions under mentor/supervisor Refined technical and assessment skills Administered medications to patients and participated in patient reviews Nursing Clinical Rotations, York Hospital & Memorial Hospital Rotations completed in Med/Surg, Psychiatric, Obstetrics, Pediatrics, Acute Care, and Community Health 2011-2014 Special Skills Proficient in performing EKG’s, venipuncture, IV therapy, telemetry; hold certification in CPR and First Aid Professional Development National Student Nurses Association Annual Conference Student Nurses Association of Pennsylvania Conference Spring 2013 Fall 2012 Evidence Based Practice Spring 2013 “What is the Best Nutritional Practice for Obese or Bariatric Adults in the ICU?” “What is the Best Sedation Assessment Tool for Patients in the ICU?” “Does Screening for Domestic Violence Open Dialogue for Victims?” YORK COLLEGE ACTIVITIES Campus Activities Board, Newman Club, Women’s Varsity Field Hockey Team PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS Student Nurses Association of Pennsylvania, National Student Nurses Association 18 COMBINATION RESUME (FOR A STUDENT WITH LITTLE CAREER-RELATED EXPERIENCE SEEKING AN INTERNSHIP) TRAVIS BLACK (555) 512-215230 Moon Boot Lane, Preston, ID 30189 [email protected] OBJECTIVE To obtain a management training position in a corporate environment to gain experience in various aspects of business operations. EDUCATION York College of Pennsylvania Bachelor of Science in Business Administration Minor: Marketing York, PA December 2014 GPA: 3.3 RELATED EXPERIENCE York College Bookstore York, PA Associate August 2011-Present Assist with inventory management and control and produce accurate reports Use creative design ideas to set up displays and merchandise store Create advertising for newspaper and campus fliers; increased store traffic 30% in first month of advertising Process sales, operate register and committed to provide friendly customer service Operations Management Class York, PA Business Mentor Project 2013 Worked with Business Mentor and team of four, over twelve week Period, to gain understanding of operations management practices Researched, developed and presented final report to faculty and business representatives; personally responsible development of formal presentation Our team’s recommendations were adopted by company for future implementation ADDITIONAL EXPERIENCE YMCA York, PA Lifeguard Summers 2009-2012 Assisted manager with creating schedule and training new guards Received appreciation certificate for perfect attendance and positive attitude INVOLVEMENTS Society for Human Resource Management 2011-2013 Secretary Kept records of weekly meetings, responsible for correspondence and management of roster, recruited members on campus Habitat for Humanity Volunteer, Building & Construction 2008-Present 19 COMBINATION RESUME (FOR A STUDENT SEEKING AN INTERNSHIP OR AN ENTRY LEVEL POSITION) Linda Anne Landry [email protected] 301.654.3297 3456 School House Lane Frostburg, MD 21532 Online portfolio: [email protected] / [email protected] CAREER OBJECTIVE Seeking an entry level position in Public Relations for a community nonprofit organization EDUCATION Bachelor of Arts Degree, York College of Pennsylvania, May 2013 Major in English; Minors in Human Resources and Public Relations; GPA 3.5 Alpha Chi Honorary Society, Inducted 2008 Who’s Who Among Students in American Universities and Colleges, Inducted 2009 LEADERSHIP ACTIVITIES Editor, The Spartan York College Newspaper, 2009-2010 • Coordinated and delegated all assignments to newspaper staff of 20 • Edited all work to be included in weekly publication • Authored weekly column on topics of interest to college community • Managed annual budget of $50,000 • Increased outside advertisement revenues by 20% Student Assistant, York College Department of English and Humanities, 2009-2010 • Helped direct people to the information they desired • Completed supporting work for professors • Marketed new classes offered by department through fliers and campus newspaper • Coordinated fundraiser to help raise money for Department field trip Resident Assistant, York College, 2009-2010 • Responsible for safety and well-being of 40+ freshmen students • Developed and implemented programs to promote and enhance quality of life issues • Informed and educated residents on services and programs on and off campus • Counseled students on personal issues including relationships, academic advising, substance abuse, career planning, and healthy life choices • Maintained discipline and imposed sanctions on students when necessary WORK HISTORY Human Resources Assistant, Susquehanna Pfaltzgraff, Inc., York, PA, Summers 2010-2011 • Assisted staff in developing employee orientation manuals, literature regarding benefits and compensation choices, and various training materials • Generated routine correspondence to job applicants regarding employment status • Answered phone calls, routed messages to appropriate staff, filed documents, and provided other general office assistance Crew Chief, McDonald’s Restaurant, Frostburg, MD, Summer 2010 • Assigned staff to daily job responsibilities • Scheduled and supervised crew members • Trained all new employees in operations and customer service skills 20 COMBINATION RESUME (FOR A STUDENT SEEKING AN INTERNSHIP OR AN ENTRY LEVEL POSITION) ANDREW JOHNSON 320 Square Drive ∙ Red Lion, PA 17303 ∙ (717)555-1212 ∙ [email protected] OBJECTIVE Seeking a challenging internship for a process engineer that leverages my strong engineering, technical, and management backgrounds to improve workflow and efficiency of facility EDUCATION YORK COLLEGE OF PENNSYLVANIA Bachelor of Science, Engineering Management Dean’s List – Fall 2009 May 2015 GPA – 3.44 Relevant Coursework: Statistical Design and Process Control for Engineers, Operations Management, Management Information Systems, Engineering Mechanics: Statics, Thermodynamics CAREER RELATED EXPERIENCE EPADS I and II York College of Pennsylvania 2012-2013 Designed and constructed an automated LEGO robot using Solidworks Enhanced teamwork skills and increased familiarity with computer programming Designed and built an automated machine that moves, fills and caps bottles Beneficial experience with leadership, planning and problem solving Gained metal shop and woodshop experience including drill press, lathe, welding EMPLOYMENT HISTORY December 2012 – Present Entertainment Associate Increased sales by 41% over prior year, reversing a negative trend Assisted customers using product knowledge, customer service, and suggestive selling Addressed and resolved customer issues and concerns CIRCUIT CITY STORES, INC COLLEGIATE CLUBS COLLEGIATE ENGINEERING SOCIETY 2012-Present Secretary 2013- Present Provide detailed notes of the meetings Assist in organizing events and guest speakers for the society 21 COMBINATION RESUME (FOR A STUDENT SEEKING AN INTERNSHIP OR AN ENTRY LEVEL POSITION) ANGELINA JOLLY 123 Richland Avenue, York, PA [email protected] (609) 923-3426 Objective Seeking a summer internship in the field of human services where I can gain additional research experience in community studies and contribute to community development and planning initiatives Education York College of Pennsylvania, York, PA May 2012 Bachelor of Science, Sociology Deans List, Spring of 2010 GPA: 3.7 Minors: Human Services and Women/Gender Studies • Related Coursework: Statistics/Research Methods I & II, Design and Evaluation of Program Development, and Human Service Techniques Career Related Experience Institute of Applied Social Research York, PA Intern, Research Assistant, Healthy York County Coalition Spring 2011 • Interviewed and collaborated with health professionals in the community to develop needs assessment questionnaire • Administered needs assessment and analyzed data on health concerns using SPSS • Developed a proposal for health agencies with professional summary and recommendations for meeting projected health outcomes Spring Garden Police Department York, PA Volunteer Research Assistant, Citizen’s Satisfaction Survey Fall 2010 • Evaluated survey data for citizens’ satisfaction of police and compiled detailed report • Developed a new satisfaction survey and distributed to Spring Garden Township citizens Work Experience Friendly’s Restaurant Moore, NJ Server May 2009 - present • Recognized by management for friendly and efficient customer service • Train new servers and provide mentoring and assistance where needed • Earned responsibility of opening and closing shifts including cash deposits Leadership York College Women’s Swim Team Spring 2009 - present • Lead practice in the absence of coaches and captains • Motivate and encourage players and assist with mediation of conflict Volunteer with Public Relations Student Society of America (PRSSA) Spring 2008 - present • Assisted with Junior League of York Dress Sale and the Cinderella Project of PA • Assisted with the organization of the Prom Dress Rugby Tournament which raised awareness and gathered over $500.00 in donations for the Cinderella Project 22 FUNCTIONAL OR SKILLS RESUME (FOR ALUMNI WITH A VARIETY OF EXPERIENCE IN DIFFERENT AREAS OR SOMEONE WITH A LOT OF EXPERIENCE IN THE SAME FIELD) JASON KEEFER 8482 Marley Drive ♦ Pittsburgh, PA 15244 (412) 123-4567 [email protected] PROFESSIONAL SUMMARY Intelligent, articulate, and conscientious individual with strong desire to pursue a career in finance; Self-starter with skills in communication, analysis, and organization RELEVANT PROFESSIONAL SKILLS Organization & Leadership Organized/maintained a 350 client database for financial consultant in brokerage firm Coordinated and supervised a successful community service campaign involving 40+ volunteers over a one year period Managed and maintained $500,000 of product inventory Analysis Initiated analysis and complete reorganization of client files, resulting in easier access to records and improved service to clients Developed and implemented marketing strategies, materials, and correspondence resulting in 12% increase in client base Conducted research and made recommendations aimed at improving departmental efficiency Skilled in development of spreadsheet applications through Lotus 1, 2, 3 and Excel Communication Demonstrated ability to effectively handle difficult customer service inquiries Converted customer inquiries into sales on a regular basis Awarded numerous certificates for excellence in public speaking, debate, and persuasion WORK HISTORY Del. Driver/Cust. Service Rep. Finance Department Intern Financial Services Intern Driver Package Handler Regents Supply Corp. Glatfelter Insurance Smith Barney Pizza Hut RPS Pittsburgh, PA York, PA Lancaster, PA York, PA Lewisberry, PA 2008-Present Summer 2008 Fall 2007 2005-2007 2003-2005 EDUCATION Bachelor of Science with Honors, Economics and Finance York College of Pennsylvania 23 May 2009 GPA: 3.8 CHRONOLOGICAL RESUME (FOR ALUMNI WHO HAVE FULL TIME WORK EXPERIENCE) JESSICA WHITE 26 Manor Road, State College, PA 09876 (814) 876-5432 [email protected] OBJECTIVE To secure a challenging marketing position utilizing skills in product planning buying, and analysis EDUCATION Bachelor of Science Degree, May 2004 Major: Marketing; Minor: Management York College of Pennsylvania, York, PA EXPERIENCE Assistant Buyer, The Bon Ton, York, PA, 2008 – Present Take initiative to assist buyer with financial plans and forecasting Enter data on purchase orders and perform changes and maintenance in pricing system and check for accuracy Effective negotiation of purchase discounts, margin agreements, cancellations, and returns Maintain positive vendor relations through the effective coordination of purchasing and reliable follow-up Assistant Product Manager, Eden Toys, Jersey City, NJ, 2006 – 2008 Reviewed and approved samples for plush toy line Determined materials and color selections for toy construction Collaborated with engineering and design departments to design, manufacture, and implement cost effective product lines Traveled extensively to Pacific Rim to supervise quality assurance Product Planner, Market Analyst, Market Research, Inc., Troy, NY, 2004-2006 Directed development of new giftware concepts into the market Interacted directly with Far East representatives to initiate development of new product items Updated and expanded existing toy product lines Monitored sales and prepared reports on new and existing items Interviewed retail owners and store managers regarding current market trends in the industry Conducted off the counter sales (OTC’s) of toy and gift items Market Interviewer, Consumer Market Analysts, Detroit, MI, Summer 2004 Conducted customer interviews in person and via telephone Assisted customers with problems related to telecommunication products and services EXTRA CURRICULAR Coach, York Little League, 2008 – 2009 Volunteer, Over 200 hours at Children’s Home of York Member, Marketing Association of South Central Pennsylvania 2008 - present 24 COVER LETTERS AND OTHER CORRESPONDENCE COVER LETTERS A well-written, targeted cover letter will enhance your resume and greatly increase your chances of being invited to interview. Follow the format on the following page to construct your letter. Frequently Asked Questions about Cover Letters How long should the cover letter be? The cover letter should be no more than one page. Three to four paragraphs are sufficient. To whom should I address the cover letter? Whenever possible, try to get the letter and resume on the desk of the hiring manager. Human Resources staff members screen applicants, so you should try to get your application past them. Address your letter to a real person, not just a title. Obtain names through: o Networking and informational interviewing o Researching the company website o Using the free service within jigsaw.com as well as LinkedIn to identify contact people within organizations If you can’t determine a name or even the company, it is acceptable to address the letter “Dear Sir or Madam” or “Dear Hiring Manager.” What kind of paper and envelope should I use? The cover letter paper should match the resume paper. For a professional look, copy the header from your resume and paste it at the top of your letter so that your documents match. How should I send my cover letter and resume (mail, fax, or email)? Follow the directions in the position posting and ask the employer if you are uncertain what method they would prefer. If you email your resume, make sure the file is in PDF format and included with your resume. How can I make my cover letter stand out? Nothing distinguishes a cover letter better than well-written content. Stay conservative and do not use color, graphics, or color paper unless you are in the art industry. Your writing should be logical and should concisely express how your talents can be an asset to the employer. Also make sure your grammar is flawless and your spelling is correct. You may use a paragraph style letter or use bullets to emphasize key points. Your cover letter should provide proof to convince employers that you have the skills they are seeking! 25 ESSENTIAL PARTS OF THE COVER LETTER st 1 Paragraph – The Opening Identify the job for which you are applying and how you found out about the job (referral, research, advertisement, etc.) State your genuine interest in the company/position/field. Write something that will “hook” the reader to want to read on; this could be years of experience, type of knowledge the company is seeking, sincere interest in their products/services, etc. Introduce 3 top reasons why you are a good fit for the position (think about the employer’s needs and how you can meet those needs). These are the themes that you will elaborate upon and provide examples for in the second paragraph. nd 2 Paragraph – The Body of the Letter Elaborate on the top 3 themes you introduced in the first paragraph. Clearly state the employer’s needs and tell how they can fill those needs. Give concrete examples, showing when, how much, what kind, etc. Your job is to convince the reader that you can immediately (or at least very quickly) perform the tasks he or she requires. At the end of this paragraph, you may refer to the enclosed resume so the employer can find further supporting evidence of your candidacy. rd 3 Paragraph – the “Close” or Call to Action Tell the employer what the next step should be (e.g., requesting an interview), what action you plan to take (follow up), and what action you want the employer to take (actually setting the appointment). Include your phone number and times you can be reached to make it easy for the employer. Thank the employer for their time and consideration. OTHER CORRESPONDENCE Thank You Letters Thank you letters should always be sent within 24 hours after an interview. They can be handwritten, typed, or sent electronically. The letter does not have to be lengthy but needs to (1) thank the person for his/her time, (2) re-emphasize your particular skills, and (3) re-state your interest in the position. Thank you letters make a very favorable impression upon employers and should not be overlooked! Letters of Acceptance/Decline/Withdrawal You may need to respond positively to a job offer in writing. This should be typed and should express your enthusiasm for starting your new job. You may need to confirm starting dates, salary, benefits, etc., in this letter, but you should discuss these with your future employer first before you actually sign your name to anything. You also may find yourself declining an offer for a position. This should be typed and should thank the employer for the offer. You should give one or two reasons why you are declining the offer, making sure they are professional. Don’t burn any bridges: This could be a future employer or client of yours. Short and simple is best in this situation. It is also appropriate to notify a prospective employer of your decision to withdraw from the selection process. 26 SAMPLE COVER LETTERS PARAGRAPH STYLE COVER LETTER SENDER’s ADDRESS HERE 26 Manor Road State College, PA 09876 July 30, 2013 Ms. Nancy Clark Regional Vice President, Marketing Nordstrom’s Department Store 5 Owings Mills Road Owings Mills, MD 76543 Dear Ms. Clark: I am applying for the Regional Marketing Manager position which was recently listed with the Career Development Center at York College. I have over six years of increasingly responsible experience in market research, marketing, and buying. My most recent position at the Bon Ton has given me an excellent understanding of department store marketing and management practices and I feel I could use this understanding well to benefit Nordstrom’s. My career in marketing began with two positions in market research, which I believe provided me with an excellent perspective on customer needs and market trends. As a product planner and assistant product manager, I became very comfortable with the production and manufacturing side of the business, and believe I can make trend-setting yet cost-effective decisions regarding product lines. Having always been impressed with Nordstrom’s high degree of customer service and satisfaction, I believe my personal philosophy of working hard to provide excellence to the customer would be valued by you. I look forward to having the chance to speak with you regarding the Regional Marketing Manager position. My salary requirements are negotiable, and I am willing and able to relocate for such an excellent opportunity. I will plan to follow up within the next week to request an interview. You can reach me before then at (814) 876-5432 or at [email protected]. Thank you in advance for your time and consideration. Sincerely, Jessica White 27 BULLET STYLE COVER LETTER 123 W. Jackson Street York, PA 17403 September 30, 2013 Mr. Paul Smith Managing Partner Watson and Associates, CPAs 123 West Spring Street Rochester, NY 12345 Dear Mr. Smith: I am responding to your advertisement in the Philadelphia Inquirer for an entry level Accountant. As a recent Accounting graduate from York College of Pennsylvania, my internship experience, accounting preparation and leadership skills will contribute to your firm. My accounting internship with Dentsply Corporation gave me an excellent overview of corporate accounting practices and procedures. I also have worked as an Accounts Clerk for an insurance company for four summers and have proficiency in several areas you mentioned in your advertisement. Specifically I have: Solid experience in Microsoft Excel and Word, and Lotus 1 2 3 Excellent practical knowledge of both accounts payable and accounts receivable functions Coursework in Cost Accounting, Taxation, and Auditing Report writing and analysis capabilities My communication and leadership skills were enhanced through my involvement as a campus tour guide, and by holding several officer positions in clubs and activities. My interpersonal skills will be an asset to your company as I have proven my ability to communicate effectively with a variety of clients. I am excited to begin my professional career in accounting as soon as possible. My short-term plans include sitting for the CPA exam in November so that I may be able to progress in the accounting field. I will plan to contact you during the week of October 15 to make sure you have received my resume. Perhaps at that time we can arrange an interview. You may also reach me before then at (717) 123-4567 or at [email protected]. I look forward to speaking with you soon. Thank you for your time and consideration. Sincerely, Max Benson 28 SAMPLE COVER LETTER (using resume header to provide consistency) ANGELINA JOLLY 123 Richland Avenue, York, PA [email protected] (609) 923-3426 December 6, 2013 Mr. Steve Sager Human Resource Manager XYZ Company Patterson, NJ 12345 Dear Mr. Sager: I am very interested in applying for a professional writing internship with XYZ Company for the summer of 2012. I recently became aware of this opportunity through the Career Development Center at York College of Pennsylvania, where I am currently pursuing a bachelor degree in professional writing. Through my research on reputable publishing companies, I was impressed by the quality of XYZ’s online and printed publications. I believe that my sincere interest in your company’s mission in addition to my education and previous internship experience make me an excellent fit for this position. As you will see on the enclosed resume, I am a second semester junior and to date have done quite well in my course work; my cumulative grade point average is 3.6. Last summer, I gained experience in freelance writing with FlipSide Magazine, the York Sunday News and Wolf Publishing. My previous internship with the ABC Company, gave me the opportunity to layout and edit a major online journal and blog. With this experience and my strong academic preparation, I would competently handle the responsibilities that you have outlined in your job description. My online portfolio and LinkedIn profile contain many of my published writing samples for your review. I am interested in speaking with you in more detail about this internship opportunity, and you may contact me at (717) 815-1430 or [email protected] to schedule an interview. I look forward to speaking with you. Thank you for your time. Sincerely, Angelina Jolly 29 SAMPLE THANK YOU LETTER Your name and address 3420 Last Tree Lane York, PA 17403 717-123-4567 DATE Mr. Gary Barnett (Employer’s name and address) Verizon Communications, Inc. 3407 W. MLK Jr. Blvd. York, PA 17403 Dear Mr. Barnett: Opening – Restate the position you are looking for and where you met with the person Thank you for taking the time to speak with me to discuss the customer service and marketing trainee position. I certainly appreciate your time and attention in the midst of so many candidates seeking jobs. Tailor the following paragraphs based on the organization You were extremely thorough in explaining Verizon's customer service and marketing trainee program. I enjoyed meeting the team members and was highly impressed by their collaborative and positive work environment. I want to reaffirm my interest in the position and my desire to contribute to your customer service department. My solid education from York College of Pennsylvania’s Marketing Department, and the fact that I have worked my way through college, demonstrate a work ethic and determination; two qualities you said were important to success at Verizon. Conclusion Thank you again for your time and consideration of my qualifications for the position. You can reach me at 717-123-4567 or at my email address: [email protected]. I look forward to hearing from you. Sincerely, Rebecca Leddyfern 10/13 30
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