Career Services New York City Campus 41 Park Row, 14th Floor New York, New York 10038 (212) 346-1950 Westchester Campus 861 Bedford Road Pleasantville, New York 10570 (914) 773-3415 • (914) 773-3361 www.pace.edu/careers Page 1 Table of Contents Introduction Page 3 Resume Styles Page 4 What to Include on Your Resume Page 5 Transferable Skills Page 6-8 Resume Do’s & Don’ts Page 9 Sample Resumes Undergraduate Graduate Functional Pages 10-21 Pages 22-24 Page 25 Writing Cover Letters Pages 26-32 Page 2 Introduction GOALS – SKILLS – STRENGTHS – ACCOMPLISHMENTS – INTERESTS What is a resume? A resume is a marketing document; it highlights your academic, professional and extracurricular accomplishments. It clearly states your career goals and vision. If done right, it provides insight into your personality, style and work ethic. After networking, it is the primary tool in your job search toolbox. A strong resume immediately grabs the attention of the reader. A strong resume convinces employers to call you in for an interview. A strong resume proactively answers the question: Why should we hire you? STEP 1: Clarify your career goals and identify your skills, strengths, accomplishments and relevant interests. STEP 2: Organize the information and use strong verbs and active voice maximize impact. STEP 3: Create a resume that is aesthetically pleasing, concise, error-free, and easy to read. This workbook will help you create a strong resume. Review the tips, worksheets and samples as you prepare to write your own unique resume. Common Concerns of Resume Writing “I don’t have a lot of experience in general.” “I don’t have any experience in my field.” “My experience is from another country.” “My resume has gaps.” “I’m not in any clubs/student orgs.” “My GPA is not very good.” Have no fear! This guidebook is chock full of solid advice for any job seeker regardless of their level of experience or career goals. Here are a few ways to show employers that you are a well-qualified candidate: Volunteer and meet people, develop hard and soft skills and gain exposure to and knowledge of your target industry and/or field of work. Join an Organization (on/off campus) – Expose yourself to people and information in a particular industry and expand upon what you learn(ed) in school. Go one step further and join a committee or run for President—beef up your leadership skills and grow your professional network. Take an elective course in an area of interest. Read trade journals, blogs, press releases, and books—stay abreast of current industry trends! List academic courses and class projects to demonstrate your knowledge and interest. Include both your technical and language skills as well as any relevant additional skills. Emphasize accomplishments and why your accomplishments set you apart from other job seekers. Page 3 Resume Styles REVERSE CHRONOLOGICAL REVERSE CHRONOLOGICAL FORMAT In this most commonly used style, experience and education This are listed reverse chronological is the in most commonly used style.order List experience and education in reverse (most recent items first). chronological order (most recent items first). Advantages Advantages by the vast majority of employers Preferred by the vast majorityPreferred of employers Highlights employer name, titles and job Highlights employer name, job titles, job responsibilities andjob achievements for each position Emphasizes continuity and responsibilities career growth for each position Emphasizes continuity and career growth Easy to follow Easy to follow Best Used… Bestand Used When career direction is clear can be highlighted When career is clear can be work history By entry-level or experienced students who direction have a fairly steady,and conventional highlighted By entry level as well as experienced students who Tips havewith a fairly steady, conventional work and work backward Begin work experience section present or most recent position history Emphasize how well you did your job. Resumes should be skill and accomplishment driven, not task driven Focus primarily on your most recent ten years’ of experience Hints Note major position changes (showing progression) with a particular employer Begin work experience Quantify ($, %) your accomplishment wherever possiblesection of your resume with present or most recent position and work backward. Detail onlyFUNCTIONAL the last four or five positions or relevant FORMAT employment within the past ten years, if repeated in the most experience. This is a lessnot commonly-used style andrecent is for job seekers with specific needs. Emphasize your Note majormajor accomplishments, strengths skills—not your work history. position changes withand a particular Some employers dislike this style because it does not employer. Show progression of list work history and progression as clearly. responsibilities. Advantages Emphasize major accomplishments and Focuses on the skills needed for new position, instead of directly work history responsibilities which relate or indirectly to Gives considerable flexibility your job objective. Quantify where possible. Best Used… FUNCTIONAL For career changers or those reentering the job market When experience is limited or when you wish to emphasize a particular strength or skill This stylebetween highlights major accomplishments and When you have lengthy gaps of time jobs strengths and allows you to organize them in an order When you have had several jobs with similar responsibilities that best supports your work objective and job targets. Hints Actual work history is listed at the bottom of this style Group your skills and/or areas of expertise intoSome 2-4 categories such as “Leadership” and “Technical” resume. Caution: employers dislike the List categories in order of functional importanceresume. and relevance Advantages Gives considerable flexibility in emphasis Eliminates repetition of job assignments Tends to de-emphasize work history and stresses skills needed for new position Best Used 4 into the job market In career changes orPage re-entry When experience is limited or when you wish to What to Include on Your Resume Not all industries required the same information, but here are the most common categories to include on your resume. Consult your Career Counselor regarding any questions about what to include. Name & Contact Information Current address, e-mail and phone (home or cell) Record a professional voicemail greeting and use a professional email account Professional Profile Highlight your relevant qualifications and transferable skills Emphasize what you bring to the table—not what you hope to gain Education College/university name, degree, expected date of graduation, major and minor, concentration Include your overall GPA (if higher than 3.0) and major GPA (if higher than overall GPA) Relevant Courses List 4 to 8 courses related to your major and/or target industry Academic Projects Include 1 to 3 significant class projects that relate to your major and/or the position you are seeking—this is especially useful for students with little-to-no work experience Technical Skills Hardware, software, programs, languages, operating systems, internet applications and social media tools Professional Experience/Employment History Full-time and/or part-time jobs, internships, consulting, self-employment, entrepreneurial ventures Volunteer activities (Can be listed under “Experience” “Volunteer” or “Extracurricular Activities”) Separate experience into multiple categories (e.g., Professional Experience & Additional Experience)—this is especially useful for students with retail/restaurant experience Activities/Interests Clubs and student organizations Fraternity/Sorority or athletic groups Professional or community organizations Any genuine interest, expertise, or unique ability relevant to the position you are seeking Language(s) Fluency, proficiency or knowledge of a language(s) other than English Presentation(s)/Publication(s) /Certification(s)/Licensure(s) Any entry that could substantiate your professional development or communication skills Page 5 Transferable Skills SKILLS EMPLOYERS NEED Employers rate the importance of specific qualities/skills Qualities Rating NACE* conducts an annual survey asking employers to describe the "ideal candidate." They compare the employers’ “wish list” of skills with those new graduates—how do you measure up? A good GPA is important, but employers look for more than good academic standing. In fact, year after year, the #1 skill employers say they want to see in job candidates is strong communication skills: the ability to write and speak clearly. Communication skills 4.7 Honesty/integrity 4.7 Interpersonal skills (relates well to others) 4.5 Motivation/initiative 4.5 Strong work ethic 4.5 Teamwork skills (works well with others) 4.5 Computer skills 4.4 Analytical skills 4.3 Flexibility/adaptability 4.3 Detail-oriented 4.2 Organizational skills 4.0 Leadership skills 4.0 Self-confidence 4.0 Friendly/outgoing personality 3.9 Tactfulness 3.9 You won't learn everything about the workplace with an internship/co-op, but you can continuously build, improve upon, and practically apply many of the skills employers need. Well-mannered/polite 3.8 What skills do you need to gain or beef up? Creativity 3.7 GPA (3.0 or better) 3.6 Entrepreneurial skills/risktaker 3.3 Hard Skill – Specific, teachable abilities that can be defined and measured (e.g., Excel, Quantitative Analysis) Sense of humor 3.2 Soft Skill – Less tangible, harder to quantify skills (e.g., Team-player, Flexibility, Confidence) Bilingual skills 2.3 (5-point scale, where 1=not important, 2=not very important; 3=somewhat important; 4=very important, and 5=extremely important) Employers also want new hires that are honest, work well in teams, and have a strong work ethic. What College Candidates Lack “Communication” annually tops employers' list of most-desired skills, but is also on their list of skills that new graduates lack the most! Many employers reported that students have trouble with grammar, cannot communicate in writing clearly, and are poor public speakers. Weak communication skills are often evident in the interview, where students are unable to articulate, as one employer said, "what they have done and why it matters." In addition, employers pointed to other skills and attributes that had made their "wish list”, but that new graduates lacked, including conducting oneself in a professional manner. Gain Experience Translation? You need some real-world experience before graduation. Hard, Soft & Transferrable Skills Transferrable Skills – Skills that are non-position/industry specific (e.g., Communication, Multi-tasking) After identifying and grouping your specific skills into Hard, Soft and Transferrable, find examples from your academic and professional life that prove it. Quantify ($, %, #) your accomplishments whenever possible—it will increase your credibility. *National Association of Colleges & Employers Page 6 S.T.A.R. Method Outline what you want employers to know about you, and then prepare bullets using the S.T.A.R. method. This method forces you to identify the results of your actions and demonstrate how well you achieved the task. S.T.A.R. Example S/T – Situation/Task A – Action Publicized a Homecoming Weekend event by… Creating and distributing flyers and posters through student organizations, the school website, and local newspapers, resulting in a… 65% increase in attendance over previous year R – Results Read the examples below to help you express and describe your accomplishments—not just your responsibilities. Entrepreneurial Skills, Creativity, Motivation/Initiative, and Self-Confidence Increased overall company sales volume by more than 20% through innovative marketing campaign including the use of emails, social media and blogs Creativity, Attention to Detail, and Computer Skills Designed advertisements/graphics using Adobe Photoshop and Quark for nationally recognized television hair product promotion Teamwork, Communication, Interpersonal and Leadership Skills Trained and supervised two new employees on company policies, procedures and effective sales techniques Communication Skills, Self-Confidence and Teamwork Developed targeted communication and persuasive strategies, resulting in 3rd place ranking during a national debate competition Interpersonal Skills, Strong Work Ethic, Outgoing Personality, and Leadership Skills Selected as “Employee of the Month” for demonstrating superior customer service skills and product knowledge Honesty/Integrity, Tactfulness, Detail-Orientation, and Interpersonal Skills Successfully completed cash and credit transactions including returns and exchanges of up to $6000 daily Communication and Analytical Skills Presented PowerPoint demonstrating anxiety disorder research results to a group of 35+ at American Psychological Society’s Annual Convention Organizational Skills and Friendly/Outgoing Personality Designed and implemented social, recreational and educational activities focused on learning disabilities for 20 children Analytical Skills, Detail-Orientation, Organizational Ability, and Computer Skills Prepared financial reports using Excel for departments with weekly sales averaging $260,000 Page 7 Strong Action Verbs Management/Leadership Skills administer analyze apply assign attain chair consolidate coordinate delegate direct enable evaluate execute expedite facilitate implement improve increase initiate manage motivate organize oversee plan prioritize problem solve recommend resolve review schedule set goals spearhead supervise Creative Skills create design develop directs establish illustrate integrate introduce invent market perform plan revise revitalize shape solved Communication Skills address advertise advise articulate authored clarify coach collaborate communicate compose consult contact conveyed correspond counsel develop discuss direct draft edit elicited encourage explain express facilitate familiarize formulate guide influence inform instruct interact interpret involve lecture listen market mediate moderate motivate negotiate network observe outline persuade presented promote publicize refer report Page 8 Organizational Skills arrange catalog classify collect compile coordinate enter/input generate implement inspect monitor operate organize prepare process purchase record retrieve scan schedule screen specify systematize tabulate validate Technical Skills assemble build calculate compute design devise engineer maintain operate overhaul program remodel repair solve test train upgrade validate verify Problem Solving/ Analytical Skills allocate analyze appraise audit balance budget calculate compute develop diagnose evaluate forecast formulate investigate observe plan project research resolve troubleshoot Interpersonal Skills adapt advise assess clarify counsel enable facilitate familiarize greet guide listen refer represent Resume Dos Sell yourself by highlighting the most relevant and marketable skills, experiences, and accomplishments Utilize the jargon of your profession or major Be brief, concise, and achievement-oriented Quantify! ($, %, #) Use bullet points, action words, and an active voice—write your resume in the “Implied First Person” voice Keep your verb tenses and formatting choices consistent Keep your resume to one page unless you have extensive applicable experience Use bold, italics, underlining, CAPITAL and SMALL CAP font styles to distinguish company names, titles, dates of employment, degrees, and other key information Leave an appropriate and equal margin space on all sides of your resume (0.5” to 1”) Use a font that is easy to read and choose an appropriate font size (10 to 12). (Tip: Avoid Times New Roman) Proofread! Check for grammar, spelling and formatting errors When sending a resume electronically, convert it from an MS Word document to a PDF before sending During your job search, keep copies of your resume on hand at all times Use resume paper—you’ll stand out! Resume Don’ts Use templates Rely on “spell check”—it doesn’t catch everything (E.g., form vs. from) Indicate your age, birthday, sexual orientation and preference, and religion, or attach a photograph Use personal pronouns (I, me my, our) Falsify or exaggerate your experience List references/supervisors (Tip: Create a separate references page) Force too much information onto the page—a resume is a snapshot, not an autobiography Page 9 FRESHMAN EXPLORER 41 Park Row, 14th Floor New York, NY 10038 (212) 346-1950 [email protected] Example of a student with little to one year of experience EDUCATION Pace University, Lubin School of Business, New York, NY Bachelor of Business Administration, General Business, June 2xxx Overall GPA: 3.30 • Honors: CAP Honors, Lambda Sigma Honors Society Midwood High School, Brooklyn, NY Regents Diploma, June 2xxx COURSEWORK Principles of Economics: Macro/Micro Financial Accounting Contemporary Business Practice Business Law EXPERIENCE ShopRite, Brooklyn, NY Associate, June 2xxx- August 2xxx • Worked up to 35 hours per week while in school full time • Accurately handled cash and credit transactions, totaling $1200 weekly • Provided excellent customer service through strong product knowledge Desert Moon, New York, NY Associate and Part Time Chef, January 2xxx- May 2xxx • Worked in fast paced environment providing excellent service to patrons • Communicated effectively with management and staff • Initiated new ideas and created specials with managers • Handled detailed opening and closing procedures ACTIVITIES Phi Chi Theta, Business Fraternity Member Midwood High School Varsity Soccer, Team Captain Midwood High School Future Business Leaders of America, Member • Placed in Regional competition in ‘Multimedia Presentations’ category INTERESTS Automobile Enthusiast, Carpentry, Boxing SKILLS MS (Word, PowerPoint, Excel), Internet research; Knowledge of conversational Spanish Page 10 WALTER WESTCHESTER 500 Bedford Road Pleasantville, NY 10570 (914) 123-4567 [email protected] Example of a transfer student EDUCATION Pace University Bachelor of Business Administration: Finance Lubin Leader’s and Scholar’s Program GPA: 3.31 Pleasantville, NY June 2xxx Manhattan College 30 Credits of Coursework towards Finance degree Dean’s List Riverdale, NY September 2xxx– May 2xxx Fall 2004 COURSEWORK Financial Management • Principles of Investment • Money and Banking • Product Management Concepts WORK EXPERIENCE Briarcliff Swim Club Security Guard Ensured safety of patrons through hourly building monitoring Processed visitors for entry by generating guest passes Documented and recorded log on Excel Briarcliff, NY May 2xxx – August 2xxx Transidental Trading Corp Trading Assistant Intern Monitored foreign exchange positions for future transactions Completed 20 transaction sheets daily New York, NY May 2xxx – July 2xxx St. Sebastian Softball League Brooklyn, New York Little League Umpire June 2xxx – August 2xxx Umpired two games per week for teams varying in ages from 6-12 Attended training to stay current with rules and regulations for safety and proper procedures COMPUTER SKILLS Proficient in MS (Word, Excel, Access, PowerPoint) and Internet Research ACTIVITIES Delta Upsilon International Fraternity August 2xxx- Present Page 11 Sarita Student 41 Park Row, 14th Floor • New York, NY 10038 (212) 346-1950 • [email protected] Example of strong oral and written communication skills Education Pace University, New York, NY Bachelor of Arts in Communication, June 2xxx GPA: 3.94 • Honors: Member of Pforzheimer Honors College, Dean’s List Relevant Experience Pace University, Pace Press Newspaper, New York, NY Writer, May 2xxx-Present Write and edit weekly arts/entertainment and news columns Publicize newspaper throughout lower Manhattan WPUB, Pace Radio Show Co-host, 2xxx-2xxx Served as DJ and co-host of weekly radio program, “The Pitch” Danbury City Hall, Danbury, CT Intern for Mayor Mark Boughton, September 2xxx-December 2xxx Worked as part of public relations team to promote special events Facilitated communication by translating for Spanish speaking constituents Oversaw office operations in absence of head secretary Greg Seabury, State Representative Campaign, Danbury, CT Assistant to Campaign Manager, September 2xxx-November 2xxx Aided with creation of campaign slogan and publicity materials Translated campaign messages into Portuguese and Spanish Assisted in production and made guest appearance on local TV show, “Celebrating Danbury” Additional Experience Wapoul Family, Westport, CT Nanny, August 2xxx-Present Supervise three children and manage extracurricular activities schedule Worked abroad with family in France and Italy (Fall 2xxx) Banana Republic Inc., Danbury, CT Sales Representative, February 2xxx-September 2xxx Recognized for outstanding customer service through strong product knowledge Performed as one of the top merchandise sellers with sales reaching $2000 Skills Computers: MS (Word, Excel and PowerPoint); completed course in Information Systems Languages: Fluent in Portuguese and Spanish; knowledge of Italian and French Activities Pace Community Outreach Center, Volunteer Caribbean Students Association, Member Black Student Union, Member Oyama Karate, Title of Sempai, 1st Degree Black Belt Page 12 BELINDA BACHELOR 41 Park Row, 14th Floor New York, NY 10038 (212) 346-1950 [email protected] Example of strong sales and supervisory experience EDUCATION Pace University New York, NY Bachelor of Business Administration June 2xxx Major: Finance • Minor: International Business Relevant coursework: Financial Management • Principles of Investment • Financial/Managerial Accounting • Econometrics • Applied Game Theory • Management Science Overall GPA: 3.5 EXPERIENCE Bloomberg Financial New York, NY Special Initiatives, Product Sales Intern June 2xxx – August 2xxx Gained familiarity with primary equity/insurance underwriting functions related to Bloomberg system Provided basic tutoring for 25 insurance underwriters on product information in order to increase sales by 10% Created basic launch pad screens for users to increase ease of functionality Researched information for new projects using various web based resources and prepared summary report Organized and created 30 sales and industry reports by compiling relevant statistics and provided to supervisor Product Sales Intern September 2xxx – June 2xxx Marketed terminals by locating prospects and pitching product benefits Provided customer service for 100 current Bloomberg users Organized and updated existing contact lists for sales representatives to facilitate their outreach efforts Attended Bloomberg employee training seminars and meetings on sales and marketing techniques Placed first in team competition evaluating sales and outreach Rockaway Development Revitalization Corporation Far Rockaway, NY Site Monitor September 2xxx – July 2xxx Supervised 35 summer youth participants (ages 14-21) and organized their daily activities Acted as a liaison between students, site supervisors and firm to ensure complete communication Completed weekly site visit assessment reports summarizing performance and submitted to supervisor Reviewed, approved and entered data from participant time cards into MS Excel database COMPUTER SKILLS Bloomberg; MS (Excel, Word, PowerPoint) HONORS/AWARDS First prizewinner of the Pencil/Showtime Youth Film Festival, 2xxx Alfred and Kari Communication Award, 2xxx Dean’s List First Honors, 2xxx – 2xxx CAMPUS ACTIVITIES Women in Corporate America, External Marketing Director Strategized effective marketing plan to promote 10 meetings per semester increasing attendance by 10% Page 13 Example of emphasis on both experience and activities SVETLANA STUDENT 861 Bedford Road • Pleasantville, NY 10570 • 914.773.3415 • [email protected] EDUCATION Pace University, Lubin School of Business Bachelor of Business Administration in Public Accounting Honors: Trustee Recognition Award Pleasantville, New York June 2xxx PROJECTS KPMG Case Study February 2xxx Worked as part of six person team to evaluate accounting issues regarding investments Created and presented analysis to upper management at KPMG ACCOUNTING EXPERIENCE Camp Walt Whitman Piermont, New Hampshire Head Accountant June 2xxx-August 2xxx Processed all accounts payable and receivable functions for staff of 225 Handled cash advances and maintained petty cash Prepared budgets for trips taken by campers Utilized MS Excel and CampMinder to record camp attendance and revenue Goodstein Realty, Inc. Pleasantville, New York Accounting Intern October 2xxx-May 2xxx Performed accounts payable functions and processed incoming deposits Maintained all financial files using Peachtree software and Excel ADDITIONAL EMPLOYMENT Staples Yonkers, New York Copy Center Supervisor August 2xxx-May 2xxx Trained new employees on job responsibilities and customer service Resolved 45-55 customer requests per day Southwestern Dallas, Texas Sales Representative June 2xxx-August 2xxx Completed week long sales training in Nashville, Tennessee Managed schedule independently while prospecting for new business Placed and processed store inventory orders with product production vendors ACTIVITIES Student Government Association Senior Class President Represent student body academic, social and financial issues to University administration Coordinate graduation ceremony and annual events for up to 2,500 students Legend Yearbook Business Editor Manage $5000 budget and supervise marketing committee to meet sales goals Maintain advertising relationships with university and local vendors ALPFA- Association of Latino Professionals in Finance and Accounting Vice President Coordinated with president to meet goals and objectives of organization Oversaw executive board members’ activities to track performance Director of Marketing Prepared promotional materials and supervised committees for all events Implemented recruitment ideas, increasing membership by 25% LANGUAGES Fluent in Spanish and knowledge of Japanese Page 14 Example of business leadership skills UDAL UNDERGRADUATE 41 Park Row, 14th Floor • New York, NY 10038 • 212.346.1950 • [email protected] EDUCATION Pace University, Lubin School of Business - New York, NY Bachelor of Business Administration in Finance 06/xx Dual Minor: Economics/Law • GPA: 3.68 Honors: Citigroup Fellows Scholarship One of 20 students graduating from Lubin Leaders and Scholars Program RELEVANT COURSEWORK Financial Management Investment Analysis EXPERIENCE Citigroup Investment Research - New York, NY Latin America Equity Research: Consumer Staples 06/xx-08/xx Retrieved and synthesized industry and company-specific information used to formulate investment thesis for coverage initiation Assisted senior analyst and associate with construction of two financial models; checked consistency and conducted sensitivity analysis Completed summer project focused on strategic rationale behind exclusivity agreements and compared conservative vs. liberal accounting methods Financial Accounting Managerial Accounting Regression Analysis Business Law UBS Financial Services - New York, NY Wealth Management Intern 12/xx-05/xx Worked with team of seven brokers who manage over $150M in assets Prepared asset-allocation models for use with review of portfolio performance and determined whether different mixes would be appropriate Conducted research on companies not widely covered Pace University Tutoring Center - New York, NY Accounting Tutor 02/xx-09/xx Counseled five students daily who encountered difficulties comprehending financial and/or managerial accounting principles Monitored progress and made suggestions to ensure retention of subject matter LEADERSHIP Beta Alpha Psi - New York, NY Treasurer 01/xx-Present Balanced budget of up to $8,000/semester for 15+ events held each term Serve on planning committee to develop calendar for each semester, creating events leading to development, education, and awareness of student body Account for all financial transactions to ensure that books reconcile with bank records Economics Society - New York, NY Treasurer 09/xx-05/xx Allocated $1,500 for event budget and served on committee to plan events ACTIVITIES Equity Research Report, Writing Competition Participant New York Society of Security Analysts, Active Student Member SKILLS Technical: Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook); Bloomberg, FactSet Languages: Fluent in Spanish; Basic Portuguese Page 15 Example of using projects to demonstrate hands on experience POLLY PACE th 41 Park Row, 14 Floor • New York, NY 10038 • 212.346.1950 • [email protected] • www.linkedin.com/pollypace PROFILE Marketing major with excellent communication, interpersonal and analytical skills • Results oriented team player • Able to conduct research using SPSS EDUCATION Pace University, Lubin School of Business, New York, NY Bachelor of Business Administration Major: Marketing • Concentration: Advertising and Promotion Major GPA: 3.54 • Overall GPA: 3.32 HONORS Presidential Scholarship • Honors Program • Outstanding Contribution Award • Dean’s List COURSEWORK Interpersonal Communication • Strategic Internet Marketing • International Marketing • Fundamentals of Advertising and Promotion PROJECTS Marketing Research Used a syndicated database to evaluate the relationship between multiple demographics and the type of beverage consumed Formulated results into MS Excel graphs in addition to written summaries June 2xxx Contemporary Business Practice Participated as member of a 6 person team to evaluate business practices of Coca-Cola Conducted extensive research to examine marketing strategy, company history, social responsibility, financial statements, strengths/weaknesses, and future growth Presented results to class of 35 using PowerPoint EXPERIENCE Sushi Samba, New York, NY Sept 2xxx-Present Hostess Create superior experience for diverse group of high end patrons Work in fast-paced environment, accommodating up to 800 patrons daily Utilize database to manage complex seating charts for table set up in main dining space Communicate with food, floral and equipment vendors when planning private events Deising’s Bakery, Kingston, NY May 2xxx-Aug 2xxx Associate Maximized product sales of up to $600 per shift through prompt and friendly service Trained new employees and handled phone orders in fast paced work setting Abercrombie & Fitch, New York, NY Jan 2xxx-June 2xxx Sales Associate Provided excellent service through extensive product knowledge Worked with team of 5 to maintain effective visual merchandising Achieved highest gross sales in NYC for June 2xxx Managed opening and closing procedures for largest US location Handled daily cash and credit transactions of up to $2500 accurately SKILLS Computer: MS (Word, Excel, PowerPoint); SPSS, Internet Research Languages: Fluent in Spanish; Knowledge of Japanese ACTIVITIES Phi Chi Theta (honorary business fraternity), Marketing Chair Organize and lead teams to plan and implement public relations efforts for large events Page 16 PAULINA PACE Example demonstrating strong marketing, advertising and PR skills 41 Park Row, 14th Floor • New York, NY 10038 • (212) 346-1950 • [email protected] EDUCATION: Pace University, Lubin School of Business, Bachelor of Business Administration (June 2xxx) Majors: International Management and Marketing • Minor: Italian Studies Honors: Italian Honor Society New York, NY STUDY ABROAD: International Marketing, EU integration on US markets (January 2xxx) Brussels/London Traveled to 3 business-centered cities and toured factories to gain an understanding of global businesses including their unique markets Italian Studies Cultural Institute, (May2xxx-August 2xxx) Orvieto, Italy Visited historic cultural sites; gained an in-depth understanding of globalization, development and expansion of service and manufacturing of local business EMPLOYMENT: IT USA, PR/Sales Intern (January 2xxx – Present) New York, NY Luxury fashion design, production, distribution company Collaborate with showroom team to market Gianfranco Ferre line to buyers from high end stores Communicate daily with Operations Manager and Sales Analyst Organize inventory, merchandising and look books; track and update orders using MS Excel spreadsheet Create and present picture packets for press/potential clients of Just Cavalli and Galliano brands Assemble sophisticated and unique outfits for publications and specific stylists’ clients MediaEdge (MEC), Media Planning Intern (June – August 2xxx) New York, NY First global communications planning and implementation agency: Macy’s Account Handled Macy’s North division, tracking all daily transactions and activities Worked on all national and local campaigns including broadcast radio, television and print media Collaborated with magazine representatives seeking ad placement Participated in all Macy’s corporate meetings and brainstorming sessions for up-and-coming divisional brands such as American Rag and Martha Stewart lines Received above average evaluation as well as “Star Performer” on the Macy's Team Armani Exchange, Intern (September – December 2xxx) Worked with E-Commerce to maintain creative, marketing and technical aspects of website Updated detailed content and product information from Excel New York, NY Stephan Partners, Marketing Manager (June – August 2xxx) New York, NY Participated in new business development with company President; contacted prospective clients Worked on launch of Success, a new lifestyle and business magazine Conducted extensive competitor research using internet searches and Lexis Nexis MTVu, Marketing/Strategic Development (February – May 2xxx) New York, NY Handled all aspects of marketing including branding, distribution support, promotions, events/tours, ad sales support, trade marketing and overall strategic marketing vision ACTIVITIES: American Advertising Federation, President/General Manager, (Pace Ad Team) New York, NY http://webpage.pace.edu/paceadteam/0607.htm Worked with team to create comprehensive advertising campaign for Coca-Cola Classic Served on sub-committees, created PowerPoint presentations on market research, target market and competition Selected to be a part of 2xxx presentation team at National Student Advertising State Competition Pace University Collegiate Italian American Organization, Vice President Experience, Inc., Student Advisory Board Member (Selected from 1800 applicants) SKILLS: Languages: Fluent in Italian • Software: MS (Word/Excel/PowerPoint) • Research: (SPSS/Simmons) Page 17 Wendy Westchester Example of a double major showing experience in both areas 861 Bedford Road, Pleasantville, NY 10570 (914) 773-3415 • [email protected] • eportfolio.com/wendywestchester PROFILE: Adept at advising individuals and groups • Demonstrated capacity to develop and maintain professional relationships with clients EDUCATION: Bachelor of Arts: Expected June 2xxx Pace University, Dyson School of Arts and Sciences, Pleasantville, NY Double Major: Applied Psychology • Women’s & Gender Studies GPA: 3.70 HONORS: Presidential Scholarship, Pace Grant, Honors College Scholarship, New York State Merit Scholarship for Academic Excellence COURSEWORK: Gender, Race, and Class; Group Relations & Interviewing Techniques; Women’s Studies; Psychology of Latinos in the United States; Intermediate Spanish; Psychology of Alcoholism/Substance Abuse ACADEMIC PROJECT: Psychology of Women Conducted extensive research on domestic violence using Psychology databases and journals Wrote 15 page paper examining manipulative tactics of abusers EXPERIENCE: Client Advocate Intern: January 2xxx – Present Safe Horizon (Nation’s leading violence prevention organization), Kew Gardens, NY Contact victims of violent crimes to provide resources and information Collaborate with caseworkers to support clients Maintain confidential database of extensive services and case notes Contact agencies to identify supplemental services Completed training in domestic violence, diversity and suicide Case Worker: August 2xxx – November 2xxx Office of State Senator Jeffrey Klein, Bronx, NY Managed substantial caseload from intake to resolution Served as liaison between constituents and appropriate government agencies or private entity to resolve issues including housing, education, employment and social services Handled high volume of phone and written correspondence Contacted volunteers to encourage campaign participation Student Aide: October 2xxx – May 2xxx Pace University – Cooperative Education Office, Pleasantville, NY Scheduled appointments and managed calendar for seven counselors Responded to incoming calls from students, employers, and faculty Implemented public relations efforts to promote events and services Page: June 2xxx – August 2xxx/May 2xxx – August 2xxx Patchogue-Medford Library, Patchogue, New York Participated in planning and implementing library programs VOLUNTEER: Friendly Visitor, Burden Center for the Aging Volunteer Mentor/ESL Tutor, The Door (Provides services to over 7500 NYC youth) ACTIVITIES: Member, Alumni Students Professors Influencing Retention & Enrollment (ASPIRE) Member, Lambda Sigma Honor Society SKILLS: Technical: Microsoft (Word, Excel, PowerPoint), Internet Research Language: Elementary Mandarin Page 18 BETTE BIOLOGY 34 West 67th Street, New York, NY 10024 • (917) 555.1234 • [email protected] Education Bachelor of Science, Biology, Magna Cum Laude • Cumulative GPA: 3.84 Pace University Dyson College of Arts and Sciences Example of a student studying in the sciences May 20xx New York, NY Laboratory Experience Laboratory Technician Jan. 20xx – May 20xx Pace University Biology & Health Sciences Department New York, NY Prepared lab with relevant equipment and supplies for Microbiology, Cellular and Molecular Biology laboratory classes Monitored inventory for equipment and specimens (live and dead) for lab experiments Coordinated and managed incoming and outgoing orders from vendors Research Assistant Jan. 20xx – Sept. 20xx Pace University Biology & Health Sciences Department New York, NY Managed microbiology lab for a biology faculty member Ordered from vendors and organized equipment and supplies for the laboratory Cultured marine cell lines using appropriate techniques and media Conducted inoculation experiments using Vibrio pathogens, to induce lesion response in the cultured marine cell lines Performed PCR DNA analysis of 16S rDNA genome to isolate and separate relevant samples for examination Conducted bacterial infection experiments to satisfy Kochs postulates Teaching Experience Biology 102 Discussion Group Leader Sept. 20xx – Dec. 2xxx Pace University Biology Department New York, NY Facilitated discussions on biology topics amongst 10 students and advised them on effective test taking strategies Assigned, collected, and graded weekly lab reports University 101 Peer Leader Sept. 20xx – Dec. 20xx Pace University Biology Department New York, NY Led class discussions addressing ways to acculturate to living independently using both Pace and NYC resources Organized extra-curricular events to assist with building “new student” community and arranged tutoring as needed Office Experience Sales Representative Sept. 20xx – Jan. 20xx PrintJobs America Bronx, NY Assisted upper management in organizing and finishing marketing materials print projects for 30 corporate clients Scheduled appointments for new and returning customers to discuss order requests and updated editing changes Ensured that each customer received outstanding service by creating a friendly and efficient environment Quality Assistant Jun. 20xx – Aug.20xx Todo Pogo Brooklyn, NY Researched information using internet search engines and databases for new building and design projects Organized and updated existing contact information for upper management in MS Outlook Assisted management with English to Spanish translation of contracts and e-mails Volunteer Experience Volunteer, Mount Sinai Medical Center Pharmacy Volunteer, New York Cares Volunteer, Morgan Stanley Children’s Hospital of New York Presbyterian Jun. 20xx – Aug. 20xx Jun. 20xx – Dec. 20xx May 20xx – May 20xx Skills Medical: HIPAA Rules and Regulations through Mount Sinai Medical Center Language: Fluent in Spanish Computer: Proficient in MS (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook) Certifications and Honors New York Fire Department Certificate of Fitness for Supervising Chemical Laboratories (C-14) Tri-Beta Biological Honors Society Vice President Pace University Biology Academic Honors Medal Page 19 Jul. 20xx – Present Sept. 20xx – Present May 20xx BELLA BACHELOR 861 Bedford Road, Pleasantville, NY 10570 • (914) 773-3415 • [email protected] Example emphasizing technical skills Profile Strong analytical and communication skills demonstrated through providing efficient client support and technical maintenance Education Pace University, Seidenberg School of CSIS Bachelor of Science: Computer Science Pleasantville, NY Anticipated 05/xx Technical Summary Operating Systems: Protocols: Software: Hardware: Ancillary Areas: Windows 7, Mac OS X Snow Leopard IPX/SPX, TCP/IP, IEEE 802.2/802.3 Ethernet MS Office/Outlook, Norton Systems Works, Norton Ghost, Win VNC, VPN, McAfee v7.0/7.1/8.0, MS System Management Server, Citrix Desktop MetaFrame & Management Console, MetaFrame Presentation Server, Net Op Remote Control, Go to Assist Install & configure local/network printers, modems, network interface cards, and drives Network Optimization, Diagnostic Tools, Memory Management and Active Directory Experience EMI Recorded Music, North America New York, NY Desktop Support Technician Intern 9/xx – 8/xx Provided technical solutions to 2200+clients throughout North and South America Troubleshot software, hardware, and network connectivity issues Assisted remote clients with VPN and AT&T Global Dialer connectivity issues Provided application support for Microsoft Office and company custom applications Verified customer satisfaction for approximately 2500 clients through follow up surveys and analyzed feedback Updated and maintained client and feedback information in Magic database New York Power Authority White Plains, NY Desktop Support Intern 7/xx – 9/xx Resolved issues within call center and worked directly with 50+customers daily Provided end-user solutions for PC hardware, software and printers Maintained laptops by installing critical updates, upgrading virus protection software and virus definition files Pace University Computer Resource Center Assistant LAN Administrator / Senior Consultant Assisted users with computer related issues and maintained printers and system queues Installed/updated software and hardware necessary for users and servers Created network user and machine accounts and implemented NT/2000 policies Pleasantville, NY 9/xx – 7/xx Leadership Alpha Chi Epsilon Fraternity President, 2xxx – 2xxx/Treasurer, 2xxx – 2xxx Plan all events, meetings and manage fraternity status Maintain university documentation and records Appoint members to serve on committees or as assistants when necessary Pace University Greek Council Vice President Planned monthly meetings and agendas for membership of 75 Volunteer Pace University, The Center for Community Outreach Program Soup Kitchens, Safe Sex Seminars, March of Dimes Walk, Parks Cleanup Page 20 9/xx – Present 1/xx – 9/xx NATALIA NEW YORK Example emphasizing foreign languages and cultures th 41 Park Row, 14 Floor, New York, NY 10038 • (212) 346-1950 • [email protected] EDUCATION Pace University, Dyson School of Arts and Sciences, New York, NY Bachelor of Arts, June 2xxx Major: Modern Languages and Cultures • Concentration: Italian Double Minor: Spanish and International Marketing Major GPA: 3.8 • Overall GPA: 3.63 Universidad de Segovia, Segovia, Spain Completed 6 credits in Spanish Literature and Art History, Summer 2xxx HONORS Dean’s Scholarship • Honors College • Dean’s List SKILLS Languages: Fluent in Italian; Proficient in Spanish Technical: MS (Word, Excel, PowerPoint); Internet Research COURSEWORK Introduction to Marketing Micro/Macroeconomics PROJECTS Literary Research Studied Italian texts in Rare Books Room of the NYC Public Library Created literary analysis by comparing Dante Alighieri’s original works and language EXPERIENCE Barnes and Noble Booksellers, New York, NY Book/Music Seller, September 2xxx-January 2xxx Marketed products by offering excellent customer service Communicated effectively with management, staff, and customers Participated in planning community events including book signings and book clubs Italian Composition/Literature Spanish Translation Coffee Beanery, Ltd., New York, NY Server, March 2xxx- July 2xxx Followed detailed customer requests and rang up orders up to $1500 on register Worked cooperatively with management and staff Handled opening and closing procedures independently Italian/English, Saluzzo, Italy Tutor, Summer 2xxx Taught 3 Italian children aged 2-10 American culture and English language skills ACTIVITIES Kappa Delta Sorority Served as one of founding members for Pace Collegiate Italian American Organization Promote Italian culture on campus and perform community service in NYC PALS Represent University by giving prospective students campus tours INTERESTS Singing Opera (8 years), Acting in Community Theatre (5 years), Tango and Salsa Dancing Page 21 Example of experienced professional using profile/summary of qualifications GINA GRADUATE 41 Park Row, 14th Floor New York, NY 10038 212.346.1950 [email protected] www.linkedin.com/ginagrad Profile Highly motivated, analytical, and quantitative MBA candidate with over three years of successful finance experience Excellent knowledge of financial accounting and products as well as thorough understanding of all asset classes Strong work ethic along with outstanding research, interpersonal, and communication skills Candidate for Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) Level-1 exam Education PACE UNIVERSITY, Lubin School of Business, New York, NY GPA: 3.72 Jan. ‘xx Master of Business Administration in Investment Management Awarded prestigious Pace University MBA Assistantship based on merit and excellent GMAT score (630) Selected to represent Pace team at New York Society of Security Analysts (NYSSA) Equity Research Challenge Winner of Pace Equity Research Contest (PERC) CHRIST COLLEGE, Rajkot, India Bachelor of Business Administration in Finance April ‘xx Professional Experience LEHMAN BROTHERS, Tokyo, Japan, Summer Associate June ‘xx-Sept. ‘xx Created Excel model to establish efficient daily index pricing analysis process for Stock Loan Business in Asia Independently performed daily profit and loss for Southeast Asia non-Japan cash trades and effectively liaised with mid-office and other back-office departments to identify breaks in P&L Participated in month-end book closing process and prepared ad hoc reports for management Assisted CFO’s office in preparing annual budget as well as compiling growth tracking report Researched financial results/news on securities in Global Trading Services book; explained daily price movement Successfully completed Bloomberg Product Certification for Equities by clearing all required modules PACE UNIVERSITY, New York, NY, Graduate Research Assistant Jan. ‘xx-May ‘xx/Sept.-Dec. ‘xx Participated in research project by performing statistical analysis on earnings restatements filed by US Companies before and after Sarbanes-Oxley Act and analyzed regulation’s effectiveness Collaborated on project analyzing effect of firm’s internal control weakness on its bond rating downgrade; utilized several databases for purpose of gathering data Developed dynamic statistical model in MS Excel for portfolio valuation Created financial and valuation models to analyze financial and operational performance J.G. TRADING COMPANY, Rajkot, India, Commodity Trading Analyst April ‘xx-Dec. ‘xx Provided profit and loss reconciliation/analysis reports to trading desk Monitored global exchanges such as KLCE and CBOE for research/trend analysis Redesigned company’s mechanism to hedge currency rate risk of imports Effectively liaised with partner-brokers as well as direct clients to manage complete deal process Increased cash flow by consolidating credit analysis function, reducing outstanding receivables and minimizing risk from marginal customers EVOLVE CORPORATION, Rajkot, India, Financial Analyst May-Sept. ‘xx/June-Sept. ‘xx Operated NSE and BSE terminals (Bloomberg equivalents) for identifying arbitrage opportunities and research Assisted prop-traders in identifying trading/hedging strategies using Greeks: Delta, Gamma, Theta, Vega and Rho Implemented key ratio use and fundamental analysis in order to identify under-priced securities Technical Skills Proficient in Excel (Expert Level); Access and SQL; Advanced Statistical Analysis using SAS, @Risk and StatPro Research Databases-FactSet/WRDS/Bloomberg (Product Certification in Equities) Financial Modeling in Excel/VBA Affiliations and Awards New York Society of Security Analysts, Member Pace University Finance and Investment Club, Best Project of the Year Award Indian Management Association, Rajkot Chapter, India Page 22 Mark Masters Example of a graduate student with diverse projects 41 Park Row, 14th Floor New York, NY 10038 [email protected] ▪ (212) 346-1610 EDUCATION Pace University Master of Science in Information Systems GPA: 3.75 University of London Bachelor of Science in Computer and Information Systems COMPUTER SKILLS Operating Systems Programming Languages Software Database Knowledge Web Development New York, NY May 2xxx United Kingdom August 2xxx Windows XP, 2000 and UNIX Operating Systems Visual Basic, C#, VB.Net, Perl Microsoft Office, MS Project, Visio, Crystal XI MS Access, SQL, Sybase ASP.Net, ADO.Net, HTML, Embedded Perl ACADEMIC PROJECTS Application Development Designed a system for performance monitoring of an electrical network using C#. Worked on a team of two to develop an application on Options Pricing using C#. Database Design for Web Applications & Database Programming Developed a web project using Perl, HTML and Oracle DBI to manage IS Project Risks. Created a dynamic website for a hotel reservation system using ASP.NET and VB.NET. Systems Analysis & Design Collaborated with team of five to integrate Legacy applications using web services to be Sarbanes-Oxley compliant. Information Security and Control Researched and prepared paper on access control management and policies in different operating systems. Presented findings to class of 25 using PowerPoint. Information Systems Strategy, Planning and Policy Completed research on the competitive advantage of IT in business using Porter Model. Wrote paper on “e Branding” marketing strategy and its applications. EXPERIENCE BlackRock Inc. New York, NY Intern – Sybase Database Administration Write OO Perl scripts for Sybase system table manipulations. Monitor DB error logs and resolve any issues. Perform DB user access level administration and improved access approval by 40%. Publish/Test DB releases and assist developers with their final launch. Assist DBA team on performance turning, disaster recovery and space management. September 2xxx to Present Ambac Financial New York, NY Intern – Development Team Collaborated on conversion of Crystal 7.5 to Crystal 11 (338 templates and 679 reports). Assisted business objects administrator with financial report release process. Wrote new customized Crystal reports and tested for quality assurance. Established directory structure in visual source safe and backed up report templates. May 2xxx to August 2xxx Educational Media, Pace University Technician Assistant June 2xxx to March 2xxx New York, NY LANGUAGES Fluent in Singhalese Page 23 GEORGE GRADUATE Example using skills to highlight strengths th 41 Park Row, 14 Floor • New York, NY 10038 • 212.346.1950 • [email protected] SUMMARY OF QUALIFICATIONS Hardworking, highly analytical professional with a solid background in accounting and taxation. Effective problem solver and team player with outstanding integrity and business ethics. Native fluency in Chinese (Mandarin). Strong technical skills in Excel (Pivot Table, Macros), SPSS, and Accounting Software Packages. Candidate for CPA exam. EDUCATION PACE UNIVERSITY, Lubin School of Business, New York, NY Master of Science in Accounting 01/2xxx BINGHAMTON UNIVERSITY, Binghamton, NY Bachelor of Arts in International Studies Honors: Dean’s List 05/2xxx PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE MERRILL LYNCH & CO., INC., New York, NY 5/2xxx-Present Corporate Tax Intern Manage monthly sales and tax returns for over 15 states including processing of all supporting paperwork Compose and analyze federal and state income tax returns for various entities Prepare personal property and business license applications for different branches nationwide Adjust and account for discrepancies between Corp Sales System and internal ledger balances Verify accuracy of database generated tax forms and respond to various state and local tax notices Input check request and electronic funds transfer data Assist Audit Manager in providing all non-income internal control materials for state auditors Report to two Assistant Vice Presidents to provide support with daily office functions Mentor new interns, familiarizing them with company’s software system and environment HK CPA FIRM, New York, NY Accounting Intern Assisted companies with incorporation, liquidation and change of business structure. Evaluated accounting operations and prepared financial statements for 32 clients Prepared personal taxes and helped to maximize tax saving opportunities for 20 clients Provided sales, payroll and other tax services to companies in various states Offered special advisory services including business plan reviews and business valuations Corresponded with regulatory agencies and outside auditors on behalf of clients 1/2xxx-5/2xxx HEALTH FIRST PHSP, New York, NY 7/2xxx-8/2xxx Marketing Representative Provided affordable and high-quality healthcare insurance for residents of NYC Built and maintained network of doctors and large client base for customer relations and referrals Introduced various policies and processed applications for approximately 90 members monthly Obtained and verified prospects’ documents to determine enrollment into appropriate health plan Identified prospects’ needs for health insurance and presented best solutions Promoted state government health insurance program to low income residents in NYC ACTIVITIES & INVOLVEMENT – PACE UNIVERSITY Beta Alpha Psi (Iota Lambda Chapter), Member IRS VITA Program, Volunteer Income Tax Assistant 2xxx – Present 2xxx – 2xxxx Page 24 Functional Format 41 Park Row, 14th Floor ♦ New York, NY 10038 ♦ (212) 346-1950 ♦ [email protected] EDUCATION Pace University, Lubin School of Business, New York, NY Bachelor of Business Administration May 2xxx Major: Marketing ♦ Concentration: Advertising and Promotions ♦ Minor: Psychology GPA: 3.54 ♦ Honors: Dean’s List and Dean’s Scholarship Best used when emphasizing skill areas rather than work history ADVERTISING AND MEDIA PLANNING SKILLS Created comprehensive media plan for Yahoo using $10M budget as part of regional advertising competition Conducted extensive analysis of Simmons and MRI data usage Organized public relations strategy to generate referral business for most proven and comprehensive vein treatment facility in New York Formulated effective and creative press releases to engage readers’ interest Contacted magazine and newspaper editors to facilitate media placements ORGANIZATIONAL SKILLS Participated in coordinating sales conferences, including constructing welcome packets Handled detailed inventory management for local physician and ordered supplies monthly Met with church staff to plan and organize special events for up to approximately 200 members COMMUNICATION SKILLS Initiated contact with potential clients including asset managers, broker dealers, custodians private and wholesale banks, to establish strong interpersonal relationships Explained medical treatments to patients while generating interest in procedures LEADERSHIP SKILLS Managed administration of responsibilities and assignments for up to six employees Inspired students to attend and participate in tutorial services ANALYTICAL SKILLS Trained students in mathematical analysis and motivated learning as part of Pace University’s Tutorial Services Reduced yearly expenses and increased income by 30% as treasurer of church youth department COMPUTER SKILLS Microsoft Office (Word, PowerPoint, Excel); Simmons Database EXPERIENCE Vein Treatment Center, New York, NY Smart Stream Technologies, Queens, NY NL Health, New York, NY Pace University, New York, NY Medical Assistant Marketing Intern Public Relations Assistant Math Tutor LANGUAGES Fluent in Spanish Page 25 May xx-Present Sept xx-Present Aug xx-Sept xx Nov xx-Aug xx Writing An Effective Cover Letter How can you get the attention of a busy potential employer? By creating a great first impression through a well written cover letter. Those with a well written cover letter have a much better chance of surviving the screening process. Your cover letter should grab the reader’s attention to set the stage for your resume. A good cover letter is probably the most underrated component of your job search and therefore worth the extra time and effort. A cover letter is not an obligation, but an opportunity to tell the employer why you are interested in and qualified for the specific positon you are seeking. It is your chance to generate interest in meeting you by marketing your most appropriate skills, experiences, and accomplishments. Be sure to include a customized cover letter with every resume you send. GUIDELINES AND TIPS Follow standard business letter writing format: include your name/contact information, the date, the name/contact information of the recipient, use a colon after the salutation; all paragraphs should be single spaced, left justifed, and without indentation Address cover letters to a specific person; if you do not know the name of the appropriate individual, call the organization and request the proper contact person’s name and title or begin your letter with ‘Dear Hiring Manager:’ Always personalize your cover letter for maximum impact, but avoid beginning too many sentences with the “I” pronoun. This includes researching the company to integrate what you learn and know about them into the reasons for why you should be slected to interview, demonstrating your abilitites with concrete examples, but also reflecting your professionalism, individuality and creativity Do not tell the employer you are interested in the position to “gain experience”; instead, stress how you can contribute to the organization Before sending out any correspondence, proofread carefully! Mistakes in your cover letter can result in immediate rejection; and match your font size/style to the one used in your resume Double check spelling of employer name, contact information and titles Limit your cover letter to one page, with no more than three or four paragraphs When sending a cover letter electronically, convert it to a PDF before sending; have your name and the words “cover letter” as the name of the document (eg: UdalUndergraduateCoverLetter.PDF) When printing a cover letter, use high quality bond paper that matches your resume Mail, email, or fax a cover letter with your resume, but do not staple your resume to your cover letter Sign your letters in blue or black ink if sending via regular mail Keep copies of all correspondence for your own records Page 26 Basic Cover Letter Format Company Name: Job Title: Source of Job Posting: Pace University eRecruiting JOB REQUIREMENTS or QUALIFICATIONS From Job Description HOW DO YOU MEET REQUIREMENT/QUALIFICATION? Give a Specific Example Internet Research Skills Found an article in “LEXIS-NEXIS Academic” database to conduct client list research Page 27 Basic Cover Letter Format Your Address City, State, Zip Code Date (Month Day, Year) Mr./Ms. Employer First and Last Name, Job Title Organization Name Street Address or PO Box # City, State, Zip Code Dear Mr./Ms. Last Name or Hiring Manager: (Place a colon after the last name) Tips for what to include in the first paragraph: State why you are writing and how you heard about the position Identify the position, field or general area of your inquiry Note a special interest in the company/position or a summary of your top qualifications Include information about your major, degree and graduation date Tips for what to include in the second paragraph (can be two paragraphs, if needed): Indicate your career or job objective and why you are particularly suited for this company or type of work Highlight your relevant achievements and qualifications, elaborating on key points from your resume without repeating them word-for-word Communicate to the employer that you understand the position and have the qualities the employer seeks and thus would be an excellent fit Back up all assertions about your skills/qualities with relevant examples—THIS IS YOUR SALES PITCH! Use the exercise on the previous page as a guide to building a powerful second paragraph Tips for what to include in the closing paragraph: Refer the employer to an enclosed/attached resume and/or application Request a personal interview Reiterate your interest in the position Provide specific contact information Thank the employer for his/her time and consideration Sincerely, [Hand-written Signature] Your Full Name Typed Page 28 SAMPLE COVER LETTER Perry Pace 35 22nd Street, Apartment #2A Brooklyn, NY 11215 August 15, 2xxx NOTE: Do not copy this cover letter; use it as a guide only. A customized cover letter must reflect YOUR individual skills and interest in the position. Ms. Sarah Kapo, Director Japan Society 333 East 47th Street, 34th Floor New York, NY 10017 Dear Ms. Kapo: After researching the Japan Society’s internship program on your web site, I am extremely interested in applying for the Centennial Development Intern position. Presently, I am a junior at Pace University majoring in Language, Culture and World Trade with a concentration in Japanese and Religious Studies. I know that my background and experience in Japanese language and culture, as well as my passion for furthering the purpose of not-for-profit associations make me an excellent candidate for this position. As you can see from the attached resume, I displayed the ability to handle public relations activities by demonstrating Aikido at various public venues and at the Philippine Military Base, thereby encouraging more people to join the P.A.P.A. Association. My study abroad experience in Tokyo, Japan also enhanced my communication and interpersonal skills as I utilized the opportunity to teach English to adults and children. Additionally, I interviewed teenagers concerning youth fashion trends for an academic project and led an exciting and persuasive PowerPoint presentation for my class. I am eager to contribute my knowledge and skills in a detail-oriented environment and be an asset to the Japan Society’s goals. I will be in New York City until December 25th and would like to meet with you to discuss my qualifications. I look forward to hearing from you via phone (917.555.4434) or email ([email protected]). Thank you for your time and consideration. Sincerely, [Hand-written Signature] Perry Pace (Enclosure) Page 29 SAMPLE COVER LETTER NOTE: 34 Clinton Street, #2C Brooklyn, NY 11201 Do not copy this cover letter; use it as a guide only. August 31, 2011 A customized cover letter must reflect YOUR individual skills and interest in the position. Berkery Noyes One Liberty Plaza 165 Broadway, 13th Floor New York, NY 10006 Dear Hiring Manager: Please accept this letter as a demonstration of my interest in your company’s research and marketing internship posting on the Pace University Career Services eRecruiting website. I am currently a sophomore majoring in Communications with a concentration in Marketing. My academic background and work experience have provided me with the qualifications needed to contribute to the team at Berkery Noyes. Berkery Noyes’ middle market specialization in the marketing and media industries is of special interest to me. During my summer internship at the marketing company Primary Wave Media, I worked with the Internet Marketing Manager and CEO to conduct in-depth market research and provided a directory of every potential U.S. client for the company’s new mobile marketing platform. In addition, I used CrunchBase to compile a database of prospective investors for the recently launched 1-800-Daily-Deal subsidiary. I learned how to successfully generate sales through targeted email marketing in my communications with marketing executives, and managed to hook seven profitable leads for licensing the company’s vanity numbers. Regarding media experience, I was responsible for investigating the latest news in local commerce, reviewing press releases for potential stories, interviewing CEOs such as Michael Kaplan and Mark Stephens, and writing 150 to 450 word articles for the business lifestyle magazine 914 Inc. Just as Berkery Noyes’ focus on specific vertical markets allows it to better cater to clients by providing them with extensive knowledge and experience, my passion for marketing, strong communication skills, and diverse experience lend me the versatility needed for this position. I have enclosed a resume with links to my publications for your review. Should you have any questions, I can be reached at 917-555-5555 or [email protected]. For the fall semester, my availability is all day Mondays and Fridays, and Wednesdays starting at 1:00 pm. Thank you for your time and consideration, and I look forward to hearing from you soon. Sincerely, [Hand-written Signature] Catalina College Page 30 SAMPLE COVER LETTER George Graduate 20 White Plains Road Tarrytown, NY 10059 NOTE: Do not copy this cover letter; use it as a guide only. June 3, 20xx A customized cover letter must reflect YOUR individual skills and interest in the position. Mr. John Shaw, Auditor PricewaterhouseCoopers, LLP 45 Park Place New York, NY 10002 Dear Mr. Shoapu: As an MBA candidate majoring in Public Accounting at Pace University, I will be graduating in June 2xxx and am very interested in the International Auditor position posted on the e-Recruiting database. I am confident that my accounting experience and academic background would enable me to make a significant contribution to PricewaterhouseCoopers, LLP. Similar to the PwC mission of commitment to corporate responsibility in the global economy, maintaining financial integrity has been at the core of my internships. Presently, I am employed as an intern with Investor Advisory Services where I have excelled at performing bank reconciliations and balance sheets, preparing financial reports, and processing checks for accounts payable, all while using QuickBooks. This position has given me the opportunity to use my analytical, organizational and communication skills. As part of my responsibilities both in this internship, and in my previous accounting internship with Warm Biscuit Bedding Co., I utilized my interpersonal abilities by contacting and interacting with vendors, bank officials, sales departments, and warehouse personnel. Because I am a highly motivated and detail oriented individual, all of my work experiences both in the U.S. and in China have allowed me to grow professionally in the workplace. I would welcome the opportunity to discuss the Audit position with you in more detail, and explain how my qualifications can benefit your department at PricewaterhouseCoopers. I can be reached via phone at 718.888.7777 or email at [email protected]. Thank you for your time and consideration. Sincerely, [Hand-written Signature] George Graduate Page 31 SAMPLE E-MAIL LETTER It is not required to attach a formal cover letter when e-mailing your resume. Instead, you can type your letter into the body of the e-mail. Be sure to name the position title in the subject line. Page 32
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