**Resumes**
Name, Address, Telephone Number, Email Address Be sure the address, telephone number, and email address are current and that you can be reached. Specify day or evening if necessary. If employed, you may want to include your work number or a number where potential employers can leave messages.
Career Objectives/Summary A career objective has the advantage of telling the recruiter or hiring manager, at a glance, the type of position you are seeking A well-designed objective statement enables you to focus the information in the resume and convey to an employer a sense of your career direction. It is important to strike a balance between too much and too little information.
Education In reverse chronological order, list all degrees and universities, dates attended or dates of graduation. State major and minor fields of study or areas of special emphasis. Include special assignments, projects, or any pertinent information about course work. Include GPA if high.
Honors and/or School Activities Academic honors (Dean's List, honor societies, scholarships). Include university activities, particularly if they display evidence of leadership, initiative, community involvement, or the use of special skills.
Experience In this section you may discuss full and part time work experience, summer jobs, volunteer work, research/study projects, graduate assistantships, field placements, and internships. Be concise and factual, but highlight accomplishments and skills. If appropriate, indicate the percentage of college expenses earned. Your experience may be presented in chronological order, by function, or in some combination of the two. The chronological approach would organize your experience by date, beginning with the most recent and working back to the earliest that seems appropriate for your career goal. This format is good for recent graduates with limited job experience or for anyone with a stable progressive job history relating to the career goal. The functional approach provides you with an opportunity to display your qualifications in terms of titles or areas of work, irrespective of time or place. This approach permits you to group your experience, highlighting that which is relevant and omitting that which is not. This format may be advisable for experienced people who want to stress their activities rather than places and dates. It is not as familiar to employers as the chronological format, so it should be prepared carefully.
Skills & Other Background Information List all computer skills, no matter how limited. Include knowledge of programs, languages, hardware, and applications. You may want to demonstrate other assets, skills, or experience relevant to the career objective which are not easily organized under another heading. This may include special licenses, language facility, publications, professional associations, community service, travel, interests, etc.
References Normally, references are not included on the resume. Simply state that references will be furnished upon request. Former employers or professors in relevant fields are most appropriate. Be sure to request permission before using anyone as a reference.
Sample Resume Terry A. Example 123 Cherry Lane Lancaster, PA 11223 (123) 456-7890 tae2498@earthlink.com Objective: To obtain a position that allows me to utilize my skills as a Web designer and HTML programmer. Education: BA in Communications, May 1999 Ursinus College, Collegeville, PA Graduated Cum Laude, GPA 3.45/3.85 Related Job Experience: May 1999 - Present HTML Programmer, Ross Public Relations, Collegeville, PA HTML code all Web pages designed by Ross Public Relations. Assist account coordinators in designing client Web sites. November 1998 - May 1999 Graphic Designer, Ross Public Relations, Collegeville, PA Worked closely with writers in the development of client promotional materials. Awards: 1997/98 Emily Lewis Award for Academic Excellence Deans List, September 1996 - May 1999. Skills: Programming Languages: C++, Cobol, HTML, and Perl. Systems: Apple, IBM, and UNIX. Software: Adobe Acrobat, Aldus Pagemaker, Adobe Photoshop, EXCEL, Filemaker Pro, Microsoft Word, QuarkXPress, and Windows 98. References Available Upon Request
Sample References Terry A. Example 123 Cherry Lane Lancaster, PA 11223 (123) 456-7890 tae2498@earthlink.com References: Ms. Linda Smith Social Services Director (617) 123-4567 Ms. Cheryl Johnson Vice President of State Street Investment Bank (617) 123-7654 Mr. Moe Howard Senior Partner of Howard, Fine, & Howard (617) 321-7654

Cover Letters

A cover letter is your opportunity to introduce yourself, expand upon and personalize your resume, and highlight how your skills and experience would fulfill the needs of the employer. A cover letter gives employers the opportunity to evaluate your ability to communicate and present yourself.
Keep in mind that a cover letter not only expresses your interest in the company and/or position and your skills and qualifications, but it also gives the employer the opportunity to observe your attentiveness to detail, spelling, grammar, and quality of your written communication. As with resumes, cover letters must be edited and proofread; errors in your cover letter will turn off an employer and you risk the chance of the employer never reading your resume.
A cover letter is your opportunity to sell yourself to the employer. Use the cover letter to introduce yourself, expand upon your resume, and highlight your skills and accomplishments. Demonstrate your knowledge of the industry and the company and how your experience relates to the position.
Cover letters should follow the same guidelines as resumes; they should be clean, clear, and concise. Don't forget to proofread your cover letters for errors and have somebody else proofread your cover letters before you send them out.

Here are some guidelines to consider when writing your cover letters:
1. A cover letter should draw employers to your resume. Don't clutter it with needless facts.
2. Keep it brief; no more than one page. No employer wants to read your life's history.
3. Tailor it to the position and company to which you are applying.
4. Demonstrate that you know your career goals, the position, and the employer's organization.
5. Begin by explaining why you are writing to this person and where you heard about the opportunity.
6. Clearly state your objective.
7. Be sure to say why you think you would be a good match for the position. If the advertisement lists several traits or skills the employer wants to see in job applicants, refer to those skills in your letter and say how you exemplify them. Mention traits that will set you apart from other candidates.
8. Refer the employer to your resume. For example: "You can see from my resume that I have the skills you are looking for."
9. Don't just restate what's already on your resume. Use the cover letter to highlight your skills and accomplishments.
10. Avoid using too many sentences that start with "I" and don't write in the passive voice. Make yourself the subject of each sentence and use active descriptions.
11. Do not use contractions.
12. Remember to sign your cover letter.
13. Note "enclosure" or "enc." several lines after your signature to indicate that your resume is enclosed.
14. Address your cover letter to a specific individual with name, title, organization, and address all correctly spelled.
15. Use good quality paper for your cover letters; the paper should match your resume paper and envelopes.
16. Spell check and proofread your resume. Have somebody else proofread it as well. Spelling, grammar, and punctuation mistakes are inexcusable.

Sample Cover Letter
Ms. Linda Smith
734 Chestnut Avenue
Lewistown, MA 12345
(617) 123-4567
August 24, 1999
Ms. Cheryl Johnson
Vice President
State Street Investment Bank
211 State Street
Spring City, MA 54321
cjohnson3@aol.com
Dear Ms. Johnson:
The teller position described in your recent Daily Record advertisement immediately caught my attention. My proven track record working for a financial institution makes me an ideal candidate for the job, and I have enclosed my resume for your consideration. You will find that my qualifications more than meet your requirements.
For example, you specify that you are looking for someone with customer service skills and experience handling money. While attending college, I worked for my university's credit union for two years. While there, I handled cash transactions, opened accounts, prepared general ledger entries, took loan payments, cashed checks, and took deposits. I am a skilled team player with exemplary customer service skills.
I look forward to discussing the position with you in more detail. If you feel that my qualifications are as much a match for State Street Investment Bank as I feel they are, please call me at your earliest convenience to schedule an interview. I look forward to hearing from you and thank you for your consideration.
Sincerely,
Ms. Linda Smith
Enclosure

**Cover Letters**
A cover letter is your opportunity to introduce yourself, expand upon and personalize your resume, and highlight how your skills and experience would fulfill the needs of the employer. A cover letter gives employers the opportunity to evaluate your ability to communicate and present yourself. Keep in mind that a cover letter not only expresses your interest in the company and/or position and your skills and qualifications, but it also gives the employer the opportunity to observe your attentiveness to detail, spelling, grammar, and quality of your written communication. As with resumes, cover letters must be edited and proofread; errors in your cover letter will turn off an employer and you risk the chance of the employer never reading your resume. A cover letter is your opportunity to sell yourself to the employer. Use the cover letter to introduce yourself, expand upon your resume, and highlight your skills and accomplishments. Demonstrate your knowledge of the industry and the company and how your experience relates to the position. Cover letters should follow the same guidelines as resumes; they should be clean, clear, and concise. Don't forget to proofread your cover letters for errors and have somebody else proofread your cover letters before you send them out.
Here are some guidelines to consider when writing your cover letters: 1. A cover letter should draw employers to your resume. Don't clutter it with needless facts. 2. Keep it brief; no more than one page. No employer wants to read your life's history. 3. Tailor it to the position and company to which you are applying. 4. Demonstrate that you know your career goals, the position, and the employer's organization. 5. Begin by explaining why you are writing to this person and where you heard about the opportunity. 6. Clearly state your objective. 7. Be sure to say why you think you would be a good match for the position. If the advertisement lists several traits or skills the employer wants to see in job applicants, refer to those skills in your letter and say how you exemplify them. Mention traits that will set you apart from other candidates. 8. Refer the employer to your resume. For example: "You can see from my resume that I have the skills you are looking for." 9. Don't just restate what's already on your resume. Use the cover letter to highlight your skills and accomplishments. 10. Avoid using too many sentences that start with "I" and don't write in the passive voice. Make yourself the subject of each sentence and use active descriptions. 11. Do not use contractions. 12. Remember to sign your cover letter. 13. Note "enclosure" or "enc." several lines after your signature to indicate that your resume is enclosed. 14. Address your cover letter to a specific individual with name, title, organization, and address all correctly spelled. 15. Use good quality paper for your cover letters; the paper should match your resume paper and envelopes. 16. Spell check and proofread your resume. Have somebody else proofread it as well. Spelling, grammar, and punctuation mistakes are inexcusable.
Sample Cover Letter Ms. Linda Smith 734 Chestnut Avenue Lewistown, MA 12345 (617) 123-4567 August 24, 1999 Ms. Cheryl Johnson Vice President State Street Investment Bank 211 State Street Spring City, MA 54321 cjohnson3@aol.com Dear Ms. Johnson: The teller position described in your recent Daily Record advertisement immediately caught my attention. My proven track record working for a financial institution makes me an ideal candidate for the job, and I have enclosed my resume for your consideration. You will find that my qualifications more than meet your requirements. For example, you specify that you are looking for someone with customer service skills and experience handling money. While attending college, I worked for my university's credit union for two years. While there, I handled cash transactions, opened accounts, prepared general ledger entries, took loan payments, cashed checks, and took deposits. I am a skilled team player with exemplary customer service skills. I look forward to discussing the position with you in more detail. If you feel that my qualifications are as much a match for State Street Investment Bank as I feel they are, please call me at your earliest convenience to schedule an interview. I look forward to hearing from you and thank you for your consideration. Sincerely, Ms. Linda Smith Enclosure

Four Example Job Offerings
CONSTRUCTION PURCHASING AGENT
Beazer Homes Corporation is looking for an experienced purchasing agent. Duties include negotiating and closing deals with subcontractors, organizing/maintaining bids, preparing closing cost information, setting up rebate schedule, contract follow through & other duties as necessary. Ideal candidate will be computer literate in Excel, Word, Access with some knowledge of JD Edwards a plus. Please forward your resume w/salary/total compensation requirements to:
Michael Musanti
Beazer Homes Corporation
250 Phillips Blvd., Ste. 290
Trenton, NJ 08618
E-mail: mmusanti@beazer.com
NO PHONE CALLS PLEASE

EOE

CUSTOMER SERVICE CLERK.
The ideal candidate will support our cust. serv. dept with duties incl. operating co. switchboard during normal bus. hrs, performing clerical duties, i.e. filing, typing, making travel reservations & performing admin. work associated with customer events. Must have exc. verbal communication skills, maintain a prof'l attitude at all times & be very cust. serv. oriented. Reqmts: H.S. diploma with 1-3 yrs of customer relations. duties. Must have exc. computer skills. Please send resume w/cover ltr indicating sal. hist/expectation to Mr. Simon Jones, Siegfried (USA), Inc., 33 Industrial Park Rd., Pennsville, NJ 08070. Fax (856) 678-3143 or email hr@siegfried-usa.com No phone calls. Only qualified candidates will be contacted.

NURSING ASSISTANT
Genesis ElderCare, Marcella Center, has the following nursing assistant opportunity available for their busy 60-bed unit:
Assignment under the unit manager of the Alzheimer Unit
Candidate must be a high school graduate with intentions of training to be an RN and have previous health care experience. Knowledge of patient care procedures and systems operations is helpful.
We offer great benefits and working environment. Please contact: JO Bohoney, RN DON, Genesis ElderCare, Marcella Center, Clifton Rd., Memorytown, NJ. 08009. or fax resume to: 609-387-9620. e-mail at marcellacenter@comdex.net EOE M/F/D/V

MAIL CLERK
SJ law firm has FT opening for gen. mail room clerk, duties incl. delivering mail, faxes, shredding, etc. Must be self-strtr, organized & able to handle mult. tasks. Some heavy lifting. Exc. bene. pkg & working conds. Advancement possibilities.
Fax resume & sal. req. to 856-596-9631 or mail to Mr. Samuel Parker at Parker, McCay & Criscuolo, P.O. Box 974, Marlton, NJ 08053.
e-mail: parcris@aol.com

Resumes

Sample Resume

Sample References

Cover Letters

Sample Cover Letter

Four Example Job Offerings