Major Components Common to Most Résumés

• Heading: At the top of your résumé should be your name, present (local) address and/or permanent (home) address. Include apartment number and zip code, and phone numbers with area codes. A daytime phone number is a must.  

• Objective: State your objective clearly and specifically in a phrase such as "seeking a drafting position in supervisory capacity with manufacturer of mechanical or electrical products." It is possible to change the objective each time you send out a résumé, so your objective can reflect the kind of job for which you are applying.  

• Education: Education: Degrees earned (or to be completed) should be listed in reverse chronological order. Generally, you need not include high school unless that is the extent of your formal education. For each degree, give the following:  

• Name and location of school attended
• Degree, and (expected) date of graduation
• Major and, if relevant, minor
• Grade point average (if you're proud of it)
• Research/thesis topic, if applicable
• Relevant courses (optional)
• Scholarships, honors, awards (optional)
• Extracurricular activities (optional)  

• Experience: We recommend using a Chronological Résumé, so you would list your employment in reverse chronological order. Give position held, employer, and dates of employment. Describe each position according to job duties: list tasks performed, emphasizing those requiring the highest level of skill, responsibility and judgment. Begin each phrase with an ACTION verb. (For example: acted, advised, consulted, edited, instructed, marketed, negotiated, administered, conducted, directed, issued, organized, supplied, created, prepared, assembled, delivered, operated, performed, tested, trained.) Quantify and qualify your accomplishments, i.e. "surpassed sales quota by 15%," "trained and supervised 5 employees," "maintained average caseload of 85 clients."  

• Other possible sections of the résumé:
• Professional certificates or licenses
• Special skills and abilities, especially computer skills
• Publications
• Major accomplishments
• Memberships
• Interests
• Additional training
• Military experience (if applicable)  

We have provided additional information, along with two samples and a list of action verbs to help you put together your résumé. You should not copy these, but use them as guidelines when putting yours together. If applying for a specific job, grab a copy of the job description to use when putting your résumé together. Modify it to fit the specific job you are applying for by highlighting pertinent information and job experience. We have a number of great books in our Career Library that you are welcome to look at on how to write a résumé. We are also available for individual appointments or can take a quick look at it during our walk-in hours. Call 780-4220 for Portland or 780-5330 for Gorham.

SampleResume.pdf

Purposes of a Cover Letter

• Highlight Experience: A cover letter accompanies a résumé being sent to an organization for a specific position. The well written cover letter highlights selective aspects of your background which best suit the employer's needs. In other words, the cover letter bridges the gap between your skills and experience and the qualifications of the position.

• Capture Attention: A well written cover letter commands the reader's attention.

• Stimulate Interest: It stimulates interest in you and your résumé as well as reflects your interest in the job and/or the organization.

• Gain an Interview: The opportunity to interview is the ultimate goal of your cover letter and résumé.

Content of a Cover Letter

A cover letter usually includes a minimum of three paragraphs. Each paragraph has a different goal.

• First Paragraph: This opening paragraph explains why you are writing the letter. State your purpose, identify the position for which you are applying, and how you learned about the opening. If you are responding to an advertisement, state the name and date of the publication where you found the ad. If a well-respected person referred you to the organization, mention the person's name and connection.

• Second Paragraph: It is within this paragraph that you tailor your résumé to a particular job. Here you should tell the employer why you are a strong candidate for this position. Highlight relevant achievements, skills, and/or experience, mentioning the most interesting points on your résumé. Explain how you intend to help the employer and contribute to the organization.

• Third Paragraph (optional): This extra paragraph isn't always needed, but can be included if there is additional information which hasn't been mentioned on your résumé or needs to be described in more detail (for example: your cooperative education experience or gaps in your employment history). This final paragraph should be action-oriented. Here you should state when and how YOU will contact the employer to arrange a mutually convenient time to interview. Also, be sure to state how and when the employer may contact you. Do not assume that an employer will contact you once you have sent your cover letter and résumé! It is YOUR responsibility to follow up! Finally, thank the individual and mention that you are looking forward to meeting him or her.

We have provided additional information, along with tips that are essential for success, phrases to help get you started and a sample cover letter. For more help, stop by either office and check out our job search books (I particularly like the power phrases in Cover Letters That Knock 'Em Dead.) We are also available for individual appointments or can take a quick look at it during our walk-in hours. Call 780-4220 for Portland or 780-5330 for Gorham.

SampleCoverletter.pdf