Your resume isn’t meant to get you the job — it’s meant to get you in the room. It’s your key marketing piece that highlights your value and convinces employers to want to learn more.
A resume provides information regarding your skills, education, work history, achievements, and interests.
Tells the employer what job you are seeking and where you might fit into the company. An objective can be replaced by a cover letter
Volunteer Experience
List any you may have because it shows you have an eagerness to work
Work History/Relevant Skills & Experience
Listing of previous job duties, special achievements and work-related contributions
Education & Training
Include any relevant education, training, and certificates you have completed. If you are currently enrolled in a training program, list it with the anticipated time of completion
Highlights of Qualifications
Short, attention-grabbing statements that describe a person’s skills and qualities that would be beneficial to a given company. (ie. Over 5 years of progressive experience as a physical education professional)
Interests/Accomplishments
Include personal interests or activities that show you are well-rounded. Do not mention interests that reveal religious affiliation
[ Easy to Miss ]
10 Most Common Resume Writing Mistakes
Keep it to one or two pages; highlight key achievements concisely.
Information should be clearly structured and grouped under relevant headings.
Avoid cluttered formatting or hard-to-read fonts; maintain a clean, consistent layout.
Be concise; use bullet points rather than lengthy paragraphs.
Include enough detail to show skills, responsibilities, and results—not just job titles and dates.
Proofread carefully; errors make a poor impression.
Skip fancy fonts, colored paper, or photos; let your content speak for itself.
Focus on accomplishments and measurable outcomes, not just duties.
Exclude personal details such as age, marital status, or religion.
Ensure your resume reaches the right decision-makers or hiring managers.
*Make sure the resume is going to the proper individual or it will be filed in the trash.
Cover Letters — Keep it Simple!
What is a cover letter?
A cover letter dresses your resume
Answers any questions the employer may have
A tool to market yourself
Your cover letter shows your personality
Your cover letter gets you in the “short list”
By doing a cover letter you are going the extra mile
What's in a cover letter?
Find out the correct address for the company
The person’s name that reviews the applications
Use the three paragraph model
Do not give reasons for leaving your last job
Do not forget to sign the cover letter
Remember to print an extra copy before you give it to an employer
Include the Employer Address and date
Introduction/Address
Paragraph 1: Identify the job, who referred you or how you found out about it
Paragraph 2: Market yourself-prove why you care about the job and why you are the right fit
Paragraph 3: Close the letter and tell them how to contact you
Closing
Signature
Key Things to Do
Your chance to show your personality
An opportunity to learn more about the employer
Decide if you want to work at that company
Find out as much about the company as you can – use books, people you know, the Internet
Make sure you know where the interview is and how to get there
Decide what you are going to wear (clean, in good shape clothing, ironing if needed)
If you can tell 5–6 good stories you are prepared for most interview questions
Stories to Prepare:
Teamwork
Conflict Resolution
Problem Solving
Something you are really proud of
Smile
RELAX
Listen carefully to the questions and for clues
Give complete answers
Maintain good eye contact
Be as confident as you can
What Not to Do
Arrive late
Chew gum
Decide if you want to work at that company
Wear a hat or sunglasses
Smoke right before the interview
Wear inappropriate clothing
Take someone with you to the interview
Give yes/no answers
Always follow up with employers to thank them for taking the time to interview you. First impressions are everything! Whether in person, or on the phone, you have a limited amount of time to sell yourself to a potential employer…. and remember, you never get a second chance to make a first impression!
