Application Packets
- The 13 Best Kept Cover Letter SecretsClassy Career Girl, but again gender neutral advice for all.
- Cover Letter best practicesThis blog entry comes from a blog for helping librarians find jobs. Fear not, all the advice is applicable to cover letters for any position.
Cover letters and Resumes
- Ferguson’s Career Guidance Center (InfoBase)
Contains career and education planning resources, information on various careers and educational institutions, salary information, a career interest assessment, and links to jobs and internships. “Career Q&A: Professional Advice and Insight” videos let users get a no-nonsense insider’s perspective from working professionals across multiple industries. Offers expert advice on writing résumés and cover letters, interviewing, applying for apprenticeships and internships, professional etiquette, and other workplace topics. Users can download résumés and cover letters in Word and PDF formats to use as templates to build their own.
-------------------------------- - Resume and Cover Letter Builder
Part of the Learning Express Library, this database contains over 200 expert-developed resumes covering a range of occupations and preparation levels. Build your own or use filter templates. Provided by MOREnet.
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Teach Yourself: The Ultimate Job Hunting BookFrom crafting the perfect CV and finding the job of your dreams, to writing a great cover letter and winning at interview, this is a dynamic collection of tools, techniques, and strategies for success. Short, punchy chapters mean you can read up quickly and start applying what you've learned immediately.
When applying for a job you may be asked for one or more of the following:
- Resume or Curriculum Vitea (CV)
- Cover Letter
- Personal Statement
- At least 3 Professional References
Before writing any of these be sure to have completed the research described in the box The Job Search. You will have your best shot if you customize each document to fit the job you are applying for. For help with these documents you can try the websites below or use the catalog search box and find materials in the library.
All Cover Letters should:
- Explain why you are sending a resume. Don't send a resume without a cover letter. Don't make the reader guess what you are asking for; be specific: Do you want a summer internship opportunity, or a permanent position at graduation; are you inquiring about future employment possibilities?
- Tell specifically how you learned about the position or the organization. --a flyer posted in your department, a web site, a family friend who works at the organization. It is appropriate to mention the name of someone who suggested that you write.
- Convince the reader to look at your resume. The cover letter will be seen first. Therefore, it must be very well written and targeted to that employer.
- Call attention to elements of your background. --education, leadership, experience — that are relevant to a position you are seeking. Be as specific as possible, using examples.
- Reflect your attitude, personality, motivation, enthusiasm, and communication skills.
- Provide or refer to any information specifically requested in a job advertisement that might not be covered in your resume, such as availability date, or reference to an attached writing sample.
The resume is a selling tool outlining your skills and experience so an employer can see, at a glance, how you can contribute to the employer's workplace. The resume is a starting point to knowing and selling your product (you), and yes, it is required. But no, it's not magic and no, it won't get you the job. Yet without a good one, it could keep you from getting the job (or from getting the interview).