1. The Job Search, Résumés,
and Cover Letters
Persuasive Resume’
Cover Letter
Application
Tips for Best Resume Writing
1

2. 2
1 to 3
4 to 7
8 to 11
12 to 15
1. The average employee will have worked at
how many jobs over the course of a career?

3. 3
1 to 3
4 to 7
8 to 11
12 to 15
1. The average employee will have worked at
how many jobs over the course of a career?

4. 4
True False
2. Having your job terminated ranks in the
top ten of life’s most severe crises.

5. 5
True False
2. Having your job terminated ranks in the
top ten of life’s most severe crises.

6. 6
Chronological (arranged around dates)
Functional (arranged around skills)
Combination
3. You are putting together a résumé. What
format do recruiters generally prefer?

7. 7
Chronological (arranged around dates)
Functional (arranged around skills)
Combination
3. You are putting together a résumé. What
format do recruiters generally prefer?

8. 8
Searching the Internet
Sending out hundreds of
résumés
Networking
Reading the classified ads
4. Many experts in the field of recruiting
think that the surest way for a college
graduate to find a job today is by

9. 9
Searching the Internet
Sending out hundreds of
résumés
Networking
Reading the classified ads
4. Many experts in the field of recruiting
think that the surest way for a college
graduate to find a job today is by

10. 10
10 to 19 percent
20 to 29 percent
30 to 49 percent
50 percent or more
5. You begin your job search the way most
people do by looking through the newspaper
ads. What percentage of available
opportunities can you find in those ads?

11. 11
10 to 19 percent
20 to 29 percent
30 to 49 percent
50 percent or more
5. You begin your job search the way most
people do by looking through the newspaper
ads. What percentage of available
opportunities can you find in those ads?

12. 12
Potential employers and professional
organizations
Family members, friends, neighbors, associates
School alumni and former instructors
Your dentist, your doctor, other service providers
All of the above
6. You’ve heard that “networking” is a good
way to find a job. Who should be on your list
of people to contact?

13. 13
Potential employers and professional
organizations
Family members, friends, neighbors, associates
School alumni and former instructors
Your dentist, your doctor, other service providers.
All of the above
6. You’ve heard that “networking” is a good
way to find a job. Who should be on your list
of people to contact?

14. 14
About 20 percent
About 40 percent
About 60 percent
About 80 percent
7. You’re now a serious candidate for a job.
What percentage of companies will require
pre-employment drug testing?

15. 15
About 20 percent
About 40 percent
About 60 percent
About 80 percent
7. You’re now a serious candidate for a job.
What percentage of companies will require
pre-employment drug testing?

16. 16
Dress in campus casual attire
Dress professionally in a suit
Hit a happy medium
Call to ask interviewer
8. You’ve landed a job interview with a
company that has a casual dress code. What
should you do?

17. 17
Dress in campus casual attire
Dress professionally in a suit or
Hit a happy medium
Call to ask interviewer
8. You’ve landed a job interview with a
company that has a casual dress code. What
should you do?

18. » Preparation
˃ Research the job market.
+Use newspapers, the Web, and other
resources to learn about jobs,
qualifications, and employers.
˃ Analyze your strengths.
+What will sell you for the job you want?
˃ Study other résumés as models.
+Experiment with formatting. 18

19. » Heading and Objective
˃ List your name, address, phone.
˃ Include a career objective for a targeted job.
» Education
˃ Name your degree, date of graduation, and institution.
˃ List your major and GPA.
+Give information about your studies, but don’t
inventory all your courses.
19

20. » Work Experience
˃ List your previous jobs.
+ Start with the most recent jobs. Include employer’s name and city, dates
of employment (month, year), and most significant title.
Manager, Fleet Equipment, Kettering, Ohio. 6/03 to present
Salesperson, Kmart, Dayton, Ohio. 4/02 to 5/03
Tax Preparer, Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program. March,
2003, to present. Sinclair College, Dayton, Ohio
20

21. » Work Experience
˃ Describe your experience.
+ Use action verbs to summarize achievements and skills
relevant to your targeted job.
Prepared state and federal tax returns for individuals
with incomes under $25,000. Conducted interviews
with over 50 individuals to elicit data regarding taxes.
Determined legitimate tax deductions and recorded
them accurately.
21

22. »Work Experience
˃ Include nontechnical skills.
+Give evidence of communication, management,
and interpersonal skills. Employers want more than
empty assurances. Try to quantify your skills.
Organized holiday awards program for 1200
attendees and 140 awardees. Praised by top
management for enthusiastic teamwork and
achievement.
22

23. » Special Skills, Achievements, Awards
˃ Highlight your computer skills.
+All employers seek employees proficient with word
processing, databases, and spreadsheets.
˃ Show that you are well-rounded.
+List awards and extracurricular activities, especially
if they demonstrate leadership, teamwork,
reliability, loyalty, initiative, efficiency, and self-
sufficiency.
23

24. » Additional Tips
˃ Omit references (unless specifically required).
˃ Look for ways to condense your data.
˃ Double-check for parallel phrasing.
˃ Project professionalism and quality.
+ Avoid personal pronouns. Omit humor. Use 24-pound paper and a quality
printer.
˃ Have a friend or colleague critique your résumé.
24

25. » Additional Tips
˃ Omit references (unless specifically required).
˃ Look for ways to condense your data.
˃ Double-check for parallel phrasing.
˃ Project professionalism and quality.
+ Avoid personal pronouns. Omit humor. Use 24-pound paper and a quality
printer.
˃ Have a friend or colleague critique your résumé.
Proofread!
25

26. » Additional Tips
˃ Omit references (unless specifically required).
˃ Look for ways to condense your data.
˃ Double-check for parallel phrasing.
˃ Project professionalism and quality.
+ Avoid personal pronouns. Omit humor. Use 24-pound paper and a quality
printer.
˃ Have a friend or colleague critique your résumé.
Proofread! Proofread!
26

27. » Additional Tips
˃ Omit references (unless specifically required).
˃ Look for ways to condense your data.
˃ Double-check for parallel phrasing.
˃ Project professionalism and quality.
+ Avoid personal pronouns. Omit humor. Use 24-pound paper and a quality
printer.
˃ Have a friend or colleague critique your résumé.
Proofread! Proofread! Proofread!
27

28. » Additional Tips
˃ Omit references (unless specifically required).
˃ Look for ways to condense your data.
˃ Double-check for parallel phrasing.
˃ Project professionalism and quality.
+ Avoid personal pronouns. Omit humor. Use 24-pound paper and a quality
printer.
˃ Have a friend or colleague critique your résumé.
Proofread! Proofread! Proofread! Proofread!
28

29. 29
RÉSUMÉ OF
JENNIE JENKINS
3320 Lafayette Street, #12
San Leandro, CA 94561
(415) 781-5592
OBJECTIVE: An entry-level position where my proven communication, accounting,
and administrative skills could be utilized in a path leading to advancement into
management eventually.
DEGREE from San Francisco State University. Broadcast Communication Arts.
Bachelor of arts. 3.2 in major.
RÉSUMÉ OF
JENNIE JENKINS
3320 Lafayette Street, #12
San Leandro, CA 94561
(415) 781-5592
OBJECTIVE: An entry-level position where my proven communication, accounting,
and administrative skills could be utilized in a path leading to advancement into
management eventually.
DEGREE from San Francisco State University. Broadcast Communication Arts.
Bachelor of arts. 3.2 in major.

30. 30
EXPERIENCE
Apprentice KPFA - 94.1 in Berkeley, CA. Duties included scheduling studios. Also
recruited staff. Some paperwork. Often given responsibility to act as
production manager. 10/03 to present.
Pacifica House
Position for financial manager. Duties included payroll and benefits for
employees of shelter. Was responsible for the books, also for cash
transactions. Took care of some donations. Expected to help raise funds.
I prepared all payroll reports. Also petty cash. Chaotic environment,
underfunded.
EXPERIENCE
Apprentice KPFA - 94.1 in Berkeley, CA. Duties included scheduling studios. Also
recruited staff. Some paperwork. Often given responsibility to act as
production manager. 10/03 to present.
Pacifica House
Position for financial manager. Duties included payroll and benefits for
employees of shelter. Was responsible for the books, also for cash
transactions. Took care of some donations. Expected to help raise funds.
I prepared all payroll reports. Also petty cash. Chaotic environment,
underfunded.

31. 31
Spring, 1999
Worked for one spring with Renaissance Rainbow, which is a performing arts troupe
operating out of San Francisco. My duties included scheduling interviews with print
and broadcast journalists. Was responsible for volunteers and publicity.
Other temporary positions
Manpower, Inc. San Francisco. Worked at many different places as a
temp. 1999-02. Dorhring Company. File clerk, receptionist, general
duties. Other places. Good Earth Restaurant - server 1998-1999.
Spring, 1999
Worked for one spring with Renaissance Rainbow, which is a performing arts troupe
operating out of San Francisco. My duties included scheduling interviews with print
and broadcast journalists. Was responsible for volunteers and publicity.
Other temporary positions
Manpower, Inc. San Francisco. Worked at many different places as a
temp. 1999-02. Dorhring Company. File clerk, receptionist, general
duties. Other places. Good Earth Restaurant - server 1998-1999.

32. 32
Personal
Self-starter, can finish jobs without supervision.
Marital status: single Birth: 6/15/80
Health: Excellent Hobbies: Knitting, singing,
like to read
First Baptist Gospel Choir Awards: Spirit Award,
Oakland High School
Dean’s List, college, 2 semesters
Personal
Self-starter, can finish jobs without supervision.
Marital status: single Birth: 6/15/80
Health: Excellent Hobbies: Knitting, singing,
like to read
First Baptist Gospel Choir Awards: Spirit Award,
Oakland High School
Dean’s List, college, 2 semesters

33. 33
Jennifer Marie Jenkins
3320 Lafayette Street, #12
San Leandro, CA 94561
(415) 781-5592
Objective: Administrative position involving
• Payroll • Accounting • Employee Benefits • Customer Service
SUMMARY OF QUALIFICATIONS
• Two years’ experience in responsible administrative and accounting positions
• Disciplined self-starter; able to work without supervision
• Proficient with PCs including Word, Excel, and the Internet
Jennifer Marie Jenkins
3320 Lafayette Street, #12
San Leandro, CA 94561
(415) 781-5592
Objective: Administrative position involving
• Payroll • Accounting • Employee Benefits • Customer Service
SUMMARY OF QUALIFICATIONS
• Two years’ experience in responsible administrative and accounting positions
• Disciplined self-starter; able to work without supervision
• Proficient with PCs including Word, Excel, and the Internet

34. 34
• Can be counted on to follow through on every detail, until a task is successfully
..completed
• B.A. degree, San Francisco State University
RELEVANT EXPERIENCE
10/03 to Apprentice, Radio Production, KPFA - 94.1,
present Berkeley, CA
• As production manager, schedule studios, recruit support staff
• Process scripts, permissions, and logs involved in weekly productions
2002-03 Financial manager, The Pacifica House (shelter),
San Francisco, CA
• Used computer to manage payroll and employee benefits for a staff of 26
• Completed all projects on time, despite chronically chaotic environment
• Can be counted on to follow through on every detail, until a task is successfully
..completed
• B.A. degree, San Francisco State University
RELEVANT EXPERIENCE
10/03 to Apprentice, Radio Production, KPFA - 94.1,
present Berkeley, CA
• As production manager, schedule studios, recruit support staff
• Process scripts, permissions, and logs involved in weekly productions
2002-03 Financial manager, The Pacifica House (shelter),
San Francisco, CA
• Used computer to manage payroll and employee benefits for a staff of 26
• Completed all projects on time, despite chronically chaotic environment

35. 35
• Managed agency's cash flow, involving funder reimbursements, in-kind
donations, ..and fund-raising
• Processed all accounts payable and receivable, monthly, and quarterly
statistical ..reports for local, state, and federal funding agencies; oversaw petty cash
• Designed a flow chart to track success of a $25,000 fund-raising project
Spring, 1999 Publicity coordinator, Renaissance Rainbow (performance arts
troupe), San Francisco, CA
• Scheduled all media interviews and supervised volunteers
• Coordinated publicity mailings for African-American Performance Arts Festival
1999-01 Temp positions, Manpower Temporary Services, San
Francisco, CA
• Developed customer service skills as telephone interviewer for Dorhring
..Company
• Managed agency's cash flow, involving funder reimbursements, in-kind
donations, ..and fund-raising
• Processed all accounts payable and receivable, monthly, and quarterly
statistical ..reports for local, state, and federal funding agencies; oversaw petty cash
• Designed a flow chart to track success of a $25,000 fund-raising project
Spring, 1999 Publicity coordinator, Renaissance Rainbow (performance arts
troupe), San Francisco, CA
• Scheduled all media interviews and supervised volunteers
• Coordinated publicity mailings for African-American Performance Arts Festival
1999-01 Temp positions, Manpower Temporary Services, San
Francisco, CA
• Developed customer service skills as telephone interviewer for Dorhring
..Company

36. 36
• Maintained files, routed incoming telephone calls, input employee progress
..journals, prepared interoffice memos, recorded accounts payable checks,
..keyboarded accounts payable correspondence, learned e-mail systems in
various ..assignments
EDUCATION
B.A. in Broadcast Communication Arts, San Francisco State University, 2002
GPA in major: 3.2
Dean's list, 2 semesters
• Maintained files, routed incoming telephone calls, input employee progress
..journals, prepared interoffice memos, recorded accounts payable checks,
..keyboarded accounts payable correspondence, learned e-mail systems in
various ..assignments
EDUCATION
B.A. in Broadcast Communication Arts, San Francisco State University, 2002
GPA in major: 3.2
Dean's list, 2 semesters

37. » Emphasize keywords–nouns that describe traits, skills,
and characteristics from job description.
» Avoid unusual typefaces, underlining, and italics.
» Use 10 to 14-point type.
37

38. » Use smooth white paper, black ink, and quality printing.
» Be sure that your name is on the first line.
» Provide plenty of white space.
» Avoid double columns.
» Don’t fold or staple your résumé.
38

39. » Use abbreviations carefully.
» Include all your addresses and telephone numbers.
» Be prepared to send your résumé in ASCII.
Note: Unlike a paper résumé, one that will be scanned by a computer may be as
long as you think necessary.
39

40. » A focus group of nine expert recruiters gave these
individual responses:
˃ “Personal data. That’s a major ‘red flag.’ Also typos,
inconsistent punctuation, and huge paragraphs that
look like job descriptions.”
˃ “Odd-sized résumés from services saying ‘Presenting
the candidacy of . . .’ I don't even read them anymore.
They’re a major rip-off.”
40

41. » A focus group of nine expert recruiters
gave these individual responses:
˃ “Résumés that show no research; not
looking at the employer’s needs.”
˃ “Omissions in terms of dates. And
misspellings!”
˃ “Long cover letters and résumés over
two pages.” 41

42. » A focus group of nine expert recruiters gave
these individual responses:
˃ “Excess cosmetics, substituting form for
content. A résumé should look nice but not
go overboard.”
˃ “A photo. I have to remove them because
managers must be color and gender blind.”
˃ “Not sending the résumé to the right place.”
42

43. » “The objective. Plus dates when things
happened and accomplishments.”
» “Information about skills that apply to the
job; less about job history and past
duties.”
» “Valid information in an easy-to-read,
attractive style.”
43

44. » “The candidate’s address and phone
number. Lots of people put them only in
the cover letter!”
» “Realizing that the employer is looking
for ‘red flags’ and making sure there
aren’t any. If you have an employment
gap, include a clear statement explaining
it.”
44

45. »“Meeting the qualifications for the
job.”
»“The presentation and the objective.”
»“A clear objective, backed up with
qualifying experience and continuity
in the work history.” 45

46. » Opening
˃ Address the letter to an individual by name.
˃ For advertised jobs, name the source; include job title,
date, and publication.
˃ If someone referred you, name that person.
˃ Show that your qualifications fit the job
specifications, show your knowledge of the reader’s
business, or show that your special talents will be
assets to the company.
46

47. » Body
˃ Demonstrate that your background and
training meet the job requirements.
˃ Summarize your principal assets from
education, experience, and special skills.
˃ Avoid repeating specific data from your
résumé.
˃ Refer to your résumé.
47

48. » Closing
˃ Ask for an interview. Consider hooking
the request to a statement reviewing
your strongest points.
˃ Make it easy to respond. Tell when and
where you can be reached (during
office hours). Some recruiters prefer
that you call them. 48

49. 49