Application Tips
1. Resume
Putting together a great resume is easy – it takes some organization, some creativity, and a lot of proofreading. Here are several suggestions for assembling and organizing information on your resume. While you should limit your resume to one page, go the extra mile to show employers that you are as creative and organized as you are intelligent.
Organization
You can organize your resume in many different ways, but the following order is one of the most common.
- Contact Information: Include your name, address, email, and phone number.
- Education: Start with the present and work your way backward. Include your major and concentration, the degree you expect to receive, and the date you expect to receive it. Provide your GPA if it is requested.
- Honors and awards: If your awards relate to school, you can include them with your academic information. If your awards are community-based or from your volunteer work, make a separate section. Provide a short explanation of lesser-known awards, such as school-wide rather than nation-wide scholarships, honors, etc.
- Experience: This section is the essence of your resume and will require the most effort to write and organize well. Experience includes jobs, internships, volunteer positions, extracurricular activities, and any special projects. You can use either a chronological or a functional format to organize this section: a chronological resume begins with your most recent experiences and works backward; while a functional resume divides your experience into subject areas in order to show where your strengths reside.
- Skills: List the skill sets that you can offer the company, such as fluency in a foreign language or extensive knowledge of a particular subject area. Always include your computer skills. If you have any relevant interests, list them in this section as well.
Writing Style
The wording of your resume is just as important as the look. You may have to write several rough drafts to come up with the one that really shines. Be sure to describe your roles and accomplishments with strong action words and key terms that will “pop out” at employers. Relevant accomplishments are often the leadership and team roles you have had. You should also consider the following:
- Use matching verb tenses.
- Keep all descriptions short.
- Be consistent with punctuation.
Resources
There is a wide range of resources available to first-time resume writers. Check out the internet for websites with sample resumes, your university career resource office for resume review services, or your local or school library for resume books by field of study.
2. Cover Letter
Basic formula for cover letters is as follows:
- Standard business letter address format: Include recipient’s name, title, company, and address at the top left.
- Salutation.
- First paragraph: Clearly state the purpose of your cover letter. You are writing to meet that the employer’s specific need(s).
- Second paragraph: Briefly state two or three top skills, then immediately follow with the benefits these features will provide to the company.
- Third paragraph: Conclude the cover letter by giving your recipient a specific action to take and a backup action you will take if you do not get a response.
3. Interview
A successful interview always starts with preparation. Be familiar with the company and the position you have applied for – in other words, do your homework! The best way to do this is to explore the company’s website and to read recent articles on the company. Another very important step is to practice the interview. Most college career services offer mock interviews. If yours does not have one, you can ask a parent, professor, or friend to critically judge your performance and your answers to common interview questions. During the interview maintain eye contact, positive attitude, and a professional demeanor. Listen carefully and respond to questions thoroughly and with enthusiasm.
Dress
- Conservative dress
- Well-groomed hairstyle
- Minimal cologne or perfume
- Empty pockets—no bulges or tinkling coins
- No gum, candy, or cigarettes
- Light briefcase or portfolio case
4. First Day Tips
- Refresh your memory: do what you can to learn as much as possible about the company.
- Get a good night’s rest.
- Have a healthy breakfast.
- Dress appropriately: keep to office standard and wear something in which you will feel comfortable and confident.
- Arrive on time, if not early.
- Know the route and parking options.
- Make a good first impression: maintain eye contact, shake hands, and always smile.
- Take notes: on the first day there is an abundance of information given to you by several people, and a good way to retain and learn this information is to take notes.
- Chances are, you will be introduced to a good number of people - it is challenging, but do you best to remember their names.
- Ask questions: It is better to ask and know the correct way to do things than it is to assume and do them incorrectly.
