Step three involves how to appropriately apply for a
position. This step includes completing a job application, composing a
resume, and writing a cover letter.
How to Complete a Job Application:
• Fill in all the blanks! If an item doesn’t apply to you, enter N/A
(not applicable) or put dashes (---) in the space.
• Read each item carefully and be sure you provide all information
requested.
• Notice terminology: Location means city and state; address means
full address, with street or P.O. Box and zip code.
• Be prepared to provide details about past work. It is best to take a
list with you. You will need full addresses and phone numbers, dates
of employment, your supervisor’s name and title, your starting and
ending salary.
• You will have very little space to write in your duties from
previous jobs, so think of several brief phrases starting with action
verbs that describe your main duties. Unpaid work can be included!
• Never underestimate the importance of neatness. A messy application
is often canned immediately.
• Always write "Negotiable" for desired salary. Salary should be
discussed after initial interviewing.
• Complete education and experience sections using your most recent
experiences first, working backward chronologically.
• Many applications request 2-3 references. Be sure to have the names,
titles, addresses, and phone numbers of 2-3 persons who have agreed to
serve as references for you. Professional references (former or
current supervisors, co-workers, or others who know you in the work
setting) are best unless personal references are specifically asked
for on the application.
• If you are mailing your application, type a brief cover letter and
put both in a large manila envelope to avoid folding. Your application
will stand out from the crowd because most will be folded and mailed
in small business envelopes.
• You should include a Résumé with your application unless "no Résumé"
has been specified by the employing organization. Your Résumé can give
a much stronger and clearer picture of you than an application can.
• Always remember to sign your application!
How to Write a Cover Letter:
The cover letter complements your resume and encourages an employer to
read your resume. The elements of the cover letter include:
• An introduction that mentions the position for which you are
applying and how you found out about it.
• Information that shows you understand the employer’s needs and how
you have the skills and knowledge to meet those needs.
• An invitation to the employer to read your resume and suggestion for
further action like contacting them.
How to Write a Résumé:
A resume is a document that includes your job objective, skills,
education and other information related to the job for which you are
applying. There are three basic types of resumes; chronological,
functional and combination. You will need to choose the type that fits
your particular situation.
1. Choose your type of Resume
The Chronological Résumé:
This format lists your work history with your most recent job first
and your others job listed working backwards in time.
The Functional Résumé:
This format focuses on your skills and abilities without regard to
when, where or how you acquired them. In this format, you can also
include part-time and volunteer work. Your work history is listed at
the bottom without descriptions of job duties.
Combination Résumé:
This format "combines" the best features of the Chronological and the
Functional résumés. The top portion of the Résumé is a list of your
skills and abilities and the bottom portion is like a Chronological
Résumé listing your work history.
2. Production Tips
• Use quality paper
• Use adequate white space (don’t cover the paper with print)
• Be consistent in spacing
• Make margins consistent and no less than one inch
• Use bullets to highlight activities and accomplishments
• Use spell check
3. How to choose your References
• Choose at least three references, but not more than six.
• Get permission from your references and make sure they will say
something good about you.
• Have a correct daytime phone number where the reference can be
reached.
• References may be people that you have worked with and people that
you know outside of work.
4. How to e-mail a résumé
Generally, it is better to submit a résumé by e-mail than it is to
send a "scannable résumé." To send an e-mail resume, follow these
guidelines:
• You must first have an e-mail account of your own. It might be a
free system such as Hotmail or Yahoo or a subscription service such as
America On-Line, Prodigy, Bellsouth, or any of thousands of other
services. You must know whether you are permitted to send attachments
or not, as this dictates your next choice.
• You can either send your resume as an attachment or a text document
according to the specifications of the employer.
For more information on sending electronic resumes, ask for assistance
from the Resource Center staff.