Resume and

Cover Letter Guide

Career Planning

Allen House
610-606-4648
[email protected]
Monday Friday: 8:30am 4:30pm

Contents
Career Planning Services and Resources ............................................................................................. 2
Register with the Career Planning Office ............................................................................................... 2
Purpose of the Resume............................................................................................................................. 3
Types of Resumes and Cover Letters .................................................................................................... 3
Resume versus Curriculum Vitae (CV) ................................................................................................... 4
Federal Resume ......................................................................................................................................... 4
Cover Letter Dos and Donts ................................................................................................................... 5
Sample Cover Letter .................................................................................................................................. 6
Tips for Effective Resumes ....................................................................................................................... 7
Action Verbs ................................................................................................................................................ 8
Self Descriptive Words .............................................................................................................................. 8
Skills as Verbs ............................................................................................................................................ 9
Scannable Resumes................................................................................................................................ 20
References and Other Correspondence............................................................................................... 20

Career Planning Services and Resources

The Cedar Crest College Career Planning Office is dedicated to the success of all individuals.
To support CCC students and attain the goals and objectives defined in our "Working
Definition," Career Planning provides a variety of services and resources for YOU:
Career Counseling/Coaching
Major Discoveries Series
Workshops & Presentations
Career and Personality Assessments/Inventories
Graduate School Info
Etiquette Dinners
FairsInternships, Jobs, Graduate School
Mock Interview Program
On-Campus Interviewing Program
Employer Information and Networking Sessions
Resourceful website (www2.cedarcrest.edu/career)
Internship & Job Database (The College Central Network)
Review Serviceresumes, cover letters, application essays, personal statements

Register with the Career Planning Office

After registering with the College Central Network, you will be able to:
Search for internship, volunteer, part-time, and full-time job opportunities
Post your resume online for employers to view
Create and maintain a comprehensive online career portfolio
Track your resume submissions and view employers who reviewed your resume
View semester events on the Announcement Board
Watch over 125 quick Career Advice videos
Go to www.collegecentral.com/cedarcrest to register & upload your resume!

Purpose of the Resume

A resume is a brief, concise document that presents, and effectively sells, your most
relevant and positive credentials for employment, admission to graduate school,
consideration for a scholarship or fellowship, or other professional purpose.
An effective resume gets you an interview, not a job.
An employer will usually spend 15 to 20 seconds reviewing your resume, so the content
of your resume must be clear, concise, and targeted to the type of position for which
you are applying.
If your resume has a typo or grammatical error, it will probably jump off the page to an
employer, and this a way to weed candidates out of an applicant pool. Your resume
may be the only chance you get to make an impression, so make it a good one!

Types of Resumes and Cover Letters

Two Kinds of Cover Letters
Letter of Application:

This is the kind of letter written in response to an advertised

position. Make the letter a direct reply to the qualifications
listed in the advertisement or to other details discovered
through your research. Tailor the letter to show how your
qualifications and interests match those of the advertised
position.

Letter of Inquiry:

This type of letter states your interest in the organization and

requests information concerning openings of the type you
desire.

*The difference between the two letters is in the content of the first paragraph.
Three Kinds of Resumes
Chronological:

Emphasizes work history by listing experiences, with the

most recent coming first. This format can highlight relevant
experience, but it can also reveal spotty work history.

Functional:

Highlights selected areas that relate to career interests.

Effective for those changing careers who want to emphasize
skills/talents/etc. more than positions.

Combination:

Uses elements of both chronological and functional.

Resume versus Curriculum Vitae (CV)

Used primarily for academic, scientific, or research-based positions, the Curriculum
Vitae is different from a resume:

CURRICULUM VITAE (CV)

RESUME
1-2 pages max

3 or more pages
Sent only when specifically requested (most
often for graduate or professional school,
international employment)
Used for scientific or research positions,
professor-level academic positions, fellowship
and grant applications
Provides great detail about academic
research, publications, and professional
presentation experiences

Expected document for job applications

Used for entry-level positions in most U.S.
industries
Brief, concise, formal summary of your
experiences, skills, and education

We recommend consulting several published books and professionals as writing a CV

can vary drastically depending on professional field and purpose. Here are some helpful
book suggestions:
Developing a Professional Vitae or Resume, by Carl McDaniels and Mary Anne
Knobloch (Ferguson Publishing).
The Global Resume and CV Guide, by Mary Anne Thompson (Wiley).
How to Prepare Your Curriculum Vitae, by Acy L. Jackson and C. Kathleen
Geckeis (McGraw-Hill).

Federal Resume
Structured differently than a resume prepared for the private sector, Federal Resumes
often require a Social Security Number, citizenship status, employer contact
information, and details pertaining to prior Federal or military experience. As you move
forward in the interview process, KSA (Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities) statements are
also an important factor.
For specific tips, suggestions, and samples of Federal Resumes, visit the Career
Planning Office Library and explore these resources:
http://www.makingthedifference.org/index.shtml
http://www.students.gov
http://www.usajobs.com
Ten Steps to a Federal Job and The Federal Resume Guidebook, by Kathryn
Kraemer Troutman

Cover Letter Dos and Donts

An important but often misunderstood part of the job search process is the cover letter.
While your resume tells employers about your qualifications, education, and
experiences, your cover letter gets them interested enough to interview you. The cover
letter lets you emphasize information you want the reader to notice in your resume. It
also gives you the opportunity to show aspects about you and your qualifications that
the resume cannot. The cover letter provides an explanation of who you are, what you
have done, and why thats important to ones future success in that position. The cover
letter is an excellent way to market yourself!
Dont!

Do!
Be assertive, direct, proactive you are
writing to arrange an interview
Explain how you can contribute and meet
the employers needs
Use proper grammar and correct spelling
Keep in clear, consistent, and to the point
Give concrete, measurable examples
Match your resume same paper,
margins, font, size
Write tight vary sentences, use
compound sentences. Explain background
experiences and connection to the position
Use positive words

Begin with My name is

Tell the employer what they can do for you
and how they meet your needs
Rely solely on spell-check
Go over ONE page
Just re-list everything from your resume
Add personal pictures, clip-art, etc.
Use run-on sentences, overuse the word
I, or use contractions (Im, arent, etc.)
Be negative
Address the employer by first and last
name (i.e. Dear Mr. John Smith:, Dear Ms.
Jane Jones:)

Address the employer formally by name

(i.e. Dear Mr. Smith:, Dear Ms. Jones:)
address as Dear Hiring Manager: (If you
cannot call/find a name, and as a last
resort)
Send a personalized cover letter with
EVERY resume
Present yourself professionally!

Begin with To whom it may concern: or

Dear sir/madam:
Send generic cover letters
Be sloppy, careless, or too informal

The cover letter will not get you a job; it will, however, determine whether or not people
read your resume. The resume then determines if you will be asked for an interview,
which is needed to get a job offer. Writing both documents demand care and attention.

Sample Cover Letter

Date
Contact Name
Title
Organization/Employer
Street
City, ST Zip
Dear Mr./Ms./Dr./Hiring Manager

The 1st paragraph should tell WHY you are writing the letter. Be as specific as possible.
Answer: who, what, where, when, why? Who you are (e.g., a senior psych major, recent
graduate, etc.). In what area you are interested. Why you are writing (e.g., to inquire about
opportunities, to apply for a specific job). Where you learned about the vacancy (CCN,
company website, contact) or where your degree is from. When you will graduate or when
you are available to work. If applying for a particular vacancy, tell how or where you found
out about it (from the newspaper? the career development office? a professor?) If you have
been referred by someone the reader also knows, mention that person's name here. This
paragraph is the shortest.
This paragraph is the "body" of the letter; its job is to get the reader interested enough to
read your resume. Market yourself here point out your specific achievements or
unique qualifications (i.e. related work, volunteer, internship experience or, something
significant about you). Do not just restate what is on your resume - focus on your
skills, abilities and strengths.what you gained from these experiences such as your
functional skills (leadership, time management, managerial, etc.) and personal qualities
(goal-oriented, hard working, flexible). Focus on what you can do for the employer (how
your knowledge and skills can assist the organization with its goals), not how you will
benefit from, appreciate, or enjoy the job. Remember: you are trying to sell something -yourself. This paragraph will be the longest, and could potentially be split into two
paragraphs.
Use this last paragraph carefully. If you are enclosing a resume, say so here. Also, offer
to send recommendations or any additional information (do not actually send it; just offer.
This shows a willingness to be helpful and open). Remind the reader why you are writing. If
you are trying to arrange an interview say that you look forward to an interview and will call
shortly to arrange a convenient time. Somewhere in here, use the words PLEASE and
THANK YOU.
Sincerely,
Signature
Your name
Street address
City, ST Zip
Telephone number
Email address
Enc.: (only put this if you are enclosing something, for example, your resume or portfolio)
6

Tips for Effective Resumes

Remember: your resume is your first contact with a prospective employer. Dont let it be
your last! Your resume should present the best possible image of your skills, abilities,
and interests. Your resumes job is to sell you to an employer to obtain an interview.
Your ability to communicate in a clear, concise way is one of the most important parts to
a successful job search. Here are some suggestions:
Always!
Recognize resumes as personal expressions
you will receive varied opinions/suggestions

Never!
Assume there is only one right answer or
format
Write in the first person: I was responsible
for
Stretch the truth
Shortchange yourself, your experiences, or
your skills
Rely solely on spell-check, doesnt catch
homonyms
Go over TWO pages
Be too general or non-specific
Settle with one standard resume
Add personal pictures, clip-art. NEVER include
age, birthdate, health, marital status, children,
etc.
Use font/margin sizes/color to over- or undercompensate for experience

Be concise
Be honest
Emphasize accomplishments and
transferrable skills
Spell correctly and use proper grammar
Keep it clear and to the point
Quantify and give concrete examples
Meet employer, field, or position expectations
Match cover letter same paper, margins,
font, size
Margins 0.6 to 1 inch
Fonts 11 to 14pt. Black Text Only
Write tight use bullets or sentence
fragments

Use full sentences or paragraphs

Write Responsibilities include(d), use the
word I, or use negative words
Use a template

Use action verbs and positive words

Be creative and clear with your format
Write in the proper tense (past-past, presentpresent)
Include company name, City, ST, title, startend dates

Raise any questions about your experiences

List supervisors name, contact info, or full
address
Include full reference contact information
(References go in a separate document)
Create one resume and be done
Be sloppy, careless, or too casual

Indicate References available upon request

Keep it up-to-date and revise frequently
Present yourself professionally

Action Verbs
Administered
Advised
Analyzed
Arbitrated
Arranged
Assembled
Assisted
Audited
Built
Calculated
Charted
Collected
Completed
Compounded
Conducted
Conserved
Consolidated
Constructed
Consulted
Coordinated
Corresponded
Counseled
Created
Criticized
Delivered
Delivered
Designed
Detected
Determined
Developed
Devised
Diagnosed
Directed

Discovered
Dispensed
Disproved
Distributed
Drafted
Edited
Eliminated
Evaluated
Examined
Expanded
Formulated
Founded
Identified
Implemented
Improved
Increased
Installed
Instituted
Instructed
Interpreted
Interviewed
Invented
Lectured
Logged
Maintained
Managed
Navigated
Negotiated
Obtained
Operated
Ordered
Organized
Oversaw

Performed
Planned
Prepared
Prescribed
Presented
Processed
Produced
Promoted
Protected
Provided
Purchased
Realized
Received
Recommended
Recorded
Reduced
Referred
Rendered
Represented
Researched
Restored
Reviewed
Routed
Selected
Served
Solved
Studied
Supervised
Supplied
Tested
Trained
Translated
Wrote

Self Descriptive Words

Active
Ambitious
Caring
Creative
Dedicated
Dependable
Detail oriented
Diplomatic
Disciplined
Driven

Efficient
Energetic
Enterprising
Forceful
Goal oriented
Hard worker
Independent
Innovative
Loyal
Objective
8

Organized
Personable
Productive
Problem solver
Resourceful
Self-reliant
Tactful
Team oriented
Technical
Will travel

Skills as Verbs
Achieve
Act
Adapt
Address
Administer
Advise
Analyze
Anticipate
Arbitrate
Arrange
Ascertain
Assemble
Assess
Attain
Audit
Budget
Build
Calculate
Chart
Check
Classify
Coach
Collect
Communicate
Compile
Complete
Compose
Compute
Conceptualiz
e
Conduct
Conserve
Consolidate
Construct
Control
Coordinate
Cope
Counsel
Create
Decide
Define
Deliver
Design
Detail
Detect
Determine
Develop
Devise
Diagnose

Dig
Direct
Discover
Dispense
Display
Disprove
Dissect
Distribute
Divert
Dramatize
Draw
Drive
Edit
Eliminate
Empathize
Enforce
Establish
Estimate
Evaluate
Examine
Expand
Experiment
Explain
Express
Extract
File
Finance
Fix
Follow
Formulate
Found
Gather
Generate
Get
Give
Guide
Handle
Have
responsibility
Head
Help
Hypothesize
Identify
Illustrate
Imagine
Implement
Improve
Improvise
Increase

Influence
Inform
Initiate
Innovate
Inspect
Inspire
Install
Institute
Instruct
Inventory
Investigate
Judge
Keep
Lead
Learn
Lecture
Lift
Listen
Log
Maintain
Make
Manage
Manipulate
Mediate
Meet
Memorize
Mentor
Model
Monitor
Motivate
Navigate
Negotiate
Observe
Obtain
Offer
Operate
Order
Organize
Originate
Oversee
Paint
Perceive
Perform
Persuade
Photograph
Pilot
Plan
Play
Predict

Prepare
Prescribe
Present
Print
Problem
solve
Process
Produce
Program
Project
Promote
Proofread
Protect
Provide
Publicize
Purchase
Question
Raise
Read
Realize
Reason
Receive
Recommend
Reconcile
Record
Recruit
Reduce
Refer
Rehabilitate
Relate
Remember
Render
Repair
Report
Represent
Research
Resolve
Respond
Restore
Retrieve
Review
Risk
Schedule
Select
Sell
Sense
Separate
Serve
Set

Set-up
Sew
Shape
Share
Show
Sing
Sketch
Solve
Sort
Speak
Study
Summarize
Supervise
Supply
Symbolize
Synergize
Synthesize
Systematize
Take
instructions
Talk
Teach
Team-build
Tell
Tend
Test
Test & prove
Transcribe
Translate
Travel
Treat
Trouble-shoot
Tutor
Type
Umpire
Understand
Understudy
Undertake
Unify
Unit
Upgrade
Use
Utilize
Verbalize
Wash
Work

The following pages are Sample Resumes

Choose the one that works for you, or take
parts of several and make it your own!
Since resume styles and preferences are subjective,
we have provided a variety of options. As you create
and review your resume, you may receive varied
suggestions or comments.

Do NOT print your resume doublesided. If sample resumes are doublesided in this Guidebook, it is simply to
save paper!
10

Anita Jobb
1234 Resume Road Anywheresville, PA 18234
610.555.5555 [email protected]
OBJECTIVE
Summer job/internship in the field of marketing with a special interest in advertising.
EDUCATION
B.S. Cedar Crest College; Allentown, PA
Major: Marketing (May, 20XX)
Minor: Communication
Related Courses: Advertising Management; Consumer Behavior; New Product
Management; Media Concepts and Planning; Export Marketing; Business Strategy and Policy
INTERNSHIP EXPERIENCE
United States Senator Q.R. Smith; Allentown, PA
Intern (Spring 20xx)
Coordinated and fielded publicity calls
Answered letters to constituents
WORK EXPERIENCE
Michelson Advertising and Public Relations; Philadelphia, PA
Public Relations Assistant (Summer 20xx)
Assisted public relations manager and media director with special projects such as an integrated
media plan, press releases, and advertising research
Hayutin, Rubinroit, Praw & Kupietzky (a legal corporation); King of Prussia, PA
Assistant to Office Manager (Summers 20xx, 20xx)
Managed monthly billing, accounting, and filing
CAMPUS LEADERSHIP & INVOLVEMENT
The Crestiad, Allentown, PA
Layout and Deck Editor Spring 20xx - Present
Design layout of all pages of the student newspaper
The Crestiad; Allentown, PA
Reporter Fall 20xx
Wrote one assigned story per issue on the news staff and for features
Member, Marketing Club -- Promoted and marketed the varsity basketball team
Vice President, Student Government Association

References Furnished Upon Request

11

Joan A. Student
[email protected]
610-555-5555
Current Address:
123 Residence Hall
Allentown, PA 18104

Permanent Address:
1492 Columbus Boulevard
Anytown, NJ l4290

OBJECTIVE
Fieldwork in water supply management with opportunities to conduct research
EDUCATION
B.S. Cedar Crest College, Allentown, PA
Major: Biodiversity and Conservation Biology

May 20xx

Science Writing Seminar: Member of the Press during the annual meeting of the American Association
for the Advancement of Science, Washington, D.C., 20xx.
Courses included: Invertebrate Zoology; Ecology; Microbiology; Environmental Chemistry; Organic
Chemistry; and Health Engineering
FIELD AND LAB EXPERIENCE
Research Assistant, Wetlands Institute, Dover, DE
Summer 20xx
Supported research on nutrient cycling for preservation of Delaware barrier island and marsh system.
Diurnal sampling, spectrometer, colorimeter, reduction column, Metler balance, pipetting, reagent
mixing.
On-Site Coordinator, Cartography, Wheeling, WV
Summer 20xx
Mapping project for college credit in the Rocky Mountain region. On-site identification of rocks and
structures. Construction of a geological map. Used Brunton compass, stereo glasses, mylar, rapidograph
and Jake staff.
WORK EXPERIENCE
Manufacturing Assistant, William Zinsser & Company, Somerset, NJ
April 20xx-Present
Gained experience in the operation of a medium-sized paint and polymer factory. Positions held in
shipping and handling, manufacturing, maintenance and the lab.
VOLUNTEER EXPERIENCE
America Red Cross Blood Drives
Cedar Crest College Earth Day Celebration
Allentown Soup Kitchen/Hunger & Homelessness Awareness Week
ACTIVITIES & INTERESTS
Biology Club
Step Team (Triple C Step); President
Varsity Soccer
Traveled throughout the U.S.
Competitive sports and camping
REFERENCES
Furnished upon request

12

Patricia P. Public
123 Resume Road, Anywheresville, PA 12345
000.555.1234, [email protected]
OBJECTIVE
To contribute strong public relation skills and experience to your organization in a writing and promotion
capacity.
EDUCATION
B.A. Cedar Crest College; Allentown, PA
December 20xx
Major: Communication, Dual Minor: Theatre and Writing
GPA: 3.22/4.00 cumulative; 3.59/4.00 major
Study included public relations, promotional campaigns and photojournalism.
PUBLIC RELATIONS EXPERIENCE
Intern
Spring 20xx
ABC Associates; Bethlehem, PA
Assisted and researched for course in PR and marketing for small business owners. Prepared profiles
and PR programs for these businesses, emphasizing increased sales and improved public image.
Staff Journalist
Summer 20xx
Summer Workshop for the Creative Arts, Inc., Westfield, NJ
Coordinated and prepared newspaper and radio releases for the arts school. Organized and executed
publicity campaigns for several concurrent theatre productions.
WRITING & REVIEWING EXPERIENCE
Editor-in-Chief
Fall 20xx
The Crestiad, Cedar Crest College, Allentown, PA
Supervised 5 editorial departments and over 30 staff members. Expanded cultural coverage to include
reviews of all campus theatre productions. Previously served one semester each: news editor, editorial
page editor, managing editor. Extensive copy-editing, layout.
Reporter, Reviewer
Fall 20xx - Spring 20xx
The Crestiad, Cedar Crest College, Allentown, PA
Extensive news reporting, feature writing. Reviewed most campus theater productions.
News Intern
Summer 20xx
Courier-News, Bridgewater, NJ
Extensive news and feature writing. Reviews of local professional and amateur theater productions.
ACCOMPLISHMENTS
Dean's List; Presidential Scholarship; Alpha Phi Omega (community service society); Student Activities
Board; Winner, National Critics Institute Competition, American College Theater Festival Summer 20xx.
INTERESTS
Production Stage Manager, University production of "Working."
Spring 20xx
Conducted rehearsals in the director's absence; coordinated music and script rehearsals. Called
production cues.

References and clips available upon request.

13

JANE D. STUDENT
[email protected] (609) 5551492
Current Address:
123 Main Street
Allentown, PA 18104

Permanent Address:
1492 Columbus Boulevard
Anytown, NJ 01235

OBJECTIVE

Financial management through responsibilities in financial analysis, investments, capital

ventures, and related functions; special interest in international business.

EDUCATION

B.S. Cedar Crest College, Allentown, PA, December 20xx

Major: Business Administration
GPA: 3.45
London School of Economics, London, England, Fall 20xx
Semester Abroad

RELATED
COURSES

Security Analysis
Cost Accounting
Political Economy

Investments
Management Policies
International Law

International Finance
Spanish I, II, III & IV

SKILLS

Fluent spoken and written Spanish

Working knowledge of MS Word, Access, Excel, Power Point and SPSS

INTERNSHIP
EXPERIENCE

City Federal Savings & Loan, Piscataway, NJ

Intern, Summer 20xx
Managed specifically assigned financial projects for the Strategic Planning and
Commercial Lending departments
Presented independent projects at management meetings
Represented the firm with prospective commercial clients
American Institute for Foreign Study, Greenwich, CT
Intern, Summer 20xx
Prepared newsletter and other public relations materials for prospective foreign
students
Interviewed students who had studied abroad and created a source book of profiles
Interacted directly with typesetters and printers

WORK
EXPERIENCE

Allentown Swim Club, Allentown, PA

Lifeguard/Swim Instructor, June 20xx Present
Coordinate swim and lifesaving programs
Cedar Crest College, Allentown, PA
Spanish Tutor, September 20xx Present
Work oneonone with students to improve skills and understanding

VOLUNTEER
EXPERIENCE

Big Brothers/Big Sisters

Lehigh Valley AIDS Walk

ACTIVITIES

Investment Club

14

Jane D. Student
1492 Columbus Street Anytown, PA 01234 [email protected] 570-555-1234
OBJECTIVE
To teach elementary schoolchildren. Interested in coaching and/or advising. Willing to relocate.
QUALIFICATIONS
Experienced with diverse populations
Love of learning
Excellent written and oral communicator

Well organized
Enthusiastic
Child-centered

EDUCATION
B.S. Cedar Crest College; Allentown, PA
Major: Elementary Education (May 20xx)
Cum Laude, GPA 3.4
HONORS
Kappa Delta Pi-International Honor Society in Education 20xx-20xx
Dean's List, 6 consecutive semesters
Presidential Scholarship 20xx-20xx
TEACHING EXPERIENCE
Kernsville Elementary School; Allentown, PA
Teacher Candidate, Clinical Experience (Spring 20xx)
Taught a self-contained second grade
Participated in parent-teacher conferences
Schuylkill Valley Primary School; Bern Valley, PA
Teacher Candidate, Clinical Experience (Spring 20xx)
Team-taught first grade
Volunteered services for school play
Cayuga Elementary School; Philadelphia, PA
Professional Semester Student (Fall 20xx)
Co-taught a self-contained third grade
RELATED EXPERIENCE
America Reads; Lehigh Valley, PA
Tutor, Allentown, Bethlehem & Quakertown School Districts Fall 20xx- Fall 20xx
Worked with children one-on-one, grades K-3, to improve reading ability
Sunshine Nursery School; Newark, NJ
Teacher's Aide Summers 20xx-20xx
Helped teachers coordinate daily activities for 35+ children, ages 2-5
Design and created arts and crafts activities
Blue Mountain Recreation Department; Schuylkill Valley, PA
Summer Camp Counselor Summer 20xx
Helped coordinate physical activities for children ages 9-12

15

Jane Doe Student

Page 2

WORK EXPERIENCE Earned 75% of college expenses through two part-time jobs.
Austins Restaurant; Allentown, PA
Server March 20xx-Present
Build rapport with customers and provide timely service
Cedar Crest College; Allentown, PA
Residence Hall Desk Receptionist August 20xx- May 20xx
Monitored traffic in and out of building to maintain safe residential environment
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
Pennsylvania State Education Association (PSEA)
PSEA Student Conference, State College, PA 20xx
Association for the Education of Young Children
CAMPUS INVOLVEMENT
Education Club Treasurer
Equestrian Club Member
REFERENCES
Available upon request

If your resume is two pages, be sure that your

Name and Page Two are at the top of the
second page.
Do NOT print your resume double-sided.
Resumes must be one-sided only.
If sample resumes are double-sided in this
Guidebook, it is simply to save paper!

16

Josephine A. Name
123 Main Street [email protected]
Allentown, PA 18104 123-456-7890
EDUCATION
B.S. Cedar Crest College, Allentown, PA May 20xx
Major: Accounting
3.8 GPA
Deans List (Fall 20xx-Spring 20xx)
Scholar Athlete
INTERNSHIP EXPERIENCE
Entertainment & Resort Company, Anytown, PA May 20xx-Present
Daily Revenue Intern
Gain accounting/finance experience working with revenue
Prepare financial and cash statements
Analyze variance on cash statements
Perform maintenance and bookkeeping on dual accounting systems
RELATED EXPERIENCE
Big City CPA Review, Allentown, PA March 20xx-Present
Cedar Crest College On-Campus Representative
Served as liaison at various campus events
Distributed information and fliers about review courses and CPA exam
Cedar Crest College, Business Administration Department, Allentown, PA September 20xx-Present
Supplemental Instructor: Managerial Accounting and Financial Accounting
Tutored large groups of students in accounting concepts and problems
Prepared weekly review sessions and reported directly to the professor
WORK EXPERIENCE
Retail Store, Local Mall, Anytown, PA Winter Breaks 20xx-20xx
Sales Associate
Ensured customer satisfaction
Reported and transacted sales
Recorded and managed inventory
KEY COMPETENCIES
Leadership Skills
Tax preparation
Bookkeeping
Maintain dual
Accounting systems

Sales Experience
Inventory
Managing financial
transactions
Website design

References available upon request

17

Microsoft Office
Cognos, AS-400,
Aptech, Turbo Tax,
QuickBooks

AMY SAMPLE
1234 Resume Road, Anywheresville, PA 18234
(610) 555-5555, [email protected]
OBJECTIVE
A position within the criminal justice field with interests in detective work and defense of law.
SUMMARY OF QUALIFICATIONS
Experienced with diverse populations
Well organized and punctual
Proven experience with public speaking,
teamwork, and delegation

Enthusiastic fast learner

Excellent written and oral communicator
Proficient in MS Office, PC/MAC operating
systems

EDUCATION
B.S./B.A. Cedar Crest College; Allentown,, PA
Dual Major: Criminal Justice and Psychology May 20xx
GPA: 3.2
INTERNSHIP EXPERIENCE
Lehigh County Office of Aging; Allentown, PA
Protective Services Intern (Fall 20xx)
Oversaw individual consumer cases and assisted with maintaining guardianship duties
Assisted in fieldwork and investigations
Composed case notes to maintain records of home visitations
Organized, reviewed, and revised Consumer files in SAMS
Morris County Prosecutors Office; Morristown, NJ
Summer Intern (Summer 20xx)
Worked with domestic abuse, CARE, missing persons, and juvenile units
Observed trials, interviews, and completed a variety of office assignments
WORK EXPERIENCE
Fashionable Retail Store; Whitehall, PA
Sales Representative/Customer Service (June 20xx Present)
Assisted with logistics and scheduling of new store opening
Organize store layout and audited inventory
Recognized for hard work, meticulousness, and strong work ethic
Sold clothing and apparel
CAMPUS LEADERSHIP
Student Government Association, Cedar Crest College; Allentown, PA
President Fall 20xx-Spring 20xx
Social Vice President Fall 20xx-Spring 20xx
Delegate at American Student Government Association (Summer 20xx)

References Available Upon Request

18

GWEN GRAD
123 Resume Road
Anywheresville, PA 19450
(000) 5551945, [email protected]
PROFESSIONAL OBJECTIVE
(Because of the diversity of interests for graduate students, this sample statement was intentionally left blank
for you to enter your own.)
EXPERIENCE
ALLIED CHEMICAL COMPANY (ALLIED CORPORATION); Harrisburg, PA
Energy and Cost Reduction Engineer May 20xx Present
Coordinate and develop energy conservation projects and programs
Manage and develop annual budget ($80 million)
Collaborate with sales representatives and local utility representatives in contract reviews
FRITZ ENGINEERING LAB; Lehigh University
Research Assistant 19xx to 20xx
Prepared tests, analyzed data, and investigated stressstrain characteristics of a housing platform
Parttime job during school year
GIBBS & HILL, INC. New York, NY
Junior Project Engineer Summer 20xx
Planned designs for pipe routing and acquired a booster pump system
Prepared and drafted monthly progress reports that were routed throughout the company and to
customers
EDUCATION
CEDAR CREST COLLEGE; Allentown, PA
Master of Science Forensic Science May 20xx
LEHIGH UNIVERSITY Bethlehem, PA
BS Mechanical Engineering May 19xx
Concert Production Manager
Student member American Society of Mechanical Engineers
Lehigh Ski Team (Captain)
Theta Xi Fraternity
PROFESSIONAL SOCIETIES
American Academy of Forensic Sciences
American Society of Mechanical Engineers
Association of Energy Engineers
REFERENCES
Available Upon Request

19

Scannable Resumes
To effectively manage a large number of applicant materials, and in order to cut costs, many
companies are using computers to read resumes. Much of the screening through these systems is
done by keyword search. Use these tips to make your resume more scanner-friendly:
Use 10-14 point common sans serif fonts/non-decorative fonts
o Times New Roman, Palatino, Calibri, Arial, Courier, etc.
Avoid italics, script, and underlining, graphics, and shading
Do not use horizontal or vertical lines
Use a traditional reverse chronological resume
Avoid complex layouts, tables, or columns
Maximize use of industry jargon and skill-focused nouns
Print resume on ONE side only, using light-colored, 8.5x11 paper
Do not fold, staple, or wrinkle the paper

References and Other Correspondence

The following pages are samples of a Reference Page,
a Request of Reference letter, and a sample email communication.

20

Sample Reference Page

References
for:
Anita Jobb
1234 Resume Road Anywheresville, PA 18234 610.555.5555 [email protected]
Dr. Jane Professor
Professor, Department
Cedar Crest College
100 College Drive
Allentown, PA 18104
Phone Number
Email Address

Ms. Sally Supervisor

Director, Department
Company Name
Street Address
City, ST Zip
Phone Number
Email Address

Mr. Ref Erence

Title
Organization Name
Street Address
City, ST Zip
Phone Number
Email Address

Mr. John Boss

Manager
Company Name
Street Address
City, ST Zip
Phone Number
Email Address

TIPS:
Do not include references in your resume, always a separate page.
Be sure to ask permission before including anyone as a reference!
Supply them with a copy of your resume and transcript so they are able to write
an accurate recommendation letter.
Give them a return dateusually two to three weeks.
References should be professional (supervisors, administrators, faculty,
advisors, coaches, etc) rather than personal, character references.
Thank them when you are hiredeven if you know they were never
contactedby sending a thank you letter with your new, updated resume.
Stay in touch with them and let them know how your career is
progressing.maintain your network of contacts!

21

Request for a Reference Letter/Email

(Email Subject: Request for Reference, Ima Grad)
Dear Dr. McLastname:
I am applying for the Master of Arts in Psychology programs at Big City University and Little Town College.
Would you be willing to provide a reference for me?
Big City University is asking for a letter of reference, while Little Town College has a reference form. I have
attached my resume and a copy of my transcript for your reference, and included information regarding the
requirements of each school. Please let me know if I may provide any additional information about my
experience or education to assist you in writing the reference.
I thoroughly enjoyed my undergraduate classes with you (PSY 3xx and PSY4xx), and I look forward to
continuing my studies in psychology.

Sincerely,
Ima Grad

Email Communication
(Email Subject: Environmental Intern Position, Needa Intern)
Dear Ms. Ployer:
Please accept the attached cover letter and resume as my inquiry into possible Environmental Intern positions
through your organization. I will contact you in a few days to confirm receipt of the attachments and discuss my
qualifications. If you would like any additional information, please feel free to contact me at 610-123-4567 or
[email protected]. Thank you for your time and consideration. I look forward to speaking with you about
a future internship!
Sincerely,
Needa Intern

TIPS:
Use a meaningful subject header.
Always address the person formally (Dear Mr./Ms./Dr./Professor Last Name).
Always check your spelling and grammar!
Do not use emoticons (, LOL, etc.), wallpapers, or fancy backgrounds.
Maintain a professional tone throughout.
Wait to fill in the To: portion of the email until everything is triple checked.
Be polite and say thank you!
22

Career Notes, Goals, Aspirations, To-Dos

23