Resumes, Cover Letters and Interviews

Resumes, cover letters, and interviews are all ways that an employer can get to know you and inform whether or not you might be a good fit for an open position. Below are tools which will help you create or refine your resume and cover letter to help you put your best foot forward.

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Resumes

Ensuring that you have a good resume is imperative for a successful job search. A resume will help employers understand your experience and educational background to determine whether you might be a good fit for employment.

Creating a Resume

You should tailor your resume to fit the job you are applying for. In order to make this process easier, it is recommended to have one long "master" resume with all of your experience that you can pull from when tailoring a resume for each position that you apply for.

Parts of a Resume

• Header: list your contact information at the top of your resume including your name, phone number and professional email address. You can also list your location using the city and state you reside in.
• Objective/statement: a statement with the title or kind of job you are seeking.
• Education: include where you went to school and your graduation date or expected graduation date. GPA is not required and should not be included, but coursework can be included if it's relevant to the job you're applying to.
• Work Experience: use brief descriptive phrases about your responsibilities and accomplishments in all your previous roles. 
• Additional sections: some additional sections you may include are volunteer work or a list of technical skills.

Cover Letters

The purpose of a cover letter is to introduce yourself and expand on the experience listed in your resume. The cover letter is your way to explicitly connect your experience to the job you are applying for. Here is also where you can express why you are interested in that specific position or employer.

Creating a Cover Letter

There are no specific parts of a cover letter the way there are for a resume. However, a good cover letter should:

• include an introductory paragraph that catches the reader's attention.
• connect your relevant experiences (both personal and professional) with the qualifications for the position you're interested in.
• stress what you have to offer the employer and not what you want from them.
• not simply restate what's in your resume, but expand on your duties or a specific project or accomplishment.

Pro tip: match the header on your resume and cover letter and ensure that both are the same font.

Interviews

The purpose of an interview is for you and the employer to meet each other and determine whether you can meet each other's needs. The employer will be assessing your strengths and abilities in relation to the position as well as your personality, attitude, communication skills, and appearance. The interview is a two-way street so make sure that you communicate clearly how you are qualified for the position AND that you learn what you want to know about the employer and the position. 

Preparing for an interview

There are a few steps you can take to ensure that you are well prepared for your interview.

• Research the employer. Their mission and goals can help you answer questions in your interview and show them that you are a good fit for their organization.
• Understand the job description. Make sure that you read the job description and come prepared with any questions you may have about the role. Always have a few questions prepared to ask!
• Arrive 5-10 minutes early for your interview. Make sure you give yourself ample time to find parking if necessary!
• Greet every person you interact with and introduce yourself.
• Use good posture, maintain eye contact, and speak confidently!

Frequently Asked Questions