Writing A Beat The Recession Resume Part 2

In part 2 of our Beat The Recession Resume tips, we examine the importance of style as well as information that will make your resume stand out in the crowd.

Education

For most folks, this is going to be relatively simple. List college education (college name, degree earned, and year degree was awarded) and then high school (high school name and year graduated).

If you have only some college credits, then only list if pertinent for the job you are applying for. That is, don’t list World History 101 if you are applying for a job as a cashier. However, if you have taken Principles of Management, and you are applying for a job as a shift leader or floor supervisor, then this is education that pertains to the job.

For people who have earned a GED or other vocational certificates, list those. Provide the educational facility that you attended and the year you received the GED or certificate.

If you have copies of degrees, certificates, or other educational awards, then take them with you to the interview. Do not attach them to your resume unless the job application specifically requests them. However, be sure to take copies with you for your job interview, and offer them to the interviewer.

There is no need to provide addresses or phone numbers of the schools. However, if you have this information, be sure to take it with you to the interview.

References (optional)

References are people who may be contacted by a prospective employer and asked to provide work-related or personal information about you. Be sure to verify that your references are willing to be contacted and will be comfortable in answering a few questions about you. Use each person’s full name and current telephone number (even if out-of-state).

It is in your best interests to let your references know that you have applied for a job and have given their names as references. Let them know the jobs you have applied for and the company names. That way, your references won’t be taken by surprise if they are called. If your references are contacted and provide the information asked for, it is also polite to send a Thank You note (especially if they’ve helped to get you the job!).

If you have written references (from prior employers, teachers, or friends), be sure to take copies with you to the job interview. That way, you can offer your interviewer a copy that can be kept with your job application (and you won’t inconvenience the interviewer by having to make a copy of an original during the interview).

Congratulations! You’ve now written your resume!

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Cover Letter

The cover letter, which is a one-page letter of self-introduction, is also just as easy to prepare. The letter should be brief, no more than three paragraphs of two or three sentences each, and should state your intention for applying for the job and reasons that you are a good candidate for that job.

A cover letter isn’t really necessary, but it is a nice touch.

For both the resume and the cover letter, never try to sound like anyone other than YOU. Remember, you are the person who will be in the interview. You will be talking. You will be answering questions. If you have your sister-in-law or your next-door neighbor write your cover letter and resume in his or her own language, then the interviewer will be expecting to talk to an applicant who speaks the same way. If you need help, then of course ask for help—but write the resume and the cover letter yourself.

If you don’t have access to a computer, a word processor, or a plain old typewriter, then please find someone who will allow you to use one. You should print your cover letter and resume on plain-colored 8-1/2 x 11″ paper (white, off-white, or perhaps a soft tan or stone color). It is best to avoid putting your cover letter or resume in any type of binder or folder. Make sure that the prospective employer can access your information easily and without any fuss (resumes in fancy binders, folders, or “envelope in an envelope” may looks nice to you, but to the person who is sorting through 40 resumes, it is just a “pain” and will likely be put on the bottom of the pile).

Be honest. Be confident. Be yourself.

…and I hope you get the job!

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