Hi everyone. Hope you have had a wonderful spring break. Those breaks sure do fly bye. I spent the past week in Chicago doing some missions work; it was quite an adventure as we drove up there, but it was a wonderful time.
This week’s topic we are going to look at cover letters and resumes. Cover letters and resumes are so important to understand as students seeking employment. I had a recent experience where I forgot to bring a cover letter and resume to a job interview; needless to say I didn’t get the job. It’s important to clarify the purpose of cover letters and resumes now, so when we start using them with employers we are able to describe well what we as individuals can bring to the table.
Answer the following questions:
What are some ways your resume can highlight your interdisciplinarity?
What are some questions about cover letters you’ve had?
What are some questions about resumes that you’ve had or do you have any advice to share?
Share a cover letter you have created, and share any resources you’ve found about resumes or cover letters.
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I think highlighting interdisciplinarity on a resume is a little tough depending on the kind of experience you have had in the job market. Obviously I would be listing my education which would show my interdisciplinary study. Another way to showcase would be to list any volunteer work (if you have any) and job experience (if you have any).
ReplyDeleteI do not have a cover letter as of right now so I really don't have any questions regarding them other than why is it necessary? I mean if we have a resume then why do we need a cover letter?
I feel that my resume is not great. I have no job experience that would set me apart from other people in my field. I have worked in my family businesses and I have worked in the sports field with AAU and Disney down at the Milk House. None of those jobs have anything to do with the kind of job I am looking for when I graduate. So with no experience why would anyone want to hire me? How would I tweak my resume to make me look more appealing to any potential employers?
Simone A Cohen
The presentation of a cover letter and resume are vitally important because it is typically the first impression made to an employer. A resume can highlight interdisciplianrity by listing diverse skills, participation in various projects, and job duties. It has always been my understanding that in the cover letter one should expand upon the items highlighted in the resume and explain why the position you are applying for would be a good match for both yourself and the company. I do have a question about the length of time that should be addressed in a resume/cover letter though. I’ve heard some say you only need to cover the last 10 years but what if there were skills that were learned prior to that? It has also been said that if you show too many years it is an indication of your age and can be used against you. What do you think?
ReplyDeleteSimone,
ReplyDeleteI think a cover letter is important because it really portrays to your future employers why you would want or excel at that particular job in a brief summary. It is a great way to highlight your resume before potential employers even look at it.I found the following six reasons on why a cover letter is a good idea:
1.It tells the employer who you are and why they want you.
2.It showcases your writing ability.
3.It lets you highlight your strengths.
4.It shows that you're serious about the opportunity.
5.It makes up for a resume that can't stand alone.
6.It sets up the follow-up.
As far as a resume goes, I have worked at Chickfila for a couple of years. I don't think that gives me the best previous work experience but I do think there is something to be said for working at all, and if you have worked at those places for any length of time they will see your consistency and dedication. I think while you have time it would be a great idea to get some volunteer hours in a place that is similar to what you like to do as a career. Not only would it be great for your resume, but it would help you see if you really want to do that. What are your thoughts? What would you like to do for a career again?
~Stephanie Shafer
Diana,
ReplyDeleteYou asked some really great questions about the resume. I did some research and unfortunately they did address an issue amongst employers with age discrimination. Some of the do's and don'ts I looked at said that you shouldn't go beyond fifteen years of experience. But they said be careful when you address past experience because you don't want to look to expensive to future employers. I would say to really evaluate your experience and highlight the jobs that would be really beneficial to landing a job on your resume. Also, try to stick to the one page rule, however if you go over more than halfway on the second page you can have two pages, but no more than that.
~Stephanie Shafer
Steph,
ReplyDeleteThank you for taking the time to research my questions. Prior to my starting here at UCF I had been out of work for 14 months and developed several resumes and cover letters to suit the jobs I was applying for. You make a good point about appearing expensive especially in this economy. I did learn how to condense my resume to one page though and it does seem to make a better presentation.
In my resume I would put under education that I will be receiving a degree in Interdisciplinary Studies and then under Experience that will show what I have done with my minor which is Hospitality. Seeing as most of my experience is working in hotels, which will show how I am putting my minor into practice. I should start doing some volunteer work within my focuses so that I can showcase those in a Volunteer column.
ReplyDeleteI have done a cover letter before when applying for a job and I still have that saved. When a friend of mine told me to do a cover letter I had a ton of questions. Like, why do I have to do this? Is it necessary? and how do I even begin a cover letter? My friend was able to answer all those questions for me and even helped me draft my cover letter. So as of right now, I do not have any questions regarding cover letters.
I do not have any questions regarding resumes, but the one piece of advice I would give is to keep it simple. I have read many studies that show that potential employers do not read through the whole resume. So keep it simple and highlight only the main points. I can’t stress enough that a lot of employers will disregard resumes that are over one page long. Try to put as much information as you can onto a single page and again, make it need and legible.
Steph,
ReplyDeleteWell I did a little mini research about cover letters and I must admit, they do seem to be useful and beneficial. I think it allows a bit of your personality to come out in it because it more of a written document than a resume, which is more of a list of your accomplishments. I do think volunteering is a good idea, I have actually been looking for an opportunity to do that somewhere in the law enforcement or criminal justice field. Keeping my fingers crossed.
I do think that any job that can show your dedication by length of time employed there is a good thing. And I can say that I certainly do have work experience that shows that. I am a dedicated and hard working so hopefully that shines through!
Simone A Cohen
I believe since I want to a teacher, my psychology concentration and mt minor would increase my chances of being hired as a teacher. I might want to elaborate on the types of classes have taken.
ReplyDeleteMy main question would be what is a cover letter? I am quite ignorant to what one is.
I think the best thing to do when completing a resume is to be precise and detailed, but not have a resume with too much verbiage on it.
I have not done a cover letter yet.
Some of the ways that a resume can highlight your interdisciplinarity are:
ReplyDelete1.) displaying your versatility in schooling that regard the particular career
2.) displaying you have varying career experience may also work.
One of the main questions I had/have about cover letters would be what would I actually say within the letter because I have never needed to create a resume to be accompanied with a cover letter. a word of advice that I do have about the resumés is to keep it short and to the point within 1 page. I advise that because it looks better for the eyes of the hiring employer. A question I have is what can I do within a resume or cover letter to explain why I don't/didn't have a job between certain years?
@Diana
ReplyDeleteFor a cover letter, it would be better to limit the resumé to one page because it's more presentable for the interviewer who could possibly hire you. Also, I was told to include my last 3-4 jobs that you have worked so they can't day much of your age.
@Steph
I don't understand when you say that a cover letter sets up the follow-up. Do you mean it sets the follow-up for the possible interview or the resume? I love how you mention to include volunteering in the resume because it shows that you have done something other than school or work or nothing at all.
@ Diana,
ReplyDeleteYou are most welcome. One of the best things this activity has helped me do, is condense my resume into one page better. :)
@AGlass,
That is awesome you were able to have a friend help you with your cover letter. I've found that in the workforce, it's not only important to have a great education, but great connections as well.
@Simone,
I really agree with you about how hard work shines through. If you are a hard worker, I believe employers will find that in your resume and in your personality. I couldn't agree more. :)
@Janelle,
A cover letter is attached to your resume and precedes it. It is basically a summary of why you want the job and what you would contribute to the team. Attached I have a sample of a cover letter for you :)
Let me know if this helps :)
http://www.careercc.com/resumpr.shtml#Two%20Types%20of%20Cover%20Letters%20Specific%20and%20General%20Examples
@Valerie,
Look at the attached link above for an example of a cover letter. This link covers two different types-general and specific. As far as the job break goes, employers will be able to see if you have volunteer activity or club involvement on your resume and will know that those things take time. It is not unusual for students to not have a part time job while in college to focus on studies. As long as you have volunteer work or something to put on your resume, it should be fine. And the follow up bullet shows that it will be a good setup for your next stage of employment, the interview. It will good the future employer main talking points and something to ask you questions about.
@steph
ReplyDeletethanks it helps a lot. Im a little embarrassed that I didnt know what cover letter was. I rather ask and know than not ask and not know :).
janelle