Resume & Letter Writing

o u o f t e n m a ke yo u r f i rst i m p r essi o n o n an employer wit h your resume, and you want that impression to be outstanding. An effective resume is a succinctly writ ten snapshot of your education and ex p e r i e n c e. B u t i t is m o r e t h a n j us t g o o d writing and a generic list of activities. Fo r a r e s u m e t o b e t r u l y o u t s t a n d i n g, i t n e e d s t o h i g h l i g h t yo u r u n i q u e s t r e n g t hs and be custom tailored to the position yo u wa n t.

Career Center Resources

Search career.berkeley.edu for details about these resources: Career Counselors. 45-minute appointments for individual help constructing your resume or cover letter or getting feedback about their effectiveness. 15-minute MiniAppointments for individual resume or cover letter critiques. Information Lab, Job Search section. Books and binders with resume and cover letter tips and samples. Curriculum Vitae (CV) Information. For PhD students. See CV and Cover Letter information online at PhD section of website. Resume and Cover Letter Workshops. Especially useful if you have never written a resume and are working on your rst draft. Specialized Resume Writing workshops.Tailored to certain majors or for those pursuing specialized career elds; e.g., Resume Check for Engineering Majors or Resume Writing for Jobs in Nonprots. Resume Critiques with employers. Feedback on your resume from a company representative. Special signup online, usually the rst week of fall classes.

HOW TO DEVELOP A RESUME

1. Analyze the job description.

Read job descriptions and highlight the required and preferred skills, abilities, attributes, and qualications. Use these words in your resume.

2. Create a list of accomplishments

Take some time to think about tasks that you enjoyed doing, did well, and of which you were proud. Include education/training, volunteer experience, jobs, projects, school assignments, travel, and group/team activities. Describe in detail what you did and with whom, the equipment you used, the personal strengths and skills you employed, and the outcome of your efforts. Quantify your results, if possible, and use commonly understood terminology. Dont be humble; this is your chance to promote yourself.

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Resume formats USE A RESUME TO:

Respond to an advertised job vacancy. Send to employers that interest you after you have researched their organizations. Accompany government, graduate school, or other formal application forms. Present at an interview to a potential employer. Reinforce a personal contact you have already established with an employer. Submit to employers before on-campus interviews. Accompany a request to a past or current employer or professor to write you a letter of recommendation. Network for jobs.

Several resume formats are available. Select the kind that best presents your background and qualications. see p. 24 for Sample Resumes. Chronological This type of resume lists your experience in reverse chronological order. Arrange your resume sections based upon aspects of your background you wish to stress, putting the most relevant information rst. It works best when your work, volunteer, and academic experiences relate directly to the type of job for which you are applying. Most on-campus recruiters and business employers prefer a chronological resume. Skills Using headings that reect skills, this resume highlights your most important skill areas and knowledge relevant to a given position. This format focuses less on where and when you obtained and used skills, and lists job titles, employers, and dates of employment in a brief section at the bottom of the page. It works well when your work experience is not directly related to your career goal or when you are making a career change. Hybrid Chronological/Skills This type of resume combines elements from both chronological and skills formats. It allows you to keep the popular chronological format while also showcasing your most relevant skills near the top of the document. A hybrid resume can be organized in a number of ways, but many start with a skills summary followed by a list of experiences with descriptions in reverse chronological order grouped under skill headings. For see p. 26. an example For information about a Curriculum Vitae (CV), used primarily for academic positions at the PhD level, go to career.berkeley.edu/Phds/ PhDCV.stm

RESUME TIPS FOR FIRST YEAR STUDENTS

As a rst or second year student, its okay to include work, accomplishments, leadership experience, and highlights of activities from high school. By your third year in college your resume should contain primarily college experiences and activities. If you dont have much work experience, incorporate other types of information into your resume. see p. 21 for a the list of Resume Components. Include some of the optional components marked with asterisks. If youre creating a resume for the rst time, expect to spend several hours putting it together.

Resume & Letter Writing

3. Analyze experiences for relevant skill areas

Reviewing each experience, identify the skills you used that t with positions for which you are applying.

4. Write descriptive phrases

Using action verbs see p. 23, write short phrases to describe what you did that illustrates each skill. Be concise and specic. Arrange the descriptive phrases in order of relevance to the position for which you are applying (most relevant at the top).

5. Choose an appropriate format

Avoid using resume templates that come with word processing applications. Not only are employers all too familiar with them, but templates are inexible often they wont allow you to move sections around or to modify headings.

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SENDING RESUMES AND LETTERS ELECTRONICALLY

To send your resume via email, nd out the employers format preference when possible. Although some recruiters accept attachments, others prefer your resume in the text of the email message. If you cant nd out the employers preference, send it both ways in one message. Unless you are told otherwise, include a cover letter. Send both the resume and cover letter in one email message. see p. 37 for an example. When submitting a resume via an organizations website, use the formatting and display style recommended by the website. To send your resume as an attachment: Create your resume using a common word processing program. Give the document a name the hiring manager will associate with you, such as MillerJennifer.doc. This will enable a recruiter to nd your resume once its saved on a computer. Dont name the document Resume.doc. Be absolutely sure your document is free of viruses. Send it electronically to a friend to make sure its easy to open, the formatting stays correct, and the document is virus-free. To send your resume in the text of the email message: The cover letter should appear rst, above your resume. All text should be aligned left. Do not use bold, underlining, bullets, distinctive fonts, colored text, or html codes. Use asterisks (*), plus signs (+), dashes, all capital letters, and combinations of these to highlight text. Save your cover letter and resume as text only or plain text, then cut and paste them into the email. Send it electronically to yourself and to a friend with a different email system to see how it will look. Text resumes look plain and ordinary, but employers are used to this. They are most concerned with the content. To make your resume scannable: Some large employers utilize resume database tracking systems. They scan incoming resumes into a database and when they have openings, they can retrieve resumes using relevant keywords. Its okay to ask an employer if you should provide a scannable resume. Some companies will indicate on their website that they scan resumes and even give formatting tips. Include industry or job-specic keywords, especially relevant skills, understandable abbreviations, major, specic elds of study, and experience (e.g., marketing research, java, html, sales, gel electrophoresis). Use 10 to 14 point font size. Do not use italics, underlining, fancy fonts, or multiple columns. Use spacing or all capitals for emphasis. Not all systems accept boldface, but unless you are instructed not to use it, it is probably ne. Do not center text. Print on white paper with a highresolution laser printer. When submitting a hard copy by mail, do not fold it.

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Resume Components
COMPONENT
Identifying Data

BASICS

COMMENTS

Name, street address, email address and phone Voicemail message, email address, and website content or message number at the top of the page should be appropriate for a potential employer. (include area codes and zip codes). Include personal web page if you want employers to see it. Name of school, major, degree received, graduation date, projected graduation date, or dates of attendance if no degree was completed. Include any course titles relevant to the targeted position. Honors and grade-point average optional; include if among your strong points. If you attended more than one school, list the most recent rst. You dont have to list all the schools you have attended. Do not list high school. Additional training may either go here or under a separate heading.

Education

Experience/Work History

Paid, volunteer or military work. Emphasize Present achievements, contributions, and results or impact tasks, skills, abilities, and accomplishments e.g., streamlined a procedure or made a cost-saving related to the targeted position. Give the job suggestion). Experience does not have to be paid. title, employing organization, and dates of employment.

Resume & Letter Writing

The components listed below are optional use if appropriate for your background and the employers youre targeting Job Objective
A one-line description of the type of position Follows your name and contact information at the top of you want. your resume. Should be specic rather than a general statement of your interests. Foreign languages, computer skills, ofce Can be combined under this heading or listed skills, lab techniques or transferable skills not separately. mentioned elsewhere in the resume. State if you are uent in a foreign language. If you understand a language but are not uent, still mention it. For example: Fluent in Russian, conversational Spanish, or read and write French.

Skills & Abilities or Summary of Qualications Languages

Activities & Interests

In order of importance or reverse chronological Include activities and interests that show leadership or order, list student activities/ organizations, initiative or that pertain to your career interest. professional associations and committees in which you have participated. List any ofces that you held with the skills you used. List ofces held, organizations, projects, and If the setting is political or religious, you may want to accomplishments. use generic descriptions (e.g., Youth Leader for church, Speech Writer for City Council candidate). If substantial, these may be listed under Experience. Recent graduates and continuing students can Can be listed separately or as a subsection under include academic honors such as Deans List, Education. honor societies and scholarships. Briey describe relevant research projects. List published articles, papers or books. Include if your career interest involves travel or You can also use this as a way of distinguishing yourself knowledge of other cultures. if you have signicant travel experience. You do not need to end your resume with the phrase, References Available on Request, but this is the best place to state that you have Portfolio and/or writing samples available on request. Create a separate page for references. List names, titles and contact information. Always ask permission before using anyones name as a reference. Include people who know about your work related abilities, such as former employers, volunteer project supervisors, and faculty. Do not use relatives or friends.

Community Involvement/Volunteer Activities Honors

Research & Publications Travel References

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Resume Dos & Donts

Do
Use good quality (at least 20 lb. bond) paper Use a readable font and print on a high-resolution printer (laser is best) If you use an objective, make it specic Emphasize results produced or impact made, signicant achievements, and recognition from others Quantify when possible and use specic examples Check the spelling of every word; make sure grammar and punctuation are correct Have someone proofread your resume Get feedback from several people Begin phrases with action verbs such as developed, initiated, etc. Be truthful about your accomplishments Keep your resume to one page unless you have extensive experience related to your job objective

Resume Checklist
Is the resume pleasing to the eye easy-to-read font, good layout?
Are your name, address, city, state, zip code, phone number and email address at the top of the page? Does your objective (if used) state clearly the functional areas in which you seek employment and the level of the job you want? Did you use bullets, bold, or all capitals to highlight key strengths? If you know your resume will be scanned, did you omit columns, underlining, and italics? Is information listed in order of importance and relevance to the position? Does the resume avoid generalities and focus on specic information about experience, projects, products? Did you check the spelling of every word and make sure the grammar and punctuation are correct? Do most phrases begin with action verbs such as developed, initiated, etc.? Have you been truthful about your accomplishments rather than being falsely modest or hyping them too much? If you were the employer, would you call you for an interview?

Dont
Use resume templates that come with word processing software Begin phrases with I or use complete sentences Include personal information such as marital status, social security number, age, or national origin Use ashy graphics or colored paper Mention controversial activities or associations List unrelated, minor duties such as opened mail or led documents Exaggerate your experience Use meaningless words or phrases such as seeking a challenging position or seeking a position working with people Start phrases in the experience section with My responsibilities (or duties) included Use abbreviations

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Verb List for Resumes & Letters

Management
administered analyzed assigned attained chaired consolidated contracted coordinated delegated developed directed evaluated executed improved increased organized oversaw planned prioritized produced recommended reviewed scheduled strengthened supervised promoted publicized reconciled recruited spoke translated wrote

Teaching
adapted advised claried coached communicated coordinated demystied developed enabled encouraged evaluated explained facilitated guided informed instructed persuaded set goals stimulated trained

Research
claried collected critiqued diagnosed evaluated examined extracted identied inspected interpreted interviewed investigated organized reviewed summarized surveyed systematized

developed directed established fashioned founded illustrated initiated instituted integrated introduced invented originated performed planned revitalized shaped

Clerical or Detail Oriented

approved arranged catalogued classied collected compiled dispatched executed generated implemented inspected monitored operated organized prepared processed purchased recorded retrieved screened specied systematized tabulated validated

Resume & Letter Writing

Helping
assessed assisted claried coached counseled demonstrated diagnosed educated expedited facilitated familiarized guided motivated referred rehabilitated represented

Financial
administered allocated analyzed appraised audited balanced budgeted calculated computed developed forecasted managed marketed planned projected researched

Communication
addressed arbitrated arranged authored collaborated convinced corresponded developed directed drafted edited enlisted formulated inuenced interpreted lectured mediated moderated negotiated persuaded

Technical
assembled built calculated computed designed devised engineered fabricated maintained operated overhauled programmed remodeled repaired solved upgraded

More Verbs for Accomplishments

achieved expanded improved pioneered reduced (losses) resolved (problems) restored spearheaded transformed

Creative
acted conceptualized created customized designed

Words in bold are especially good for pointing out accomplishments.

from The Damn Good Resume Guide by Yana Parker, Berkeley:Ten Speed Press career.berkeley.edu

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Chronological Resume for a teaching position

ALICIA GUTIERREZ
459 Buena Vista Avenue #3 Berkeley, CA 93700 agutier@berkeley.edu 510-345-9876

Objective Education

School district teaching internship (passed CBEST June 2006) B.A. American Studies, concentration in Minority Education, May 2007 University of California, Berkeley
Break the Cycle, Berkeley, CA (September 2006-present) Teaching Intern Improve 1st graders math skills Motivate underachieving students toward success in their annual district exams Design individualized curriculums This chronological version of Alicias resume emphasizes her teaching skills.

Experience

Edna Brewer School, Oakland, CA (September 2006-present) Tutor and Teachers Aide Develop a semester teaching unit on culture, ethnicity, and identity Conceptualize and implement yearlong project for ESL students resulting in a journal of autobiographical works for use as a learning tool and model for other ESL teachers, historical archive, and a source of inspiration for other ESL students Drafted proposal to nance project, which resulted in award of grant support Panoply Corporation, Berkeley, CA (July 2003-December 2005) Salesperson Rened communication skills and marketing techniques Led clothing sales for the months of July and August

Combines paid & volunteer positions under the Experience heading.

National Cheerleaders Association, Garland, TX (May-July 2003 & 2004) Instructor and Camp Leader Instructed students of all ages in cheerleading, gymnastics, and dance Collaborated with a team of ve instructors to create a positive, fun, and lively learning atmosphere

Activities

Rush Chairperson for Chi Omega Sorority (January 2005-December 2005) Directed team of 70 chapter members in planning recruitment Recruited women to join Chi Omega Mu Chapter by implementing marketing strategies Successfully pledged full quota for two semesters Increased chapter unity and spirit by designing team building activities Budgeted spending for Rush preparation week and Rush week Managing Editor for Maganda, a Filipino Literary and Art Magazine (September 2004-present) Designed visual concept for the magazines debut Organized and sought out performers for fundraising and promotional events

Skills

Procient in conversational Spanish Microsoft Word, Excel, Adobe Photoshop, Dreamweaver, SoundEdit Pro, strong Internet skills

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Skills Resume for a marketing position

ALICIA GUTIERREZ
459 Buena Vista Avenue #3 Berkeley, CA 93700 Objective Education Entry-level Marketing position University of California, Berkeley B.A. American Studies, concentration in Minority Education, May 2007 University of Costa Rica, Education Abroad Program
This skills version of Alicias resume emphasizes her marketing/management skills.

agutier@berkeley.edu 510-345-9876

Skills

Good use of numbers to quantify achievement.

MARKETING/MANAGEMENT Coordinated team of ten in planning sorority recruitment, resulting in a chapter membership increase of 35 percent. Implemented a marketing strategy that promoted the benets of membership. Organized fundraising and promotional events for literary/art journal, bringing together Filipino artists from areas throughout California. Achieved highest sales volume while employed at a retail store. Collaborated with team of ve instructors to create a positive, fun, and lively learning atmosphere tailored specically for each client. COMMUNICATION Directed group of 70 sorority members and increased group unity by designing team building activities. Motivated 15 underachieving students toward success in district exams. Drafted proposal for educational project resulting in a $600 grant award. CREATIVITY Conceptualized yearlong project for ESL students culminating in a journal of autobiographical works. Designed visual concept for a magazine debut event. Developed a semester teaching unit on culture, ethnicity, and identity. SOFTWARE APPLICATIONS MS Word, Excel, Adobe PhotoShop, SoundEdit Pro, Dreamweaver, strong Internet skills; designed a web page.

Resume & Letter Writing

Experience

Project Coordinator and Tutor, Edna Brewer School (9/06-present) Managing Editor, Maganda, (9/04-present) Teaching Intern, Break the Cycle (9/06-present) Recruitment Chairperson, Chi Omega Sorority (1/05-12/05) Salesperson, Panoply Corporation (7/03-12/05) Instructor and Group Leader, National Cheerleaders Association (Summer 2003 & 2004)

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Hybrid (Chronological/Skills) Resume for educational software sales position

ALICIA GUTIERREZ

459 Buena Vista Avenue #3 Berkeley, CA 93700

agutier@berkeley.edu 510-345-9876

Objective Education

Educational software sales position University of California, Berkeley B.A. American Studies, concentration in Minority Education, May 2007 Knowledgeable of educational software through academic and personal experience Consistently successful track record in sales Over one year of experience in teaching and education TEACHING Teaching Intern, Break the Cycle, Berkeley, CA September 2006-present Improved 1st grade students math skills. Motivated 15 underachieving students toward success in their annual district exams. Designed individualized curricula. Tutor and Teachers Aide, Edna Brewer School, Oakland, CA September 2006-present Conceptualized and implemented a yearlong project for ESL students resulting in a journal of autobiographical works for use as a learning tool and model for other ESL teachers, historical archive, and a source of inspiration for other ESL students. Drafted proposal to nance project, which resulted award of grant support. Instructor and Camp Leader, National Cheerleaders Association, Garland, TX May-July 2003 & 2004 Instructed students of all ages in cheerleading, gymnastics, and dance. Collaborated with a team of ve instructors to create a positive, fun, and lively learning atmosphere. SALES & MARKETING Managing Editor Maganda, UC Berkeley September 2004- present Designed visual concept for Filipino Literary and Art magazines debut. Organized and brought together Filipino artists from areas throughout California for fundraising and promotional events. Rush Chairperson, Chi Omega Sorority, UC Berkeley January 2005-December 2005 Coordinated team of ten in planning sorority recruitment. Implemented marketing strategies promoting the benets of membership, resulting in chapter membership increase of 35 percent. Budgeted spending for Rush preparation week and Rush week. Salesperson, Panoply Corporation, Berkeley, CA July 2003-December 2005 Rened communication skills and marketing techniques while helping customers select attering attire. Led in clothing sales for the months of July and August.

Skills Summary

Experience

This hybrid version of Alicias resume combines the strengths of both skills and chronological resumes. It focuses on two skill sets teaching and sales/marketing and shows the experiences in which she used them.

Other Skills

Procient in conversational Spanish Microsoft Word, Excel, Adobe PhotoShop, Dreamweaver, SoundEdit Pro, strong Internet skills

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Chronological Resume for international business position

JANICE WU
2211 Tenth Street, San Francisco, CA 94111 (415) 300-4444 janice@alumni.berkeley.edu

OBJECTIVE Assistant Brand Management position for an International Retailer EDUCATION University of California, Berkeley B.A. Japanese with Honors Thesis, December 2006, GPA: 3.72 Hitotsubashi University - Education Abroad Program, Tokyo, Japan Fall 2003-Spring 2004

GPA is optional, but applicant lists it because it is one of her strong points.

Student Life Achievement Award, 2006, granted to 25 students who have contributed exemplary community service on campus and in the surrounding community Emerging Leader Alumni Scholarship, 2003 & 2004, awarded by Cal Alumni Association for approximately 100 students per year for outstanding leadership abilities PROJECTS Undergraduate Research Apprentice Program, UC Berkeley Fall 2005 Brand Equity Research Assistant Collected and examined cross-cultural brand equity data from various journals & databases Reviewed and summarized literature on brand equity formation, management, & transferability International Marketing Seminar, Hitotsubashi University, Japan Fall 2004- Spring 2005 Class Project Developed strategies to promote sales of instant coffee on team of four for a multinational companys Japanese coffee division Conceptualized and developed four commercials and two public relations events Conducted research on youth segments and current trends to form reference materials for rm EXPERIENCE Deloitte & Touche, LLP, San Francisco, CA Summer 2004 Tax Advisory Intern Researched and wrote articles for Tax Director to highlight implications of tax rule changes Analyzed tax returns and nancial statements to assist with completion of tax returns for corporations, partnerships, and individuals U.S. Department of Commerce, Commercial Service, San Francisco, CA Summer 2002 International Trade Intern Researched and developed objectives, goals, and budget plans for scal year 2003 for Middle East team consisting of 25 commercial ofcers in the US and abroad Drafted team proposal currently being implemented by the division to promote trade opportunities such as International Buyer Program shows and educational seminars Contacted international trade liaisons to assess export opportunities for small companies ACTIVITIES Beta Alpha Psi, National Honors Business Fraternity Spring 2004 Community Service Coordinator Organized four community service events for over 40 students in local chapter Acted as liaison between Beta Alpha Psi and local community Youth for Understanding International Exchange Fall 2002-Spring 2004 Volunteer Conducted telephone interviews with past participants and enlisted them as volunteers Persuaded approximately 70 prospective students and parents to participate in YFU SKILLS Languages: Fluent in written and spoken Cantonese and Mandarin; conversant in Japanese

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Chronological Resume for architecture position

MILES STEVENS
3920 Durant Ave Berkeley, CA 94704 510-547-9230 miles@berkeley.edu

Education

UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, BERKELEY B.A. Architecture, May 2006

Relevant Courses

Drawing Studio Design Studio Architectural Acoustics

Construction Process & Method History of Architecture & Urbanism Civil Engineering Material Properties

Energy Design in Buildings Landscape Structures Intro Structural Design

Relevant Experience Bullet format works well to draw attention to action verbs.

BERG JONES ARCHITECTS, Oakland, CA Architecture Intern (6/05-12/05) Conducted site surveys for Gap, Old Navy, Banana Republic, and Williams Sonoma stores Prepared as-built drawings using Arris 7.0 Researched code requirements and prepared survey reports Constructed site and building models for client proposals ATKINS PAINTERS, San Bernardino, CA Web Designer/Painter (7/04-8/04) Designed and developed company website Prepared and painted interiors and exteriors of residential and commercial buildings

Leadership Positions

AMERICAN INSTITUTE OF ARCHITECTURE STUDENTS (AIAS) UC Berkeley AIAEB Student Representative (12/04-present) Attend monthly AIA board meetings and events on behalf of student chapter PHI SIGMA FRATERNITY, UC Berkeley Vice President (1/05-1/06) Organized venues, security, transportation, music, funding for all social events Managed $18,000 annual budget Executive Vice President (1/04-1/05) Administered nationally recognized pledge training program Evaluated fraternity operations and made critical decisions

Describes campus leadership activities.

House Manager (1/03-1/04) Coordinated 52 residents in routine maintenance and repairs of 10,000 sq ft residence Supervised demolition, purchasing, contracting and scheduling of $12,000 bathroom renovation project BERKELEY EDUCATES ON ALCOHOL AWARENESS SEMINARS (BEARS, UC Berkeley) Student Director (1/04-12/04) Developed and presented seminars promoting social awareness of risks associated with irresponsible alcohol use Skills Technical: AutoCAD 2006, Arris CAD, PhotoShop, Excel,Word, HTML, Java Script Professional: Model making, leadership, teamwork, communication, public speaking American Institute of Architecture Students, UC Berkeley Interfraternity Council, Intramural Softball

Afliations

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Chronological Resume for policy position

LENARD I. BORGE
lib@berkeley.edu Current Address: 44 Panoramic Way #A Berkeley, CA 94704 (510) 555-8798 OBJECTIVE List permanent address if there is a chance you will move before employers can contact you. Permanent Address: 50875 San Miguel Avenue Hacienda Heights, CA 91746 (617) 555-8798

Position in public policy research

EDUCATION

B.A. Political Science, University of California at Berkeley, May 2006, 3.8 GPA UCDC Program: Research, internship, and study in Washington DC, 1/04-5/04 Hebrew University of Jerusalem, 10/04-6/05
RELATED EXPERIENCE

Israeli Ministry of Justice, Human Rights Division, Jerusalem 12/04-4/05 Assistant to Director. Conducted in-depth study of prisoner history. Organized conferences, maintained contact with human rights watch groups, and established relations with families of suspected terrorists held in Israeli jails. The Institute of World Politics, Washington D.C. 1/04-5/04 Research Intern. Monitored and briefed director on daily developments and security issues with an emphasis on Russia, national security, global organized crime, and nuclear proliferation. Wrote extensive research paper on Russian Organized Crime/State Sponsored Corruption in former Soviet Union. ASUC Senate 8/03-1/04 Elected Senator. Represented undergraduate and graduate students in an on-campus political forum. Vice-Chairman, Senate Finance Committee. Helped manage a business budget of over $6 million controlled by the Senate. Dispersed funds to student groups and other interests following votes and committee decisions. U.S. House of Representatives Page 8/00-2/01 Democratic Cloakroom Staff, 104th Congress. Aided members of congress in general cloakroom duties, communication between Chamber and ofces, and delivery of ofcial documents.
ADDITIONAL EXPERIENCE

Sage Nissan,Walnut Creek, CA 6/04-10/04 Salesperson. Sold an average of 15-20 cars monthly. Received #1 Salesman Award for September.

Brings all of his relevant experience to the top of the resume by breaking his experiences into two categories.

Resume & Letter Writing

Minolta Business Systems, Tarzana, CA Summer 2003 Sales Representative. Engaged in sales of business copiers and fax machines in assigned territory. Generated over $50,000 in sales.
AWARDS

Phi Beta Kappa, January 2005 Deans Honor List, UC Berkeley, Fall & Spring 2004 and 2005 Golden Key Honor Society Award Recipien, Fall 2005 Kappa Sigma Chapter Leadership Award, May 2003
LANGUAGES/ INTERESTS

Fluent in Hebrew and Spanish Photography, swimming, running, sailing, travel

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Chronological Resume for consulting position

Joshua Larson

Makes full use of the page with smaller margins. Margins should be at least 0.75 inch.

2503 Channing Way, Apartment 800, Berkeley, CA 94704 (510) 555-8882 walter@berkeley.edu
EDUCATION: WALTER A. HAAS SCHOOL OF BUSINESS, University of California, Berkeley Bachelor of Science, Business Administration, May 2007 Major GPA: 3.5, Overall GPA: 3.4; SAT Math: 710 Verbal: 800 Consulting rms usually ask for GPA and SAT scores.

WORK EXPERIENCE Catalyst Partners, Inc., San Francisco, CA (12/05-present) Consultant: Work with a team of ve students and three Accenture professionals to increase awareness of and participation in clients online software. Review software and existing marketing plan by interviews. Conduct basic market research with customer base through interviews and paper-based surveys. Develop updated marketing plan and create implementation plan for local roll out of software. Spherion Technology Infrastructure Solutions, Pleasanton, CA (6/05-8/05, 12/04-1/05) Intern: Gathered and researched leads for account executives. Performed phone interviews with industry executives. Created Excel spreadsheet to track recruiters placements. Psychology Department, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA (1/04-5/04) Research Assistant: Managed team of four behavioral coders for project investigating age differences in emotion. Conducted literature searches and library research. Attended weekly team meetings to assess progress, discuss coding methods, and discuss relevant articles. Made over 40 calls to survey, recruit, and schedule potential participants. ACTIVITIES Eggster Hunt & Learning Festival, Berkeley, CA (8/03-present) Co-Director: Manage 11 committee heads to facilitate all aspects of a 60+ member organization with mission to sponsor ve local childrens nonprots nancially and with time and talent and offer a free event consisting of 10 egg hunts and 50+ educational booths geared toward children from disadvantaged and disabled backgrounds. Community Relations Co-Chair: Supervised and developed leadership in 10+ member committee. Screened and selected ve agencies and developed working relationships through community service projects and conference meetings. Assisted organization in raising $26K and attracting attendance of 3500+ people at event. Alumni Scholars Club, Berkeley, CA (8/03-present) Member/Marketing Chair/Freshman Finals Survival Kit Committee: Track and order materials for over 600 kits per semester. Research prices for kit materials and supervise package assembly for distribution. Raised over $15K through extensive mailing to parents of UC Berkeley students. Childrens Hospital Oakland, Oakland, CA (6/03-8/03) 100 Hour Volunteer: Assisted in patient care by playing with patients in the fth oor playroom and conducting bedside visits. Created and arranged arts and crafts projects for groups of 10 children. HONORS National Society of Collegiate Scholars, California Alumni Association Leadership Scholarship, Robert C. Byrd Scholarship, won four merit scholarships for college. SKILLS & INTERESTS Computer Skills: Languages: Interests:

Procient in Microsoft Ofce, Adobe PhotoShop, Windows XP, and web design languages (HTML, JavaScript). Spanish (conversational), Cantonese (conversational). Avid vocalist, painter and photographer. Accomplished dancer, performed in Oakland Ballet Companys production of Nutcracker. Shows a broad range of interests.

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Chronological Resume for laboratory position

Anna Liu
Local: 333 Haste St. Apt. 200C, Berkeley, CA 94708 (510) 555-8798 Permanent: 1898 20th Avenue, San Francisco, CA 94122 (415) 566-8522 Email: aliu@berkeley.edu

Education University of California at Berkeley Bachelor of Arts in Molecular and Cell Biology, December 2006 Emphasis in Cell and Developmental Biology

Dont use the abbreviations BA or BS if your resume will be scanned by employers.

Laboratory Skills Enzyme characterization, RIAs, ion-exchange chromatography, gel electrophoresis, media preparation, protein, assays, plasma preps, aseptic techniques, use of radioisotopes, HPLC, cell fractionation Coursework Biology Physics Cell Biology Chemistry Human Physiology Microbiology Organic Chemistry Human Anatomy Biochemistry

Resume & Letter Writing

Experience Laboratory Instructor Vista Community College, Berkeley, CA (8/06-present) Lecture in genetics, immunology, microbiology, and general biology Prepare stock solutions and media Supervise teacher assistants and oversee 35 students in each class Work with a team of professors and teacher assistants in publishing new lab manuals Research Assistant Comparative Endocrinology Lab, University of California, Berkeley (8/05-present) Plan, organize, and carry out long-term and short-term research projects Analyze, research, and study evolution of hormones Develop expertise in metabolic pathways of thyronines Adept in RIAs, enzyme characterization, and handling radioactive materials Student Caseworker Suitcase Clinic, Berkeley, CA (1/05-5/05) Interviewed homeless and low-income individuals to obtain general prole and determine their presenting issues Worked with lawyers, physicians, and social workers to obtain services for homeless individuals English Tutor and Mentor City College of San Francisco, San Francisco, CA (1/04-6/04) Involved with teaching students the complexities of the English language Provided assistance to tutors in subjects such as biology Activities Mentor, Chinatown YMCA (8/05-present) Ofcer, Society of Cal Integrative Biology Undergraduate Students (SCIBUGS) (12/05-6/06) Fundraiser, Recreation Center for the Disabled (8/03-12/05) Additional Skills Corel Quattro Pro, MS Excel, MS Word,WordPerfect, and DOS; uent in Cantonese

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Chronological Resume for computer science position

Nancy Lawrence
Good example of showcasing skills and projects that support objective.

1899 Fulton Way Apt. # 333 Berkeley, CA 94528 (510) 555-6565 nlawrence@cory.eecs.berkeley.edu http://www.nlawrence.com

Web page provides opportunity to demonstrate HTML skills.

Objective

Software Engineer

Education

University of California, Berkeley BA Computer Science, May 2007 (GPA 3.1) Design classes: Programming Language & Compilers, Operating Systems, Data Structures, Digital Design, and Database Systems.

Computer Skills

Software: ViewLogic Workview, Oracle, vxWorks Programming: Java, C++ Operating Systems: Windows NT/XP, Unix (BSD, Solaris, Linux)

Projects

Designed and implemented an operating system including thread management, multiprogramming, virtual memory, le systems, and networking capabilities (UNIX, C++) Designed and implemented a disassembler (MIPS RISC assembly language, UNIX, C++) Developed a serial and infrared sender, receiver, and controller (Xillinx FPGA and software)

Experience

WIND RIVER SYSTEMS,Alameda, CA Engineering/QA Co-op Intern: Identied problems of the Real Time Operating System, vxWorks. Communicated with development engineers and recommended solutions. Installed and operated vxWorks. Planned, designed, and implemented regression tests for vxWorks libraries. (5/05-7/06) COLLEGE OF SAN MATEO, San Mateo, CA Computer Lab Assistant: Responded to students questions and helped them resolve problems in C++ and Java. Developed interpersonal skills and problem solving strategies while working with students from a wide range of backgrounds. Worked in the lab 20 hours/week while completing lower division coursework. (2/03-6/04) SATELLITE TV WORLD, Redwood City, CA Technician: Installed and maintained home satellite television systems. Repaired and rebuilt damaged systems. (1/01-8/02)

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Skills Resume for graduate student seeking editorial position

CHRISTOPHER LEWIS
1475 Grand Avenue Apt. 3 Oakland, CA 94602 (510) 555-2217 christol@abc.com
OBJECTIVE Entry level editorial position Good way to bring attention to relevant skills.

SUMMARY OF QUALIFICATIONS Staff Editor for The Archaeological Review Trained in expository, media, and academic writing Developed archival system for museum lm collection Procient in Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, Publisher, SASS and Macintosh programs SKILLS Writing/Editing Edited submitted papers for content, coherence, and language usage. Transferred edited copy from print to Quark and formatted material for publication. Completed Masters dissertation; currently synthesizing select chapters for publication. Research Developed, implemented, and interpreted six-page questionnaire. Developed sampling techniques including special variant of standard random sample. Prepared raw data for computer analysis. Organization/Administration

Resume & Letter Writing

Uses skills format so that he can highlight his writing and editing experiences and de-emphasize his Archaeology background.

Coordinated all aspects of four-day, international professional conference. Developed agenda, scheduled speakers, and organized discussion groups. Catalogued and curated the American Indian Ethnographic Film Collection for the Lowie Museum of Anthropology. Scheduled and coordinated auditions and interviews for performers and technical staff for commercial and industrial lm projects. Evaluated and contacted prospective clients and talent agencies as production assistant in commercial and industrial lm projects. WORK HISTORY Field Archaeologist and Lab Analyst Field Archaeologist and Lab Analyst Field Archaeologist Collections Curator Sales Associate EDUCATION M.A. Archaeology, 2007 University of California, Berkeley B.A. Anthropology, 2001 University of California, Berkeley San Jose State University, CA Enlene and Verberie, France Jefferson Park, MD Lowie Museum, Berkeley, CA Canterbury, San Francisco, CA Spring 2005 Fall 2003 - Summer 2004 Summer 2003 Summer 2002 2000-2002

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Chronological Resume for summer position

Janet Jones
jjj47@berkeley.edu Permanent Address 9347 West Bell Inglewood, CA 90301 (213) 555-1212 Campus Address (until 5/22/07) 2222 Dwight Way Apt. #9 Berkeley, CA 94704 (510) 556-1212

SUMMARY OF QUALIFICATIONS

Over ve years of customer service experience Experience conducting research and making presentations Outgoing, personable, and enjoy working in teams and on group projects

This summary focuses the employers attention on transferable skills.

EDUCATION

University of California, Berkeley B.A. Political Science, May 2008. Minor: African American Studies

WORK EXPERIENCE

University of California, Berkeley, Career Center 8/06-present Peer Advisor Delivered more than 12 hour-long oral presentations to a variety of student groups Compiled presentation materials on service oriented topics for numerous UC Berkeley student groups and organizations Worked cooperatively on a team of eight to publicize career fairs and workshops Yogurt Park, Berkeley, CA 1/05- present Customer Service Representative Addressed the needs of hundreds of consumers from a variety of racial and ethnic backgrounds Efciently attended to customer complaints and handled employee conict resolution Old Navy, Inglewood, CA 6/06-7/06 Promotional Assistant Worked cooperatively with a group of fteen individuals to effectively execute 4th of July promotional activities Interacted with hundreds of men, women, and children while giving away items for a statewide 4th of July event Clinical Psychology, UCLA Medical Center 6/06- 8/06 Research Assistant Gathered and processed statistical data from numerous participants that was ultimately used in a nationwide survey Hot Dog on a Stick, Los Angeles, CA 6/02-8/05 Assistant Manager Analyzed and implemented new scheduling system resulting in prot increase and store efciency Kept accurate account of large sums of money and nancial transactions Coordinated and supervised numerous recreational activities and events for sixteen employees

COMPUTER SKILLS

MS Word, MS Excel, PowerPoint Research experience on GLADIS, MELVYL library databases

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Chronological Resume for summer internship

Jennifer Miller
777 Santa Barbara Ave. Berkeley, CA 94787 (510) 555-5678 jm@berkeley.edu Objective Education Summer internship in Chemical Engineering University of California, Berkeley B.S. Chemical Engineering, Chemistry Minor, May 2008, Junior Standing Chemical Process Analysis Thermodynamics Process Fluid Mechanics Process Control Technical Communication Environmental Biotechnology Chemical Kinetics & Reaction Engineering Heat and Mass Transfer Separation Processes Air Pollutant Emissions and Control Listing coursework is helpful, especially if you dont have related experience.

Relevant Courses

Skills

Lab equipment: Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy, Gas Chromatography, Supercritical Fluid Extraction, and Ion Chromatography Computer: MS-DOS/Windows and Macintosh applications including Microsoft Ofce, WordPerfect, Cricket Graph, Kaleidagraph, and Mathcad; FORTRAN programming Other: Strong analytical and problem-solving techniques, excellent communication skills, and ability to work successfully both in groups and independently

Resume & Letter Writing

Related Experience

University of California, Berkeley, Environment, Health and Safety (EH&S) Strawberry Creek Management Intern, Jan. 2006 - present Assess water pollution sources in Strawberry Creek Watershed using physical parameter and surface water chemistry measurements Develop a water quality monitoring plan, applying environmental regulatory compliance and urban creek restoration methodologies Prepare a written report documenting assessment Attend EH&S project management and implementation meetings College of Chemistry Instrument Technician for Environmental Chemistry, Aug. 2006 - present Trained to use Perkin-Elmer 3100 atomic absorption spectrometer, Dionex, Basic Ion Chromatography Module DX-300 series, Perkin-Elmer Autosystem Gas, Chromatograph,and Hewlett-Packard 7680T SFE Module Demonstrate and explain instruments to students Prepare laboratory demonstrations and chemical standards College of Chemistry Lab Assistant, Jan. 2005-Aug. 2005 Assisted in development of water quality and led remediation experiments Obtained and analyzed water and soil eld samples Performed contamination-free analytical chemistry and prepared standards Performed extensive library research

Additional Experience

Fatapples Restaurant and Bakery, El Cerrito, CA Waitress, Host/Busser, Cashier, Sept. 2005 - present

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Chronological Resume for summer internship - sophomore

Casey Kim
Current Address: 1234 University St. #222, Berkeley, CA 94704 (510) 555-0777 Permanent Address: 22222 Sunny Drive, Hemet, CA 92544 (909) 555-9254 Email: caseykim@berkeley.edu

OBJECTIVE To obtain an internship in the eld of Business Administration. EDUCATION University of California, Berkeley Intended Major: Psychology Expected graduation date: May 2009 WORK HISTORY University of California, Berkeley Administrative Intern, Haas Center for Executive Development, February 2006 - present Maintain advertising calendar of events for promotion activities, research prospective companies for programs, coordinate in-house mailings (international and domestic), perform creative advertising editing, data entry, ling and other general ofce work. Hemet Hoopstars Basketball Camp Basketball Coach, June 2005 - August 2005 Trained and instructed children ages 7-11 in basketball fundamentals. EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES Priestley Dormitory Hall Association Community Board Representative, September 2005 - May 2006 Provided a sense of community by uniting residents of ve dormitory buildings. Planned and executed special events for approximately 1250 residents. Hemet High School Basketball Team Varsity Captain/point guard, Fall 2003 and Fall 2004 Junior Varsity Most Valuable Player, Fall 2002 SKILLS Computer: HTML, Javascript, Microsoft Ofce software Language: Spoken Korean

First and second year students may include high school experience and accomplishments.

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Resume Format for Emailing Resume as Text

Dear Ms. Walters, Thank you for meeting with me after the career panel yesterday at UC Berkeley. I am very interested in the entry-level manufacturing engineering position we discussed. The following is a copy of my resume and I have also included it as an attachment. I believe my strong mechanical engineering training and work experience in a manufacturing setting make me an ideal candidate. I am available to begin work after January 2, 2007. I look forward to hearing from you. Thank you. John Chang RESUME John Chang 189 Manor Lane, Walnut Creek, CA 94598 (510) 555-8975 jc@berkeley.edu OBJECTIVE Manufacturing Engineer EDUCATION University of California at Berkeley BS in Mechanical Engineering, December 2006 Honors: Pi Tau Sigma (Mechanical Engineering honor society) Regents Scholar RELATED COURSES *Product Development *Measurement Systems *Advanced 3D Modeling *Fluid Mechanics *Applied Fluids *Thermodynamics *Heat Transfer *Properties of Materials PROJECTS *Modeled aluminum tubing framework of a DNA machine and provided cost analysis, vendor information, and component and assembly drawings. *Conceptualized and developed a prototype for a device used to prevent the disastrous effects of household gas leaks. EXPERIENCE RAYTEK, INC., Fremont, CA, May 2005-present Manufacturing Engineering Assistant. Performed daily maintenance and troubleshooting of a manufacturing line. Researched and tested hardware and
NOTE: continue for up to three pages (letter plus resume). career.berkeley.edu Text format is simple and easy to read with no bullets, bold, underlining or tabs. All text is left justied. See p. 20.

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COVER LETTERS
Always send a cover letter along with an application or resume to an employer. Its purpose is to introduce you and show the prospective employer how your background ts their particular job. Use the cover letter to expand on points from your resume that you feel are especially noteworthy or relevant. You can also let the employer know that you are willing to relocate or that you have a mutual acquaintance. You should demonstrate that you have done your homework on the organization and know how you can be an asset to the employer. Prepare an original cover letter for each job NOT a form letter.

jobs, internships, volunteer experience, extracurricular involvement (on- and offcampus) and travel.

COVER LETTER DOS AND DONTS Do

Use paper that matches your resume Write an original cover letter for each employer and position State in the rst sentence why you are writing Show that you know your career goals and how they relate to the position and the organization Demonstrate originality and enthusiasm Make your points succinctly; every point should support your application Proofread for typos and accuracy of address and telephone numbers Run Spell Check on your computer before you print your nal copy, but remember that it cannot detect the wrong form of the word or a homonym Print envelopes using a computer printer Keep copies of all materials for your records Follow up with the employer if you hear nothing after a couple of weeks. Inquire if any further information is needed and reiterate your interest.

Beyond Advertised Listings

Networking and research leads You will also write cover letters to employers that you identify in your independent job search. Through networking or research, you will learn of specic openings or job titles that interest you. Be sure to indicate in the rst paragraph what position youre seeking. If a specic person alerted you to the job opening, include that persons name and professional afliation (e.g., Professor Jane Seymore in Berkeleys Civil Engineering Department suggested I contact you about your Sanitary Engineer opening). Employers receive many letters and resumes. They are more likely to read letters that mention specic people they know. Prospecting Letters If you are inquiring about possible openings, you are sending an Inquiry or Prospecting Letter. Address your letter to a specic individual, usually the person who supervises the functional area where youd like to work. Be as specic as possible about the type of position that interests you. Ideally, your research will reveal the job titles used by this employer. If not, use commonly understood generic job titles in the eld. The more specic you are, the clearer it will be that youve done your homework and that you know what the employer needs and what you have to offer.

Cover letters for advertised listings

1. Research the employer Research the prospective employers organization to see how your skills and abilities meet the organizations needs, and how well your values match those promoted by the organization. career.berkeley.edu/Infolab/ResEmp. stm Resources to Research Employers. In your cover letter, show why you are a good t. Send the letter to a specic person whenever possible; otherwise, use Dear Hiring Manager or Dear Human Resources Manager. 2. Analyze the job description Take a good look at the job responsibilities and qualications and design your cover letter to match these as much as you can. Often job listings are short and vague. In this case, draw from your research of similar jobs to infer what skills and abilities might be required. For instance, if you were looking for a job with a bank, it would be appropriate to mention courses and past experience related to nance. 3. Analyze your background Think about your background in relation to the job responsibilities and qualications. Ask yourself, What have I done that is similar to what this job entails? Consider courses taken, classroom projects, past work experience, summer

Resumes & Letters

Dont
Make the letter more than one page Use generic, all-purpose cover letters never copy cover letters Exaggerate your skills or experience

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Cover Letter Suggested Content and Layout

The following is intended as a guide. Cover letters should be unique and original.

Your street address City, State Zip Code Email address (Area Code) Phone Number Month Date, Year Mr./Ms./Dr. First and Last Name of Person Position or Title Employer Organizations Name Employer Street Address/P.O. Box City, State Zip Code Dear Mr./Ms./Dr. Last Name of Addressee:

This information may be set at left margin.

Resume & Letter Writing

Tell the reader why you are writing (i.e., regarding the position in which you are interested; if appropriate, indicate how you learned of the position and/ or organization). Make a general statement about being a good candidate for the job. Explain why you have targeted this particular organization: in so doing, demonstrate your knowledge of its products, services and operations. (This means you must research the potential employer.) Stress what you have to offer, not what you want from, the employer. Identify those parts of your experience (paid or non-paid) which will be of interest to this employer. Students and recent graduates should draw attention to relevant course work, special projects and campus activities. In some cases, you will add detail to items included in your resume. Refer the reader to your enclosed resume for additional information. Demonstrate your understanding of the duties of the position in which you are interested, and state how your unique qualications t the position. Request an interview appointment, or tell the reader that you will contact him/her soon in order to see if you can schedule a mutually convenient appointment. If the employer is some distance away, indicate when you would be available for an interview. (For example, if you will be traveling to the employers location during an academic holiday, indicate the days you will be in that area.) Thank the reader for his/her time and consideration. Sincerely,
This information may also be set at left margin.

Type your name Enclosure

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Cover Letter for existing opening

2121 Elm Street Berkeley, CA 94541 maryjones@berkeley.edu December 28, 2006 Ms. Susan Merrill PricewaterhouseCoopers Dispute Analysis & Corporate Recovery Group 100 Palm Street Los Angeles, CA 90000 Dear Ms. Merrill: As a Business Administration major at UC Berkeley with a strong background in economics, accounting, and nance, I am very excited to hear of a staff consultant position with PricewaterhouseCoopers. For the past eight months, I have been working part-time at Wells Fargo Bank. As part of the Investment Management Group, I participated in facilitating the merger process with First Interstate Bank, creating monthly management reports, collecting and preparing nancial information, and working alongside management on a variety of projects. I am procient at Excel, Access, Lotus 1-2-3, and other computer applications. I believe the qualities you seek are well matched by my track record: Your Needs Accounting Experience My Qualications Currently working with the Investment Management Group at Wells Fargo. Prepared income tax returns for retail businesses and low income households. Led team in preparing income tax returns by determining clients specialized needs. Interact constantly with Wells Fargo managers and vendors. Coursework in intermediate nancial accounting, auditing, economics, introductory nance, and investments. Graduating Business Administration Major with 3.5 GPA. Independently created databases to facilitate expense tracking for IMG Finance and Marketing.

Finance Experience

Strong Communication Skills

Solid Accounting and Finance Education

Professional Accomplishments

Since a resume cannot take the place of an interview, may we set up a time to talk? I can be contacted at (555) 333-1111. I look forward to talking to you soon. Sincerely, Although its better to indicate that you will call them, its okay to wait for a call if they specically state no calls in their listing.

Mary Jones

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Cover Letter for advertised position

Know your audiencebefore you write the letter, review the position description, the organization, and how your experience and interests match the needs of the employer.

8999 Oakland Ave Oakland CA 94611 (555) 588-9999 mabelgutzman@berkeley.edu March 9, 2007

Human Resources-LC The Humanitarian Foundation PO Box 1878 San Francisco, CA 94119-3223

Immediately indicate what you are applying for and how you heard of the opportunity.

Dear Human Resource Manager:

Refer to your resume, drawing attention to the most relevant experience(s) and qualications. Express enthusiasm and share information which may not be on your resume.

I am interested in your Logistics Coordinator position, which I found listed in Opportunity NOCs. My last position was as a Seminar Scheduler for a diversity training company in San Jose, in which I supported people on the front lines (facilitators, teachers, therapists, activists) with the logistical help they needed. I am looking for work in the nonprot sector, and my experience and degree in Ethnic Studies make me a strong candidate for the Logistics Coordinator position. The enclosed resume describes my education and experience. I enjoy seminar coordination and learned a great deal in my last position. I would very much like to continue workshop planning. Most of my negotiations with clients and co-workers took place on the phone, requiring excellent communication and documentation skills. I have been using primarily Macs at the ofce, but I have used PCs off and on since high school. I am not afraid to try new software, and am looking for a position where I can continue to grow and learn. I can bring to the table hard work, commitment, integrity, humor, and fairness. I am drawn to the Humanitarian Foundation because its focus is aligned with my interests, which include diversity issues, ecological awareness, and childrens rights. I want to be in a work environment where people are honored and where I feel that I am making a difference. I believe that your organization provides such an environment. The calendar on the Foundations website indicates that many of your large events are at night and on weekends, which my schedule can easily accommodate. I am available for interviews at your convenience and look forward to learning more about your organization. Thank you for your consideration. Sincerely,

Mabel Gutzman
Mabel Gutzman

Suggest next steps and show appreciation

Demonstrate that you are so interested in this job that you did your homework and learned more about the organization. Show that you understand their needs beyond the written job description.

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Prospecting Letter
Since you dont have a mutual contact, you have to nd another way to form a bond with the reader. Establish that you are interested specically in this company and explain why you are targeting them.

333 College Avenue Berkeley, CA 94765 susantdavis@berkeley.edu (555) 223-7777 November 15, 2006

Ms. G. M. Price Hall Corporation 1234 Silicon Drive Sunnyvale, CA 94567 Dear Ms. Price:

Show that youve done your homework and know something about the company. Unless you establish this, you may lose the readers interest.

I have followed your company with considerable interest for some time. I am particularly impressed by the investment communitys high regard for your performance. Recently I read that your earnings are expected to increase as you continue to benet from the introduction of new products and from a growing international presence. These developments have prompted my letter. I will graduate from the University of California, Berkeley in May 2007 with a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering. My experience includes the assembly, conguration, troubleshooting and support of Intel Pentium and PentiumPro-based PCs and servers running Microsoft Windows 2000 and NT. As a systems professional with your organization, I would bring a knowledge of Intel-based computer programs as well as skills in other technical areas such as video, electrical, communications and networking. While I do not know what your stafng plans might be at this time, I would welcome the opportunity to meet with you. I will telephone your ofce to arrange an appointment. Sincerely,

Stress what you have to offer, not what you hope to gain.

Susan T. Davis
Susan T. Davis Keep the letter short and to the point. The person reading it is probably very busy, and the letter is just to get her interested in making an appointment. Be assertive in the closing.

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Cover Letter to mutual acquaintance

Peter Cummings 555 Rodeo Drive Berkeley, CA 94532 peterc@berkeley.edu (510) 555-8765

December 17, 2006 Ms. Mary Smith Sony Pictures Entertainment 1000 Picture Blvd., Ste 900 Culver City, CA 90000 Dear Ms. Smith:

Begin with the name of your mutual acquaintancethis creates an immediate connection.

Jane Jones, a friend and Senior Financial Analyst at Sony Pictures, suggested that I forward my resume to you. Based on my conversations with Jane and a review of your website, I believe Sony Pictures is an outstanding match for my educational skills, work experience and professional interests. I am a highly motivated individual with a passion for nance and hope to contribute to the team at Sony Pictures as a Financial Analyst. My interest in nance has grown steadily during my business school studies, driven mostly by my desire to understand how business decisions are made. Beginning with my rst nance class, and continuing with more in-depth study of corporate nance and managerial accounting, I have been able to see how nancial data can be used to make business decisions - whether in launching a new product or acquiring a new company. The classes have also made it evident that the decision-making process does not occur in a vacuum, but requires keeping a big-picture perspective. This appeals to me tremendously as it follows directly from what I have been studying: business with its detailed focus on the company, and economics with its broad perspective on industry and the marketplace. Working as a Financial Analyst with Sony Pictures would be a natural extension of the academic foundation I have gained. My work experiences also reect my desire to become involved with challenging projects such as those offered by your organization. At Boston Scientic, I created numerous forecast and inventory reports for the Global Supply Chain Management team. This required signicant attention to detail and analytical work. I further developed my communication and nancial skills by working on numerous cost efciency projects for the Microbiology department, including the creation of a corporate-wide standing order matrix. It is building from these experiences that I would contribute to Sony Pictures. My educational background, corporate experience, interpersonal and analytical skills, and fascination with nancial decision-making would enable me to do outstanding work as a Financial Analyst. Please do not hesitate to contact me with any further questions, as I would like to meet with you at your convenience to discuss the possibility of full time employment. Sincerely,

Resume & Letter Writing

Draw attention to relevant skills & demonstrate when and how you used them.

Peter Cummings
Peter Cummings

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