Resumes

From the Rossier Masters Programs & MAT Offices, with help from USCs Career Center

What is a Resume?

A resume is a tool to make an impact on a potential employer and secure an interview. Your goal is to make your resume so engaging that the reader cannot wait to meet you!

What is a Resume?

A resume is a tool to make an impact on a potential employer and secure an interview. Your goal is to make your resume so engaging that the reader cannot wait to meet you!

How do I Format my Resume?

Format CONSISTENCY is key! You want to use one font style (and size) for your entire resume. (You might want to use a separate font type for your name, to help it stand out.) Each section should look standardized. Your bullet points should all be the same size, with consistent indenting. Use a professional font (e.g. Times New Roman, Cambria, Century, Arial, Helvetica, or Calibri.)

How do I Format my Resume?

Format CONSISTENCY is key! You want to use one font style (and size) for your entire resume. (You might want to use a separate font type for your name, to help it stand out.) Each section should look standardized. Your bullet points should all be the same size, with consistent indenting. Use a professional font (e.g. Times New Roman, Cambria, Century, Arial, Helvetica, or Calibri.)

How do I Format my Resume?

Format CONSISTENCY is key! You want to use one font style (and size) for your entire resume. (You might want to use a separate font type for your name, to help it stand out.) Each section should look standardized. Your bullet points should all be the same size, with consistent indenting. Use a professional font (e.g. Times New Roman, Cambria, Century, Arial, Helvetica, or Calibri.)

How do I Format my Resume?

Format CONSISTENCY is key! You want to use one font style (and size) for your entire resume. (You might want to use a separate font type for your name, to help it stand out.) Each section should look standardized. Your bullet points should all be the same size, with consistent indenting. Use a professional font (e.g. Times New Roman, Cambria, Century, Arial, Helvetica, or Calibri.)

How do I Format my Resume?

The type size should be 10, 11, or 12 (never smaller than 10!) Try to limit yourself to one page for entry-level resumes. Should be organized with a balance of content and white space. Margins should be 1 inch on all sides. (You may reduce to .75 inches if needed.

How do I Format my Resume?

The type size should be 10, 11, or 12 (never smaller than 10!) Try to limit yourself to one page for entry-level resumes. Should be organized with a balance of content and white space. Margins should be 1 inch on all sides. (You may reduce to .75 inches if needed.

How do I Format my Resume?

The type size should be 10, 11, or 12 (never smaller than 10!) Try to limit yourself to one page for entry-level resumes. Should be organized with a balance of content and white space. Margins should be 1 inch on all sides. (You may reduce to .75 inches if needed.

How do I Format my Resume?

The type size should be 10, 11, or 12 (never smaller than 10!) Try to limit yourself to one page for entry-level resumes. Should be organized with a balance of content and white space. Margins should be 1 inch on all sides. (You may reduce to .75 inches if needed.)

What Sections should I include?

Contact information (name, address, phone number, and PROFESSIONAL email) Education (Undergraduate & Graduate) Teaching Experience Other headings: Para-teaching Experience, Leadership, Volunteer Experience, Service, Research, Publications, Awards, Interests Other headings (like Interests) can be a good place to highlight that you like tennis, and could be the tennis coach, etc.

What Sections should I include?

Contact information (name, address, phone number, and PROFESSIONAL email) Education (Undergraduate & Graduate) Teaching Experience Other headings: Para-teaching Experience, Leadership, Volunteer Experience, Service, Research, Publications, Awards, Interests Other headings (like Interests) can be a good place to highlight that you like tennis, and could be the tennis coach, etc.

What Sections should I include?

Contact information (name, address, phone number, and PROFESSIONAL email) Education (Undergraduate & Graduate) Teaching Experience Other headings: Para-teaching Experience, Leadership, Volunteer Experience, Service, Research, Publications, Awards, Interests Other headings (like Interests) can be a good place to highlight that you like tennis, and could be the tennis coach, etc.

What Sections should I include?

Contact information (name, address, phone number, and PROFESSIONAL email) Education (Undergraduate & Graduate) Teaching Experience Other headings: Para-teaching Experience, Leadership, Volunteer Experience, Service, Research, Publications, Awards, Interests Other headings (like Interests) can be a good place to highlight that you like tennis, and could be the tennis coach, etc.

What Sections should I include?

Contact information (name, address, phone number, and PROFESSIONAL email) Education (Undergraduate & Graduate) Teaching Experience Other headings: Para-teaching Experience, Leadership, Volunteer Experience, Service, Research, Publications, Awards, Interests Other headings (like Interests) can be a good place to highlight that you like tennis, and could be the tennis coach, etc.

Tommy Trojan Resume (original)

Thomas Trojan Resume (revised)

What else should I do?

Get letters of recommendation. Provide your recommenders with a copy of your resume. Offer to write the letter for them (even if it just provides a framework or guide). Include the letters with your resume and cover letter. Consider giving a small gift to your recommenders (e.g. Starbucks giftcard)

What else should I do?

Get letters of recommendation. Provide your recommenders with a copy of your resume. Offer to write the letter for them (even if it just provides a framework or guide). Include the letters with your resume and cover letter. Consider giving a small gift to your recommenders (e.g. Starbucks giftcard)

What else should I do?

Get letters of recommendation. Provide your recommenders with a copy of your resume. Offer to write the letter for them (even if it just provides a framework or guide). Include the letters with your resume and cover letter. Consider giving a small gift to your recommenders (e.g. Starbucks giftcard)

What else should I do?

Get letters of recommendation. Provide your recommenders with a copy of your resume. Offer to write the letter for them (even if it just provides a framework or guide). Include the letters with your resume and cover letter. Consider giving a small gift to your recommenders (e.g. Starbucks giftcard)

What else should I do?

Get letters of recommendation. Provide your recommenders with a copy of your resume. Offer to write the letter for them (even if it just provides a framework or guide). Include the letters with your resume and cover letter. Consider giving a small gift to your recommenders (e.g. Starbucks gift card)

Cover Letters
From the Rossier Masters Programs & MAT Offices, with help from USCs Career Center

What is a Cover Letter?

The main point of a cover letter is to tie your experience directly to the job description. Look at the job description and be sure the words relate directly to those in your cover letter (and resume). For example, if the employer is looking for experience with at-risk populations, highlight that experience in your resumeand include an at-risk accomplishment in your cover letter.

What is a Cover Letter?

The main point of a cover letter is to tie your experience directly to the job description. Look at the job description and be sure the words relate directly to those in your cover letter (and resume). For example, if the employer is looking for experience with at-risk populations, highlight that experience in your resumeand include an at-risk accomplishment in your cover letter.

What is a Cover Letter?

The main point of a cover letter is to tie your experience directly to the job description. Look at the job description and be sure the words relate directly to those in your cover letter (and resume). For example, if the employer is looking for experience with at-risk populations, highlight that experience in your resumeand include an at-risk accomplishment in your cover letter.

Tips
Keep the format the same as your resume format. You want to brand yourself to help make a memorable impression. Know whom the letter is going to. Do not use To Whom It May Concern if you can find out who the principal or hiring officer is. Use paragraphs, not bullet points. Do not cut and paste content from your resume. Keep it to one page (of 3-4 paragraphs).

Tips
Keep the format the same as your resume format. You want to brand yourself to help make a memorable impression. Know whom the letter is going to. Do not use To Whom It May Concern if you can find out who the principal or hiring officer is. Use paragraphs, not bullet points. Do not cut and paste content from your resume. Keep it to one page (of 3-4 paragraphs).

Tips
Keep the format the same as your resume format. You want to brand yourself to help make a memorable impression. Know whom the letter is going to. Do not use To Whom It May Concern if you can find out who the principal or hiring officer is. Use paragraphs, not bullet points. Do not cut and paste content from your resume. Keep it to one page (of 3-4 paragraphs).

Tips
Keep the format the same as your resume format. You want to brand yourself to help make a memorable impression. Know whom the letter is going to. Do not use To Whom It May Concern if you can find out who the principal or hiring officer is. Use paragraphs, not bullet points. Do not cut and paste content from your resume. Keep it to one page (of 3-4 paragraphs).

Tips
Keep the format the same as your resume format. You want to brand yourself to help make a memorable impression. Know whom the letter is going to. Do not use To Whom It May Concern if you can find out who the principal or hiring officer is. Use paragraphs, not bullet points. Do not cut and paste content from your resume. Keep it to one page (of 3-4 paragraphs).

Cover Letter Format

Put your contact information at the top (preferably in the exact same format as your resume). The date is below your contact information. Below the date is the recipients name, title, and address. The first paragraph should mention specifically for what job you are applying. If you have a referral or know someone at the school, the first paragraph is a great place to mention that.

Cover Letter Format

Put your contact information at the top (preferably in the exact same format as your resume). The date is below your contact information. Below the date is the recipients name, title, and address. The first paragraph should mention specifically for what job you are applying. If you have a referral or know someone at the school, the first paragraph is a great place to mention that.

Cover Letter Format

Put your contact information at the top (preferably in the exact same format as your resume). The date is below your contact information. Below the date is the recipients name, title, and address. The first paragraph should mention specifically for what job you are applying. If you have a referral or know someone at the school, the first paragraph is a great place to mention that.

Cover Letter Format

Put your contact information at the top (preferably in the exact same format as your resume). The date is below your contact information. Below the date is the recipients name, title, and address. The first paragraph should mention specifically for what job you are applying. If you have a referral or know someone at the school, the first paragraph is a great place to mention that.

Cover Letter Format

The second paragraph should elaborate on relevant experience from your resume. Instead of repeating the resume, build on what youve already mentioned. Be sure to highlight experience that the employer specifically mentioned in the job description. Also mention specific accomplishments (for example, you raised student test scores by 15%; or you all of your students passed the STAR testing).

Cover Letter Format

The second paragraph should elaborate on relevant experience from your resume. Instead of repeating the resume, build on what youve already mentioned. Be sure to highlight experience that the employer specifically mentioned in the job description. Also mention specific accomplishments (for example, you raised student test scores by 15%; or you all of your students passed the STAR testing).

Cover Letter Format

The second paragraph should elaborate on relevant experience from your resume. Instead of repeating the resume, build on what youve already mentioned. Be sure to highlight experience that the employer specifically mentioned in the job description. Also mention specific accomplishments (for example, you raised student test scores by 15%; or you all of your students passed the STAR testing).

Cover Letter Format

If you have enough relevant experience to highlight, you might use another paragraph to mention it. The final paragraph should tell the employer why (s)he should hire you. Mention specialized skills that you didnt include in your resume. The final paragraph is also a place to mention that you included letters of recommendation.

Cover Letter Format

If you have enough relevant experience to highlight, you might use another paragraph to mention it. The final paragraph should tell the employer why (s)he should hire you. Mention specialized skills that you didnt include in your resume. The final paragraph is also a place to mention that you included letters of recommendation.

Cover Letter Format

If you have enough relevant experience to highlight, you might use another paragraph to mention it. The final paragraph should tell the employer why (s)he should hire you. Mention specialized skills that you didnt include in your resume. The final paragraph is also a place to mention that you included letters of recommendation.

Sample Cover Letter

Dear Mr. Nikias: When I saw Southern California High Schools position for a Teacher of English to Speakers of Other Languages, I was immediately interested. I am particularly drawn to your schools mission of improving education in urban environments. Having taught in urban schools myself, I am familiar with the challenges and rewards of teaching students in this context.

Sample Cover Letter

For the past six months, I have been working at Campbell Hall High, located in south-central Los Angeles. Nearly three quarters of our students receive free or reduced lunch, so I along with teaching my students, Ive had to address issues of hunger and other poverty-related issues. Im proud of the way Ive empowered students to use both written and spoken English to talk about the problems they face. I approached this topic sensitively at first, but found many of them were glad to have a forum to express their frustrations and anxieties.

Sample Cover Letter

My decision to encourage students to talk about their experiences has also brought them closer together and created a tight-knit community in my classroom. This new, safe environment frees students to use English more freely, and I attribute the rise in the average class grade (from 73% to 81%) largely to my personal approach.

In addition to my success in improving my students English language skills, I have several other skills that make me an excellent candidate for your school. As a graduate of USCs TESOL program, I have extensive experience incorporating technology into my classroom; I know how to use tools like SMART boards to enhancebut not overtaketraditional instruction methods. Additionally, my work as a counselor has refined my natural empathy in dealing with students with problems inside and outside the classroom. I am fluent in Mandarin Chinese; this skill has been particularly effective as Californian schools have witnessed a large influx of immigrants from China in recent years.

Sample Cover Letter

I believe my experience and skills are an excellent match for the TESOL teaching position you described. I would love the opportunity to further discuss my qualifications with you. I have included two reference letters for your convenience. Thank you for your time and consideration.

Sincerely,
Thomas Trojan