Marketing Yourself Effectively

RÉSUMÉS &

LETTERS GUIDE

What is a Résumé?

A résumé is a marketing tool, a personal advertisement, used to help you get an interview. It is a one-page

(sometimes two-page) document that brieﬂy highlights your educational background, experience, and

skills. It is not an autobiography. The most eective résumé must be well written, concise, organized and

clearly focused on a speciﬁc job title and address the employer’s stated requirements for the position. The

more you know about the duties and skills required for the job – and organize your résumé round these

points – the more eective your résumé will be.

General Guidelines

Your résumé has 15-20 seconds to catch an employer’s eye and get an interview. Make it count!

Paper

When printing your résumé for submission by mail or in person, use high-quality paper in conservative

colors (white, ivory, or very pale gray). Do not use paper with visible ﬂecks in it.

Header

Utilize the same header on all documents (résumé and list of references). Include your name and your

complete contact information. Be certain your email address sounds professional (e.g., not

“prettypinkprincess@whatever.com”) and make sure your voicemail message is professional. Do not use

your work email address. Put your name at the top of page two on a two-page résumé.

Font & Styling

Use a standard font (e.g., Times New Roman, Arial, Garamond). Avoid casual fonts like Comic Sans. Text

size should be 11-12 points. Your name and section headings can and should be a bit larger. Utilize styling

tools such as bolding, • bullets, italics and ALL CAPITALS carefully for ease when skimming.

Order

Readers lose interest as they read down and across the page. Prioritize information in order of importance,

with the most important text up high and to the left where it is most likely to be read.

Numbers & Abbreviations

Spell out numbers under and including ten; use the numerical form for numbers over and including 11 (as a

general rule), unless they are the ﬁrst words in a sentence. Spell out abbreviations unless they are

unquestionably obvious.

Format

Formulate bulleted statements rather than using paragraphs of text:

• Use white space between sections of writing as appropriate.

• Keep sentences as short and direct.

• Maintain uniformity, such as either using periods or not using them after all bulleted statements.

• Start each bulleted statement with an action verb. Use present tense verbs for jobs you are still doing,

and past tense verbs for tasks you have completed or are no longer doing.

Information to Avoid

Do not include personal information such as age, height, weight, health status, marital status, number of

children, military classiﬁcation, photographs, etc. unless it is required for the speciﬁc position.

Templates and Sample Résumés

Templates and sample résumés will give you an idea of what the format of your résumé should look like.

However, there is no one right way to write your résumé. You can use a template as a guide, but customize

it to ﬁt your needs. We recommend avoiding Microsoft Word templates.

Overview of Résumés

Parts of a Résumé?

Objective

An objective is optional. The purpose of an objective statement is to let the employer know what position

or type of job you are applying for, and your qualiﬁcations for that position in a short concise statement.

Focus on what you have to oer rather than on what the job can oer you.

Education

This section should be listed ﬁrst on your résumé as long as you are in school. Begin with your most recent

level of education and degree and list in reverse chronological order. Include the name and location of

schools, expected date of completion (not dates of attendance), major ﬁelds of study, and degrees

received.

• Do not list your high school information unless you are a freshman or sophomore.

• Do not include schools you transferred from unless you received an Associate’s Degree.

• Your GPA should be included if it is above 3.0.

• Honors and awards that are directly related to your academics may also be listed under this section.

Experience

This section can include full-time, part-time, internship, and volunteer experiences – both paid and unpaid.

Start with your most recent employer. Give dates of employment, your job title, name of the company, and

the company’s city and state.

• This section should detail your accomplishments, transferable skills, and important responsibilities. It

should not be a listing of your job duties.

• Begin each statement using action verbs. See the list of action verbs included in this packet.

• Avoid “Responsible for…” or “Duties Included…”

• Use numbers and percentages to provide measurable results when appropriate (e.g., number of people

supervised; number of children in classroom; size of event; budget you oversaw, etc.).

Activities

It is important to show involvement throughout college in areas other than the classroom. This is an

optional section where you can list campus activities, as well as job-related professional, humanitarian, or

other groups. These activities may be worth mentioning, particularly if you were an ocer or were active in

some other way.

Honors & Awards

This section can showcase any special honors and awards you may have received. If the only awards

received were in school, put those under the Education section.

Skills & Certiﬁcations

List skills such as knowledge of foreign languages, computers (operating systems, relevant applications),

and relevant certiﬁcations. Other skills or special abilities (e.g., quick-learner, people-oriented, dynamic

public speaker) should be demonstrated through your experience section.

Other Sections

Because each person has diverse experiences and strengths, there are many dierent categories that can

be included in a résumé. This is not a comprehensive list of all of the sections you might choose to include

on your résumé. You might also choose to include any of the following sections:

• Leadership Experience

• Project Experience

• Professional Aliations & Memberships

• Relevant Coursework

• Community Involvement

• Volunteer Experience

• Publications & Research Experience

• Conferences & Presentations

1 2

Action Verbs

The following are action-oriented verbs that can be used throughout your résumé and personal presenta-

tions to convey energy, accomplishments, and skills. You do not want to use “Responsibilities include...”

which appears regularly on résumés. A prospective employer doesn’t want to know what you were

supposed to do; he or she needs to know how you discharged the duties!

These words should be the lead words in phrases, which tell you what you really did. This list is not all-in-

clusive, so use your own action verbs when you don’t ﬁnd the right words here. REMEMBER: if you are

currently doing the task, keep the action verb in present tense. Try not to end the action verb using –ing.

Analytical

Accelerated

Adjusted

Administered

Allocated

Analyzed

Assessed

Balanced

Budgeted

Calculated

Clariﬁed

Collected

Conserved

Controlled

Decreased

Determined

Developed

Evaluated

Gathered

Identiﬁed

Interpreted

Investigated

Managed

Marketed

Maximed

Organized

Planned

Prepared

Programmed

Projected

Reduced

Researched

Retrieved

Solved

Speciﬁed

Studied

Tested

Validated

Creative

Combined

Composed

Conceptualized

Constructed

Created

Designed

Edited

Entertained

Established

Illustrated

Modeled

Performed

Revised

Revitalized

Shaped

Leadership

Accomplished

Advanced

Administered

Approved

Assigned

Chaired

Coordinated

Delegated

Directed

Headed

Improved

Instituted

Integrated

Led

Managed

Oversaw

Presided

Recruited

Reviewed

Selected

Streamlined

Strengthened

Supervised

Uniﬁed

Marketing

Conceived

Delivered

Exceeded

Generated

Launched

Marketed

Maximized

Minimized

Promoted

Restored

Transformed

Interpersonal

Advised

Advocated

Answered

Coached

Collaborated

Contributed

Enabled

Ensured

Facilitated

Guided

Mediated

Moderated

Motivated

Negotiated

Referred

Represented

Resolved

Simpliﬁed

Supplied

Supported

Promoted

Proposed

Published

Reported

Responded

Translated

Wrote

Organization

Approved

Arranged

Cataloged

Charted

Classiﬁed

Collected

Compiled

Distributed

Expedited

Filed

Generated

Logged

Maintained

Monitored

Operated

Ordered

Prepared

Processed

Provided

Recorded

Registered

Responded

Reviewed

Scheduled

Screened

Submitted

Systematized

Updated

Veriﬁed

Communication

Addressed

Authored

Communicated

Contacted

Corresponded

Drafted

Formulated

Informed

Interpreted

Outlined

Presented

Teaching

Advised

Conducted

Critiqued

Educated

Encouraged

Focused

Guided

Informed

Instructed

Taught

Tested

Trained

Technical

Assembled

Automated

Caluclated

Computed

Constructed

Controlled

Drafted

Engineered

Measured

Programmed

Additional Tips

• 11-12 pt. font looks best.

• Customize your résumé to ﬁt each employer and position. This will take some research on your part.

• Consider the overall aesthetics of your résumé.

• The chonological format is preferred by employers (start with most recenter experience).

Failure to customize.

Your résumé should be tailored to the targeted opportunity. Be prepared to revise your résumé

many times throughout your job search and into your career. Your résumé should convey why you

are the perfect candidate for a speciﬁc job.

Highlighing job duties instead of accomplishments and transferable skills.

Employers don’t care as much about what you’ve done as what you’ve accomplished in your

various activities. Highlight accomplishments and transferable skills.

Use of personal pronouns.

Eliminate any use of personal pronouns such as I, my, we, our, they, their, them.

A poorly worded objective statement.

Give employers something speciﬁc and, more importantly, something that focuses on their needs,

not your own.

Listing references.

References should be listed on separate document. Avoid writing “References available upon

request.”

Use of abbreviations.

In general, avoid using abbreviations except for two-letter state abbreviations. If using an

abbreviation, spell out the full name the ﬁrst time and include an abbreviation in parentheses

before using throughout the rest of the résumé.

Inconsistent or unattractive format.

Your résumé should have a simple, clean structure and be very easy to read. Be sure bulleted

statements are in line, margins are approximately 1” on all sides, spacing between sections is

consistent, and headings are easy to ﬁnd.

Typos and grammatical errors.

Your résumé needs to be perfect from a grammatical standpoint. One typo, misspelled word, or

grammatical error could eliminate you from consideration.

Using graphics or pictures.

Unless you are applying for a job in a creative ﬁeld, graphics should not be used on a résumé. And

your picture should never go on your résumé. If it’s necessary, include it as an attachment.

Failure to include a cover letter.

A cover letter should always accompany your résumé. Your cover letter is an introduction to your

résumé and should clearly articulate why you are the best person for the job. When submitting

your résumé via email, your email message will serve as your cover letter.

Top 10 Résumé Mistakes

Before ﬁnalizing your résumé, make sure you don’t commit any of these mistakes:

10.

What is a Cover Letter?

A well-written cover letter should always accompany your résumé. The cover letter gives you the

opportunity to draw an employer’s attention to speciﬁc skills and experience outlined in your résumé,

convey your research and knowledge of the organization, and expand upon information which

particularly matches you to the position for which you wish to be considered. If you are emailing your

résumé to a potential employer, your email message can serve as your cover letter. Remember that the

cover letter is a reﬂection of your writing skills, so take time and care to proofread your document.

Format & Content

Cover letters should be one page in length, and three to four paragraphs long. The structure of the cover

letter typically consists of an introductory paragraph, a middle paragraph identifying your speciﬁc strengths

matched to the employer’s needs, and a concluding paragraph restating your interest in the position and

requesting an interview. They should be written in professional business format and printed on the same

paper as the résumé. Cover letters are not form letters. They should be targeted to each position and

should address the speciﬁc employer’s qualiﬁcations. Cover letters are also more eective when

addressed to an actual person rather than “Dear Sir or Madam” or “To Whom It May Concern.”

The heading of the letter should include your return address, the date, the person you are sending the

letter to and the business address. That will be followed up by a proper salutation (e.g., Dear Mr. Jones).

Paragraph 1 - Explain Your Purpose

• Clearly identify the position for which you are applying or state why you would be the right candidate

for a speciﬁc job.

• If answering an ad or a job posting, state where you heard about the opening. If someone referred you

to the position, mention that person’s name.

• If you do not know whether the employer has an opening, indicate the type of position you are seeking.

Paragraph 2 - Your Sales Pitch

• Explain your qualiﬁcations and why you are interested in the position and the company.

• Generate the reader’s interest in you by referring to an enclosed résumé. Do not repeat your résumé;

rather, highlight speciﬁc examples of your experience and qualiﬁcations as they relate to the desired

position.

Paragraph 3 - Your Plan of Action

• Identify what you will do next.

• Make a request for an interview. If you know you will follow up, state that.

• Keep this paragraph short, positive and avoid sounding aggressive or “pushy” in tone.

• Thank them for their time and indicate your eagerness to speak with them.

• Include your contact information (phone and email address).

• At the end, you must include a signature block. Be sure to sign the letter before it is sent!

Overview of Cover Letters

Failure to customize.

Your cover letter should be tailored to match each speciﬁc position that you are applying for.

Remember that it tells the hiring manager which position you’re applying for; and it is the

introduction to you and your résumé.

Too long.

Your cover letter should not exceed one page. Get to the point – which is to get them to read your

résumé.

Too short.

Most cover letters should be one full page. Many people make them too short because they think

that cover letters don’t really matter. But, keep in mind that the point of the cover letter is to make

the hiring manager want to read your résumé.

Too casual.

Remember that you are not writing a letter to your friend, but to your potential employer. Be polite

and friendly, but not too casual. Use formal business letter format.

Spelling erros and typos.

This simply mistake can cost you the job.

Addressing the letter “To Whom It May Concern.”

Do you like getting junk mail that’s addressed to “current resident”? Of course not! Neither does

the hiring manager of the company you’re applying with. Take the time to learn about the compa-

ny and who does the hiring for them. Then, include their name and title in the cover letter.

Writing vague statements.

Your cover letter is the place to make yourself stand out from the crowd. Pick speciﬁc achieve-

ments to highlight. Use lots of speciﬁc adjectives to describe yourself. Match them with the ones

in the job posting if possible. If they want a “highly motivated and outgoing person”, be sure to use

those words in your cover letter.

Long paragraphs.

Your cover letter should be easy to read, and easy to skim. Use short paragraphs, sentences

and words.

Using graphics or pictures.

Do not include any graphics and pictures that might distract the reader.

Forgetting to sign the letter.

It give an important personal touch!

Top 10 Cover Letter Mistakes

Before ﬁnalizing your cover letter, make sure you don’t commit any of these mistakes:

10.

Prospecting Letters

The purpose of this letter is to inquire about possible vacancies, have someone read your résumé, and to

generate an interview.

Networking Letters

This letter is sent to individuals requesting information about a career or company. Normally, a résumé is

not attached to this type of letter because the focus is on generating information not generating job oers!

It’s excellent used as a way to ask for an informational interview.

Follow-Up Letters

A letter requesting the status of your application while noting your continued interest in the position. You

should also oer to provide any additional information that would assist the employer in making a decision.

Due to time sensitivity, this letter is often emailed.

Interview Conﬁrmation Letters

Once an interview appointment has been made between you and a prospective employer over the tele-

phone, it is sometimes best to follow-up that conversation with a conﬁrmation letter or email indicating:

• Restatement of the date and time of the interview appointment

• Other pertinent details discussed on the phone

• Your appreciation of the employers further consideration of your qualiﬁcations

Post-Interview Thank You Letters

This is one of the most important yet least used letters in a job search. It is used to show good will and

appreciation. A thank-you letter should always be sent with 24 -48 hours after an interview. It can be a

handwritten note, business letter or sent via email. A well written thank- you reminds the employer who

you are, your background and qualiﬁcations, shows your enthusiasm and continued interest and conveys

your sincere appreciation for their time.

Job Acceptance Letters

Congratulations if you’ve made it to this stage in the job search! This letter is sent to an employer when

an oer has been made. Use it to accept the oer and conﬁrm the terms of employment (start date, salary,

medical examinations, etc.). It is an excellent way to positively reinforce the employer’s decision to hire you.

Job Oer Letters of Declination

A letter sent to formally decline an oer of employment or to remove you from consideration as a

candidate. Rejecting an employment oer must be done thoughtfully. Indicate that you have carefully

considered the oer but that it was not the best job ﬁt for this stage in your career. Do not say that you

have obtained a better job. You want to express your thanks while keeping the door open for future

contact.

Job Oer Clariﬁcation Letters

This letter is used to clarify any details about a job oer which can help you in making a decision. You can

request clariﬁcation in two ways: over the phone or formally by letter.

Other Letters

Iwanna Jobb

[email protected]

Current Address Permanent Address

3 Eagle Avenue 123 Parents Street

Statesboro, GA 30458 Hometown, USA 98765

(912) 681-5197 (980) 765-4321

Objective Target the organization or the title for which you are applying. Keep it short and simple!

Education Georgia Southern University, Statesboro, GA

Bachelor of Arts (or Science) in (Major), Graduation Date, GPA (if 3.0 or higher)

Relevant Most Recent Employer, City, State

Experience Position Held Date held position (Month, Year)

• List your duties & responsibilities – something you did or learned

• Cite an accomplishment you achieved while working (need at least 2)

• Begin each bullet with an action verb

Previous Company(s) You Worked At, City, State

Position Held Date held position (Month, Year)

• List at least two, up to ﬁve duties

• Concentrate on accomplishments, skills, and responsibilities

Project Project Name/Class Name, Semester, Year

Experience Georgia Southern University, Statesboro, GA

• List goals, objectives, & outcome of the project

• Begin each bullet with an action verb

Relevant

Courses *If you need a ﬁller or have little experience in your ﬁeld

Leadership Position Title, Organization Name –describe accomplishments

Experience Position Title, Organization Name

Position Title, Organization Name

Honors Dean’s List, Awards, Scholarships, HOPE

*If you have earned a scholarship, or were recognized for some type of achievement list it.

Computer Outline your technical skills, list all programs you know or are familiar with.

Skills

• Specify 2-4 skills that relate.

• Use bullet format

Activities Organization Name, Date of Involvement (2017 – Present)

*If you belong to a club, organization, sorority, and/or fraternity, list it along with any leadership

positions held and dates.

• Outline your talents, name proven abilities that support your objective

• Class Title(s) in bullet format (not every course, but only those that support your objective)

Résumé - Basic Template

Résumé - Chronological

Your Name 1 Eagle Lane, Statesboro, GA 30458 | 555.555.5555 | [email protected]

OBJECTIVE

To obtain a Programmer position at Google utilizing my education, skills, and experience.

EDUCATION

Bachelor of Science in Computer Science, May 2020

Georgia Southern University, Statesboro, GA

RELATED COURSES

• Database Programming

• Network Administration

• Web page Design

TECHNICAL SKILLS

Systems: Windows Vista | UNIX | LINUX

Software: Microsoft Oce Suite | Adobe Photoshop | DreamWeaver | FrontPage

Programming Languages: C | C++ Å HTML | XHTML | Java |Visual Basic

RELATED EXPERIENCE

Student Assistant, September 2019-Present

Department of Computer Science, Georgia Southern University, Statesboro, GA

• Maintain department website including content, programming, and troubleshooting

• Create graphics and other visual elements to include on website

• Assist sta with administrative tasks

Senior Project, Spring 2020

Georgia Southern University, Statesboro, GA

• As part of a four-member team designed, developed and implemented a web based survey system

• Created beta database program to organize survey results and provide easy access

• Utilized XHTML on an Apache Tomcat Server to write program

Intern, May 2016-July 2017

The Game Shop, Atlanta, GA

• Located and correct programming code in prototype software

• Brainstormed new ideas for gamming scenarios in sta meetings

• Assisted with the development, testing and implementation of fantasy game products

OTHER EXPERIENCE

Career Educator, September 2017-May 2018

Georgia Southern University Oce of Career and Professional Development, Statesboro, GA

• Helped students, alumni, and other populations with career resources

• Aided sta in administrative duties and at on-campus events

• Presented workshops on oce services and résumés to classes and student groups

INVOLVEMENT

Association for Computing Machinery (ACM), Member, Fall 2019-Present

• Participated in regional and national programming competition

Alpha Beta Alpha Honor Society, Member, Fall 2018-Present

Intramural Soccer, 2018-2019

Habitat for Humanity, Spring 2017

• Computer Software Engineering

• Programming Visual Basic

• Operating System Pragmatics

Résumé - Functional

Your Name

Summary of Qualiﬁcations

• For the summary limit it to 4-6 bulleted statements highlighting your strongest attributes

• List achievement or skills that would relate to the position applying for

• List these as short bulleted statements

• This is where you begin to sell yourself to a potential employer

Areas of Eectiveness

Interpersonal and Teamwork Skills

• List achievement, skills, experience in this functional area

• Begin each bullet with an action verb

• List in short bullet format

• List 4-6 statements describing your experience from your past positions.

• Try to list signiﬁcant achievements, awards, accolades, etc.

Customer Service and Sales Skills

• List achievement, skills, experience in this functional area

• List in short bullet format and begin each bullet with an action verb

• List 4-6 statements describing your experience from your past positions.

• Try to list signiﬁcant achievements, awards, accolades, etc.

Managerial and Supervisory Skills

• List achievement, skills, experience in this functional area

• List in short bullet format and begin each bullet with an action verb

• List 4-6 statements describing your experience from your past positions.

• Try to list signiﬁcant achievements, awards, accolades, etc.

Marketing and Public Relations

• List achievement, skills, experience in this functional area

• List in short bullet format and begin each bullet with an action verb

• List 4-6 statements describing your experience from your past positions.

• Try to list signiﬁcant achievements, awards, accolades, etc.

Education

Georgia Southern University, Statesboro, GA

Bachelor of Science in Computer Science, May 2019 GPA: 3.5

Employment History

Job Title, Company Name, City, State, Dates of Employment

Computer Skills

Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, Excel, Access, SAP

123 Eagle Court | Statesboro, GA 30458 (912) 444-5555 [email protected]

Joe Eagle

Veteran’s Preference: N/A

Federal Civilian Status: N/A

Country of Citizenship: United States of America

DATE OF BIRTH Month Day, Year

ANNOUNCEMENT Announcement #0000000000, Job Title (GS #)

EDUCATION Georgia Southern University — Statesboro, GA 30460

Degree: Bachelor of Arts/Science in [Major], May 2019

Major: Biology Major GPA: 3.85/4.0 Overall GPA: 3.76/4.0

Academic Honors: Magna Cum Laude, Dean’s List 2008-2012

Relevant Coursework: List any classes that you have taken that are relevant

to the job in which you are applying.

Statesboro High School, Statesboro, GA 30458

College preparatory curriculum, Received Diploma, June 2015

HONORS/ Dean’s List, 2015, 2016, 2017

AWARDS Golden Key Honor Society, 2015 - 2016

CERTIFICATIONS List any certiﬁcations that you may have

TRAINING Leadership Skills for a Global Society, LeadersSHAPE Conference, Georgia

Southern University Spring 2017

COMPUTER SKILLS Proﬁcient in Microsoft Word, Access, Excel, PowerPoint, SPSS.

LANGUAGE SKILLS Bilingual - Proﬁcient in Spanish and English. Able to interpret and translate

documents and correspondence for both Spanish and English.

EMPLOYMENT Job Title Month Year – Month Year

HISTORY Company Hours: # of hours worked/week

Physical Address Ending Salary: $ per hour

City, State Zip Beginning Salary: $ per hour

Supervisor: First & Last Name, Phone # May Contact: Yes or No

List ALL of your duties and responsibilities in sentence/paragraph format. Begin

each sentence with an action verb. Try to be as descriptive as possible, but

concise.

Accomplishments: Make sure to include any accomplishments achieved.

VOLUNTEER Title Month Year – Month Year

EXPERIENCE Organization Name Hours: # of hours worked/week

Physical Address

City, State Zip

Supervisor: First & Last Name, Phone # May Contact: Yes or No

List ALL of your duties and responsibilities in sentence/paragraph format. Begin

each sentence with an action verb. Try to be as descriptive as possible, but

concise.

ACTIVITIES Organization Name Dates of Involvement

Résumé - Federal

123 Southern Drive (912) 555-1212

Statesboro, GA 30458 [email protected]

Résumé - No Work Experience

Susie Eagle

Current Address Permanent Address

3 Eagle Avenue 123 Parents Street

Statesboro, GA 30458 Hometown, USA 98765

(912) 681-5197 (980) 765-4321

OBJECTIVE

To obtain an internship with a non-proﬁt organization to utilize my skills and education.

EDUCATION

Georgia Southern University, Statesboro, GA

Bachelor of Science in Psychology

, May 2022 GPA: 3.5

QUALIFICATIONS SUMMARY

• Ability to write clear, comprehensive and grammatically correct documents

• Demonstrated skill in managing change and maintaining ﬂexibility in a variety of challenging

environments

• Experienced in using various research methods for both academic and community

service projects

• Ability to work in diverse teams and to communicate well with others

• Experience in fund raising and recruiting volunteers for fund raising events

COMPUTER SKILLS

Experience with both PC and Macintosh computers; Proﬁcient in Microsoft Oce

PRE-PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

Leadership, 2020- present

• Volunteered to assist in campus awareness campaigns on domestic violence

• Led group discussions at Georgia Southern University on the pros and cons of various

issues: teen intervention, abortion, etc.

• Initiated outreach to local migrant farm workers and their families to encourage them to

seek higher education

Organization, 2019

• Compiled community outreach data into a concise report, presented to the Community

Awareness Group at Georgia Southern University

• Helped coordinate the Peachtree High School food drive

• Raised $1,200 cash donations

• Distributed over 780 cans of food to local targeted populations

Cover Letter - Template

Your Street address

City, State Zip

Date

Name

Title

Company

Street Address

City, State Zip

Dear Mr./Ms. Employer:

(Address the letter to a speciﬁc individual. Do the research necessary to ﬁnd the name of the individual

hiring for the position-if you cannot locate the individual, use a reference line in place of the salutation.)

First paragraph: Why are you writing

Indicate the reason for writing, the speciﬁc position or type of work for which you are applying, and how you

learned of the opening. Express your knowledge about and enthusiasm for this particular organization, its

products, or its services.

Second paragraph: What you have to oer

Indicate what you can do for the employer. This is your opportunity to convince the employer that you can

make a unique contribution to their organization. Do your research! Highlight your skills, experience,

knowledge, personal qualities, academic background, and accomplishments most relevant to the job

description. Link these positive features to ways you can beneﬁt the employer. Use speciﬁc examples to

support claims you make about yourself. Link your strengths and examples to the employer’s needs and to

the stated job requirements. You may refer to the enclosed résumé, but try not to repeat the exact

information that the reader will ﬁnd there. If necessary, this can be two paragraphs.

Third paragraph: What happens next

Conclude by restating your interest in the position and the organization. Refer the reader to the enclosed

résumé or application form that summarizes your qualiﬁcations, training, and experience. Indicate your

desire for a personal interview and repeat your contact information (i.e. phone number and email address).

Close with a statement that will encourage a response. For example, state that you will be in the city where

the organization is located on a certain date and would like to set up an interview. Or, simply state that you

will call on a certain date and time to inquire about an interview. Thank the individual for their time and

consideration.

Sincerely,

Your handwritten signature (in blue or black ink)

Your Typed Name

Enclosure: Résumé & References

Cover Letter - Full-Time Job

9066 Herty Street Apt C

Statesboro, Georgia 30458

June 30, 2018

Ms. Jane Grey

Director of Personnel

Large Bank Corporation

111 North Street

Atlanta, GA 32121

Dear Ms. Grey:

I am writing to express my interest in the marketing research position you advertised in the August 20th

edition of the Atlanta Journal Constitution. With my undergraduate research background, my training in

psychology and sociology, and my work experience. I believe I could make a valuable contribution to Large

National Bank Corporation in this position.

In May 2019, I will complete a Bachelor of Science in Psychology with a minor in Sociology from Georgia

Southern University. As part of the requirements for this degree, I am involved in a senior marketing

research project which has given me experience interviewing and surveying research subjects and

assisting with the analysis of the data collected. I also have completed a course in statistics and research

methods.

In additional to academic work, my experience also includes working part-time as a bookkeeper in a small,

independently owned restaurant with an annual budget of approximately $150,000. Because of the small

size of the business, I have been exposed to and participated in most aspects of managing a business,

including advertising and marketing. As the bookkeeper, I produced monthly sales reports that allow the

owners to project seasonal inventory needs. I also assisted with the development of ideas for special

promotional events and calculated sales proceeds after each event in order to evaluate its success. My

résumé, with additional information about my qualiﬁcations, is enclosed.

I believe that the combination of my business experience and social science research training is well-suited

to the marketing research position you described. Would you please consider my request for a personal

interview to discuss my qualiﬁcations and to learn more about this opportunity? I shall call you during the

week of July 23rd to discuss further. Should you need to reach me, please feel free to contact me at

912-555-1212 or via email at [email protected].

Sincerely,

John Glenn

Enclosure: Résumé & References

Cover Letter - Internship

9066 Herty Street Apt C

Statesboro, Georgia 30458

June 30, 2020

Ms. Jane Grey

Director of Human Resources

ABC Magazine

111 North Street

Atlanta, GA 32121

Dear Ms. Grey:

I am responding to your fall internship posting placed on Georgia Southern University’s

Handshake system. After reviewing the job description, I believe my academic and leadership

background in news writing and editing makes me an ideal candidate for your internship as an

Editorial Assistant.

Since 2017, I have been a member of the university’s newspaper sta where I constantly apply

classroom knowledge to real world applications. In this environment, I work with a small team of

sports writers as well as a larger newspaper sta to produce a weekly publication. My ability to

work with the team members to edit and write copy while always meeting strict deadlines would

be an asset to your

magazine.

My résumé is enclosed, but I look forward to meeting with you in person to discuss how my

skills and experience would beneﬁt your company. Please contact me at (912) 555-5555 or

[email protected] at your convenience. Thank you for your time and consideration.

Sincerely,

John Glenn

Enclosure: Résumé & References

Prospecting Letter - Internship

9066 Herty Street Apt C

Statesboro, Georgia 30458

June 30, 2020

Mr. R U Hiring

Personnel Director

Atlanta History Center

190 W. Marietta Center

Atlanta, GA 30305

Dear Mr. Hiring:

I am currently a junior at Georgia Southern University seeking a summer internship that will

enable me to develop my skills managing historical exhibits and apply the concepts learned

in my undergraduate studies. I became acquainted with the Atlanta History Center by reading

your recruitment literature at the Georgia Southern University Oce of Career and Professional

Development.

As you will note in the enclosed résumé, I have had a volunteer experience with the

Milledgeville History House. In addition, I have worked as a customer service specialist in a retail

setting. These and other experiences have enabled me to begin to develop a variety of skills

including problem-solving, interpersonal communication, and time management. Therefore, I

know that I would be able to make a meaningful contribution to your organization.

I would like the opportunity to further discuss summer internship opportunities with you in

person. I am from Atlanta and plan to be home during my Spring Break March 16-20. I will

contact your oce in about two weeks to discuss the possibility of meeting during that week.

Thank you for your time and consideration. I look forward to speaking with you soon.

Sincerely,

[Signature]

Name, typed

Enclosure: Résumé & References

Prospecting Letter - Full-Time Job

9066 Herty Street Apt C

Statesboro, Georgia 30458

June 30, 2020

Mr. J. B. Price

Director of College Recruiting

You Buy It Stores

4500 Sunshine Drive

Chicago, IL 60601

Dear Mr. Price:

I have been reading about You Buy It Stores in the Georgia Southern University Handshake system and

would like to inquire about employment opportunities in your management training program. I want to

work in retail management and would like to relocate to the Chicago area.

I shall receive my Bachelor of Arts degree in English this May. Although I studied English, my interest

in business started with my membership in the Future Business Leaders of America organization while

in high school and developed further through a variety of sales and retail positions during college. My

internship with Nordstrom’s convinced me to pursue a career in retailing. When I researched the top

retailers in the Chicago area, You Buy It Stores emerged as having a strong market position, an excellent

training program, and a reputation for excellent customer service. In short, you provide the kind of

professional retail environment I seek.

My résumé is enclosed for your consideration. My education and experience match the qualiﬁcations

required of your management trainees, but I would like to learn more about the intricate qualities that

you seek in your management team. I know from customer and supervisor feedback that I have the

interpersonal skills and motivation needed to build a successful career in retail management. Further, my

practical experience gives me conﬁdence in my career direction and in my ability to perform.

I am very interested in talking with you further about possible employment opportunities with You Buy It

Stores. I will plan to call you in the next two weeks to see if we can arrange a meeting time that is

convenient to your schedule.

Thank you very much for considering my request. I look forward to talking with you.

Sincerely,

[Signature]

Name, typed

Enclosure: Résumé & References

Networking Letter

Your Address

City, State, Zip

Date

Mr./Ms. ________

Job Title

Company Name

Address

City, State, Zip

Dear Mr./Ms. _______________,

I was delighted to ﬁnd your name listed as an alumni of Georgia Southern University in

CareerShift because I am seeking an opportunity to speak with an experienced

professional regarding career opportunities in (state the career ﬁeld). Although I have

held an internship with (company name), I am hoping to learn more about (state what

your areas of interest are).

As an intern for (company name), I gained/learned (state the knowledge acquired).

I have developed (state the skills you developed) through my studies in (subject/courses),

participation in (name the student/professional organizations you are involved in), and (state any

other experience you have had i.e. study abroad experience). My goal is to ﬁnd the best way of

presenting my skills and abilities to potential employers.

I would greatly appreciate having an opportunity to talk with you about your work and your

point of view on eective job search strategies for graduating seniors like me. I will call

you in the next week to see if we might be able to arrange a convenient time to talk. In the

meantime, feel free to contact me at (phone number) or by email at (email address).

Thank you for considering my request.

Sincerely,

[Signature]

Name, typed

Post-Interview Thank You Letter

9066 Herty Street Apt C

Statesboro, Georgia 30458

June 30, 2020

Ms. Katherine Ortiz

Director of Development

WLMR - Channel 57

10656 Columbia Parkway

Atlanta, GA 31301

Dear Ms. Ortiz:

Thank you for the opportunity to meet with you to discuss the Assistant Director of Development

position at WLMR – Channel 57. I enjoyed our interview very much.

This opportunity sounds exciting and challenging for someone with my energy level and

commitment to public television. The Assistant Director of Development position oers an

experience suited for someone with my skills and abilities.

I would be happy to provide any additional information that you many need regarding my

candidacy.

Thank you so much for your consideration. I look forward to hearing from you soon.

Sincerely,

[Signature]

Name, typed

Enclosure: Résumé & References

Follow-Up Letter

Your Address

City, State, Zip

Date

Mr./Ms. ________

Job Title

Company Name

Address

City, State, Zip

Dear Mr./Ms. _______________, (unless you were instructed to use ﬁrst name):

In the ﬁrst paragraph, you should remind the recipient of the interview that took place, along

with the date. You can also include a little bit of information on what was discussed or key things

that will help remind the reader of that particular interview and the position you applied for.

In the body of the letter, tell the employer that your interest in the company still remains high.

Reiterate your strengths brieﬂy and how you would be an asset to the company. Also include

that you would like to be contacted on the company’s decision, whether or not you are oered

the position.

In the closing, thank the reader for his or her time and state a speciﬁc action statement. For

example, I will call your oce on Tuesday afternoon to talk about the next steps. Be clear that

you are ﬂexible in meeting again.

Sincerely,

[Signature]

Name, typed

Enclosure: Résumé & References

Job Oer Acceptance Letter

9066 Herty Street Apt C

Statesboro, Georgia 30458

June 30, 2020

Ms. Katherine Ortiz

Director of Development

WLMR - Channel 57

10656 Columbia Parkway

Atlanta, GA 31301

Dear Ms. Ortiz:

I want to thank you for oering me an opportunity to join you development team at WLMR –

Channel 57. I am very pleased to accept the Assistant Director of Development position. I

believe that this position is exactly the kind of work I want to do and I know I will serve you

organization well.

As we discussed, I shall begin work on August, 1, 2018. In the meantime, I will complete all

necessary employment forms and locate housing. I plan to be in Atlanta within the next two

weeks and would like to deliver the paperwork to you personally. At that time, we can handle

any remaining items pertaining to my employment. I will call next week to schedule an

appointment with you.

I have enjoyed my interviews with you and I look forward to beginning my career as a part of

your development team.

Sincerely,

[Signature]

Name, typed

Enclosure: Résumé & References

Job Oer Declination Letter

9066 Herty Street Apt C

Statesboro, Georgia 30458

June 30, 2020

Ms. Katherine Ortiz

Director of Development

WLMR - Channel 57

10656 Columbia Parkway

Atlanta, GA 31301

Dear Ms. Ortiz:

It was indeed a pleasure meeting with you and your development team on May 30 to discuss

your needs for an Assistant Director of Development. I cannot thank you enough for your

decision to oer me the position; however, at this time I am unable to accept your oer of

employment.

As I discussed with you during our meeting, I have a strong interest in international

communications and speciﬁcally in developing relationships with international stations. After

careful consideration, I have realized that I would be better suited for a position that

concentrates on international markets in addition to domestic markets.

Should a position that would concentrate on international markets become available, I would

be pleased to be among those considered for the opening. You have a ﬁne organization and I

would enjoy being a part of it.

Best wishes in your search.

Sincerely,

[Signature]

Name, typed

Enclosure: Résumé & References