Communication Essentials - Mini Sim on Writing Resumes & Cover Letters

Because you've decided to write a combination resume, the next section on your resume will be the skills and abilities you believe you can bring to the employer. If you have any relevant professional certifications, these would also be listed in this section.You would like to highlight that you have excellent communication skills, are proficient in Microsoft Office, have some experience in Adobe InDesign, and have leadership skills learned at your position as Assistant Team Leader at the Special

*Communication Skills Excellent written and verbal communication skills Adept at addressing and diplomatically handling customer concerns and complaints Experienced in training customer service associates Conversational in Spanish *Leadership As Assistant Team Leader at Specialty Grocery Store, assisted in leading team of 10 members in providing customers with a consistently positive shopping experience Developed innovative social networking site for employee scheduling that was adopted as a corporate model *Computer/Technical Skills Proficient in Microsoft Office Experienced in Adobe InDesign desktop publishing software

Because you've decided to write a combination resume, the next section will be your work experience. During high school, you worked as a cashier at a home improvement store. During college, you've worked at a specialty grocery store. You started out as a stockperson and were recently promoted to Assistant Team Leader. Given this information, which of the following would be the most appropriate way to state your employment experience on your resume? Select an option from the choices below and cli

/20XX-PR Specialty Grocery Store: 3/20XX-PR - Assistant Team LeaderAssist Team Leader in providing customers with a consistently positive shopping experienceEnsure that team members respond to backup cashiering calls within 60 seconds of lessDeveloped innovative social networking site for employee scheduling that was adopted as a corporate model 6/20XX-3/20XX - Stock AssociatePerform daily stockroom maintenance and shipping tasksMaintain warehouse in compliance with OSHA safety standardsAchieved 95% average productivity rate over a 2-week evaluation period 9/20XX-6/20XX Home Improvement Store - Front-End Cashier Responsible for processing sales and returns using a cash register Promoted customer loyalty plans and/or extended protection/replacement plans Address and diplomatically handle customer complaints Earned status as Part-Time Employee of the Month 3 times

Now that you've introduced yourself and gained Ms. Stein's attention, it's time to write the body of the cover letter. In the body, you should build interest in your resume by demonstrating your knowledge of the company and outlining the skills that specifically qualify you for the position. It will be important in this section to use the keywords outlined in the job posting to identify how your skills fit Structural Sound's needs, and you should demonstrate your knowledge of Structural Sound by

As a new BSBA graduate from Your College/University, I am seeking a career where my academic-based experience, combined with my enthusiasm and dedication to achieving success, will make a positive difference for Structural Sound's employees and customers. My college curriculum has included 21 credit hours of coursework in many facets of human resource management, including recruiting and selecting employees, wage and salary administration, and benefits administration. During high school and college, I worked in a fast-paced retail environment where customer service is paramount, and I—like Structural Sound—have always believed in doing the right thing for the customer. In addition to strong oral and written communication skills, I have proficiency in all facets of Microsoft Office and familiarity with several other software applications.

In a combination resume, the objective statement is typically followed by your educational background.Before enrolling in your current college/university, you attended a community college and earned an associate degree in Business Administration. Now, in addition to the core requirements for your BSBA degree, you have taken 21 credits of human resource management-specific courses, including: International Human Resources Management, Recruiting/Selecting Effective Employees, Employee Training a

BSBA, Your College/University20XX-20XX *Concentration in Human Resource Management *Coursework included: *Manpower Planning and Operation *Employee Training *Advanced Labor Relations and Collective Bargaining *Wage and Salary Administration *Overall GPA: 3.6; GPA in area of concentration: 4.0 *Dean's List all semesters AAS, Business Administration, Your Community College20XX-20XX

Before you start writing your resume, you do some research and learn that there are three common types of resumes: A chronological resume lists your work history in reverse order, starting with your current or most recent job and working backwards. It is the most common way to organize a resume, and many employers like this format because it presents your work history in a clear, easy-to-follow arrangement. A functional or skill-based resume focuses on skills and capabilities you possess that qu

Combination Resume

Before applying for the job at Structural Sound, you talk to your mentor from Your College/University, Professor Kingston, who tells you that she has a former student, Megan Stein, who works as a Benefits Analyst at Structural Sound. He suggests that you call Megan. When you do, she tells you that you can send your resume directly to her, and she will make sure that it goes through to Lindsey Swanson, the Director of Human Resources at Structural Sound. First, however, you need to compose a cove

Dear Ms. Stein: As you will recall from our telephone discussion on May 2, I was referred to you by Professor Kingston of Your College/University. I am graduating this month from that institution with a BSBA degree. My area of concentration is Human Resources. I am most interested in the Human Resources Assistant position at Structural Sound, and you encouraged me to write to you directly.

No matter what format you've selected, a resume typically begins with an introductory statement or objective. It is essentially a one- to two-sentence summation of what you have to offer an employer and your short-term professional goals. A well-written objective is both confident and succinct and should persuade the hiring manager to continue reading your resume. Of the following options, which objective statement would be most appropriate to begin your resume? Select an option from the choices

Energetic BSBA graduate with concentration in HR and 3+ years of customer service experience seeking a human resource position in an organization where excellent communication, multitasking, and leadership skills will be fully utilized.

It's time to close your cover letter. Remember that the purpose of the cover letter is to land an interview, so this section should address the "action" portion of the AIDA model. Of the following choices, which closing would be most appropriate for your cover letter? Select an option from the choices below and click Submit.

I am confident that I can bring value to Structural Sound, and I would welcome the opportunity to discuss how my experience and skills can contribute to Structural Sound's continued growth and success. I would appreciate the opportunity to meet with you and further discuss my qualifications.I can be reached by phone at XXX-XXX-XXXX or by email at [your email address]. Thank you again for your review of my credentials, and I look forward to hearing from you.