Resume, Cover Letter, and interview Skills

  • Resume

    A resume is a personalized one-page document that communicates to employers your experiences and qualifications in a standardized format. The goal of a resume is to get employers interested in you as an applicant because your experiences and qualifications match the needs of the job description.

    A resume typically includes most of the following sections:

    • Your contact information
    • Your goals
    • Your educational experience
    • Your work experience
    • Your volunteer experience
    • Your skills, abilities, and interests
    • Your references

    Your resume should:

    • Have a clear, attractive format
    • Effectively communicate your most relevant skills and experiences
    • Have NO spelling, grammer, or formatting errors
    • Be updated throughout your life as you gain more skills and experiences
    • Be tailored to the job you're applying for

    Learn more about resumes here: https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/resumes-cover-letters/resume-examples-for-teens

  • Cover Letter

    A cover letter is a personalized one-page, three-to-four paragraph document that communicates to employers why you are applying for a position and why you would be a strong fit for the position. The goal of a resume is to get employers interested in you as an applicant because your experiences and qualifications match the needs of the job description.

    A cover letter using buisness letter formatting and includes the following sections:

    • Your contact information
    • The date
    • The name and address of the person, team, or organization you are applying with
    • Your salutation or greeting
    • Your opening paragraph (often why you are interested in applying for the position)
    • Your middle paragraph (often what relevant skills and experiences you have)
    • Your closing paragraph (often why you would make a strong candidate for the position)
    • Your close and signature

    Your cover letter should:

    • Have a clear, attractive format (ideally one that matches your resume)
    • Be SPECIFICALLY tailored to the job you are applying for
    • Communicate one or two of the strongest examples about your qualification for the position
    • Have NO spelling, grammer, or formatting errors

    Learn more about cover letters here: https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/resumes-cover-letters/how-to-write-a-cover-letter

  • Interview

    An interview is typically part of the hiring process only if the hiring team has determined you to be a strong candidate from your resume and cover letter. The interview is typically a thirty-to-sixty minute question-and-answer session between you and one or more members of the hiring team. The goal of the interview is for you to demonstrate to the hiring team that you have the skills, experiences, personality, and demeanor to succeed in the position.

    An interview typically has the following components:

    • Your receipt of a call from the hiring team and schedule of a date and time to conduct the interview
    • Your arrival and check-in with the guard, secretary, office manager, etc.
    • Your time in the waiting area until the interview starts
    • Your face-to-face meeting with the hiring team, with handshakes and introductions
    • Receiving questions from the hiring team
    • Opportunities to ask questions of the hiring team
    • Closing and thanking the hiring team for their time and consideration
    • Sending a follow-up thank you via mail or email

    Typical questions asked of you during an interview are:

    • Tell us about yourself. Why are you applying for this position?
    • What are your greatest strengths?
    • What kind of supervision do you prefer?
    • Where do you see yourself in "X" years?
    • Tell us about a time you had to solve a difficult situtation. How did you do it, and what was the outcome?
    • What are your greatests areas for improvement?

    Learn more about interviews here: https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/interviewing/how-to-prepare-for-an-interview