Marketing Your Skills |
Resume |
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Resume Reviews are offered at the Career Crossings Office.
Call 284-4775 for an appointment.
Your resume is a commercial for you! It is the first impression a prospective employer will have of your qualifications. The purpose of a resume is to get you an interview. In order to be selected for an interview from among literally hundreds of resumes that may be sitting on an employer's desk, yours needs to contain information on the skills and experience you possess that are pertinent to the position applied for, be easy to read, and be attractively laid out.
Your resume must advertise your strengths as effectively as possible. In short, your resume must clearly communicate "I can do this job" to the employer. You may find that it takes four or more drafts until it is complete and you may need more than one version of your resume if you will be applying for several different types of positions. While example resumes are provided in this handout, it is most important that your resume be your creation. If it is going to have any power or strength, is has to come from you!
Three Types of Resumes
In today's world, with technology developing and shaping the world of work, it is important to note the three different types of resumes: traditional, electronic, and scannable. Each has a different impact and a different target population. Electronic and scannable resumes allow for employers to gain information about candidates in a quicker amount of time. However, the traditional resume is often sought at some point in the job search process. In the following pages, we will explain in detail each of these types of resumes and offer tips and suggestions. We encourage you to focus most of your energy on developing your traditional resume, as it will serve as a solid foundation from which you can develop your electronic and scannable versions.
Step One: Where To Begin...
A.) List all the activities you've been involved in throughout your college years, be comprehensive in considering each of the following categories (as well as any others unique to your own background):
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Jobs
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Activities
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Computer Skills
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Internships
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Special School Projects
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Volunteer
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Leadership
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Achievements
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Oral Presentations
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Clubs/Organizations
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Associations
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Honors/Awards
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Special Training
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Research Projects/Knowledge
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Community Service Activities
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B.) For each activity/experience, list the skills you used or developed.
Step Two: Review and Relate...
Think in terms of what an employer is looking for. Conduct research to determine the top characteristics, skills, and qualities for the type of position you are applying for. Using your lists, determine which experiences have best prepared you for the type of position you are seeking.
Saint Mary's College Career Crossings Office can help to pare down your list of skills and experiences to those most relevant to the type of job you are seeking by crossing off those that are not related, are not strengths, or those that you simply do not need to repeat. Highlight those that are a good fit with your field of interest and that you feel proud of. You will want to stress these in your resume. Keep all lists for future reference.
Step Three: Select Your Resume Format...
Because we each have different backgrounds and experiences, there is no one way to construct a resume that applies to everyone. Basic goals for resumes are, however, constant:
To show off your skills, experience, and achievements to your best advantage.
To minimize any possible weaknesses.
There are several effective formats for presenting your credentials to a potential employer: chronological, functional, and combinational.
Step Four: Select Your Words Thoughtfully...
Refer to the action words list. Use it to help you brainstorm ways to word your experiences (a thesaurus will help too). Be confident in describing your skills and, again, keep in mind what the employer considers important for the type of position you're seeking.
Instead of describing a waitress position in the following way...
• Took orders
• Prepared salads
• Cleared tables and replenished condiments
Focus on skills future employers will value...
• Consistently provided excellent customer service
• Resolved complaints in a respectful manner
• Developed ability to function well in a fast-paced environment
Instead of describing a clerical position in the following generic way...
• Answered phones, typed, filed, and did general office work
Get specific...
• Operated four-line phone system
• Drafted and typed correspondence
• Prepared and organized client files
• Processed mass mailings for special events
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Top 10 Personal Characteristics
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Top 10 Skills
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Other Desired Qualities
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Honesty/Integrity Motivation/Initiative Commuication Skills Self-Confidence Flexibility Interpersonal Skills Strong Work Ethic Teamwork Skills Leadership Skills Enthusiasm
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Interpersonal Teamwork Analytical Oral Communication Flexibility Computer Written Communication Work Experience Internship Experience Co-op Experience |
Problem Solving Creativity Customer Service Orientation Common Sense Time Management Skills Ability to Organize Work Ability to Handle Stress Sales Know-How
Quick Thinking/Intelligent Enjoy a Challenge
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Once you register through the Center with Go Belles, you are able to view Internships and Full-time/Part-time job listings from employers, see a calendar of career-related events, and can send your resume electronically to employers. Information about on-campus recruiters is also on this site. Registration with Go Belles involves filling out a questionnaire and submitting an on-line resume.
A resume should verbally show you are a "doer." In describing your work experience and extracurricular activities, use words such as these to persuasively present your qualifications and background to prospective employers. Do not be hesitant to give yourself credit for your accomplishments. If you "developed" a program, "supervised" a group, or "initiated" an idea, say so. Use only as appropriate – not to misrepresent the duties or responsibilities you describe. Some action words are listed below:
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abstracted |
empowered |
negotiated |
Resume Formats: Which one is best for you?
Chronological Functional Combinational
Advantages:
Disadvantages:
This is for you if...
This is not for you if...
Advantages:
Disadvantages:
This is for you if...
This is not for you if...
Advantages:
Disadvantages:
This if for you if...
This is not for you if...
A Checklist for Putting It All Together...
FOCUS: Target your resume to a specific career area. Being open to many opportunities is a very positive approach to your job search, however your resume needs to have focus. Employers will overlook those resumes that appear unfocused.
CONTROL: Produce your resume on a word processing program (as opposed to using a resume template or software program that will force you into using a rigid, pre-determined format).
CAREER OBJECTIVES: Include a career objective on your resume if you have a specific one that will communicate to an employer the type of position or department that you are interested in. Objectives should always be stated in terms of how you will benefit the employer rather than what you are seeking from the employer (leave out anything like "seeking a challenging position with a progressive company"-- it will not impress). It is often helpful to include an objective if you are seeking a position that is not related to your major, or if the company uses a resume scanning system.
PROFESSIONAL PROFILES OR SUMMARIES: Use to capture an employer's interest near the top of your resume. Use this category to advertise your greatest strengths.
SKILLS CATEGORIES: Highlight skills relevant to the position that you are seeking. Consider including such categories as computer proficiencies, fluency in other languages, laboratory skills, coordinating, writing, marketing, communication, organizational, office, etc.
LEADERSHIP AND CAMPUS ACTIVITIES: Many employers seek candidates who have actively participated in campus activities. Skills gained through leadership roles may include the ability to coordinate events, plan and run business meetings, budget, and function as a team member. Include only those that you would feel confident in speaking about during an interview.
G.P.A.: Rule of thumb: if your grade point average is 3.0 or above, include it on your resume. If it isn't, consider calculating your G.P.A. within your major course work (and then be sure to label it as "Major G.P.A." on your resume). Academic honors may be included as a category that stands alone, or may be included in either your Education or an Activities and Honors section.
ORDER: The information listed should be what is most outstanding about you in order of importance.
PHRASING: Short phrases that begin with action words are appropriate in describing your experiences and accomplishments. Remember to be consistent with your verb tense (past vs. present) and with your punctuation (using periods vs. not). Avoid using the first person ("I", "me", "my") in describing experiences and accomplishments.
BASICS: When listing employer information, do include the basics – name of organization, position(s) held, city, state, and dates of employment.
DETAILS: Do not include employer street addresses, phone numbers, or names of supervisors on your resume. Save these items to include on applications (because an employer application is a legal document, and your resume is not, applications are required in addition to resumes) or on reference sheets.
A resume is a presentation of your professional and educational characteristics. To prevent possible discrimination, do not include personal details such as marital status, ethnicity, height, weight and age.
POSITION: Use a position title that will communicate to an employer the essence of what you did on the job. For example, although your formal position title may have been Clerk II, it's acceptable to list it as Receptionist on your resume if that provides a better idea of what the job was about. Note: the point is not to inflate the importance of the position, but to effectively communicate at a glance what the job entailed.
DATES: When listing dates, use general time frames like 1997-1998 (instead of 9/97-5/98) or Summer 1999.
When including dated items in any resume category (including your work experience, education, or activities), always list items in reverse chronological order (your most recent items are listed first).
RELATED EXPERIENCE: If you have had several work experiences that relate directly to your field of interest, but haven't been your most recent employment, consider grouping that experience in two categories (grouping those experiences under a "Related Experience" section, and all remaining others in an "Other Experience" category). Doing so will add more emphasis to the fact that you possess experience in a particular field. Also consider being more specific in naming that category (i.e. "Advertising Experience", "Lab Experience", "Publishing Experience", etc.). Use the language/jargon of the field to describe your skills and knowledge.
OTHER EXPERIENCE: This category should include employment that may not be directly related to your career goal (such as part-time and summer employment). All work experience is relevant and documents your work ethic.
REFERENCES: It is expected that you will have references, which should be listed on a separate sheet of resume paper and labeled as such (refer to the Reference Sheet section of the Career Workbook). Depending on how much space you have available on your resume, you may or may not choose to include the phrase References Available Upon Request. Education majors need their reference statement to read References Available Through The Career Crossings Office, Saint Mary's College, Notre Dame, Indiana 46556, (574) 284-4565.
QUALITY: Laser-printed original resumes are best. However quality copies can be obtained at commercial copying stores. Make sure that your resumes are top quality and contain no smeared letters or smudges.
Have copies of your resume produced on a high quality resume paper. Colors other than white improve readability (ivories, creams, and light grays are the most common). Don't select papers with a busy/unprofessional border or with a background that will make your resume difficult for the employer to make a clean copy of. If the paper you select contains a watermark seal, make sure that your copies are made correctly so that the seal doesn't appear backwards.
FONT: Font size should be no smaller than a 10 point font, with an 11 or 12 point being preferable.
Your name should appear in a size 16 font or larger. You may choose to use a font for your name that is different than what you use in the body of your resume.
Experiment with a variety of fonts, rather than going with the standard Times Roman font. Just make sure that you select one that is easy to read (no script fonts). Good options include Arial, Book Antiqua, Comic Sans, Futura, and News Goth. Print your resume using several different fonts and decide which you like best.
GRAPHICS: If not overused, and if used appropriately to display creativity and/or computer skills that are relevant to the job you are seeking, graphics can be used to enhance your resume. Common resume graphics include lines to divide one section from another, borders, and symbols (like bullets, arrows, diamonds, squares, or check marks).
MARGINS: Leave adequate margins. Most word processing programs will have a 1" margin on all sides. You can pull your margins out on all sides to fit information on your resume. Please do not make the margins any smaller than 0.5."
LENGTH: One page resumes for most college students are adequate. There may be exceptions when it is necessary to go to an additional page. Please remember that the one page resume is a guideline, not a law. Say what you have to say! If your resume extends beyond one page, use font size, spacing, and your layout to make it attractive (in order to justify having a second page, the second page should be no less than half full of information). Never staple a two page resume together; make sure the second page includes a heading that contains your name and indicates that it is your second page.
READABILITY: The use of white space between paragraphs, bold print, capital letters and italicizing help clarify the information and improve readability. However, too much white space can make your resume appear stark, and too much bolding, capitalizing, or italicizing emphasizes nothing. Consider what does and what should stand out on your resume.
PROOF: Proofread your resume. Have friends, professors and career services personnel read your resume for typographical and grammatical errors, inconsistencies in format, and correct wording of descriptions.
A scannable, or key word, resume is a document that is created to have the capability to be scanned using special computer equipment. Using scannable resumes to store information is a very popular trend in the corporate world. Presently, about half of all mid-sized companies, and virtually all large corporations are scanning resumes and cover letters by the thousands. Even school districts are starting to scan resumes. Scanned documents take up no physical file space and provide instant recall on any item.
Key Words
By using key words, companies can have their database pull up all resumes of those who meet qualifications that are predetermined. Key words are individual words or phrases that are used to search resume databases. They tend to be mostly nouns or noun phrase types (such as total quality management, cooperative learning, customer service, and chemist), rather than the traditional power action verbs often found in resumes (such as developed, coordinated, and organized). When you use a key word, you are more likely to strike a match with what the database is looking for.
Because key word resumes differ somewhat from traditional style resumes, you may wish to create two versions of your resume... one for scanning by humans and the other for scanning by computers.
Scannable Resume Guidelines
Electronic Resumes can be e-mailed either as an attachment or witin the actual e-mail. In order to keep the formatting of your resume, sending the e-mail as attachment is your best bet. To be safe, you should also attach a .txt file of your resume.
A resume that can be viewed over the Internet will generally be located on your personal web page (all SMC students have space on our server for a personal web page. Call Information Technology/Help Desk for assistance 284-4715). The best way to begin your .html resume is to cut and paste your traditional resume into a web design software package (e.g. PageMill, FrontPage, etc.). Know that creative expression is generally accepted and encouraged in .html resumes. Therefore, the basic .html resume will be an exact replica of your traditional resume, except viewable on-line. From there, the sky is the limit. Throw in some Java scripts or an applet, possibly include some pictures, audio clips, or even video clips. For those students/graduates applying for technology oriented positions, an .html resume is nearly a must and a wonderful way to demonstrate your skills.
Resumes that are Internet viewable are different from either the scanable or traditional resumes in that they can include much more creative/ multimedia information. Read below for different strategies on creating an .htm. resume.
Sending your Resume as an E-mail Attachment
Use one of the following formats:
1. Microsoft Word
Considered the standard industry word processor; if the organization doesn't have it, they usually have a way to convert it from this format.
2. Text
Use the Save As and File Type commands to create this format which is appropriate for a resume you know will be scanned into a database.
3. HTML
Use the Save As and File Type commands to post your resume on the Web, or if you are certain the employer has an HTML enabled mail program, such as Netscape Communicator.
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Chronological: |
Combinational:
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Functional:
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Cover Letters:
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Other:
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MS Word files
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PDF files
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Internship/Job Search Letters |
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Sample Letter for Requesting An Informational Interview
Date
Ms. Mary Smith, Auditor
Company Name
Address
Address
Dear Ms. Smith:
As a junior majoring in Business Administration at Saint Mary's College, I am considering several career options. One of my areas of interest is auditing. Your name was given to me by Dr. Jones at Saint Mary's College.
I am interested in talking with professionals in this field, and Dr. Jones highly recommends you as an expert in the field of auditing. I am requesting approximately 20-30 minutes of your time, either in person or by telephone, at your convenience, to discuss the accounting field as it relates to auditing. I would also like to inquire about the accounting industry and your career path experience.
Thank you for considering my request. I have included my resume and will contact you within the next two weeks to discuss scheduling a convenient time.
Sincerely,
Sarah Rogers
934 Le Mans Hall
Saint Mary's College
Notre Dame, Indiana 46556
(219) 284-0000
LETTER OF APPLICATION FOR AN INTERNSHIP
Suggested Form and Content
Date
Ms. Geraldine P. Godfrey
Account Manager
Grant and Associates
134 34th Street
Chicago, Illinois 60606
Dear Ms. Godfrey:
In your opening paragraph, introduce yourself as a Saint Mary's College student and give your class year (sophomore, junior, or senior) and major (also minor if relevant). State why you are writing this letter. If appropriate, refer to the specific internship for which you are applying.
In your second paragraph, state that a copy of your resume is enclosed. Briefly explain why you would like to do the internship. State the semester in which you would like to do it. Include beginning and ending dates and the number of hours per week you can work. In a letter of inquiry, it is frequently advantageous to state that you will be receiving college credit for the internship--if that is true in your case.
In your final paragraph, express appreciation for the consideration which will be given your application or request for an internship. State that you will call in about a week to discuss the internship, to arrange an interview if necessary, or to answer any questions the person to whom you are writing may have.
Sincerely,
(signature)
Julia F. Burke
Street Address
City/State/Zip
enclosure
THANK YOU LETTER
PURPOSE
Thank-you letters are to be written after having a face-to-face or telephone interview with a prospective employer. The letter should cover some of the important points from your interview and your interest in the position. Thank-you letters are very important since they keep your name fresh in the recruiter's mind and further communicate your desire for the position. It is not uncommon for employers to screen out candidates on the basis of whether or not they receive a thank-you letter. Send the letter the day of or after the interview, within 48 hours. It is better to send a thank-you letter late, however, than not to send one at all! Be businesslike, brief and concise.
Thank-you letters are a fantastic way to maintain dialogue a with the employer which could lead to a further conversation about you filling the job. While it is a gesture of good manners to send a thank-you letter, it is also a means advancing the action toward a job offer.
MULTIPLE INTERVIEWS ON THE SAME DAY
If you were interviewed by several different people in the organization on the same visit, send a letter to the principal interviewer or hiring authority, and, if a different person, to the individual who scheduled your visit. You can send copies of this with an individualized cover note to the other people who interviewed you, or you can ask your key contact person to convey your thanks to the others involved. The thank-you note should be typed, not on a post-it note or informal stationary.
SAMPLE THANK YOU LETTER
Date
Employer's Name
Title
Organization
Street
City, State, Zip
Dear Mr./Ms. Employer:
1st Paragraph
Thank the employer for the hospitality extended to you during your visit. Reaffirm your interest in the position. Mention some of the aspects of the interview, the firm or the position that you found especially interesting.
2nd Paragraph
State why the employer should hire you. Add any additional qualification you may have forgotten to mention in the interview.
3rd Paragraph
Thank the employer for the opportunity to interview and make yourself available for future contacts between you and the company. Indicate that you are looking forward to hearing from them regarding this opportunity.
Sincerely,
(Your signature)
Your Name Typed
Cover Letter Format
1. DATE
Skip two lines under your return address and type the date. Do not abbreviate dates or use numerical listings, i.e., 6/15/97.
2. ADDRESS YOUR LETTER TO A PARTICULAR PERSON BY NAME
Send your letter to the person who can make the hiring decision, by name. Personal letters get read more readily then letters with a general title or department. Avoid correspondence that begins with, "To whom it may concern," "Attention: Human Resources Department," or "Dear Sir or Madam." However, sometimes it is extremely difficult to get a specific name and title. Do your best to get the information but there are times where you will have no other option but to use a general salutation.
When typing the inside address, skip two lines under the date and on the left hand side of the page, type the name of the person to whom you are writing. Include the appropriate title (i.e., Dr., Mr., Mrs., Ms., Reverend, etc.) and make sure the name is spelling correctly. Remember, John can also be spelled Jon, Kelly can be spelled Kellie or Kelli and Pat could be Patricia or Patrick. In other words, don't assume you know how their first and last names are spelled --ASK. Call the organization with which you wish to interview and find out the correct spelling of the person's name and title. Don't worry if it takes three or four phone calls.
Remember to utilize the Alumnae Resource Network (ARN) for networking. Searches can be made by company name. It is always a good idea to contact an inside source before sending your resume.
3. SALUTATION
Skip two lines after the address and begin your salutation. The salutation in a business letter is always followed by a colon, not a comma as in a personal letter.
4. BODY OF LETTER
Skip two lines under the salutation and begin your letter. A cover letter is usually composed of three to five paragraphs. The first paragraph states the intention of the letter; why you are writing, i.e., responding to a job advertisement, following a lead from a referral or contacting the employer about future job possibilities.
The second paragraph discusses what in particular you like about the organization. This will allow for the employer to see that you have done your research and that your cover letter is customized. Think of the second paragraph as "why I like your organization."
Communicate something personal. People who get a lot of mail are wary of form letters and have developed personal techniques for skimming cover letters to see if there is any message for them. The likelihood of a personal response to your letter is directly related to the degree of personal attention you give to the letter. Examples could be: "I understand you have just received a grant from ABC to continue your research in _______", or "I see that you are expanding your operations and will be hiring twenty-five consultants."
The third paragraph is where you can highlight your qualifications to potential employers. Highlight your educational credentials, skills, related work experience, internship and personal characteristics that related to the job you are applying for. Think of this paragraph as "why you should like me." Tell why you are uniquely suited for the job you're seeking. Use specific examples from your extracurricular activities, course work and employment which demonstrate acquired skills such as leadership, decision making and communication. Illustrate how your experience matches their needs.
Looks Count. Your letter should be one page and on the same bond paper (white or off-white) as your resume. Your letter is an example of your attention to detail and the care that you put into your work. Display your quality work.
5. THE CLOSING
Skip two lines below the last sentence of the letter and type "Sincerely" with a comma following it.
Skip four lines down from the closing and type your name and address. Be sure to sign your original copy before you mail it.
Type "Enclosure(s)" (do not abbreviate, i.e., Enc.) two lines below your name on the left margin.
Cover Letter Hints
STYLE
Proofread your letter: each word and phrase for accuracy in spelling, punctuation and grammatical content. It might be helpful to have someone else read it before you send it to an employer. Be sure that the letter is clean, attractive, and accurate.
Cover letters must be unique to the position for which you are applying. Form letters will more than likely not be read. Be sure your original is prepared on the same size and color paper of your resume. Attention to detail is crucial. If an employer sees that you are careless in preparing your cover letter, what kind of impression do you think this makes?
Be certain that you use a letter quality printer with a visually appealing type face. Make certain the font does not look like your cover letter or resume was typed on a typewriter.
Do not use abbreviations in your cover letter except for Mr., Ms., Dr., Mrs., or State Abbreviations such as IN, IL, CA, NY.
Always keep a copy of the letter for your file.
GENERAL
Try not to sound too formal or distant in your writing style. Strike a balance between professional crispness and personal warmth when you write your letter. But do NOT use conversational wording.
If you feel you are lacking specific qualifications for a job, don't apologize for what you perceive as a deficiency. Stress your strengths and sound positive and confident.
Tailor your letter to the needs of the company and the requirements of the position. How will the employer benefit by hiring you? Want ads and company publications offer clues about what to stress. Get inside information about the workings of your chosen industry by reading trade publications, business magazines, and contacting trade associations.
The Cover Letter Outline
Your Street Address
City, State Zip
Date
Mr./Mrs. Recruiter's Full Name
Recruiter's Title
Department Name
Company Name
Street Address
City, State Zip
Dear Mr./Ms. Last Name Only:
The first paragraph states the intention of your letter. The question to be answered in this paragraph is why you are writing this individual and this company. If your intention is to gain more information or an application, then please state that. If your intention is to be considered as an applicant then state the position you are applying for and how you learned of this position.
The second paragraph should be very customized. It should answer the question why I like your company. Include facts and figures about the company from your research that demonstrates that you are not just sending out a form letter, but have taken the extra initiative to do research about their company.
The third paragraph is for if you are wanting to be considered as an applicant. It answers the question of why you are an excellent candidate for this position. Stated another way, why you should like me. List qualities, projects, accomplishments that relate to the position for which you are applying. Please remember, that the cover letter must not be a re-hashing of your resume. Include two or three examples of how and why your accomplishments match with the employer's needs. Tell how your experiences and interests are related to the position.
The closing paragraph should focus on thanks and logistics. Always thank people for their time! If the intention of your letter is to be considered as an applicant, then also thank the person you are writing for his/her consideration. When stating logistics, "keep the ball in your court." State when YOU will be contacting them next for what purpose.
Sincerely,
(your signature here)
Your Name Typed
Enclosure(s) (This indicates that your resume, references and/or additional materials are enclosed).
Declining an Offer
Diplomacy and tact are the order of business in rejecting a job offer. Declining an offer in a professional and constructive manner may help to "leave the door open."
Your Street Address
City, State Zip
Date
Employer's Name
Title
Organization
Street Address
City, State Zip Code
Dear Mr./Ms. Employer:
1st Paragraph
Thank the employer for considering you for the position in their organization. Mention a positive aspect of the interview process.
2nd Paragraph
Thank the employer for the offer and decline it, stating that you have decided to make another choice which more closely matches your current career interests and objectives.
3rd Paragraph
Thank the employer again for their consideration.
Sincerely,
(Your Signature)
Full Name Typed
LETTER OF REFUSAL FOR AN INTERNSHIP
If you have been offered an internship by more than one organization, it will be necessary to choose one and accept the position. At the same time, it will also be necessary to inform the organizations whose internships you do not accept that you will not be interning with them. This may be accomplished by telephone, however, a follow-up letter would be an added piece of professionalism. The following is a sample and should be modified to suit your particular situation.
Today's Date
Mr. James Jones, Director
Human Resources
American Airlines
Suite 747, O'Hare Airport
Chicago, Illinois 60606
Dear Mr. Jones:
I am writing to inform you that I have given careful consideration to your offer of an internship and I have decided not to accept the position as we discussed on (date). I was fortunate to have received another offer which better suits my educational interests.
Thank you for the time and consideration you have given me. I appreciate it very much and regret not being able to accept your offer at this time.
Sincerely,
(signature)
Mary Walters
LETTER OF ACCEPTANCE OF AN INTERNSHIP
When an offer of an internship is extended, it most often communicated through a telephone conversation. If an offer is extended in the form of a letter, a follow-up phone call will more than likely follow the letter. An acceptance letter by the student who has been granted an internship is optional. If you would like to write a letter of acceptance the following example format and wording could be used.
Today's Date
Mr. James Jones, Director
Human Resources
American Airlines
Suite 747, O'Hare Airport
Chicago, Illinois 60606
Dear Mr. Jones:
Thank you so much for the opportunity serve as an intern with American Airlines this summer. I am eager to learn the many facets of the airline industry and look forward to beginning my internship experience.
My understanding is that the starting date of this internship will be May 15, 1998 and will end on August 15, 1998. Please let me know if I can provide any further information at this time.
Sincerely,
(Signature)
Mary Walters
Other Letters
Initial Employer Prospecting Letter
*This letter is used when you are interested in a company that has not published a job opening.
Your Street Address
City, State Zip
Date
Employer's Name, Title
Organization
Street Address
City, State, Zip
Dear Mr./Ms. Employer:
In May 2001, I will be graduating from Saint Mary's College in Notre Dame, Indiana, with a bachelor 's degree in Biology and would like to pursue a career in Pharmaceutical Sales. The possibility of working for (Name of Company) particularly interests me because of the company's innovations in product development and 20 percent growth over the past five years.
For sales success, I possess an outgoing personality and the capability to learn detailed information. My strong work ethic and determination is best illustrated by the fact that I held two summer jobs as well as worked thirty hours a week during the school year in order to finance my education.
Additionally, I offer ...
a competitive attitude
the potential and ambition to succeed
outstanding Biological Science knowledge gained from course work and internships
excellent public speaking and interpersonal communication skills
Enclosed is a resume for your consideration. I would like to meet with you, at your convenience, to further discuss my credentials. I will be contacting you in about a week in order to schedule an appointment. I am looking forward to speaking with you regarding employment opportunities with (Name of Company).
Sincerely,
(your signature)
Your name typed
Enclosure: resume
How to Write a Follow-Up Letter
*This type of letter would be sent to an employer you have already made contact with and you are following up with this employer, per the employer's suggestion.
Your Street Address
City, State Zip
Date
Employer's Name
Title
Organization
Street Address
City, State, Zip
I wanted to take this opportunity to re-contact you, after our initial meeting on (date), regarding the (title of position) at (name of company). During our conversation, you suggested that I contact you after graduation. I received my Marketing degree the end of August and am still very interested in working for your company.
My educational background combined with my __________(example: Marketing, Sales and Management employment) experience would qualify me for this position. My accomplishments include ____________ (example: the development of innovative advertisement campaigns and extensive research into local retail markets as well as providing professional customer service).
The opportunity to discuss my credentials with you would be greatly appreciated. I will contact you during the week of March 15 to determine the possibility of scheduling an appointment. Thank you for your consideration. I am looking forward to speaking to you regarding employment opportunities with (name of company).
Sincerely,
(Your signature)
Your Full Name Typed
