Hum 1201

Résumé
A Résumé is a brief, informative document summarizing your
abilities, education, and experience. It should highlight your
strongest assets and differentiate you from other candidates.

Purpose of a Résumé:
o To make employers want to interview you!
o To highlight your strongest assets and differentiate you from
other candidates.
o To make an impression in 15-30 seconds.
o To provide employers with a summary of your education,
abilities, and experience.
o To let employers know how your skills and abilities will be a
good fit.
 Résumé
A Résumé is a brief, informative document summarizing your
abilities, education, and experience. It should highlight your
strongest assets and differentiate you from other candidates.

Four important parts of a Résumé :

o Contact Information
o Education
o (Job) Experience
o Skills and interests
 Résumé - Contact Information
o Name (First and Last Name)
o Address (Primary or Present)
o Primary Email and Phone Number
 Résumé - Education
o University, Degree, Expected graduation date, Concentration,
and Thesis. (GPA is optional)
o Academic Awards or Honors.
o Relevant coursework. Major Time Commitments. GPA and
Admission Score (Optional).
Résumé - Education
 Résumé - Experience
o List all the experiences you have had previously. Mention the name of the
organizations, positions, also mention the responsibilities using “Action
Verbs” (provided at the end of the slide).
 Résumé - Experience
o List all the experiences you have had previously. Mention the name of the
organizations, positions, also mention the responsibilities using “Action
Verbs” (provided at the end of the slide).
 Résumé - Leadership & Activities
o Mention the leadership experiences you have had and the activities you
had done previously related to university clubs, institutions, etc.
 Résumé - Skills
o Skills you have developed and honed in relation to
Technology, Language, Laboratory, and interests.
Résumé
Résumé (Action Verbs)
Résumé (Action Verbs)
Résumé (Action Verbs)
 Assignment (Graded – 5 Marks)
Prepare a Résumé.

You wish to apply for a job for which you need to

submit your Résumé. Prepare a Résumé
following your learning.

In your Résumé, you should add the followings:

o Contact Information
o Education
o (Job) Experience
o Skills and interests
 Job Letter (Cover Letter)
Job/ Cover letter is a way to introduce yourself to organizations
in a narrative form that will accompany your resume. Use your
cover letter to describe your qualifications as well as your
interest in both the job and organization so the employer will
want to interview you. Since the primary purpose of a resume
and cover letter is to “market” you, always keep the
organization’s hiring needs in mind.

Purpose of a Cover Letter:

o Express your interest in the organization and position to
which you are applying.
o Expand upon your skills and experiences highlighted on
your Résumé.
Job Letter (Cover Letter) - Structure
 Crafting an Effective Job/Cover Letter
Paragraph 1: Introduce Yourself

• Identify the position you are applying for, and how you learned of it.
• Explain why you are interested in applying for this role.
• You may want to include your year (e.g. junior), college, and major.
• Be sure to include something specific about the company (it’s important to tailor your
letter; don’t use generic language that could apply to any company in that industry).
• Answer the questions: Why is this position right for me? Why do I want to work for this
specific organization?

Paragraphs 2: Sell Yourself

• Indicate that you understand the position requirements and illustrate that you possess
the skills required to add value in the role.
• Highlight character traits and/or specific experiences that prove you are a good fit for
the organization and the role.
• Do not simply repeat what is on your resume.
• DO elaborate on skills and stories – be specific!!
• Look at the required skills section of the job posting for ideas of what to highlight.
• Answer the question: Why am I right for this position?
 Crafting an Effective Job/Cover Letter
Paragraph 3: Closing
• Keep this paragraph short and sweet.
• Summarize your qualifications for the position and reiterate why you are a good fit.
• Provide contact information (cellphone and email).
• Say thank you!
• Answer the questions: Does the recruiter know how to contact me, and the type of
position I am seeking?

A Few Tips & Tricks

• If you don’t have the name of a contact, address the letter to “Dear Hiring Manager,” or “Dear
Human Resources Director.” Don’t address the letter to “To whom it may concern,” or “Dear
Sir/Madam”
• Limit the letter to 3-4 paragraphs, and 1 page.
• Expand on your resume; do not repeat it verbatim.
• Don not copy exact words/phrases from sample cover letters.
• Confirm that you’ve included the correct company name and contact information.
• Be enthusiastic. Show off your personality!
 Job Letter (Cover Letter) - Sample
September 1, 2019

Morgan Smith
Director of Communications
Jumpstart
308 Congress Street, 6 th Floor
Boston, MA 02110

Dear Morgan Smith:

I am a senior at Harvard College studying History and Literature. I am writing to apply for the Marketing and Communications position
at Jumpstart posted in Harvard’s Crimson Careers database. I'm very excited about the field of education, and would welcome the
opportunity to bring my strong communication skills, creativity, and marketing experience to your growing team.
Jumpstart's commitment to early education for every child is of particular interest to me because of my passion for youth development.
This past summer, I worked as a senior counselor in the Summer Urban Program, which is dedicated to preventing summer learning
loss for children in the Boston and Cambridge area. I designed and taught fun, interactive classes to a group of 10 fifth graders, and
planned and led local field trips and workshops daily with a junior counselor. Throughout the summer, I consistently strived to create
math, science, and reading lessons and activities that were engaging and tailored to my students' needs.
Additionally, in my role as the Director of Marketing for the Social Innovation Collaborative, I led our team in creating a social media
strategy to drive our member recruitment efforts and promote our programs and events on platforms including Facebook, Twitter, and
Instagram. With so many competing events on campus each day, I had to continually be creative in my approach to developing and
delivering content that would be compelling and effective. As a result of my efforts, our group experienced a 20% increase in our
membership base and a 15% increase in our social media engagement. I’m excited at the prospect of bringing the skills I developed
through this experience to the Marketing and Communications role at Jumpstart.
Thank you for your consideration. I very much look forward to the opportunity to speak with you in person about my interest in this
position.

Sincerely,
Alex Crimson