Is your resume competitive? Does it best represent you?

It is highly suggested that you have your Resume, Cover Letter, or any professional documents critiqued by a Professional Counselor, Professional Employer or Peer Advisor in the Career Center prior to uploading them to BroncoConnection. For assistance come to the Career Center located in Building 97, Room 100.

Drop In Advising Hours (during the quarter)

Monday-Friday 11am-3pm & Monday-Thursday 5pm-6pm

Resumes

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Combination (pdf)
Scannable (pdf)
Functional (pdf)
References (pdf)

Cover Letters

Your cover letter is at least as important as your resume, so compose each letter carefully. Business letters are designed to present information about your experience and qualifications beyond your resume, and to reflect your ability to communicate well.

Unless you are attending a Career Fair or have been asked not to send a cover letter, a cover letter signals that you have a high degree of interest in the position. If you are applying online through a job search engine such as Monster.com, you will not need to include a cover letter unless instructed to do so.

Customize cover letters for each job—form letters do not create a positive impression with employers.

All well composed cover letters should include:

· Specifically why you are interested in the potential employer

· What you have to offer that will make that employer particularly interested in you

· If the contact is known, when and how you will be contacting the addressee to follow-up on your letter.

Sample Cover Letters

Thank You Letters

The Thank You Letter is used following a meeting or interview to express your appreciation and to strengthen your position as a highly qualified candidate; also send thank you letters to those individuals you may have interviewed as part of your job search research (information interviews); it's also a nice, professional touch to send letters of appreciation to people who served as references for you.

The thank you letter is probably one of the most important but least used tools in the job search process. Your use of this tool can set you apart and above other candidates, so be sure you send a thank you letter within 1-2 days after every interview.

Make it brief, warm and more personal than your cover letter, but maintain a professional, business-like style. In addition to expressing your appreciation for the interview and reaffirming your interest in the position, this is your opportunity to reemphasize your strengths or mention some aspect of your background or experience that wasn't covered during the interview.

Samples

Application Letter

There are basically two types of cover letters you might use in your job search:

Letter of Application or Response to an Advertisement: is used when you are responding to a specific advertised opening; the strategy here is to show how your skills and qualifications fit the requirements of the position.

Sample: Application letter template (doc)

The Letter of Inquiry is used when you are contacting an individual or organization to ask about possible openings; the strategy is the same except that you focus on broader occupational or organizational requirements to demonstrate how your qualifications match the work environment or can be utilized to meet organizational needs.

Sample: Letter of inquiry template (doc)

Whichever type of cover letter you are sending, it says something very important about you as a professional and as a prospective employee. It should be a clear demonstration of your written communication skills and knowledge of accepted business practices, as well as your ability to convince and persuade the reader of your value to the organization. This means that you must prepare a new letter each time--after doing some research to determine the particular needs and requirements of the organization and position you are seeking. You must also determine which of your specific skills or accomplishments best demonstrate how you can meet those needs. Finally, you must compose a letter that communicates your value in an understandable, concise, professional and business-like way. The guidelines and sample letters that follow will help you achieve these goals.

Withdrawal Letter

The Withdrawal Letter is used to inform the employer of your decision to withdraw your application from consideration during the selection process; you should express your appreciation for the employer's time and courtesy and give a brief explanation for your decision--you might say that you accepted a position with another organization, but never say that you accepted a better job.

Sample: Withdrawal Letter (doc)

The Rejection Letter: used to inform the employer that you are declining an employment offer; whatever the reason for your decision, word your letter carefully so that it conveys your sincere appreciation and careful consideration of the offer; provide a brief explanation for your decision, but again, never say that you accepted a better job.

Sample: Rejection Letter (doc)

Resume Worksheet & Action Verbs

Sample Resumes
Chronological